A super-automatic espresso machine is a great way of satisfying your caffeine addiction without having to leave your home. One of the best super-automatic espresso machines you’ll ever see is the Gaggia Brera, a fantastic, user-friendly machine that makes premium-grade shots on your kitchen countertop. Let’s take a closer look at what this Italian-made espresso machine has to offer.
Stainless-Steel All Around
The first thing you may notice is that the Gaggia is made almost entirely of a metal finish. Most of its outer shell is made of stainless steel which should prevent it from becoming rusty over time. This is especially important since the appliance will be near and have water in it most of the time.
Also, because of the smooth metal finish, not only will it look appealing on your countertop, but it’s also extremely easy to wipe clean after you’ve prepared a hot shot of espresso.
Customizable Coffee
Only the best of the best espresso machines will allow you create a wide assortment of beverages with a simple turn of a dial or press of a button. In the case of the Gaggia, apart from its super-intuitive controls, users can full control over how coarse or fine their coffee grounds are by using the five-setting ceramic burr grinder.
Additionally, if one shot of espresso doesn’t provide enough of a kick to wake you up in the morning, the Gaggia’s double-shot option will. Instead of grinding two batches simultaneously and forcing a double-shot amount of water through, the Gaggia grinds two batches one after the other in order to maintain the taste and fragrance of a premium-quality double-shot espresso.
Ceramic Burr Grinder
While we’re on the subject of the built-in grinder, it’s important to note that the Gaggia uses a high-quality ceramic burr grinder instead of a stainless-steel one. Burr grinders produce a consistent coarseness from the first to the last bean that passes through it, ensuring a perfect extraction. Being made of ceramic, the grinders will stay longer for sharper while also dissipating heat much more quickly. The end result is an excellent, tamp-able puck ready that’s ready to roll.
Pannarello Frother Wand
Of course, you can’t have a milk-based beverage such as a latte or cappuccino without a healthy dose of steamed, frothy milk. The Gaggia comes with a built-in Pannarello frother wand that delivers high amounts of steam to almost instantaneously give milk an airy, full-bodied texture.
Pannarello frother wands are designed to help aspiring baristas steam milk quickly and without much trouble. However, for any professional baristas out there interested in creating latte art, this wand won’t be of much assistance.
40-ounce Front-Load Water Reservoir
Before starting the machine up, you’ll want to fill the water reservoir with fresh, ideally filtered water (though tap water works as well). With the Gaggia, you do this by pulling the reservoir out of the machine by from a front-facing panel next to the spout. This gives you quick and easy access to the tank while also ensuring the contents don’t go splishing and splashing everywhere.
Large Dreg Drawer
After you’ve prepared one, two, or eight shots of espresso, the Gaggia will automatically dispose of the spent pucks by dropping them into the large dreg drawer found on the front of the machine. The dreg drawer can hold onto as much as eight pucks at a time. The drawer, similar to almost every part of the Gaggia, is easy to wipe clean in preparation for the next batch.
Easy Maintenance
One thing first-time buyers tend to ignore is how easy it is to clean and maintain their new espresso machine. Thankfully, you won’t need to worry about taking excessive care of the Gaggia in order to keep it fully functional throughout its lifespan. Not only is the stainless-steel outer casing easy to wipe clean, but every part that needs to be washed or wiped regularly is easily accessible.
This includes the water tank, the dreg drawer, the steam wand, and the coffee bean hopper. The brew group is also easy to wash and rinse since it can be detached completely from the machine. And to make matters a million times easier, every time the Gaggia turns on or off, it automatically begins a self-cleaning cycle to keep the heating element free of buildup to ensure consistent results every time.
Verdict: Should I Get the Gaggia Brera?
The Gaggia Brera is an excellent starter espresso machine for aspiring home baristas. With a wide range of customizable settings, you can use the Gaggia to make any of your favorite hot, milk-based beverages with very little guesswork.
Our Recommended Automatic Coffee Machines
Last update on 2023-06-02 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
If you have any comments, please add them below. Similarly, please let us know if you spot any errors.