Hey @PT90

Our GC is used about 5x a day pretty much exclusively for milk based drinks. I don't have much counter space so need fairly small footprint.

What's your budget?

 

Great question. Based on the options I have seen already, I don't think that I need to spend more than £1k. My inclination is towards Hx machines and there seem to be some options at that price point. If the perfect thing costs a little more I could wait and save but would have to be for a reason. I am very happy to go down the second hand route and don't require the latest model etc.

 

Hi @PT90. I recently upgraded to an ACS Minima from a GC. My usage is similar to yours. Minima is perfect for me. I got it direct from ACS in Italy and it worked out around £1300. It’s an odd looking machine (which I like).

 

How much import duty did you have to pay?

 

No duty as it’s built in an EU member country (Italy) I paid VAT an 20% and a £15 DHL charge.

 

Sitting around the £1000 mark, maybe the likes of a Profitec Pro 400? HX and plenty of steam and ability to repeat shots with more stability than your Gaggia.

 

I am looking to upgrade my pre-2015 Gaggia Classic. I don't have a PID, mainly for aesthetic reasons, to my shame. So maybe that is all it takes.

Our GC is used about 5x a day pretty much exclusively for milk based drinks.

I have recently done a PID upgrade on my GC because I wasn't happy with the consistency/repeatability of shots. I have to say it has improved the machine far beyond my expectations! I'd say keep your money in your pocket for now and give the PID a go,

I use the GC 2-3 times a day, mostly of milk based drinks, and for 1-6 people at a time. Pre-PID I used to dread pulling multiple shots because the first shot was generally pretty good and the following ones varied wildly, that's all in the past now.

If you're happy fitting the PID yourself I'd say give it a try. I used a PID kit and tidied it up with the Shades of Coffee TopBox. I also added the pressure gauge while I was at it and that's proven to be useful. For the money I'd say it elevates the machine way above it's station. If you make the modifications and still feel the need to upgrade at least you'll have added value to your GC and will achieve a better price if you sell it.

 

I had upgraded from a PID modded with pressure gauge and pressure control knob to a full on double boiler crem one.
The best thing about the swap is that I can now do back to back drinks milk or not without any pause. Great with guests around and luckily both of us in the house drink plenty coffee.

If it were just me and I’m only making two drinks a time tops few times a day I’d probably mod the Gaggia to get the most out of it first, will probably give you a lot of fun and more time to gather funds if you still want an upgrade (?)

Saying that, I got mine modded so I cheated.

If I were to compare what I had with what I have now, I think if you’re not very bothered about exact repeatability on profiling then the Gaggia modded is as good as anything else, minus the obvious wait times If you need for it to cool down, and it only has one boiler if you need a lot of steam…(?)

 

I agree. PID it. Be happy for a while. Consider next move. Our use case 2-4 shots. Mostly milk drinks. Mignon Specialita and Gaggia GC PID.

I added PID and shallow drip tray to our GC (which had rancilio wand, bottomless pf, ims screen and opv set when it arrived from these forums). There were no top boxes at the time and I am lazy now about getting one and redoing the wiring and heat insulation to refit the PID just to get the pressure gauge.

The coffee is nice post PID. A tiny bit better subjectively (probably due to temperature accuracy). Or that is just placebo effect. Definitely not unrecognisably "better" than the "best results" from before. And why would it be. Same beans. Same grinder. Temperature is more accurate to target and in a narrower part of the prior range shot to shot. Pressure same. What it is - is way more consistent. I can pay less attention to driving the machine and anticipating the oldstyle thermostat. So reliable results at the brew step.

The issues driving variation now are my sloppy puck prep and perhaps some timed dose variation from the specialita. I do weigh - but not every time and just broadly trust the timed dose so I get only what I deserve.

I sometimes still use poor mans pre-infusion (wand outlet as pressure off ramp - and then ramp the pressure by closing when espresso first appears.

As to a genuine upgrade on a "fully" or thereabouts modded GC.

I think the Elizabeth is an interesting sideways to upwards choice. Clever and convenient in a small package. Automated pre-infusion. Fairly rare and yet some forum noises about some issues. And less obvious a candidate to triggers broom repair at home. The MaraX seemed interesting also as a "clever" HX. I don't want a needs flushing HX - just different bs than the classic. Doesn't feel like an upgrade.

Profitec have bought out several more models since I last looked.

My take then was that the "worthwhile" step up was really to a Bianca or ECM/Profitec equivalent of it but that is a 2k machine all day long. And probably drives grinder and other prep tool gear acquisition syndrome thereafter.

If you can wire a plug or have ever dabbled in electronics then fitting relays and a PID to a GC is not rocket science. Mr Shades instructions are solid. But it is fiddly nonetheless.

Labelling the wires carefully when you remove and dismantle the front switch is essential for it to go back together properly. Factory wiring colours at Gaggia as built over the years do not necessarily follow the diagrams on the internet. So ending up with mystery wires to trace is undesirable. Ask me how I know - my post it strips fell off. Damn it.

 

Thanks so much all! I am leaning towards PID-ing my GC, maybe with a dimmer mod to just because. Letting that get me through and keeping an eye out for a MaraX, Profitec Pro 400, or, unlikely but maybe, an ECM Mechanika. Dangerous words but I feel like any of those would be my endgame.

In ruminating on this I have also come across the Belleza Chiara, which appeals because it has PID and I don't see the point in the hot water arm. Anyone any experience of this machine?

@Abcan , how are you getting on with your Minima? I am with you, I like it's aesthetics!

 

Thanks so much all! I am leaning towards PID-ing my GC, maybe with a dimmer mod to just because. Letting that get me through and keeping an eye out for a MaraX, Profitec Pro 400, or, unlikely but maybe, an ECM Mechanika. Dangerous words but I feel like any of those would be my endgame.

In ruminating on this I have also come across the Belleza Chiara, which appeals because it has PID and I don't see the point in the hot water arm. Anyone any experience of this machine?

@Abcan , how are you getting on with your Minima? I am with you, I like it's aesthetics!

Hi. The Minima is great. It’s a lot easier to pull a consistently good shot than the PID’d GC. The biggest difference is being able to steam without waiting after pulling a shot. It saves so much time. I think if I were in your position I’d not bother spending money modding the GC and go for the Mara X (or the Minima, which is whatI did)

 

I'll throw a curve and suggest that, if you make 5 milk drinks a day, you may enjoy the steam performance of a heat-exchanger machine over the Gaggia.

 

I feel like I’m betraying the Gaggia.
But this appeared on eBay

VBM Domobar Analogica Espresso Machine Brand New - Xmas Special | eBay

The Domobar Analogica has an easy fill water tank and lever operated pump for making espresso and a steam wand for preparing the perfect hot milk. There are 3 of these available.

www.ebay.co.uk

Admin maybe consider moving this to the eBay links bit?

(It’s not my listing!)

 

That is a nice looking machine and a good price but it’s not enough of an upgrade on a GC in my opinion. No PID? I’d go as far as saying a PIDd GC would probably give you better results.

 

I think I know the answer but is an ECM Classika a daft option given I drink milk based drinks? I very rarely make anymore than 2 at a time and it appeals because it is compact, has a PID, apparently ECMs ate built to last, and also spares me the unnecessary (in my eyes) additional.hot water arm.

There is perhaps an argument to say I have gone back around go the Minima.... Oh well. There are just too many options!

 

I think I know the answer but is an ECM Classika a daft option given I drink milk based drinks? I very rarely make anymore than 2 at a time and it appeals because it is compact, has a PID, apparently ECMs ate built to last, and also spares me the unnecessary (in my eyes) additional.hot water arm.

There is perhaps an argument to say I have gone back around go the Minima.... Oh well. There are just too many options!

😂😂 Another good machine. If you can manage the wait for the boiler to heat after pulling your shots then go for it. I still think you’d be better off with a HX machine or DB.