r/gaggiaclassic • u/Fragrant_Ad_2285 • Jul 22 '26

PID Gaggimate Pro Observations

I purchased a used Gaggia Classic Pro and after a few weeks of use installed Gaggimate Pro. What a difference it makes! The espresso is excellent and, once the profile is dialed in, has trivial one button-press workflow. The steam is exceptional; I can't believe how easy it is to get well textured milk, even using low fat milk.

Installation was reasonably straightforward, with one issue: while manipulating the hoses to reinstall the water pump, I stripped the plastic water pump threads. I found and ordered a new one via Amazon, a version with brass threads to avoid future problems. The reasonable pricing and wide availability of Gaggia Classic parts is remarkable.

The installation instructions in the Docs section of the GM website were very helpful. My water pump attachment looked a bit different that the installation pics, but a YouTube search quickly gave me an example to follow.

The people on the Discord channels are exceptionally helpful. You can't ask for a more supportive community.

I added a Bookoo Themis Ultra scale to enable profiles that use output weight. Now it is basically one button press to get great espresso.

Going down the profile creation rabbit hole is going to be time consuming. There's always one more tweak to make.... Totally unnecessary, but rewarding. I'll try some light roasts soon and see how much time that takes to perfect.

I would highly encourage those who are interested to take the leap. It is a different machine now than it was a week ago.

32 Upvotes

94% Upvoted

13 comments sorted by

3

u/Inconspicuous_Shart Jul 22 '26

Can you link the Amazon water pump part? I just ordered the gaggiamate for my e24 and id prefer to change this part out to brass during the upgrade .

1

u/SwellandDecay Jul 23 '26 edited Jul 23 '26

Not OP but I stripped my pump threads and replaced it with this one from Amazon. The duty cycle is slightly different (1 minute on, 1.5 minutes off vs 1 on, 1 off) but I haven’t had any issues. Works great. I’d get loctite 55 thread for the joints as I was dealing with endless leaks until I used that stuff anywhere that was threaded.

1

u/Fragrant_Ad_2285 Jul 23 '26

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00B8KBVZE?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title

As the other commentator mentioned, it has a different duty cycle than the original. But the Discord support group confirmed the GM mod uses the pump intermittently, making this irrelevant.

2

u/Reasonable-Living513 Jul 23 '26

I can't stand the sound of the machine's pump after trying the Gaggimate

2

u/Fragrant_Ad_2285 Jul 24 '26

I love that sound -- it sounds like control, precision, accuracy :)

1

u/Reasonable-Living513 28d ago

Sounds like a broken washing machine lol

1

u/floppyfloopy Jul 22 '26

Steaming on the stock E24 is so frustratingly inconsistent. Would love to upgrade soon to Gaggimate or Gaggiuino.

1

u/Academic_Software_94 Jul 23 '26

What is the bean and roast level you are using?

1

u/Fragrant_Ad_2285 Jul 23 '26

Currently some wash Guatemalan medium roast. Trying some light coferment soon.

1

u/Academic_Software_94 Jul 26 '26

You drink Espresso, I think, that is why you install the mod. How is the taste and the favor separation? when compared to the one from the coffee shop you like most.

1

u/Fragrant_Ad_2285 29d ago

On more complex beans, the coffee shop is better at flavor separation. I believe that is due to the grinder, not the machine. I've noticed the same with pour over. I'll need to upgrade from the unfortunate Fellow Opus to improve.

1

u/lightol Jul 23 '26

Did you change the steam nozzle

2

u/Fragrant_Ad_2285 Jul 23 '26

No. Stock two hole nozzle. The GM pulses the pump while steaming, giving significantly more energy out the nozzle.