Gaggia Anima: Pump Test and Ventilation
Learn what to do if your Gaggia Anima is producing limited or no water flow through the dispensing spouts or steam wand, as well as how to test water flow at home. If you have an E05 or repeat priming errors, this is a good place to start. If no water dispenses anywhere, or you hear a dry clicking sound, go with the Force Prime. For more information on addressing flow issues, see the article on General Flow Issues.
How to Test Water Flow in the Gaggia Anima
For pump testing purposes, check out your p/s reading as the pump runs and the EV off and on. If you have water dispensing somewhere (even if it’s just filling up the internal drip tray) but a reading of zero, you have a flow meter issue. To ventilate and improve flow rather than testing, set water to dispense from your steam wand (or hot water spout for the prestige) until you get a steady flow.
Poor or questionable water flow can occur suddenly or slow to a dribble over time. The following test will measure your machine’s water flow and force out any clogs that may be causing a blockage.
First, we’ll need to enter the TECH MENU. To do this, turn off the main power to your machine by flipping the switch in the back. Press and hold ESPRESSO and MENU at the same time, then turn the main power on by flipping the switch in the back. The screen should say “FW” at the top. This stands for FIRMWARE, and indicates that you are now in the tech menu.
The center button below the screen is your standby button, or power button. You can press this to navigate through the 6 menu options.
When you see “BU” at the top of the page, you are on the BREW UNIT page. Press and hold ESPRESSO to reposition the brew unit. You should hear the brew unit going into “WORK” position. It will come to a stop, at which point you can let go of the ESPRESSO button. ***YOU MUST HAVE THE BREW UNIT IN WORK POSITION IN ORDER FOR WATER TO COME OUT OF THE FRONT OF THE MACHINE***
Press the standby/power button again, so that you navigate to the PUMP page.
EV1 will be displayed on the left side of the screen. This stands for Electromagnetic Valve. In essence, this is a solenoid valve that opens and closes and lets water flow either out of the steam wand or out of the group head. When EV1 is OFF - Press the Steam button- water should come out of the front coffee spouts of the machine. When EV1 is ON- Press the Steam button, and water will come out of the steam wand.
A device known as the flowmeter measures water flow in the machine. Water flow is represented by “L/H,” or Liters per Hour. All you need to know is that 14/15 is normal, indicating good, strong water flow.
***REMEMBER TO GO BACK TO THE BU PAGE, AND PUT THE BREW UNIT BACK INTO HOME POSITION. THIS IS DONE BY PRESSING AND HOLDING THE AROMA STRENGTH BUTTON UNTIL THE BREW UNIT COMES TO A STOP***
