Gaggia 97001 Coffee Deluxe Espresso Machine with Automatic Milk Frother, Silver
by Gaggia
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Product Summary
Manufacturer: GaggiaBrand: Gaggia
Model: 97001
Color: Silver
Product features:
- 1425-watt espresso machine with 16-bar pump, 2 thermostats, and commercial-quality construction
- Turbo Frother for perfectly frothed milk; 30-cup removable water reservoir; hot-water dispenser
- Built-in cup warmer; anti-drip system; Illy-pod capability; illuminated switches; safety valve
- Easy-to-clean, detachable parts; 2 stainless-steel filter baskets, coffee tamper, and 7-gram scoop included
- Measures 14-1/2 by 8 by 9-3/4 inches
Kitchen and Housewares Reviews of Gaggia 97001 Coffee Deluxe Espresso Machine with Automatic Milk Frother, Silver
Customer Review: Gaggia Coffee or Coffee DeLuxe
Summary: 2 Stars
Gaggia Coffee DeLuxe Review
Purchased mid 2006
This machine was a replacement for a Gaggia Carrezza I had been using for a little over two years. Why did I replace the Carrezza? I had read lots of reviews, most of which raved about the Coffee and the Coffee DeLuxe, and my Carrezza, although still working great, was getting pretty noisy. I figured I could sell it while it was still working, so why not upgrade now?
As it turns out, the Coffee DeLuxe was hardly an "upgrade." It does nothing the Carrezza didn't do better. It is difficult to figure why this thing cost $150 more than the Carezza.
My first impression was, what did I get for the extra $50 over the price of the Coffee? Supposedly it was the finish of the DeLuxe case, which to me looks like any Wal-Mart small appliance. It's just a painted, stamped steel case with an ill-fitting plastic panel on the front. My $12 toaster looks better made.
The switches on the Carrezza were big, conveniently placed and intuitive. The switches on the Coffee are tiny, inconveniently placed and about as counter-intuitive as they could be. After six months with this machine, I still have to squint to look at the ulta-tiny icons on the switches to see which is which. I finally added an "on-off" label because having switches that turn on to the left and off to the right is again, counter-intuitive.
My biggest complaint is the water reservoir. On the Carrezza, it was made of clear, frosted plastic, plainly visible from the front of the machine at about any viewing angle. I could lift the lid, pour in the water as I watched the level rise in the reservoir. On the Coffee, the reservoir is made of smoke-colored plastic, and it is tucked away under the front overhang of the machine. To fill the reservoir, I need to remove the cheezy plastic cover (on the Carrezza it was hinged) and get out my flashlight which then allows me to barely see the water level in the reservoir. Holding the flashlight while pouring the water while bending over to be able to see under the overhang is a real challenge. Again, really user-unfriendly.
The steam knob is on the right side of the machine, a curious location since you need to operate it while holding the frothing pitcher. Not a big deal, but not user-friendly. The knob on the Carrezza was conveniently located on the top of the machine.
The drip tray on the Carrezza got a lot of reviewer flack because it didn't hold much liquid. That was an easy fix. I simply slid an espresso cup under the brew head after pulling a shot, then the drips would end up in the cup. The drip tray in the Coffee is bigger. It is also a super-flimsy, ill-fitting plastic box that sort of sloppily slides into the stamped steel housing. It has a very thin metal grille on top. It works, but it is junk.
OK, so how does the machine work? It works as well as the Carezza did and its redeeming feature was that it didn't make as much noise as the Carezza . . . for a while. For the last month or so, it has been getting louder and louder and now it intermittently sounds like something is coming apart inside. It is now louder than the Carezza was at its worst.
Speaking of noise, the first time I turned it on, the thin metal panel that covers the pump housing vibrated so loudly it sounded like some sort of alarm. I removed it and bent it slightly so it would rest solidly against the too-big slots it fit into, and that stopped the buzz-roar. How nice it would have been to have it delivered that way.
Bottom line: If I could trade this machine straight across for another new Carezza, I would. When it comes time to replace it, I'll look to some other brand besides Gaggia. The Carrezza is no doubt the best all-around value in an espresso machine.
Description of Gaggia 97001 Coffee Deluxe Espresso Machine with Automatic Milk Frother, Silver
Consumers Best Buy! The Silver Edition Coffee Deluxe is a new espresso and cappuccino machine that shares the same styling as the "top of the line" Gaggia Classic. Equipped with two thermostats that automatically regulate the correct temperature of water for brewing coffee and steam temperature for frothing. This espresso machine is constructed of heavy duty materials for longevity and forged brass components to stabilize temperature, keep your brewed espresso hot and your extraction perfect. It comes with both the automatic frothing attachment and the new improved turbo frothing wand. Includes two stainless steel filter baskets (one and two shot), coffee tamper and 7g coffee scoop.Espresso Machines
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