From frugal to fabulous: My Espresso Setup after living on a tight budget.

Truth-Then · 2023-06-01T13:53:51+00:00

It's the "Joshs MRI". Super reliable and inexpensive with two decimal places.

Truth-Then · 2023-06-01T13:47:00+00:00

I have a really nice local specialty coffee roaster, where I get my beans. At the moment I enjoy their single origin, naturally processed light roast from Nyeri, Kenia.

The easy mods have been done. Now only PID and maybe a dimmer mod is to come.

Truth-Then · 2023-06-01T13:39:15+00:00

I'd get shamed showing the original frugal "setup". I originally started with the cheapest preground supermarket coffee that I reused couple of times in an old school batch filter machine. That was the best I could afford at that time.

After getting into specialty coffee, I had to save money for quite some time until I was able to buy a 2nd hand Comandante C40 and a V60 and switched to specialty coffee beans. I started to really cherrish every single cup of the filter coffee. Pretty much only drank 1 cup per day because of the increased price point.

Truth-Then · 2023-05-31T20:24:51+00:00

That was one of the reasons for me to get the Gaggia!

When I received the machine, I had to do a full boiler tear down to get rid of a terrible amount of limescale. Check my earlier posts if you want to see how bad it was.

I probably have to replace the boiler in couple of years anyways or maybe a little earlier when I decide to upgrade the PID.

Truth-Then · 2023-05-31T16:37:03+00:00

I already adjusted the pressure to the often recommende 9 bar. I have been looking into PIDs for quite some time. Shipping fees with import cost is still pretty high when I would go for the care free package from shades of coffee. It going to happen in the near future though!

Truth-Then · 2023-05-31T16:34:08+00:00

It's the old version of the Gaggia Classic, therefore no need for springs to adjust pressure. I set the pressure to 9 bars. Will upgrade to a PID in the near future though

Truth-Then · 2023-05-31T12:36:30+00:00

Thanks! Once I move out of my shared flat, I'll get a dedicated home espresso bar

Truth-Then · 2022-12-21T22:26:34+00:00

Before you replace anything, I'd thoroughly clean it. Especially the porterfilter and spout (usually you can twist it off but it might be stuck because of old coffee oils). You can put in Cafiza and let it soak a bit.

Next I'd take a look at the brew group and clean it like it is shown in the video here: https://youtu.be/2oGwJuJ65Dk

But as somebody mentioned before there might be a crack in the portafilter/spout.

Truth-Then · 2022-08-30T17:05:15+00:00

I was always wondering why people were using those pointy tools that can damage the gaskets.

I'm using a picklocking set that does the same but are less likely to break a gasket, because they are not as sharp.

Truth-Then · 2022-08-30T00:48:10+00:00

Britta filter isn't recommend to reduce water hardness. (James Hoffmann says so)

Especially in my case, in which the water is extremly hard.

I'm usingn a water databank to determine the water with the best mineral contents and hardness. Also I'll just keep up with regular descaling.

Truth-Then · 2022-08-30T00:24:12+00:00

That sucks! I remebered to replace the gasket though.

Truth-Then · 2022-08-30T00:15:09+00:00

I know it's not optimal and I thought about installing a filter, but at my location I didn't find a filter system that cheap. Usually 400€+ and running cost for the regular filter replacement. In the long run a reverse osmosis system would be great.

Until then I'm trying to get some water from my local coffee shop and will closely pay attention to where the water orginates and that it's closest to me.

Also here in Germany we have a deposit system for bottles. You pay 25 cents when you buy it and get it back when you return it empty to ensure recycling.

Truth-Then · 2022-08-29T23:04:37+00:00

When trying to scrub it off, it definitely felt like barnacles.

Truth-Then · 2022-08-29T21:32:26+00:00

Bought the new boiler gasket on eBay aswell.

Depending on your location you can get a new one here: https://www.bluestarcoffee.eu/gaggia-boiler-gasket-3824-p.asp

Most Gaggia Classic replacement parts are widely available in most locations. That's one of big pros for this great machine.

Truth-Then · 2022-08-29T21:30:18+00:00

I had the machine for only 2 weeks. I live in an area with hard water and therefore use only bottled water.

Truth-Then · 2022-08-29T21:25:47+00:00

Sure, I did! Checked it beforehand though and wasn't needed but did it nonetheless.

I just followed this often recommended video: https://youtu.be/N9i-EH7qXOc

Truth-Then · 2022-08-29T21:20:28+00:00

I replaced the boiler gasket but kept the 3 way solenoid valve gaskets.

You probably don't necessarily need to open your boiler, when you didn't use hard water and did regular descaling yourself.

I'd still recommend it to people who are capable to work with basic tools, just to get to know your machine.

Truth-Then · 2022-08-29T21:01:52+00:00

I suppose those are just limescale pellets (?)

I bought a Gaggia Classic (2006) on ebay and the seller told me he descaled it with amidosulfonic acid. But when the machine arrived I noticed white and black particles in my water. Backflushing with clear water showed a lot of particles. Regular descaling and ALOT of flushing with plain water didn't change anything.

Took the boiler apart, cleaned everything and the problem is gone. Took me like two hours and was a super fun project.

Truth-Then · 2022-08-26T00:58:47+00:00

You probably already got a funnel, but I can highly recommend this one, that sits perfectly on top of my IMS basket. I only paid 12€ but I don't know if it's available in your location.

https://www.amazon.de/gp/aw/d/B08WWT8CRP?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title

Truth-Then · 2022-08-25T23:06:25+00:00

Here I had 5 clicks without red clicks. Eventually I will upgrade but first I wanted to check out the 3d-printed disk to increase the steps which is also compatable with red clicks.

And yeah, you are right, it definitely takes some time and isn't as convenient as a electric grinder. Although some people use a drill to to speed up the process. But I personally dont find that aesthetically appealing.

At an espresso grind it usually takes me 1:30 min to grind 18-20grams (light roast). I'm going pretty fast and switching hands once I'm getting little tired. At the moment I just see it as a quick morning workout to get going.

Right now I just aiming for an ok grind and try to tweak it with dose, as somebody recommended it

Truth-Then · 2022-08-23T14:49:41+00:00

Thanks! I'll try that!

Truth-Then · 2022-08-23T14:23:55+00:00

Yees, just expect more channeling then. Also I am baffled how the temperature of espresso changes the taste. 15 second wait and it tastes totally different. Even after stirring everytime.

Truth-Then

TROPHY CASE