What Gaggia?

L31mr0d

Ok I've been reading around a few threads here looking for what people use and I keep seeing people say "get a gaggia", "i'm happy with my gaggia", "if you want a good coffee then get gaggia", "gaggia is all that is holy about coffee making"....

What Gaggia? Is there a specific model that everyone is using or are Gaggias just generally amazing?

Personally, i'm looking into getting a good home cappuccino and espresso maker. Is there a Gaggia model that people would recommend for this?

Mr Magnolia

I know a few posters on this forum (myself included) have the Classic. I'm very happy with it. Don't think you can pass it as far as value for money is concerned. There are other options too though. Do your research first. Hopefully a few more regulars will stick up their 2 cents too.

The best thing you can do is decide on your budget for this machine, and let us know.

L31mr0d

Lets say around €300 for the budget. What features does the classic have that made you choose it over other brands?

jimmytwo

Also, don't forget you need to include a grinder in your budget. No point buying a good machine without a grinder.

seraphimvc

like the noob of the week just said,a whole set of coffee machine will cost you more than a ps3!*thats me*:)

Gaggia normal range:coffee maker will be like at least 300,grinder 150 ,plus a base plate ,at least go to 500...ye i know ,crazy!

conzy

You people are crazy! Just drink tea!

Gran Hermano

conzymaher wrote: »

You people are crazy! Just drink tea!

Post reported.

















Not really

jimogr

I have the gaggia evolution, its not as robust as the classic, but I find it excellent, its a bit cheaper and is a good entry point.

co_co

generally, gaggia is better than classic:D

Slaphead07

Gran Hermano wrote: »

Post reported.

IRYIIC.

L31mr0d

Slaphead07 wrote: »

IRYIIC.

What? I can't find anything on what that stands for?

Gran Hermano

An old P45.net-ism me thinks
Back OT, whilst I've used several of Gaggia's old model range I've no hands on experience with the new line up.
As most of the new range are only out around a year reviews are scarce.

It is worth mentioning Gaggia has a tradition of using the same internals
on several models with just the exterior and styling changed.
Might be worth checking coffeegeek.com
toomuchcoffee.com
Wholelattelove
for current reviews and opinions.

fourmations

most definately get a classic or baby
(or any model with a 3way solenoid)

a 3way solenoid valve is a must as far as i am concerned,
it sucks the moisture back off the "puck"
and makes clean up so much easier

machines without solenoids leave you with a wet mush
in the portafilter, with a 3way they dry out
and can be knocked out of the portafilter cleanly

it also allows you to backflush your machine
which cleans all the gunk out of the machine

as mentioned read coffeegeek.com

the grinder is more important than the machine (honestly)
factor it in your budget

if your grind is not right you can not make good espresso - fact

trust me on this, i am a coffee fanatic
i make my own blends and roast my own coffee

note that making good espresso has a learning curve
also note that preground coffee is rubbish, no matter
how good the beans

if you grind coffee fresh it smells amazing
if you come back to that grind half an hour later
it hs already lost so much of its aroma and oils


rgds

4

the beer revolu

The big factor with Gaggia models is that the cheaper models have aluminium filter holders while the Classic and other models have chromed brass.
The brass holds the heat much better giver a hotter coffee without having to use hotter water.
The brass ones have a much nicer feel and weight too.

I've used both and it really is a big factor.

rockbeer

the beer revolu wrote: »

The big factor with Gaggia models is that the cheaper models have aluminium filter holders while the Classic and other models have chromed brass.
The brass holds the heat much better giver a hotter coffee without having to use hotter water.
The brass ones have a much nicer feel and weight too.

I've used both and it really is a big factor.

Excellent point. And the other great thing about brass is the temperature stability you get with it. Aluminium handles tend cool as soon as the water hits them which can knock your brewing temperature down below the optimum. There's nothing you can do about it. Also check that whatever you buy uses standard 58mm baskets so you have the choice of the widest range of tampers.

Slaphead07

L31mr0d wrote: »

What? I can't find anything on what that stands for?

sorry... only seeing this now. IRYIIC is Greek for "I'd rep you if I could".

Gran Hermano

Anyone looking for coffee gear this weekend might find
this of interest. Looks like 25% off in BT, phone them and check
as it's likely to include their range of coffee machines and grinders.

L31mr0d

cool thanks for the heads up... even with 25% off would BT still be cheaper than most other places?

Laphroaig52

Like the original poster, I too seem to be lost in a world of Gaggia Classics and Babys and Twin Babys, 'D's, non 'D's and thats only about half the Gaggia range.... and I'm struggling to identify the benefits of one model over another.

I'll spend ~€350 and my needs are modest:

I'll drink one or two short espressos per day. Perhaps a few Americanos as well. The wife will drink the odd cappucino if someone makes it for her...

Which machine is flexible enough for this? Any differences in quality or reliability of particular models or any models to avoid?

I heard some Gaggias cannot accomodate larger cups or mugs. In this case how can you make a 'long' coffee?

Thanks.

Mr Magnolia

Have a read of this thread it answers your questions. The OP there had dedicated a similar budget to yourself. Feel free to ask any questions in that thread or this one. I'll merge them for you either if you want

Flyer28 wrote: »

I heard some Gaggias cannot accomodate larger cups or mugs. In this case how can you make a 'long' coffee?

Thanks.

You're right that they can't accomodate a large cup but....


... an americano/latte/cappucino all have espresso as their base. You just pour your espresso as normal into an espresso cup and then tip it into the heated milk or water as any barista would. So you don't need the large cup under the group head.

RE*AC*TOR

Mr Magnolia wrote: »

... an americano/latte/cappucino all have espresso as their base. You just pour your espresso as normal into an espresso cup and then tip it into the heated milk or water as any barista would. So you don't need the large cup under the group head.

If I'm doing an americano, I sometimes remove the drip tray and place the mug under (remembering to but something under the solenoid valve exit pipe).

For lattes I have nice bowl shaped mugs which fit under the portafilter.

Definitely would never tip espresso into milk. There's something very wrong about doing it that way. (plus you don't get to make your modern / impressionist latté art attempts).

Mr Magnolia

RE*AC*TOR wrote: »

Definitely would never tip espresso into milk. There's something very wrong about doing it that way. (plus you don't get to make your modern / impressionist latté art attempts).

Interesting. Would you not just be drinking milk until the espresso starts getting through though?

RE*AC*TOR

Mr Magnolia wrote: »

Interesting. Would you not just be drinking milk until the espresso starts getting through though?

Well the milk doesn't just sit on top. The milk is poured into the espresso, rather than on top of. So... no.

Mr Magnolia

I'll give it a shot.

RE*AC*TOR

Plenty of good technique videos on youtube.

Like this one:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5bPZ_yOlFMk

Personally don't use knife or spoon like demonstrated there, but you get the idea.

Mr Magnolia

Thanks RE*AC*TOR, I'll check it out this evening.

Gran Hermano

Making an espresso in an espresso cup/small jug and then decanting it into
a larger mug for a latte/cappuccino would mean you'll loose valuable coffee
oils and the crema in the process. I also remove the drip tray if I need
extra clearance under the portafilter for tall mugs.

Mr Magnolia

That makes good sense too. I always rinse all the 'remains' out of the espresso cup with the water used to make up an americano. I will move the drip tray in future though.

Mr Magnolia

I watched that clip last night, thanks again RE*AC*TOR, very informative.

What ratio coffee:milk do you normally mix? I'm going to purchase some decent latte cups and need to pick a size. I'm thinking about 12oz?

RE*AC*TOR

Yeah I make a latté with a double in a 12oz cup (LSA International bought in STOCK). You need to nail down you frothing technique to get microfoam instead of big bubbles. Very little foam for a latté.

I use 6oz Bodum pavina glasses for cappuccinos (not that I make them very often). Bought 50/50 foam and milk.

EDIT:

Speaking of which, I ordered a rancilio silvia steam wand/arm to replace the one on the classic. The one on the classic is just too short, when you take off the panerello yoke (which is an abomination).

TKK

I installed a Rancillio Silvia steam wand on my Gaggia evolution a while back and it's the dogs dangly bits. Highly recommended.

RE*AC*TOR

TKK wrote: »

I installed a Rancillio Silvia steam wand on my Gaggia evolution a while back and it's the dogs dangly bits. Highly recommended.

I did that very same thing today - unfotunately no milk in the house

:rolleyes:

Mr Magnolia

I find the plastic effort on the Classic ok for frothing, kinda have it mastered. Is there much of an improvement to be had? Did you guys pick it up on Happydonkey too?

Edit/ I put some PTFE tape around the s/s hose to tighten the palstic nozzle, it flew off and nearly took the head off me a while back. Anyone getting a Clasic, take note!

RE*AC*TOR

Up to now I was only using the plastic stub that the longer plastic panarello clips onto in order to steam my milk. This was capable of doing it, but was an utter pain being so short.
If you use the longer panarello device its impossible to create microfoam, more like suds.

Mr Magnolia

Ok. What's involced in the modification?

Did you buy the Rancillio Silvia steam wand on Happydonkey? This it?

RE*AC*TOR

This one http://www.happydonkey.co.uk/shop/catalog/HDR0001-p-2718.html

Basically use a wrench to remove nut holding Gaggia wand. You then have to straighten out the gaggia wand to get that nut off. Slip the nut onto the new rancilio wand, and reattach to the classic.

Very simple.