Italiano Classico: Gaggia Classic plus Baratza Virtuoso
Price: $906.00$566.50
FREE SHIPPING on orders over $39 from this vendor.
Create a classic Italian cafe in your own home or office with a Gaggia Classic Espresso Machine and a Baratza Virtuoso Coffee Grinder. This ideal combination of class, style, and quality will give you fabulous cup after fabulous cup for years to come.
Gaggia Classic Espresso Machine
The Gaggia Classic espresso machine is a jewel with elegant lines and satinized stainless steel body. Buy a Gaggia Classic today and enjoy a daily refinement of pleasure with your coffee times. It comes with Single/pod and double shot stainless steel filter baskets, a 7 gram scoop, and a free coffee tamper. Also included is a free "Getting to Know Gaggia" instructional CD - a $15 value.
Baratza Virtuoso Coffee Grinder
The Baratza Virtuoso Coffee Grinder is among the highest quality grinders available. Its durable commercial grade conical grinding components give it a unique ability to grind coffee for any brewing method. From the finest espressos to a course press-pot grind, the Virtuoso is capable of a 40-point adjustment. As simple to clean as it is to grind, the Baratza Virtuoso Coffee Grinder makes it easy to make professional coffee, whether at home, the office or your café.
Gaggia Classic
Removable 72oz water reservoir
Chrome-plated marine brass 58mm commercial style portafilter for use with ground coffee or ESE coffee pods
Commercial brew group
Turbo Frother attachment mounted on a ball joint
3.5oz boiler with two external heating elements
55 watt electric pump
Three-way solenoid valve
Rocker-switches control power, steaming and brewing
Five demitasse cups sit in the passively heated cup warmer
Brushed stainless steel finish
Baratza Virtuoso
Grind Coffee For Any Brewing Method
Innovative Calibration
DC Motor
Unique Speed Control system from 405 to 495 rpm
Timer Switch and Pulse Button
Easy to clean
Gaggia Classic
1425 Watts - 110/120 Volts
14.25”H x 8”W x 9.5”D
20lbs
Baratza Virtuoso
Color: Black with brushed-satin metal top and base
Weight: 8 lbs
Dimensions: 14"H x 5"W x 7"D
Bean Hopper: 8 oz.
Grounds Bin: 5 oz.
Usually ships within 3 business days
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GAGGIA CLASSIC (on Gaggia Classic Espre...)
dpablo19 | Thu, 05/24/2012This is the perfect machine for someone just beginning. I used a PID'd version of this at a relative's house and it produced some decent espresso. My only real gripe would be the poor steam performance and overall layout of the machine. It has a small footprint, but it it can be too small, especially if we're talking about larger cups. All in all, a great machine.
UPDATE: SILVIA RETROFIT A MUST! EXC... (on Gaggia Classic Espre...)
rjsolorzano | Fri, 05/11/2012I got this machine a few months ago after my Krups died and online reviews pointed the Gaggia Classic as the best espresso machine for the money. I have to say it is a MAJOR improvement over my old machine. As far as quality it feels well built: rugged stainless steel housing, commercial portafilter (58mm), this thing is heavy! The switching mechanism feels like it would last a long time. The only items that don’t seem that way are the drip tray and the steam knob. A couple of words of advice: - Do not use the included Pannarello steam wand as it is completely useless if you want to get true microfoam. Either remove the Pannarello and use the ‘naked’ tube (which is a little short) that will give you decent results, or replace it with a Silvia V1 or V2 steam wand (the V3 does not fit this model) for the real thing. The change is extremely easy to do and the results are truly worth it. This is the reason for the 4 stars. - Use the standard filter basket without the so called ‘perfect crema device’. What this thing does is simply add air to your espresso shot so that you get air crema, not the real thing. It is critical you use a burr grinder and a good tamper to get a nice espresso shot. If you use the provided tamper you will most likely have spots on the sides that are not tamped so water will take the path of least resistance and your shot will be bitter and lacking crema. Remember, this is not a drip coffee or automatic espresso machine, it is more of an art to master but a very fulfilling experience once you get things right. Enjoy!
GAGGIA CLASSIC IS THE BEST! (on Gaggia Classic Espre...)
bachaus2000 | Sat, 03/10/2012I researched machines for days before deciding on this machine. it did not disappoint. warm up time is fast, and with the right coffee and grind, it gives any coffee house a run for its money. The frother is easy to use when you are in the mood for a cappuccino. Excellent macthine for this price range.
GREAT MACINE (on Gaggia Classic Espre...)
hoonchul | Fri, 03/09/2012Its hard to find another machine that will beat Gaggia Classic at this price range. Its great for making espresso or cappuccino..one at a time. If you need to make back to back drinks on regular basis I would look else where. Also, I highly recommend the silvia steam wand upgrade. Now I can make decent microfoam most of time.
THE OLD FAITHFUL (on Gaggia Classic Espre...)
Ping0817 | Fri, 03/09/2012The tried and true Gaggia Classic, I am not going to repeat all the pros/cons that is all over the Internet. From my personal experience, here is what I think you can do to drastically improve the capability of this machine. 1. Sylvia steam wand - a common modification that allow the Gaggia to produce latte art wothy microfoam and look much better than the plastic "turbo steam" wand 2. PID - oh boy, what a HUGE difference after I put a PID controller on this machine!! The temperature stability and shot quality is good enough to put some machine twice the price in shame. Yes you have to play with the electrical wiring and have a bit of mechanical know-how but the end result is OH SO worth it! Some well made kit available on the web to save you the hassle of putting everything together yourself. I was able to play with the fine adjustment of the temperature to really dial in the shot and bring out the best characteristics. And for you latte lovers, the steam capability is much more consistent with the PID installed. If you are on a budget but feeling you have reached the limit of your Gaggia...PID it and be amazed! 3. Naked PF - this is something that help you improve your dosing/tamping, while it doesn't change anything mechanically of the machine, having a visual reference on how your shot is formed will help you better understand what you are doing right/wrong With all the new entry level espresso machines out there, I still recommend the Classic to all my friends who is getting into the espresso theme, you simply can't beat the value, capability and tweak-ability of this little giant!
AWESOME MACHINE....BUT (on Gaggia Classic Espre...)
scmunkers | Fri, 03/09/2012This is a really great machine. The only thing stopping me from giving it a full 5- is the milk frother. Only makes a little bit of froth and It seems to always lose its "steam" right a the end. If I make 2 espressos in one morning, then one milk has to be put in the microwave.
GAGGIA CLASSIC ESPRESSO MACHINE (on Gaggia Classic Espre...)
c.dreiblatt | Sat, 12/24/2011The coffee comes out nice and hot. We have only used it for making espresso but look forward to making cappuccino.
NOT A BAD STARTER MACHINE (on Gaggia Classic Espre...)
Wakeknot | Sat, 11/12/2011It is better than many of the rivals in the price class.
GAGGIA CLASSIC (on Gaggia Classic Espre...)
yeahyeah | Mon, 10/24/2011This is a great machine so long as you don't plan on pushing it beyond its limits. There is a lot of online help regarding this machine and parts are readily available. Pros: *Quick warm up *Small boiler with powerful heating elements quickly heats to steaming temps after pulling a shot *Decent sized drip tray Cons: *Pannarello steam wand. Toss it. Also time your steaming so that you start steaming 10-15 seconds before the steam light actually comes on. *Keeping the temps stable is difficult *I haven't had trouble with the aluminum boiler but it is a concern
GOOD ENTRY LEVEL MACHINE (on Gaggia Classic Espre...)
speedstar | Mon, 10/17/2011This is a great machine to start on and may be the one you stay with depending on what you expect out of it. I started here, then progressed to another PID unit and ended up with Duetto II. These are great for the price though.
TAKE A LOOK AT MY BLOG POST (on Gaggia Classic Espre...)
intrepid510 | Sat, 10/15/2011Take a look at my blog post for a longer review. This machine paired with a good grinder will make excellent espresso. I use mine multiple times a day and have never been upset with the machine, maybe some of my skills though! ; )
TAKE A LOOK AT MY BLOG POST (on Gaggia Classic Espre...)
intrepid510 | Sat, 10/15/2011Take a look at my blog post for a longer review. This machine paired with a good grinder will make excellent espresso. I use mine multiple times a day and have never been upset with the machine, maybe some of my skills though! ; )
GAGGIA CLASSIC (on Gaggia Classic Espre...)
gnproducts | Sun, 10/02/2011Coming from a full automatic espresso machine I decided that I wanted to "improve" my espresso experience. Through research on the web I came across the Gaggia Classic. I am still learning how to pull the perfect shot, but it is getting better everyday. I interfaces with Roaste Customer Service and had a very satisfactory experience. All in all it was a great experience.
STANDS UP TO USE AND MAKES TASTY ES... (on Gaggia Classic Espre...)
coffeesquid | Fri, 07/01/2011One of these espresso machines has stood in our student lounge for the last couple of years, and it's still going strong even with sporadic maintenance. Even as a relative amateur in the field of espresso-making, I can create lattes that draw frequent compliments. One caveat: this may be due to my aforementioned espresso amateur status, but I've found that it has trouble with coffee that's ground too fine. It may take a little experimenting to find the appropriate grind for it.
GAGGIA CLASSIC IS THE BEST (on Gaggia Classic Espre...)
rah0004 | Thu, 06/30/2011This is my second Gaggia. We wore out the first one, a Carezza. This machine is not sexy or sleek, but it makes one mean espresso. It heats quickly, is easy to use and I know from research this machine is just as good, if not better, than a machine 2 or 3 times the cost. We use it at least 2-3 times a day, and after a year we have had no problems with it at all. I highly recommend it!
BEST MACHINE AVAILABLE UNDER $1000 (on Gaggia Classic Espre...)
EricBNC | Tue, 06/28/2011This is the Best Machine Available Under $1000 for someone wanting excellent espresso at home. With minimal care and ordinary cleaning these machines can last decades. Unlike too many brands, parts are readily available to rebuild the entire machine if needed - that is worth something to me. The online community has a wealth of information about Gaggia so no question is very far from an answer. With a little practice your espresso will be the only espresso you want to drink provided you feed it excellent coffee ground with a worthy espresso grinder.
GOOD LOOKING AND EASY-TO-USE MACHIN... (on Gaggia Classic Espre...)
sscalese | Tue, 06/28/2011I am new to the world of home espresso, and I've never worked at a coffee bar, so I was really going in blind with this purchase. However, so far, I'm really enjoying the Gaggia Classic I purchased a few weeks ago! I read the included instructions plus a few other guides before I started. After getting my Baratza Preciso grinder dialed in, I've pulled some pretty decent shots for a beginner. Palatable alone, and very good in milk-based drinks. Using a 12-ounce frothing pitcher and frothing thermometer, I'm able to get nicely steamed milk with good froth. I would say my shot pulling and milk-frothing skills need some fine-tuning (all part of the fun!), but so far I'm making great espresso drinks with this machine right out of the box as a beginner. Also, I really like that there are so many resources available to help you with this popular machine, including yahoo groups and coffee forums. Would definitely recommend to friends.
ROCK SOLID MACHINE (on Gaggia Classic Espre...)
mohammadiqbal93 | Mon, 06/20/2011I Love this machine. The first day when I was using the single filter, I found they were pressurized and spitting coffee everywhere in my kitchen. After I switched to the regular double filter, everything was perfect. Quick and good steaming, though it foams a little to quickly.
CAPABLE OF MAKING A SOLID SHOT (on Gaggia Classic Espre...)
jbviau | Wed, 06/01/2011You can certainly do a lot worse than this for an entry-level machine!
CLASSIC (on Gaggia Classic Espre...)
penrod_25 | Wed, 04/27/2011easy to keep clean, external heater prevents worry about empty boiler with power on. steam wand is lousy, and the temperature swing during the shot can be large. For the price, still hard to find a better espresso machine
ONE OF THE BEST TOP-OF-THE-LINE CON... (on Gaggia Classic Espre...)
Tzahi Fridman | Sun, 03/27/2011I am using the same Gaggia Classic for a couple of years already, and it still makes the best coffee as it was new. I use to make at least 2-3 coffees per day, either espresso or cappuccinos, and when using good fresh ground coffee, the results are stunning. One of its best features is its super-short warming time. After about 10 minutes the Classic is ready to go, and great coffee can be made. The steamer is great as well, and is good enough for a medium-sized milk frother. I could easily made some nice latte-art cappuccinos :-)
SOLID GRINDER GETS BETTER (on Baratza Virtuoso 586...)
ryanls | Fri, 03/09/2012The Baratza grinders can't necessarily stand up to the build quality and performance of commercial grinders, but they are much more budget and countertop friendly. The Virtuoso is probably the best value Baratza grinder on the market today, coming in cheaper than the Preciso and Vario but more solid than the Maestro. I used a Virtuoso for about 3 years and was able to make some excellent brewed coffee using the Clever Coffee Dripper. It grinds adequately for espresso, although the adjustability is not fine enough to really dial in the perfect shot. Compared to a commercial Mahlkonig or Ditting, the coarse grind was not as clean on the Virtuoso -- fine particles sometimes affected brewing time and flavor. However, the "586" model includes the new Preciso burr set that by most reports grinds very consistently. As an added bonus, the new burrs chew through beans more quickly, so you get a faster grinder using the same motor. With the new burr set, I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this grinder to those shopping in the $200 - $250 range for a grinder that will be used for mostly non-espresso brew methods.
GREAT FOR COFFEE BREWING (on Baratza Virtuoso 586...)
samuellaw178 | Sat, 12/24/2011As mentioned by other reviewers, this is a great affordable grinder without going over ~$1k mark. It gives consistent grind size and repeatable setting for non-espresso use. For espresso, you might want to get its brother, Preciso, for a better microadjustment. Plus, Baratza has very good customer service so you probably have nothing to worry about in at least a few years.
NEW BURRS! (on Baratza Virtuoso 586...)
intrepid510 | Fri, 12/16/2011Baratza just keeps getting better, they are now offering the same burrs as are in the Virtuoso Preciso in this grinder. This improvement arguably makes this the best grinder on the market for non-espresso coffee grinding. The burrs that were first introduced in the Preciso allow for a more uniform grind with less "fines" those fines are what produce bitter notes.If you are not planning on make espresso at home you have found your ultimate grinder, no need to look any farther.
CONSISTENT GRIND AND QUIET (on Baratza Virtuoso 586...)
Gloria | Sun, 11/06/2011It's easy to use, either grinding into the bin below or grinding straight into the portafilter. Simple and quiet!
EXCELLENT GRINDER (on Baratza Virtuoso 586...)
EricBNC | Thu, 10/20/2011Does everything from press to fine drip with ease - can handle espresso grinding too but lacks fine adjustment in the tighter range - can be modded to a step-less grinder if the need arises.
GROOD FOR DRIP (on Baratza Virtuoso 586...)
speedstar | Tue, 06/28/2011I started with this one for drip and it was a good grinder for that. My wife used it mostly and we have since moved on the the Vario. This one is good for drip though.
LOVE IT SO FAR (on Baratza Virtuoso 586...)
jbviau | Mon, 05/16/2011Far superior (i.e. more consistent) grind relative to what I was getting with a Hario Skerton mill before. My only complaints are nitpicks, e.g. the plastic hopper doesn't always seem perfectly seated. Re: noise, it's noticeable but not loud enough to wake a sleeping 3-year-old upstairs. Recommended.
GOOD FOR MOST APPLICATIONS (on Baratza Virtuoso 586...)
broseph | Tue, 12/14/2010This is really good for drip coffee. Handles a French Press pretty well too, though the Maestro might be better for that. Not ideal for espresso because you lack micro-adjustment here.
EXCELLENT GRINDER (on Baratza Virtuoso 586...)
olsodj | Sun, 01/31/2010My first burr grinder: many grind settings available (0-40), grinds fine enough for espresso and grind is consistent. Built to last. ROASTe provided great service!
+ MANY GRINDING SIZE + (on Baratza Virtuoso 586...)
qazwer00 | Fri, 10/30/2009+ Many grinding size + Grinding is consistent + Not that loud + buying experience here went smoothly, got it very quickly - sometimes doesn't feed properly (tapping helps) note : I'm a newbie, this is my first grinder