geoffbeier Senior Member Joined: 21 Jul 2008 Posts: 15 Location: Arlington, VA Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Gaggia Classic Grinder: Faema MPN
Posted Mon Jul 21, 2008, 6:03am Subject: Is a Gaggia Classic with PID mod a good machine at this price?
I'm ready to bring a real espresso machine into my home and would like to find a machine that's forgiving enough to let me have reasonably drinkable shots as I learn. I've never operated anything better than a steam toy before.
I'm interested in a Gaggia Classic that I've found, that's been modified with a PID controller. It sounds like the machine is in good condition. At $400-$450 is this a decent buy?
Is the learning curve such that I'd be sorry if I started trying to use one of these anyway?
xdavez Senior Member Joined: 21 Nov 2007 Posts: 593 Location: USA Expertise: Professional
Espresso: La Spaziale Vivaldi II Grinder: Mahlkoenig K 30es, Mazzer... Vac Pot: none Drip: Technivorm
Posted Mon Jul 21, 2008, 1:16pm Subject: Re: Is a Gaggia Classic with PID mod a good machine at this price?
geoffbeier Said:
I'm ready to bring a real espresso machine into my home and would like to find a machine that's forgiving enough to let me have reasonably drinkable shots as I learn. I've never operated anything better than a steam toy before.
I'm interested in a Gaggia Classic that I've found, that's been modified with a PID controller. It sounds like the machine is in good condition. At $400-$450 is this a decent buy?
Is the learning curve such that I'd be sorry if I started trying to use one of these anyway?
Cool. That was my instinct, but not having seen one in action, I wasn't sure.
you don't mention a grinder. don't bother, really with out a good grinder.
a good grinder new will cost about $300.00
I didn't mention it because it seems less mysterious to me :-). I've decided to take the plunge on the Classic+PID. At that price it makes my budget for a grinder more comfortable. If I can find a good one for <$400, I'll be very happy. If going a little over $400 will yield marked improvements, I'm willing to consider it.
I'd welcome any specific model suggestions, or considerations you've found to be worthwhile, though. My current plan is to try to run down a good used (either refurbished by the seller or ordered along with new burrs) commercial-grade grinder. If I can't find one that strikes me as a good value, I'll likely go for a Rocky based on what I've read.
boscoblair Senior Member Joined: 29 Jun 2008 Posts: 18 Location: Cary, NC Expertise: I love coffee
Posted Tue Jul 22, 2008, 4:10pm Subject: Re: Is a Gaggia Classic with PID mod a good machine at this price?
I like the Gaggia MDF. You can find these used from $125 up check craigslist.com for really good online classified ad deals. The $125 price was in Atlanta last week. They do a great job on espresso grinds. New ones right now are scarce for some reason, but they sell for $300 new. If you want a really fine grinder, look for a used Mazzer Mini or save up for a new one. I think new they go for about $650 or so. The finest roaster and barista that I've found in the Triangle area loves the Mazzer line and finds it much superior to the Rocky, but then it costs almost twice as much new!
geoffbeier Senior Member Joined: 21 Jul 2008 Posts: 15 Location: Arlington, VA Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Gaggia Classic Grinder: Faema MPN
Posted Tue Jul 22, 2008, 5:18pm Subject: Re: Is a Gaggia Classic with PID mod a good machine at this price?
boscoblair Said:
I like the Gaggia MDF. You can find these used from $125 up check craigslist.com for really good online classified ad deals. The $125 price was in Atlanta last week. They do a great job on espresso grinds. New ones right now are scarce for some reason, but they sell for $300 new. If you want a really fine grinder, look for a used Mazzer Mini or save up for a new one. I think new they go for about $650 or so.
I hadn't looked at the MDF yet. It looks good, and looks like there are some really nice deals to be had both on refurbs and used ones. First I'm nosing around for a good deal on a used Mazzer. If I can find one for $300-ish (looks possible, maybe) I'm inclined to go for it, based on the constant praise even the lowest-end models get. For this weekend, when the Classic arrives, I think I've decided that I'll have to run down the street and ask if Murky will sell me some ground coffee just so I can fire the machine up. :-)
The finest roaster and barista that I've found in the Triangle area loves the Mazzer line and finds it much superior to the Rocky, but then it costs almost twice as much new!
Mind naming the roaster/barista? I went to school in Chapel Hill and find myself back there occasionally.
boscoblair Senior Member Joined: 29 Jun 2008 Posts: 18 Location: Cary, NC Expertise: I love coffee
Posted Wed Jul 23, 2008, 7:14pm Subject: Re: Is a Gaggia Classic with PID mod a good machine at this price?
Not at all... Crema Coffee at the corner of High House Rd. and Davis Dr. in Cary. Their espresso blend is the best I've tasted in probably 20 years. They roast on the premises. I believe their website, which is modest, is crema.org, or cremacoffee.org. It's the type of place you'd drive several miles out of your way to get a latte. You can call them and place an order. The price is very reasonable and I guarantee you'll love it.
geoffbeier Senior Member Joined: 21 Jul 2008 Posts: 15 Location: Arlington, VA Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Gaggia Classic Grinder: Faema MPN
Posted Thu Jul 24, 2008, 7:38pm Subject: Re: Is a Gaggia Classic with PID mod a good machine at this price?
boscoblair Said:
Not at all... Crema Coffee at the corner of High House Rd. and Davis Dr. in Cary. Their espresso blend is the best I've tasted in probably 20 years. They roast on the premises. I believe their website, which is modest, is crema.org, or cremacoffee.org. It's the type of place you'd drive several miles out of your way to get a latte. You can call them and place an order. The price is very reasonable and I guarantee you'll love it.
They're hot stuff in the DC area right now. It feels like fully half of the good coffee I know how to find around here comes from them. They and "Judges" (sadly, gone for a few years now) in Chapel Hill share equal parts of the blame for my habit.
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