KgRich Senior Member Joined: 23 Oct 2005 Posts: 25 Location: UK Expertise: Just starting
Espresso: Vintage Mini Gaggia Grinder: Still not sure which one
Posted Sun Oct 23, 2005, 2:57pm Subject: Seeking info about the "Mini Gaggia" (1970's domestic open-boiler spring-lever)
Hello all.
As my first post on here I guess I sould start with a big hello......
I have just aquired what I think is a 1970/80s Gaggia and would love to get some back ground info on it as well as any clean out and correct usage suggestions from people as I would love this machine to last me quite some time. All I know is that it seems to be a pump option one which again to be honest doesn't tell me the espresso novice much at all.
So here is your chance to impress the new guy with your friendly coffee help and insight.
Mmm ... not quite sure what you mean by 'pump option.' This is a manual lever machine that has an open-boiler design. I can't quite remember, but I think that it has a spring-loaded lever, which means that you push down and let it up to do all the work for you. It seems to be quite a difficult machine to find.
JonR10 happens to have one of these machines. I'm sure that he'll chime in at some stage soon. In the meantime, you could go and have a look at his.
The standard tip that applies to every machine is that you have no hope at all of getting decent espresso out of it unless you have a good quality grinder and fresh beans.
As for cleaning, probably run some citric acid through the boiler* and take as much of it apart to scrub as possible.
*if it isn't aluminium ...
Cheers,
Luca
PS. I'm going to edit your title to make it a little bit more informative, then I'll email Jon for you.
PPS. Here's a similar machine that I'm waiting delivery of.
Luca's spot-on here. The machine is spring-loaded so you depress the lever to allow water into the chamber and pre-infuse the puck and then release the lever and the spring will provide about 7-8 bars of pressure to force water through the coffee.
Here are a couple of tips:
As always, fresh beans just a few days out of the roaster, will produce best results. Please try to find a local roaster that posts the roasted date on the packages.
Like Luca said, get a good grinder. You made a considerable investment in a fine espresso machine but the results will be less-than-stellar without a good grinder. Damoka, Iberital, LaPavoni PGC and Nemox LUX are good entry level espresso grinders. If you go with a cheap grinder then, well, just don't do that OK? CLICK HERE for an overview of grinder types. If you have the budget, a Rocky, MACAP, LaCimbali, or Mazzer is the cat's meow.
Consider getting new filter baskets. The stock baskets are standard sized (58mm) but the double has very fine screen holes and clogs easily. Standard size Gaggia, Rancilio, or LaMarzocco (ridgeless double) baskets fit just fine and produce nice results.
These commercial standard baskets fit loose enough that you can prepare the shot in the basket with the portafilter still in the machine and then at the last second drop the basket into the portafilter and draw the shot. Doing this will let you pull shots at a very consistent temperature (this is one of this machine's strongest points).
While you're at it, you might consider getting a nice tamper.
For double shots, when everything else is done and your basket is loaded, drop the basket into the portafilter and lock it into the machine. Press down on the lever and count about 3 seconds, let the lever go and (if everything is right on) the lever will start to slowly rise up and some drops will start coming out into the cup. When the lever is about 1/2 way up depress again and let it rise (this will let you run a full double).
I like to run my shots just a little short of 2 ounces for a double (i no longer attempt single shots), and at just a little over the spring-force of this machine. If I run a shot and the lever rises by itself, I adjust the grind just a tad finer so the handle needs a little help from me to rise back up. This makes a thicker shot that I favor most often.
But you should just play around with it and see what works best for you!!
Again, welcome to coffeegeek. :-)
PS - One more note, the boiler seems to be nickel-plated brass so you can descale with chemicals like citric acid if need be. Shine a flashlight in there to see if it's clean inside...
KgRich Senior Member Joined: 23 Oct 2005 Posts: 25 Location: UK Expertise: Just starting
Espresso: Vintage Mini Gaggia Grinder: Still not sure which one
Posted Mon Oct 24, 2005, 10:23am Subject: Re: Vintage Gaggia
Cheers guys for the warm welcome and thanks for all the info on my purchase. It was not cheap, I kind of just guessed that it would be a good one and my esspresso making understanding before buying it was simply knowing how to order one at my local coffee shop.
I cannot wait to get it as at the mo all the terms and names you are giving me make no sence at all. But how hard can it be I just rebuilt and restored a classic car and I wont let an espresso machine beat me.
As a side note is there a generic espresso machine pic with all the part names referenced (basket etc) so as to get me up to speed on the lingo.
Posted Tue Oct 25, 2005, 2:19pm Subject: Re: Seeking info about the "Mini Gaggia" (1970's domestic open-boiler spring-lev
I would love to have one of these machines, or a La Peppina, for pulling straight shots. That is the only "disadvantage" of this machine, in that you can't steam milk with it at all. It is strictly for pulling shots, since it's open boiler design makes it so it can't overheat (like a Pavoni does), but this also means that it doesn't produce steam.
Chris
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KgRich Senior Member Joined: 23 Oct 2005 Posts: 25 Location: UK Expertise: Just starting
Espresso: Vintage Mini Gaggia Grinder: Still not sure which one
Posted Tue Oct 25, 2005, 3:09pm Subject: Re: Seeking info about the "Mini Gaggia" (1970's domestic open-boiler spring-lev
rcs914 Said:
I would love to have one of these machines, or a La Peppina, for pulling straight shots. That is the only "disadvantage" of this machine, in that you can't steam milk with it at all. It is strictly for pulling shots, since it's open boiler design makes it so it can't overheat (like a Pavoni does), but this also means that it doesn't produce steam.
Thats Ok. I cannot have milk or any dairy so works out great for me. I also like things to be built for 1 single job. Just means my guests will have to like it or drink tea. :
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