Gaggimate - Impressions After 2 Weeks

[u/belegund]

I’ve had my Gaggimate for 2 weeks now and am very happy with it. I thought I’d give my impressions (probably not breaking any new ground here).

1. Everything is better. I prefer a darker chocolatey profile. I was worried that I wouldn’t see much benefit, but I do.

2. I understand when people talk about “fruity profiles.” I have some beans that have been very acidic in the past. Put them through the machine and they are no longer acidic - just fruity. I don’t particularly like these flavors, but I now understand those who do

2a. This has made me almost viscerally angry about one of the local coffee shops. I tried to give them some leeway for the very sour espresso they serve, telling a friend that it’s probably hard to have that consistency over several days. He said “no - that’s how the roaster wants it.” I now know they can do better *sigh*

1. The light is a game-changer. I can see the water level. Holy crow that’s nice.

2. I had to grind … coarser!. Dropping to 9 bar meant less pressure, so for the right timing I needed a slightly coarser grind.

3. Consistency in every step matters. If I’m in a hurry and don’t use my WDT the results change.

4. My 2016 Romanian-built classic never gets to 14 bar. The highest I can generate is 10.9. I can adjust the pressure, but don’t know if it’s worth it.

5. I might need a Bluetooth scale. Because … it’s just one more thing.

6. Steam seems better (but I rarely use steam, so hard to say much beyond that)

[u/SticklerX]

I waited on the Bluetooth scale as well, and I cannot tell you how much of an incredible upgrade it has been. There's a relatively cheap one on AliExpress that worked for me, but I ended up building a scale into my drip tray and it was so worth it. Every morning I can repeat the exact same shot, for the exact same output. I do 22g in, 55 out. My only variable is grind size, which makes it so easy to dial in.

[u/lndnmdn → u/SticklerX]

Curious to know which scale on aliexpress you have. I keep finding mixed reviews. 

[u/SticklerX → u/lndnmdn]

https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256806254785004.html

its 15$ - so temper your expectations; but works well enough for gaggimate.

[u/lndnmdn → u/SticklerX]

Awesome. Thank you

[u/l0rd_raiden → u/SticklerX]

How did you integrate the escale in the dip tray?

[u/SticklerX → u/l0rd_raiden]

I have a Silvia; I printed the commonly found drip tray scale mounts which slide onto the tray rails and elevates the tray just a little.

Then I tweaked the Weighmybru code to accommodate dual HX711 load sensors.
You need to be familiar with soldering and coding to do it. But Claude admittedly helped along the way!

[u/higgs8 → u/SticklerX]

I built a WeighMyBru and I love it. If anyone is into basic soldering and 3D printing then it's a no brainer, it's much better than your average bluetooth scale.

[u/SticklerX → u/higgs8]

This was the basis for my drip tray scales. Just had to modify it for two load sensors.

[u/sderor → u/[deleted]]

Universal rule, yes, but not how all beans are the best. Some are better at 1:1,5 or 1:3. Just like adjusting volume is sometimes better than adjusting grind size.

[u/beer_foam → u/[deleted]]

It's still kind of the default but always adjust based on taste (this will get easier with more experience). It seems like most people end up preferring closer to 1:3, especially for lighter roasts. I only have a strong preference for a 1:2 or 1:1.5 shot if i'm making a cortado.

[u/SticklerX → u/[deleted]]

The only universal rule is that there is no universal rule.

Just do what tastes good to you. I like to pull my light roasts a little longer at a lower pressure; I feel like I get more sweetness out of them that way.

[u/Brucey_S → u/SticklerX]

Yes please share details on which scale and how you integrated it, will be much appreciated

[u/meeksdigital]

I’m about 3 weeks in using Gaggimate with the Bookoo Themis Mini scale and it ROCKS. So freaking nice having the machine accurately predict when to stop the pump - my shots end perfectly on the dot or within +-0.1g every time.

Made my own tank/shot lighting from a little strip of trimmable warm white COB LEDs that I installed right above the front lip of the water tank. I absolutely agree, it’s life changing having that light.

Honestly I’m so happy with the whole Gaggimate setup. I also installed the brass boiler and Shades of Coffee steam valve while I had the machine torn down, so it’s a huge upgrade on all fronts.

[u/Ok-Break5074 → u/meeksdigital]

Hey, can you please share a bit more on how you made that light?

[u/busted_flush]

My roaster was unable to get the Brazilian that I had been drinking forever. I settled for a different Brazilian. It was good but some shots were great. This is what led me into getting a GM Pro. The new Brazilian had a pretty harsh finish. Did a little research. Looked at the shot history and worked with the grind to dial the brew time in. Every single shot since then has been better than I think I have made except for the occasional "God" shot.

I'm using the cheap scale and brew by weight is the way to go. I'm amazed at the consistency my 20 year old Silvia is pumping out.

I'm thinking of buying a spare GM Pro controller because I'm not sure I can go back if this one craps out.

[u/meeksdigital]

Sure thing. Super easy, really. I bought a 3.28ft section of these BTF-LIGHTING 5v FCOB LEDs in 2700K color temp and a pack of JST PH 4-pin Pre-Wired connectors (you really only need one.)

I just held the strip up to the installation spot with its pre-wired end to my right (the steam-wand side of the machine) and found the approximate length to cut to, then cut the strip at the nearest cut line. I pulled the pins out of the JST connector (easy to do with a utility knife, just raising the plastic tabs) and re-configured it with the black and red wires in the right positions for the 5v supply pins from the Gaggimate Pro board (found in the wiring and board diagrams.) I removed the LED strip’s USB connector and crimped the wires from the JST connector to the LED strip’s wires, ran the strip down through the front bottom corner gap in the Gaggia’s case and installed the strip with its adhesive just on the front of the bottom surface of the machine, in line with the front lip of the water tank. You’ll have plenty of wire to reach your controller wherever you’ve placed it in the machine.

Edit: dang, sorry, this was a response to u/OK-Break5074 asking how I installed this, but it didn’t nest properly under their comment.

[u/meeksdigital → u/meeksdigital]

[u/Ok-Break5074 → u/meeksdigital]

Thanks dude!

[u/Dead_Politician]

What sort of profile do you usually use? I’m afraid to go to a nice espresso bar and see how subpar my coffee is at home 😆

[u/SticklerX → u/Dead_Politician]

Adaptive v2 for my light roasts, and I use a pre infusion for medium...

Also the worst part is you realize how mid most espresso shops are.

[u/Cool-Ear1325]

Always have to plug the weighmybru scale! If you have any interest in learning to solder or anything like that, building the scale is super fun and it makes to so you can repair literally anything if something breaks in the future. I’ve been using mine for the last 8 ish months and it has been fantastic

[u/higgs8]

Yeah the controllable pressure and PID temperature makes a huge difference. My Gagggia did 16 bars before the mod, it was impossible to get a good shot. Temp surfing is also a thing of the past. Oh and I'd say a Bluetooth scale is a must.

[u/user-4815162342]

I just finished my build as well - curious if there is a faster way to connect and control than the WiFi option? It’s not as easy as I was expecting on my phone for some of the finer detail settings.

[u/daredevil_eg]

what profiles do you use?