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Note 2015 New Gaggia Classic models have no solenoid and as of yet , a method for OPV has not been found Congratulations!! Think of the soundtrack to ‘Titanic’, because you’re currently standing on the bow of a small boat, arms outstretched, bound for the new and exciting world of Coffee! In case you haven’t already realised, www.coffeeforums.co.uk is fantastic. The people on here are sooo helpful and friendly, and in no time at all you’ll be making great espresso. You’ll also probably soon want to get into brewed coffee, but let’s leave that to one side for now and focus on helping you get started with the Classic. I hope you’ll spend the time reading through old posts on here – many questions have already been asked at some point, and answers have already been given. But I thought I’d just offer up some words, and links to threads, websites, youtube videos etc. These are the ones I still have bookmarked on my browser from when I got my Classic and started the never-ending quest for the perfect espresso (the “God Shot” as one forum member recently called it ) 1. http://www.coffeecrew.com/learning/255-gaggia-classic-step-by-step It’s a fantastic primer in using and maintaining the Classic, and starting to adopt a good espresso-making process. 2. http://coffeegeek.com/proreviews/firstlook/gaggiaclassic/details Another good post to help you learn about your machine. You need to understand it before you can use it properly. 3. http://coffeeforums.co.uk/showthread.php?2995-Gaggia-Classic-newbie-starting Some typical things you need to do right away. Contrary to what you might expect, the Classic isn’t shipped with everything you need. 4. http://www.gaggia.com/dam/bo/allegati/files/23_classic.pdf The Gaggia Classic manual that comes with the machine. Following the instructions in the manual will not automatically get you making great espresso, but they are a good start. 5. http://www.bluebox.com.au/jcrayon/gaggia/ How to change the Group Gasket on a Gaggia Classic Espresso machine. If your machine is second hand, there’s a good chance you need to do this. Don’t worry... it’s easy, and it’s also a great way to get used to the idea that if you want good espresso then you need to learn a few things about the workings of the machine. Like I say, don’t worry! You’re probably going to like it, and will soon even be keen to make a few modifications to your machine. 6. http://www.happydonkey.co.uk/gaggiaspareparts.html Happy Donkey stocks some of the main parts and accessories you will need. This page lists some of them. http://www.espressoservices.co.uk/gaggia_accessories.html This Glasgow-based company are also great. David works full time on repairing and maintaining lots of different domestic espresso machines, and they have good access to parts. 7. http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?p=11548518#post11548518 Very soon you’re going to realise that the original steam wand on the Classic isn’t great for making those lattes and cappuccinos. Thankfully you can buy a longer, better wand to replace it (but take care – this will invalidate your warranty if it’s a new machine). Here are some more links on the subject. http://thehippy.net/nucleus/index.php?itemid=1311 http://coffeesnobs.com.au/YaBB.pl?num=1126833848 http://www.toomuchcoffee.com/index.php?name=PNphpBB2&file=viewtopic&t=4851 To fit this to a new 2015 model classic pleas go here for instructions http://coffeeforums.co.uk/showthread.php?21693-Putting-a-Silvia-Wand-Onto-New-2015-Gaggia-Classics&p=257916#post257916 8. https://www.happydonkey.co.uk/espressomachinebackflush.html To keep your machine clean, some people recommend backflushing. This is a quick and easy process that you don’t need to do that often. 9. http://coffeeforums.co.uk/showthread.php?2390-Adjusting-OPV-on-a-Classic After a while you might start thinking of doing the OPV mod. This basically just involved turning an allen key, but you need to understand what is going on, and decide whether you want to do it or not. Some people say it’s not necessary... other people swear by it. Sorry, there’s no definitive right answer – like many things in coffee. Here's another link. http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=53799445 10. This is quite a cool little tutorial in pulling an espresso shot with the Classic. In time you’ll develop your own version of this, working in slight tweaks and improvements, but it’s good to see someone else’s process. Have fun!