exclusive finish that express the different tempers of the product. A user-friendly design, the front water reservoir that is removable sideways,the large space...
Gaggia Evolution - Black
The Gaggia Evolution. Special care is given to its design with clean and definite lines, ... more
valuable materials and exclusive finish that express the different tempers of the product.A user-friendly design:the front water reservoir that is removable sidewa...
valuable materials and exclusive finish that express the different tempers of the product.A user-friendly design:the front water reservoir that is removable sidewa...
Gaggia Evolution - Silver
The Gaggia Evolution. Special care is given to its design with clean and definite lines, ... more
valuable materials and exclusive finish that express the different tempers of the product.A user-friendly design:the front water reservoir that is removable sidewa...
A review by webfoot on Gaggia Evolution March 21st, 2003
Author's product rating:
Performance
Good
Ease of use
Satisfactory
Durability
Long
Cleaning & Maintenance
Fair
Value for money
Good
Advantages:
Compact and durable
Disadvantages:
Faulty twin spout and needs at least 5 minutes to warm up .
Recommend to potential buyers:
yes
Full review
If you are a spontaneous buyer like me - you see it - you like it - you buy it, then, like me, you may own several items which you wish you had researched first.
This was the case with my Gaggia Expresso Evolution.Nearly a year ago, I walked into Owen & Simpson in Dorchester, a specialist Kitchen Shop, saw it and bought it. Most small businesses cannot afford to display whole product ranges and this was the only model in stock. It may have been their professional choice but I didn't ask.
Later I found that there is a whole range of Gaggia machines to tempt the punter. At www.ishop.co.uk, for example, as well as machines costing £500, there is the Expresso at £125, the Expresso De Luxe at £153 and my Evolution at £129.
The De Luxe does not appear from the blurb to be any different from the Expresso, apart from offering "superior" tasting coffee. The Evolution however is unique in that it has an easy-to-fill removable transparent water container which slides in at the side and is easily visible. Presumably its purpose is to be seen at a glance before preparing the next cup.
I now have to make the painful admission that, as a coffee addict, I prefer good filtered coffee to expresso coffee, but because my Latin wife prefers expresso, I capitulated. I would advise any prospective purchaser of an expresso machine to be sure that this is their preferred taste, and not filtered, because there is a distinct difference, especially, if like me, you don't take milk or sugar.
So what of Evolution's qualities? It has a dual spout which means you can put two small cups side by side for simultaneous filling. Personally we both put one larger cup under the two spouts and enjoy a decent size cup of coffee.
The unique thing about expresso is that lovely frothy topping which Gaggia Evolution produces perfectly; however unless you leave it to warm up for at least 5 minutes, the machine usually produces only luke warm coffee.
Our machine has two faults. The dual spout under the coffee basket frequently falls off and I have found it in the bottom of my coffee cup on several occasions. It is not easy to screw it back on.
Secondly, on occasions and for no apparent reason, during the coffee making process, hot fresh coffee runs down the handle and all over our worktop. Checking the tightness of the locking process does not seem ot improve it.
A minor irritant also is that the water container is not too easy to slide into place and the slightest knock will cause water to slop all over the place.
To summarise, I wish I had persuaded my wife to buy a filter coffee maker for reasons previously stated, but on the assumption I would not have succeeded, Gaggia expresso coffee is OK, and I am proud to offer it to my friends who all enjoy it.
Perhaps other models have their own niggling faults too but I have learned to live with mine. I look forward to my morning coffee with great relish and when my new kitchen is ready, I am sure the Gaggia will still be there. It looks like new, showing no signs of wear.
...Ebay Xmas Treasure Hunt. Apparently Gaggia were out of stock in europe for a few weeks, so I only received it mid February. If you order one then make sure you order from somewhere that actually has stock!
The machine comes well boxed with simple instructions.
Negatives:
The main unit is made of plastic and feels like it will break as you hold it to twist the coffee holder in to place. The water container also can easily slop water whilst you ... ...water pump isn't exactly quiet either as it primes.
You are also recommended to use coffee ground in a burr mill rather than a bladed grinder (for that authentic expresso crema), though pods are an easier alternative. A burr mill is an extra expense and not exactly cheap. Positives:
It makes good coffee, and also has a steam outlet for frothing milk. Cleaning is fairly simple, as is the occassional descale.
Overall if I had paid £150 then I would ...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
...me. I like this gaggia it gets hotter and steams much better then the krups. The filter spoon is much bigger and heavier (better for keeping your brew hot)
I dont find the water tank a problem at all, just dont fill it too full, The clear tank is great for keeping an eye on the water level inside. The smaller filter basket supplied is ideal for pods, gaggia pods make a great espresso but I also like ones from cafepods.com.
I bought my machine reconditioned ... ...and seems as good as new.
So I can recconmend this machine as I can find little wrong with it, These types of machine come in many different price ranges but I feel you would have to spend a lot more to get a significantly better machine. And why go to all the fuss of a grinding machine just use pods. ...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Advantages: great coffee-good value for money machine Disadvantages: water refill can be a bit messy
...out water if your not v careful replacing it.
I had problems with steam leakage after 21/2 years and sent it back to Gaggia for servicing-it cost £60 for a full service and all parts but my machine is now as good as new-so cheaper than buying another one...... ...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful
Advantages: Very easy to use and get up and running with nice coffee Disadvantages: Takes a while to warm up, you need a jug of just the right size to froth the milk
...I was given this GaggiaEvolution (Grey) for my birthday and have now been using it for two weeks.
Overall I am really impressed. The machine is simple in design, easy to get the water in and to see how much is left, simple three button system on the top of the machine (one to turn it on, one to start the pumping of hot water for coffee, one to heat the water up for milk steaming) and one dial on the side (to get the steam flowing out for frothing the mlik)
Almost anything that could get splashed with coffee, coffee grounds or milk is really easy to remove and wash - the drip tray has a bigger capacity than your espresso cup will have!
The operation process is easy. You fill up the clear reservoir with water and turn it on. You than have to wait at least 6 minutes (and in practice longer is better) for it to warm up for making...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
25.08.2005
