BrookNYC Senior Member Joined: 20 Nov 2012 Posts: 36 Expertise: Just starting
Posted Thu Nov 29, 2012, 12:03pm Subject: Dilemma Gaggia Classic vs Breville Infuser
We have a Dilemma in my house. I purchased the Gaggia Classic as a present for my husband and he purchased me a Breville Infuser. Now we have two machines and only space for one. My suggestion was to send both back and get "ourselves" a Breville dual boiler, he suggested to put the Gaggia in his office since it has less buttons and looks more industrial and keep the Breville at home. What would you do?
Posted Thu Nov 29, 2012, 2:23pm Subject: Re: Dilemma Gaggia Classic vs Breville Infuser
I don't know if you've got a grinder, but personally I'd return the Breville and replace it with a grinder (or a grinder upgrade) if I didn't have one - the Breville does not have a good reputation around these parts, compared to the Gaggia, so it'd be the one that went. And maybe I'd fit a PID kit to the Gaggia if I had any cash left over, plus buy a bottomless PF and other accessories like nice tamper, knockbox and steaming jug.
If you do have a good grinder and the accessories, I'd either go for the Breville DB upgrade or an HX machine around the same price.
qualin Senior Member Joined: 30 Jun 2012 Posts: 457 Location: Calgary, AB Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Izzo Alex Duetto 3 Grinder: Mazzer Mini Elect. Type A Vac Pot: Looking to buy Drip: Manual Roaster: Considering?
Posted Thu Nov 29, 2012, 11:33pm Subject: Re: Dilemma Gaggia Classic vs Breville Infuser
What grinder do you have right now? You never really mentioned that you had one?
While the Gaggia may not be a bad thing to have at the office, depending on the circumstances the only issues I see with this are:
Your husband would be forced to use Pods with it because I'm sure his co-workers would find the noise of a grinder to be objectionable.
The Gaggia has a vibration pump, which would make it noisy and again, disruptive.
Many offices have a policy which prohibits high wattage devices, such as coffee makers, space heaters, etc.
IMHO, Better to keep that Gaggia at home and return the Breville, then focus on getting a decent grinder to go with it, like what Dyquik said. While getting a PID kit for the Gaggia isn't a bad idea as such, you'll see a better improvement in the coffee with a good grinder.
For the money you were thinking about spending on a PID Kit, how about considering a Baratza Vario-W? One of these would make it extremely easy to measure dose and easier to produce a consistent cup of coffee. These grinders are easy to use and have great reviews.
BrookNYC Senior Member Joined: 20 Nov 2012 Posts: 36 Expertise: Just starting
Posted Fri Nov 30, 2012, 7:28am Subject: Re: Dilemma Gaggia Classic vs Breville Infuser
I forgot about the noise :(. I have a brand new Preciso grinder. I could exchanger it, for a Vario grinder if I can convince my husband. Will the grinder really make the most impact on the taste of the coffee?
Posted Fri Nov 30, 2012, 8:40am Subject: Re: Dilemma Gaggia Classic vs Breville Infuser
The Preciso is a good grinder for espresso - it's what I use ;) I don't think you'll see a big difference between it and the Vario, and I'd only replace mine if I thought I could live with a commercial type espresso grinder in the kitchen.
Coffeenoobie Senior Member Joined: 11 Dec 2011 Posts: 2,313 Location: PNW Expertise: I like coffee
Espresso: N S Oscar Grinder: Vario W
Posted Fri Nov 30, 2012, 12:19pm Subject: Re: Dilemma Gaggia Classic vs Breville Infuser
I believe you will see a lot of difference in the cup moving up to a vario. I did. I would send the Breville to work and keep the gaggia at home or return the breville. I did not see this thread before. At least you have a cool problem. :) You are a winner no matter what you do.
Coffeenoobie
Buying advice: GRINDER GRINDER GRINDER. Don't cheap out on the grinder. My coffee treasure map... Click Here (maps.google.com)
Coffeenoobie Senior Member Joined: 11 Dec 2011 Posts: 2,313 Location: PNW Expertise: I like coffee
Espresso: N S Oscar Grinder: Vario W
Posted Fri Nov 30, 2012, 12:37pm Subject: Re: Dilemma Gaggia Classic vs Breville Infuser
I used Oscar at work in a call center for a Christmas party last year. The vibe pump and my baratza grinder was not that noisy in a noisy place. In a quiet house I believe it is much more noticeable than it was at work.
Qualin worries about the rotary pump issue, IMHO it is just not worth getting worked up about. Yes, it is slightly better/expensive and quiet but really I think it is on par with electric radio antenna in my car. Yes, I have a car that does that, makes the antenna go up and down when I turn the key, but if I got a great deal on a wonderful car that did not have that feature- it would not kill the sale for me. (in fact I like less things to break) It is cool but it doesn't affect the car driving at all. According to the coffeegeeks I respect, the pump really doesn't change the taste in the cup. So, it is really not a big deal to me. Also, where the grinder and machine are located will affect the sound a lot as well. Reflecting surfaces will amplify sound. When I used the Oscar in the dinning room while I was working on it there was less noise than in my kitchen. That is why drink blenders are often in boxes in restaurants. They close the door before blending to muffle the sound.
Coffeenoobie
Buying advice: GRINDER GRINDER GRINDER. Don't cheap out on the grinder. My coffee treasure map... Click Here (maps.google.com)
BrookNYC Senior Member Joined: 20 Nov 2012 Posts: 36 Expertise: Just starting
Posted Fri Nov 30, 2012, 1:27pm Subject: Re: Dilemma Gaggia Classic vs Breville Infuser
I think I will send the Breville back and get the vario instead, but first I am going to play with the Briville since it's already here. I know I will want to upgrade in about 3-4yo so hopefully the Vario will play well with any future machines.
Posted Fri Nov 30, 2012, 1:55pm Subject: Re: Dilemma Gaggia Classic vs Breville Infuser
I don't think the Vario and Preciso are that different in quality of grind, more that they give different cups due to the conical vs. flat burrs issue - I also get a very different cups from my Preciso and Ascaso I-1 with flat burrs (smaller than the Vario's), although both give good espresso by tuning the shot parameters and choice of beans differently. The shots with the Preciso are definitely brighter and open tasting than the more chocolaty, darker shots with the I-1. Which one you then prefer is a matter of taste - I like fruitier, brighter shots as a matter of taste.
Symbols: = New Posts since your last visit = No New Posts since last visit = Newest post
Forum Rules: No profanity, illegal acts or personal attacks will be tolerated in these discussion boards. No commercial posting of any nature will be tolerated; only private sales by private individuals, in the "Buy and Sell" forum. No cross posting allowed - do not post your topic to more than one forum, nor repost a topic to the same forum. Who Can Read The Forum? Anyone can read posts in these discussion boards. Who Can Post New Topics? Any registered CoffeeGeek member can post new topics. Who Can Post Replies? Any registered CoffeeGeek member can post replies. Can Photos be posted? Anyone can post photos in their new topics or replies. Who can change or delete posts? Any CoffeeGeek member can edit their own posts. Only moderators can delete posts. Probationary Period: If you are a new signup for CoffeeGeek, you cannot promote, endorse, criticise or otherwise post an unsolicited endorsement for any company, product or service in your first five postings.
= No New Posts since last visit 