Gaggia RI9380/46 Classic Pro Review -Things To Consider Before Buying

First, you can spend $1,000+ on an entry-level semi-automatic from a major brand like DeLonghi, Hamilton Beach, or Technivorm. Or, if you don’t mind a little elbow grease, you can build one yourself from a kit like those sold by Waring or De’Longhi.

But what if you want something in the middle? What if you want all the convenience of a major brand but at a much lower price point? 

The Gaggia Classic Pro is exactly what you need! It offers all the features and benefits of a high-end machine (including the steam wand!), but at a price that won’t break the bank.

It's got all the features of the Gaggia classic (see above), plus a few extra goodies. The most significant upgrade is adding a second water tank, which lets you make up to two cups of espresso at once.

 Another nice touch is the auto-shutoff feature, which stops water flow if the espresso group hasn’t been tipped after 30 minutes. It comes with a three-year warranty and, at $449.00, it’s a heck of a lot cheaper than buying all the parts separately!

About the Brand

Before we get into the Gaggia Classic Pro Espresso Machine Review, let’s talk about the brand.

Gaggia is an Italian company that makes coffee machines and small kitchen equipment founded in 1947. Cappuccino and espresso machines are particularly well-known. Gaggia is part of the Saeco International Group, which is a Philips affiliate.

The Gaggia RI9380/46 is a modernized version of the Gaggia Classic 14101 to be quieter and better. Gaggia is a well-known and renowned coffee machine brand that promises to provide professional-level coffee in the comfort of your own home.

Let’s look at the features which you get from this best Gaggia machine:

Design & Materials:

The use of stainless steel in the building of the Gaggia Classic Pro is one of its most outstanding characteristics. Because it’s not typical in this price range, the durability is remarkable.

The Gaggia Classic Pro Espresso Machine is composed of brushed stainless steel and has a robust construction. Metal rather than plastic is used to create the water connection tubes, which makes them stronger. The machines have very few plastic parts as well.

The metal pieces are very well-finished, and the machine has tiny electronics, making it safer to operate. All of these elements indicate that the creators have given close attention to the smallest of details.

Nothing, however, is perfect. There are a few faults in the primary and robust design. For example, the drip tray and rubber legs are not securely secured, causing them to wobble. Also, because the body might heat up, you must exercise caution when using it.

Overall, this is a long-lasting espresso machine. Thanks to the stainless steel body and near-perfect polish, you won’t have to buy another one anytime soon.

Cleaning & Maintenance:

 Cleaning and maintaining the Classic Pro is a bit of a learning curve for the first couple of times. Later on, it won’t matter, but you’ll need to be cautious with your first few attempts.

The instruction manual isn't going to assist much here either. It is especially true if you want to descale the machine entirely.

Regular cleaning of your brewing is not tricky; it is a need for all brewing equipment. However, there is a small plastic piece in the machine’s portafilter that likes to collect muck. 

Due to this one piece, you must do the entire cleaning process with extreme precision.

Semi-automatic 

The Gaggia Classic Pro is a semi-automatic espresso machine, which means that while part of its operations is automated, some manual labour is also required. It is up to you to decide if this is a benefit or a drawback.

The semi-automatic espresso machine may be highly beneficial for you if you want your coffee produced precisely the way you like it and cannot compromise on quality in the least. 

It will teach you how to prepare coffee, including how to grind the coffee properly, tamp it properly, steam the milk, and create latte art for a nice cup of coffee.

If you're looking for a coffee machine that does all the work while you rest in an armchair, this may be a drawback. 

Espresso machines may be a preferable option in this scenario. However, if you want to get this equipment, you must be willing to more effort.

Simple and Easy to Operate

This coffee machine is straightforward to use. You must first grind your coffee and use a tamper to place it in the portafilter. 

Then it would help if you turned on the machine using the on/off rocker switch and the "brew" button. Finally, check to see if the water reservoir is already full.

It’s time to steam the milk after your brew is ready. First, take some milk and place it in a steel mug, then place the steam wand in the milk so that the wand’s rim is just below the milk’s surface. 

Then, after pressing the steam button, carefully move the wand around the milk to adequately steam it. After that, turn off the steam and clean the wand's edge with a damp towel.

Barista-Level Coffee

The Gaggia Espresso Maker features a professional portafilter that extracts the correct flavour from the coffee grounds.  

It also comes with a steam wand that can froth and steam milk to generate microfoam, which you can use to make latte art. 

Because the machine is semi-automatic, it may take some time to learn how to make excellent espresso, but once you can, you’ll probably never go to a café again.

Pros

• Stainless Steel Casing – The Gaggia Classic Pro’s brushed stainless steel casing provides a sleek and elegant aesthetic while making it robust for long-term use.

• Quieter Brewing — The espresso machine features an upgraded mount pump that minimizes brewing noise.

• Quicker Steaming and Frothing — The dual heating element speeds up the steaming and frothing process. Within 30 seconds, it can brew shot espresso.

• A thick coating of crema — Using a pressurized filter basket, you can produce a beautiful, rich crema from any variety of coffee.

• Large Water Reservoir — The espresso machine can keep a lot of water, which means you won’t have to replenish it as often.

• Commercial-Grade Machines — Unlike other espresso machines, the Gaggia Classic Pro boasts commercial-grade capabilities and is reasonably priced.

• Auto On/Off – The espresso machine’s auto on/off function sets it apart from other versions.

Cons

• Low Coffee Spout — Because the coffee spout is low (up to 2.75 inches), a large cup will not fit.

• Little Drip Tray – A drip tray can only hold a small amount of water. Huge – The machine is large and takes up a lot of room.

• Single Boiler — Because the machine only has one boiler, it can’t froth and brew at the same time.

• No Grinder — Because the Gaggia Classic Pro does not have a grinder, you will likely need to purchase one separately.

FAQs.

Why Should You Buy the Gaggia Classic Pro RI9380/46 Espresso Machine?

The Gaggia Classic Pro is an entry-level coffee machine. It’s not a machine for professional baristas. 

The machine does not have a grinder, and it cannot brew and steam simultaneously. For this machine, you'll need to purchase pre-ground coffee.

If you can afford it, look into the pricing of an espresso machine. It may appear expensive in contrast to other models, but its commercial-grade features set it apart.

The pressurized filter basket allows you to brew barista-style coffee with excellent flavour. The 58 mm portafilter is comparable to what you'd see at a coffee shop. 

If you are a total novice, you may gain some severe talents and practice and good technique.

Is it possible to use distilled water?

Please do not use distilled water since it will damage the boiler.

What is the best way to descale the Gaggia Classic Pro?

Descaling your Classic Pro is similar to descaling any other espresso machine. Your Classic Pro has a descale indicator that will alert you when it’s time to start the cleanup procedure.

To degrease your machine, use a regular degreaser and place it in the filter basket. Make sure the water is flushed away many times. 

It ensures that no water softeners or degreasing pills are left in the basket or on the machine’s inside.

With the Classic Pro, how can I brew a nice cup of coffee?

The machine is semi-automatic, and it lacks an integrated grinder. Therefore, it is always preferable to grind just before brewing. Also, use a bigger tamper that matches the size of this machine’s portafilter. 

It will ensure that the tampering is even and consistent. Finally, for a better-extracted coffee, use the pressurized filter basket, and for a more concentrated taste, use the unpressurized filter basket.

Is the Gaggia Classic Pro good?

The Gaggia Classic Pro is not a bad machine. However, you should know that it has some limitations. The Classic Pro also has no integrated grinder and it cannot brew coffee while steaming milk at the same time. It lacks dual boilers and it cannot accommodate mugs or larger cups.

What is the difference between the Gaggia Classic and Pro?

Everything apart from the design is identical. The Classic version is cheaper, but it lacks the more advanced features of the Pro version.

Does Gaggia Classic make good espresso?

The Classic and the Pro espresso machines are made by the same company. The Classic is a cheaper version of the Pro, but it has the same technology and brewing process. It can produce the same espresso taste as the Pro machine but only at lower temperatures. It does not have a built-in grinder or steam wand.

How do I get the most out of my Gaggia Classic Pro?

If you want to make the best espresso, you should use a good quality burr grinder. You will also need to invest in a better tamper than the one provided by this machine.

Also, it is important to take care of your espresso machine. You should regularly clean the filter basket and descale your machine every four months.

Where is Gaggia Classic Pro made?

The Gaggia Classic Pro is made in Italy. It is made in the same place as where all other Gaggia espresso machines are manufactured, so you can be sure of the quality and reliability of this product.

Does Gaggia Classic Pro have a grinder?

The Classic Pro does not have an integrated grinder. All of the other Gaggia machines will have a built-in grinder.

How many bars do you need for good espresso?

It is essential to have at least nine bars of pressure. This will ensure your espresso machine can produce a perfect, thick, and richly-textured beverage.

How long does Gaggia Classic Pro take to warm up?

The Gaggia Classic Pro will only warm up for a few minutes before it produces the first shot. It takes about 30 seconds to brew an espresso.

How do you steam milk in Gaggia Classic Pro?

There is no steam wand or built-in steamer in the Classic Pro. You will need a separate device to steam the milk.

Customer reviews

On Amazon, the Gaggia Classic Pro Espresso Machine has almost 900 reviews with an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars. It received a five-star rating in 82 per cent of the reviews.

Many customers praise the Gaggia Classic Pro Espresso Machine for producing excellent espresso, which they claim will convince you to abandon Starbucks as soon as you master the art of pulling shots. 

One of the consumers posted a review expressing regret for not purchasing more shortly. The Gaggia Classic Pro Espresso Machine is often called a machine rather than an appliance. 

However, a few customers have had to cope with a smoking machine and tripped circuits. Others who adore the machine wish it could accommodate a mug rather than a smaller cup. 

Only a few customers have complained about machines or parts of machines failing after a few months. A client also pointed out that even one shot of espresso requires six glasses of water, which seems like a lot of water to spend.

Check Out The Latest Reviews Here

Alternatives

If you’d instead buy a machine that’s a bit more simple to use, try the Breville BES830XL Espresso Machine. With a compact size and sleek design, it is not as sturdy as the Gaggia Classic Pro. 

It has an integrated grinder, but the grinder isn't powerful enough to provide you with high-quality coffee. The portafilter is smooth and can produce microfoam for latte art. 

The Gaggia Brera IIE Espresso Machine is a cheaper alternative to the Gaggia Classic Pro. 

This one uses the same brewing process and technology as the Classic Pro, which has a built-in grinder to produce high-quality espresso beans. In addition, it has a semi-automatic brew process that will stop after each cup.

Conclusion

The Gaggia Classic Pro is a must-have for anyone prepared to spend a bit extra time brewing a great espresso shot. In addition, this espresso machine is an excellent place to start if you want to learn how to brew coffee the way you want it.

The Gaggia RI9380/46 gives you all of the benefits of a professional coffee maker at a lower cost. Of course, you may need to invest in a decent grinder and tamper for better results, but it will be well worth the money.

Overall, if you want to spend time, money, and effort every day on a beautiful espresso, this product could be for you. You should also make sure your kitchen has enough room for this oversized equipment.