Siliconslave's how to make espresso thread

So I received my Classic today and eagerly unboxed it so I could find a new home for it in my kitchen. And... well, I'm a little underwhelmed.

Granted, I haven't actually used the damn thing yet, but the unit feels a little... cheap. The metals are quite thin, the drip-tray seems very plasticky and rattly, the lid for the water tank seems rather lightweight and all the spouts and nozzles just seem a tad fragile.

The filter holder seems solid enough and the switches have some weight to them, but I guess I was expecting more for my money. It just doesn't feel like a £200 coffee maker ought to - at least from where I'm standing, that is.

Now, there's no doubting the Classic's pedigree, as it wouldn't have the reputation is does were that not the case. But am I being unreasonable in my expectations for how the thing ought to feel? Unlike my other kitchen gadgets which all have some heft to them, this doesn't inspire much confidence!
 
I've always thought that they weren't too flashy looking but I'm definitely more concerned about how the unit performs than how it looks. It'd be nice if it looked a little more expensive though, yeah.
 
The classic really is on the cheap end of quality espresso machines. £200 is entry level really and the £1,000 bean to cup machine doesn't make 5 x better coffee, it just looks nicer.

I guess corners need to be cut and your money is spent on the inside, the boiler, the valves etc.
 
I was actually pretty chuffed with the looks and build quality of the Classic, especially for what is an entry level / budget machine. I quite like the chunky, industrial look of the steel housing and the big black switches.

You are right though, the drip tray is quite rattly and flimsy when you move it and the steam knob doesn't feel particularly quality. Also the accessories that are included such as the tamper and scoop are naff. These were not aspects I really considered important when purchasing so it didn't bother me.

Makes lovely coffee :)
 
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drip tray is cheap but it's funtional and not going to break so its fine.

The steam wand plastic is not the best, there are mods online for that, personally I think that is the biggest let down.

The rest of the machine I think is built to last and quite well built. The on/off switch is nice and clunky and really is very good machine for the money.
 
it depends allot on who you talk to - in fact one of the recent hasbean audio boos slated all home espresso machines bellow ~ £1k as they aren't temperature stable and don't produce enough steam (or something along those lines).

The classic isn't a great espresso machine in the scale of things, its just gives reasonable results for the price point. Its gaggia's decent internals in a very basic shell with no bells or whistles - you can add your own bells etc if you want and make it into something much better...

What it does it offer a repeatable reasonable home espresso for a very low price, something that has the potential of being much better than 99% of highstreet espresso and for £200 i'd say its a bargain :)
 
I've been toying with the idea of a bean to cup machine, mainly as I don't have time in the mornings to make a decent coffee.

Most of these bean to cup machines have a programmable wake time so the machine is ready to go when you get up. The convenience of it looks great and they more or less clean themselves. The machine I'd like to buy is the Jura Impressa J9 but its a bit pricey. Does anyone know if the DELONGHI ESAM5500B would be a decent alternative? Its half the price and looks pretty good.

It looks reasonable in the reviews, here's a Youtube video of it in action.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lJ_JbJimf6Y&feature=relmfu
 
Gaggia Baby 74820 Is on offer at the rainforest place £149.00, normal price £249. I was going to get a classic, how does the baby compare to the classic?

Have already ordered the mc2 grinder. :)
 
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Walter Sobchak said:
Gaggia Baby 74820 Is on offer at the rainforest place £149.00, normal price £249. I was going to get a classic, how does the baby compare to the classic?

Have already ordered the mc2 grinder. :)
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Both have the same internals, and both make good espresso. The baby is more aesthetically pleasing, and the classic has more modding potential. I'm attempting to sell my baby, the same one as pictured, to buy a classic - not because it doesn't make great coffee, but because I want a PID.
 
glitch said:
Can anyone assist me with a brief list of what I'd need to pick-up were I to get something like a Gaggia Classic? I've had a cursory browse through the thread, but the information is a little overwhelming in its comprehensiveness!

I'm assuming I'd need some, or all of the following?

Grinder (anything more cost-effective than the Iberital MC2?)
Tamper, milk jug, knock box, etc (Motta?)
Non-pressurised basket (directly from Phillips?)
Beans (Hasbean starter pack?)
Other stuff?

I've got shot glasses and cups galore, but it's the rest I'm trying to price up to see if it's an affordable luxury item for the kitchen.
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gaggias classics come with a pressurised basket for "perfect crema"now your better of buying the old basket instead unless you use pods/crap coffee

oh you already have one on your list sorry i am blind! yea they are sold as gaggia classic spares on websites for around £6
 
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fus said:
Both have the same internals, and both make good espresso. The baby is more aesthetically pleasing, and the classic has more modding potential. I'm attempting to sell my baby, the same one as pictured, to buy a classic - not because it doesn't make great coffee, but because I want a PID.
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Ta, after reading up on various websites I think I'll go for the classic.
 
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arknor said:
oh you already have one on your list sorry i am blind! yea they are sold as gaggia classic spares on websites for around £6
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:D

uchuff said:
Have heard of people complaining to Phillips and getting sent replacement baskets free. Like you say though, only £6 if not.
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Methinks it could be a painful experience, so I'll buy a replacement and see if I can get a spare out of Phillips, assuming I actually keep the Classic which is something I'm as yet undecided upon.

Assuming I do keep the Classic, does anyone have particular recommendations for shot glasses and cups?

I believe the aim of the game is to pour 2 x 1oz shots from a 14g in around 25 seconds. Or something along those lines anyway.

So, presumably, that means I'm looking for shot glasses which are lined at 1oz but will take 2oz (or more) and that will fit under the portafilter of the Classic.

And what about cups? All personal preference, or should I be looking for specific sizes? I've seen 7oz and 12oz so far, but then I'm probably not looking in the correct places!
 
uchuff said:
I went for the Bodum Pavina shot glasses as I liked the look of them, no 1oz line on those unfortunately so had to guesstimate.
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I've got a full set of the Pavina range, but fancy something lined just to make life a little bit easier for a novice like me.

Fantastic glasses though. Laughably expensive, but fantastic all the same!

Raymond Lin said:
starbucks sells a pair of 1oz shot glasses. It even has a line.
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Speaking of laughingly expensive... how much would they be?

I've got some of their ceramic ones, but I would rather like some see-thru action in my life.
 
glitch said:
Speaking of laughingly expensive... how much would they be?

I've got some of their ceramic ones, but I would rather like some see-thru action in my life.
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I think it was like £5.95?

You can try eBay because its not an item they have stock of very often. But it is the perfect size, fit under the classic, has the 1oz line and comes in a pair.

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