Gaggia coffee machine

tuesday123

sorry, have no idea where to post this one!

I want a Gaggia for my husband... being a tea drinker, am a bit lost!

He drinks latte mainly, but most coffee, is the 'classic' the one to go for?

Thanks so much, kitty

debbie42

I've had a Classic for a few years now, and would definitely buy it again. It's a good solid workhorse. Mine gets used pretty much every day, and has been left switched on accidentally more times than it should have been.

I've had to change a sealing ring once, but spares are easy to obtain.

Here are some reviews from a site worth bookmarking:
http://coffeegeek.com/reviews/consumer/gaggia_classic

One thing worth mentioning, though, is that to make the most of the machine (or any good espresso machine), you really need a burr grinder to grind the beans. I have a starbucks/dualit one which was purchased in the sales for around £30, but that's very much the minimum you'd pay: they normally go for anything from £50 upwards.

I can recommend https://www.hasbean.co.uk for freshly roasted coffee.

No connection other than as a satisfied customer.

daveyjp

A basic Gaggia will do the job. Had mine for longer than I care to remember. It gets used a lot and nothing has failed on it. I don't bother with grinding my own coffee. I use Gaggia or Illy preground, but as I use the machine at least twice a day a tin doens't last long so the coffee doesn't have time to go off.

ariba10

We have had a Gaggia Classic for about four years and is used every day.

If it went tomorrow we would be strait out to get another

tuesday123

Thanks all. Is the Classic - the one that will make all coffees? Thanks

hebridean

I have a Baby Twin which after two years of abuse is presently away for repair as it started cutting out intermittently. A company called Saeco SGS is doing the repair through Phillips and are waiting for the spare part.
Previously i had a Gaggia Carenza for four years, but it started overheating and was pretty knackered really. The Baby Twin is a Superior machine and there is a definite advantage to having the two boilers. I got it with a Gaggia grinder which is still going strong without any bother.

My wife buys Lavazza or Illy beans from the net ten kilos at a time.

keith969

I had a Gaggia classic and it used to stop working regularly, due to buildup of limescale internally. Yes it could be descaled but it was a pain to do.

debbie42

It's not covered under warranty if you don't descale every so often. It specifically states that in the warranty. I don't find it much of a bother.

debbie42

tuesday123 wrote: »

Thanks all. Is the Classic - the one that will make all coffees? Thanks

The Classic has the standard espresso coffee portafilter + steam wand arrangement. I don't have milk in mine, but my OH likes lattes + cappucinos. It can handle all that. My daughter uses the steam wand to froth up hot chocolate.

ginvzt

I have Cubica one (it is a bit smaller in dimensions, as the Classic one would have not fitted neatly on the counter in our old house). It does the same coffees a Classic, but opposite to debbie, I have latter every morning, and my OH will have plain coffe (and put cold milk in it afterwards). We had ours for nearly 2 years no and it is great.

jack_spratt_2

Just to point out that Gaggi uk( Saeco Group who distribute them ) had gone bankrupt and I believe has now been taken over by Philips,

At one time the supply of spare parts for there machines were in doubt so much so that John Lewis now no longer sell them .

I may be wrong ?? but I believe this is the case !! this was taken from the Philips website

In July 2009, Philips acquired Saeco International Group, who market espresso machines under the Gaggia brand. Gaggia United Kingdom Limited is a former distributor of Gaggia products in the UK. It has never been part of Saeco International Group and is therefore independent from Philips. Philips is however pleased to support the brand with a full range of after sales support services. Please contact our consumer care centre for further details.