Product Description

The Gaggia Carezza is one of the hottest products in the low $200 price range. No other espresso manufacturer will bring you the pump power, heating capacity, brass components and pure results at this price. Hi-tech performance combined with simplified fingertip control takes the guesswork out of making delicious espresso and cappuccino at home or in the office. Each cup will be creamy, tasty, robust and rich with flavor. Gaggia is in the process of rolling out a new Turbo-Frother wand replacing the metal frothing wand and sleeve. Your Gaggia may have shipped with the Turbo-Frother wand or the frothing wand. Both are designed to help you get great froth with minimum fuss

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #132811 in Kitchen & Housewares
• Color: Gray
• Brand: Gaggia
• Model: 35005
• Dimensions: 12.00" h x 13.00" w x 25.00" l,

Features

• 1425-watt espresso machine with powerful 17-1/2-bar pump and durable ABS plastic housing
• Chrome-plated brass brew group; 44-ounce reservoir; automatic self-priming pump; milk frother
• Stainless-steel drop-trap basin and cup-support grating slide out for quick cleaning
• Includes single/pod and double stainless-steel filter baskets, plastic tamper, and coffee scoop
• Measures 13-1/2 by 10-2/3 by 9-1/4 inches; 1-year warranty

Customer Reviews

A real pump machine
At around $200 at several online retailers this machine is about as great a value as you can find in a semi-automatic espresso machine. It has about the same internal parts and portafilter as much more expensive Gaggia machines, but a plastic rather than metal exterior. The steam wand produces a lot of steam, but is not really a pro style. It froths milk very well for a Cappuccino, but getting the even fine micro-bubbles for a Latte is a bit of a trick.
The unit in general is very solid, with a near commercial quality chrome plated brass group head and portafilter. The portafilter is a 58mm, which is the same as most coffee shop machines, and you will want to get your coffee ground a bit finer than a typical home "espresso" grind. Grinding your own is probably best.
Bottom line: If you want the least amount you can spend to pull a real double shot of espresso at home, this is as good a choice as can be found.
Added 4/29/06: I have had this for a year now, and used it every day. The trick here really is the grind, and I eventually got a Zassenhaus grinder, which has made a world of difference. A good burr grinder is needed to really bring out the best in this machine.
Added 10/08/07: I am still using it regularly, and I have to agree with some others, that the drip tray is too small given the fact that it does dribble a bit too much after you use it. Running some citric acid based cleaner once a month seems to help with this, but does not eliminate the problem. Anyway, apart from that gripe, it keeps on chugging along and putting out good coffee.

After searching and searching....
I ended up with this machine and boy am I glad that I did. I spent hours and hours reading descriptions and reviews and picked this machine mainly because it had a high pressure bar and because it uses both pods and regular coffee. The first time my husband and I made an espresso and a latte with this machine they came out "perfect", and that was our first time ever making one. We used Illy Espresso Pods and I must say, that now, we'd rather use our Espresso Machine that go to the local coffee shop. The Illy pods make great tasting espresso, much better than the Starbucks brand that we also purchased, We also tried using regular Maxwell House Coffee purchased in the regular grind and it worked perfectly also to brew an espresso. The machine heats very quickly to brew an espresso, though the only draw back is, sometimes when frothing milk you may begin to froth only to have the ready light go off and you have to stop frothing and wait for it to come back on (few seconds)because the machine wasn't hot enough for the steam when the light initially came on.. I also have some problems with it leaking extra espresso/water after I am done brewing, and it also leaks water from the frothing wand after I am done frothing, and I do clean it regularly, though if you just put a paper towel down, or don't mind wiping it up real quick, it really isn't a big deal, the great espresso it makes, more than makes up for that. I highly recommend this machine, I am a novice user and even I was able to make a great cup :) So for that I give it a 5

Great machine at a Great price.
My wife and I purchased this machine for my mother-in-law over FIVE year's ago and she uses it every DAY! So far she has only had to replace seals and some hoses last year. I decided to purchase an Espresso machine and did some serious looking and ended up with this machine. Not realizing that we had purchased the same machine for my mother-in-law. Well, they have changed a few things: the frother is now plastic instead of an all metal tube, and the Portafilter spouts are plastic where as they use to be metal, but the price is still reasonable and it makes a great cup of Espresso! My only complaint is that now those bargin Espresso stand wont do, I take one taste and almost yell at the Bartista, that I can make a better one at HOME!!! If you do purchase this machine, make sure you also purchase a Burr grinder! NOT a Blade grinder. Yes, pay the extra money on the Burr grinder and you wont be disappointed.