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You might wonder why the Gaggia espresso machine is a household name. If it’s your first time buying a coffee maker, then this article is for you. After reading this article, you will know which coffee maker is best and whether it is worth your time and money. We’ll also give you more information on the famous Gaggia espresso machine.
What Is a Gaggia Espresso Machine?
A Gaggia espresso machine is basically a coffee maker. However, we believe it outweighs many coffee makers on the market and makes a superior cup of coffee. Unlike other coffee makers, the Gaggia espresso machine is more sophisticated and adds aesthetic beauty to your kitchen. The following steps should be followed when using this product.
Unpacking the Product
Once you make an order on Amazon, it will arrive after a few days. Be careful not to damage the steam knob when unpacking the coffee maker. In most cases, some accessories for the coffee maker are in the water reservoir, so don’t panic if you don’t see everything right away.
Reading the User Manual
This is the most important step when using the Gaggia espresso machine. It is through a user manual you will learn how to assemble the product. Some precautionary measures that the manual mentions include not letting children use the device and using purified or bottled water.
Assembling the Product
The following parts will come with your new machine:
- A water tank
- A boiler tank
- Shower screen
- Solenoid valve
A water tank will store water till you brew your coffee. The boiler tank uses an electrical element to heat the water and then force it out through your ground coffee beans.
Making a Good Espresso Coffee
The first step when making coffee using the Gaggia espresso machine is to ensure all the parts are assembled as directed in the user manual. The following steps are vital:
- Remove the black filter holder
- Measure the right amount of ground espresso using the measurements provided and pour in the filter basket
- To pack down the ground coffee, press and twist the tamper on the surface of the coffee
- If there are any grounds on the rim, brush them off with your hand
- Ensure that a cup is placed under the spout of the filter holder
- Turn on the coffee switch
- When the espresso turns bright, then turn off the machine
Important
To get quality coffee when using this machine, it is important that you always knock out used grounds every time you want to use the machine again.
Product Specs
One of the most distinguishing features of the Gaggia espresso machine is that it is compact and rugged. It measures about 14.2 x 8 x 9.5 inches, which makes it suitable for most kitchen spaces. The Gaggia espresso machine is encased in a stainless steel casing that adds to its aesthetic beauty.
This machine boasts a water reservoir of around 72 oz. The shell of the Gaggia espresso machine has 2 plastic buttons which are red, a handle, and a knob. Unlike other coffee makers, this is a single boiler machine and can extract and steam milk at the same time as it is a semi-automatic machine. This Gaggia espresso machine also boasts of being a commercial machine as it has a three-way solenoid valve.
This machine is easy to use as it has a turbo-frother steam wand attachment. It has a pannarello steam wand that ensures your coffee is rich because of the air intake holes that siphon air directly into the milk.
Pricing
The price of this Gaggia espresso machine is around $400 dollars. The machine can be bought on Amazon.
How It Compares
We picked a few similar products available on the market to see how they compare.
De’Longhi EC680M DEDICA 15-Bar Pump Espresso Machine
Mr. Coffee Cafe Barista Espresso and Cappuccino Maker
Nespresso Pixie Original Espresso Machine
Gaggia 14101 Classic Semi-Automatic Espresso Maker
Price $$$
The price of this product is around $400 dollars.
Ease of Use 4
The challenging part of using this Gaggia espresso machine is assembling it from its packet. Be careful when you are putting it together; otherwise delicate parts may break. Using this coffee maker is easy as it has a pressurized portafilter basket for cream extraction while the turbo-frother steam wand attachment makes it easy to froth milk.
For ease of use, we give it a 4-star rating.
Durability 4
Several factors determine the durability of this machine and one of them is the quality of water used. Hard water will require you regularly maintain this Gaggia coffee maker. The stainless steel casing used makes it durable and hygienic.
For durability, we give it a 4-star rating.
Design Quality 4.5
This Gaggia espresso machine boast of a classic design that has persisted for over 2 decades.
For design quality, we give it a 4.5-star rating.
Warranty
Warranty information can be found on the manufacturer’s website.
Pros
- Is a rugged machine
- Makes exemplary coffee due to its powerful steam power
- Has a unique stainless steel build
Cons
- Heats to dangerously high levels
- Some units may be defective
- Expensive
De’Longhi EC680M DEDICA 15-Bar Pump Espresso Machine
The De’Longhi is a coffee maker with a sleek and attractive design, thanks to its stainless steel casing. This coffee maker can come in three different colors: black, silver/black, and red. Unlike some espresso machines, this coffee maker is designed to fit in small spaces, making it suitable for most kitchens.
This coffee maker enables you to brew like a pro as it only brews authentic barista-quality coffee. One unique feature of this maker is that it has a manual frother that creates a rich, creamy froth thanks to the froth mixed steam it incorporates in its design. This ensures that all the coffee made during its lifespan is evenly textured and of high quality.
Unlike other espresso machines, this coffee maker boasts of a three-in-one filter holder. What this means is that you can decide to either have one espresso shot or two espresso shot at a go which improves its ease of operation. One important feature worth mentioning is that this coffee maker has an adjustable bottom tray that enables you to use it with different cups. Unlike most espresso machines, this coffee maker has the De’Longhi’s call center at your disposal. Their customer support can be reached online, over the phone, or by mail.
Price $$
The price of this coffee maker is around $200 dollars.
Ease of Use 4.5
Several features make it easy to use this coffee maker. One of them is an adjustable tray that enables you to adjust the tray depending on the size of the cup being used. Another feature that makes it easy to use is a three-in-one filter holder and a space-saving design that makes it suitable for small kitchen spaces.
For ease of use, we give it a 4.5-star rating.
Durability 3.5
The machine comes with a user manual that will help you increase its durability if you follow its instructions. Its lifeline is also boosted by its stainless steel design, which makes it more impervious to normal wear and tear.
For durability, we give it a 3.5-star rating.
Design Quality 4
It has a sleek design made of a stainless steel with space-saving features. Its design incorporates an adjustable tray that makes it suitable for use with different mug sizes. It also has a three-in-one filter holder.
For design quality, we give a 4-star rating.
Warranty
De’Longhi coffee makers have a two-year warranty.
Pros
- Gives a good value for the money
- Easy to operate
- Quiet machine
- Makes exemplary coffee
Cons
- Some units are defective
- Customer service is not as effective as it should be
Mr. Coffee Cafe Barista Espresso and Cappuccino Maker
Mr. Coffee boasts of a brand name that spans over 5 decades. It is known for its unique design that adds aesthetic beauty to your kitchen. Unlike the Gaggia espresso machine, this coffee maker is sophisticated. It features a 15-bar pump that gives it the ability to make exemplary coffee as it extracts rich flavors from the ground coffee.
This coffee maker makes it possible for everyone to become professional brewers thanks to its one-touch control. Using the control buttons, you can decide to either choose a single shot or a double shot. The good thing about this brewer is that it comes with a recipe book that will enable you to make impressive coffee. If you’re creative enough, you can build on the recipe and make your own unique coffee.
Price $$
The price of this product is around $200 dollars.
Ease of Use 4.5
To use this coffee maker, you need to pick either a double shot or single shot filter. Then pick the desired grounds, fill the milk reservoir, and choose the brew cycle. This is made possible from a one-touch control panel. It also includes a removable water reservoir that makes it easy to clean.
For ease of use, we give it a 4.5-star rating.
Durability 3.5
It comes with a user manual so users can know how to improve its durability.
For durability, we give it a 3.5-star rating.
Design Quality 4
It is designed to be a semi-automatic three-in-one espresso maker. It is also easy to clean as the water reservoir is removable. This coffee maker gives your kitchen an element of class and sophistication.
For this, we give it a 4-star rating.
Warranty
Warranty information can be found at the manufacturer’s website.
Pros
- Easy to clean
- Adds aesthetic beauty
Cons
- Has design flaws
- Has a short lifespan
Nespresso Pixie Original Espresso Machine
This coffee maker comes in an impressive design titan color. It is a stylish coffee maker and easily integrates into your kitchen setting. It boasts of a 19 bar high-pressure pump that ensures maximum flavor extraction as desired. This particular coffee maker produces exemplary coffee. Unlike other espresso machines, this coffee maker is efficient as it only heats to desired levels and automatically turns off in 9 minutes.
It is easy to use as it is a programmable coffee maker that operates with two one-touch buttons. Unlike other coffee makers, this is a smart coffee maker; it lets you know when it is ready to refill its 24-oz water tank when it illuminates red lights. It is easy to use this coffeemaker as it has a folding drip tray that can accommodate large cup sizes.
Once you buy this coffee maker, you will receive a complimentary gift that includes a Nespresso Original welcome kit.
Price $
You can buy this product for around $160 dollars.
Ease of Use 4
It is easy to use this coffee maker as its compact design enables it to be used in small kitchen spaces. When the water tank is empty, you will receive a water tank empty alert. This handy feature keeps you from checking it out every time you want to make a cup of coffee. It automatically powers off after 9 minutes for safety.
For ease of use, we give it a 4-star rating.
Durability 4.5
The durability of this machine is enhanced by the support team who offer personalized advice and technical support on how to use the product.
For durability, we give it a 4.5-star rating.
Design Quality 4
Its design is compact and facilitates a one-touch button that has two cup capacities. The design favors people with small urban kitchens.
For design quality, we give it a 4-star rating.
Warranty
The warranty information can be checked on the manufacturer’s website.
Pros
- Suitable for small urban spaces
- Makes exemplary coffee
Cons
- Some units may be defective
- Has a short lifespan
Conclusion
After reviewing the products above, the Gaggia 14101 comes out on top as the best espresso maker. The Gaggia espresso machine carries the day due to its rugged design and turbo-frother steam wand attachment. It is also a reliable coffee maker worth your time and money. For this, we gave it a final rating of 4.5 stars.
