New espresso machine advice needed please

Dero

Hi all.
I currently have a Gaggia Coffee Deluxe / Gaggia MDF grinder. I am considering a small upgrade. I would of course love to be able to go for a proper upgrade and get a HX machine, but alas funds will not permit this or anywhere near it...

My dilemma is the decision between the Gaggia Baby Twin and the Gaggia Classic. Espresso quality is paramount. I don't drink any milky drinks, but of course frinds and family do.
I have always wanted a Classic, and I know it can do great espresso, especially with the OPV mod (DIY modifications are not a problem), and the steam wand can be replaced with the Silvia wand for microfoam goodness.

The Baby Twin has at least as good espresso capability as the Classic, with reputedly better temerature stability. However, I don't know if the OPV mod is as achievable as on the Classic, and I don't believe the Silvia wand will fit due to the ball joint. Can anyone shed any light on this?

Can anyone recommend one over the other? I know there are some Classic owners and ex-owners here. Does anyone have any of the newer Gaggia Baby range, or can anyone shed any light on their level of "moddability"?

Regards,
Derek.

RE*AC*TOR

I'd save up for a Silvia if I were you. You can probably do the OPV mode the the Coffee Deluxe to get an interim boost in quality.

Baby Twin won't be any more thermostable than the Classic.

As for the HX machine, well one of the big advantages of a HX machine is the ability to steam on demand. For someone who's primarily into espresso, a PID'd Silvia might be a much wiser investment.

Dero

Thanks RE*AC*TOR. Is the Silvia really that much better than a Classic? I've heard a lot of good things about Silvia, but I have no specific knowledge or experience of Rancilio. I must admit to having a slightly bizarre and totally irrational loyalty to Gaggia. No idea why. I reckon I'd get over it if I had the dough for a La Marzocco GS/3...

Maybe I should just get over myself and get a Silvia.

So, any Silvia owners here that can comment?

RE*AC*TOR

Silvia has a bigger boiler. In theory more thermostable than the Gaggia. Although people have different opinions on the Classic vs Silvia thing. I found the Classic to be a very forgiving mahine, haven't used a Silvia though.
There's a wealth of info out there about PIDing the Silvia too, which could give you an enormous level of control over brew temp.

But if you want an easier life, then save up even more and get a Dalla Corte Mini, or Spaziale Vivaldi. Although, I wouldn't say no to a GS3 meself.

For the brief time I had a La Peppina lever machine I was very impressed with the espresso. So maybe something like a Gaggia Achille could be a great thing for you. Its a hx and a lever machine.http://www.espressocoffeeshop.com/store/gaggia_achille.html

Mr Magnolia

Dero wrote: »

I reckon I'd get over it if I had the dough for a La Marzocco GS/3...

V. sexy machine. It's the machine Stephen Morrissey, the Irish World Barista Champion won as part of his prize last month me thinks...

I can't compare the classic to the silva either I'm afraid Dero. I am currently very happy with the classic though.

Kannon

Mr Magnolia wrote: »

V. sexy machine.

my sentiments exactly

Dero

Well, I ordered a Silvia from coffeitalia. I waited two weeks, and decided to mail them for an update. They said:

"We sent you ane mail telling you that the order was cancelled.

We have discontinuity with Rancilio Silvia."

I never got that mail, but no matter, no Silvia either way.

Back to the drawing board now. I'm seroiusly considering saving my sheckels to get something crazy (for me) like a La Briccoletta next year. The only problem of course is that a machine like that would require a grinder upgrade too...

On a happier note, I started home roasting recently with a Lidl popcorn maker. I roast for myself, my parents and my brother. My parents are so impressed with freshly roasted coffee that they've just ordered a Hottop roaster, the deal being that they buy the roaster, I roast the coffee. Sounds good to me.

Mr Magnolia

Your parents looking to adopt by any chance?

Why do you think you'd need to upgrade the grinder straight away?

Dero

Mr Magnolia wrote: »

Why do you think you'd need to upgrade the grinder straight away?

I'm not sure that I would. I have an MDF now, which will do me fine for a while yet.

Mr Magnolia

Dero wrote: »

The only problem of course is that a machine like that would require a grinder upgrade too...

Dero wrote:

I'm not sure that I would. I have an MDF now, which will do me fine for a while yet.

I agree, I was just confused.

RE*AC*TOR

espressocoffeeshop do the Silvia - i've dealt with them and they're excellent (although I don't like the free beans you get from them).

The Fiorenzato is a nice machine, but if I was spending that kind of money I might be inclined to spend a little more and get a dual boiler as opposed to a HX machine.

My HX (NS Oscar) is now making great coffee, but there's a learning period when you determine how much flushing is required etc (not to mention the OPV fiasco specific to the Oscar).

Consider the Izzo Alex Duetto, the La Spazial Vivaldi Mini, or the Dalla Corte Mini.

LordDorington

Hi

I am very confused! We want to get my Dad an espresso maker for Xmas but havent a clue where to start looking. Do they all use ground coffee or do some require espresso pods/ We want to steer clear of any that dont accept normal ground coffee because I imagine the pods are pricey. Had a look at some delonghi ones and they look nice but dont seem to specify if they are specific to espresso pods

Regular Latte

I was about to add to this thread as a Classic user who has currently been lent a Silvia....then I saw the OP was over a year ago. I'll save my thoughts for another thread. (I wonder what Dero went with in the end??)

Anyway, LordD. Why don't you check out this thread for some ideas.

If you're buying from a department store see what else they can throw into the sale. I got a Gaggia Classic last year with a set of 6 espresso cups, two cans of coffee and a training DVD. The coffee was awful, but it helped me to practice my first few shots!

Dero

Regular Latte wrote: »

I wonder what Dero went with in the end?

Nothing yet, unfortunately. Gaggia Coffee Deluxe/MDF combo are still soldiering on. I've had to replace the steam valve & brew group valve in the espresso machine and have made the MDF stepless. I was considering a Brewtus III / Mazzer Mini combo last year but have shelved that plan indefinitely.

On the other hand, the Hottop roaster is going great. I haven't branched out much in terms of coffee varieties but so far so good with the Hasbean premium espresso blend.