Brew Head Group Gasket for Gaggia Espresso Machines E61 - 8.5mm by D.V.M. Italy

It is hard to find the exact replacement because there are so many slightly different sizes of portafilter gaskets. This one works with my machine and I decided to buy two additional spares to spare the agony of locating the correct one in the future.As far as rating the value; I'm sure there are higher quality or better prices out there, but my time is worth something.As far as durability; none of these gaskets last forever in the harsh environment they encounterAs far as easy to install; this has nothing to do with the part and everything to do with the machine it fits. This is hardly an applicable item for a rating.

I bought this as a replacement for the badly leaking gasket in my Gaggia Classic Pro machine. Getting the old gasket out was the hard part. I had to cut it to pieces with a box cutter. While I was in there, I removed the entire group and cleaned off all the caked up coffee gunk. The photo shows the first two shots after replacing the gasket and cleaning the brew head group. The crema came out much better, and there was no leakage at all. I like the firm feel of the new gasket.

This gasket works ok and seals nicely. However it must be thicker than 8.5 mm because the portafilter handle won't center. (see the Picture - The handle should stick more or less straight out).I have another handle with a deep basket that won't even engage. My Gaggia Classic Pro is supposed to take an 8.5 mm gasket and I've replaced them in the past. This one makes me think it's probably at leatst 9mm.

I found a good video on Chris’s Coffee website about how to remove an old gasket and install a new one. Replacement is fairly easy and this gasket has my espresso machine working like new. I recommend this product.

UPDATE REVIEW June 2018.I have now ordered this product four times. The first order and most recent orders were D.V.M. stamped gaskets. The other two were not. The D.V.M. products are barely usable. The others are better. See below.1) 2014 = CAFFE FORTEInitial order was from seller CAFFE FORTE, and was a perfect fit for my Gaggia Baby Twin, which means it should fit the Gaggia Classic, Gaggia Coffee and Gaggia Coffee Deluxe models also.However, the D.V.M. gasket compound is far too hard, so the basket holder (portafilter) cannot be properly tightened. This means (A) that it starts leaking after a few months, as it hardens even further over time; (B) it's much harder to correctly dose and fill the basket; and (C) the portafilter may even pop off during brewing and smash your coffee cup underneath! I will not be buying it again from Caffe Forte.Rating = ONE STAR only!(Better than nothing + correct fit, but compound is too hard causing leaks and potentially, broken cups.)2) March 2017 = WHOLE LATTE LOVEThis gasket DID NOT HAVE D.V.M. stamped on the gasket, and it appears to be MUCH BETTER QUALITY. In fact, it seems like the OEM quality I've bought before (and Whole Latte Love do sell Gaggia, since I've bought one of my espresso machines from them). I would have NO hesitation buying this gasket from them again. With a low price under $10, this is simply an ideal way to get replacement gaskets. Also, because they shipped using USPS First Class, it arrived on a Saturday in California having only shipped on a Thursday from New York! Awesome!FIVE STAR RATING for Whole Latte Love purchase!AVOID the D.V.M. stamped gaskets!3) 2017 = CERINI COFFEENot stamped D.V.M., but not OEM quality. Similar HARD COMPOUND to D.V.M. Works a little better than the D.V.M. version and lasted longer.THREEE Stars.4) 2019 Espresso PlusSame horrible D.V.M. gasket as supplied by Caffe Forte. Does not tighten properly. Compound is too hard. Waste of money.PLEASE IGNORE ALL THE POSITIVE REVIEWS for your own sanity and peace of mind.AMAZON should NOT be listing DIFFERENT caskets under the same sales listing. There needs to be an OFFICIAL OEM listing from quality sellers like WHOLE LATTE LOVE.The problem is that you have to order ahead, to make sure you have a spare gasket when needed, so when you try to use the gasket, the RETURN PERIOD is over. I will be NOT be ordering from anyone but WLL in the future, and I will return any products with stamping that indicates it is probably not OEM quality.

Tried a silicon ring in between as some considered that an upgrade. After a while I had a hard time getting the portafilter in the grouphead.This one fits perfectly and has the right hight so that my portafilter goes in smoothly again.

The "Device of Happiness" began leaking profusely while pulling shots. Started out one day with a drop or two. Then a week later a squirt or two during the shot. Then a few days later it's like Niagra Falls and the shot glass filled in less than 8 seconds from all the water leaking. Unusable. My Gaggia Classic is just exactly one year old. I freaked out a little. Okay, I freaked out a LOT. Google is your friend. After a few posts I learned that when the Gaggia leaks around the portafilter, it's almost certainly the Brew Head Group Gasket. I ordered this gasket (with more than a little trepidation). Removal of the old gasket wasn't too bad. I did have to resort to screwing a small machine screw into the old gasket to remove it. Before installation - I compared this gasket to the older gasket that came out. The old gasket was very hard, and very brittle. It came out in two pieces. This new gasket was much more pliable and flexible. I installed the new gasket, and pulled a shot. PERFECT. Not a drop. Manufacturer suggests that this gasket is a "consumable" and will need to be replaced every year. Next year I know exactly where I'll go to order my new one. This one was flawless.

Like so many other reviews (4,3,2,&1 star), my porta filter nowdoes not properly engage. The gasket is too thick and bottoms out with the handle at the 8:00 o'clock position. Not sure if this is a quality issue or just plain wrong size description.Got credit from Amazon and will need to find a real OEM gasket.