Gaggia Classic Pro Review

[@scottscottsdale7868]

I got a Dedica repaired for $100 at Cerini in the Bronx. The pump failed and they fixed it. Not that Dedica is like the Gaggia. But it was repaired.

[@JoeyVaracalli]

Yeah repairability matters for sure

[@jamesmclaughlin3460]

I've owned my gaggia classic pro for 3 months . I've changed the shower screen the gasket, wood handle bottomless portafilter. Ims baskets.i love it but sometimes the shot is off. 9 bar spring next would help.

[@JoeyVaracalli]

Yeah the shots aren’t super consistent on the gaggia for a number of reasons

[@JL-sp8ss]

Thanks so much for your review, i have seen several reviews, but your review covers so many things. Love the way you review this product thank you again

[@JoeyVaracalli]

Wow really appreciate the kind comments. If you don’t mind me asking what were some of the things you liked that I covered

[@JL-sp8ss]

@@JoeyVaracalli Thanks for your comment. Here is my notes: Pre and post purchase i have done my research on this machine, but your review kind of validates my research. 1. Overall this review covered a wide range of pros and cons of the Gaggia Classic in compassion to other videos (just in my humble opinion) 2. Knowing a bit more details of - internals (boiler size, water tank and pump), easy to get inside of machine (I have seen this from other repair videos too but confirmation was nice too). 3. the list of flows are also good (to know - I can sleep better haha). I absolutely agree with you re: built quality (being plastic and looking cheap) but considering the price (i got this on sale) etc, I can live with the flows. This makes me feel more comfortable with my purchase. I also love your PID installation video (but a bit pricey for me (yes i am a bit cheapscape haha) I felt I learnt more from your collection of videos so I thank you. Happy new year Joe and thanks again for your time and effort to make your videos - JoJo from Sydney AU.

[@JoeyVaracalli]

@@JL-sp8ss that’s awesome jo jo thanks so much

[@louisd95714]

Excellent review! You made valid points, and said what most others would not say. As for me, I wanted an espresso machine that can make decent espresso out of the box, so this is why I took the blue pill and went with the Breville Barista Pro.

[@JoeyVaracalli]

Yeah you should check out my comparison of the Breville and the gaggia I came to the same conclusion

[@nLTwiGGy]

Super honest review. I think all of your complaints about the Gaggia are valid. One of the reasons it's so loved by the espresso community at large is because of the many modifications (PID, OPV, etc) which elevate this machine to a much higher weight class.

[@JoeyVaracalli]

Yeah I totally agree. It’s a very good machine but with short comings. I think gaggia could add a pid for a pretty low price considering volume of sales

[@alexanderschmidt8305]

@@JoeyVaracalli I'm sure as soon as I buy the Gaggia they will release one eith a PID

[@JoeyVaracalli]

@@alexanderschmidt8305 yeah I gotta think they will do that now that the industry has grown so much in the last 2 years

[@alexanderschmidt8305]

@@JoeyVaracalli Especially since Rancilio Silvia has done it too.

[@JoeyVaracalli]

@@alexanderschmidt8305 yeah and you can get it in machines even cheaper like the bambino even though it’s a thermo block. What I really want to see come down in price is flow control machines

[@dazza9360]

Can you confirm that the painted GCP uses Stainless steel for the body as I’ve assumed that it was powder coated plain steel. Thanx in advance for your confirmation on this

[@JoeyVaracalli]

It does use stainless steel it’s just powder coated

[@Stantube1000]

no actually, they use zink coated steel for painted versions (like cars body panels), because it better holds the paint on it than stainless steel, which has very poor adhesion to its surface and also costs more, so it makes no sense to use stainless steel and then to cover it with paint. zinc coated steel won't rust unless you scratch it deeply and ruin the zing coating.

[@Dusty_D_Adventures]

Excellent video highlighting all the highs and lows of the GCP. I just bought one of the 30th Anniversary models as an upgrade from the Breville Infuser I currently have. I paid $600 and change Canadian for the GCP and as much as I would LOVE to step up to the Rocket Appartamento, that is priced at $2600 Canadian here. Add on 13% of taxes and it's about 4 times the price of the GCP with taxes. The Lelit Bianca is at over $4000 Canadian. Maybe someday I'll make that jump to the sexy Appartamento. In the mean time I'm just going to have to fine tune my process with the GCP. :)

[@JoeyVaracalli]

I think the appartmento is great in terms of looks and it’s definitely better then small single boiler but you can do much better for less in terms of functionality.Here is a quick list at or below the price. Quickmill arnos, lelit Mara x, crem one hx, and honestly the Breville dual boiler punches way above its weight class but build isn’t quite as nice since it’s got more plastic and electronics

[@peregrineslim4446]

The Appartamento is five times the cost of the Gaggia where I live, so the value option is always the Gaggia.

[@JoeyVaracalli]

Yeah couldn’t agree more.

[@hittemni]

First 😁, nice video, great job on the pros cons of the machine, I agree with you, has a learning curve. PID helps a lot with the steam duration

[@hittemni]

Also it may accumulate a Lil rust/gunk if you are not careful when cleaning behind the tank, under the drip tray and insides

[@JoeyVaracalli]

Yeah the pid is very nice

[@JoeyVaracalli]

@@hittemni totally agree

[@eugenuku]

hi, what did you put on top of the basket to keep shower screen clean? I did not get it. thanks

[@JoeyVaracalli]

amzn.to/3BrtvBp

[@skytrooper506]

Is this the EVO model? I bought the EVO and it's advertised as 9 bar. After 8 months I just can't get good espresso. It's generally bitter and just awful. Thanks for the video!

[@JoeyVaracalli]

No this was the standard model but I changed the spring out to make it 9 bar. Also bitter bad espresso is generally controlled by a lot of other factors other than the machine itself

[@thorsadventures2441]

Shades of coffee in UK has wood steam handle and low drip tray

[@JoeyVaracalli]

Yes that’s definitely a nice addition to this espresso machine wish it came from the factory like that

[@stephaniegibson6903]

Great video ang good job on pros and cons!

[@JoeyVaracalli]

Thanks steph

[@RodrigoFerreira-jy2ld]

Great video! Do you consider GCP is a good upgrade for me (I own a Sunbeam Barista Max)?

[@apleparulo3958]

Excellent video! I've been eyeing the GCP and Rancilio Silvia. Do you think the Rancilio has the same pros/cons & caveats as the GCP?

[@JoeyVaracalli]

That’s a great question it has similar caveats but different. Because it’s a bigger boiler the temp still swings but much slower and you can repeat shots a bit quicker and easier. But because the boiler is bigger switching to steaming takes a lot longer and switching back to espresso takes longer as well but you get a longer amount of steam to get milk so you don’t have any tapering when steaming milk. If you go all the way to the Silvia maybe go with a heat exchanger like the lelit Mara x or the hybrid style machine the quick mill silvano evo

[@XCNbt]

Hey joe. would you put gaggia with a eureak manual? would it be a good fit? Great review!!

[@JoeyVaracalli]

Yeah I think it’s a pretty good grinder especially if your in Europe cause it’s cheaper over there

[@XCNbt]

@@JoeyVaracalli im also kind of trying to decide upwards between the ECM CASA V and the bezzera hobby. what would you recommend?

[@JoeyVaracalli]

@@XCNbt go with the eureka

[@DeadSpaceFreakZ]

Hey great video! Btw, do you start the timer as soon as the first drop appears or when you press the button down?

[@JoeyVaracalli]

I started doing it when I press the button down but you can probably do either and it’s ok just make sure the timing is different for first drop more like 20 to 25 seconds

[@aldogalvezcanseco1763]

Thanks for the video! Is there any place you suggest to buy the PID controller?

[@bonbooty6611]

Shades of coffee dot UK. I’m waiting for them to be back in stock to get mine

[@stephenthomas7440]

Wholehearted agreement; regret the purchase as well as the grinder (Rancilio). If you really want to make your own espresso, go with the higher-end products. That is exactly what I am going to end up doing if I decide it's worth spending more time and money on. Thank you for the review, I loved it.

[@JoeyVaracalli]

Thanks so much Stephen I think it’s good but I agree with you in a lot of ways if you get an e61 you will end up with a better product in the cup plus it’s just much more enjoyable

[@BrownProductionsTV]

I replaced my steam knob with an ash one from shades of coffee. worth it for around 20 bucks

[@CrashWong]

why 15gms of coffee when most use 18gms?

[@JoeyVaracalli]

I was using an ims pro series rated for 15grams of espresso

[@ThingsIdRatherBeDoing]

I'm still struggling to get better espresso and good milk for art, but most of that is probably me. The low height is super annoying, so is the steam knob, and the wand positioning. I will assume the results are my fault, but the everytime frustrations are theirs. I'll be sticking with this a good while, however, can't afford to jump around.

[@JoeyVaracalli]

Yeah the next meaningful step up is a ton of money so I don’t blame u. Latte art is hard on it because the pressure drops as your steaming atleast that’s been my experience.

[@dirkl216]

@@JoeyVaracalli The one thing i did to try to improve the steam pressure is to raise the temp in the PID for steam. It improves time to get to steam temp and allows to get more in before the pressure drops. Usually it cuts down on the overall time to texture the milk.

[@joeylazio5989]

Awesome video man! I’ve been searching for my first espresso machine for what feels like weeks now haha. Would you recommend this for a beginner? Im looking to Spend between 300-600 dollars. Love the utilitarian look to this. Seems like it would last a long time. Your thoughts and recommendations are super appreciated!

[@JoeyVaracalli]

Yeah I think this is one of the only machines that’s has longevity/repairability in that price. The other I would say that’s worth a look is the Breville bambino. What grinder are you buying that’s the next big question

[@joeylazio5989]

@@JoeyVaracalli do you prefer this or the bambino yourself?

[@JoeyVaracalli]

@@joeylazio5989 I think for me it’s a real toss up. I like it a bit more cause I took the time to install a pid and opv spring if you done plan on doing that I’d say go with the bambino and upgrade the portafilter and your good to go

[@tertia0011]

Good video. I will watch your Gaggia Classic Pro vs Breville Barista Express before making comment.

[@peregrineslim4446]

The Lelit Bianca is seven times the cost!

[@JoeyVaracalli]

Sure is. And probably not worth it for 99 percent of people

[@sparkled8sparkle735]

I bought this model from Amazon, I set it up, and out of the box the highest water temp it produces is 72c (!!!) It needs to be 90-96c to make anything drinkable. I dialed in a grind for a 28-30 second shot with 15g and made a few shots. They were bitter and sour. Horrible. So effing disappointed. Scheduled amazon return the same day I unboxed. Gaggia demonstrates they have zero QC to release a machine this defective.

[@JoeyVaracalli]

Yeah unfortunately it does run very hot 🥵 they really should put a pid in it to make it better

[@keto4life197]

Same here bought at local webshop... Would help if Joe Varacali actually read what wrote before answered.

[@DNA2000-8bit]

#gaggiacutaway

[@JoeyVaracalli]

Lol 😂

[@rocheuro]

great review. honest. I really enjoyed watching. For people starting their hobby ok, but be aware of learning curve and time spend on perfecting your espresso. I will probabily go for a bit more easier model - a bit more -"baristafool-proof" ;)

[@JoeyVaracalli]

Yeah I can agree with that sentiment. Basically you have to want to learn and become a hobbyist