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Gaggia Baby Twin - Carol Wellins's Review
Posted: June 14, 2009, 2:28pm
review rating: 8.0
feedback: (1) comments | read | write
Gaggia Baby Twin Espresso
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More About This Product
Arrow The Gaggia Baby Twin has 12 Reviews
Arrow The Gaggia Baby Twin has been rated 6.67 overall by our member reviewers
Arrow This product has been in our review database since June 29, 2007.
Arrow Gaggia Baby Twin reviews have been viewed 60,665 times (updated hourly).

Quality Reviews
These are some of the best-written reviews for this product, as judged by our members.
Name Ranking
Dan Priem 8.50
Aaron Walls 8.00
Carol Wellins 8.00
Jaap Bruinsma 7.71
Theron Georges 6.66

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Ratings and Stats Overall Rating: 7.2
Manufacturer: Gaggia Quality: 7
Average Price: $699.00 Usability: 8
Price Paid: $399.00 Cost vs. Value 6
Where Bought: Bed Bath and Beyond Aesthetics 8
Owned for: 3 months Overall 7
Writer's Expertise: I live coffee Would Buy Again: No
Similar Items Owned:
Bottom Line: It is an attractive machine, makes very good espresso, some problems with a machine oil smell from the steamer
Positive Product Points

Pros: Looks great, seems sturdy, is easy to use and clean, heats up quickly, makes very good espresso

Negative Product Points

Cons: There is a smell from the steam wand, it gets less over time and I am told that running descaler through it will eliminate it. (Why couldn’t they do that?) The group head is configured in such a way that you cannot really fill the portafilter full of coffee and have to leave a bit of room at the top. This is a slight bummer for me as I like my morning coffee a nice long pull and with our former machine could get enough coffee for 2 such pulls at one time for both me and the hubby. True it is no tragedy to pull 2 shots but just not as convenient. If you are pulling for one, there is no problem.

Detailed Commentary

Baby Gaggia Twin
I am on my third Baby Gaggia Twin since February and the third one does seem to be the charm. The first machine had an impotent steamer and was sent back, the second, the steam wand came off entirely.  I did notice that happened to another reviewer but went with this machine as it was in my price range and I felt lucky.
The first one was purchased through Essential Espresso (avoid at all costs) who when I called to address the problem were very “We don’t want to hear it, talk to the manufacturer” even though their site boasts a 30 day no hassle return. I wish I read the reviews on them before purchase. I won’t go into every detail but dealing with them was so unpleasant and they took so long to do anything that I decided that I would get my replacement from BBandBeyond, where I learned they would price-match even with a 300 dollar difference and free shipping!!
So, BBandBeyond gave me a truly hassle free exchange for the second machine and it’s faulty steam wand and now I am reasonably happy with the machine. The customer service there is among the best I have experienced.
Pros: Looks great, seems sturdy, is easy to use and clean, heats up quickly, makes very good espresso
The steamer takes a little getting used to. You need to purge it of water till the lights flash, turn it off and then back on again, keeping the wand out of your milk until it is up to “full steam” then turn it off again and put it in your milk pitcher. It sounds more painful than it is and all happens in about a minute and change.
Cons: There is a smell from the steam wand, it gets less over time and I am told that running descaler through it will eliminate it. (Why couldn’t they do that?) The group head is configured in such a way that you cannot really fill the portafilter full of coffee and have to leave a bit of room at the top. This is a slight bummer for me as I like my morning coffee a nice long pull and with our former machine could get enough coffee for 2 such pulls at one time for both me and the hubby. True it is no tragedy to pull 2 shots but just not as convenient. If you are pulling for one, there is no problem.
However, Gaggia itself and its U.S. representative, www.importika.com are lacking in customer service in my opinion.
After receiving my third machine, I sent an email asking about a pressurized portafilter for the machine. I also added that it would be nice of them to offer some discount on same taking into to consideration the inconvenience I had been through having 2 defective machines.
Both Todd and Linda at Importika in the U.S. and Gaggia in Italy totally ignored this. I would not buy from them again for that reason. To me, it would be a no brainer to comp a relatively inexpensive item to compensate for the inconvenience and leave the customer feeling that you value their business and regret the inconvenience. They obviously don’t.
It does take away some of the enjoyment of owning it.

Buying Experience

First buy was from Essentialespresso.com (see commnets above) and was negative.
Second was from Bedbathandbeyond and was very positive.

Three Month Followup

I have returned Baby Twin # 3, this one leaked around the portafilter, the previous 2 had stemer related problems. I now have a Gaggia Classic which I am much happier with. It does not have the  shot programing function but is so much better. The steamer is noticably more robust, without the foul smell that came from the twin. They really should have woeked the bugs out of the Baby Twin before putting her out there. she is not ready for prime time. BBabdBeyond, pricematched it for me. I prefer to buy from them after the dreadful experience I had with Essential Espresso.. i know if there is a problem, they will do the right thing..

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review rating: 8.0
Posted: June 14, 2009, 2:28pm
feedback: (1) comments | read | write
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