Gaggia Classic: A Pro for the Home.

Cafe Reviewer, Craig, The Java Cafe.

Gaggia Classic

When I first saw this machine, wow. This machine has presence without the fancy push button stuff like alot of the machines around today. Not that there is anything wrong with that!

This machine wants to be used the old fashioned way. There are no presets on this machine, just the 'On' button that starts warming the machine. Then there is the cup brewing button, and the button to start the steamer. The steamer has a dial tap on the side of the machine that controls how much steam you run through the wand.

The machine is solid steel which helps retain heat within the unit. The top of the unit has a spot to keep your coffee cups or those little espresso cups (also called Demitasse cups). A warm cup will make your espresso taste better. A cold cup is a temperature freeze that your espresso doesn't need.

So is it as good as it looks? How does it perform? Is it useable?

Well, temperature control is perfect (around 80-90C). The Gaggia Classic is rated at 15bar pressure, so it has the muscle to produce great crema. It also has a 3-way solenoid, which removes excess water from the group and sends it down a vent pipe into the tray. This means a nice dry puck that leaves the group with a quick tap of the handle.
-----Tip-------------
Don't leave the puck in the machine for longer than about 5 minutes. Some of the coffee will stick to the base of the group filter, requiring extra cleaning.
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Oh yeah, I forgot to mention the handle. Like the rest of the machine, the handle is built to last. It is a heavy, solid brass handle that is chrome plated. Add this to the steel frame, 3-way solenoid and semi-commercial pump components, this is one heavy duty espresso machine.

Given the over engineered approach Gaggia have taken with this machine, the plastic water tray in the front of the machine is certainly the odd part out. The steel insert that sits on top of tray attempts to blend the cheap black plastic with the rest of the machine. It doesn't succeed.

This is a quality machine and is less forgiving with coffee grounds that aren't fresh. The crema from freshly roasted and freshly ground beans is nothing short of hazelnut colored heaven. With fresh coffee beans this should happen anyway, right? There is acceptable coffee and there is good rich coffee. The Gaggia Classic delivers good rich coffee due to good temperatures and pressures. Put in some pre-ground store bought grounds and you don't get that same result. This machine is not as forgiving as others.

So who is this machine for?

Well, not everyone. This machine does not have a timer to start just as you are waking like some top end machines. It doesn't even have a bunch of presets to make your preferred strength, each and every time. If convenience is what you are chasing, steer well clear of the Gaggia Classic.

If you are looking for a machine for the home that you can play around with and extract different flavours from your coffee, then the Gaggia Classic should reach your short list.

Craig, The Java Cafe.