Coffee Appreciation

I'm not adverse to a little bit of light servicing/maintenance/repair should it need it.
Sounds like a perfect deal then! And you'll be able to sell it on for the same amount if you decide it isn't for you.

Unless the owner can vouch for having it descaled/serviced fairly recently I'd probably consider take it at least partly apart first thing to check limescale and make sure it's all good - this will also introduce you to what the inner workings are like for any future fettling that might be needed.

Seller has recently descaled it but I'll definitely take the lid off and have a poke around. I've been reading a lot about Gaggia's over the past few weeks so I really want to see the internals for myself. Cheers for the advise all.

Nice one, glad to hear it's working well for you!

Still baffling that they sell them with 3-hole tips after all these years

Circa 2008 Gaggia Classic. If I leave the steam switched on for a couple of minutes and don't use it, the machine starts rumbling loudly and dumps the steam down one of the silicone pipes into the water container. It then cuts any steam generation for a few minutes until it has cooled down. Any ideas what might have failed? I can see there's a boiler thermostat (107°C?) and a steam thermostat (145°C?) in there. Is there another OPV (other than the one that controls the shot pressure) that might have got furred up or failed?

Ah, it might be nothing and just because I've got my OPV pressure turned down to about 9 or 10 bar...

https://www.shadesofcoffee.co.uk/ive-installed-the-opv-mod-and-now-i-dont-have-much-steam-power---whats-up

Hmmm, thats a new one on me.

Related though - the thermostats on my similarly old machine started giving up the ghost. The brew one would fail occasionally, so it would heat all the way to the steam and possibly beyond? It was on my list to fix for ages, but the machine in general was just about reliable enough that I ignored it. Eventually it blew the thermo fuse on the top - so my hand was forced.

Chucked two new thermostats and new fuse on top (20 min job) and was amazed at the improvement. Think my temps were all over the place the last few years with the old thermostats. Still need to get round to the pid upgrade - but I just know as soon as I do that the thing is going to die - although another part of me feels like after the apocalypse it will be just cockroaches evolving to use the remaining classics - it's the favourite thing I own from a fix it yourself perspective.

So I picked up the cubika. It's pretty clean and to my novice eyes seems to be functioning although I haven't pulled a shot yet. The grouphead dribbles a bit but is this just the system releasing over pressure? Also, can anyone recommend a good tamper under ~£25?

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Aww yiss!
I’d also say that an 18g VST basket is a very worthy upgrade (admittedly it’s about half the price of the machine itself if you’ve just paid £50).

Would anyone want my Gaggia 106?

Definitely would show my interest. Ballpark £?

Also, can anyone recommend a good tamper under ~£25?

Honestly I'd just go for the cheapest thing that fits well. Presuming it's a 58mm basket you should have a huge selection to choose from. I've used all sorts of tampers expensive & cheap (including a fucking garish Rapha Chris King one) and I've never found a noticeable difference.

Main thing for me is how comfortable to hold it is. Though now that I'm using it 1 or 2 times per day instead of 300 or so, that's less of a concern.

I would say that I wish I had a 58.4mm tamper. The loose fit always bothers me, but never enough to buy another. Pretty sure you can get a 58.4mm for just as cheap as a 58mm now.

I’ve got one of these but in 53mm for my sage - good quality and works well, highly recommend https://clumsygoat.co.uk/products/motta-stainless-steel-tamper-wooden-handle-flat-base-58mm

I have a vst basket, 58.4mm tamper and levelling tool spare if anyones lookings. I'm in Ireland though so shipping/Brexit tax might not make sense.

Ooh, Pm'd.
N/m, I’m out!

Ahh that was an expensive couple of hours buying baskets and tampers... thanks for the suggestions all!

This will almost certainly be terrible, but it's £15...

https://www.lidl.co.uk/p/camping-classics/rocktrail-portable-coffee-maker/p60934

Porlex vs Rivers vs Kinto colab version would be amazing.

Scales for weighing and timing shots. I have the brewista ones but they are near deaths door. Just outside of warranty the buttons cracked so water gets in under the display and the charger port cover snapped off.

I’d rather something I can put batteries into as we have lots of rechargeable AA and AAA batteries. Instead of discovering the internal batteries are flat and the device needs to be plugged in.

Fast responding and accurate with a low stack height are the main goals, and then not too expensive, water resistant and ideally black. I don’t need app connectivity as it’s just another step and hassle.

Any suggestions?

Had no issues with these... WACACO EXAGRAM

How long did it take for them to deliver?

Yagua Barista used to be the forum favourite scales.

https://ravecoffee.co.uk/products/wacaco-exagram-compact-coffee-scales

Got it here. Took four days. They sent free coffee bags too.

Damn, out of stock

Has anyone put a longer tube on ther haggis classic. The one where the excess liquid comes out when you've finished making your espresso.