5 Reasons Why You Shouldn't Buy a Gaggia Classic

So you're looking to buy a Gaggia Classic, or you already own one but aren't getting the results you want? I get it, I was gifted my 2010 Gaggia Classic by a family member who couldn't get on with it, and I was thrilled! Looking at reviews and forums it's widely regarded as the best starter espresso machine, and it's fully manual meaning you're in control.

It’s the espresso equivalent of a vintage aircraft. No autopilot. No computer support. Just pure 'hands on' flying. And while that sounds romantic, let’s not kid ourselves: the Gaggia Classic can be a right pain in the portafilter. So before you hit “buy now” just because someone in a Reddit thread said it’s “the best starter machine,” let me offer you a reality check.

Here are five reasons not to buy a Gaggia Classic… 

1. If You Want Decent Espresso, You’ll Have to Modify It

Out of the box, the Gaggia Classic is fine. Just fine. The kind of espresso you’d politely nod at and then never speak of again.

To get it dialled into real espresso territory, you’ll need to make some tweaks. That means ditching the crap pressurised baskets, and adjusting the OPV (Over Pressure Valve) so you can fit a standard basket. For this you'll need a pressure gauge, and you want to aim for around 9 bar.

If your machine is pre 2015, you can do this easily by accessing the OPV inside the machine, and adjusting with a 5mm Allen key. There's an easy to follow video here

If your machine is post 2019, you can adjust the OPV by swapping out the pressure spring to a 9 bar one, these can be bought on Amazon or eBAY easily. Again an easy to follow video here

So if you've bought yourself a fancy bottomless portafilter for your Gaggia Classic, and are wondering why your espresso is blasting out all over the place, that's the reason! You need to adjust the OPV!

The Gaggia Classic to Avoid

Why don't I mention the Gaggia Classic between 2015 and 2019? These models saw a significant decline in build and quality after Philips took over Gaggia.

These were manufactured outside of Italy and lack the soul (and solid build) of the proper Italian-made models. There was no 3 way solenoid valve, the cast aluminium boiler was ditched for a thinner version, and the quality of parts in general were significantly reduced. So if your going to buy a Classic, get a pre 2015 or a post 2019 only!

2. It’s a Single Boiler - So Good Luck Making Multiple Milk Coffees

So you have some friends over and want to show off your flat white's... Forget it with the Gaggia Classic. It has a single boiler for brewing and steaming, which means you have to wait for what feels like an eternity to get up to steam temp after brewing an espresso, then after steaming your milk you'll have to wait for the boiler to cool down before making your next espresso!

If you're just making two drinks it's manageable - I just pull two shots, then wait for the steam to heat before frothing for two... But any more than that I would say forget it!

Then there's the lack of a PID, meaning you can't control the temp for brewing or steaming, it's done by fixed thermostats on the boiler which are questionable! If you don't want to mod your machine with a PID (which I don't) - here is the best method I've found to get a decent shot at a decent temperature - some users call this 'Temperature Surfing'

• Let the machine warm up fully (at least 30 minutes)
• Turn on the brew button and run water through the grouphead until the brew light goes out
• Add your portafilter full of your favourite freshly ground coffee & wait for the brew light to come back on
• Hit the steam button for 5 seconds to add some extra temp.
• Switch off the steam button and pull your (hopefully) perfect silky, sweet shot

3. Preheat It Like You Mean It

Here’s a secret no one tells you until it's too late - the Gaggia Classic needs a minimum 30 minutes of preheating to perform at its best.

If you flip it on and try to brew within five minutes, don’t be surprised if your shot tastes dissapointing. You’ll get sour, under extracted coffee and start questioning your grinder, your beans, and finally your life choices! This machine demands patience before you can pull your morning shot, so make flicking that switch part of your wake up routine!

4. Steam Power is Limited, Making Microfoam Difficult

The stock steam wand? It’s like trying to paint a masterpiece with a mop.

Microfoam is possible, but not easy. You’ll need practice, technique, and for me at least, a wand upgrade to get that smooth, silky texture for practicing your latte art. If you’re just getting started with milk drinks, the Gaggia’s lack of steam power means you're constantly battling with inconsistent milk texture. On the plus side, if you can master microfoam with this machine, you'll be able to do it with any!

My upgrade of choice was the Rancilio Silvia steam wand, this is a high quality, low cost wand which comes with both single and multiple outlet tips, and is widely regarded as the best mod for steam on the Classic. It's a relatively easy mod to make, again, another helpful video here

Another note on steaming with the Gaggia Classic: Once you've pulled your shot, waited for the boiler to heat to steam temp, you'll also need to purge the wand! This means opening the steam valve and running it until there's no more water coming out (usually 4-5 seconds)... Yes, you have to do this every, single, time!... But you just get used to it.

5. You’ll Fall in Love With It and Never Want to Change

Here’s the twist: for all its faults, quirks, and hissy fits, the Gaggia Classic will still get under your skin. You will fall in love with its retro look and individual character, and you'll learn to live with its downsides because it's become part of the family. It really is something special that you'll never want to let go of. I mean just look at it:

It’s a retro beauty - a brushed steel body, chunky switches, and a vintage cockpit feel that’s hard not to admire. Once you dial it in and nail that first perfect shot, it becomes truly yours. A stubborn yet beautiful, character filled piece of Italian art that you'll want to keep forever. You’ll swear that one day you'll upgrade… but you won’t.

My Verdict

The Gaggia Classic isn’t for everyone. But for those wanting a truly manual experience, willing to learn, mod, and obsess (like me)... It's a great machine, no it doesn't tick all the boxes, yes it has it's quirks, but that's true of any vintage machine. The Gaggia Classic is an icon to be admired, and that's why it's been successful for more than 30 years.

Chris Louch
Frequent Flyer | Coffee Evangelist | Jet Bean Loyalist