hemi050 Senior Member Joined: 5 Apr 2012 Posts: 1 Location: Israel Expertise: I love coffee
Posted Thu Apr 5, 2012, 3:52am Subject: Gaggia clasic vs. saeco via venezia
Hi everybody. I'm interesting in buying an espresso machine. My final two options are the Gaggia classic and the saeco via venezia. They seem pretty god both but I would like to hear from anyone that has an opinion what is the preferred coffee machine. Thanks allot Hemi
MisterJohnnyT Senior Member Joined: 13 Jan 2012 Posts: 59 Location: S.E. Florida Expertise: Just starting
Espresso: Crossland CC1 Grinder: Compak K3 Touch
Posted Thu Apr 5, 2012, 6:30am Subject: Re: Gaggia clasic vs. saeco via venezia
I had a Via Venezia for exactly 1 day. The brew button broke literally the 2nd time I used it. The button became stuck, and I could do nothing to unstick it. Water would just continuously pour from the boiler until I unplugged the machine. The buttons feel absurdly cheap and junky, and I was not the least bit shocked at how fast one of them broke. Others have commented about similar problems with the buttons. It's a shame, because the internals aren't too bad. If it's between these 2 machines, definitely go with the gaggia.
GlennT Senior Member Joined: 13 Feb 2012 Posts: 38 Location: SF Bay Area (Silicon Valley) Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Kraps Il Primo Steam Wanabe... Grinder: Baratza Priciso Drip: Aeropress & "Don't ask don't...
Posted Sun Apr 8, 2012, 1:31pm Subject: Re: Gaggia clasic vs. saeco via venezia
There's a reason the Classic costs twice as much, quality & features.
In addition to the build quality differences already mentioned, the Classic has a 3-way valve, which offers two advantages:
Much easier cleaning by allow fresh water flushes after every session and periodic detergent flushes. Better cleaning = better coffee and fewer hassles disassembling parts to clean them.
yetirdr Senior Member Joined: 12 Oct 2012 Posts: 1 Location: Texas Expertise: I live coffee
Posted Fri Oct 12, 2012, 5:08am Subject: Re: Gaggia clasic vs. saeco via venezia
Had the same problem with the brew button. if you just remove the two top screws holding the silver metal top on it will pull away far enough to see the button assemblies. With mine the button had just come out of the housing and all I had to do was push it from the back to re-seat into the front of the machine. 2 minute fix; hopefully it'll save someone else from the same pain. BTW this is the second one I've had as the first had to be returned for other quality issues so hopefully this one will last.
Markarian Senior Member Joined: 27 Jun 2012 Posts: 474 Location: Seattle Area Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Modded Nuova Simonelli Oscar Grinder: Vario-W, Mazzer Super Jolly Drip: Moka, Aeropress, Melitta 102 Roaster: Wear-Ever Popcorn Pumper
Posted Fri Oct 12, 2012, 12:41pm Subject: Re: Gaggia clasic vs. saeco via venezia
Having worked on several Via Venezias I can tell you they're good machines, but they have their limitations and they're certainly not worth the price new ($350). The Gaggia is in a slightly higher class. And though I personally think their machines are hideous, I continue to hear good things about their performance.
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