Gaggia Classic Pro vs Delonghi Dedica

★★★★★ BEST ESPRESSO MACHINE FOR UNDER $1,000. From the espresso capital of the world, Milan, Italy, comes one of the best espresso machines available to consumers in the less than $1,000 category—the GAGGIA CLASSIC EVO PRO for $450.While this machine is listed as “entry level”, its commercial quality features go way beyond entry level. As with any espresso machine, there is a learning curve to this one as well. However, with no real automated functions, pulling a great shot and frothing milk are mostly a function of your experience and individual technique.What I love about this one:1. It looks good! The design and build quality are excellent.2. The 58mm commercial portafilter is industry standard.3. The commercial grade steam spout comes with a two-opening nozzle for a great vortex .4. Parts and accessories are readily available from the manufacturer and many after-market suppliers.5. No automated functions. You never have to second guess this machine.6. It does actually have one automated feature… it depressurizes the brew head after each shot. That’s a huge bonus.7. It’s easy to dial in a perfect espresso shot.8. It does not have a built-in coffee bean grinder. That gives you your choice of grinders and does not affect your machine if the grinder fails.9. The Gaggia may be the best machine for the money, bar none.A few reviews point out that the space between the bottom of the portafilter and the top of the drip tray is too short. There are two solutions for that: pull your shots into espresso cups or buy a shorter aftermarket drip tray.I upgraded to this from a true entry level machine—best decision ever.NEW INFO: Since the original posting, I swapped out the 12 Bar pressure spring for a 9 Bar. It's a simple 10-minute job that costs less than $10 and makes all the difference in the world—better brewing pressure, better shots. . .definitely a recommended change that makes a great machine even better.

★★★★★ The BEST Espresso Machine in the PRICE RANGE. I've been enjoying coffee for almost sixty years.I've worked as a barista in my early twenties. I know my way around coffee; particularly when selecting beans; the roast; how to get the best grind using the best grinder; how to achieve the best cup of coffee using almost every conceivable method and device.These days I am prefer a delicious, smooth-bodied, crema-rich cappuccino when I wake up. Unfortunately, health concerns have limited me to just one cup of coffee a day, so I make damn sure I enjoy the best tasting espresso or cappuccino every morning.Ordinarily, I would have been using my time-tested and still reliable 1968 La Pavoni espresso machine. This machine took me over a year to master and once I had it down, no other espresso machine even came close to pulling the finest tasting espresso or caps you could drink.But the La Pavoni is a bulky and intensively time-consuming machine to use; especially in the morning once you're out of bed and your brain still isn't operating at 100% until AFTER you've enjoyed your coffee.I needed to find and purchase an interim type of counter-type of espresso machine. Oh, I will still use my La Pavoni for that special occasion, because there still isn't, in my opinion, a machine that can produce a finer tasting espresso or cappuccino than the La Pavoni.After about a month of intensive research, which included reading and evaluating every review and recommendation I could find, the Gaggia Classic Pro is the model that kept coming up as the best in its price range EVERYWHERE.And then I started looking at the Youtube videos. Almost to a video, it was the Gaggia Classic Pro that was heralded as THE espresso machine to buy in its price range. And another surprise: the Gaggia Classic Pro had been receiving this endorsement going back decades.Another big plus: Gaggia is an Italian company that has the inside scoop on coffee...that's all they do. They make coffee machines.I decided to purchase the Gaggia Classic Pro...and man oh man was this ever the right choice.It did take a couple of tries, even from this seasoned user, to appreciate all the ins and outs of this machine. The machine is far more sophisticated than it looks.But can it produce a satisfying espresso or cappuccino? And can it steam or foam up milk like no one's business (providing you know what you're doing and you don't scald your milk...and especially if you have a talent making espresso art)?I only use bottled water so as not to build up sediment inside the machine. I like to keep my equipment cleaned, well maintained, and operational at all times. You need to understand how this machine is put together in order to master all of its secrets.My suggestion is: check out the HUGE volume of Gaggia Classic Pro Youtube videos online. They will teach you everything you need to know in order to get your Gaggia to produce the type of enjoyable espresso or cappuccino you like. But you do need to understand how the boiler and the rest of the components work together if you really want to achieve the finest results from the Gaggia Classic Pro.I have paired my Gaggia Classic Pro with the latest model of Baratza's burr grinders in order to affect the perfect grind of the whole beans I use. And, by the way, I grind only the amount of beans I need for that morning's coffee. The balance of my 1Lb once a month purchase of whole beans are kept in a sealed, but valved container in order to release the CO^2 that coffee beans give off.I set the burrs to the finest possible grind setting. I have found with the Gaggia Classic Pro, one of the secrets is to NOT tamp down the coffee to the point of a severe compression. Make sure the amount of coffee is evenly dispersed and then lightly tamp it down. Don't forget to run hot water through the group head in order to preheat it.I also recommend purchasing an inexpensive hand held timer. You'll need it. You'll understand why after viewing many of the Youtube videos featured about the Gaggia Classic Pro.When you're ready to make your cup, place a preheated cup under the group head and let 'er rip. When the light goes off, press the OFF button. Then follow the Youtube recommendations for using the steam wand, otherwise you will run out of pressure before you obtain the type of steamed or foamed milk you need.And make sure you clean off the steam wand IMMEDIATELY after use and then let a blast of steam go through the wand to unclog it on its inside. And always use bottled water. NEVER use tap water with a Gaggia Classic Pro.If you do, your machine will die an early death in a couple of years instead of lasting a couple of decades.I recommend the Gaggia Classic Pro with a full five star rating. It is, without any doubt, the finest espresso machine anyone can purchase in this price range. It offers superior workmanship made from superior components and materials; it is a remarkably well-engineered device; it is an attractive model to place on your kitchen counter; it is easy to clean and maintain; and it will produce for you the tastiest espressos and cappuccinos at home for you to enjoy.

★★★★☆ The media could not be loaded.  Muito bonita e tem um corpo bem sólido e que passa segurança. Ela aquece rápido e tem uma boa capacidade de água. Aquece bem as xícaras mas não cabem muitas.A parte entre porta filtro e xícara é pequena, e ruim de usar uma balança, mas tem opções de bandeja menores por aí. Essa máquina vaporiza muito bem e rapidamente.De ruim mesmo são os acessórios, é broxante ver uma máquina desse valor entregando um tamper tão vagabundo, e apenas um porta filtro.A tomada é mais grossa, vai precisar de uma tomada 20A

★★★★★ The media could not be loaded.  Escribo esta opinión después de más de año y medio de tenerla, es una máquina estupenda y de gran calidad, por el precio que se paga por ella. Se paga con creces , en un principio la comencé a usar tal cual te viene de fábrica , si ese va ser tu caso te recomiendo ampliamente que comiences con la canastilla presurizada , si ven en la fotografía mi primer molino es un Smeg que si bien es lindo no es funcional para un molido para expresó por lo que fue muy frustrante para mí ,por lo que tuve que ceder y usar la canastilla presurizada, si ya ves que es lo tuyo el expresó, se paciente por la curva de aprendizaje de esta linda máquina, el molido del café es la base para tener éxito en tus bebidas, pero si no tienes un alto presupuesto para un molino te recomiendo el otro que se ve en la foto es un Turín o sd40 , que en tostados medios logra excelentes molidos para esta máquina , otra cosa que puedes modificar y ayuda mucho en tus extracciones es cambiar el resorte a 9 bar , también lo compré en Amazon a un precio muy accesible y es muy sencillo hacer el cambio, claro que lo hice hasta que pasó la garantía, más por precaución que por que se sienta endeble la maquina , créeme es pequeña pero sólida , eso si al ser una máquina y no un electrodoméstico vas a necesitar tenerla encendida como mínimo entre 15 y 20 minutos para que obtengas buenos shots , les muestro un video de esta lindura ya con los 9 bares y un porta filtro desnudo , para mi es todo un espectáculo, 😉

★★★★★ I have a entry level burr grinder, and I was concerned I'd have to upgrade. The very first shot I pulled was leagues better than my Roma that this is replacing.I love having a standard full size portafilter, to me this is reason enough to choose the Gaggia over a Beeville of equal value.I also like how serviceable the machine is, it's easy to access the internals and spares are readily available. I feel like if anything goes wrong YouTube can help me repair it.Only dissatisfaction is the clearance between the portafilter and drain grate. You can't even fit a standard shot glass under there. I'll be upgrading to a naked portafilter in time. For now I'll enjoy pulling shots into a short coffee cup.Highly recommend, but you have to have something like a Baratza Encore grinder as the bare minimum. Anyone making bad coffee with this needs to look at their grinder and technique first. It's not a plug and play thing, requires some skill and a quality grinder, but you can do it!

★★★★★ I almost never write reviews, but felt it was necessary for this product. I was looking to replace my Starbucks Barista, which I've owned and loved for at least 15 years now. I did a lot of online research to find the closest machine to this one, as I've always been happy with the coffee, and the simplicity of the machine. I found an even better one with the Gaggia. Although it was more expensive, it has so far been worth every penny. Not only is the machine simple and compact, but it makes even better coffee than I thought possible. The crema is thick and rich, and the frothing wand is quiet, and makes the most beautiful foam. I LOVE this machine and highly recommend it to anyone who wants simplicity, and great coffee.

★★★★★ Excelente cafetera, con capacidad suficiente para un pequeño grupo en casa, la caldera queda lista en cuestión de un par de minutos, si tienes experiencia con cafeteras, este es el siguiente nivel. Cuidado con el molido de tu café o no lo sacarás el máximo provecho a tu extracto. El café que logras con esta cafetera es tan bueno como lo sea la calidad de tu molido y tu selección: lo demás la cafetera se encarga de regalarte un café con una crema impecable y temperatura correcta. El portafiltro universal es el elemento que de inmediato destaca en la cafetera, marcando la diferencia entre lo que es una cafetera para casa y una cafetera para casa de un amante del café. La solidez y simpleza del diseño también la hacen destacar, la limpieza es sencilla y el tanque de agua se llena convenientemente por la parte superior. El espumador para capuchino funciona de manera correcta y simplemente lo único que carece esta máquina es un buen compactador, pero con estas características: merece que compres uno para complementarla, igual un buen molino, para ese café fresco y recién molido que hará el deleite de quien aprecia un buen espresso.

★★★★★ All impressions are very positive. Tasty espresso, easy to use. My first impression of this machine is wow. Years ago I had a small krups pump machine, which is long defunct. I mostly drink filter coffee {Peet's Sumatra k-cups} or cold brewed "ass kicking" blend. I drink an average of four-six cups per day. When I wanted an espresso drink (iced plain espresso or iced Americano), or a cappuccino if I was in that mood, I'd stop and have one made.Every now and then I'd look at replacing the dead Krups but there were no machines that had a decent feature set and a reasonable cost. Besides, I could just get a coffee when I wanted one.But these days, I'm not going out. I started craving espresso, and finally decided to replace my old machine.This machine had some real advantages. One was the advertised width. Counter space was at a premium, this machine is narrow. Secondly, it takes the ESE pods. My wife is never going to tamp and measure a portafilter, but she will use a pod. A side benefit is that my 12 year old grandson can make himself an espresso with the ESE pods. {I got some decaf pods.}This machine is easy enough to use that he was making himself lattes after a single demonstration, using a pitcher I had from my old machine. He is a smart kid. I'm biased. But the pods are easy to use.I set my grinder (Oxo) to fine and put in my guess as to how much "Ass Kicking" coffee to use. It made a fluffy coffee which easily fit into the portafilter using the following procedure.Fill the scoop and level it. Put the coffee into the portafilter and lightly compress it. Repeat. Then put your thumbs onto the plate of the tamper and compress. I can easily grip enough to get a good tamp without stressing the plastic tamper.I disagree with people who claim that you can't fit the coffee into the holder. This is exactly the same volume as my old machine.Anyway, I hit the two shot button and it produced an espresso with reasonable crema. After trying the regular holder and the ESE holder, it is clear that the ESE pods are a compromise.This is a noisy machine in operation. The pump is noisy. The water heating device works great, but it is noisy, since it is basically a long tube that will cavitate. And, of course, steaming the milk is inherently noisy.The pump could be quieter. But it is no noisier than the steaming process.What I did notice was that the machine needs about three times the static width in actual use. The handle has to swing left to attach the filter to the machine, and your hand adds to the space needed. Extra space is needed on the right to use the steaming wand, and to clean the steaming wand, and to hit the power button. It is still a very narrow easy to use machine.The amount of force needed to attach and detach the coffee filter holder requires that you hold the machine in place.But this is a coffee maker, and the real question is, "How is the coffee?"There are so many things that go into that question...do you have a decent grinder? Are you using a good coffee? Is it roasted the way you like it?Finally, there are all different levels of equipment. My equipment is inexpensive, but not the cheapest. I have a style of coffee that I like, typically an Indonesian that does not have that bitter bite which is exhibited by typical central American washed coffee.My understanding is that the espresso brewing style was developed to allow the use of less expensive robusta beans. The fast temperature controlled extraction, combined with the dark roast tends to not extract bitter notes and to hide bad tastes.Applying the same method to higher quality beans should produce an exceptionally smooth brew.I decided to make a six shot iced espresso, three double pulls. I saw a decent amount of crema, and I was really happy with the iced espresso. I thought it tasted better than a drink that I would have bought at a place like Starbucks. I credit this to two things. One is that my coffee is better, and the other is that the brewer doesn't overextract.Good coffee, and a good brewing process will result in a good beverage. I used a coffee that I know I like and I got a beverage that I really liked. The brewer could have screwed up the coffee, but it didn't. This is the source of my wow!I had bought some ESE pods as well. The resulting beverage was not bad, but it was not as good as the stuff I made from the coffee that was more to my taste.Finally, I remember the coffee produced by my old Krups machine. The coffee produced by this machine is better.On to the other important aspect of these machines, their ability to steam milk. I have a 24 ounce steaming pitcher that I used to use, and the wand was barely long enough. I felt like I didn't have much control over the process. I think a 12 ounce pitcher might work better. (It does, or I can steam right into a duplo cap mug.)What I got was a good result for a latte, and perhaps less acceptable for a cappuccino. The thermometer I used reported a fast rise in temperature after the temperature went over 100F, while it took quite a while to get from refrigerator temperature to warm. The foam had many large bubbles mixed with the small ones. (Technique, in doing better.)The machine is really fast. It reports brewing temperature in seconds. I never felt like I was waiting for the machine.It reports steaming temperature almost as fast.All in all, I am really happy with this machine. I can't speak to the durability of the machine, but I hope that it will continue to produce beverages of this quality for a long time.And I am happy to be able to get an espresso at home again.After a month, I found that I had to descale the machine. A light comes on to let you know that the machine has decided it needs to be descaled. The process takes a while. You rinse the reservoir and add the solution, then fill it with water. Then you put it in descale mode and it runs the solution through the machine, slowly. You let most of the solution come out through the steaming wand, but you are supposed to turn off the wand and run some of the solution through the filter outlet (with the filter off). When the reservoir is almost empty, the machine stops, you dump the bowls, rinse the reservoir, fill it with tap water, and start the machine again. It runs the rinse water through much faster then the descale, again stopping when the water is almost gone. You can make coffee immediately.This procedure is long, but completely automatic, and need not be watched full time if you have a large enough bowl. You just need to toggle the steam outlet off and on every few minutes. The machine will still make coffee when it is in descaling needed mode.I was favorably impressed. I have descaled machines that were more automated and didn't work as well.I continue to like this machine.

★★★★★ Depending upon Price, either in the sweet spot or no-man’s land, best with a non-pressurized filter. 1 year update" 13Dec2019Descaled twice so far, easy process. Have had no problems with the machine solid construction and feel. Using a non-pressurized filter (see below) it makes an excellent cappuccino. Small footprint and looks nice and solid. Easy to use, clean and descale. Very happy and increasing to 5 stars from 4 starts6 month Update 7July2019:Have not any reliability problems, descaled once so far and it was an easy process. I have upgraded to the ec685 steam wand and it performs much better than 680 wand- longer reach and more velvety foam. Grate machine when used with non-pressurized filter.Depending upon Price, either in the sweet spot or no-man’s land, best with a non-pressurized filterSo what do I mean? There are essentially three options if you want your espresso in a minute (i.e. Thermoblock/Thermocoil)- in the low-to-mid $100’s is a Nespresso, in the $500 to $600 range is the Breville Barista Express or Infuser (darlings of the sub-$1000 category), in between is the Delonghi Dedica and Dedica Deluxe.A Nespresso is quick and easy but- requires a separate frother, has limited flexibility and very expensive capsules.Delonghi Dedica, can be almost as quick and easy when using the E.S.E pods (essentially a giant tea bag with coffee) at half the price of a nespresso capsule. You have the flexibility of using fresh ground coffee with the included pressurized filters and of course a built-in steam frother.Breville machines have the ability to pull professional shots with the included non-pressurized filters and include a pre-infusion stage (a pre-stage that infuses coffee grinds with low pressure hot water immediately before the extraction phase)- these are the 2 biggest features that enable a high quality espresso. There are also a few other features- thermocoil which is bit more robust than Dedica’s thermoblock and can improve heat consistency, a pressure gauge and PID (digital thermometer).How does the Dedica compare to the Brevilles? Well you can get a non-pressurized filter for $6, it’s not made by Delonghi but is the Mr. Coffee 4101 (or equivalent), and in addition even though Delonghi doesn’t advertise it, the Dedica also pre-infuses. If you have the Dedica this is what happens in the 5 second phase when the pump starts for a couple of seconds and then pauses for a few seconds before the pumps starts up again. Use of the non-pressurized filter is vital to improve the espresso significantly and generate a true crema. The Breville’s thermocoil is better but not vital, same with the pressure gauge which is cool but not vital. The PID is definitely a worthwhile feature. These three are worthwhile but at what cost.If you have to pay the $349 list price for the Dedica then the price difference for the Infuser is only $150, even less if you can find the Infuser discounted. At $150 or less, the added features of the Breville are worth the price. In addition, the $200 increase over a Nespresso might not make sense, thus the Dedica is in no-man’s land. If you can get a good discount on the Dedica to the point where it is more than $200 less than the Breville, then the added features of the Breville may not be justified. A discounted price for the Dedica is also a small enough difference compared to a Nespresso and may make more sense. Hence, a sizably discounted price put’s the Dedica in the sweet spot.The biggest problem with the Dedica is that the panarello frother wand can't make microfoam. The dedica Deluxe (EC685) has the added feature to vary the force of the steam pressure, this can enable you to make mircofoam.

★★★★★ Excelente máquina para hacer espresso. Fácil de usar y el espresso perfecto

★★★★★ I bought this unit to replace a Breville machine that had a plugged filter for which Breville would not supply a replacement part in Canada. I have used the De'Longhi EC680 Dedica for almost a month and I am really pleased with it. It is easy to program and customize. It makes great espresso with a nice crema. It foams milk really well creating a thick foam and makes a great cappuccino. It heats up quickly both for making espresso and steaming/foaming milk. We bought the chrome and black model as it was $100 cheaper and matched the stainless steel/black appliances we already have. It looks elegant on the counter. The unit is long and slim and takes up very little counter space. When I read the reviews they said that the power button sometimes fails. I have only used the power button once to turn on the machine as it turns off automatically and you can set the time to turn off, which is really great. I have only one complaint and that is the water tank is seated tightly and there is no handle to remove it, just a small space to put two fingers. This has resulted in me dropping it as I attempted to disengage it to refill it. Finally it has removable filters for cleaning (no more clogging!)

★★★★★ Si eres amante del cafe esta es una gran opcion para hacer bebidas de cafeteria en tu hogar.Buenos espressos aunque eso si, necesite muchos ensayos para encontrar la molienda adecuada para esta cafetera. El cremado de la leche bueno. Acabados elegantes. A tres meses de uso constante estoy muy satisfecho con la compraImportante: Si buscas una cafetera para negocio probablemente esta cafetera se quedaria corta.

★★★★★ Beautiful nice coffemachine! Quick start for hot wonderful espresso every time! Love it!

★★★★★ Great machine! I had read complaints about a lack of crema, but the images attached to this review show the results I had on the first pull with one tamp of standard Lavazza Rossa (red package).The water basin is detachable and easy to clean, it clicks into the base and is convenient in design. The boiler has good power and delivers hot water in less than a minute. The included portafilters are of good quality, but the included 50mm tamper/spoon is flimsy plastic and should be upgraded to obtain best results.The onboard menu system for setting water temperature, sleep mode timeout in minutes, etc. via three buttons is unintuitive and will require the manual to understand. Once set up, those three buttons are self-explanatory - one cup, two cups, steam.The package included a descaler and a water test strip to determine soft/hard water - both are nice touches. The manual showed a water filter but I didn't find one in the box.I've owned many coffee machines like this over the years, expensive ones and beaters too. All compared, this model has great looks and great value - all the features work well and I really like how compact it is on my kitchen counter. It will get lots of use. Thanks to DeLonghi and Amazon for offering this product for review. A+Update: The crema has been consistent with every pull, I've also tried using a different coffee (Pilao, a standard Brazilian coffee) and am getting good results.The one thing I am not liking is the hot water dispenser - it is a staged pump design and ticks the hot water out like a lawn sprinkler. Putting a cup under it makes the hot water splash out - to fix this, disconnect the frothing wand, remove the black plastic funnel, then reconnect the wand to the arm.