#gaggia — Public Fediverse posts
Live and recent posts from across the Fediverse tagged #gaggia, aggregated by home.social.
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I finally got my old Gaggia Classic espresso machine serviced. It needed a new pump and steam valve, and got some bolts and gaskets replaced. They also turned down the pressure, which I forgot to ask them for.
It’s 18 years old now, so it was due for an overhaul. I actually thought it would be much more expensive than it was. I like that it is so servicable and that it is still possible to get it fixed after so many years.
I’m hoping it’s going to make better coffee than ever, and that it will work 18 more years!
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I finally got my old Gaggia Classic espresso machine serviced. It needed a new pump and steam valve, and got some bolts and gaskets replaced. They also turned down the pressure, which I forgot to ask them for.
It’s 18 years old now, so it was due for an overhaul. I actually thought it would be much more expensive than it was. I like that it is so servicable and that it is still possible to get it fixed after so many years.
I’m hoping it’s going to make better coffee than ever, and that it will work 18 more years!
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Progress! Ready to consolidate (dis)assembly notes, remove the labels on the casing, and start scrubbing. When it was leaking it build up some residue on the interior of the case that I need to get rid of, and it's time for general maintenance so I'm taking the opportunity to clean EVERYTHING, and replace the consumable parts that are ready for it.
The PID I have is from Shades of Coffee (apparently the steam gauge is not) and their instructions were exceptionally good, plus the online support guy was willing to answer questions about water, so I'm going to get replacement parts preferentially from them. Debating whether to switch out the boiler for a brass one (more resistent to corrosion mainly, but also benefits temp stability) instead of replacing like-for-like if it doesn't clean up well enough. Will replace O-rings and gaskets regardless. Tempted to make a handful of other smaller part upgrades but I hope to talk myself down from some/most of them.
I do want to incorporate a scale though, which I don't have yet. Already have a PID so I don't think the #Gagguino route is a good match, but data logging would be really nice. Recs for a standalone solution for that? I know @adafruit has a guide for one option, which I could pare down to the minimalist aesthetic I prefer. Being able to grab readings from the PID would also be excellent but I don't have high hopes that's possible.
I have discovered coffee refractometers but I did successfully talk myself down from going that far. For now.
#Gaggia #GaggiaClassic #espresso #DIY #diy_electronics #repair
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Progress! Ready to consolidate (dis)assembly notes, remove the labels on the casing, and start scrubbing. When it was leaking it build up some residue on the interior of the case that I need to get rid of, and it's time for general maintenance so I'm taking the opportunity to clean EVERYTHING, and replace the consumable parts that are ready for it.
The PID I have is from Shades of Coffee (apparently the steam gauge is not) and their instructions were exceptionally good, plus the online support guy was willing to answer questions about water, so I'm going to get replacement parts preferentially from them. Debating whether to switch out the boiler for a brass one (more resistent to corrosion mainly, but also benefits temp stability) instead of replacing like-for-like if it doesn't clean up well enough. Will replace O-rings and gaskets regardless. Tempted to make a handful of other smaller part upgrades but I hope to talk myself down from some/most of them.
I do want to incorporate a scale though, which I don't have yet. Already have a PID so I don't think the #Gagguino route is a good match, but data logging would be really nice. Recs for a standalone solution for that? I know @adafruit has a guide for one option, which I could pare down to the minimalist aesthetic I prefer. Being able to grab readings from the PID would also be excellent but I don't have high hopes that's possible.
I have discovered coffee refractometers but I did successfully talk myself down from going that far. For now.
#Gaggia #GaggiaClassic #espresso #DIY #diy_electronics #repair
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I like the aesthetics of the machine but the price is three times higher than a #Gaggia Classic 🤯
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Going Analog: Temperature Surfing and Pressure Profiling a Gaggia Classic
There’s something wonderfully unhurried about making espresso on a Gaggia Classic. No touchscreen, no digital timers, no automated pressure curves, just a few switches, a boiler, a vibrating pump, and your own rhythm. It’s a machine that doesn’t offer convenience so much as opportunity.
But with that analog charm comes a learning curve. Why was yesterday’s shot bright and balanced, and today’s is flat and dull? The answer, most days, lives in temperature and pressure, and your ability to guide both by feel.
This guide walks through two essential techniques that unlock the Classic’s full potential: temperature surfing, to hit your ideal brew temp without a PID, and a clever bit of manual pressure profiling using the steam valve to mimic a lever machine’s declining pressure curve. It’s easier than it sounds, and a rewarding way to make this machine feel like your own.
I should note these techniques are also applicable to the ultra budget Gaggia Espresso (we even show it in some photos later!), the Rancilio Silvia, and even higher end machines like the Profitec Go; pretty much any single boiler machine that allows pass-through the steam wand.
I’ve owned a Classic for a long time now, and this article is inspired by my own experiments.
Part 1: Temperature Surfing : Learning the Boiler’s Rhythm
The Gaggia Classic uses a thermostat to control its single boiler, which means the water inside is constantly drifting between too hot and not quite hot enough. Brewing at random risks pulling a shot during one of those extremes.
Temperature surfing is how you learn to ride that wave and brew in the sweet spot – around 92 to 95°C – depending on what you’re aiming for in the cup.
Step-by-Step: Temperature Surfing
- Heat your machine fully (20 minutes minimum). Lock the portafilter in during warm-up to keep metal temps stable.
- Purge about 60 ml of water through the brew head. This drop in water level triggers the heating element and drops the internal temp.
- Watch the brew-ready light. When it clicks off, that’s your signal the boiler’s just hit its upper limit.
- Start a timer. Now comes the surf.
- Hotter shot (for darker roasts)? Wait 10–15 seconds.
- Brighter acidity (for light roasts)? Wait 20–30 seconds for a slight cool-down.
- Pull the shot at your chosen wait time.
A simple notebook or even a Notes app entry helps here. Jot down your wait times, beans, and how each shot tasted. You’ll find your rhythm faster than you think. And you don’t even need a thermometer to make this magic happen, just your tastebuds.
Part 2: Pressure Profiling – The Lever Hack
Most people assume the Classic’s pump is either on or off. But it turns out, there’s a bit of gray in that binary: the steam wand knob.
If you crack the steam valve while the pump is running, you can bleed off brew pressure in the grouphead, actively. And if you do that intentionally during a shot? You’ve just created a manual pressure profile: no modifications, no electronics, just a twist of the wrist.
This simple trick lets you emulate the declining pressure curve found in spring lever machines. Those machines start extraction strong, then gently taper pressure off toward the end of the shot. The result? Smoother finishes, richer sweetness, and less harshness from overextraction.
There is a price: water usage and potential temperature issues. You use a lot of water for this technique, and if you go aggressive with it, the machine’s boiler may not be able to keep up with the temperatures you want. Saying that, it’s not necessarily a bad thing – declining temperatures later in the shot pull can help deliver better espresso (but that’s a topic for another article).
Here, we do the pressure profiling trick on the Gaggia Espresso, and this machine may even be a better tool for the technique, given it has a thermoblock, and not a 100ml boiler like the Classic does.Here’s how you do it.
Step-by-Step: Manual Pressure Profiling
- Prepare your puck. Dose, level, and tamp as usual.
- Start with the steam valve open slightly. When you flip on the brew switch, water exits both the group and the wand. Keep a jug under the steam wand to collect the water coming out. This keeps pressure low (~2–3 bar), gently saturating the puck for a soft pre-infusion.
- After 5–7 seconds, close the valve. Pressure builds to full (around 9 bar) and true extraction begins.
- At around 20–25 seconds, begin reopening the valve. Slowly. This eases the pressure off gradually, mimicking that classic lever ramp-down.
- End the shot when you’ve reached your desired volume or taste target.
You’ll hear the pump pitch shift as you bleed off pressure, and the flow from the grouphead will slow and thicken rather than gush and blond. It’s espresso by feel, and it’s deeply satisfying. On CoffeeGeek, there’s also a more detailed guide for this very action.
A Word on OPV Valves
Most modern North American Gaggia Classics ship with a 9-bar OPV (overpressure valve), which helps keep pump pressure within a manageable range. If your machine is older, or comes from the EU, it might still have the factory 12–15 bar spring.
If that’s you, it’s worth looking into an OPV spring replacement. You’ll find dozens of tutorials online, and it’s a relatively easy mod. Lowering pressure gives you more room to play with profiling and improves extraction with lighter roasts.
Maintenance, Briefly
A clean machine makes all the subtleties of temperature and pressure show up more clearly in the cup. Make sure you’re keeping your machine clean and happy to get the most out of these techniques.
- Backflush daily with water, and weekly with espresso machine cleaning detergent.
- Clean the grouphead gasket and screen daily if you use the machine often.
- Descale every few months if your water isn’t filtered or softened.
Beyond the Basics: Making Your Espresso Machine Truly Yours
The Gaggia Classic and machines in this class aren’t just an entry point into espresso, it’s a companion for growth. The more time you spend with it, the more you realize how alive this little machine can feel in your hands. With a bit of patience, it stops being a simple appliance and becomes an instrument you learn to play.
A fully temperature surfed, pressure profiled shot pull on the Classic; comparable to $7,500 machines!Temperature surfing helps you find the sweet spot for every roast, turning what could feel like guesswork into a kind of conversation between you and the coffee. Meanwhile, pressure profiling opens the door to exploring a wider range of beans than you might expect. A delicate washed Ethiopian, a syrupy Brazilian natural, or even an experimental anaerobic: all of them respond differently when you control not just if the water flows, but how it flows. Gentle preinfusion, steady body-building pressure, and a graceful ramp-down can reveal flavors that might otherwise stay hidden.
These techniques aren’t just “workarounds.” They’re small rituals that bring you closer to the shot in front of you. You’ll notice more clarity, more sweetness, and far less of the harshness that sometimes sneaks in with a flat, one-pressure-fits-all approach. Over time, you’ll build an intuition for what a coffee needs and the confidence to give it just that.
So take your time, experiment, and let yourself enjoy the process as much as the result. I’d love to hear how these approaches work for you! Share your experiences in the comments below. Your story might be just what someone else needs to try something new with their own Classic.
#espressoMachine #gaggia #pressureProfiling #temperatureSurfing
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CW: caffeine drink, unconventional
I tried brewing yerba mate with my espresso machine using the tea profile that comes with gaggiuino and I don't think I ever had yerba this delicious before. A classic gourd doesn't come close at all.
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After a week of being serviced, I finally got my #Gaggia back!
Double espresso time! -
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However, after the second error I had in a week (the machine wouldn’t heat up the boiler) I decided that life is too short to deal with yet another computer just to make coffee, so I reverted back to the original stock wiring in my #Gaggia, and man what a relief. It’s just a simple machine doing what it has to do and I couldn’t care less about coffee profiles and what not.
I guess the learning here is don’t put another touch screen in your life if you don’t have to
2/2
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Not so long ago I decided to hack my #Gaggia espresso machine with the #Gaggiuino mod. It’s an interesting project if you want to tinker with the machine and learn how it works. The documentation could be better, especially because they expect that if you need any more information you should go to their Discord, which I kind of hate. Give me a nice wiki with most common issue and I’d be happy, thank you very much
1/2
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Great video on how to maintain your #Gaggia Classic Pro:
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So only a year after ordering the kit, I finally got around to upgraing my Gaggia Classic Pro with the Gaggiuno mods this week. Just after they release a newer PCB and larger screen 😩
Other than a minor leak (water and high voltage, what could go wrong!) it worked first time. When I next upgrade I do want to redo some of my wiring and routing though, could be better.
Definitely want to make my own JST cables, soldering them together was a right pain.
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So only a year after ordering the kit, I finally got around to upgraing my Gaggia Classic Pro with the Gaggiuno mods this week. Just after they release a newer PCB and larger screen 😩
Other than a minor leak (water and high voltage, what could go wrong!) it worked first time. When I next upgrade I do want to redo some of my wiring and routing though, could be better.
Definitely want to make my own JST cables, soldering them together was a right pain.
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A friend of mine has been complaining that no matter what he does his espresso machine never produces crema.
I’m just beginning my espresso journey, but I’m old hat at talking trash. So, I sent these photos, saying;
“Crema you want, crema we got.”
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Finally bit the bullet & purchased my first espresso machine. (Shhh, my beloved #mokapot doesn’t quite know this yet.)
The timing of the purchase may or may not be related to another purchase we just committed to.
Stay tuned to see both appear.
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Finally bit the bullet & purchased my first espresso machine. (Shhh, my beloved #mokapot doesn’t quite know this yet.)
The timing of the purchase may or may not be related to another purchase we just committed to.
Stay tuned to see both appear.
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Last night, was setting up the bar area for both a photoshoot later today, and also a small focus group coming over to test these budget espresso machines. Missing from the pic: a Flair Neo Flex $100 manual, portable espresso maker.
Should be... fun? :)
cc @espresso
#espresso #espressomachine #gaggia #breville #budgetespresso
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Last night, was setting up the bar area for both a photoshoot later today, and also a small focus group coming over to test these budget espresso machines. Missing from the pic: a Flair Neo Flex $100 manual, portable espresso maker.
Should be... fun? :)
cc @espresso
#espresso #espressomachine #gaggia #breville #budgetespresso
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Newly arrived, not even unboxed yet, the $250 Gaggia Espresso Evolution machine. Has a lot of promise to become the new super budget king, and will directly compete against the Breville Bambino (non plus model).
Interested in the machine? Check out Coffee Kev's review.
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Newly arrived, not even unboxed yet, the $250 Gaggia Espresso Evolution machine. Has a lot of promise to become the new super budget king, and will directly compete against the Breville Bambino (non plus model).
Interested in the machine? Check out Coffee Kev's review.
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One of the great things about ground breaking machines like the Breville Bambino Plus is that their success in the market pushes other manufacturers to catch up and try to match and surpass those efforts.
For instance, the new Gaggia Espresso lineup. $250, PID controlled, rapid response machine, Italian made, preinfusion, programmable volumetric shots, and looks pretty good too. How does it stack up? I'll know in May!
#espresso #gaggia #espressomachine
cc @espresso
Gaggia has a ton of info and vids on the machine, here:
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One of the great things about ground breaking machines like the Breville Bambino Plus is that their success in the market pushes other manufacturers to catch up and try to match and surpass those efforts.
For instance, the new Gaggia Espresso lineup. $250, PID controlled, rapid response machine, Italian made, preinfusion, programmable volumetric shots, and looks pretty good too. How does it stack up? I'll know in May!
#espresso #gaggia #espressomachine
cc @espresso
Gaggia has a ton of info and vids on the machine, here:
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Bin auf der Suche nach einem (gebrauchten) Programmierkit 996530009845 für #Philips #Saeco #Gaggia etc.
Gerne Boost für mehr Reichweite. Danke
#Reparatur @reparatur @repaircafe_de @repair #ReparierEcke
https://www.lfersatzteile724.de/artikel_2/kit_program_serkit_2005--5118911
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Bin auf der Suche nach einem (gebrauchten) Programmierkit 996530009845 für #Philips #Saeco #Gaggia etc.
Gerne Boost für mehr Reichweite. Danke
#Reparatur @reparatur @repaircafe_de @repair #ReparierEcke
https://www.lfersatzteile724.de/artikel_2/kit_program_serkit_2005--5118911
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I’m so happy! Managed to disassemble the solenoid valve, clean it and put it back together. There was no water flow on the grouphead, now it’s like new! #Gaggia #GaggiaClassic #Coffee
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I’m so happy! Managed to disassemble the solenoid valve, clean it and put it back together. There was no water flow on the grouphead, now it’s like new! #Gaggia #GaggiaClassic #Coffee
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Well hello there, solenoid valve!😂 #Gaggia #GaggiaClassic #Coffee
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Well hello there, solenoid valve!😂 #Gaggia #GaggiaClassic #Coffee
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I don't know how I managed to do this, but when I posted the First Look for the #Gaggia Classic Evo Pro, I totally forgot something.
When we redesigned and relaunched CoffeeGeek.com in 2021, I migrated and updated a bunch of old reviews. One of them was the #FirstLook for the Gaggia Classic, initially posted in 2003. I forgot to link that in the 2023 Classic Evo Pro first look.
It's an interesting time capsule into how our website reviewed equipment 20 years ago.
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I don't know how I managed to do this, but when I posted the First Look for the #Gaggia Classic Evo Pro, I totally forgot something.
When we redesigned and relaunched CoffeeGeek.com in 2021, I migrated and updated a bunch of old reviews. One of them was the #FirstLook for the Gaggia Classic, initially posted in 2003. I forgot to link that in the 2023 Classic Evo Pro first look.
It's an interesting time capsule into how our website reviewed equipment 20 years ago.
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So the #fediverse voted in a poll I ran 2 days ago, choosing which product I'd complete the review for next. The Gaggia Classic Evo Pro had the lead with 24%, and 135ppl voting.
Well, here it is! Our First Look at the #Gaggia Classic Evo Pro machine, new for 2023. Does this #espresso machine maintain and elevate the legacy of Gaggia's 45 years in home espresso machine tech? Let's find out!
https://www.coffeegeek.com/reviews/gaggia-classic-evo-pro-espresso-machine-first-look/
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So the #fediverse voted in a poll I ran 2 days ago, choosing which product I'd complete the review for next. The Gaggia Classic Evo Pro had the lead with 24%, and 135ppl voting.
Well, here it is! Our First Look at the #Gaggia Classic Evo Pro machine, new for 2023. Does this #espresso machine maintain and elevate the legacy of Gaggia's 45 years in home espresso machine tech? Let's find out!
https://www.coffeegeek.com/reviews/gaggia-classic-evo-pro-espresso-machine-first-look/
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Here's CoffeeGeek comprehensive First Look at the new 2023 Gaggia Classic Evo Pro espresso machine.
Has Gaggia lived up to expectations? Have they delivered a nicely matured version of a machine they've been selling for 45 years? Our First Look does dive into this.
#gaggia #espressomachine #gaggiaclassic #firstlook
https://www.coffeegeek.com/reviews/gaggia-classic-evo-pro-espresso-machine-first-look/
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Here's CoffeeGeek comprehensive First Look at the new 2023 Gaggia Classic Evo Pro espresso machine.
Has Gaggia lived up to expectations? Have they delivered a nicely matured version of a machine they've been selling for 45 years? Our First Look does dive into this.
#gaggia #espressomachine #gaggiaclassic #firstlook
https://www.coffeegeek.com/reviews/gaggia-classic-evo-pro-espresso-machine-first-look/
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Okay folks, you voted, and you picked the Gaggia Classic Evo Pro as the next Review / First Look to be published on CoffeeGeek. Thanks for voting!
It will launch tonight; but in the meantime, check out our blog post on the launch of the Gaggia Classic Pro, back in 2019.
#espresso #coffee #gaggia #gaggiaclassic #espressomachine
https://www.coffeegeek.com/new-products/gaggia-introduces-the-gaggia-classic-pro/
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Okay folks, you voted, and you picked the Gaggia Classic Evo Pro as the next Review / First Look to be published on CoffeeGeek. Thanks for voting!
It will launch tonight; but in the meantime, check out our blog post on the launch of the Gaggia Classic Pro, back in 2019.
#espresso #coffee #gaggia #gaggiaclassic #espressomachine
https://www.coffeegeek.com/new-products/gaggia-introduces-the-gaggia-classic-pro/
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Did you know you can pressure profile with a #Gaggia #Classic Evo Pro, right out of the box, no hardware hacks, no OPV valve trickery, no nothing?
It's rudimentary, but I've run pressure gauges on the grouphead and it definitely works. A deft hand on the steam knob can manage pressure from 9BAR (the OPV max) down to 1.5BAR.
Here''s a quick vid of how to do it.
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In case you were wondering, here's the original, 1977 #Gaggia Baby machine. I initially thought it was an ABS plastic body, but I've been told the main orange parts are painted metal. Very similar silhouette to the current Gaggia Classic Evo Pro.
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Interesting #espresso #history factoid.
The #Gaggia Classic is based on the original Gaggia Baby design from 1977, at least externally.
I bet you didn't know its look was designed by a famous Japanese designer, Makio Hasuike. It's not the first time there's been a Japanese / Italian crossover in design either. One famous one: the Japanese #Nikon F4 was visually designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro.
Here's some more on Hasuike, the designer Gaggia used.
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OK, completely switched gears this eve, and nearly completed the First Look for the Gaggia Classic Evo Pro instead of finalizing the Breville Smart Grinder Pro review.
Because I ❤️ my fellow #fediverse folks, here's the conclusion from my draft article. Will be posted on CoffeeGeek.com later this coming week.
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Not sure how I missed this a month or two ago, but CoffeeKev compared the Gaggia Classic Evo Pro to the Breville Bambino Plus #espresso machine, and it's like... A REALLY GOOD comparison between the two.
The machines compete on price point, but are two extremely different approaches to home espresso. Kev does a great job of breaking down the differences.
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OK. This is a crazy good deal. I was just recommending the #Gaggia Classic Evo Pro to someone here on Mastodon, when I noticed Whole Latte Love has it marked down the $399 for a weekend sale.
That's a crazy, crazy good price! I mean the Gaggia Classic was $399... in 2004!
If you're in the market, this is probably the lowest price you will find for the highly moddable machine.
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Also, a bit of pimping out of the #Gaggia Classic today - I need a chopped #portafilter option for the machine so I can run certain tests - and I opted for this really nice white handle aftermarket one, to match the white body.
I actually bought two PFs, because I could not find a white-handle Gaggia 58mm PF. But I could find this white handle on a 53mm BREVIILE portafilter.
I bought that, and also a Gaggia 58mm chopped PF with wood handle. Then just swapped the handles between the two.