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  • New to CS and enjoying the reading

    Hi everyone,
    I signed up to CS 4 weeks ago and have been lurking as well as reading everything on the site and familiarising myself with the various buzzwords! You guys are serious about coffee! Anyway, as a first foray into espresso making, I bought a very slightly used Gaggia Coffee Deluxe off ebay and pulled my first few shots today. Is this machine much different to the Classic which is recommended as a good strating machine? The Deluxe was really cheap to buy on ebay so I got it due to budget constraints. Once I get the coffee bug, I will probably invest in a better machine but a good Grinder is next on the Buy list. As the machine has not been used for awhile, I descaled it first ( bi-cab and vinegar mix, as I couldnt find any descaling soultion at the shopping centre today) and ran it for several fills until i was certain that the water was clean. As I dont have a grinder yet, I used some supermarket pre-ground stuff as a test bed for making espresso. No crema as described by CSers!

    The portafiller appears to be non-pressurised and is 58mm (like Classic). The tamper is a bit of plastic which will have to go - Pullman Tamper?
    How much coffee do I put in the double basket and once tamped down, where should the level be from the top edge of the PF? The puck varies in moistness, no channeling Should it be dry after the shot. OK, its supermarket coffee so I shouldnt ex[ect too much until I buy some fresh stuff. Instead of the "milk frother" doodad that sucks milk out of the container, I have got a stainless steel 600ml jug with the spout protruding in the right place LOL (according to description in the site). It seems to make good foam...first time I opened the steam valve too close to the surface of the milk and I got a milk bath, but second time around I made sure that it was under the surface and released the steam gradually. What type of gurgling sounds should I hear to tell me I am on the right track?
    anyway, enough of my rambling bu I am glad I got the machine as it will allow me to learn on it until I get the hang of making good espressos.

  • #2
    Re: New to CS and enjoying the reading

    No crema? Your problem is using stale preground. The machine you have should be capable of some really good espresso...you should just expect wet pucks and portafilter sneeze...I dont think that Gaggia model has a 3 way solenoid valve to release the excess pressure after the shot has been pulled.

    Clearly the best way to rectify this problem is to buy a burr grinder...not just any grinder...whilst you may be able to get away with a $200 sunbeam conical burr grinder, I have found its adjustment steps are too large to dial in an espresso shot. The minimum most people seem to recommend here in terms of grinders is the Iberital Challenge. I have had no experience with this grinder, but have used Iberital commercial sized grinders.

    With regards to tampers, theyre a very personal thing. If youre only pulling one or two shots a day, they way it feels in your doesnt really matter...so Id go a Pullman. If youre on a budget, other tampers stainless steel tampers can be had for around $30

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    • #3
      Re: New to CS and enjoying the reading

      Wushoes, thanks for your comments. The lack of crema doensnt bother me at the moment using pre-ground as I am only learning the ropes but once Ive wasted a few kilos of stel stuff, I will need to buy some real beans. Dont think I am up to roasting my own yet...although I have got myself a Breville Crazy Popper last week (blame it on you CSers for putting the idea in my head). Being a bit of a gadget feak, I will shell out on a Pulman tamper a bit later on....after the Grinder. A friend is lending me a Grinder till I get my own....hope its a conical burr unit.
      What is portafilter sneeze?

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      • #4
        Re: New to CS and enjoying the reading

        Youll know when you take off the portafilter quickly after youve ended pulling a shot Its when hot water, steam and coffee sprays everywhere because the excess pressure on top of the coffee puck hasnt been let off (through a 3 way valve)..in this case I believe your machine is missing a 3 way valve (which is one of the major spec differences between your machine and the Gaggia Classic), in which case, you just have to give it a bit of time for it release the pressure by itself.

        oh and welcome to coffeesnobs! ;D ;D ;D

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        • #5
          Re: New to CS and enjoying the reading

          OK...got it. Usually I am too bsuy trying to froth the milk after pulling the shot so by the time thats done the pressure should have eased off in the portafilter and not sneeze all over me .
          I also run the pump for a few seconds after finsihing with pulling shots to clear out any debris that has found itself inside the group filter mesh. Would that be an accepted practice for you guys too.

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          • #6
            Re: New to CS and enjoying the reading

            Gday maxrob200 and welcome to CoffeeSnobs...

            When I had a machine without a 3 way..... like you I would leave the PF in until after I textured the milk and poured the coffees.

            By that time not only had the pressure gone but the extra heat from the boiler (being at steam temperature) helped dry out the puck.... less mess as well.

            Yep, after removing the PF run some water through the group to clean the showerscreen. That will also add cold water to the boiler helping to lower the boiler temperature back to brew temperature for the next shot.

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            • #7
              Re: New to CS and enjoying the reading

              Yes...leaving the PF in and running the pump after seems very logical and obviously the correct thing to do in the case of my machine without the three way solenoid. But the learning is great and i am enjoying all the advice and warm welcome. I dont expect any great shots for awhile yet though....still the preground is better than instant. I am on my fourth shot for the day and should stay awake at least till 3 am.

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              • #8
                Re: New to CS and enjoying the reading

                Originally posted by maxrob200 link=1180856580/0#6 date=1180867407
                I am on my fourth shot for the day and should stay awake at least till 3 am.
                Id be on my fourth before lunch

                All it takes to get a good shot is a quality grinder, fresh beans and practice, practice and then more practice ;D ;D ;D

                We all started the same way.... and made it - so will you!

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                • #9
                  Re: New to CS and enjoying the reading

                  I think I had something like 6 shots combined in the space of 1 hour at First Pour on Saturday...I felt sleepy by the next hour

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                  • #10
                    Re: New to CS and enjoying the reading

                    Borrowed a Gaggia MDF grinder today, bought some Roasted beans from Mocopan and I now get crema in my espresso shots, What a difference in taste to pre-ground. Still getting the hang of it.
                    Have also borrowed a Baby Gaggia but it doesnt seem to want to play ball. Using pre-ground, it comes out all weak and clear. Havent tried it with the fresh ground stuff yet so not sure if the machine is bodgy. Are the Coffee Deluxe and Baby identical machines?

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                    • #11
                      Re: New to CS and enjoying the reading

                      Not quite. The Baby has a solenoid 3-way valve like the Classic while the Coffee Deluxe makes do with the spring valve.

                      But they should make identical shots with the same beans/grind/dose/tamp.

                      Why waste money on kilos of stale preground before getting decent beans (ground at store if need be)?

                      One backhanded advantage of dual purpose boiler machines is that pulling a steam shot into the empty PF literally blasts off coffee from the showerscreen so it stays quite clean for the next session. Even so, its worth cleaning the showerscreen occasionally and on the Gaggias, you should also remove and clean the dispersion plate underneath. When replacing these (and the spring valve if cleaning that on a non-solenoid model), use minimal torque when tightening the bolts and screws else they will bind over several heat cycles.

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                      • #12
                        Re: New to CS and enjoying the reading

                        Just tried the Baby with fresh ground coffee, its not real good, I get leaks all over the PF and around the group head whereas with the Deluxe there are no problems and espresso shots taste better. Any comments?

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                        • #13
                          Re: New to CS and enjoying the reading

                          Sounds like the group seal is cactus. I think CoffeeParts sells replacements for $4.75 (+ postage)
                          see http://www.coffeeparts.com/gag/gag1.html part #700150 (dont get 700146 unless the group head is badly worn)

                          If you take the machines apart, there is very little difference, believe me. If anything, the Baby has a theoretical advantage in shot stability but I havent really experienced noticable difference between my Classics (theyre internally identical to the Baby) and my Carezza (internally identical to the Coffee Deluxe).

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                          • #14
                            Re: New to CS and enjoying the reading

                            As a newbie to these machines, how do you replace the group seal? Do I unbolt the 4 alun bolts holding the group ring to the machine. Also how do I determine if I need the 700150 or 700146 part? Are the group seals identical for both Deluxe and Baby? If so I may order a couple just in case they both need replacing. I think I will also need a new basket as the one on the Baby just falls out when you tip the PF.

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                            • #15
                              Re: New to CS and enjoying the reading

                              The Gaggia Espresso Deluxe was my first ever espresso machine... and a great machine to learn from. I had it for 3 years before selling it (almost giving it away). It doesnt have a 3-way valve - but all previous advise Ill confirm.

                              Enjoy your journey maxrob200 ... it has only just begun ;-)

                              Marc

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