Best home espresso machine I have ever had

Advantages: Looks great, heavy duty, relatively easy to use, authentic Italian, Good customer service
Disadvantages: Can be messy

...I have had 4 different espresso machines, this is the latest and greatest, it is one of my favourite possessions and I think it is absolutely superb. The machine has a classic/traditional look which I love. The Gaggia logo badge finishes the machines look well. I have the polished chrome plated version of this machine. It has big solid illuminated switches which are clearly laid out on the front of the machine. In using this machine I notice the high quality of the components and the machine overall. The chrome plated solid brass filter holder has a reassuringly heavy feel to it. Being solid brass the components hold the heat very well. There are 2 stainless steel filters to use for different strengths/amounts of espresso. It has a large removable water tank which holds 2.1 litres of water. This machine has a powerful 15...

allans1 11.10.2003 · Read review
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Review of Gaggia Classic

Gaggia Classic Design Problems

Advantages: Looks good and makes superb coffee.
Disadvantages: Frustrating to use and occasionally verging on the dangerous.

...I'm a difficult person to buy presents for, so when I mentioned to my husband last summer that I liked the idea of an espresso machine it was inevitable that one would appear on my birthday. He went for what seemed to him to be the best of the domestic machines - the Gaggia Classic - as it's a well-built basic machine with none of the frills which rarely get used and have the potential to cause problems. It will also make a cappuccino, but not a filter coffee. The Classic is also one of the most powerful domestic machines - water is forced through the ground coffee with 17.5 bar of pressure. To give you some idea of how powerful this is, my central heating operates at 1.5 bar. An espresso coffee is so-called because it comes from the Italian for express. It's meant to be brewed and drunk within a matter of seconds - minutes...

SueMagee 05.07.2005 · Read review
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Review of Gaggia Classic

Great Machine!

Advantages: Quick Work-Out, Cheaper than Power Plates, Great Results
Disadvantages: Only tones your body, doesnt keep you fit.

...the next day! My legs were aching like i'd done a cross country run the previous day. Even though i was aching, i was extremly happy, knowing that this machine had its job. I now use this machine 3 times a week, varying my exercises. I feel much better for it, and noticed my body toning all over. The Machine The options on this machine are pretty basic, but then how much do you actually need to exercise? You have 6 buttons on the control panel. Two control the level of speed the plate vibrates, one starts the vibrating and one stops it. The other two are your timer and program functions. There 3 programs pre-installed into this model, which automatically set the speed and levels, there is also a manual option where by you can control the time and level when exercising. The time can be adjusted from 1-10 minutes. Theres not much you...

Mark_K 27.03.2008 (28.03.2008) · Read review
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Review of Crazy Fit Vibration Massage Plate Exercise Machine

Great budget performer

Advantages: Cheap, good pump pressure, easy as pie to use.
Disadvantages: Recent units use aluminium -can corrode

...We drink a hell of a lot of coffee here and this is the culprit! It is cheap, its pretty well made and is a great introduction to a good espresso (or cappucino, frothy hot choc etc) The unit design has not changed much since they were released but some are now shipped with an aluminium coffee ground holder. This isn't a big problem but it wont last forever as the old bronze and chrome ones will. The pressure is good enough to pour a great espresso with good crema provided you get the grind fine enough. This is pretty much the same as many of the 'better' models- including an aluminium boiler- so descale as little as possible! The unit is fast to heat up, the pump pressure is good but it does have only one boiler- so multiple cappucinos can be slow- you need to let the unit heat up and cool down between milk foaming and drawing...

tyneman 29.10.2008 · Read review
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Review of Gaggia Espresso

The new Gaggia Titanium that broke!

Advantages: Large water tank, Speedy, Compact, Easy to customise and use
Disadvantages: Body finish could be better for the price; Brew unit (plastic) is not very sturdy

...After owning a Krups Crematic combi machine for 5 years, I wanted to own something a step up, although there was nothing really wrong with the Krups and it served me well on a daily basis. Although the new Gaggia Titanium has been out for at least a few months there don't seem to be any reviews of it yet, so I hope this is of help. I was in 2 minds whether to plump for this model or the slightly cheaper Gaggia Synchrony Digital Compact. The main reason the Titanium won was because the water tank was double the size of the Compact, the look was better, and the features were improved. One of the other differences between these two models is the Titanium has an "active" cup-warmer whereas the Compact has a "passive" cup-warmer. Active means it has it's own heater, not just the heat from the machine. So - on with the review. Set-up was...

sarobin 26.04.2005 (01.08.2005) · Read review
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Review of Gaggia Titanium

Delonghi EC330S Espresso Machine

Advantages: well priced, very easy to use
Disadvantages: steam arm is temperamental

...I bought the Delonghi EC330S after realising I was slowly emptying my bank account paying for numerous Starbucks' every week (even more after they opened one a two minute walk from my flat). Definite plus point in its appearance, it looks stylish and fits in well in modern kitchens especially. It does make good coffee, and although you need to warm the machine up, once you're used to doing this it really isn't a hassle. Although the previous reviewer recommended stocking up on pods, I would advise anyone to either buy coffee beans and a grinder or buy fresh coffee ground for espresso machines, as pods don't really make the most of having a machine such as this. A disadvantage of having this product are the steam arm is very temperamental and sometimes just doesn't emit much steam (despite being thoroughly cleaned). Also, if...

nodoubtaboutit 09.05.2008 · Read review
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Review of Delonghi EC330S

Magnificent Espresso - Delonghi Magnifica Auto Espresso Machine

Advantages: Excellent consistent espresso. Fully automatic. Easy to use and maintain.
Disadvantages: Initial outlay. Large footprint on worktop.

...sure I gave it a good read. The manual was very easy to understand and before long I was happy to move on and try the machine out. Here comes the good bit! What is a Super Automatic? Described as the dogs danglies, a super automatic is truly the most sophisticated and advanced espresso machine you can buy for the home. They cost in excess of £300 up to £2500 and are the simplest way to brew excellent espresso and coffee drinks. The most recognisable brands in the super automatic arena are DeLonghi, Gaggia and Jura. DeLonghi and Gaggia are very similar with their machine specifications and price point, between £3-750 where as Jura will start at around £900 upto £2500. Some of their machines even connect to the internet which is slightly overkill! Although the Magnifica is one of the cheaper machines it is still an expensive purchase...

atlantis140 14.11.2009 · Read review
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Review of Delonghi ESAM 3200 Magnifica

I scream for ice-cream! Gaggia Gelatiera

Advantages: Simple, quick, easy to clean
Disadvantages: Some might consider it quite big

...12!) to allow the refrigeration unit to settle again. The manual provides instructions with option for using a removable bowl, or the internal bowl, and comes with paddles for both. I chose to use the removable bowl, simply because I thought it would be easier to wash up at the end! If you choose this option you have to add a small amount of water and alcohol (I used vodka!) to the internal bowl, I presume so that the removable bowl doesn't get stuck inside the machine when it cools. After this you simply place the internal bowl into the unit, slide over the paddle, and fix with the nut so it doesn't come loose, and you're all set up! Then you press the "cool" button (easily identifiable by the snowflake) and leave the unit for 5 minutes to cool down... ~*AFTER 5 MINUTES COOLING TIME*~ Here I was pleasantly surprised, all I had to do...

Ostinato 22.07.2009 · Read review
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Review of Gaggia Gelatiera

Gaggia-ing for a Drink

Advantages: A wonderful array of hot drinks
Disadvantages: Other than price, none

...After a long day's shopping in Nottingham recently our final port of call was House of Fraser and the wonderful smell of coffee wafting around the shop floor led us to the Gaggia display counter. The barista immediately asked us if we would like a drink and it seemed a shame not to, so black coffees were produced for hubby and myself and a hot chocolate for the grandson. The salesman/barista was passionate about his products and told us all about them at length and our eye was caught by one particular model, the Selecta, which was on promotion at half price. For a limited period this machine was on sale for £134.99 instead of the usual, double priced amount. The beauty of this machine is that as well as being able to take the pods which we still had left from another machine, it also makes tea from bags or loose leaf tea...

patriciat 30.10.2006 · Read review
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Review of Gaggia Selector Deluxe

Gagging for a Gaggia

Advantages: high status, easy operation
Disadvantages: plasticky feel, noisy, needs finely burr ground coffee

...I was lucky enough to win the Evolution expresso maker in the 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 do this if you shove the machine a little. The 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...

cootuk 22.02.2005 · Read review
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Review of Gaggia Evolution