Boiler gasket

Sealing off the end of a espresso machine boiler can be done on various ways, this depends on what kind of boiler is used. You have for instance boilers which have on both ends a gasket, for instance on the old Faema E61 espresso machines. Other brands use a flange gasket on one side, you will see this with various Cimbali and Astoria espresso machines.  Brands such as Faema and San Remo have no removable boiler flanges and the seal is only made at the heating element.

There are various materials available for boiler gaskets. You can think of PTFE, fibre and AFM34 gaskets. The disadvantage of PTFE with older, slightly damaged, flanges they have the habit to not seal properly.