Gaggia Classic Pro Espresso and Cappuccino Maker Review 2022: Quieter brewing, outstanding milk frothing, and quick cleaning are just some of the Gaggia Classic Pro’s strong points. This espresso machine, the newest update to the Consumer’s Digest Best Buy in 2011, has innovative features that you can only find in commercial devices. It’s a polished stainless steel casing so it won’t rust, and it’s only a quick wipe away from washing.
The two exciting features make this espresso machine interesting- improved mounts for pumps and steam wand for commercial use. The former reduces the noise that we learn when brewing and frothing, while the latter lets you achieve latte arts that are of barista standard. If you’re not happy with all of this, keep reading our comprehensive analysis.
What is the Gaggia Classic Pro?
Gaggia Classic Pro is a semi-automatic pump espresso machine with commercial quality features that somehow simplifies the complexities of being a barista. You should, of course, know the basics : the quantity of coffee, the size of the ground, etc. : and brewing and frothing/foaming are made simple and easy. It is the newest update to the Gaggia Classic, the go-to-level coffee machine that everybody enjoyed. Crafted in the heart of Espresso, Tuscany, Italy, it has everything you need to kick off your career as a Barista. The Pro model has commercial-grade features as the new version of the well-loved Gaggia Classic and has the same affordable price tag.
Design and Specifications (Gaggia Classic Pro Review)
On first look at the Gaggia Classic Pro, you will find elegance with its polished stainless steel case and simple buttons and controls. You won’t get to eradicate manual labor as a semiautomatic espresso unit. Yet you’ll undoubtedly know something with this computer that you can use in other commercial espresso machines. This coffee maker has a small footprint with a scale of just 9.50 around 8 / 14.20 inches and 20 lbs. weight. It has a compact design where you can see only three buttons in front of it : ON / OFF switch, BREW button, and STEAM button, each with a dedicated indicator light. There is a significant Gaggia Classic imprint right underneath these keys.
Some might not even notice it, but the machine’s top is a colder cup where you can bring about two cups to warm them up. The product manual is not specified, but the Gaggia Classic also has this feature. You can also see the Water tank lid at the top of the machine, where you can refill water without removing the tank. However, if you want to remove the water tank, you can do so by pulling it underneath the brewing machine. Before you can take out the water tank, you must remove the drip tray (and the grid) and drain plug.
And at the 47 oz. You can see the max water level in front of the water tank as you’re brewing. Likewise, if the unit is positioned sideways, the water level from the cutout they made on the stainless steel body can also be seen. After that, when the water tank is removed, you can keep this portion. We thought about the drain plug. It’s there for a purpose : it’s the passage from the coffee grounds of excess water. This coffee maker is fitted with a three-way solenoid valve that relieves the pressure off your ground coffee to provide a warm, readily available puck.
It has a commercial-grade steam wand with two holes, as stated several times above. This is either used for steaming / frothing milk for your cappuccinos or only for the hot water dispensation. A Steam / Hot water knob used to raise or decrease the flow of steam or water out of the steam wand can be seen to the upper portion of the panel’s right side. Both the drain pipe and the steam wand have a rubber grip that you can keep when running the system to avoid burns-a clever addition. The steam wand is compact, and you can take it off the grid to fit more giant pitchers of frothing. Likewise, if necessary, you can bring it to the grid to dispense water.
Features and Functions Gaggia Classic Pro
A semi-automatic espresso machine might expect anything more. Indeed, Gaggia in its Pro model gives you some exciting features you can only see in commercial coffee makers.
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Auto Switch-Off
The computer would automatically deactivate after 20 minutes of inactivity. It is for health and energy-saving. Turn it on as usual if you need to use the phone.
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Commercial Style Portafilter
It comes with a 58 mm chrome-plated brass portafilter that you can use out there on almost any commercial unit. It only weighs around 1 lb., with double spouts and a sturdy handle.
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Fast Heat-Up
The machine will be able to brew in five minutes with a single boiler. You need to wait 30 seconds for milk to steam.
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Pressurized Filter Basket
If you want to use just any coffee without grinding, you can somehow still get a nice crema in your coffee with the pressurized filter basket. To do so, you should bring the frothing jet tool into the filter holder before putting the filter basket under pressure.
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Seamless Design
The Pro model allows you easier access to the water tank, with the drip dray smoothly mounted to the unit’s rim, compared to its predecessors. The cover has a cutout that, for two purposes, exposes the bottom of the water tank : test the water level and put your fingers there when you remove the tank.
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Commercial Steam Wand
This has two functions-steaming / frothing milk and hot water supply. Since the steam wand has two holes in the end, however, this will allow you to make frothed milk in a nice texture. You’ll be able to get cafe-grade milk foam and froth with the right milk consistency and practice.
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Improved Pump Mounts
The mounting on the vibration pump includes in the upgrade effectively reduces the noise while brewing. And even though it isn’t as noisy as your commercial espresso machine, it can still produce excellent coffee beverages.
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3-Way Solenoid Valve
It is an excellent feature to after brewing gets the cool, dry puck. The valve opens when you turn off the BREW button and relieves water pressure from the coffee grounds. The water from it will go down to the drain tube (also known as a blowout tube by some) into the drip tray.
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Setup and Operation
While this espresso machine has different features, it’s effortless and straightforward to install and run. First-time users can easily understand the process by simply reading the manual on the device. So, we don’t have to give you all the step-by-step instructions, just an outline, plus some best practices while the system is being worked on. The first thing you need is to fill the reservoir with water up to the MAX level. It is better to drain it rather than refill it : you should clean it as well. When returning the water tank, make sure the two silicone tubes are inside the tank and are correctly hung : not twisted or blocked.
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Now, you can plug this unit into a compatible source of power. To turn the machine on, press the ON/OFF button, and the indicator underneath the button will light up. You must remove water from the steam wand when first using it. Click the STEAM button, turn the Steam / Hot water knob slowly in a counter-clockwise direction, then click the BREW button to dispense hot water.
Using a larger tub, dispense the water tank material through the steam wand. Just press the STEAM and BREW buttons again to avoid dispensing. Instead, close the knob, turning it to clockwise full. First, fill in the water and then cycle through hot water. This time to preheat the portafilter within the brew panel. Insert the basket filter into the filter holder and fit it into the machine for brewing.
To do this, the filter holder must be placed about 45 degrees to the left and then rotated to the right so that it locks in place. Make sure the filter holder is either perpendicular to the unit, or angled to the right. To steam the filter, press the BREW button to run hot water within the brew machine. That is it. You will refill the water, and now you can brew your first cup of coffee. Put your desired amount of coffee using the given filters : 1 cup or 2 cup filter.
Place the filter basket inside the filter holder and fit it under the brew unit. Put a cup of espresso under, then press the BREW button to launch your coffee extraction when you have enough coffee-1 oz. for a single shot and 2 oz. for espresso double shot, click the BREW button to stop brewing again.
Wait until the last drop of coffee gets into your cup. You will notice after you stop brewing that water flows through the drain pipe towards the drip tray. It’s the liquid from the coffee grounds, and you’ll get a dry puck of coffee.
Only turn the filter holder from left to right, then take it out. Tap the surface portafilter, and the dry puck is out. Perhaps you should throw them away or bring them out for recycling elsewhere. When you want to steam milk, remove the coffee cup from the machine and place the milk in the pitcher for frothing. Click the steam button to ready the steaming unit. When the light indicator is illuminated, turn the Steam / Hot water in the counter-clockwise direction to avoid any condensation, then turn back clockwise.
When you get steam out of the tip of the Steam wand, froth milk is now time. Dip the steam wand tip at an angle just under the milk surface. Not too deep to make milk foam, or not too shallow to make even more giant bubbles. This helps you to get a good milk foam by submerging the wand at the right rate. It’s manual frothing when you think it’s finished; you need to avoid this. You have to turn the knob clockwise absolutely before pressing the steam button to do so.
Click the steam button and brew button to get only hot water. To interrupt this cycle, click the button again. The Steam / Hot water knob lets you control the pressure of the steam. Remember that you can only dispense mist for up to 60 seconds or drain the boiler.
Cleaning and Maintenance of Gaggia Classic Pro
Because the coffee machine’s body is made of stainless steel, the liquid spills can be quickly cleaned with a towel, not abrasive. You should promptly purge steam through the steam wand after steaming/frothing and wipe it with a cloth. It’s suggested that you make every after using a quick wipe off the surface : be careful, as it may be dry.
In addition to cleaning the steam wand and the unit’s surfaces, it is also recommended that you clean the filters and filter holder to remove residue from the previous brewing. Just use freshwater and dishwashing liquid for the water tank and the drip tray but never use abrasive cleaning equipment.
When it hasn’t been used for two weeks, you should set up the computer the way you first did. Similarly, to avoid any mineral accumulation in your system, it is recommended to do descaling every 2 months. This will allow you to get the best degree of espresso every time you extract your coffee from the Gaggia Classic Pro.
Should You Buy This? Gaggia Classic Pro Review
Second, most of us can test the item’s price. This costs a little more as compared to other semi-automatic pumping machines out there. But, as it has features found only in commercial coffee machines, it’s understandable that the extra cost. Yet, for real baristas, we do not think it’s a coffee maker. It is so simple, and at the same time, you cannot even brew and steam. No grinder means you have to buy pre-ground coffee but to get good crema for any coffee comes with a pressurized filter tub.
However, the 58 mm portafilter is a significant benefit of this unit, plus the fact you can get only hot water from it. Also, the pressurized filter basket lets you know how actual baristas make their coffee. Finally, the commercial steam wand is something for beginners to enjoy and develop real skills with proper technique.
Conclusion
Simple and yet packed with features. Because of its beauty, an excellent add-on to anyone’s kitchen : a polished stainless steel casing is just great. It has useful upgrades that make coffee brewing exciting and exciting.
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Gaggia Classic Pro Espresso and Cappuccino Maker is a perfect one if you consider the range of functions it is offering. Buy this great machine without any hassle from the given links above. You can also learn some tricks as a semi-automatic espresso machine : the correct grind size and amount, water, and the perfect foam in milk.
Such things are teachable, but you know only which combination to your taste is right. Since the Gaggia Classic Pro has professional features, it will be simple for you to use other coffee machines, particularly those found in hotels and coffee shops of commercial quality.
