Features
The Gaggia Classic is one of our best sellers since we began Whole Latte Love in 1997. Over time, Gaggia has added improvements designed to enhance the user experience while staying true to their commitment to produce espresso equipment that is on par with the best in the industry.
New to 2003 Gaggia has replaced the nickel plated carbon steel housing with brushed stainless steel. This produced a machine with an even more durable housing that will not rust or flake overtime. The portafilter handle was also upgraded to include a stainless steel dispensing beak. This improved consistency of the espresso flow when split between 2 demitasse cups or shot glasses. The main design of the portafilter remained the same at a whopping 1 pound of chrome plated brass with a commercial size, 58mm diameter. Gaggia also uses a massive chrome plated brass brew group, which is where the portafilter handle locks onto. Heat stability and retention is remarkable with this much mass, and is a Gaggia standard that only the Rancilio Silvia can match. All Gaggia espresso machines received a new Pannarello style frother to replace what was known as the Turbo Frother. This wand has proved to be both easier to use, and clean. Our testing showed that it is less finicky and requires less technique to produce frothed milk quickly, and of good quality. Also new is that Gaggia has finally dumped the pod adapter and replaced it with a stainless steel combination single shot/pod basket. For those that know, the old pod adapter was a true contraption; it was difficult to attach and too much effort to remove if you wanted to use ground coffee as well. The new pod basket was designed with the approval of Illy, who has been a founding member of the ESE (easy serving espresso) consortium. Our internal tests, and those of Illy USA, performed by both East and West Coast divisions has backed up this claim as well. With this approval all Gaggia machines can use espresso pods from any roaster that is ESE approved - the largest standard in the coffee industry.
The overall wattage of all Gaggia machines stay at an industry high 1425 watts. The electric pump accounts for 55 watts and is the strongest in it’s class. The remaining wattage is directed to Gaggia’s unique boiler system that incorporates not 1 but 2 heating elements. Unlike every other manufacturer at this price range, Gaggia does not position them in direct contact with water. They are actually embedded into the sides of the boiler which prevents a major reason espresso machines are brought in for warranty repair - corroded heating element. This design has proved to be highly efficient by causing the entire boiler to become a heating element. A fast method that further supports temperature stability.
The Classic further distinguishes itself by sporting a 3 way solenoid valve. This is a feature generally only found on commercial and prosumer equipment. It’s main purpose is to relieve the pressure that develops during the brewing process. As you may have read, espresso is brewed best at 8 to 9 bar or atmospheres of pressure. With a single bar being 14.7 lbs of pressure per square inch you can calculate that espresso is brewed at 132 lbs per square inch. The 3 way solenoid valve instantly relieves that pressure and diverts it to the drip tray. You may notice the chrome tube leading to the drip tray in the larger image. The benefit of this is that the quick release of the pressure takes much of the water left over in the group and leaves a relatively dry coffee puck. Drier puck means less coffee grounds to clean.
We recommend that you consider a quality burr grinder capable of producing a commercial grind like the Baratza Maestro Plus or Gaggia MDF for best results. Includes two Commercial grade quality stainless steel filter baskets (single/pod and double shot), coffee tamper and 7g measuring scoop. Available in Brushed Stainless Steel (Satin Finish).
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A A Gophinsin,
The refurbs really are a great value! They are throughly cleaned in the shop here, and come back to your as close to brand new as possible. Priming the machine is certainly a good idea, even though there is a good chance that someone has run water through it previously. You can safely assume a normal descale schedule, as well. For the cleaning, the Gaggia Decalcifier is hard to beat and is all you will really need for taking care of your machine!
03-29-2013 12:08pm |