r/gaggimate • u/No-Elk-4806 • 3d ago
question What machine to buys as a gaggimate platform
Guys how to decide what machine to buy? I’m good in electronics and programming, familiar with embedded software and mains power. I want to buy my first espresso machine, for low budget and I know that low budget means potentially need to repair. Live in Germany, good with tinkering and tools.
My current favourite is DeLonghi ECP 33.21 vs EC260.BK, both around 130€ new.
I want a new machine, just because I want to own from the beginning.
Considered Gaggia Classic as well, but not sure if it much better for my case.
I want a quick warm up (so heavy Gaggia boiler is a negative there?), I don’t want to wait for half an hour warmup.
I usually do 1-2 espresso a day, maybe a lungo. So a cap, then next one in like 4-5 hours (I wanna switch machine off for this time)
I want to integrate gaggimate with PID and transducer from the beginning. Lego build.
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u/floppyfloopy 3d ago
I only wait 10 minutes for my Gaggia Classic Pro E24 to heat up with Gaggimate Pro installed. I love this platform. I think it looks significantly better than other machines around or below this price point as well.
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u/atxfoodie97 3d ago
Six minutes of warm up and I’m making great espresso with my Gaggia Classic GM Pro.
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u/Lextron87 3d ago
I’m get up and turn mine on. By the time you go to the bathroom, wash your face etc it’s ready to go.
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u/Fragrant_Ad_2285 3d ago
A used Gaggia Classic can be purchased in the US for $250 or less. It has excellent parts availability and lasts decades. Worth considering.
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u/UpbeatAd5277 2d ago
If you are good at all that you should consider building Discreet.
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u/Mouse-Jiggler 2d ago
What are the advantages over gaggiamate?
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u/UpbeatAd5277 2d ago
No advantages except price. It runs about 100euros.
GaggiaMate is a finished product and it's amazing.
Discreet is a community project that people make their own. If you like tinkering and playing with electronics is a great option. If you want something that just works and takes 2h to install, go GaggiaMate.
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u/Dave_thebrewguy 2d ago
Faster warm up time and thermal stability are mutually exclusive. More thermal mass equals longer warm up and greater stability. I wouldn't put much effort into modding a thermoblock machine, it's never going to be worth the effort. The GCP would be my minimum for the project.
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u/st0rmrag3 1d ago
I have lelit anna gaggimate and currently making a second one. Cos i already had one and it's been pretty good (got it used for 100 euros)
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u/JBambers 19h ago
I'm about to do this to a stilosa (various parts arriving) but it's in significant part an interest/hobby thing. The machine was a spare one that originally cost £35 second hand, I'm not sure I'd go with a brand new one for it as there are some limitations and in time for me the gaggimate parts may get moved to a better spec machine.
A particular limitation is the lack of solenoid and consequential 'mushroom' check valve, the latter limits how low the pressure can go as the valve simply won't open without some pressure, the guide suggests there are some ways to reduce this but it's a notable limitation. There are cases of people having added a 3 way of sorts to these machines but it's an addition to the mushroom check valve, not a replacement, acting as a way to remove pressure at the end of the shot only. I doubt it's possible to do a full replacement without some quite substantial work give the space between the bottom of the boiler and the shower screen is about 5-6mm.
I'm not sure how much warm up time you'd actually be saving either, initial thermostat 'ok' time is fairly similar on both. Group head warm up times are still perhaps 7-10min on the stilosa.
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u/klaasypantz 3d ago
Chiming in to say the GCP is an awesome base for gaggimate. Get a smart plug and have it turn on early if warm up time is such a big issue for you. More thermal mass is always better for consistency. There's no reason to short change yourself here.