 The designers at Gaggia know a good thing when they see it. Just one look at this lever operated espresso machine and you’ll journey back to the golden age of espresso, when Gaggia founder Achille Gaggia was king. This vintage-looking espresso machine is a real throwback, and with its cylindrical body, stainless steel housing, and domed water reservoir, the Achille is sure to grab your attention. To operate the Achille, simply raise the lever on the front of the machine and a piston inside the group is raised, allowing water under pressure to infuse the coffee in the filter holder. When you lower the lever, the pressure causes the piston to force water through the coffee and into your cup. And with the Achille’s easy-to-use Turbo frothing wand, your friends will not only be impressed with your old-world brewing skills, but also with the decadent, creamy froth you are able to create. When you have a Gaggia Achille on your counter, it makes a bold statement: you are serious about making coffee. The Gaggia Achille comes with both single and double shot filter baskets, as well as a tamper.
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The Achille’s 58mm commercial style portafilter is crafted of chrome-plated brass to retain heat and keep a stable brewing temperature. You can use the portafilter to brew with either ground coffee or ESE certified espresso pods, thanks to the included stainless steel double shot and single shot/ESE filter baskets that are easily interchangeable. |
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On top of the Achille sits a 28 oz water reservoir that can be removed for filling at the faucet or simply refilled in place. |
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Equipped with a large capacity boiler constructed of stainless steel, the Achille is ready to brew or steam within 10 minutes. |
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The boiler temperature and pressure, which can be monitored using the Achille’s pressure gauge, are controlled with a pressure regulator. The oversized boiler cycles on and off consistently and is set to maintain steady pressure. |
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The main power switch is the only switch used to operate the Achille. Once the Achille is powered on, the boiler maintains a steady pressure and temperature. |
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Equipped with a heat exchanger boiler, the Achille has the ability to go from brewing to steaming without the wait. |
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The sight glass is located on the left side of the Achille. It gives the operator the ability to monitor the water level within the boiler. |
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Gaggia’s Turbo Frothing Wand takes the guesswork out of steaming and frothing milk for cappuccinos and lattes. Its user-friendly design ensures you’ll produce great foam from the get-go. |
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The Achille features a removable steel cup tray that is attached to the back of the machine. It can hold up to 4 demitasse cups at a time for easy access. |
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There is a thermal fuse that will shut off the boiler in the event of overheating for any reason. The fuse turns the boiler off and can easily be reset. |
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The pressure relief valve is located underneath the clear domed water reservoir on the top of the machine. It is designed to release any excess pressure in the boiler. |
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The exterior of the Achille has a beautiful high-gloss chrome and stainless steel finish. Any cleaning should be done with a soft, damp cloth. The boiler should be decalcified at least 3 times a year, depending on usage, with Cleancaf by Urnex to maintain optimum performance. In addition, the boiler should always be turned off when not in use since there is not an energy saving feature on this lever machine. |
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The Achille is made of heavy gauge stainless steel and is plated with chrome. Even the drip grate is stainless steel. |
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| Odds & Ends: Cleaning supplies & more for this machine |
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Accessories:
Here are some extras that we recommend for use with the Gaggia Achille.
Some are even discounted if you purchase them along with the Gaggia Achille, so buy all at once and save!
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