I have a Gaggia Coffee that I modded with the Silvia wand. I have about $150 to spend and saw a PID for the Coffee for that amount. I have a good(for me) grinder in the Lelit 53. I have one espresso in the morning each weekday, maybe 3 drinks after work during the week, and will make two espressos in a row only on the weekends. I really like espresso such as George Howells and Intelligentsia and I have just ordered some from Ecco, so I would like to make the best drinks i can. So is this a good use of my money? Please don't suggest another machine I really only have $150 to spend.
Thanks.

Good question. However, I think most people would advise against it. Although a PID would give you control over the boiler temperature, it would do little to resolve the wide intrashot temperature fluctuation caused by the small boiler.

I think only someone who hasn't owned a Gaggia would recommend against it unless you are planning on an upgrade soon. Huge improvement in shot quality. And you can do much better than $150 by buying the parts separate rather than purchasing a kit. My last pid project cost under $60 using a Watlow 935a from e-bay.

Well, there are two different opinions!!!!!!! I know I could get the parts and build it.....I just do not have the time. As I get older, I seem to just get busier. I have the same problem with biking. Should I do all the adjustments myself? I think not. If I choose working on my bike, I have less time to ride it. To me, the experience of making the espresso and more importantly, drinking it, is the obvious choice. Unfortunately, I DO have to choose. So, for $90 I'll get the kit with all the parts and instructions..
Thanks for the replies!

Well, I ordered the PID. I think that being able to change the temp for different coffees tipped me over the edge. Hopefully, it will be as easy to install as the manufacturer implies.
Thanks for all the help!

Hi Scottfa.

I have a gaggia classic with PID and it made a big difference for me. Mainly because I can dial the desired initial temperature. To compensate for the drop in temp during the shot you could momentarily turn the steam switch ON/OFF (~1 to 2 seconds) and then immediately start the shot. But I found that I am OK with just doing a shot without the trick.

Cheers

scottfa wrote:Well, I ordered the PID. I think that being able to change the temp for different coffees tipped me over the edge. Hopefully, it will be as easy to install as the manufacturer implies.
Thanks for all the help!

Let us know how it works out. I'd dismissed this as a bad idea on account of everyone else's advice. I'm curious to see whether or not you think it was worth the investment.

Considering surfing is a PITA, you do improve overall shot quality while you improve consistency. But I think there is a "gotcha" on measuring temp of the boiler on the thermostat spot: it takes 5 minutes or more to get maximum water temp given a set point and offset. I'm testing my pt100 probe (a M4 hex screw) touching the screw that holds top boiler, next to the water inlet. I get 1-2 minutes of overheated water, then the heat goes to group, then a temperature stability with minimal offset (need to test it with a Scace device), similar to measuring the water temp (but this requires one to drill the boiler to submerge a probe).

On intra-shot temp, one can do the pre-heat mod. I don't like the idea of wrap a copper tube, so I'll make a aluminum thermoblock to passively pre-heat at least 100ml of water. But should the taste change so much with no 6°C drop at the last 10-15 seconds?

M.

Well, I tried to install the PID tonight. After wiring everything up(pretty easy) I plugged the Gaggia into the wall. My top two lights started flashing! This without the unit being turned on. When I turn on the Gaggia , the lights stay on without flashing, but there is no readout from the PID. It is completely dead. I have checked the wiring a dozen times, but can't find anything amiss. Got an email in to the manufacturer we will see. Two pounds of coffee from Ecco just sitting there