Gaggia 14101 Classic Espresso Machine

Product Description

,Black & Decker FP1450 Quick'n Easy 450-Watt 8-Cup Food Processor ,KitchenAid KFP740CR 9-Cup Food Processor ,Cuisinart BFP-703CH SmartPower Duet Blender ,Hamilton Beach 70595 Big Mouth 14-Cup Food Processor ,KitchenAid KFP740WH 9-Cup Food Processor, White Review Combining advanced technology with a classic design, this coffee/espresso machine for making hot drinks at home includes all the benefits of a commercial system. Designed in Italy by Gaggia, one of the most respected names in the espresso industry, the unit uses standard 58 mm filters to provide ample room for brewing rich, full espresso. Its commercial-grade construction includes stainless-steel housing, a high-power 17-1/2-bar pump with a high-voltage boiler for quick warm-up times, and an independent expansion valve. A three-way solenoid valve is also included, providing immediate pressure release from the grouphead once an espresso pull is completed, allowing the portafilter to be removed and the next shot to be prepared instantly. For excellent temperature stability, its portafilters and grouphead are made of heavy-duty marine-grade brass with chrome plating. The machine works with coffee pods and is designed to deliver two cups at once. Other convenient features include a hot-water dispenser for tea, a frothing wand for crema, and a cup warmer. A single- and double-shot stainless-steel filter basket, coffee tamper, and 7-gram measuring scoop are included. Its 72-ounce water reservoir is removable for easy filling or cleaning. To keep the espresso machine clean, simply wipe it down with a damp cloth. The unit measures 14-1/4 by 8 by 9-1/2 inches. --Catie Unger


This review is from: Gaggia 14101 Classic Espresso Machine, Brushed Stainless Steel (Kitchen)
Based on the reviews, I thought this would be a good choice. I wanted a unit that was well made and could handle both tamped grounds and ESE pods. Upon receipt, the build quality seems pretty high. It makes a nice espresso, but really struggles generating flow with the pods. And, alas, shortly thereafter it started to leak pretty badly around the pump. Sent back to the vendor, who informed me that none of the espresso machines that promise ESE compatibility are very good at it. Sigh. Now they tell me.

Received the unit back and for 2 months it's worked well up until the pump died. I suspect the labourious effort to force water through the ESE pods was just too much for it. So I guess I get to ship the 30 lb thing back to the east coast again for servicing.

Finally, when I purchased this unit I had a choice of vendors and I went with Wholelattlove because they promised wonderous customer support. But I have found their service dept difficult to even get ahold of. When I originally had the issue with the pump leak, they advised me to take the top off the unit, run it and see if I could spot and fix the leak. Nice. It would've been better to purchase directly from Amazon and return for replacement when it didn't work.