Posted Thu Jan 9, 2003, 8:43am Subject: A few comments from a Carezza user....
Mark,
Good article, but there are a few things that I'd like to point out as an everyday user of a Carezza.
First, you must have an older machine. The newer Carezzas that are shipping DO have a rounded portafilter instead of the older square portafilter.
Second, I don't have the issues that you do with the switch lights. Perhaps this was fixed in a later revision.
Third, the steam wand does drip on occasion, but it has been my experience that as the machine breaks in, this becomes much less of a problem. The only time I notice my wand leaking is when it needs to be descaled. See, it's a feature!
Finally, the drip wand can be positioned over the drip tray. If you push it back toward the water reservior, it will rest over the drip tray. Also, if you don't have the portafilter mounted, you can push the wand the other way and it will rest behind the group head out of the way. Great for those who don't make many milk drinks.
I hear you about that drip tray, though....I hate that thing!
Posted Thu Jan 9, 2003, 9:59am Subject: Another Gaggia candidate in this price range
Excellent first look article. Many of the features cited here led me to buy my first pump machine after using a Krups steam toy for many years. I opted for a Gaggia Espresso at $ 169 from Appliances.com and have been quite pleased. It does have a cup warming surface and a deeper drip tray than the Carezza as well as a better switch arrangement. The Espresso, along with a Maestro, gave me a very good espresso configuration for about $ 300. In conjuction with using my home-roasted Malabar Gold, I make better espresso than 99.9% of all others I have tasted, including all commercial expresso bars and my friends with the $ 1000 machine and grinder setups. As I like to point out, it is not just the machine, it is the operator as well.
Posted Sun Jan 12, 2003, 8:50am Subject: Switch placement
Since this is probably a person's first pump espresso machine, they wouldn't have expectations regarding switch placement. This machine would then influence the user regarding their next machine's switch placement. They would then probably say something similar regarding their upgrade machine's switch placement.
Frank Senior Member Joined: 27 Jan 2003 Posts: 2 Location: Belsele, Belgium Expertise: Beginner
Espresso: Gaggia Carezza Grinder: Solis 166
Posted Mon Jan 27, 2003, 8:22am Subject: indeed an older machine
Mark's machine is indeed an older one, judging from the serial number he quotes. Not only do Mike's above comments hold true, but on top of that the "perfect crema device" is present in the package (not that I've used it so far). One other thing: the portafilter insert and 'lock' markings have gone (not such a big problem; I haven't missed their absence). Drip tray shallowness isn't a problem if you don't use the machine to serve espresso to a 12 person party (for which purpose it wasn't designed if you ask me). A great machine for a great price (I got mine at a bargain price of 140 USD, clearance sale in the shop !!!)
jroche Senior Member Joined: 19 Dec 2001 Posts: 22 Location: Brooklyn, New York Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Silvia, Solis SL90 Grinder: Rocky, Solis 166 Vac Pot: Hario Tech 5 cup Drip: Cone, press pot Roaster: dead alp, dead HWP,...
Posted Fri Feb 21, 2003, 7:00am Subject: Only five days of testing....
I always get a kick out of it when you say stuff like that... "only five days of testing..." I'm trying to think what other product review sites do as much testing as geek. Yeah, its always good to get a long term test for durability etc, but major kudos on your 1st look reviews.
snscresse Senior Member Joined: 1 Mar 2003 Posts: 1 Location: Ft. Wayne,IN Expertise: Beginner
Posted Sat Mar 1, 2003, 9:25am Subject: gaggia carezza
I want to know if purchasing the gaggia carezza at 199 is worth it rather than saving another 100 and going up a notch. Is there really that big of a difference in going to the 300-350 level?
Posted Fri Mar 14, 2003, 10:18am Subject: It's going cheaper in Australia than US$199
I just got mine in Australia for AUS$269, which is US$161 w/ a 60c exchange rate. In case you're from Australia, "The Good Guys" is selling them at this price, and almost all major department stores will price-match, so that's what I did.
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