afchad Senior Member Joined: 2 Feb 2013 Posts: 8 Location: mississippi Expertise: I like coffee
Posted Sat Feb 2, 2013, 7:42pm Subject: used baby twin Gaggia worth it?
So I have an oppertunity to buy a Gaggia baby twin for 150 dollars. It is about 5 yrs old, seller claims to have had it "serviced and descaled professionally a few times". My question is...should there be enough miles left on this thing to warrant getting it over saving some coin and buying a new unit or the classic? Thanks in advance. By the way I will be pulling 6-8 shots a day. thanks in advance. -chad
I doubt that most Gaggia Classic owners send the machine for professional service. Twins are prone to leak and there a couple of recent threads about problems with steam and the thermoblock.
D4F Senior Member Joined: 15 Mar 2012 Posts: 1,192 Location: USA Expertise: I like coffee
Espresso: Gaggia Classic PID Grinder: Preciso
Posted Sat Feb 2, 2013, 8:38pm Subject: Re: used baby twin Gaggia worth it?
Lots of good info on CG about grinders capable of consistent espresso grind. You mentioned number of drinks, but not number at a session. Research carefully and/or ask before you spend your money. Sorry if that is beyond the scope of your inquiry.
D4F Senior Member Joined: 15 Mar 2012 Posts: 1,192 Location: USA Expertise: I like coffee
Espresso: Gaggia Classic PID Grinder: Preciso
Posted Sat Feb 2, 2013, 9:24pm Subject: Re: used baby twin Gaggia worth it?
I add beans for each dose and leave nothing in the grinder. I do not have use for a doser. Baratza Preciso and Vario are common recommendations and the best buy is refurb from Baratza.com. New refurb releases are Thursday mornings. A great espresso grinder is more important than which specific espresso machine that you get.
Fresh beans are also very important as is a good roaster who does not sell mini lumps of charcoal.
A great site and place to start is How To 12, Guide to better espresso at home.
tracerbullet Senior Member Joined: 13 Feb 2012 Posts: 152 Location: Saint Paul Expertise: I love coffee
Posted Mon Feb 4, 2013, 3:13pm Subject: Re: used baby twin Gaggia worth it?
IMO a Baby Class is a safe machine to own, it shares a lot w/ the classic. I haven't had any problems with mine, and in the half dozen or so of each that I've torn apart and worked on, they always have the same problems such as scale, etc. Baby's don't seem to have any additional or different problems.
I'd still give the Classic an edge, especially w/ the adjustable OPV, but I wouldn't turn down a baby if it was cheap and cost was a factor.
Agreed to stay away from the Twin. The electronics, surprisingly, seem to be pretty robust. But leaks, condensation, or whatever it is seems to wreak havoc on the 2nd boiler and anything else inside the lower unit.
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