Gaggia Classic Review
Latest Reviews
“Gaggia Classic I recommend only if you really like...”
Written on: 06/04/2013 by diffenthal (4 reviews written)
I don't want to put anyone off buying this machine, but let's be clear, most people in the UK don't actually like espresso that much - they seem to prefer the milky rubbish which the coffee chains like to pretend qualify as sophisticated drinks. This is a semi automatic machine although several of the reviews here describe it as a manual. Your espresso will require patience and practice to get to the point you are genuinely happy with the end result. Beans, roast, fill and tamping all... (read more)
“Gaggia Classic I recommend only if you really like...”
Written on: 06/04/2013 by diffenthal (4 reviews written)
I don't want to put anyone off buying this machine, but let's be clear, most people in the UK don't actually like espresso that much - they seem to prefer the milky rubbish which the coffee chains like to pretend qualify as sophisticated drinks. This is a semi automatic machine although several of the reviews here describe it as a manual. Your espresso will require patience and practice to get to the point you are genuinely happy with the end result. Beans, roast, fill and tamping all... (read more)
“Qaulity, Robust Machine with a Heritage”
Written on: 27/10/2012
I bought mine off Ebay for £110. There's lots of them about as a lot of people just can't persevere and learn how to use them. You need to buy a quality milk jug and also a tamper. You also need to watch a few videos on Youtube to get to know how to foam milk. A temperature guauge for the milk is also a must. You can choose your own coffee and it is a lot cheaper than buying pods/sachets etc. Gaggia owners who have taken the time to learn how to make coffee properly would not revert to one... (read more)
“old machine purchased form terrible seller”
Written on: 26/12/2011 by jeui4n
It was a gift, and it was easy trying to decide if I should plug it in or send it back. (I don't like the way it looks) It's a 30 year old machine with a 30 year old design which is cheap. Most importantly, The bottom piece just slips out and does not stay put. I can imagine spilling the coffee every morning ~ I just don't like the way this drip tray dislodges itself so easily. There is nothing really to hold it and It seems so cheaply constructed. I hate the way you need to pull parts... (read more)
“I don't mind the fact that making coffee on this...”
Written on: 31/10/2010
I don't mind the fact that making coffee on this machine takes a little time. Indeed ,as several reviewers have mentioned, this aspect is part of the pleasure in making a decent cup of coffee. When it worked, it produced a fine espresso and can make good cappuccino.
It's the quality of the machine which i take issue with. It's badly made . The instructions are less than clear. Were they translated from italian into serbo croat before being "translated"into english?
Its temperamental,...
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“Once we got it going the espresso coffee was good but...”
Written on: 25/09/2010
Once we got it going the espresso coffee was good but there are some poor design features! The top of the machine gets extremely hot, dangerously hot! To attach the filter holder it is necessary to hold the machine steady with the free hand and with all that heat this is potentially uncomfortable. Our experience with the new owners of Gaggia - Philips has been very bad. They stonewall on the phone and suggest writing but then don't respond to letters!
Our filter holder cracked quite...
(read more)
“I love my coffee machine more than I ought and more...”
Written on: 21/09/2010
I love my coffee machine more than I ought and more than I thought. It is a bit fiddly and took a while to remember the procedure, but now making it is all part of the process to enjoy a good cup of frothy coffee. I even take my Gaggia on holiday to France, much to the annoyance/amazement of my kids, so I can have a good cappucino first thing in the morning. One of life's simple pleasures! Being reminded to clean it for good flow of water would have been useful.
I have managed to lose both...
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“The Gaggia Classic makes good coffee it is a bit...”
Written on: 24/08/2010
The Gaggia Classic makes good coffee it is a bit fiddly to set up, and tricky to re-load water from empty. Unfortunately the warranty does not match the quality of the coffee! My filter holder is broken but Philips, who now own Gaggia, do not recognise this as part of the machine - even though you can't make coffee without it.
I am very happy with the machine and the coffee it makes but frustrated by the stonewall tactics of the 'support' staff. Remember to set aside £30 when you buy the...
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Josie Archer's Comment
Written on: 25/09/2010
I found this review very helpful because... it reflects our own experience with Philips (the owners of Gaggia) as poor on customer relations.
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“I find this product really hard to use. the...”
Written on: 13/11/2009 by vickidavies (14 reviews written)
I find this product really hard to use. the instructions that came with the product are not very easy to understand. When using the product it takes a lot of time and effort. i wouldn't advice any one to buy this product. it isn't easy and very time consuming. I just gave up in the end and put it in the cupboard. I never really used it properly i dont think. i wish i would have read a review or 2 before i brought the product. (read more)
“I have had my gaggia classic since january find very...”
Written on: 07/07/2009 by gaylard (1 review written)
I have had my gaggia classic since january find very easy to use with perfect foam, the foam came with practice and I bought the gaggia jug which holds the this machine is used daily and holds the heat (read more)
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Showing 1 - 10 of 24 Reviews
“The Gaggia classic is well worth buying and better...”
Written on: 03/02/2009
The Gaggia classic is well worth buying and better than expensive pod versions I prefer to grind my own coffee and my wife loves the mess I leave behind, I get away with it because I make her such good black coffee with a creme to die for. Would and will buy another one when this packs up, not worth getting fixed considering the price and I have seen them for £150, servicing is about £60-70 which isn't worth it. (read more)
“I'd echo other comments on the Gaggia Classic - the...”
Written on: 16/12/2008 by rogthedodge62 (4 reviews written)
I'd echo other comments on the Gaggia Classic - the bad reviews are very probably from people who haven't learnt to use their machine.
I've had mine for over 7 years and it's fantastic. I can make espresso, cappucino or latte at least as good as any coffee bar in Leeds. There's certainly enough steam pressure to froth the milk!!
Good coffee beans (Whittards for me) and a decent grinder (ascaso for me) are needed to get the best out of your machine. It's a manual and a single boiler so you...
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Tiamiazas's Response to rogthedodge62's Review
Written on: 18/02/2011
It offered an explanation as to why some reviews were so bad. I can understand that if someone is like me, a complete coffee making novice then I am not to expect a rival to my fav starbucks latte overnight.
<br/>
<br/>I would like to have had this person come and spend an hour with me as they clearly know what they are talkingabout :-)
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“I think that any bad Gaggia Classic reviews may be...”
Written on: 16/10/2008 by Bikerbird (1 review written)
I think that any bad Gaggia Classic reviews may be because people don't realise when they buy them that there is a fair amount of work involved in producing a good cup of espresso with a manual pump machine. Personally, I enjoy the fact that it is a bit technical but this may not be everyone's cup of espresso.
Also I'm sure there are few 'Friday afternoon' machines out there but mine doesn't seem to be one of them.
I managed to get a great latte at my second attempt. The first one was a bit...
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“I have had this machine for 4 years now and continue...”
Written on: 27/08/2008 by Loon326
I have had this machine for 4 years now and continue to love using it. The manual controls give a greater sense of satisfaction when everything comes together.
TIP: Remove the black Gaggia plastic frother to 'stretch the milk' ('frothing' is so yesterday) directly from the steel stemer.
If you're worried about cleaning, I recommend the backflush device you can buy to clean the system every week or so.
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“Well capable of producing good shots of espresso coffee. ”
Written on: 02/06/2008 by uklincsman (2 reviews written)
Well capable of producing good shots of espresso coffee.
Not possible to back-flush so coffee residues end up inside machine, shower plate needs cleaning often
Milk frothing hopeless - too long to reach steaming temperature and attachment feeds too much air - result is more like shaving foam where it should be a micro foam
Good cappuccino should be 1/3 espresso, 1/3 steamed milk and 1/3 foamed milk. Only way to get close is to preheat milk in microwave to reduce effects of the Gaggia foaming...
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“My advice is ignore reviewers who can't use this...”
Written on: 22/05/2008 by fatherches
My advice is ignore reviewers who can't use this machine : it's EXCELLENT. Great espresso with wonderful thick crema (sugar won't sink through it !). I use cheap(ish) Lavazza Espresso beans, and a an excellent Gaggia grinder. I'd buy another Classic tomorrow if (heaven forbid) mine gave up the ghost. Easily cleaned (quick flush with water after emptying the holder) Mainly, excellent / wonderful/better than British coffee-house espresso and easily on a par with real Italian cafe... (read more)
Black Ghost 7's Response to 368180_fatherches's Review
Written on: 31/05/2008
Saying that though it isn't hard to beat British coffee houses, I have often wondered whether Britain is the worst country for coffee, I think the fact that most people prefer instant coffee (which they call 'real') to that 'black machine stuff' says enough! Thanks for your review.
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“buy this machine a bit expensive but you won't regret it!”
Written on: 24/01/2008
buy this machine a bit expensive but you won't regret it! (read more)
“I would avoid this machine. The cheap De Longhi I had...”
Written on: 23/12/2007 by MikeFP (1 review written)
I would avoid this machine. The cheap De Longhi I had before made better coffee than the Gaggia. I've had mine back to the outlet at Glasshoughton three times. They're not helpful - full of lame excuses. They even had the cheek to charge me for the descaler when I brought it back for the third time! (read more)
“Have now bought another make, Briel Versatile Due,...”
Written on: 25/06/2007 by alicp (1 review written)
Have now bought another make, Briel Versatile Due, which was excellent to start with but now milk steamer has broken. Store unable to get spare part necessary to fix. (read more)
“I have just upgraded from a DeLonghi £50 machine to...”
Written on: 23/01/2004 by tcsr205 (21 reviews written)
I have just upgraded from a DeLonghi £50 machine to this Gaggia Classic. I was very excited about getting the Classic because I love the coffee making ritual so much. I'd heard it described as the Rolls Royce of coffee makers with talk of gold plated connections etc. I managed to get it for £240, which seemed like a pretty good deal. It arrived and I eagerly started to assemble it. This is where I started to get worried. I noticed that the drip tray cover was very badly finished. It had... (read more)
Tcsr205's Response to tcsr205's Review
Written on: 12/02/2004
Review update. I had to send my original machine back because the steam nozzle was leaking quite badly when the machine was turned on. It had always done so, but I had been thrown by a comment in the instructions about 'drips not being unusual on an espresso machine'. I decided that it was just too much though. It would half fill the drip tray in a few hours (meaning I couldn't leave the machine switched on for very long). I had bought the Classic from the Internet and as it weighs something like 20lbs I was dreading the postage cost for returning it. However, when I spoke to the company I'd ordered it from they convinced me to speak to Gaggia directly in case it was something simple. Gaggia were absolutely fantastic. They said that the unit was obviously faulty and that they would send someone out to replace it the next day. A new machine arrived at 8am the following morning! The courier took the faulty one away. Brilliant. The new machine does not leak at all, but it does still make the best domestic espresso I've ever had. Thanks Gaggia!
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Brianb's Response to tcsr205's Review
Written on: 06/11/2004
I fully agree with this reviewer. I've had a Gaggia Classic Coffee for over 3 years, I managed to get the one with the metal badge not the transfer. It does make great coffee, espresso or cappucino, just whatever you want!
<br>As for the black plastic piece left over, I think this may fit under the drip tray metal cover. The one with the misaligned holes! Yes mine are misaligned too, a small kink in the pipe helps.
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232955_Ipdahly's Response to tcsr205's Review
Written on: 07/03/2006
The little piece of plastic goes inside your drip tray under the metal sheet with holes in it.
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Eddy10's Response to tcsr205's Review
Written on: 11/05/2007
I've had my machine for 18 months worked brilliantly from day one, it's only limits is the coffee you use. I recommend Whittard of Chelsea strong roast coffee. 10 out of 10
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Guest's Response to tcsr205's Review
Written on: 05/06/2012
Currently I use Capresso-Jura Impressa J5 brewing syetsm. It's really expensive, yes. But this machine totally the greatest kitchen appliance I ever had. It can brew espresso, drip coffee, cappuccino..I definitely recommend Jura (Capresso) machines (not necessarily the one that I own, there are cheaper appliances). Quality always costs more. I also suggest BUNN coffee makers.It's really difficult to advise something since we don't know the funds you're ready to spend on your espresso-coffee machine
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Showing 11 - 20 of 24 Reviews
“had my Gaggia Classic for a month now. no probs so far. ”
Written on: 31/07/2003 by me.
had my Gaggia Classic for a month now. no probs so far.
but I notice that one has to follow (manual) instructions and additional info to the letter.
Thus, do remove the filter/coffeeholder immediately after you have made the coffee, dispense of the used coffee asap.
Otherwise the coffee grind hardens up and sticks to both the shower head and the coffeeholder.
Overall I share the view that making coffee takes longer, ie about 8 minutes all incl.
I used to prepare espresso with the classical...
(read more)
“Within a week of having the Gaggia Classic, the...”
Written on: 04/07/2003 by john amber.
Within a week of having the Gaggia Classic, the plating started wearing of. This was just the beginning. The steam valve leaked from about the second month and it was necessary to keep a cup under it to catch water whenever the machine was switched on. The motor stopped working after a year and the machine is now useless. The metal cup which holds the coffee gets stuck when you remove the handle and the only way to remove this is to run the machine after removing the handle so that after a... (read more)
120373_Me.'s Response to john amber.'s Review
Written on: 31/07/2003
had mine for a month now. no probs so far.
<br>but I notice that one has to follow (manual) instructions and additional info to the letter.
<br>Thus, do remove the filter/coffeeholder immediately after you have made the coffee, dispense of the used coffee asap.
<br>Otherwise the coffee grind hardens up and sticks to both the shower head and the coffeeholder.
<br>
<br>Overall I share the view that making coffee takes longer, ie about 8 minutes all incl.
<br>I used to prepare espresso with the classical Bialetti maker, ie. 6-7 minutes all incl.
<br>Equipment is more expensive now and more cleaning intensive, but the quality is worth the extra effort.
<br>A quick note on de-scaling (absolut essential) but I would use still mineral water for making coffee which circumvents the problem of scale.
<br>
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“I've had the Gaggia Classic for about 6 years. It was...”
Written on: 01/02/2003 by Dan Dartman.
I've had the Gaggia Classic for about 6 years. It was very expensive, and worth every penny. It produces perfect crema time after time. You would almost have to try to make it create a bad espresso. I use mine at least once a day and it has never stopped working. It is starting to show signs of aging, but after the amount I have used it, that is to be expected. I'm thinking of sending it in for reconditioning. I can't recommend it highly enough. (read more)
“After the initial drops of espresso, the Gaggia...”
Written on: 27/05/2002 by vitali.
After the initial drops of espresso, the Gaggia Classic Espresson Machine dispenses pure crema. It is good value for a machine of this caliber. Because it gives you complete control over the espresso making process, it took a few weeks for me to begin producing good espresso. Now that I have refined my tamping skills and honed the grind fineness, outstanding espresso is guaranteed. The Gaggia MDF grinder is an excellent complement. (read more)
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Stanleymatthews's Comment
Written on: 04/09/2010
I found this review very helpful because...I also had difficulty getting the warranty to work!