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Espresso: Espresso Machines
Comparing Gaggia's Yet Again

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Discussions > Espresso > Machines > Comparing...

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MochaJoe
Senior Member

Joined: 31 Oct 2012
Posts: 66
Location: Omaha, NE
Expertise: Just starting

Espresso: Gaggia Classic
Grinder: Baratza Preciso

Posted Thu Nov 1, 2012, 7:25pm Subject: Re: Comparing Gaggia's Yet Again

So odd change of fate....I found a "gently used" Classic with MDF grinder, knock box, tamper, all original boxes and manuals, for $350. It's not being sold through any of the well known coffee websites, thoughts on if I should take the gamble?

qualin
Senior Member

Joined: 30 Jun 2012
Posts: 464
Location: Calgary, AB
Expertise: I love coffee

Espresso: Izzo Alex Duetto 3
Grinder: Mazzer Mini Elect. Type A
Vac Pot: Looking to buy
Drip: Manual
Roaster: Considering?

Posted Thu Nov 1, 2012, 7:41pm
Subject: Re: Comparing Gaggia's Yet Again

MochaJoe Said:

So odd change of fate....I found a "gently used" Classic with MDF grinder, knock box, tamper, all original boxes and manuals, for $350.

Posted November 1, 2012 link

Read the reviews...
"Gaggia MDF Espresso"

"Gaggia Classic Machine"

$350 for a grinder and a classic? That's not too bad actually.

My advice? If you are going to buy it, get the owner to pull a shot on it for you. Make sure he makes you either a Latte or a Cappuccino to show you that everything works.
Watch carefully for leaks or anything that just doesn't sound right. Without seeing it in person, I couldn't recommend it.. but if everything works, that's not a bad deal.

D4F
Senior Member

Joined: 15 Mar 2012
Posts: 1,194
Location: USA
Expertise: I like coffee

Espresso: Gaggia Classic PID
Grinder: Preciso

Posted Thu Nov 1, 2012, 7:52pm Subject: Re: Comparing Gaggia's Yet Again

Ask about maintanence, descaling and back flushing. If local, check it out in use as suggested. Pull off the top and look in the machine. It should be clean and dry and the wiring look good, no burns or cooked wires. How many owners? I do not have experience with the MDF. Hopefully those with experience will post. You can read threads on MDF by searching Gaggia MDF here in CG. Read about steps and fine adjustment.

MochaJoe
Senior Member

Joined: 31 Oct 2012
Posts: 66
Location: Omaha, NE
Expertise: Just starting

Espresso: Gaggia Classic
Grinder: Baratza Preciso

Posted Thu Nov 1, 2012, 7:53pm Subject: Re: Comparing Gaggia's Yet Again

I read both the links, and the combo seems right what I need. Unfortunatly the gear is on ebay and having a test shot pulled isnt an option. i did email asking about matenince, de scaleing, and whether or not he was the original owner. Waiting to hear back.

MochaJoe
Senior Member

Joined: 31 Oct 2012
Posts: 66
Location: Omaha, NE
Expertise: Just starting

Espresso: Gaggia Classic
Grinder: Baratza Preciso

Posted Thu Nov 1, 2012, 9:32pm Subject: Re: Comparing Gaggia's Yet Again

The guy emailed me back. He says he got the Classic/MDF set from Whole Latte Love a year ago, and hasn't descaled as he has pulled maybe 40 shots. If it was any of you, would you go for it? Or should I be safe and pay the extra ~200 for new?

dorkroast
Senior Member

Joined: 3 Oct 2012
Posts: 78
Location: CA
Expertise: I live coffee

Espresso: Gaggia Classic
Grinder: Mazzer Mini
Roaster: Popcorn Pumper

Posted Thu Nov 1, 2012, 9:42pm Subject: Re: Comparing Gaggia's Yet Again

I'll comment on a couple of things in your post since I was recently in the same boat as you- I also had to choose between the Baby Gaggia, Classic, and Twin. When I finally pulled the trigger I made my purchase through WLL and purchased the twin. Then I re-read the reviews. It seems WLL likes to only put the more positive reviews of it's products on the site. There were plenty complaints about the reliability of the twin. Also, the twin seemed very cheap....there was just something I didn't like about it. So, I called WLL- they were great on the phone. Changed my order no questions asked and immediately sent me a refund for the difference. The order came at the promised time with no issues and was well packed- double boxed with foam in between. I have nothing bad to say at all about my WLL buying experience other than their reveiws should show both sides... As far as the classic- I couldn't be happier so far. IMHO the Baby seemed really cheap. I handled it several times at a local Peet's coffee- they seem to carry them in many of their stores. The Baby always just seemed too cheap and plasticy. Although the Classic probably isn't my "ultimate" machine, it's pretty damned good. The shots have been amazing. The construction is very solid, I like the stainless appearance. The frothing wand is a bit sucky, but I think that applies to all gaggias. Their plastic attachment is pretty cheesy. The classic comes with both two pressurized portafilter baskets, and a standard double basket. The pressurized baskets also seem to work with ESE pods if that's your thing. The used deal you found seems okay but not great. The price of a brand new classic is about 320ish... I'd be a bit weary of used equipment sight unseen without a significant discount or a decent guarantee from the seller. I wish you the best of luck, feel free to send me any questions that I may be able to answer for you as a new classic owner, and new WLL customer. ;)

MochaJoe
Senior Member

Joined: 31 Oct 2012
Posts: 66
Location: Omaha, NE
Expertise: Just starting

Espresso: Gaggia Classic
Grinder: Baratza Preciso

Posted Thu Nov 1, 2012, 9:50pm Subject: Re: Comparing Gaggia's Yet Again

Thanks for the feedback! The only reason I got excited about this particular deal, was the Gaggia MDF grinder and Classic were both included for 350, along with a rattleware tamp, pad, and knockbox. Dude said he backflushed the machine, and will be sending along the blank he used to do so. So the grinder retails for 249, the machine new for about 350.0 So I dunno. Now im just confused..

toyman
Senior Member

Joined: 30 Oct 2012
Posts: 25
Location: PA
Expertise: Just starting

Espresso: Delonghi EC155, Gaggia...
Grinder: Baratza Preciso on the way
Drip: Cuisinart

Posted Fri Nov 2, 2012, 5:43am Subject: Re: Comparing Gaggia's Yet Again

Mocha Joe - got my package (Gaggia Classic and Baratza Preciso Package) yesterday after work from WLL. Opened it up and everything was in good shape. Great response time, 2 days from order to my door. I can't give a comprehensive review of the Classic since I'm a bit new to this game. I've had a Delonghi EC155 for a few years, but just recently started using it properly. Anyway, my biggest knock right now is the Gaggia instructions. You get 4 portafilters, but the instructions don't identify which is which. Some of it is common sense in that the one that has no holes is for backflushing, the one with the hourglass shape is for the pods, and then the last two. One has a larger surface area of filter and the other only has the filter area in small area in the center. I assume that the one with the smaller area is the one to be used pressurized. I'm sure this is just common sense to even a beginner, but confirmation would have been nice. I didn't have any beens to waste prime the new grinder, so I used some preground espresso for the first 2 pulls. Read thru the instructions and which combination of rocker switches needed to be where. Got that down and pulled a few shots. Way too fast, which is telling me the pre-ground is too course. Daughter wanted a latte so I started to steam some milk and the plastic tip blew off the tube. Looked thru the instruction on how to properly assemble and not a lot of info, but as I messed with it, I found that it clamps down to the tube. (again with the instructions) So I got that worked out and it is a lot better than the Delonghi. Went out for dinner last nite, and when we got home, my wife wanted a latte. I put some beans thru the grinder and then got my espresso stash I bought last week at my local warehouse district. Weighed 20g of beans and put them thru the grinder. Pretty cool, although the PF holder just makes a mess IMHO. I'm using the closed container and then to the PF. The shots were pretty good but took long, and the latte came out tasty according to my wife. I didn't steam long enough as the latte came out warm, point noted. This am, I moved the macro adj back one notch and ground another 20g of beans for my morning hit. Tamped it in. Did I mention I'm new to this? I ground a little more coarse, but I guess I tamped a little agressively. I stalled the machine, but it eventually dribbled a single shot. So, this weekend I will be pulling shots, messing with grinder settings and working on my tamping. Overall the machine looks great, heats up pretty quickly and is pretty easy to use after you get a few pulls under your belt. The use I've got in the past 12 hours has been a little hurried so I'll spend a little more quality time this weekend and hopefully be 'wowed' with a great pull. Good Luck!

MochaJoe
Senior Member

Joined: 31 Oct 2012
Posts: 66
Location: Omaha, NE
Expertise: Just starting

Espresso: Gaggia Classic
Grinder: Baratza Preciso

Posted Fri Nov 2, 2012, 9:59am Subject: Re: Comparing Gaggia's Yet Again

All good info, Thanks! I think im just going to wait until I can safely afford the package deal at WLL, and not risk used (not-refurb) equipment. Like I said, I can't afford to lose money. Did WLL include there own in-house manual on the Gaggia's? I thought I heard somewhere they had printed their own that was must better.

Posted Fri Nov 2, 2012, 11:18am Subject: Re: Comparing Gaggia's Yet Again

Mine only came with the manufacturers directions. Don't get me wrong, it's not rocket science, but it's not as intuitive as it could be. They give you a single sheet, double sided with pictures of the machine, no words. You need this sheet to follow along with the instruction manual. It gets a little cumbersome until you know your way around your machine. I know I sound like I'm whining, (probably am) but I'm good now and I've spent about an hour or so using/playing with the machine. OK, enough of that. Good idea saving up. My initial inclination from what I've read here and other places was to just purchase a good grinder and continue to use my Delonghi EC155. But, I would have spent $100 (or more) additional if I bought them separately.

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