Hey guys, just registered because I'm in need of some help and have no where else to turn.

Let me start by saying I've read everything on this site regarding how to pull a shot. The how-to guides and the various topics are all great. Reading it all was troublesome, however, because it made me realize just how terrible my shots are.

First let me ask a basic question: I use a Gaggia Carezza. Is this machine a deal breaker for a good shot? Its a somewhat low-end espresso machine from what I understand quite amateur when looking at what you all own. When deciding to buy it, however, i read good reviews saying that it utilized high-quality interior components such as the boiler and pump. Is this BS? I'm beginning to think that the types of people that would buy and review such a machine are the type that wouldn't know if a shot is good or not.

So back to the shots themselves. From everything I've read the problem is under-extraction. I don't get any of that crema or smooth-looking stuff i see in all the pics. I get what is about the same as french pressed coffee.

The speed at which water was coming out seemed slow so last week I completely took apart, cleaned, and rebuilt the machine. Now it runs exactly how it did when i bought it two years ago. Great! Espresso? The same.

I decided to attempt to eliminate two problems at once: my POS blade grinder and possible poor quality coffee. I went and bought freshly roasted coffee and had them grind it to what they called "espresso" grind. I obviously make the assumption that they know what they're doing as they're coffee is the best I've had.

After all that still no luck. I'm dosing and tamping as best I can but I just don't know what the problem is. I don't want to blow $200 on a grinder of the machine itself is crap. I also don't want to get a new machine if its passable.

Has anyone used the carezza successfully? What was the trick? I could show you pictures like i've seen done here but i can just tell you it looks like black coffee being poured through the filter lol.

This exact situation was just covered here just a few days ago. Basically, what you are making is coffee. You will not be able to do anything productive at all with your machine until you get a good grinder. You dont have to spend 200 bucks yet if you dont want to. There are always decent hand grinders. But read the above linked thread.

josiahguy wrote:I don't want to blow $200 on a grinder of the machine itself is crap.

I searched on "Gaggia Carezza" and found the usual teething problem reports, but plenty of recommendations. Noah's right, it's the grinder, and it comes up quite frequently. In fact, one of the site's earliest threads is It's the Grinder, Stupid:

wookie wrote:Have you decided to move your Barista skills up to the next level? Does making really good espresso or a morning latte at home sound heavenly? Maybe you are looking forward to entertaining friends around some really good cups. Or did you discover really great coffee somewhere and the evil mermaid just doesn't cut it anymore? Whatever the reasons, one of the key things, probably the key thing you can do to improve your coffee at home is to invest in a really good coffee grinder.

(cont'd)

Thanks for the feedback. I'm actually in no way opposed to buying a good grinder, i just wanted to know if anyone thought there was something wrong with the machine. So I should assume that the "reputable" coffee shop did not grind the beans how they shoulda been ground? My guess is that they probably didn't listen when I said "an espresso grind". oh well. So it sounds like I could solve most of my problems by buying a quality burr grinder. I will look around this site a bit more for people using the carezza. Any mods you guys know of that would really help?

You can definitely make excellent espresso with the Carezza, which was my first machine. You must, however, invest in a good grinder. My first espresso grinder was $150...the Carezza cost me $75.

josiahguy wrote:I'm actually in no way opposed to buying a good grinder, i just wanted to know if anyone thought there was something wrong with the machine.

Welcome Josiah.

Go and chat with the good folk at OrphanEspresso.com. They have nice hand grinders that have been tested to grind down to the espresso level.

If a newer hand grinder is more to your taste the people at Espresso Parts Northwest carry a nice little hand grinder that has ceramic burrs.

As far as the machine... we have two general rules.

9/10 times the problem is on the handle side of the portafilter.
and you have heard the other one...
It's the grinder that makes espresso, the machine just heats the water.

Once again, Welcome.
-Cecil

Make sure you use fresh roasted coffee as well. Lots of great roasters advertise on this site, I would suggest picking one and trying their blends, working your way from one roaster to the next until you find something you like.

Some people find one blend they like, and buy nothing but that blend. I couldn't do that if I was forced. I need variety. I stay with a roaster for 2-3 orders, and move on.. Unless they have something spectacular, in which case Ill keep getting it until Im bored.

After the grinder, the coffee is the most important thing, obviously. It must be fresh.

Grinder. Coffee. Barista Skills. Machine. In that order.

I echo eveyone--it is the grinder. When my grinder was not available I had Starbucks grind me some beans so that I could make espresso. I told them to grind them fine for espresso. I could not tamp the grounds hard enough to even get a 15 second shot.

I agree with the above poster, contact Orphan Espresso, I purchased a nice hand grinder from them for $75.00

The Carezza's not a bad machine at all!

I started off with one, reconditioned, because I did my reading and realized i had to factor in buying a proper grinder. I had £200 to spend on my setup - £90 on the grinder, £90 on the machine. Etc etc.

I'd still recommend it highly. Good build quality and components, and I actually prefer the big Carezza rocker switches to my current machine's touch panel!

Wow, you guys have really provided me with a lot of good input. Thanks so much! Means a lot that you all took the time to help me.

Sounds like the consensus is that my machine will do the job. This is a huge relief. Especially since i know the interior now.

I LOL'd at the "its the grinder, stupid" comment. Seems like everyone is pretty much saying that on this topic when reading between the lines.

OK, so i need a grinder, some fresh coffee, and a professional barista. Anyone here available for hire?

I know there is a lot of discussion around the grinders and coffee. Any recommendations in the $300 area for a grinder? I see people recommend the Rocky somewhat often. Also, how about coffee, whats a good mix of value/quality?

Once again, thanks to all for input.