Gaggia woes

I bought a Lelit Elizabeth about 6 months ago from Bella Barista. The OPV is set out of the box at about 9.5-10 bar. I haven’t seen any need to adjust it. I have one of the coffee buttons configured to deliver about 3 seconds preinfusfion using the pump to gradually increase pressure to 9 bar. The other is set for 4 seconds preinfusion using steam to hold the pressure at 3 bar for approximately 6 more seconds then up to 9 bar for the rest of the shot. I can switch off the steam boiler and alter the way the second button works at the press of a button on the controller. I drink mainly espresso or long black so if I’m not using the steam preinfusion I keep it switched off for economy. If I want steam milk it takes minutes to be ready from switching the steam boiler on. The machine has had its default controller settings adjusted according to the documents that Dave C has produced and I’ve been extremely happy with how the machine has worked without me needing to play around with it.I am constantly changing the coffee beans I use and have found I get really good drinks by just adjusting the grinder settings (Niche Zero) and keeping the machine set - only changing one variable if at all possible. Life is too short to mess around seeking perfection in a drink if what I’m getting is good. Bottom line is I would happily get another Elizabeth if the one I have failed although I don’t expect that to happen anytime soon. I also drink coffee using other methods (see signature) but that’s not relevant to this topic.

The Liz was nearly on my shelf

I should have also said I have the machine powered through a smart switch to switch on about 30 minutes before I’m likely to use it although it takes just under 20 minutes to actually be ready to deliver a shot. If I want to make multiple shots, the brew boiler is back up to temperature before I’ve had chance to fill and tamp the portafilter basket ( single dosing the grinder takes the time). The portafilter is an interesting design. Whilst some may not care for the dual spout looks, the handle is shaped so the portafilter sits with the basket horizontally on a level surface to aid tamping. Steaming is great when I use it as it is easy to control the amount of steam going into the milk and produce really smooth micro foam. Unfortunately I’m absolutely rubbish at latte art so I can’t show off any of my results! I backflush the machine frequently both with water and cleaner and also remove the showehead to give it a good clean. Both tasks are easy to do if you follow Dave C’s youTube videos. I don’t use the Lelit water filter as I live in a very soft water area and can see no sign of any scaling (my kettle has been in use for nearly 3 years and has no trace of scaling on its heating element). If I lived in a harder water area I would definitely use some form of water treatment to reduce or prevent scaling.

DrForinor Honestly the only thing I’m not mad on is how it looks

I’m the opposite and don’t like the “transport cafe” look in a modern looking kitchen - think it’s all the wannabe engineers who are actually behind a desk all week 🤡

I had an issue with a leaking boiler fitting but BB were brilliant and it was sent and returned back very quickly

Paired with a great grinder they are an excellent product @MediumRoastSteam has got great knowledge of how to get the best from the machine and is someone to follow

With this machine I’ve had the DF64 and now a Niche - also have an Osmio for the water

Edited 🤡

That’s a £1000 jump right there

Only you can decide there lol much of a muchness the Bianca is the best of the bunch as its got more features, but if you don’t like it then that that.

A clear case of upgraditis fulminans…

No, you are not being silly; it happens to everyone - however, a couple of considerations:

1. Coffee quality at this point will probably benefit more by upgrading the grinder, rather than the machine.

2. If you eliminate/greatly reduce your constraints on space and budget, then there are plenty of options… the question is what drives your desire to upgrade. Is it just the aesthetics, or are there other concerns/wishes?

3. If you decide to upgrade, I’d either do it now - as in before BB sends you the Elizabeth - or wait a few months living with the Elizabeth and see what the answer to point 2. above is, if any.

DrForinor Which features does it have that the 700 doesn’t

Assuming you get a 700 with the flow profile already fitted (it’s an option), largely around the electronics. I would also consider the separable tank a feature, but you clearly don’t.

These are obviously first world problems. In the end it is what gives you pleasure. Any of these machines, including your Gaggia, can make top notch espresso if paired with a good grinder and good coffee. It is, after all, just coffee. I upgraded from my Barista Express to the Elizabeth because the grinder was not good enough, and the temperature stability was also lacking, causing too many sour shots. But I learned on that machine, and really loved it for what it was. Upgrading to the Elizabeth and the Niche solved all of those problems.

This morning I made 4 latte’s back to back for my wife, son, his girl, and myself using my Elizabeth with fresh Verve Streetlevel coffee and the Niche Zero. Nothing could have been easier. I could have made 10. The workflow just goes, and the machine reaches temperature for the next shot by the time I have the coffee ready in the porta filter. After I was finished I did my quick flush with Cafiza. Wiped her clean. Lovely. Living with this machine has been great. Would the Bianca be better? I guess, but not sure how unless for some reason I wanted flow control, which I do not. And the aesthetic of knobs or levers might be nice, but my work flow with this machine is so good, I just do not see the point for my use case. I will not upgrade this machine unless for some reason there is a catastrophic failure. It is warrantied for 3 years anyway through Clive here in the USA. I am just about to 1 year with the machine.

So, ultimately you have to be happy with what you have, because it is really about that. No downside to the bigger machines that you mention, other than price and weight. Perhaps maintenance is a bit more with those, but you may enjoy it. These are all fantastic, including the Elizabeth.