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The Gaggia Baby Twin offers an innovative new take on home semi-automatic espresso machine design: two boilers. With one boiler for brewing and a thermoblock for steam, there’s no downtime between brewing and steaming. Entertaining friends, getting through the morning rush at your house, or just making an afternoon latte is quick and easy. Plus, the Gaggia Baby Twin has all of the great features Gaggia is known for, including a commercial-grade portafilter and brew group, three-way solenoid valve, and Turbo Frother attachment.
In addition to the new double boiler system, the Gaggia Baby Twin also has a modern touch ring control panel with green backlit buttons. This exciting new control panel is a great upgrade from traditional switches or plastic buttons, and it features 2 programmable brewing buttons, as well as a manual brewing button. Steam temperature and hot water are also controlled on the touch ring, and a temperature ready light illuminates on the bottom of the ring when the machine is prepared to brew or steam.
Oh, and did I mention it also has stainless steel housing? The Baby Twin is completely housed in brushed stainless steel, so it can match virtually any kitchen, and is extremely durable. The drip tray grate, steam wand, and Turbo Frother attachment are also made of stainless steel, not plastic. An active cup warmer is located on the top of the machine, so you can keep up to 5 espresso cups ready for brewing. The Baby Twin also has a large 60oz water reservoir made of clear ABS plastic, so you can easily monitor your water levels.
When brewing on most home semi-automatic machines that have only 1 boiler, you need to wait between brewing and steaming for the boiler to reach the proper temperature. The Gaggia Baby Twin eliminates this wait with its double boiler system, featuring one boiler for brewing and one for steaming. The brewing boiler quickly heats up, and a thermoblock boiler creates steam for frothing milk for cappuccinos and lattes.
To get the best possible espresso, it’s important to use commercial-grade brewing components. The Gaggia Baby Twin features a commercial size and style portafilter, made of chrome-plated brass for both durability and heat stability. Measuring 58mm, this portafilter also has a durable plastic handle.
The brew group on the Gaggia Baby Twin is made of the same chrome-plated marine brass as the portafilter, for a commercial feel and long life. It also offers great heat stability, so your espresso stays nice and hot throughout the brewing process.
The Gaggia Baby Twin features a sleek touch ring control panel with green backlit buttons. From left to right, they are small and large programmable brewing buttons, hot water, a steam supply light, manual dispensing/programming, and at the bottom of the ring is the temperature indicator light that will let you know when the Baby Twin is ready to brew or steam.
We all want something to depend on in the morning. Our alarm clock may fail us and the kids might not get up when we tell them to, but the Gaggia Baby Twin is always ready to dispense consistent espresso shots. On the touch ring, you’ll find 2 programmable brewing buttons that you can set to dispense just the right amount of espresso to meet your tastes. To program the buttons, press and hold the programming button until it begins to flash. Then, press and hold the brewing button you want to program, and release once the desired amount of coffee has been reached. To exit programming mode, press the programming button again and your settings will be saved.
A 3-way solenoid valve is an important feature on high quality semi-automatic espresso machines. It relieves pressure in the portafilter after brewing, helping to prevent dripping and makes it easy to dispense of the spent coffee puck.
The Gaggia Baby Twin lets you get the most flavor from your espresso with a pre-infusion cycle. This wets the grounds with a splash of water just a few seconds before brewing, and helps to bring out the aromatic oils of the ground coffee. You can also choose to turn this feature off by entering programming mode and pressing the hot water button.
Espresso tastes best when it is enjoyed when its hot and freshly brewed. If you brew directly into cold cups, your shots can lose quite a few degrees of heat, and that’s why the Gaggia Baby Twin features an active cup warmer. It is located on the top of the machine and has room for 5 espresso cups.
The Baby Twin can easily dispense hot water for tea, americanos, instant soup, and more. Just place a container underneath the steam wand, press the hot water dispensing button, and turn the black knob on the top of the machine. Once the desired amount of hot water is reached, turn the knob back and press the hot water dispensing button again.
Creating luscious foam and steamed milk for cappuccinos and lattes can be a tricky skill to master. The Gaggia Baby Twin has a stainless steel Turbo Frother attachment on the steam wand that makes steaming and frothing milk easy. Similar to a Pannarello attachment, the Turbo Frother helps to evenly distribute steam throughout your pitcher. Plus, the steam wand on the Baby Twin is mounted on a ball joint for a wide range of movement.
The Gaggia Baby Twin has a 60oz water reservoir made of durable and clear plastic. It can easily be removed for filling or cleaning, and can also be filled in place. Plus, it’s clear design lets you quickly monitor your water level.
If you prefer to brew with ESE (Easy Serve Espresso) pods rather than ground coffee, the Gaggia Baby Twin is pod ready. Just place the single shot filter basket in the portafilter and the Baby Twin is ready to brew using you favorite coffee pod.
The Gaggia Baby Twin is housed in brushed stainless steel with a stainless steel Turbo Frother and drip tray grate. The water reservoir is made of clear plastic, as is the steam knob on the top of the machine.
The Gaggia Baby Twin comes with double and single/ESE pod filter baskets, tamper, and a 7oz coffee scoop.
6
Vote
If you would like to know a little about the many types of espresso machines we sell, this would be a good video to get you started. This video covers the machines we sell and based on your lifestyle, what you like to drink, and ease of use. It will give you an overview of different espresso machines and help you determine which one best suits to your needs.
I would watch the video and focus on a particular kind of machine—prosumer, semi-automatic, and super-automatic to decide which kind is ideal for you. Then, you can go and look at individual models to get a better idea of exactly what you want. Of course, if you narrow it down to a few espresso machines and are still undecided, give us a call and we would be glad to help!
3
Vote
Ok so you just received your new semi-automatic machine and are getting ready to make a nice cappuccino. You have watched the local Barista, done your online research and have quickly come to the conclusion that you are getting conflicting information on how to properly make a cappuccino or latte with your new machine. In some instances, you may have seen the drinks being made by brewing your espresso and then steaming and frothing your milk. Likewise, you may have also watched videos that show a latte being made in a glass cup where the espresso is being poured into the steamed milk. So which is it you might ask. "Do I brew first or do I steam first"?
The consensus with our team here is that it is better to steam/froth your milk first and then brew your espresso. This especially holds true when using a single boiler espresso machine like the Gaggia Classic or Rancilio Silvia. This serves three main purposes:
First, it is much more fast to make a latte or cappuccino by cooling the machine to brew after steaming then to wait for the machine to heat to steam after brewing. You can very quickly have the machine ready to brew simply by switching to the brew button and running hot water through the steam arm. The wand will change from producing steam to producing hot water very fast. Once you have hot water instead of steam you are ready to brew. This should take mere seconds with most mid level semis like the Gaggia machines.
Second, it is better for the machine and its internal components to be at the cooler brew temperature then the hotter steam temperature. In fact, Rancilio states in their manual that the steps mentioned in point one is necessary in the normal operation to prevent the machine from burning out heating elements and boilers.
Third, performing step one with the mid level semi-automatic machines is a great way to maintain a relatively consistent temperature when brewing. If you start brewing at about the same time after the steam turns to hot water you can maintain a consistent brew temperature with every shot. This is something known as temperature surfing which is a topic all of its own.
| Misc Data | |
| Manufacturer | Gaggia |
| Model | 12500 |
| Specifications | |
| Dimension - Width (Inches) | 9.6 |
| Dimension - Height (Inches) | 15.7 |
| Dimension - Depth (Inches) | 10.4 |
| Weight (lbs) | 18 |
| Watts | 1425 |
| Volts | 110 |
| Housing | |
| Housing Materials | Stainless Steel |
| Drip Tray Material | Powder Coated Steel |
| Drip Tray Cover Material | Stainless Steel |
| Drip Tray Capacity (Oz) | 9 |
| Power Cord Length (Inches) | 44 |
| Cup Height | |
| Adjustable Height | No |
| High (Inches) | 3.5 |
| One Touch cappuccino | |
| One Touch Cappuccino | No |
| Frothing Wand | |
| Material | Stainless Steel |
| Steam Wand Style | Pannarello |
| Wand Movement | Articulating |
| Usable Length (Inches) | 3.75 |
| Height Off Counter (Inches) | 3.5 |
| Number Of Holes | 1 |
| Optional Steam Tips Or Wands | Latte art Pannarello |
| Water Source | |
| Reservoir Or Plumbed | Reservoir |
| Reservoir Capacity (Oz) | 60 |
| Reservoir Material | Plastic |
| Reservoir Removable | Yes |
| Water Level Visible | Yes |
| Water Filter | Mavea intenza |
| Controls | |
| Type Of Controls | Touch Ring with Buttons |
| Programmable Brewing | Yes |
| Pre-Infusion | Yes |
| Cup Warmer | |
| Material | Stainless Steel |
| Size (Inches) | 7x4 |
| Passive / Active | Active |
| Portafilter Data | |
| Material | Chrome Plated Brass |
| Type | Commercial Style |
| Weight (Lbs) | 1 |
| Diameter (Millimeter) | 58 |
| Commercial Filter Baskets Included | 2 |
| Pressurized Filter Baskets Included | Single/Pod & Double shot |
| Ground, E.S.E. Pod And Capsule Compatible | Ground & ESE Pod |
| Bottomless Portafilter Available | Yes |
| Tamper Size (Millimeter) | 58 |
| Brew Group | |
| Material | Chrome Plated Brass |
| Three-Way Valve | Yes |
| Capsule / Pod Friendly | Pod |
| Boiler Data | |
| Number Of Boilers | 1 |
| Rapid Steam | Yes |
| Brew Boiler Data | |
| Brew Boiler Type | Small Volume |
| Brew Boiler Watts | 1370 |
| Brew boiler Volume (Oz) | 3.5 |
| Brew Boiler Material | Aluminum |
| Brew Boiler Orientation | Vertical |
| Brew Boiler Heater Location | External |
| Steam Boiler Data | |
| Insulated | Yes |
| Steam Boiler Type | Thermoblock |
| Steam Boiler Watts | 1370 |
| Steam Boiler Volume (Oz) | Low |
| Steam Boiler Material | Stainless Steel Lined Aluminum |
| Steam Boiler Orientation | Vertical |
| Steam Boiler Heater Location | External |
| Steam Boiler Vacuum Relief valve | No |
| Steam Boiler Auto Fill | Yes |
| Pump Data | |
| Pump Type | Vibration |
| Pump Wattage | 55 |
| Maximum Pressure (Bar) | 15 |
| Self Priming Pump | Yes |
| Performance | |
| Initial Heat Up (Seconds) | 72 |
| Recommended Heat Up Time (Seconds) | 420 |
| Brew Temp (F) (2 Oz Shot In Paper Cup) | 175 |
| Brew Time for 2 Oz | 25 |
| Brew Temp (F) (8 Oz Shot In Paper Cup) | 173 |
| Time To Produce Steam (Seconds) | 10 |
| Time To Steam 8 Oz Milk (Seconds) | 42 |
| Maximum Effective Frothing Duration With Stock Steam Tip (Seconds) | 300 |
| Hot Water Temp 8 Oz (F) | 165 |
| Hot Water Time 8 Oz (Seconds) | 24 |
| Hot Water Recovery Time (Seconds) | 0 |
| Sound Level - Brewing (Db) | 64 |
| Maintenance | |
| Descaler Used | Gaggia Descaler or Urnex Cleancaf |
| Water Filter | Mavea intenza |
| Details | |
| Warranty (Years) | 2 |
| Country Of Manufacture | Italy |
| NSF Certified | No |
| Recommended Applications | Home |
| Service provided | |
| Repairs By | Whole Latte Love |
| Contact Number | 888-411-5282 |
4.5 out of 5
(22 Customer Reviews)
Rated 5 out of 5
Has owned for:
Less than 1 month
Ability Level:
Beginner
This is the first real espresso maker I have ever owned. I have had this machine for 5 days now and I have not had a bad espresso or cappuccino yet. The machine is fast and efficient to heat up, and makes an excellent shot every time. I'm using lavazza super crema, and a gaggia MDF set on 4 for grinding. The reason I purchased my own espresso maker was because coffee in the United States is awful. I have been suffering through a short 1 sugar cappuccino from starbucks for the past 5 or 6 years. I just returned from Italy and decided to make my own. I think they key is to find a machine that you are comfortable with, and not to skimp on a grinder or beans. The Baby Twin is push-button easy to use, and the double boiler eliminates any wait to steam your milk. I highly recommend this for beginners or experts.
Less than 1 month
Beginner
Lavazza Super Crema
Burr
Gaggia MDF set on 4
Rated 5 out of 5
Has owned for:
Less than 1 month
Ability Level:
Coffee Lover
Just received my new Gaggia Baby Twin, and within 30min of unpacking it, had it clean, operational and was enjoying my first shot.
Less than 1 month
Enjoying the espresso it produces
Coffee Lover
Pete's Italian roast
None, works great, simple to use.
Breville ESP6XL
Bur
Capresso Infinity 565
Rated 4 out of 5
Has owned for:
6 - 12 months
Ability Level:
Beginner
This is my current and first espresso machine. I've had it for just a little over 6 months now and I think I'm finally getting consistent shots, but not a fault of the machine. More as a result of my learning process and consistency in my own technique. The Baby Twin works well for me. I have it on a programmable digital timer so it turns on an hour before I wake up, turns off an hour after I leave the house for work, turns on an hour before I get home from work, and then turns off again before I go to sleep. I find that I really do need to let it warm up sufficiently before the first shot. I have not had the issues that a lot of other people on some forums seem to report with the Baby Twin. I haven't noticed any off taste from the milk and I haven't had any issues with the power from the steam wand. Having said that, I would recommend replacing the steam wand with either the Latte Art wand or something similar. I now only use the inner tube from the Latte Art wand, having removed the outer tube. Also, when steaming with the Baby Twin, you need to purge the wand of water first, then turn the steam off and on again. But... unlike some other instructions I've seen, I will let the steam run for about 15 seconds or so into an empty cup before I insert it into the frothing pitcher. This is necessary to ensure the steam power is at full strength and to ensure the steam will be dry. Otherwise, the first several seconds of steaming, the steam wand will spit out some water (even after purging) and the steam power will be weak. I will usually fill the pitcher with milk while I let the steam come up to full strength.
6 - 12 months
No temp surfing.
Get a new steaming wand. Let it heat up for about an hour before the first shot. Run the steam for about 10-15 seconds after you purge it and before you start frothing the milk.
Beginner
Decaf Starbucks Espresso - Yes... I know. Not a connoisseur's bean. But my wife likes the strength of it as we usually make milk based drinks.
As I haven't checked the temperature or the pressure, I'm not sure if its set properly. I can't say I've had a big issue with either, but I just don't know. It would be nice if it had a display for pressure and temperature. Also, I'd rather it shipped with the Latte Art wand instead of the Panarello wand.
None. My first espresso machine
Burr
Baratza Encore
Rated 5 out of 5
Has owned for:
Less than 1 month
Ability Level:
Connoisseur
My Gaggia Gaggia Coffee that I purchased 7 years ago needed to be replaced. Quality espresso is important to me, but I also wanted the ability to make a latte for guests without waiting for the boiler to heat up. My Gaggia Baby Twin has been working flawlessly for a month now. I'm very pleased with my purchase. There are a couple of items that could be improved such as larger reservoir, larger drip trip, and the ability to fill the machine without moving it out from underneath the counter. I purchased the water filter for it as I have very hard water and I plan on descaling it on a regular basis. The drip trip is not stainless so I have gone out of my way to ensure I thoroughly clean it out after every use and make sure it's dry. Very happy with my purchase.
Less than 1 month
The machine works well!
Read the instructions on using the steam setting. It's very different than other gaggia machines. You have to purge the water first.
Connoisseur
Redbird Espresso, Intellegencia Espresso, Dark Italian from Atomic Cafe
Stainless steel drip tray
Gaggia Coffee
Burr
Gaggia MDF ( hope to get a Vario soon)
Daniel Moraldo ♦ It is a great machine. Despite those minor flaws you mentioned, it does make an outstanding espresso. Glad to hear you are enjoying your new toy!
Rated 4 out of 5
Has owned for:
6 - 12 months
Ability Level:
Coffee Lover
I have had this machine for almost a year now and i love it. I have the Gaggia burr grinder and and tray with knock drawer. This machine along with the grinder makes me feel like a real barista. I read a lot of negative reviews about it and a lot of problems with the control computer but i havent had any issues yet(knock on wood). It was given to me as a wedding gift. The person was trying to convince me to get a super automatic but i was set one this. People who come over just love the quality that it produces, as well as how nice it looks on my counter. Almost a commercial unit for your house at a great price. I dont think there is a better value machine out there. Its got the perfect amount of crema. The drip tray does need to emptied frequently but thats just nit picking really. People also complain about the frothing wand, but i dont have any issues at all frothing milk, i think it does a fine job, i get compliments on it anyways. It is a sexy machine and great quality.
6 - 12 months
Being able to program single cup and double servings is an amazing feature. You can just push the button and do whatever you gotta do for a few seconds.
Keep clean. Practice with the tamp. After a few you will get the right force
Coffee Lover
Lavazza, landucci, jura
The width of the outlets on the portafilter. If i use a smaller diameter cup the coffee will sometimes get on the side
Saeco Superauto, gaggia classic
Gaggia MDF
Gaggia MDF
Rated 3 out of 5
Has owned for:
More than 1 year
Ability Level:
Coffee Lover
I like my Baby Twin. I have been using a Baby Twin daily for just over two years now to make 6-8 double shots per day and it makes a very good shot without any problems so far except for corrosion underneath the powder coated base where it meets the stainless steel tower. The drip tray is small so if you don't empty it often like you should the waste coffee gets in between the base and the tower where it can soak in and cause corrosion. I have on many occasions let this occur and as a result the base is suffering from substantial corrosion. If you are like me and leave the kitchen a mess until you get home in the evening then I recommend looking for a machine that has a base made of stainless steel too otherwise you will probably get a corroded base like me. Other than that problem this machine has performed really well for me. It is capable of making very good shots as long as you have a very good grinder capable of fine adjustments to the grind. Before buying this machine I was using a Saeco Via Vanezia with a Baratza Maestro grinder which I had modified to grind just a bit finer and it worked perfectly with the Saeco. With the Baby Twin this grinder worked well with the pressurized portafilter basket but horribly with the traditional portafilter basket. It was either too fine or way to coarse. I wanted to see if the traditional portafilter basket would be able to produce a better shot than the pressurized basket but it was obvious that I needed a better grinder so I bought the Baratza Virtuoso Preciso and with the micro adjustments this grinder is capable of I was able to switch over to the traditional basket and make outstanding shots that were much better than I was getting with the pressure basket. So, even though I have limited experience with espresso machines I believe this machine to be capable of making great espresso if combined with a very good grinder (which I think is probably true of all machines using a traditional non-pressurized portafilter basket). However, my machine has developed corrosion on the base where it meets the tower and I believe yours will too unless you are diligent at emptying the drip tray and preventing coffee from entering the area where the base is attached to the tower. I usually make americanos but I make a latte about once a week. The steam wand makes a very good frothed milk with very little effort or experience but it does fall a bit short of that super fine micro froth that can blow your mind and seduce your taste buds. If you want a machine capable of making a perfect latte then I think you might have to look else where. The Baby Twin might produce enough steam for a perfect froth but it would need to be outfitted with a traditional steam wand and wielded by a skilled user. Bottom line is that the Baby Twin is a very capable and dependable machine but if my experience is an indication then I think you need to worry about corrosion of the base.
More than 1 year
1. It makes a very good espresso. 2. I really like the ability to program the volume of the shot. I like that I can program the shot for about 2.5 oz. and all I have to do there after is load the basket and press a button. 3. Makes an acceptable froth with little effort.
1. Keep it dry. 2. Take the tip off of the wand if you want to use it for hot water to make Americanos. Also, if you do use it for hot water be sure to shot the first ounce of water into a waste cup because the water in the wand already is cold.
Coffee Lover
Many brands but I like the Starbucks espresso roast the best due mostly to its easy availability and its strong caramel flavors.
More corrosion resistant base.
Seaco Via Vanezia
Baratza Preciso burr grinder
Rated 4 out of 5
Has owned for:
More than 1 year
Well made and a great value. Remember to do your upkeep however. Mineral build-up through the machine and milk build up in the wand can affect the long term viability of the machine. Makes great espresso. The milk wand can be a little fussy and I have used better ones but no real complaints. Considering the price versus other machines with more bells and whistels, I think this is a fantastic value.
More than 1 year
Makes very good espresso.
Keep it clean! Watch out for milk build-up in the wand and mineral build up in the machine from the water reservoir. Use your Brita filters!
Milk wand could be easier. No need to spit out so much water before steam starts.
Rated 4 out of 5
Has owned for:
1 - 6 months
Ability Level:
Coffee Lover
I purchased the Gaggia Baby Twin in November of 2012. At first I had difficulty with it squirting water all over while brewing. Then I called the Whole Latte Love customer service and they helped to explain that I was using the wrong portafilter basket. (apparently the one in the instructions is the wrong one) Ever since then it has been working great!
1 - 6 months
Coffee Lover
Starbucks espresso, Kona coffee, Illy espresso
Updated instructions.
Cusinart, It wasn't as powerful or nice. Didn't brew as well.
Rated 5 out of 5
I bought my Baby Twin about four months ago. We have a fully automatic Gaggia at work that has been super reliable, but I don't think it makes the best espresso. But there are a lot of adjustments on it so it can likely be improved... Anyway, i have been seriously impressed by the consistency of the results from this machine. It makes a great espresso every time. The build quality seems exceptional for this price range. I like the large capacity water reservoir. And the the heater warms up the water and brew head quickly. I liked this machine so much I bought one for the office. I don't use the steam wand. I prefer to heat my milk in the microwave, then froth it with an Aerolatte frother. I get much more consistent temperature and foam. And it's faster.
Rated 5 out of 5
I am a former Gaggia Classic owner and after 12 years it wore out. I had no complaints unfortunately at the time I did not have the cash to purchase another. I purchased a stovetop espresso maker and believe me it did not come close to my Gaggia. A month ago my wife surprised me with a birthday gift certificate for a new Gaggia. I noted they had a new one called a Baby Gaggia. I viewed the video’s which I would encourage anyone to do they are very good and most informative. After taking with customer service I decided to purchase the Baby and I am finding it quite functional and it makes excellent espresso. One of things I like is the adjustable wand for frothing, it is a bit more user friendly than my old Gaggia Classic Some of the things I have learned • Listen to the video’s • Bite the bullet and get a quality grinder, I have a Gaggia MDF Grinder • upgrade to a good tamper it will make a difference • Don’t worry so much about the pressure you use to tamp. You will tend to be consistent in the pressure you use. Rather, vary the grind fineness until you achieve he perfect expresso. • Purchase a knock box you will not regret it. For the last 12 years I did not have one and I had to carry it over to the trash to get the grids out. I purchased one with my Gaggai Baby and I am almost as excited to have it as my new espresso machine.
mjackson ♦ Great choice and thanks for the great review.
Rated 5 out of 5
This is my third espresso machine. My first was the Starbucks Barrista machine made by Saeco (essentially the Via Venezia). My second machine was the Kitchenaid Proline espresso machine, which is a double boiler machine with Gaggia parts under the hood. Now I have replaced it with the Gaggia Baby Twin. I use this machine in conjunction with the Breville BCG800XL Smart grinder. (Awesome grinder!) This machine makes great espresso with nice crema. Also, the steam pressure is quite good. It is the best home machine of all the 3 I have had so far. I would recommend it to anyone. The programmable brew buttons are also a very nice feature. Also, Whole Latte Love has the best price and the best customer service in the industry. You can't go wrong!
Rated 5 out of 5
I just bought this Machine a few weeks ago and love it.Gaggia has the best quality around and this machine is very well built.I recommend this to anyone thst enjoys quality and great cappacinos.View the video as it helps newbees operate the machine.The double boiler feature is the best and sold me almost intantaneously.The best $500.00 I have spent in a while....enjoy
Rated 5 out of 5
This is my 2nd Gaggia machine. The other one was a Gaggia baby we had over 15 years. We drink a lot of lattes and this machine is the perfect fit. no wait for the steam to froth our milk.
Rated 0 out of 5
Just got this as an upgrade to a Gaggia Evolution. Looks beautiful--the brushed stainless has a satin finish that looks much better than most brushed stainless appliances. Also, it seems solid. Makes excellent shots. And once the steam gets going, there is plenty of it. I just don't know why it needs to spit out 50mils or so of unheated water before the steamer gets going--apparantly the heater doesn't turn on unitl the valve is opened. It also does this when the 'hot water' feature is used. This is my only complaint with the unit, but it irks me a bit every time I use it. Why not provide a 'steam' button on the front panel to preheat before the valve is opened? It is still preferable to waiting for a boiler to cycle between brew and steam temperatures.
Rated 5 out of 5
I have had my Gaggia Baby Twin for almost two years now and I continue to love it. My only word of caution to potential buyers is that the material of construction for the drip tray is not stainless steel. If you leave espresso on it for very long, it will corrode and the outer layer will peel off, leaving a very sloppy looking drip tray. Just be sure to rinse the drip tray after every use...wish we would have known that sooner. With regard to espresso quality, it is excellent. Just be sure to get a grinder that can produce a really fine grind for this machine.
Rated 5 out of 5
After years of switching back and forth between the Baby Twin and the Rancilio Sylvia, I've come to think the Gaggia is better. It heats up much more quickly: the Sylvia requires at least 20 minutes to come to proper temp, and it's happier when it has the better part of an hour. The Gaggia performs well in half that time. It also has a more stable brewing temperature, which will come as no surprise to Sylvia users: in fact, temperature variability is the main weakness of the Rancilio. The Gaggia is not as rock-solid as a heat exchange model, but it varies within a narrower range than does the Sylvia. On the other hand, the Sylvia is a better steamer, no question. The Gaggia uses a panarello fitting, an odd choice given that the machine itself can steam quite well (although without the verve of the Sylvia). The panarello wand produces copious foam, but the foam lacks texture: a simple solution is to cover the intake hole in the wand with a piece of heat-resistant duct tape. The Baby Twin can also leak: get the Aqua Prima water filter (available form WLL and elsewhere) which adds an additional gasket between the water tank and the intake pump, as well as improving the taste of the water. Both machines are well built: the Sylvia is sturdier, the Gaggia more stylish. Ultimately I've found the Gaggia Baby Twin is more convenient and at least the equal of the Rancilio Sylvia in making fine espresso.
Rated 5 out of 5
Wow... I LIKE it. after STRUGGLING for the last 6 months with a LEAKY gaggia COLOR. i got in on the 12 days o christmas w/ WLL. Read some reviews about smelly milk. Pisha! This machine was galaxies ahead of that beginner forray... This unit is schweeet. Turn it on, purge some water. (let it warm up for 15-20) Make your foam; steam heats up seperately in about 10 seconds. Make your (nearly perfect every time) shot. Timed to perfection. Flawless coffee every morning. Even with my entry level Solis burr grinder. Amazing. Why did I struggle with that COLOR model; (yuk). Of course...MALOBAR GOLD is a great WLL blend. Buy this unit!
Rated 5 out of 5
I purchased the Baby Twin 3 months ago at the recommendation of a neighbor who is a former barista. After struggling with a temperamental Sylvia for years, I have to say that the Twin is such a pleasure to use. The quality of the shot that it produces is outstanding and always consistant. The second boiler for steaming makes for no wait time. That with the stainless steel pannarello wand puts just the right amount of air into milk when frothing which makes life much easier for my girlfriend when she is making her lattes. I didn't realize it until I got the machine, but I have two brew buttons that I can program to give me whatever volume I want for my shots, so all I have to do is put the portafilter in place and press a button...no more timing shots. I am very happy with my upgrade to the Baby Twin. Their videos on the WLL web site were great.
Rated 5 out of 5
Has owned for:
Less than 1 month
Ability Level:
Coffee Lover
Been drinking expresso for about 4 years at a local coffee shop almost every day.I realized it's cheaper to buy my own machine.Saved for five months, did my home work on expresso machines and chose gaggia. There are several good machines out there but the people at WLL were very nice and helpfull I'm 65 years old and appreciate all the help I can get on items like this, thank yall very much.
Less than 1 month
Although this expresso machine was listed as refurbished, It looked brand new to me and is very user friendly,In this day and age that is a very good complement. At my age to take an expresso machine out the box and make a fine cup of expresso within minutes says somthing about the designer and builder.
From my experience a good grinder is very important
Coffee Lover
san marco ,Northwestern,archer farm
Power switch in the front,even thats not that big of a deal
Benotti
conical burr
Capresso model 560
Rated 5 out of 5
Has owned for:
Less than 1 month
Ability Level:
Connoisseur
My refurbished Gaggia Baby looked as good as new even witjout the original box. Setup was easy. Even though I ordered it with the stainless steel tamper, the plastic one it comes with would suffice since you should not 'hard tamp' for a perfect espresso. And this machine certainly delivers - a solid five!
Less than 1 month
Quiet operation and heavy heat-retaining portafilter.
Do not hard tamp and make sure you use a burr grinder.
Connoisseur
Kirkland House Blend, Starbuck's French
On-off switch could be located on the front instead of the back of the machine.
Krups, Solis, Saeco, Breville
Capresso burr grinder
Rated 5 out of 5
Has owned for:
1 - 6 months
Ability Level:
Coffee Lover
I bought this machine to replace my beloved La Pavone Europicola witch served me well over many years. Before I chose this machine I did a very extensive research and read every review written on it. Some positive some negative. I have been using the Gaggia Baby Twin for a month now and this is my take on it. This machine is beautifully designed and very well constructed in stainless steel and is very sturdy. It is nice and heavy but not too big or bulky–it fits nicely under my cabinets. Like all new gadgets, it took me a little to get used to it, there is a bit of a learning curve, but I think I’m mastering it now. The people at WLL where great assisting me with questions, since the instruction booklet that comes with it is not very easy to follow. The main thing for me was adjusting to the grind and thumping and time of brewing. One of the nice features is the programmable brewing button. It helps with consistency. Also a nice heavy thumper and a good burr grinder is a must, (the plastic thumper that comes with the machine is junk). Unlike a lot of reviews I’ve read, it makes great steamed milk with no burned rubber taste or smell at all, and also, mine came with a stainless steel tip. The only thing I find a bit odd is that, to get steamed milk, you need turn the knob on to let some water out of the tank and then turn the knob on again for the steam. Although a bit loud, I find that this model makes great coffee with good crema (witch is very important to me) with minimum effort. I’m very happy with it.
1 - 6 months
Well designed and built
Let it warm up for 15 minutes before using it.
Coffee Lover
Lavazza, Peets, Trader Joes Italian Roast
Better instructions on how to use it.
La Pavone Europicola
Burr
Baratza Virtuoso
Rated 5 out of 5
Has owned for:
Less than 1 month
Ability Level:
Coffee Lover
This is my first, real espresso machine. I saved up for it by not going to local coffee shops for 5 years and it was worth it! First impression. It looks GREAT! It feels like a solid, well built, intelligently designed machine. (I'm a machinist and like machines). It is easy to use, produces a great crema and, by following the directions, adds very little water when steaming milk for lattes, cappuccinos or breves, all of which I make. I think the key to this machine is reading, understanding, and following the directions. They are not difficult to follow but you must pay attention to details. One of this machines best features is the frother. It rotates on a ball joint which allows it to operate anywhere within a radius of over 6 inches. I have my machine on a shelf above the counter where there is little side clearance. No problem with the Baby Twin. I move the frother to the front of the machine...it also can be raised and lowered. This allows a wonderful flexibility. I store it over the drip grate. That said, in order to maintain steam pressure I have to turn the steam knob on and off two or three times in order to get the cold milk up to 150F... Not having used other machines I don't know if there is normally a lag time between brewing your espresso and steaming milk but with the Baby Twin, there is no lag time. I do not find it hard to turn on the machine 10 minutes before I want to make my espresso which comes out very hot when I follow the directions.
Less than 1 month
Frother on a ball joint
Keep it clean...I use a 1/2 inch paintbrush to keep the shower disk clean.
Coffee Lover
Lavazza
Less touchy touch screen...brush it an it operates
Only inexpensive steam producing machines...box store cheapies
burr
Krups GVX 1
Gaggia New Baby Twin Parts Diagram - rev 01 - 10-02-2008
Gaggia Baby Twin Hydraulic Diagram - rev X - 05-25-2006
Gaggia Baby Twin Wiring Diagram 230V - rev X - 08-31-2006
Gaggia Baby Twin Wiring Diagram 120V - rev 01 - 08-29-2008
Gaggia Baby Twin Parts Diagram 8/14/2012
I am so ready to buy this machine but for one problem. We like big lattes, and the cups we have are between 3.5 and 4" tall. I don't want to have to make the espresso in one cup or pitcher and then pour it into another cup. The specs on the machine say it only accommodates 3.5" cups (and that's bigger than some of the other Gaggias). Is this really a limitation, or can taller cups be slid in? Thanks!
1
Vote
techkathy Tom - You can tip a cup and slid it under the coffee spouts. The steam wand is on a ball joint so its easier to fit a taller cup underneath. You can also remove the spouts. They are threaded to the body of the portafilter.
Hello,
I was wondering how you clean the filter in the water basket. I've tried using a q-tip but it doesn't remove all the build up.
Thanks!
1
Vote
techkathy You can remove the filter from the water tank. Just pull it out. You can use some soap and water to get it completely clean. Then just push it back into place.
Miranda Moller Great, I'll try it out. Maybe I'm just not strong enough?! Thank you for the response.
Is there a way you can test the bar pressure? im just curious since the flow coming out sometimes doesnt seem as strong as it used to be, even if i dont pack the coffee too hard. i just descaled the machine about 2 weeks ago after roughly a years use, also clean the machine regularly run water through to keep the lines clean, and clean the shower disc every so many uses.
1
Vote
mjackson ♦ Ferdinando,
I would say descale more often perhaps at least 4-5 times a year. I think you may also want to clean the group head more and the three way solenoid as well This should help -http://www.wholelattelove.com/videos.cfm?playvidID=545
Gaggia 3 way solenoid disassembly and cleaning instructions:
The solenoid is the black/blue cube (depending on year), part # 27 on the Classic, and part #21 on most Baby models.
You will want to do the following to remove:
1) Turn off and unplug the espresso machine. Make sure that it is cool before beginning the procedure.
2) Remove the top of the machine. Use the exploded diagram for references, as the setup will differ based on model/production date.
3) Locate the solenoid. It will be behind the boiler, slightly to the left if you are facing the front of the machine. It looks like a black or blue cube with a tube coming out of the top.
4) Remove the tubing (usually black in color) coming from the top of it by squeezing and sliding the small clamp up the tube. Remove the top nut that is now accessible on the top of the black cube.
5) Remove the wires, keeping track of which one goes on which post. You can use a marker to mark each one.
6) Now lift the solenoid cube straight up and out of the machine. You will now see a metal shaft exposed. Look underneath the metal shaft, and locate the 2 Allen bolts that hold the lower assembly onto the boiler. (The 2 o-rings, part 29 (Classic)/part 17 (Baby) are right behind the assembly you are removing – be careful not to lose these)
7) Remove the 2 bolts, and the entire shaft assembly. Once off of the machine, unscrew the brass nut located near the bottom of the metal shaft. This will release it from the lower assembly as seen above. Once this is apart you will see a spring wrapped piece of metal that has an internal spring of its own.
8) Press inwards on either end of the small metal piece, making sure the plastic caps on either end of the internal spring can be compressed a bit, and that they pop out afterwards.
9) Using a paperclip or other small device, clean the holes in the Upper shaft and lower assembly. There will be 4 holes, making 2 passageways, both of which should be clear. You can also use your espresso machine descaler to make sure that the metal parts are clean.
10) Lubricate the internal solenoid piece with food safe grease, and re-install with the narrower end pointing downwards. The narrower end will have a larger button in the center.
11) Re-install after cleaning and re-lubricating in reverse order.
Ferdinando DePierro Thanks for reply mjackson. i did some trouble shooting and came to the conclusion that it was the pressurized filter basket. i watched the videos on here on how to clean them, and a google search for other tips, but that was my problem. Tho not every little hole is back to perfect the pressure is back up to normal. I sometimes left coffee in the basket and i think over the year it ended up getting clogged. i know now to keep it clean.
Need help deciding between the Pasquini Livetta, Gaggia Baby Twin and Rancilio Silvia (outside choice at this point) . I have had a Gaggia Carezza and Gaggia MDF grinders for about 6 years now. I've been very happy with Gaggia but I am looking for a more consistent expresso. With MDF at 4 and a good tamper I still get only a thin layer of crema. Rancillo is just about out of the running after reading reviews of very slow warm up times and inconsistent temps. i am leaning towards the Pasquini, but trying to decide if the price difference is worth it.
2
Vote
A A Kristen, You make valid points. The Silvia due to it's 12oz boiler does take longer than the Gaggia's or the Pasquini's to warm up. It excels in the sense that it has all commercial grade parts, but are packed into a really small form factor. The Baby Twin and the Livietta both have two thermoblock boilers, but the Livietta will allow you to brew and steam at the same time. With the Baby Twin, there is only one pump, so you can only do one at a time. There is still a few seconds between changing between functions. Aside from the dual boilers, the Carezza is very similar to the Baby Twin. I know picking a machine is incredibly confusing, but we are always here to help you out! If you have any more questions, by all means let us know.
My baby twin's steamer comes on for like 30 seconds and then all the lights started flashing and it seems it stopped producing steam and comes to a halt. Am I the only one with this issue?
0
Vote
techkathy Yang,
Have you tried descaling the unit? When all the lights flash it means the unit is not passing water through the flow meter quickly enough. Make sure that the water tank is also seated properly.
Yang Moua This is brand new unit. I just received it like a week ago. It worked for a day and then the lights issue started happening.
David Mullins Apparently, they all do that. There is a video on here about it. http://www.wholelattelove.com/videos.cfm?playvidID=724
I finally purchased a Gaggia Baby Twin, after looking at them for almost a year! The machine is great (great espresso and strong steam pressure). However one of my biggest concerns was reviews stating that "the frothing mechanism has a 'bad smell' which gets infused into the milk when steaming." I asked the WLL sales rep about this before I purchased the baby twin and he assured me that this was an old problem that Gaggia has fixed in the newer machines. Well I must have gotten one of the old machines, where this problem was not fixed. Looking at the box for the machine confirms that this is a 2006 machine. the age is not a problem (because the machine is new), except for the smell (and resulting bad taste)
My machine creates an awful smell when frothing and causes the milk to taste terrible.
I have run about 15 tanks of water through the hot water/steam wand and the smell is still there. I have also run the "Urnex Cleancaf" solution through the wand (two full tanks) and the smell still remains.
Any ideas how to get the smell out???
Thank you
1
Vote
techkathy Ashley - Any bad flavor or odor from the unit is not typical. If you have a chance, give us a call in tech support. We would like to swap out the unit for a new one.
Patrick Duvendeck I had the same issue. Swapped out baby twin once, same issue on 2nd then tech support exchanged for a Gaggia Classic which I am very happy with so far (only had 2 weeks) simple to operate, makes good shots. Though the double boiler would be much faster on the Baby Twin but with the Classic I have not had to wait the machine is waiting for me.
Ashley Kingon Thank you Kathy and Patrick.
I just got off the phone with Maggie (WLL tech support), who was extremely helpful. I am going to ship the original machine back and WLL will send me a new one. Ill give the new one a try and fingers crossed steam system will not smell like the old one!
I bought my brother a Classic a few months ago, which he is very happy with, so if the second Twin does not work for me, perhaps I will have to revert to an option similar to yours Patrick.
Thanks for the responses.
Me again, what is the difference between "foamed" milk and "steamed" milk? What I am getting out, as I read around, the difference between an Espresso, Americano and Cappucino, and am I am to make all three with this machine? Again, perhaps questions I should have called and asked about before making the purchase. Never said us Military Folk are the smartest people, ha ha ha.. This is what I get for not being a coffee drinker. Thank you again for your time!
5
Vote
A A The difference between steamed milk and frothed milk is the texture. Frothed milk is the foam that is on top of drinks. Steamed milk is simply milk heated with the steam wand without inserting air into it. If you see milk drinks in a clear cup, you will see from bottom to top: Steamed milk, espresso, frothed milk. Espresso is 1-2.5 oz of coffee brewed at high pressure. Its a concentrated, rich version of coffee. As for Americano's, the story I love telling customers is that during WWII, the American GI's didn't like the strong flavor of the Espresso that was being served in Europe. So the Cafe Batista's would add hot water to the Espresso so that it would water down the flavor, making the drink more like coffee as it is generally known in the States. Cappuccino is a milk drink that is defined as being steamed milk, Espresso and frothed milk in equal parts. Your Gaggia Baby Twin is able to make all of those drinks. It's a great machine, and very versatile for home use.
cdnlager24 Thank you for your feedback!
A A Batista's was meant to be Barista's! Spell check strikes again...!
Sanfam ♦ The biggest difference is, as the name implies, that Foamed (or Frothed) milk has a layer of stable foamed or frothed milk on top of the liquid, while Steamed milk has simply been heated and stretched by having hot steam mixed into it--No significant foaming action will have taken place, leaving it basically a slightly thicker liquid.
I have a follow up question, to the below question I posted about the Gaggia Baby Twin and having a Grinder. My understanding is that depending on the type of "grind" meaning how thin or thick the consistency is grinded will determine the best results? So, what is purchased in the local grocery store whether already pre-ground or you dump your beans into a grinder at the grocery store and grind there, that will or will not work for this machine? Again, I am someone who does not drink coffee or Espresso's. I am sure my wife will be a lot more knowledgeable. I just am curious if it is truly necessary to purchase a grinder? If so, what Grinder would be best recommended with this machine? Secondly, my understanding is this only makes Espresso's and not an actual cup of coffee? Again, I am naive when it comes to this. I also have viewed the video several times and researched somewhat. They mentioned "Americano" I assume that is close to a cup of coffee? Thank you for your time and I apologize for the silly questions! Finally, do you offer Military Discounts; I am stationed in Germany in the US Army. I did call to ask if this machine is dual voltage, which it is not, I assume it should not be an issue plugging it into a transformer. We do that for many of our other appliances etc.
Thank you again.
5
Vote
mjackson ♦ First, Thanks for all you do for our Country. The Gaggia Machines come with two brewing systems. A normal or non pressurized basket for your portafilter. That basket requires a proper grind. Your grind truly controls the quality of your shot. Read this article - http://www.wholelattelove.com/articles/the_golden_rule.cfm or this one to get a better understanding - http://www.wholelattelove.com/articles/troubleshooting_espresso_routine.cfm. Then you would want to get a grinder like the Gaggia MDF, as it is a true espresso grinder meant to grind fine enough for espresso. It has more range on the fine side of grind compared to a grinder that costs less. You may be able to indeed get a fine grind from a grocery store but it will take a lot of experimenting to see what grind setting will work best with those types of grinders and to still be able to brew according to the Golden Rule article. The machine also comes with a pressurized basket see here - http://www.wholelattelove.com/videos.cfm?playvidID=345. This allows the machine to get the correct pressure to brew espresso no matter what kind of grind. Or if you want to grind fresh you can get away with a lesser grinder and still get a pretty good product. Say a grinder like this - http://www.wholelattelove.com/JuraCapresso/infinityburr.cfm. An americano is espresso added o water to make more of a cup of coffee like drink. I hope this helps and thanks again.
I am not a coffee drinker or a Expresso drinker, I just ordered the Gaggia Baby Twin for my wife for Christmas, who is! We do not have a coffee grinder, we purchase coffee at the Grocery store. How important, and/or what is the difference when buying your own beans and grinding vs what we get at the Grocery Store. Is it imparative to have our own Grinder? Thank you for your help.
4
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A A Charles, Grinders are often the unsung hero when it comes to an Espresso setup. The grinds will make or break your shot. With the Gaggia Baby Twin comes a pressurized filter basket that will negate the need for an exact grind and proper tamping, giving you a "good" shot consistently. If you really want to get the best out of your Espresso machine, having a grinder in your home is indispensable. They allow you to adjust a critical part of the process to get the best possible coffee out of your machine. Happy brewing! Half of the fun is playing with different variables to find a process that gets your the shot you love to drink!
I am interested in the Gaggia Baby Twin. We like espressos, but in the morning we prefer a regular long coffee (8 oz coffee plus 2 oz of milk). Can the Gaggia Baby Twin be used for brewing a cup of 8 oz of coffee?
Thanks for your assistance.
John K
0
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mjackson ♦ John,
It is best suited for making espresso. You can use it to make an americano which is espresso and hot water. It is an easy quick way to make a coffee. You can get hot water out of the machine easily. So yes you could make the coffee pretty easily.
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Chance Great video. Covers the basics and really helps you find the category that fits your life. Super auto for me!
01-03-2013 12:48am |