I have had the machine for a week now and I make 2 coffees a day. I come from an Izzy espresso machine that cost about 60 euros and broke after 3.5 years.
With such good reviews and the well-known Gaggia brand in the industry, this machine couldn't go unnoticed on my list. After talking to 2 other friends, one of whom is a barista, they told me that this machine is the best for less than 400 euros, so I ordered it.
Unfortunately, I don't have the money for a grinder yet, so I rely on pre-ground coffee. For years, I have been buying Espresso Gusto Dark Roast coffee from Dimello market. The result that the machine gives is truly on another level compared to what I was used to. Where do I start?!
1) It heats up in seconds. From the moment you turn it on, it takes no more than 30-45 seconds for the red light to turn on. With a well-known trick on YouTube, by opening the air (right button) for exactly 30 seconds when turning it on, the boiler doesn't lose temperature during the extraction. It doesn't take more than half a minute because then it will develop more pressure than desired for extraction and we will have what is called channeling.
2) It makes good frothy milk and quite quickly. I'm not a barista, but over time, this machine gives you the push to learn a lot.
3) All parts are easy to clean. The coffee maker doesn't take up more space than necessary compared to the old one I had, which was twice as big. Gaggia saves space as it is tall, and in a small kitchen with minimal counter space, it "saves lives."
The only negatives I managed to find are:
1) The drip tray came slightly crooked in two places - it's as if a dog bit it on one side, so it doesn't fit into the plastic container. I contacted the place where I bought it, and they will send me a new one wherever I want.
Edit 2/2/2023 (10 days of use): I received the new drip tray, everything is fine! Just to mention that it has a protective white film that is not visible at first glance but can be removed. When I first saw it when I opened the package, I thought it came in the wrong color.
2) (The reason I deduct one star) Also, another negative I noticed by carefully reading the various leaflets that come with the machine is that it only has a 1-year warranty from Gaggia. Now I wonder, which serious company gives only a one-year warranty for their high-end products??? The previous Izzy machine, which cost 60 euros, had a 2-year warranty! Other reputable companies in the industry with professional products, such as Sage (Breville in America), also offer 2 years of warranty for their machines.
Based on my recent personal experience, I would recommend either buying it from Skroutz, which guarantees the legal 2-year warranty for electrical appliances within the EU, or buying it from a store that you know is an authorized reseller and assures you in writing that they provide a 2-year warranty!
Edit 29/3/2023 (3 months of use): I have come to one conclusion with certainty so far. If you want to upgrade your coffee experience and drink something 3 times better than coffee shops, before choosing this machine, buy a good professional espresso grinder. I believe that upgrading the machine is of secondary importance if you don't have a grinder
Edit 8/6/2023 (6 months of use): I am adding another star because the machine is amazing. I had to make 5 coffees in a row because we had a gathering early in the afternoon for a board game. Some requested freddo cappuccino and others freddo espresso. The machine worked overtime with a 15-minute preheating for the first cup and then I made the next one every 3 minutes. Within 20 minutes, I had 5 incredibly tasty coffees - according to what they told me themselves. Sometimes I believe that such tools, besides the personal joy they give you when you make something for yourself, show their value x10 when you use them for others to make their day, in our case with a simple but perfect cup of coffee!
Coffee I tried on 8/6/2023: Hausbrandt Arabica Gourmet Columbus (A detailed review will be done soon)
Grinder: Mignon Zero at the No.5 grinding setting (No.9 = the blades touch each other, making it flour)
