Siliconslave's how to make espresso thread

dirtychinchilla · 25 Dec 2025 at 21:22

So which gaggia would you guys go for given the £300 budget and the need for a grinder? The Espresso Deluxe is on sale for £190 on their website right now

BAcon · 25 Dec 2025 at 22:28

I'd be patient and pick up a Gaggia Classic, pre 2009 ideally, older the better, avoid the 2015-2018 models.

I tend to look out for them on the cheap, to refurbish and offer them to friends/family. Had two so far, a 2005 and a 2007 (this one had a Shades of coffee PID), have had a friend/family member in mind each time and they always back out when it comes to parting with cash, I only ask them to cover what the machines owe me as well! So they end up being sold. Good solid bits of kit that are super easy to work on, highly recommended if you can get one <£150. Service kit is around £11 with a new PF gasket. Then fingers crossed the boiler is salvageable, otherwise its another £40 or so.

Can fully disassemble the group, boiler, solenoid, OPV, steam valve, steam wand etc, fully descale it while it is all apart, clean everything up so its as good as it gets, and fully rebuild with new seals in around 3hrs, that's taking my time. I enjoy the tinkering.

The Espresso deluxe I believe uses a pressurised portafilter basket setup, so if you want to make proper espresso you will need to invest in a new portafilter and standard basket. pressurised baskets essentially have a second skin with a single hole usually in it, the intention is that they are to be used with supermarket ground coffee, i.e stale coffee at a random grind size, so the basket provides the back pressure on the coffee rather than the coffee itself. The coffee will taste thin and won't be proper espresso. I had a Dehlonghi for 9 years, so I am aware how they taste!

With a standard basket the coffee itself needs to provide the pressure, hence the need for a decent grinder.

dirtychinchilla · 26 Dec 2025 at 07:01

BAcon said:
I'd be patient and pick up a Gaggia Classic, pre 2009 ideally, older the better, avoid the 2015-2018 models.

I tend to look out for them on the cheap, to refurbish and offer them to friends/family. Had two so far, a 2005 and a 2007 (this one had a Shades of coffee PID), have had a friend/family member in mind each time and they always back out when it comes to parting with cash, I only ask them to cover what the machines owe me as well! So they end up being sold. Good solid bits of kit that are super easy to work on, highly recommended if you can get one <£150. Service kit is around £11 with a new PF gasket. Then fingers crossed the boiler is salvageable, otherwise its another £40 or so.

Can fully disassemble the group, boiler, solenoid, OPV, steam valve, steam wand etc, fully descale it while it is all apart, clean everything up so its as good as it gets, and fully rebuild with new seals in around 3hrs, that's taking my time. I enjoy the tinkering.

The Espresso deluxe I believe uses a pressurised portafilter basket setup, so if you want to make proper espresso you will need to invest in a new portafilter and standard basket. pressurised baskets essentially have a second skin with a single hole usually in it, the intention is that they are to be used with supermarket ground coffee, i.e stale coffee at a random grind size, so the basket provides the back pressure on the coffee rather than the coffee itself. The coffee will taste thin and won't be proper espresso. I had a Dehlonghi for 9 years, so I am aware how they taste!

With a standard basket the coffee itself needs to provide the pressure, hence the need for a decent grinder.

Thanks for the thorough recommendations. I’d anticipated buying a new basket anyway so that’s not too much of a concern.

Looks like there are a few machines on eBay atm (I’m not very patient hah). Is this the sort of year you’re talking about? (https://ebay.us/m/V9M3uT)

Otherwise, how do you know what year the machine are? I saw a 2011 machine, but people aren’t necessarily labelling them with the year.

Alex_L · 26 Dec 2025 at 10:50

dirtychinchilla said:
Thanks for the thorough recommendations. I’d anticipated buying a new basket anyway so that’s not too much of a concern.

Looks like there are a few machines on eBay atm (I’m not very patient hah). Is this the sort of year you’re talking about? (https://ebay.us/m/V9M3uT)

Otherwise, how do you know what year the machine are? I saw a 2011 machine, but people aren’t necessarily labelling them with the year.

Gaggia Classic - list of models 1991 to 2024

Analog synths synthesizers DIY vintage

djjondent.blogspot.com

Worth a look there to see what models come up on eBay. That eBay one looks like a 2009-2014 one with the raised logo so still a good buy. I’d just be prepared buying on eBay they may need a good service (descaling particularly) given how many people chuck hard water into espresso machines.

dirtychinchilla · 26 Dec 2025 at 11:11

Alex_L said:
Gaggia Classic - list of models 1991 to 2024

Analog synths synthesizers DIY vintage

djjondent.blogspot.com

Worth a look there to see what models come up on eBay. That eBay one looks like a 2009-2014 one with the raised logo so still a good buy. I’d just be prepared buying on eBay they may need a good service (descaling particularly) given how many people chuck hard water into espresso machines.

Thank you! Where else would you pick one up from?

Alex_L · 26 Dec 2025 at 13:48

dirtychinchilla said:
Thank you! Where else would you pick one up from?

Coffeeforums - they come up from time to time but tbh they’ll probably be at higher end of the price range. That one on eBay to me looks a good purchase to me. It looks well looked after and the machine is so popular any maintenance is fairly straightforward with YouTube to guide you (I say this as someone who’s not very mechanically minded and serviced my parents classic a few times).

BAcon · 26 Dec 2025 at 15:28

There is a couple of UK based coffee forums that you could put a wanted ad out on.

As I say, I look for bargains, paid very little for the recent one, but they sell well once refurbished, as people clearly like the Gaggia Classics but don't always feel confident in getting their hands dirty.

dirtychinchilla · 29 Dec 2025 at 18:39

Thanks chaps. I won that auction for the Gaggia - just under £200. I guess I need to get the stuff for the pressure mod, PID mod, and a service kit?

Raymond Lin · 29 Dec 2025 at 18:43

dirtychinchilla said:
Thanks chaps. I won that auction for the Gaggia - just under £200. I guess I need to get the stuff for the pressure mod, PID mod, and a service kit?

I would get stuff to flush it, clean it, replace the silicone seal, perhaps a new shower screen and even upgrade the group head. Get that working first before actually upgrading it.

dirtychinchilla · 29 Dec 2025 at 18:56

Raymond Lin said:
I would get stuff to flush it, clean it, replace the silicone seal, perhaps a new shower screen and even upgrade the group head. Get that working first before actually upgrading it.

I’ve just seen the price of a PID kit…madness. Another £200 nearly!

Raymond Lin · 29 Dec 2025 at 19:19

dirtychinchilla said:
I’ve just seen the price of a PID kit…madness. Another £200 nearly!

It's what has been putting me off, and it doesn't look too easy.

The pressure spring valve is easy and cheap enough.

dirtychinchilla · 29 Dec 2025 at 19:59

Raymond Lin said:
It's what has been putting me off, and it doesn't look too easy.

The pressure spring valve is easy and cheap enough.

Sounds like I need to go full autism on the thing

BAcon · 29 Dec 2025 at 22:12

If you want any help with a refurb give me a shout.

Can show you photos of what to expect etc. It's actually quite a simple machine.
The Machine I just sold had the "Shades of Coffee" PID installed and it worked incredibly well. Think it's £130 with an aluminium enclosure for the PID controller, so a fair bit below £200 where you've been looking so far.

But as a bare minimum I'd order up a gasket kit, including a fresh portafilter gasket (get silicone), then see how you get on once you've taken it apart for a clean/descale. You can descale through the tank, but you can risk blocking the solenoid valve, so I prefer to just disassemble.

dirtychinchilla · 30 Dec 2025 at 11:52

BAcon said:
If you want any help with a refurb give me a shout.

Can show you photos of what to expect etc. It's actually quite a simple machine.
The Machine I just sold had the "Shades of Coffee" PID installed and it worked incredibly well. Think it's £130 with an aluminium enclosure for the PID controller, so a fair bit below £200 where you've been looking so far.

But as a bare minimum I'd order up a gasket kit, including a fresh portafilter gasket (get silicone), then see how you get on once you've taken it apart for a clean/descale. You can descale through the tank, but you can risk blocking the solenoid valve, so I prefer to just disassemble.

Thanks very much. I’ll do exactly as you suggest. Would you be able to provide links to the service kits you’d recommend?

BAcon · 30 Dec 2025 at 21:31

dirtychinchilla said:
Thanks very much. I’ll do exactly as you suggest. Would you be able to provide links to the service kits you’d recommend?

I've used these kits for the last two, don't have another reference for quality I am afraid, but these were fine: https://ebay.us/m/BUOOM6

On both I also replaced the dispersion screen, they are aluminium stock, but they oxidise terribly, so I replaced both with stainless steel, these are great quality, https://ebay.us/m/TqP1wP

dirtychinchilla · 31 Dec 2025 at 17:22

BAcon said:
I've used these kits for the last two, don't have another reference for quality I am afraid, but these were fine: https://ebay.us/m/BUOOM6

On both I also replaced the dispersion screen, they are aluminium stock, but they oxidise terribly, so I replaced both with stainless steel, these are great quality, https://ebay.us/m/TqP1wP

Brilliant, thank you so much. I can't afford to get a decent grinder atm I don't think. What sort of order would you get stuff in? Service and change the screen first, grinder later?

BAcon · 31 Dec 2025 at 19:23

Grinder is the most important part of the setup, with a standard basket you will not be able to make espresso without a proper grinder. Grab a Kingrinder K6 for £90-100 or so new, it will work for espresso while you learn the ropes, gives you chance to save up for an electric. Manual grinding espresso can become a chore, so if you can find the extra to go electric straight away I'd do it.

The manual grinders are great for work/holidays though for filter coffee, so it won't be wasted once you buy an electric as well.

For electric grinders my previous post covers it: https://forums.overclockers.co.uk/t...o-make-espresso-thread.17887005/post-38142419

But short version, budget grinders are Eureka Mignon (hopper, on demand) or DF54 (single dose)

Dont forget scales, accurate to 0.1g! You will want to weigh your beans, grind it, and weigh it in your portafilter, ensure you've got the dose you want, be that 14g, 16g, 18g etc, then when you pull the espresso, weigh the output in the cup. Will help you dial in your recipe for your beans.

edit: I'd check the machine works ok to start with, if there are any sparkly or grey bits in the water then the boiler/group/dispersion plate needs a thorough cleaning and descale. At that point you may as well clean the lot. As once the boiler is out, so is everything else!

dirtychinchilla · 31 Dec 2025 at 20:14

BAcon said:
Grinder is the most important part of the setup, with a standard basket you will not be able to make espresso without a proper grinder. Grab a Kingrinder K6 for £90-100 or so new, it will work for espresso while you learn the ropes, gives you chance to save up for an electric. Manual grinding espresso can become a chore, so if you can find the extra to go electric straight away I'd do it.

The manual grinders are great for work/holidays though for filter coffee, so it won't be wasted once you buy an electric as well.

For electric grinders my previous post covers it: https://forums.overclockers.co.uk/t...o-make-espresso-thread.17887005/post-38142419

But short version, budget grinders are Eureka Mignon (hopper, on demand) or DF54 (single dose)

Dont forget scales, accurate to 0.1g! You will want to weigh your beans, grind it, and weigh it in your portafilter, ensure you've got the dose you want, be that 14g, 16g, 18g etc, then when you pull the espresso, weigh the output in the cup. Will help you dial in your recipe for your beans.

edit: I'd check the machine works ok to start with, if there are any sparkly or grey bits in the water then the boiler/group/dispersion plate needs a thorough cleaning and descale. At that point you may as well clean the lot. As once the boiler is out, so is everything else!

Thanks for that. I've ordered the K6. I will service it too, and then forget about the rest until I've understood what's going on. I don't want to use an electric grinder though - would rather keep it quiet

BAcon · 31 Dec 2025 at 20:57

dirtychinchilla said:
Thanks for that. I've ordered the K6. I will service it too, and then forget about the rest until I've understood what's going on. I don't want to use an electric grinder though - would rather keep it quiet

Well the vibe pump in the Gaggia won't exactly be quiet, but it's only for 30s or so!

Nice, I had a K6 and only changed it to a 1zpresso K Ultra as one came up for a silly price locally. They are great grinders for the money. External adjustment makes it super simple too.

What beans you going to start with? What sort of flavours do you like? Avoid supermarket beans, as they will be stale and you'll have to grind stupidly fine to get them to create any pressure!

dirtychinchilla · 1 Jan 2026 at 15:49

BAcon said:
Well the vibe pump in the Gaggia won't exactly be quiet, but it's only for 30s or so!

Nice, I had a K6 and only changed it to a 1zpresso K Ultra as one came up for a silly price locally. They are great grinders for the money. External adjustment makes it super simple too.

What beans you going to start with? What sort of flavours do you like? Avoid supermarket beans, as they will be stale and you'll have to grind stupidly fine to get them to create any pressure!

Ha no it won’t be the sound of a grinder is particularly penetrating.

I don’t know yet honestly. My parents have a coffee roasters nearby which has a great selection. I can’t find it online, strange shop in Wallingford. I’ve asked them to get me something for when I see them at the weekend.