The Gaggia RI9380/46 Classic Pro is a modern and quieter version of the Gaggia Classic 14101 espresso machine.
If you are willing to learn how to make the perfect espresso and do not mind working a bit more for a delicious cup, this coffee machine might be the right choice for you.
This espresso machine can make a barista-level coffee at an affordable price and is a great choice for beginners. If you are unsure whether or not it is the right choice for you, read this detailed Gaggia Classic Pro Espresso Machine Review.
Gaggia RI9380/46 Classic Pro Espresso Machine, 21 Liters,Solid, Brushed Stainless Steel
- Note: 1)Too coarse a grind, too little coffee, or insufficiently tamping the grounds before brewing can all lead to inadequate pressure for a proper brew. 2)It is important to note that the amount of espresso extracted will vary depending on the grind size and amount and reprogramming may be needed when the size and amount are adjusted
- Rugged Brushed Stainless Steel housing
- Commercial three-way solenoid valve. Capacity water tank - 2,1 liter
- Commercial-style 58mm chrome-plated brass portability and brew group
- Commercial steam wand. Rotating steam want movement type
Last update on 2023-05-31 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
The Pros and Cons of Gaggia Classic Pro
The Gaggia Classic Pro is a sturdy, durable and affordable espresso machine for beginners. It has a number of amazing features for making a professional-level espresso, complete with steamed and frothed milk and a mechanism for extracting maximum flavour from the coffee grounds. You will not have any trouble in learning how to use it, and make a delicious coffee to start your day.
From our review we have come up with the following PROS and CONS to consider.
PROS
CONS
Key Features of the Gaggia Classic Pro
Commercial-Style Portafilter
The Gaggia Classic Pro Espresso Machine has a 58mm portafilter, which is similar to commercial machines in coffee houses in terms of size and style. This implies a greater capacity to hold coffee grounds, which is a huge advantage for those who like concentrated espressos.
It has both single and double filter baskets. A single shot basket has a capacity of 8-10 grams of ground coffee and is used when you want to reduce the flow speed.
A double shot basket, on the other hand, has a capacity of 16-22 grams of coffee grounds. This is generally more useful and is commonly found in professional espresso machines.
Both Pressurized and Unpressurized Filter Baskets
The Espresso machine has both unpressurized and pressurized filter baskets. Generally, users prefer an unpressurized filter basket over the pressurized one.
Pressurized filter baskets are mostly used in case of low-level automatic espresso machines. Such baskets have very few holes at the bottom. This increases the build-up of pressure which helps in extracting flavour from the coffee grounds.
Unpressurized filter baskets, on the other hand, do not have any such mechanism. Here, the pressure is built by the espresso machine itself. This gives the user a greater degree of control over the concentration of your espresso shot.
Commercial Steam Wand
The coffee maker has a steam wand attached to it which helps to steam and froth the milk. This creates microfoam and gives a velvety texture to the milk.
This is especially useful for creating latte art. Creating latte art is a pretty tough job, but with some practice, you can definitely create some masterpieces. This makes the coffee even better, and almost the same as something you would find at a barista.
However, you should be careful while using the steam wand. You should immerse the wand completely in the milk to prevent spilling. Also, after every use, you should purge it to remove any remnants of the milk, which may create blockage later.
Large Water Reservoir
One of the best features of the Gaggia Espresso Machine is the large 72-ounce water reservoir. This allows you to store water for your future brews. However, the large water tank may prove to be a problem if you have a small kitchen, as it makes the coffee machine quite big and bulky.
An advantage of this water reservoir is that it is removable. This makes it easier for the user to clean the apparatus, and also refill the reservoir easily.
The water reservoir does not have a filter, so you should use pre-filtered or distilled water for your brew. Also, the water reservoir is partly covered by the drip tray, which makes it difficult to assess the quantity of water present in the reservoir.3 - Way Solenoid Valve
The espresso machine is also equipped with a 3-way solenoid valve. This mechanism ensures that you can make a coffee in a cleaner and easier manner.
When the machine is switched off after a brew, this valve ensures that the water is forced out on the drip tray forcefully. This takes away most of the residual water from the machine and makes the coffee pucks dry.
Dry coffee pucks not only cause less mess but are easier to remove. Apart from this, the valve also makes back-flushing possible and reduces the stress on internal components.
Dual Heating Elements
The coffee maker has dual heating elements which lead to a faster heat-up time. The boiler gets ready to brew a cup of coffee in almost 5 minutes. On the other hand, the steam wand is heated and ready in 30 seconds.
Stainless Steel Body
The espresso machine is made of brushed stainless steel, which offers durability and robustness to the product. The material also gives the product a modern and elegant look, so it looks perfect on your kitchen countertop.
3 Switches for Control
The Gaggia Coffee Maker has simple controls- 3 switches for the 3 main operations. It has the on/off switch for switching on or off the machine, the “brew” switch which you should switch on when you want the brew to begin, and the “steam” switch which should be switched on when you want to steam the milk.
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Gaggia RI9380/46 Classic Pro Espresso Machine Review
About the Brand
Before going deep into the Gaggia Classic Pro Espresso Machine Review review, let's have a quick word on the Brand.
Gaggia, founded in 1947, is a brand based in Italy and engaged in manufacturing coffee machines and small kitchen appliances. It is especially famous for its cappuccino and espresso machines. Gaggia belongs to the Saeco International Group, a subsidiary of the company Philips.
The Gaggia RI9380/46 is a modern version of the Gaggia Classic 14101 and aims to be quieter and better than the latter. Gaggia is a trusted and well-known brand for its coffee machines and aims to deliver a professional-level coffee in the comforts of your house.
Makes an authentic Italian Espresso
Based in Italy, Gaggia understands the importance and deliciousness of an authentic Italian espresso. The Gaggia Classic Pro espresso machine has been designed to make a perfect cup of coffee, as it uses a commercial-level portafilter to extract the perfect amount of flavour from the coffee beans.
Makes a Barista-Level Coffee
Many customers believe that if you learn how to operate this machine, you will never feel the need to buy your coffee from outside. The Gaggia Espresso Maker uses a professional portafilter, and when used with an unpressurized filter basket, it extracts just the right amount of flavour from the coffee grounds.
Also, it has a steam wand, which allows you to froth and steam milk, to create microfoam which can help you make latte art. Since the machine is semi-automatic, it may take you a little while to learn how to make a good espresso, but once you do, it’s likely that you will never need to go to a cafe.
Build Quality
The Gaggia Classic Pro Espresso Machine has a tough body made of brushed stainless steel. The water connector tubes are mostly made of metal instead of plastic which makes them durable. In fact, the machine has very less plastic parts- the water reservoir, a small knob in the portafilter that needs to be installed only if you are using a pressurized basket, and a few tubes.
Also, the metal parts have a proper finish, and the machine has minimum electronics which makes it safer to use. All these features suggest that the producers have paid great attention to detail.
However, nothing is perfect. The simple and sturdy design has a few flaws too. The drip tray and the rubber legs are not fixed properly which makes them a little wobbly. Also, the body may heat up, so you have to be careful while using it.
Overall, this is an espresso machine built to last. Thanks to the stainless steel body, and almost-perfect finish, you won’t have to worry about buying a new one anytime soon.
Semi-automatic Espresso Machine
The Gaggia Classic Pro is a semi-automatic espresso machine, that is, though some of its processes are automatic, it requires manual work too. Whether this is an advantage or a disadvantage depends on you.
If you are someone who wants your coffee to be made exactly how you like it, and cannot compromise with the quality in the slightest, the semi-automatic espresso machine may be very useful for you. This helps you learn how to make your coffee- how well should the coffee be ground, how to tamp it properly, how to steam the milk, and then how to create latte art for a fancy cup of coffee.
However, this may prove to be a disadvantage for you if you are looking for a coffee machine which does all the work while you relax in an armchair. In this case espresso machines may be a better choice for you. But if you want to buy this machine, you will have to prepare yourself for some more work.
Simple and Easy to Operate
It is extremely easy to operate this coffee machine. You need to first grind your coffee and put it in the portafilter with the help of a tamper. Then, you have to switch on the machine through the on/off rocker switch and switch on the “brew” button. Make sure the water reservoir is already filled with water.
Once your brew is ready, it’s time to steam the milk. You have to take some milk in a steel mug and then put the steam wand in the milk such that the rim of the wand is just below the milk’s surface. Then, after switching on the steam button, you should slowly move the wand around the milk to steam it properly. After that, you must switch off the steam and wipe the edge of the wand with a cloth.
Final Verdict
The Gaggia RI9380/46 Classic Pro Espresso Machine is a must-have for those who are willing to put some more time to brew a delicious espresso shot. If you want to learn how to make a coffee just the way you like it, you may try this espresso machine.
The Gaggia RI9380/46 brings all the features of a professional coffee maker to you at a lesser price. You may have to purchase a good grinder and tamper for better performance, but it will be worth every penny,
Overall, if you want to spend time, money and effort for a delicious espresso everyday, you might love this product. Also, you should make sure your kitchen has space to accommodate this bulky machine.
