Gaggia Espresso Color Espresso Machine

The fire engine red ABS housing of the Gaggia Espresso Color may be what makes it stand out on your counter, but the crema-topped espresso it brews will be what makes it stand out in your memory. Gaggia has outdone itself again – the Gaggia Espresso Color features a stainless steel boiler for top notch heat retention, while its pump produces a maximum of 15 bars of pressure to ensure that your espresso is brewed properly. Add in a portafilter with single shot, double shot, and pod filter baskets, and you’re ready for sophisticated, convenient, and great tasting espresso.

Features & Benefits: Coffee

Housing and Design

The Gaggia Espresso Color features an easy to use control panel. From left to right you have the coffee/hot water button, the green ready indicator light, the steam valve knob, and the steam button. Each has an icon, so you always know which is which. The Espresso Color is housed in red ABS plastic, a durable material that wipes down easily with a damp cloth. Inside is the stainless steel boiler, which provides the necessary heat to brew and steam for a cappuccino, latte, espresso, or americano.

Brewing

Your first step to brewing is deciding pods, single shot, or double shot? Select the appropriate filter basket, add coffee, and tamp down on the grounds using the included tamper. Your machine is ready to brew when the brew indicator light illuminates, so insert your portafilter into the chrome plated brass filter holder and press the coffee/hot water button to start the brewing process. Coffee will begin dispensing. When you have your desired amount, press the switch again to stop the flow of water.

Coffee Pod Option

The included pod filter basket fits ESE (Easy Serve Espresso) pods, so you can always choose between the convenience of pods or the control afforded by grinding and tamping your own beans. Pods are single servings of ground and tamped espresso, saving you time if you’re in a rush.

Features & Benefits: Frothing and Hot Water

Frothing and Steaming

The Gaggia Espresso Color’s Pannarello steam wand attachment works to inject steam into your milk, making frothing and steaming for a cappuccino or latte simple. To steam, press the steam switch and wait for the temperature ready light to illuminate. Place your frothing pitcher under the steam nozzle, and open the steam valve knob to release steam. The more you turn the knob, the greater your steam pressure. When you have finished frothing and steaming – this shouldn’t exceed 60 seconds – close the steam knob and press the steam switch again.

Hot Water

As long as the machine is at brewing temperature, it can also dispense hot water. Open the steam knob, and press the hot water/coffee switch to dispense hot water out of the steam wand for an americano, tea, or cocoa. When you have your desired amount of water, close the steam knob and press the hot water/coffee switch again.

Features & Benefits: Care, Maintenance, and Other

Water Reservoir

The removable water reservoir holds 42 oz of water and is located in the back of the machine – simply lift up to remove. Gaggia recommends using filtered or bottled water to prevent scale buildup on the Color’s brewing components. When descaling is necessary, use Gaggia descaler for the best results.

Cleaning: Drip Tray and Cover, Steam Wand, and Brew Group

A red level indicator rises when the drip tray fills, and when it becomes visible it’s time to empty the drip tray. The drip tray and cover can be rinsed with water to remove any coffee residue. The body of the machine can be wiped down with a damp cloth when needed, and the steam wand can be cleaned with a damp cloth to keep it free of milk residue. Remember to clean the filter holder and filter in warm water after each use, and the shower disk should be unscrewed and cleaned periodically, depending on frequency of use.

Accessories

The Gaggia Espresso Color comes with a detailed instruction manual, portafilter, single shot basket, double shot basket, pod basket, filter, tamper, measuring spoon, and warranty.