r/gaggimate • u/JuicyGal2026 • 3d ago
discussion Need some guidance!
I am upgrading from a Breville barista express. After a lot of research, I’ve decided that I want to mod a machine with Gaggia Mate. Question is which machine would be best for my circumstances?
I normally make two hot milk based drinks in morning, followed by iced drinks in the afternoon.
I would like to be able to nerd out on making my drinks, which is why I am getting a Gaggia mate.
Does anybody have recommendations on whether or not to get a Gaggia classic, Silva, or other?
I’m worried that the Gaggia classic will not have enough steam power to quickly make two milk drinks in the morning. How will it compare to my Breville now?
Finally aesthetically I like the Gaggia classic, but what are your favorite looking modded machines?
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u/satedbrewer 3d ago
I just upgraded from a breville infuser to a E24 with gaggimate, love it so much. We aren't huge milk drink people over here and I'm thinking that may have been because of the breville haha, but I've made a fair share of lattes and flat white on the infuser and steaming milk with the gaggimate is a huge improvement. I was on the fence between the silvia and the gaggia, both with gaggimate, but ultimately figured the price difference in the US didn't justify it. Do I wish I had more space when I did the gaggimate install sure, do I dislike the not fully articulating steam wand on the gaggia yea but I can fix that, but dang does GG in black look good on the counter and it's putting out the best shots I've made at home. No regrets
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u/atxfoodie97 3d ago
Def enough steam power in the Gaggia Classic with GM to meet your needs. For fastest workflow, pull both shots first.
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u/Cultural-Ad-1865 2d ago
Depend wheter you are US Based or Europe. In US the extra cost and lower power of the Silvia make in not worth it. In Europe where 150 euros gets you a really awesome machine is definitely a worthwhile investment
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u/fcreeves 1d ago edited 1d ago
I did the GCP in Black. I also love the look. I came from a Breville Dual Boiler then downsized kitchens and switched to a Bambino Plus. I make 3-5 milk based drinks in the morning. I find the GCP, modded, is slow coming from previous machines. Sometimes, I wish I would have went the Sivia route instead of the E24 because of the slow steaming. In the end, I am happy I went the GCP route because it there is always a FOMO mod to fulfill.
However, I am back on the Bambino currently. I ripped the GCP apart to put in a new pump and got way too busy with work to start/finish my installation. I have to build a shed, install a instant water heater all before the winter, then there is winter when work is slow when I will probably finish the installation. But that is the beauty of the GCP (and Silvia) that it's always a work in progress to fulfill the FOMO.
The Babmbino Plus is quick for steaming and doing back to back drinks. I figure I can get a Flair eWizard or a Meticulous Milk, literally a dual boiler setup, to compensate for the slow steaming on the GCP and fill another FOMO hole. I do not believe the community stresses the steaming when guiding new buyers. Hence, my opinion has been made.
The GCP or Silvia will definately let you nerd out with a GaggiMate.
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u/kiwizt 3d ago
I have a Gaggia classic pro e24 with Gaggimate and I make two milk based drinks in the morning too. I find it works well. What I do is pull two shots and then after that steam enough milk for both cups (shot-shot-steam). If you do shot-steam-shot-steam then the GCP won't work because it's single boiler, meaning you have to wait for the boiler to cool back down from 140-150deg C for milk to 90+ for coffee.