Gaggia RI9380 46 E24 Espresso Machine Brushed Stainless Steel

I've been enjoying coffee for almost sixty years. I've worked as a barista in my early twenties. I know my way around coffee; particularly when selecting beans; the roast; how to get the best grind using the best grinder; how to achieve the best cup of coffee using almost every conceivable method and device. These days I am prefer a delicious, smooth-bodied, crema-rich cappuccino when I wake up. Unfortunately, health concerns have limited me to just one cup of coffee a day, so I make damn sure I enjoy the best tasting espresso or cappuccino every morning. Ordinarily, I would have been using my time-tested and still reliable 1968 La Pavoni espresso machine. This machine took me over a year to master and once I had it down, no other espresso machine even came close to pulling the finest tasting espresso or caps you could drink. But the La Pavoni is a bulky and intensively time-consuming machine to use; especially in the morning once you're out of bed and your brain still isn't operating at 100% until AFTER you've enjoyed your coffee. I needed to find and purchase an interim type of counter-type of espresso machine. Oh, I will still use my La Pavoni for that special occasion, because there still isn't, in my opinion, a machine that can produce a finer tasting espresso or cappuccino than the La Pavoni. After about a month of intensive research, which included reading and evaluating every review and recommendation I could find, the Gaggia Classic Pro is the model that kept coming up as the best in its price range EVERYWHERE. And then I started looking at the Youtube videos. Almost to a video, it was the Gaggia Classic Pro that was heralded as THE espresso machine to buy in its price range. And another surprise: the Gaggia Classic Pro had been receiving this endorsement going back decades. Another big plus: Gaggia is an Italian company that has the inside scoop on coffee...that's all they do. They make coffee machines. I decided to purchase the Gaggia Classic Pro...and man oh man was this ever the right choice. It did take a couple of tries, even from this seasoned user, to appreciate all the ins and outs of this machine. The machine is far more sophisticated than it looks. But can it produce a satisfying espresso or cappuccino? And can it steam or foam up milk like no one's business (providing you know what you're doing and you don't scald your milk...and especially if you have a talent making espresso art)? I only use bottled water so as not to build up sediment inside the machine. I like to keep my equipment cleaned, well maintained, and operational at all times. You need to understand how this machine is put together in order to master all of its secrets. My suggestion is: check out the HUGE volume of Gaggia Classic Pro Youtube videos online. They will teach you everything you need to know in order to get your Gaggia to produce the type of enjoyable espresso or cappuccino you like. But you do need to understand how the boiler and the rest of the components work together if you really want to achieve the finest results from the Gaggia Classic Pro. I have paired my Gaggia Classic Pro with the latest model of Baratza's burr grinders in order to affect the perfect grind of the whole beans I use. And, by the way, I grind only the amount of beans I need for that morning's coffee. The balance of my 1Lb once a month purchase of whole beans are kept in a sealed, but valved container in order to release the CO^2 that coffee beans give off. I set the burrs to the finest possible grind setting. I have found with the Gaggia Classic Pro, one of the secrets is to NOT tamp down the coffee to the point of a severe compression. Make sure the amount of coffee is evenly dispersed and then lightly tamp it down. Don't forget to run hot water through the group head in order to preheat it. I also recommend purchasing an inexpensive hand held timer. You'll need it. You'll understand why after viewing many of the Youtube videos featured about the Gaggia Classic Pro. When you're ready to make your cup, place a preheated cup under the group head and let 'er rip. When the light goes off, press the OFF button. Then follow the Youtube recommendations for using the steam wand, otherwise you will run out of pressure before you obtain the type of steamed or foamed milk you need. And make sure you clean off the steam wand IMMEDIATELY after use and then let a blast of steam go through the wand to unclog it on its inside. And always use bottled water. NEVER use tap water with a Gaggia Classic Pro. If you do, your machine will die an early death in a couple of years instead of lasting a couple of decades. I recommend the Gaggia Classic Pro with a full five star rating. It is, without any doubt, the finest espresso machine anyone can purchase in this price range. It offers superior workmanship made from superior components and materials; it is a remarkably well-engineered device; it is an attractive model to place on your kitchen counter; it is easy to clean and maintain; and it will produce for you the tastiest espressos and cappuccinos at home for you to enjoy. Read more

Here's an update after over four years of daily use, something I wish more Amazon reviewers did. There are now many more options at all price points for home espresso machines, but still nothing at this price that beats this one imo. The current model has upgrades including a brass boiler. It still lacks a steam wand with an articulated ball joint but rather still has the two-piece assembly that allows the wand to rotate but not adjust the angle to the pitcher. I finally had to make two repairs -- replacing the group head gasket and the o-ring in the above-mentioned steam wand rotating joint. It is an ongoing chore to clean it and stop encroaching rust in the case bottom which tends to get and stay wet if you aren't vigilant. Bar Keepers Friend works well for this, and Cafiza powder works for general cleaning. It must get a descaling treatment at least once a quarter. Eventually bolts and some other metal parts that come into contact with water will need to be replaced. Parts are readily available online including from Amazon, as are instructional videos. I ought to be able get at least another four years of use from it. In sum, I'm satisfied. As I said originally, it is reliable and durable by home appliance standards but lacks the commercial robustness of more expensive machines. At this price it keeps its stars. This is what they call a SBDU (single boiler, dual-use) machine with one boiler for both heating water for brewing espresso and steaming milk. It is a basic design with roots going back to 1991, but it still works, and costs nearly $400 less than the Rancilio Silvia, probably the next step up at $830, $600 less than the ECM Casa V at $1,049. Upgrades, mods, replacement parts and accessories galore are easy to find. As seen in the photo, I swapped out the stock plastic drip tray for a lower profile one that my daughter 3D printed for me, though a molded ABS plastic version can be bought online, and apparently Gaggia has now come out with a steel one. This, together with the bottomless portafilter that I bought here on Amazon, allow for much more room beneath the portafilter for larger cups and scales. There is no PID temperature control with this machine, but I find if I let it warm up for at least 20 minutes, and then flush a little water out just before pulling the shot to make sure it isn't too hot, I'm fine. Larger, heavier machines that cost well over $1,000 have some worthy additional features, including larger dual boilers and PID temperature control. Breville now makes comparably priced machines with more features, including PID, but they have a track record of lack of build quality, durability and serviceability. So for me, this Gaggia remains the best choice, as the Silvia is beyond my budget. I should have bought one 20 years ago. One caveat. This is well-made for a home appliance intended for relatively light use, but not commercial-grade build quality, and I doubt it would stand up to heavy daily use for many years as a commercial machine must. Still five stars, as I don't see a better option for a SBDU machine at anywhere near this price. Read more