Gaggia Carezza vs Saeco Aroma

[sduck27]

Going back and forth about these 2 espresso machine which one is best?

[mp]

Saeco owns Gaggia.  Having said that now Philips has bought out Saeco. 

They are two different machines.  Saeco uses the pressurized portafilter to make coffee.  Gaggia has much higher wattage and an industry standard 58 mm portafilter so if teamed up with a good Italian espresso grinder you will get some decent shots with it.  The saeco will give you faut crema as the pressurized portafilter manufactures it.  Coffee connoisseurs would take the Gaggia route for the better taste ... others may take the Saeco route.

In a nut shell that is the difference between the 2.

 

[sduck27]

in the $250-300 range(for the machine) grinder in a seperate budget. is there other options i should be looking at?

[mp]

Are you looking at buying new or used?  Do you think you would want to one day upgrade your equipment or not?

 

[sduck27]

the machine will be for fun (not looking to upgrade in the near future) if i can get a better one (more durable) used i would do that.....  I can mess with stuff i little to fix, if needed.

[Tex]

Going back and forth about these 2 espresso machine which one is best?

Gaggia wins, hands down. I recommend the Gaggia Classic paired with a Cunill Tranquilo grinder.

That'll make some fine espresso and you won't feel the need to upgrade for a long time. 

[mp]

Going back and forth about these 2 espresso machine which one is best?

Gaggia wins, hands down. I recommend the Gaggia Classic paired with a Cunill Tranquilo grinder.

That'll make some fine espresso and you won't feel the need to upgrade for a long time. 

Robert ... he said his price range was 250 - 300.

 

[MMW]

Well...a refurb New Baby is $311 right now. 

OT:  Did 1st line stop selling Gaggia?

[Tex]

Going back and forth about these 2 espresso machine which one is best?

Gaggia wins, hands down. I recommend the Gaggia Classic paired with a Cunill Tranquilo grinder.

That'll make some fine espresso and you won't feel the need to upgrade for a long time.  

Robert ... he said his price range was 250 - 300.

 

Then I'd check this search of eBay for a good buy.

Or, This search of Craig's List.

If nothing else, get the grinder and an Aeropress and save up for a good machine.

[thecashin]

Saeco owns Gaggia.  Having said that now Philips has bought out Saeco. 

They are two different machines.  Saeco uses the pressurized portafilter to make coffee.  Gaggia has much higher wattage and an industry standard 58 mm portafilter so if teamed up with a good Italian espresso grinder you will get some decent shots with it.  The saeco will give you faut crema as the pressurized portafilter manufactures it.  Coffee connoisseurs would take the Gaggia route for the better taste ... others may take the Saeco route.

In a nut shell that is the difference between the 2.

 

I have an Aroma, and have removed the pressurization component of the PF (a very easy and neat procedure).
It is now producing a very nice thick crema, and as an added bonus the PF is now easier to clean.

No need to discount the Saeco based on the pressurized PF

[Tex]

Saeco owns Gaggia.  Having said that now Philips has bought out Saeco. 

They are two different machines.  Saeco uses the pressurized portafilter to make coffee.  Gaggia has much higher wattage and an industry standard 58 mm portafilter so if teamed up with a good Italian espresso grinder you will get some decent shots with it.  The saeco will give you faut crema as the pressurized portafilter manufactures it.  Coffee connoisseurs would take the Gaggia route for the better taste ... others may take the Saeco route.

In a nut shell that is the difference between the 2.

 

I have an Aroma, and have removed the pressurization component of the PF (a very easy and neat procedure).
It is now producing a very nice thick crema, and as an added bonus the PF is now easier to clean.

No need to discount the Saeco based on the pressurized PF

You're correct, the portafilter isn't Saeco's real weak link. The s/s boiler is though, and there's little to be done to help matters there.