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Gaggia is the pioneer for introducing the concept of using water at high pressure over the coffee puck making the espresso. This technology changed the scenario since 1938 when he applied for a patent of his first ever commercial espresso machine working on this principle. In the same manner, the Gaggia 14101 Classic espresso machine is considered as a benchmark in concurrent times. The Italian manufacturer dominates most of the semi-automatic coffee machine brands with the Gaggia Classic espresso machine, the Gaggia espresso machine reviews reveal the real reason behind its popularity.
About Gaggia Espresso Machine
The Gaggia Classic espresso is a popular coffee maker of the semi-automatic coffee maker product line. Starting with Gaggia, it is an Italian brand which manufactures the Gaggia Classic espresso machine as well as other coffee makers and various kitchen appliances. Gaggia espresso is a renown Italian manufacturing company which was found in 1947 which started manufacturing the home espresso machines. However, the person behind the company owned a coffee bar well before settling with the company.
Classic Gaggia espresso machine 14101 also known as the Gaggia Classic RI9403 is not only one of the most popular but also the most useful semi-automatic coffee machine. Gaggia Classic espresso machine is a regular semi-automatic coffee maker which features a powerful steam wand along with the Gaggia latte art Pannarello wand. Also, using the components of the commercial grade enhances the quality of the coffee. The Gaggia Classic espresso machine has a three-way solenoid valve extracting and relieving the coffee puck like no other.
Working Gaggia Classic Espresso Machine
All the semi-automatic coffee makers work on the similar- principle and so does the Gaggia Classic espresso machine. The prerequisites of using the Gaggia Classic espresso machine to brew the coffee are the coffee grounds and manually controlling the brewing time(Barista skills). Because the main purpose of using the semi-automatic espresso machine Gaggia is utilizing its flexibility of brewing time.
The Gaggia 14101 Classic espresso machine uses the dual heating element to heat the water in its boiler and partially heating the coffee mugs. However, it will take up to five minutes to heat the cups and about twenty seconds to prepare the steam. Coming back to the working, the Gaggia Classic espresso machine will utilize the hot water from the boiler and putting it through the portafilter filled with the coffee puck. Further, it applies optimum pressure from the extraction pump and controlling it with the three-way solenoid valve. You will get to know about the working of the solenoid valve in the next section.
Lastly, the coffee that comes out of the portafilter has to pass through the double spout end. This gives you the final espresso from the Gaggia Classic espresso machine.
How to Use Gaggia Classic Espresso Machine?
Gaggia Classic semi automatic espresso machine is a premium coffee maker having the marine grade brass coated with stainless steel. The stainless steel body and tough components allow the smooth operation comparing it with another machine like the Gaggia Classic vs Rancilio Silvia, using Classic is smooth. Along with that, the rocker switch controls allow you to choose between brewing, frothing, or hot water.
Starting with the working of the Gaggia Classic espresso machine, this machine will require the coffee grounds which you can use form the pre-ground coffee product. In case, if you expect to grind the coffee beans by yourself then you will require a separate coffee bean grinder. Because the Gaggia espresso will not have a built-in grinder of its own. This is a bit of inconvenience you will have to face after buying any semi-automatic espresso maker.
After Grinding the Coffee
Moving ahead from the coffee grounds, after you grind the coffee beans of your preferred roast type, fill the portafilter with the grounds. You will have to manually tamp the grounds to make a tight coffee puck out of the coffee because the semi-auto is majorly similar to Gaggia manual espresso machine. Tamping itself is intricate to perform considering that tamping too hard or too little will result into improper brewing. Hence, tamping the coffee grounds using an optimum pressure using a tamper is necessary.
Thereafter, put the portafilter in its place i.e. the three-way solenoid valve. This solenoid valve is useful in brewing the coffee and also controlling the extraction pressure. The solenoid valve will control the pressure from the extraction pump with an instant start and shut off. It will utilize the brewing potential of the coffee puck completely.
The Mechanism
Generally, the extraction pump in other machines was the sole mechanism which controlled the extraction pressure. The pump would apply the pressure along with the flow of the water which brewed the coffee while passing through the tightly packed coffee puck. This mechanism always experiences a setback after the extraction is complete but the pressure is yet to decrease. Actually, the pressure build-up caused due to lack of vent locked the portafilter for a while. In fact, the puck gets stuck to the portafilter and had difficulty in its removal.
Whereas, in this case, the solenoid operating mechanism instantly introduces and shuts off the pressure once the extraction is complete. Hence, you won’t find any water logging or pressure build-up in the portafilter of the Gaggia Classic espresso machine. As the matter of fact, this mechanism allows you to brew the coffee one after the other.
In this manner, you can use the Gaggia espresso coffee maker by managing the brewing time manually. Mainly, three-way solenoid valve will keep the portafilter from locking.
- Click here to check out the best espresso machines on the market.
Types of the Semi-Automatic Espresso Machines
Espresso machines have a wide range of variants, each having different brewing mechanisms and technologies. In the same manner, the apparent product type i.e. the semi-automatic coffee machines will work on the similar principle with some changes in their brewing process depending upon their brands.
Moreover, the coffee machines will have different features, again depending upon their Gaggia Classic price tags and brands. Generally, the basic semi-automatic coffee machine will have at least an extraction pump, boiler, and a portafilter. Whereas, the advanced coffee makers will have some more features including the timer, solenoid valve like the apparent one, cup heating tray, etc.
Gaggia 14101 Classic Espresso Machine Review
Gaggia 14101 classic espresso machine brushed stainless steel has a stylish and rugged stance. Looking at the Gaggia Classic brushed stainless steel semi automatic espresso machine body along with negligible plastic components, the machine sets it apart with its elegant design. In fact, the easy to operate rocker switches on the center front of the Gaggia Classic espresso machine enhances the presence of the machine.
After reading the working principle of this machine, you are aware of the necessary efforts required from your side to brew an espresso. Although the components of the machine will have work on the electric power source you will have to control them all manually. It includes initiating the brewing process as well as ending it.
We have evaluated the working of each of its components in the Gaggia Classic reviews which is simple to understand.
Components of Gaggia Classic
You will find all the functioning of the components of the Gaggia machine in this section.
1. Design and Material
The Gaggia Classic espresso machine comes with a rugged body made from the brushed stainless steel material. Along with that, you can easily accommodate this machine anywhere in the kitchen because of its sleek design. In fact, the Gaggia Classic espresso machine with its 9.5 x 8 x 14.2 inches dimension makes its presence felt even in the giant kitchen. As well as, the sleek and short body of the machine is easy to accommodate even in the congested counter space of the kitchen.
2. Water Reservoir
Coming to the 72-ounce water reservoir of the Gaggia Classic 14101 espresso machine. The tank seems to be more than sufficient for serving a couple of the coffee cups at a go. However, the outlet pipe does not drain all the water inside of the tank as it sits on the wall right above the bottom. Hence, it leaves the 72-ounce tank with the usable water level of about 65-ounce.
This increases the difficulty while using the water reservoir and refilling it. Nevertheless, refilling the tank is a viable option for the tank which can deliver a sufficient volume of water. In fact, cleaning or descaling the water reservoir will be easy because it is removable.
3. Boiler
The aluminum boiler of the Gaggia espresso has the stainless steel lining with the dual heating element. It certainly speeds up the heating time for boiling the water to the required temperature. However, the single boiler does not cut the waiting time substantially. Having said that, the espresso Gaggia machine can only deliver either of the two i.e. frothing processes or brewing the coffee at the same instance. In fact, you will have to wait for a short instance for switching from brewing to frothing.
Nevertheless, having the single boiler in this entry-level machine is not a bigger setback looking at the Gaggia Classic price.
4. Cup Warming Tray
The stainless steel body of the espresso Gaggia machine is indirectly useful for heating the cups. Further, the boiler of the Gaggia Classic espresso machine radiates the heat which indirectly heats top wall of the machine. This is useful for heating the coffee cups, heating the cups can take about a couple of minutes but not longer than brewing the coffee and frothing. In this case, the heat energy from the boiler is easy to utilize in heating the cups in the meantime of brewing the coffee.
5. Milk Frothing Wand/Pannarello Wand
Here is the most useful component of the semi-automatic Gaggia Classic espresso machine. Generally, frothing the milk and using it to make the creamy lattes and cappuccinos is the most important function for any Gaggia cappuccino machine. However, learning to froth the milk is also an art and science of making the perfect cup-o-Joe. There comes the Gaggia latte art Pannarello wand which features a grain-sized small hole for dispensing steam and air into the milk. It is also called as the Gaggia Latte art wand.
Moreover, frothing the milk using a regular steam wand needs a great deal of perfection/precision. On the other hand, the Pannarello wand with its minute steam dispensing hole results in hassle-free frothing of the milk. It will allow even the rookie coffee brewers to make the milk with perfect crema necessary for making lattes and cappuccinos.
6. Portafilter
Lastly, we have the final component made of brass and stainless steel of the coffee making machine which resembles that of the commercial one. This deal includes the portafilter with a double spout outlet which you can use as double spigot. However, it will be a passing fancy for most of us who do not have guests coming over frequently.
That being said on a light note, the double spout coffee outlet works great for the purpose. In fact, there are two types of filters which result in making a single espresso shot or double espresso shot. Along with that, the deal includes the plastic tamper which does not go with the stainless steel look of the Gaggia Classic espresso machine.
Pros/Cons of Gaggia Classic 14101
You will get to know about the apparent coffee maker machine after referring the positive and negatives of the machine in brief. You can easily figure if it is worth to buy Gaggia classic amazon looking at your preferences.
- Brushed stainless steel finish is tough and adds to the aesthetics of the machine.
- Minimum plastic component infuses well with the steel body.
- Double spout outlet of the portafilter is the commercial grade component.
- The portafilter is made up of rugged brass material with stainless steel lining.
- A dual heating element of the boiler speeds the heating time substantially.
- The boiler is made up of aluminum material along with stainless steel lining.
- Also, the cup heating tray uses the radiating heat of the boiler cutting the waiting time.
- Gaggia espresso milk frother is the Pannarello wand, useful for rookie brewers.
- Single boiler won’t be sufficient to use brewer and frother simultaneously.
- Tamper made of plastic can break easily after rough use.
- The 72-ounce water reservoir has only about 65-ounces of usable water.
THE ENDNOTE
The Gaggia espresso machine will be the perfect option for you if you are looking for a budget espresso machine. In fact, this machine will let you experiment with the coffee recipes as you please. Along with mastering the brewing and frothing skills. Because the Pannarello wand will do the needful until you master the frothing skills. Apart from that, manually controlling the brewing time will definitely inculcate some of the Barista-expertise in you.
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