Hello all,

I've been perfecting my technique with a Gaggia Classic machine and a Gaggia grinder for a couple of years now. My main problems so this setup are:

1- Inconsistent results. Plus, a new bottomless portafilter I got makes it more evident than ever that the pour is far from getting through consistently.
2- The waiting time between pouring and steaming is annoying.
3- I never been able to get milk foam usable for latte art. Not sure if I or the plastic thing on the Gaggia is responsible for that.

I'm now looking to upgrade. I've been contemplating the Alex Duetto II by Izzo, but I'm opened to other recommendations. Should I just start with the grinder? I just feel there is so many options out there, I'm just not sure where to start.

Thanks for the help.
Francois

What's your total budget? If you went with the Duetto, would you have enough to make the necessary grinder upgrade as well? You should be looking at a Vario at minimum to pair with that machine.

It would not be a bad idea to make a grinder upgrade now and keep the Gaggia, at least for a little while. This way you learn exactly what improvements each upgrade is responsible for. Hint: grinder will be huge.

Take the plastic off your steam wand still a little hard.to get good foam but at least you have a chance

I reviewed the Gaggia New Baby for WIRED magazine here. Substituting the stock Gaggia pannarello inner sleeve with this "latte art" pannarello worked great. To the OP, I agree with the other posters... the weak link in your current setup is the grinder.

If you upgrade the machine, you'll really need to upgrade the grinder at or before the same time. I'm not an expert on the Classic, but my impression based on limited experience is that a machine upgrade to the level of the $2K Duetto you mentioned will make a HUGE difference.

The current, bang for the buck favorite grinder is the Baratza Vario by a large margin. They run around $500. If you can't afford a Vario and a $2K machine at the same time, start with the grinder.

Far be it from me to stimulate acquisition lust, but... If you're interested in purchasing a grander machine (say an Elektra T1, a La Marzocco GS3, or a La Cimbali Casa like mine), you'll want an even better and more expensive grinder than a Vario. Just sayin'.

There are quite a few other choices in the same [ahem] "budget" [cough] price range as the Duetto worth considering as well. Not just DBPIDs but HXs and levers as well.

Get something which suits you, your significant other, and your living space. I suggest getting the best you can afford, rather than setting an artificial price limit -- even if it means putting the purchase off for a couple of months or so.

It doesn't cost anything to scheme. At least not at first.

Plumb in if possible.

BDL

Great feedback, I appreciate.

Looks like I need to get a Baratza Vario. Any opinion about the Vario vs Vario-W?

Dan: thanks for the tip about the "latte art" pannarello. Too bad I didn't know about this before. If I don't end up upgrading the espresso machine right away, I'll give this a try.

What should be the best contestants for the Izzo Alex Duetto II in the $2,500 range?

Thanks all.

As someone who has a similar set up as the OP, I just want to offer my experience...

I recently upgraded from a Rocky to a Vario (regular, not W). It is a noticeably better grinder. Way fewer clumps and a more consistent grind.

I decided to upgrade my grinder after purchasing Black Cat Sapsucker. I thought my technique was sound, but this blend brought to light the weaknesses in my technique. After 3 weeks, I still cannot dial it in.

Based on all my reading and research from both here and other sites, if you want to upgrade from a Gaggia, you are jumping into a different price category, as others have mentioned. A modest improvement in a similar price range would be a Silvia, however, you may want to work on your technique. For me that included paying more attention to dose and distribution. I have started using a scale to measure each dose, and trying different methods posted here for properly distributing the grinds.

zoyth wrote:Looks like I need to get a Baratza Vario. Any opinion about the Vario vs Vario-W?

If you single-dose, I'd stick with the regular Vario. Weight-based grinding makes little sense unless you plan on using the hopper and going through coffee pretty quickly IMO.