Gaggia For illy Plus Single Serve Espresso Machine

When I found out that some customers were having difficulty with their Gaggia for illy machines I knew I had to do something about it. People who drink coffee brewed with iperEspresso capsules expect it to be a quick and hassle free experience. That's exactly how it should be. In this blog I'd like to address the issue some customers have had with priming their machines before brewing.

The Gaggia For illy Plus Single Serve Espresso Machine is similar to other coffee machines that use capsules, cartridges, k-cups or E.S.E. pods in that it can't brew without first priming its water system. This simply means that it needs to take a bit of water from the reservoir before it can brew. You will know that the machine needs to be primed if the hot water and brew button lamps on top of the machine are flashing.

If your Gaggia For illy needs to be primed, simply follow these steps to get it ready to brew again:

1. Fill the water reservoir located on the left side of the machine with fresh clean water and replace it. Be sure to push firmly from the bottom of the reservoir to make sure it's inserted all the way. If you push from the top, there is a good chance that it will not be inserted properly.

2. On the top of the machine, the espresso and steam button lamps should both be blinking.

3. Place a cup underneath the hot water wand and turn the dial on top of the machine to the steam position. Be sure to turn the dial until it clicks.
4. The machine will begin siphoning water from the reservoir into the boiler and through the wand.
5. Once enough water has been siphoned, the steam button lamp will shut off and the espresso button lamp will stop blinking.
6. Return the dial to the off position.
7. Your machine is now primed and ready to brew.

If you want to use your Gaggia for illy to make steam, follow these simple instructions:

1. Press and hold the steam button for a few seconds and release it, it should start blinking.
2. Once the buttons' lamp stops blinking, the machine is ready to steam.
3. To begin steaming, turn the dial to the steam position until it clicks.

4. Please note that before steaming, the machine will purge the remaining water in the boiler through the wand so it is important to purge into the drip tray or an empty cup before steaming so that the water does not go into your milk.

5. When you are done steaming, return the dial to the off position and press and hold the steam button for a few seconds. When you release it, the steam button and espresso button lamps should both be blinking.
6. Turn the dial back to the steam position until it clicks, the machine will siphon water from the reservoir to prime itself again.
7. Once the steam button lamp turns off and the espresso button lamp stops blinking, return the dial to the off position.

8. Your machine is now primed and ready to brew.

If the steam or espresso button lamps are ever blinking on your machine, it is important that you either turn it off or prime it. While the button lamps flash, the machine's boiler is heating up and if left unattended, it can easily blow a fuse if allowed to do so for too long. Also, to ensure that the water you are using is fresh, whenever you are finished using the machine, remove and empty the water reservoir and purge the remaining water in the boiler through the steam wand.

By following these steps, you can keep your Gaggia for illy machine brewing without a hitch.

The Gaggia for Illy Plus Single Serve Espresso machine is the culmination of a joint venture between two of Italy's most respected coffee authorities. At first, Gaggia and Illy may seem like strange bedfellows but, upon reflection, the partnership makes perfect sense. Gaggia brings to the table its vast engineering expertise and rich history. After all, it was Achille Gaggia who invented the first espresso machine. With over 50 years of espresso innovation, Gaggia has earned its place as the #1 manufacturer of home espresso machines in Italy.

Gaggia's partner, Illy, has an unmatched reputation for delivering premium coffee and espresso; in fact, 2 million cups of Illy coffee are served daily in Italy, a true testament to the brand's popularity. One of Illy's most significant contributions to the espresso industry has been its invention of the revolutionary iperEspresso system. Unlike most single-serve systems, iperEspresso capsules use a patented two-step extraction process to ensure maximum flavor, aroma and crema extraction. Since the brewing process is self-contained within the individual capsules, you won't run the risk of contaminating your machine with residual coffee. iperEspresso capsules are available in medium, dark and decaf roasts.

So, what do you get when you combine the efforts of Italy's leading espresso authorities? The Gaggia for Illy Plus, of course!

This groundbreaking machine is designed especially for the iperEspresso system and it brews espresso so good you won't believe your drink came from a capsule. It's one thing to streamline and simplify the brewing process, but it's rare for single-serve espresso to taste as good as its hand-brewed brethrens.

Steam it up
Like all Gaggia machines, the Gaggia for Illy Plus has pretty impressive steaming and frothing capabilities. In fact, Gaggia didn't scrimp on this single serve unit; it comes outfitted with the famous no-burn Pannarello steam wand. You'll be able to create rich steam and froth for lattes and cappuccino; it's the best of both worlds—the convenience of a single-serve machine with the steaming capabilities of a semi automatic.

The Details
Now that you have an idea of what the Gaggia for Illy Plus can do, here's how it does it...This machine is powered by a 15-bar pump and robust stainless steel boiler. The brew button is programmable to allow the Gaggia for Illy Plus to adapt to your preferences. You can set the brewing duration and subsequently drink volume by pressing and holding the brew button; this is one of the unique features that distinguishes the Gaggia for Illy Plus from its peers. Also exclusive to the Gaggia for Illy Plus is the adjustable cup holder and drip tray; it can be raised or lowered to make room for cups and mugs of all sizes. Water purification comes courtesy of a Mavea filter, which removes minerals from the contents of the one-liter reservoir to prevent scale buildup.

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!

No need to sacrifice good quality espresso for convenience. Watch Todd and I introduce the Gaggia for Illy capsule machine. Make the perfect cup of espresso every time, with the patented Illy iperEspresso capsules--no measuring or mess. Simply place the capsule in the machine and hit the brew button.