Hey All
Like the 5 million people that have no doubt come before... I treated myself to a Gaggia Classic this Christmas
Now, I have spent an unhealthy amount of time reading up on espresso, tamping, distribution etc etc, however, I have only had a few drinkable shots.
I have been throwing Hasbean and locally roasted beans at my setup and getting buggar all in return.
I can pour an acceptable (not great by any means) shot, and then repeat EVERYTHING exactly and get an awful awful shot on my next attempt.
Now I am pretty sure my problem is my grinder, I know they are often the weak link, and this is a very weak grinder. A Solis 166.
I have done the mods to make it finer, but I just don't think it is capable of creating a good consistent grind. One minute it can choke a machine, the next, its gushes through, even when dose and tamp remain consistent.
So predictably, I am after some advice from people who have taken this journey before me.
I want to replace this grinder with something more suitable before I go mad.
Sorry for the long post guys, just wanted to give a bit of background and pre-empt some of the questions you might ask
Thanks in advance you lovely lot
Aaron
Like the 5 million people that have no doubt come before... I treated myself to a Gaggia Classic this Christmas

Now, I have spent an unhealthy amount of time reading up on espresso, tamping, distribution etc etc, however, I have only had a few drinkable shots.
I have been throwing Hasbean and locally roasted beans at my setup and getting buggar all in return.
I can pour an acceptable (not great by any means) shot, and then repeat EVERYTHING exactly and get an awful awful shot on my next attempt.
Now I am pretty sure my problem is my grinder, I know they are often the weak link, and this is a very weak grinder. A Solis 166.
I have done the mods to make it finer, but I just don't think it is capable of creating a good consistent grind. One minute it can choke a machine, the next, its gushes through, even when dose and tamp remain consistent.
So predictably, I am after some advice from people who have taken this journey before me.
I want to replace this grinder with something more suitable before I go mad.
- Budget is £250 or so.
- I only drink espresso or espresso based drinks.
- If I can get this working and convince myself I am capable of good shots, I might upgrade to a better machine in the future, I lust after a Rocket R58, a grinder that would produce suitable grinds for that kind of budget would be ace, but I know this might be unrealistic goal.
- I have a Gaggia Classic that has been modded with Silvia steam wand, and pressure lowered to 9bar.
Sorry for the long post guys, just wanted to give a bit of background and pre-empt some of the questions you might ask
Thanks in advance you lovely lot
Aaron