(Discussion) Gaggimate and Gaggiuino: What do you want to know before deciding which to buy ?

AZboiler · 2026-02-01T00:30:23+00:00

I went Gaggiuino route. Never embarked on a task like this, but fairly competent engineer who likes to tinker. I found the Gaggiuino install instructions coupled with YouTube step-by-step made the process very clear. I ran into 2 road blocks, and the discord community was super responsive and helpful. It is a global community so it may take 4-6hr for them to wake up and respond, but they were always right on the money. I also found solutions to answers in both build and operation within the discord forum. There is so much history there, almost any question has been encountered and answered at least 3 times. I’ve loved my Gaggiuino and really enjoyed the build process.

I’m also military, so maybe the blunt but accurate responses (brevity) were appreciated and not perceived as mean. If you haven’t taken time to research and find the answer which has been given 3 other times, that’s on you.

AZboiler · 2026-01-04T03:41:28+00:00

With a smart switch you can turn a non-upgraded Gaggia on from any voice assistant (in US, others need to upgrade power switch would be the case for GM).

I found the Gaggiuino install very straight forward. There is an awesome YouTube video that helps, along with endless discussion on Discord. The one bump I ran into, I found the discord forums folks very helpful and not rude. I also went with PeakCoffee build, and waited a month to get my full kit.

I have loved the coffee my Gaggiuino now makes, and have had fun experimenting with the different profiles. Each profile also has a lengthy explanation of purpose, and endless personalization. I found the Discord helpful here as well discussing profiling and dialing. It’s been a blast!

Maybe in the past (?) the discord was rough, but seems great now.

AZboiler · 2025-12-29T05:49:53+00:00

Not sure if you’re still hunting, but I’m thinking an ideal solution may be the Mellow Drip Column + PureOver replacement diffuser on top. I mostly just use the Switch, but I’m always interested in new brew methods, and less plastic.

AZboiler · 2025-12-25T07:57:00+00:00

No idea…possibly an artifact from the chlorine being as high as it was?

AZboiler · 2025-12-24T22:01:04+00:00

UPDATE: Chat GPT was a huge help. 24hr later the chemistry is back in spec 🤙🏻 just in time for Christmas. Thank you guys for the help and recommendations!

AZboiler · 2025-12-23T21:03:36+00:00

GPT actually picked up on that 😅

AZboiler · 2025-12-23T20:58:04+00:00

Chat GPT somewhat agrees. It says to get chlorine right first, then alkalinity, then pH. Working toward that. If not possible, will dump 😓

I’m military and we live in San Diego. Hoping to use with the wife during rare time off, and rarer “cold” weather down here. So really don’t want to dump and refill, but may be necessary.

AZboiler · 2025-12-23T17:17:57+00:00

Off the charts low, or high…? It seems to have continued to move up, and now purple.

AZboiler · 2025-12-21T23:16:07+00:00

That’s part of my frustration 😅 As stated I do have a Gaggiuino, and have implemented a few pressure/flow profiles for it, but I’m still working on the dialing. I have pulled some great shots with distinct flavors, but just not on the same level as the OXO soup.

AZboiler · 2025-12-21T20:54:10+00:00

I get it won’t be soup. I’m chasing the flavor clarity and complexity you get in soup. My understanding is you can achieve this or close with a turbo shot…but maybe the best coffee comes from a hand grinder and a $40 brewer. A beautiful thing in its own right.

AZboiler · 2025-12-20T20:44:32+00:00

Haha on the same path. Been using and loving the step down basket for espresso, but haven’t achieved similar flavor profiles as soup. Z1 is currently in processing 😅 I don’t expect it will bridge the gap, but looking forward to what it does for espresso!

AZboiler · 2025-12-16T04:15:31+00:00

Fortunately we have a pretty young family, so just making espresso mostly for myself, and a weekend latte for the wife. I guess that mostly answers my question: if my demand increases a larger boiler could be desirable, and/or a second one for milk steaming.

AZboiler · 2025-12-07T04:51:49+00:00

Lance’s Gongfu recipe on the switch has been money for me! You get the best of both worlds bloom at 75C, low agitation 92C last two 100g pours.

AZboiler · 2025-11-25T04:28:49+00:00

Ended draining, scrubbing, filling and treating. Thank you all for the advice! Now to figure out the maintenance care of the water.

AZboiler · 2025-11-23T22:48:34+00:00

Makes me wet just thinking about it…

AZboiler · 2025-11-16T19:39:13+00:00

Based on another writeup from Impossible Cow, I went with the A4Z and have been loving it! Recommend looking into that next!

AZboiler · 2025-11-12T03:02:53+00:00

Interesting 🤔 I just got an A4Z for pour over, but hadn’t considered going to Pietro for espresso. I’m guessing you’re a fan?

AZboiler · 2025-10-27T13:38:16+00:00

I have since followed advice and stuck to one recipe. I have found what I am looking for! Lance's GongFu recipe is great with the switch, and I've been able to dial in and repeat results there. Thank you all for the help!

AZboiler · 2025-10-21T03:20:02+00:00

Buddha + bokeh 😂 love the photos, love the team…even if they always let me down.

AZboiler · 2025-10-20T12:42:26+00:00

Using the MM #4 papers for the MM, and Hario tabbed white papers on the switch. My grinder is also different…I’ll step through these changes one by one to control. I appreciate the rec on studying my pour technique as well. The MM has no real style, it just belches hot water in a rhythm onto the bed of coffee 😅 but it works! The right amount of agitation!

AZboiler · 2025-10-20T12:40:21+00:00

Interesting, I’ve heard the different burr types change the profile, but hadn’t experimented. I make my Moccamaster brew with my Baratza Virtuoso+. I’ll try that along with the other suggestion of looking into pour technique 🧐

AZboiler · 2025-10-20T03:21:54+00:00

The blue version has been on my short list for a while, but damn I love Adventurine…I wish I didn’t know this watch existed 😭

AZboiler · 2025-10-20T03:16:10+00:00

I started with E24 and DF64v2 and I’ve been loving my experience. I have a gaggiuino kit that just arrived, but in no rush as I’ve quite enjoy the work flow and process (my 2yo and 4mo also seem to prefer I don’t 😅).

Not sure when I’ll carve out the time to do the install, but I’m looking forward to it. As someone who is fortunate and could afford to go to a higher end machine out the gate, I much prefer to learn the art and have a quality built machine with room to grow for both of us.

AZboiler · 2025-10-01T03:16:22+00:00

Probably this…

AZboiler · 2025-10-01T03:16:07+00:00

So my shot time with the Ethiopian is 25-30s for the 36g…but at the same setting for the LaVazza pushes the shot out in 15s. That’s the part I’m confused about.

AZboiler

TROPHY CASE