Gaggia Espresso Color Espresso Machine

Rated 5 out of 5

Posted By:
Philip Coats

Has owned for:
6 - 12 months
Ability Level:
Coffee Lover

Fantastic Product!

Overall, a well built upgrade to my first espresso machine, a Mr. Coffee ECMP50. If you make the transition from a pressurized, small diameter portafilter to that of a 58mm, commercial non-pressurized unit, be prepared to work for a good shot initially. After you get an idea for how the tamp pressure ought to feel and you dial in your grind size, this is a fantastic starter or initial upgrade from a steam-driven or pressurized unit.

How Long Have I Been Using This Product?

6 - 12 months

What's Best About this Product?

Great price point for a commercial, non pressurized 58mm unit. Initial boiler warm up takes about five minutes, but I usually wait ten minutes to let the portafilter warm as well

Some Helpful Tips For Using this Product:

Regardless of the machine you buy (entry-level, mid-market, prosumer), be sure to pair it with a good quality grinder. The consistency of grind, combined with a wide range of grind settings will save you much headache. In my opinion, it's best to spend more on the grinder than you would on the first machine purchased, as you may want to upgrade to a higher level espresso machine later.

My Experience With Using This Product:

Coffee Lover

The Coffee I've Tried With This Product:

Various Starbucks roasts, as well as Fair Trade products from Archer Farms (Target brand).

Some of the Other Machines I've Used:

Mr. Coffee ECMP50

The Type of Grinder I've Been Using:

Conical burr.

Rated 5 out of 5

Posted By:
phillip gourneau

I purchased the refurbished and it looked brand new to me. I was blown away by the crema this 'testa rossa' gave. WOW! I am in shock and in love- this is a nice machine for around 150 -200 bucks. • Looks great as well. • Construction is decent. • Imagine if you do not know enough about the bean grind and tamping you are not going to get decent espresso from any machine. • Once you learn the machine and its operating directions as in READ THE MANUAL first, one should have no problems developing great espresso from this machine. • Switch is on the back - turn it off after every use "DONT FORGET". • Would I have bought a bettter machine? Yes if I had 2000 dollars to drop for LaPavoni - but for the money Hands down cant beat it. • Made in Italy and looks like it. • •Experience - PRO

Rated 2 out of 5

Posted By:
UphillStill

I'm not very pleased with the Gaggia Color. I've long wanted a more professional machine than the Capresso 351 machine I bought in 2000 and hoped that the billing of prosumer level internals in inexpensive wrapping would do the trick at the price I could afford. My big hope was to be able to make two lattes faster than with my old machine which required me to make them one at a time since it couldn't froth enough milk for two in one session. However, I'm left wishing I had saved the $200 toward a better machine. The Color is not a bad machine but it is picky when it comes to grind and I've never gotten a really good shot consistently. I've tried countless grinds including having my local shop grind a pound of espresso at several different settings multiple times so I could try multiple tamps with each grind to try to find some way to pull a consistent shot. The only way I've found (at the suggestion of WLL support) to increase the chance of a good shot is to overfill the basket, tamp extra firm and then about half the time it comes out good. The other half of the time it still comes through too fast or leaks around the top of the porta filter. In other words, I've wasted a lot of time and money. My most consistent results have actually been with Illy pre-ground medium roast espresso. It cost more per can but I get an ok shot about half of the time so I waste less. It almost seems that the pump is too powerful or lacks adequate pressure control as it's hard to slow the shot down sufficiently. If I crack the amount of espresso (about 50% more than I had to use with my old machine and way more than the WLL golden rule of 14 grams) and tamp it just right (heavy), I get a decent shot with a little bit of crema and that happens about half the time. The other times, when I get it wrong, the shot pulls way to fast (thin, no crema) or too slow and blows coffee and water past the seal between the porta filter and machine - which makes a huge mess and takes me 10 minutes to clean so that ground coffee stuck to the machine doesn't mess up the next attempt. It is entirely possible that I'm too picky or asking too much from a $250 retail home machine. It is also possible that if I had a better grinder, I'd be able to fine tune the grind better and achieve better results but I doubt it based on the high number of variations I've tried via my local shop. Frothing milk was another initial disappointment. The stock frothing attachment is completely useless. Long before reaching temp, I ended up with a pitcher full of large bubbles. Being a chronic instruction reader, I did exactly as instructed but even with additional pointers from WLL the only way to get hot milk that had a bit of decent froth was to remove part of the turbo part of the tip, steam the milk, reinstall the turbo part and go the last few degrees and still not get very tight foam and not much of it. I use soy and WLL said that was part of the problem but I got nice froth from my old Capresso and at coffee shops. Also, I tried dairy with similar results. At the suggestion of WLL, I bought the Latte Art upgraded wand. After a bit of experimentation, I learned how to get a reasonable result. No way one could actually make Latte art from soy with this set up but I don't do that anyway and am happy with the result most of the time. As for my hope to make two lattes faster than before, I can pull two shots and then froth enough milk for both so it is a big improvement. Initially, it seemed like a really long wait time to reach steaming temp but I've gotten into a rhythm of pulling shots then going to the fridge to get the milk in the pitcher and by the time I get ready the machine is usually ready too. After the first few months of use, the machine began to leak through the porta filter while heating up to steam mode. By the time I get the machine ready to steam and steam the milk, a fair amount of water has collected in the drip tray. The tray can hold it along with the moisture from purging the steam wand but I have to empty it most every time I use the machine. I think the Color is of reasonable construction quality at the price point. I did have a piece of the brew group (I think) come off early on. It's a plastic piece glued in where the porta filter rotates into place. WLL offered to replace it but it sounded like something common and I was able to put it back in place. It still pops out occasionally when I'm cleaning but I'm used to putting it back now. Also, other reviewers universally dislike the power switch being in the back but it doesn’t bother me in the least. Even close to the wall, I can easily reach it without looking. I've read plenty of reviews of this machine as see that most reviewers are happy with it. I would say less than half of the shots I've pulled in almost a year of 1-3 shots per day have been decent to good. That is, they have acceptable flavor and a decent amount of crema. The rest have been a waste of coffee and money. If you are happy if mediocre coffee ends up in your cup, you'll likely be ok with this machine and pre-ground espresso. I wish I'd saved the $200 and the money I've wasted trying all sorts of coffee, grids, techniques and waited until I could afford a Rancilio Silvia and a decent grinder.

Rated 3 out of 5

Posted By:
james gallo

Has owned for:
Less than 1 month
Ability Level:
Connoisseur

Gaggia Color specifically to use with pods.

I bought the Gaggia Color specifically to use with pods. One design feature I don't like is the on/off switch is in the back so you can't place the machine too close to a wall. To properly use the machine you have to have the portafilter perpendicular or slightly to the right when facing it. I find this hard to tighten and have ot hold the instrument to offset the force/torgue required to properly position the filter so it does not leak. I've used the Silvia [and still do] for years and it is much easier to load the portafilter and get great espresso. The espresso from the Gaggia tastes fine, but it could use some design improvements. I haven't used the steamer so picked "3" on rating.

How Long Have I Been Using This Product?

Less than 1 month

My Experience With Using This Product:

Connoisseur

The Coffee I've Tried With This Product:

varied; from Starbucks to Blue Mountain Kona

Some Improvements I Would Recommend for This Product:

See review.

Some of the Other Machines I've Used:

Ranchilio Silvia Jura-Capresso

The Type of Grinder I've Been Using:

burr

The Make and Model of My Grinder:

Mazzer-Mini

Rated 5 out of 5

Posted By:
Daniel Kaberon

Has owned for:
Less than 1 month
Ability Level:
Connoisseur

I confess to a long term chemical dependence on high quality cappuccino. After many very happy years with Gaggia machines I am surprised and impressed with my New Baby. Choosing was hard but I am really happy with the results.

How Long Have I Been Using This Product?

Less than 1 month

What's Best About this Product?

The frothing pressure nearly blew the pitcher out of my hand the first few times I used it. The machine is very fast to heat up to steam from espresso and then an excellent high-pressure continuous blast for frothing.

Some Helpful Tips For Using this Product:

I use the optional perfect crema insert I bought for the earlier Gaggia machines. I rinse it each time I use it and have never had the slightest problem with it. I found it insured that the cappucino I made at home was better than 90% of the stuff I could get from espresso bars.

My Experience With Using This Product:

Connoisseur

The Coffee I've Tried With This Product:

Starbucks Espresso and Decaf Espresso

Some Improvements I Would Recommend for This Product:

Putting the power switch in back of the machine is bizarre; especially when there is a power light on the front panel in the same size and shape of the other powered buttons. I also have built a kind of custom caddy which allows me to roll the unit under a cabinet when not in use but is 100% solid steady when I use the machine. I used this design on my coffee deluxe for 6 years so it was a no brainer for this new machine.

Some of the Other Machines I've Used:

Gaggia Coffee Deluxe, Gaggia Evolution and several earlier inferior machines

The Type of Grinder I've Been Using:

Burr

The Make and Model of My Grinder:

La Pavoni PA-Burr

Rated 5 out of 5

Posted By:
Daniel Smith

Has owned for:
More than 1 year
Ability Level:
Beginner

Over 2 years now

Gaggia COLOR makes great shots, and good steam...sometimes. The steam is not consistent. BUT, the damn thing has always leaked. I just deal with it. Make sure it's on the counter near the sink.

How Long Have I Been Using This Product?

More than 1 year

What's Best About this Product?

looks, espresso. price

Some Helpful Tips For Using this Product:

get the plumbing figured out.

My Experience With Using This Product:

Beginner

The Coffee I've Tried With This Product:

malobar gold

Some Improvements I Would Recommend for This Product:

internal construction

The Type of Grinder I've Been Using:

burr

Rated 4 out of 5

Posted By:
71mike

Has owned for:
Less than 1 month
Ability Level:
Coffee Lover

This is a great machine,

This is a great machine, and I am happy with my purchase. All of the caveats apply: have a little patience, experiment with different grinds and tamp pressure, be prepared for exultation (probably fueled by excessive caffeine consumption), disappointment, and perhaps even desparation at times! First and foremost, how can you resist a Gaggia machine at less than $200? I couldn't. I had been longing for a good quality machine for years, but it seems like there was always a good excuse/reason to defer the acquisition of same. But, my research led me to realize--while the Espresso Color may not have the handsome stainless steel body and hefty metal frame of a higher-priced unit, the guts are sound: the marine brass, the commercial caliber brew head, the hefty 58 mm portafilter. It is, after all, what's inside that counts! That being said, the snazzy red color isn't bad at all, and definitely brightens up our countertop. Bottom line: with a good grinder (I sprang for the Rocky with this purchase), you can make some great espresso. My first attempts in the first couple of days mostly yielded under-extracted, bitter, crema-less shots. A few adjustments of the grinder, some more tamp pressure, and suddenly--yowzah! out comes a fabulous, midnight-dark stream of espresso, topped by a mahogany-hued crema, a bona fide "ristretto" pour. Did I do that?!?! Yes, and you can too! But, it can't happen with a low-quality grinder.

How Long Have I Been Using This Product?

Less than 1 month

What's Best About this Product?

Stainless steel boiler, real, solid marine brass brew group and 58 mm portafilter--the "guts" of the machine are comparable to many high-priced machines and can produce similar results. Very fast warm-up times, rapid recovery after pulling shots and steaming. Terrific temperature stability. You can turn the machine off, and 3 hours later, the portafilter is still toasty warm. Surprisingly robust steaming (I favor plain espresso myself, but my daughter loves her lattes!).

Some Helpful Tips For Using this Product:

They say you can't make an omelet without breaking a few eggs. Well, be prepared to grind a lot of coffee, pull a lot of shots, and throw away a lot of lousy coffee until you get the hang of it. Good thing WLL throws in a couple of pounds of free beans--I feel a little less guilty discarding my near-misses. Remember, while not every shot is drinkable, none of them goes to waste. All of them are part of the learning experience. With the money you save with this machine, invest in a good grinder. It is immediately apparent that while the grinder may not be more important than the espresso maker, the espresso maker will never live up to its potential without a good grinder. I bought the Rancilio Rocky doserless--at $349, almost twice what the Gaggia Color costs--and don't regret a penny. Save yourself a lot of pain: don't skimp on the grinder! Work on developing a consistent routine. Let the machine warm up, prime the boiler by running water through the brew head (that also helps heat the portafilter), run hot water into your cups to warm them. Then, grind and tamp. Dump the water from your now-warm cups, and brew your shots. Enjoy--and then clean the machine thoroughly. I put a little plastic bowl on the drip tray, remove the portafilter, run the pump, and rinse the portafilter of any coffee residue. While water is still pouring from the group head, scrub the gasket and shower screen (you can get a fancy little cleaning brush, but an old toothbrush works just great). Once it's all cleaned up, lock the portafilter back in to keep it hot, and you're ready to go again! You know you're on the right track when, after pulling a shot, your grounds come out of the portafilter in a nice, dry "puck." Finally, waste no time in getting a nice tamper. The plastic one that comes with the machine is truly disposable. I'm not much into milk steaming, but it seems to me that it's better to steam first, cool the boiler back down to brew temperature, then make the espresso. Otherwise, your espresso cools, and that lovely, evanescent crema disappears while you're steaming.

My Experience With Using This Product:

Coffee Lover

The Coffee I've Tried With This Product:

Locally roasted "La Vida Mocha" espresso roast

Some Improvements I Would Recommend for This Product:

Well, I was a bit startled to see that the red color is spray-painted on--the underlying plastic shell is white. I had assumed that the color would be impregnated all the way through the plastic shell. Only time can tell how durable the paint is, and whether wear and tear will nick and scratch the finish. The lid to the water reservoir appears to be a bit warped and does not sit snugly on the reservoir--I do think I will ask for a replacement. While I am on the topic of the water reservoir: be alert that there is a small hole drilled about an inch and a half below the top to prevent overfilling. I filled the tank right to the top and was rewarded by a nice water puddle all over the counter. Access to the reservoir is awkward unless you pull the machine out from under the cabinets and toward the front of the counter. Fortunately, the machine is lightweight and easy to move around. I truly dislike the silly plastic frothing attachment. Why couldn't Gaggia just make the steel steam pipe about 2 inches longer instead of forcing us to use this plastic contraption? The result is milk with coarse, oversized, unattractive bubbles instead of the desired "microfoam"--macrofoam, I guess you could call it. Plus, no opportunity to refine my steaming technique! Also, on the subject of steaming: you hit the right-hand button to switch to steam mode, i.e., raising the boiler temperature. Beware! the steam button is only slightly depressed when on, and I made the mistake of hitting the button after steaming and thinking that I had turned the steaming off. Alas, no. The machine was still at the higher temperature setting, and when I tried to refill the boiler and pull the next shot, the water flashed to steam when I turned the pump on. The higher temp translates to more pressure--so grounds spurted out when I removed the portafilter. Make SURE you have returned the machine to brew mode after steaming! Finally, other reviewers have commented on the awkward placement of the on-off switch at the back of the machine, which doesn't really trouble me--although it is a design oddity. Oh, and I should mention--the instructions are sketchy at best.

Some of the Other Machines I've Used:

Breville pump machine (a mere toy)

The Type of Grinder I've Been Using:

Burr

The Make and Model of My Grinder:

Rancilio Rocky

Rated 4 out of 5

Posted By:
Daniel Smith

Has owned for:
1 - 6 months
Ability Level:
Coffee Lover

This machine was a nice movement to the next level from the Breville.

This machine was a nice movement to the next level from the Breville. Took about 4 or 5 days to get everything right. Now it's automatic. Makes superb shots. The steaming was faster and more effortless then the Breville. Cleanup is fast and easy.

How Long Have I Been Using This Product?

1 - 6 months

What's Best About this Product?

Boiler, looks, portafilter

My Experience With Using This Product:

Coffee Lover

The Coffee I've Tried With This Product:

MALOBAR Gold

Some Improvements I Would Recommend for This Product:

nothing as of now.

Some of the Other Machines I've Used:

Breville

The Type of Grinder I've Been Using:

Burr

Rated 5 out of 5

Posted By:
madkins

Has owned for:
Less than 1 month
Ability Level:
Beginner

So Glad I Bought It!

My husband and I unpacked our Gaggia over the weekend and started with the "free" Illy pods that were include for free. The espresso was just awful. Our little steam machine made better espresso. We regretted making this $200 purchase and were quite disappointed. This was Saturday morning. Sunday morning, we tried using our Starbucks espresso beans, set to the same medium grind that we used for our little steam espresso machine. The coffee was again, just awful, like colored water. Once again, we thought - our little steam toy machine works better. I assured myself, not totally convinced, that all would be better after I called Whole Latte Love support on Monday morning - today 3/16/09. I was told to use the finest grind and to press down very firmly with the tamper. The instructions said to use 2 scoops for the double filter - the rep nixed that and said to mound it up so after tamping the coffee is still under the lip. Voila! Amazing espresso the first time! My husband and I just couldn't believe the quality - better than we had even in Spain and Portugal where every little cafe had a huge copper espresso machine! We are so pleased now and look forward to wonderful espresso every morning.

How Long Have I Been Using This Product?

Less than 1 month

What's Best About this Product?

Low price. Works great - like all other's have said - when you get the grind and tamp right.

Some Helpful Tips For Using this Product:

Very fine grind. Use plenty of coffee - fill up the porta filter. Tamp it hard. I actually filled and tamped several times until the coffee was just under the lip and level.

My Experience With Using This Product:

Beginner

The Coffee I've Tried With This Product:

Starbucks Espresso Beans. I have a Starbucks Barista burr grinder that I bought 4+ years ago

Some Improvements I Would Recommend for This Product:

Because the unit isn't terribly heavy, I had to hold the espresso maker with my right arm wrapped around it so I could fully lock the filter in place with my left hand. After a few uses, I got the hang of it and it did get easier to manipulate. The instructions were decent, but they could have been more detailed. For example, the instructions say it's ready to use when the green light turns on which took only a minute or so. Then the instructions says to wait about 6 minutes for it to be ready. A quick call to support answered all of my questions.

Some of the Other Machines I've Used:

I used a steam type, "toy", espresso maker for years.

The Type of Grinder I've Been Using:

Finest grind that my Starbucks burr grinder allows, which it turns out, is perfect. I called Whole Latte Love support for guidance and was told that the coffee should be so fine that little ball like clumps formed and it did.!

The Make and Model of My Grinder:

Starbucks Barista Burr grinder.

Rated 5 out of 5

Posted By:
smzorichak

Has owned for:
Less than 1 month
Ability Level:
Beginner

I love this Web site!

I did WAY too much research on espresso machines -- to the point that I thought my head would explode. But in just about everything I read, the Whole Latte Love Web site name kept popping up. So I figured I'd shop here. We ordered a Gaggia Espresso Color and LOVE it. We had a slight issue with the steam wand, but I just talked to David in customer service and he solved the problem immediately. So aside from really being pleased with the machine (and price and delivery), the customer service is indeed fabulous. Thank you!

How Long Have I Been Using This Product?

Less than 1 month

What's Best About this Product?

Ease of use and great cup of espresso that it produces. It also heats up quickly, which is important to us. Plus, it looks quite snappy on my counter.

Some Helpful Tips For Using this Product:

Believe the posts about the grind (espresso) and tamping pressure being crucial to the perfect cup. Because of all the posts, we were prepared for a little fiddling around with the various factors involved and had fun finding what works best for us.

My Experience With Using This Product:

Beginner

Some Improvements I Would Recommend for This Product:

We're happy so far.

Some of the Other Machines I've Used:

Braun steam "espresso" machine -- for 15 years

The Type of Grinder I've Been Using:

Not a burr grinder

The Make and Model of My Grinder:

Krups

Rated 5 out of 5

Posted By:
Altilla

Has owned for:
Less than 1 month
Ability Level:
Coffee Lover

So far so good!

So far this machine has been everything I expected and more. Yes, I know there are better, fancier machines out there...I can't afford them. I did a lot of searching and this is a good, affordable machine that meets my needs. Would it meet a espresso geek with money or a poor espresso geek's needs who wants to waste money. Probably not, but not many machines would.

How Long Have I Been Using This Product?

Less than 1 month

What's Best About this Product?

58 mm portafilter and the capability to use pods if I want to. The red color. Availability of parts when I need them. I plan to keep this machine for a good long time. I expect I will use that parts availability a few times. Customer service from Beau!!

Some Helpful Tips For Using this Product:

Get one while the price is this low. $199...can't really go wrong at that price.

My Experience With Using This Product:

Coffee Lover

The Coffee I've Tried With This Product:

LaVazza, Illy, Local roaster's espresso blend.

Some Improvements I Would Recommend for This Product:

Lets see. It could have an adjustable OPV, a PID, and come with a year's supply of coffee. But then it wouldn't be priced at $199 and I wouldn't be drinking the really good espresso it makes.

Some of the Other Machines I've Used:

Ariete

The Type of Grinder I've Been Using:

N/A

The Make and Model of My Grinder:

N/A

Rated 4 out of 5

Posted By:
kaden22

Has owned for:
Less than 1 month
Ability Level:
Beginner

Taking Espresso to the Next Level

have only owned the Gaggia Espresso Color machine for a few days, and in that time, I have run the range of emotions from enthusiasm, to confusion, to frustration, to buyer's remorse and finally (dare I say it) to the audacity of hope! Although it's only been a few days, nature abhors a vacuum, and I feel the need to say something for all those who, like me, are beginning baristas and are considering this machine. First, this is a terrific looking machine. I love the red color! It looks great in my kitchen. This machine has a small footprint, which is fortunate for a small kitchen like mine where counter space is at a premium. It's relatively light, weighing only about 10 pounds, so that makes it pretty portable. Again - a good thing. The machine has a couple of design quirks that are a little annoying, The power switch for the machine is in the rear. This seems to be a characteristic of some of the European machines. Why, I have no idea, as a front location for the power switch would be far more convenient. The water tank is located in the rear - and that's ok since you can pour water directly into the receptacle, but the water level indicator is on the back left hand side - not so ok. The machine itself appears to be a good machine. It heats up quickly, dispenses espresso efficiently, dispenses water and steam quickly and, on top of all that, it is relatively quiet (for an espresso machine). It also seems to use water judiciously. I like that this machine has some of the same features (stainless steel boiler, chrome-plated brass portafilter) that are also part of far more expensive machines made by Gaggia and others. So far, so good, right? But after a couple of torturous days of pulling over a dozen dark brown, bitter shots with no crema at all, my initial enthusiasm quickly turned to frustration, then buyer's remorse. My Gaggia was driving me gah-gah! A call to Whole Latte Love's (WLL) friendly customer support department talked me down from the edge of espresso desperation. Here's what they told me and what you should know when considering the purchase of this machine: - The purchase of this machine is the first step of a long trek into the rarefied world of the espresso enthusiast. Buying a machine like this - even though its price point is relatively low compared to other semi-automatic machines - is about so much more than just the machine. A purchase like this is about a lifestyle, a "passionate pursuit" because the owner of this and similar machines is buying into many hours of experimentation, fiddling, research, accessory shopping - all in the pursuit of coffee nirvana, involving aromatic espresso, that fleeting crema, and that oh so luscious microfoam. If all you want is to turn on a button, twist a filter holder and get perfect espresso, without the investment of any sweat-equity, this is probably not the machine for you. - Be advised that while this machine can POTENTIALLY make excellent espresso and espresso-based drinks, that is likely to happen consistently only with the purchase of a good burr grinder, like the Rancilio Rocky Doserless. So what looks to be a purchase of less than $300 really requires an investment of about $700 to get full enjoyment out of this machine. Apparently, the grinder is a lot more important than the machine. - Should you buy this machine if you don't have the requisite burr grinder?? Sure, but forget about purchasing commercially ground coffees from Starbucks, Whole Foods, Caribou Coffee, etc. Instead, you are better off investing in Illy fine grind coffees or perhaps Lavazza ground coffee. These coffees are ground finely enough and consistently enough to yield good results in Gaggia and other similar machines, which can be extraordinarily picky when it comes to the type of coffee that is put into them. That said, I tried the Lavazza Il Perfetto, and got a little bit of crema, not much. It wasn't until I tried Illy fine grind that I got espresso that was decently extracted with a good amount of crema. WLL customer support also advises that Lavazza Blue is supposed to work well. I plan to try this coffee as soon as I can find some. When I talk about "fiddling' with the machine, I mean that making espresso with the Gaggia isn't an "instant on, wait a coupla seconds, voila' espresso" kind of operation. You have to prep the machine, then you preheat the machine, including the filter holder and the cups. That takes at least 6 minutes, probably more like ten minutes. If you want steamed milk/foam, that requires another couple of minutes. Then of course, there is the cleaning of the machine, which needs to be done after every use. There is a reason why WLL has an article about the "ritual" of making espresso. It really is a ritual! (And not really for those addicted to instant gratification.) Pulling excellent shots takes patience, persistence and the willingness to sacrifice a lot of time, money and coffee to achieve espresso, crema, microfoam, and (hopefully) coffee nirvana!

How Long Have I Been Using This Product?

Less than 1 month

What's Best About this Product?

With the right coffee, the right tamp, and good water, this machine can produce wonderful espresso that far outranks anything I have ever tasted from my previous machine, a Breville Cafe Roma or Starbucks (or any coffee shop , for that matter). It's a learning curve, but well worth the effort. I think it's a quality machine that is capable of yielding an excellent result. Also, I really like the Pannarello frothing attachment. One thing that seems to be pretty easy with this machine is steaming milk and making foam. The steam seems to be pretty dry, a welcome change from the extremely wet steam of my Breville machine. Some foaming purists poo-poo the Pannarello steaming wand, but I think it's great!

Some Helpful Tips For Using this Product:

Preheating is a must! The cups and filter should be heated through to make sure that your espresso is close to the right temperature. The best way to preheat is probably by drawing a blank shot. Tamping with just enough pressure (30 pounds) is really important. The pressure employed by boiler machines is really dependent on the quality of the ground coffee and how the coffee is tamped into the filter. Those semi-automatic machines that use a thermablock system (like Breville Cafe Roma) are far more forgiving so getting crema-topped espresso isn't nearly as difficult, but there is really no comparison between the delightfully smooth, flavorful taste of espresso from a machine like the Gaggia and the "only ok" taste of espresso from the thermablock machines. Descaling is absolutely essential every couple of months or so, regardless of whether your water is bottled, purified, filtered or tap. Enjoy the ritual as well as the espresso!

My Experience With Using This Product:

Beginner

Some Improvements I Would Recommend for This Product:

The written instructions that came with the machine could sure use a rewrite! The instructions are in English, as translated from Italian, and I can't help but feel that a lot of nuance got lost in the translation. There are too many ambiguous terms and too many unanswered questions. Be prepared to call WLL for some handholding!