trespetite24 Senior Member Joined: 22 Sep 2007 Posts: 3 Location: Hong Kong Expertise: Just starting
Posted Mon Sep 24, 2007, 3:59am Subject: Can someone help me distinguish between all the Gaggias?
I'm looking to purchase a solid starter espresso machine for a good friend who loves coffee for hopefully <$300. His primary concerns are that it be: quick and easy to use with straightforward instructions (he's willing to put in a little work, but has no desire to become even close to a home barista or spend more than ten minutes a morning actively engaged with his espresso machine) and easy to clean. He's a pretty heavy coffee drinker who appreciates good espresso and espresso-based drinks but whose tastes aren't refined enough such that he wouldn't notice sacrificing a bit of quality for ease of use.
After spending waaaay too much time on this site, it seems like the right starter machine for him might be one of the Gaggias, but there seem to be a lot of very similar machines on the market that make it hard to distinguish which is the right choice instead of functionality and value.
Can someone help shed the light on what differentiates the Baby, Carezza, Classic, Coffee, Espresso, and/or Evolution? Or any other machines that might be a good fit for what's been described above?
Tex Senior Member Joined: 27 Apr 2006 Posts: 840 Location: Texas - That's God's country to everyone else! Expertise: Professional
Espresso: Bunn ES-1A (PID'd), Gaggia... Grinder: Rancilio MD50 Vac Pot: Way too many vintage Silex... Drip: Melitta Clarity Roaster: TurboCrazy &...
Posted Mon Sep 24, 2007, 5:49am Subject: Re: Can someone help me distinguish between all the Gaggias?
Howdy Susan & welcome to the forum!
All of the Gaggia's below have the same parts used to make espresso - identical. The differences between them is mostly a matter of aesthetics plus a few minor mechanical features. Here's a quick rundown of the Gaggia's;
Classic - All-metal S/S chassis, uses a 3-way valve to release pressure in the group, permitting the safe removal of the portafilter immediately after a shot is finished. Also has an adjustable pressure relief valve (PRV) so group/brewing pressure can be set to the ideal of 9 bar.
Baby - Plastic body, has 3-way valve but no PRV.
Evolution, Carezza, Espresso - Plastic chassis, no 3-way valve or PRV.
Coffee - Painted metal body, no 3-way valve or PRV.
trespetite24 Senior Member Joined: 22 Sep 2007 Posts: 3 Location: Hong Kong Expertise: Just starting
Posted Mon Sep 24, 2007, 6:20am Subject: Re: Can someone help me distinguish between all the Gaggias?
Thanks so much for your help!
Is the issue with the PRV that none but the Classic seem to have that without it, you can't set the pressure to the ideal 9 bar? (So the default is something higher or lower?)
Basically, how valuable are the functionality of the 3-way valve and the PRV?
Not strictly true. At least in Europe, the bottom-of-the-line Gran and Cubika have aluminium portafilters (not sure about the group itself) and are a piece of junk. There was (is?) also the even-more-bottom-of-the-line Fantastico, which was, I think, just a steam toy. These machines do nothing but bad things for Gaggia's reputation.
There are also the domestic super-autos.
Nice summary of the main domestic machines though.
Tex Senior Member Joined: 27 Apr 2006 Posts: 840 Location: Texas - That's God's country to everyone else! Expertise: Professional
Espresso: Bunn ES-1A (PID'd), Gaggia... Grinder: Rancilio MD50 Vac Pot: Way too many vintage Silex... Drip: Melitta Clarity Roaster: TurboCrazy &...
Posted Mon Sep 24, 2007, 7:05am Subject: Re: Can someone help me distinguish between all the Gaggias?
trespetite24 Said:
Thanks so much for your help!
Is the issue with the PRV that none but the Classic seem to have that without it, you can't set the pressure to the ideal 9 bar? (So the default is something higher or lower?)
Basically, how valuable are the functionality of the 3-way valve and the PRV?
If one needs to remove the portafilter immediately after making a shot of espresso (to make a second shot or ??), a solenoid activated 3-way valve is indispensable. When a shot is pulled there is ~130 psi (9 bar) of pressure remaining in the brewing area (on non-PRV equipped machines it's much higher). If the seal between the filter basket & the group head is broken before this pressure is bled off one will experience what's commonly known as the "dreaded portafilter sneeze"; an innocuous sounding term for being scalded by ~200F water & coffee dregs.
The oscillating pumps used in most home & prosumer espresso machine are capable of producing ~15 bar of pressure. Since it's been well established that espresso is best made using ~9 bar pressure, better machines have the means to reduce and manage the pressure.
I consider the PRV to be the more important of the two. Left over pressure in the group can be bled off in a number of ways, but group brewing pressure is one of the variables needing to be regulated.
Posted Fri Apr 24, 2009, 8:26am Subject: Re: Can someone help me distinguish between all the Gaggias?
I dont think the description of the Gaggias is 100% accurate. IN regards to the Gaggia Espresso, the internals are a little different these days. First, let me make it clear, im speaking about the NEW model espresso(s)
The new model Espresso, Espresso Pure, and, Espresso Dose, DO NOT have the same internals that the rest of the Gaggia line has. the have anewer designed, smaller, Stainless Steel boiler, as opposed to the original 3.5oz aluminum boiler found in most all gaggia machines. There is lots of debate about the safety of aluminum, but, working in the restuarant industry, and very into homeopathic medicine/living, I have not found any real data supporting the fact that Aluminum is harmful to your health. im not trying to start a debate(really, I promise!), just saying that an Aluminum boiler isnt something I worry about in regards to health. Heck, what is the active ingredient in your anti-perspirent?
Id be looking at the Carezza, the Evolution, any of the older models, like the coffee/espresso(de lux or not), both "New"&"old" Baby's, the baby class, and the Classic.
Make sure you pair the machine with a good grinder, otherwise your friend will find a great spot for this machine in the back of closet within two weeks time. Ascaso I1/I2, Lelit PL53, Cunill tranquillo, or a Hand grinder from OrphanEspresso.com
Good luck!
...Follow Your Bliss... ....And grind finer, tamp lighter....
In the last 6 years of selling Mazzers, we have only experienced one defective grinder.-Jim Piccinich 1st-line Equipment, a Home-Barista Forum Post
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