Last Updated on August 16, 2021 by YourBestCoffeeMachine
Gaggia Carezza Deluxe Review Summary
Sometimes all it takes is a well-made cup of espresso to start your day right. This can be easily achieved if you have the Gaggia Carezza Deluxe Manual Espresso Machine or the slightly more expensive, Gaggia Classic Pro (see our review summary at the end of this post).
This prestigious brand, Gaggia, developed by Philips has been a mainstay of the coffee world since the 1930s . Gaggia has established a reputable name for itself for manufacturing products that consistently delivers what it promises. Here we consider the main differences between the 2 models to help you decide which might be the better pick for you.
Overall if you love the classic Italian styling of the Gaggia Carezza Deluxe and don’t foresee needing to make espresso for a crowd, then the cheaper Gaggia Carezza is probably your best choice. If however you regularly make espresso for friends, then the Gaggia Classic Pro offers more speed with its dual portafilter and 3 way solenoid valve. Neither machine allows you to froth milk and make an espresso at the same time as they both have a single boiler.
| Dimension/Specification | Gaggia Carezza | Gaggia Classic Pro |
| Measurements | 28 x 21 x 29.7 cm / 11 x 8.3 x 11.8 inches | 23 x 38 x 24 cm / 9.5 x 8 x 14.2 inches |
| Weight | 4.9 Kilograms / 13.20 lbs | 7.265 kg / 20.00 lbs |
| Water Reservoir Capacity | 1.4 litre / 47 oz | 2.1 litre / 72 oz |
| Power | 1900 watts (UK) / 1300 watts (US) | 1350 watts (UK) / 1450 watts (US) |
| Materials | Plastic (UK) / Stainless Steel and Plastic (US) | Stainless steel |
| Milk Frothing | Pannarello wand | Commercial Wand |
| Regular Price | Around $300 – $350 (US and UK) / $2,900 (AU) | Around $400 – $450 (US and UK) / $900 (AU) |
The Traditional Way of Italian Espresso
With the rapid development of technology and high-tech methods of making coffee, Gaggia seeks to bring back the traditional way of preparing the perfect Italian Espressos, lattes, and cappuccinos with modern technological twists. These are both semi automatic espresso machines using simple buttons to control everything.
One of the key ingredients in any cup of coffee that has to be perfectly made, otherwise you’ll have a second rate coffee on your hands, is the espresso pull itself. A good espresso needs to have the ultimate crema and the Gaggia coffee makers guarantee to achieve this with their pressurized filter holder.
Gaggia calls this feature the Crema Perfetta Portafilter, which only brews when the pressure from the filter reaches 9 bars (the industry standard). This feature is said to extract all the essence of the freshly ground coffee beans to release the best taste and aroma every single coffee bean has to offer. Also, a pressurized filter preserves and maintains the flavour of the coffee bean so that the crema lasts longer in the coffee cup or in the coffee maker.
According to the majority of users, both machines can produce an excellent pull of espresso.
15 bar pressure
The Gaggia machines both boast a high 15 bar pressure. Pressure this high is essential in making a high quality tasting cup of coffee, otherwise the flavour of the coffee would not be so strong, the whole drink will probably taste bland and the other ingredients used in your cappuccinos and your latte macchiatos might not blend well.
The Classic Pro upgrades this with a 3 way solenoid valve. This gives constant control on the water pressure inside the filter holder which allows you to remove the portafilter immediately after use without getting that sharp release of pressure you might have seen in other machines (a portafilter “sneeze”). With this upgrade, you can produce more quality coffees in a faster time than with the Gaggia Carezza Deluxe.
Check Price Gaggia Classic Pro
Suitable for both ground and ESE coffee
Another feature that the Gaggia coffee machines have that goes with their traditional yet modern approach to making coffee is their dual compatibility to both ground coffee beans and easy serve espresso pods. So this coffee maker has two filters specifically designed for the two types of coffee beans. If you want to go the traditional route of creating coffee, especially espressos, you can use the standard filter for ground coffee beans – be sure to use fresh coffee beans for optimum taste – which has a capacity for 1 to 2 cups.
But if you are in a hurry and want that instant flavours, there is also a special coffee filter for easy serve espresso pods that are portioned precisely for easier use of the otherwise manual coffee machine. So whatever kind of coffee beans you currently have, there would not be any problem of not being able to use them because the Gaggia is compatible with different varieties of coffee beans.
Panarello milk frother vs Commercial milk frother wand
Gagggia understand that we don’t all like to drink espressos all the time – some prefer something a little more milky like cappuccinos and lattes. Both Gaggia machine is able to provide for those preferences by having a classic milk frother attached to the machine. The classic milk frother, called a “panarello” wand, creates the best creamy froth from many different types of milk (cow, almond, soy or nut milk) to add to your cappuccino, latte macchiato, or other favorite milky coffee drink. It also doubles as a heater or water boiler for when you want to have tea instead of coffee.
Check Price Gaggia Carezza Deluxe
Coffee cup holder is a nice touch especially for small kitchens
For those who have small kitchens or in offices with small counter spaces, sometimes it is difficult to find some space to place your coffee cups safely, well Gaggia has a design that’s not just aesthetically pleasing but also functional. The top of the coffee maker is specifically designed to hold coffee cups at the ready for anyone in need of a quick fix, it is perfectly safe since it has a slightly rough texture to prevent cups from slipping and the edges are raised to prevent cups from falling to the floor. It also has a drip tray so you won’t have to constantly wipe the table or countertop from any spills and to contain the water from steams.
Gaggia Classic allows you to brew 2 cups of top notch coffee at the same time
It also has two spouts for you to be able to prepare multiple cups in a shorter amount of time, this is especially useful for family settings and when you have guests. For added convenience, the Gaggia is very user-friendly and comes with easy to understand instructions.
You can see from all these features, including their dual coffee filter, the versatility of the Gaggia coffee makers. All of their components are optimized to perform different functions and at the same time perform incredibly well as a team to create the perfect cup of coffee whatever your preference. The coffee is guaranteed to be top-notch at all times.
Gaggia Carezza Deluxe better for smaller kitchens
One of the main differences between the 2 machines, is that the Gaggia Carezza Deluxe has a professional but also more compact design. It is made with stainless steel and black plastic finish which fits in with most kitchen decor. For all that it has to offer in terms of features, this space saver is also surprisingly light weight at just 4.9 kilos so you can move it off and on the counter top if needed.
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Gaggia – high end coffee machines with an affordable price
Gaggia is a very prestigious brand and it reflects on their pricing for this product, which is relatively high compared to some other brands, but in our opinion is still definitely affordable to the mass market. Who says a product can’t both be luxurious and affordable? Given all its features and functionality, it is definitely worth the initial investment. The amount will still be less than the money you will be spending on coffee shops every day for the same quantity and quality.
Verdict – Gaggia Carezza for everyday but Gaggia Classic Pro for entertaining
Both machines being manual espresso machines will take some practice to produce an espresso you will love. Neither has a dual boiler meaning you can only produce espresso or milk froth – not both at the same time.
The Gaggia Carezza Deluxe incorporates tradition, technology, versatility, and convenience in just one machine and for that this coffee maker is approved and recommended for use. It’s ready to brew in about a minute and has an automatic shut off for busy mornings.
The Gaggia Classic Pro is slightly more expensive, and has a more commercial look to it. It also has some commercial features such as the dual spout and 3 way solenoid valve both designed to let you speed through 2 cups of espresso and repeat again and again. But, unless you see yourself making a lot of coffee for a crowd so that you can truly appreciate these extra features, our pick is the Gaggia Carezza Deluxe.
I wish you had elaborated on what issues specifically pertain to the milk frother. I just bought this machine and know how to froth milk very well, but this machine just makes tons of big bubbles with no velvety texture. And yes the wand is in far enough. I was a barista and frothed milk every day with no issues.