Here I’m comparing the Gaggia Anima vs Velasca to reveal their pros, cons, and differences. Just a little spoiler: the Gaggia Velasca takes the crown in this face-off. They share many features, but the Gaggia Velasca takes the lead with more grind settings and a built-in cup warmer to pre-heat the cup, while the Gaggia Anima can fit taller cups.
Gaggia Anima Vs Velasca: Specs & Features Comparison Chart
Last update on 2024-11-16 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Gaggia Anima Vs Velasca: Differences
The Velasca won 2-1 against the Anima. Get ready for an in-depth look at what sets these models apart and what they have in common!
Coffee Flavor & Brewing System
Winner: Gaggia Velasca
Built-in Grinder
Both have a robust and quiet ceramic conical grinder. I was impressed with their low noise and grind consistency, but best of all, the ceramic doesn’t overheat easily during the grinding process. This is crucial because excessive heat can adversely affect the flavor of the coffee by prematurely releasing oils and aromas.
What’s more, their grinders are multi-level, meaning there are several different grind settings for you to fine-tune your coffee to match your preferences and the type of coffee being brewed. The Anima has 5 different settings, while the Anima steps up with 10 adjustment levels. What’s important to remember is to only adjust the grind during operation and avoid oily beans.
I found that making adjustments on these machines isn’t as simple as just turning a knob, which is what I’m used to with most other espresso machines. Instead, there’s a key hidden underneath the dose scoop, and I had to adjust it in an Allen wrench style. This method isn’t too hard, but I kept wondering why Gaggia would opt for this less conventional approach.
Heating System
Both the Anima and Velasca have a single heating boiler or, more precisely, a thermoblock. The fast-heating system ensures you can enjoy your first hot cup of Joe in under one minute, not to mention it can quickly switch between brew and steam. That’s great, but if you frequently make multiple milk-based drinks in quick succession or value the ability to brew and steam simultaneously, a dual boiler system may be preferable.
Brewing System
Once the grinder has completed its job well, the machine releases a small amount of hot water onto the grounds in a short time, called pre-infusion. It’s not yet meant to brew the coffee but to prepare the grounds for optimal extraction. The key goal of this short phase is to release carbon dioxide and allow the coffee grounds to swell and expand, helping to extract more flavor.
Design & Convenience
Winner: Gaggia Anima
Dimensions & User Interface
| Gaggia Anima | Gaggia Velasca | |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 8.7 x 13.4 x 17 inches | 13.5 x 10.25 x 17 inches |
| Weight | 18.4 lbs | 20.7 lbs |
These two are the same height, but the Anima is a little “narrower.” Anyone with a small kitchen or office will surely appreciate this. Well, they’re also not too heavy.
I was impressed with how well the machines were made, although most of the housing was plastic. Still, their visual design didn’t quite captivate me as much. They would win some modern design awards if we were still in the time they were first introduced. That’s just a playful jab! They’re not what you’d call ugly ducklings, but in terms of contemporary design, they might lag behind the more stylish offerings from brands like DeLonghi or Jura.
Spout & Cup Clearance
| Gaggia Anima | Gaggia Velasca | |
|---|---|---|
| Spigot Type | Dual | Dual |
| Cup Clearance | 4.3–6.5 inches | 2.8-4.5 inches |
Both have a height-adjustable dispensing spout, so you won’t experience irritating splashes all over your counter, and you’ll preserve the Gaggia’s lovely crema in your espresso cup. The Anima’s spout can be raised up to 6.5 inches, giving you enough room for a travel mug or latte glass. Meanwhile, the Velasca’s dispenser can go all the way down lower, reducing splashes and maintaining the crema on top.
Water Reservoir & Bean Hopper
| Gaggia Anima | Gaggia Velasca | |
|---|---|---|
| Water Reservoir | 1.8 liter | 1.5 liter |
| Bean Hopper | 0.26 liter | 0.31 liter |
Their liftable water tanks can work with water filters, purifying tap water and removing impurities and any substances that could affect the taste of your coffee, such as chlorine, minerals, or impurities. This not only results in better-tasting espresso but also cuts down on the frequency of descaling – kill two birds with one stone.
Other Features
Winner: Gaggia Velasca
The Velasca features a passively heated cup warmer. This is a surface on the top of the machine designed to keep your cups warm before and after coffee extraction, ensuring that the coffee doesn’t lose heat too quickly upon being poured and maintaining its optimal temperature for a longer duration.
Gaggia Anima Vs Velasca: Similarities
Milk Frothing System
Both have a good Pannarello steam wand, which automates the steaming process to some extent but still requires manual intervention. This means you still have the opportunity to control the frothing process, including the angle and depth of the wand in the milk, which can affect the quality of the froth. It’s important to note, though, that the wand moves only side to side and not up and down, so finding the optimal angle might be a bit challenging.
Pre-programmed Coffee Options & Programmability
| Gaggia Anima | Gaggia Velasca |
|---|---|
| Espresso Espresso Lungo Hot Water | Espresso Espresso Lungo Hot Water |
If you’re in search of a vast array of beverage options, the Anima and Velasca might not fully meet your expectations, as they don’t provide a multitude of specialty drinks instantly. However, they allow you to easily adjust and save settings like drink length, strength, and temperature. So feel free to explore and innovate in your coffee-making.
Both have a bypass chute for pre-ground coffee. Of course, you won’t get as good results as from fresh grinding beans, but this is convenient for times when you might want to brew a type of coffee not available in bean form, like a decaffeinated blend. I said you shouldn’t put oil beans in their bean hoppers, right? Still, you can savor the taste of oily beans by grinding them separately and using the bypass doser to introduce the grounds into the machine. This way, you can enjoy drinks made from oily beans without any hassle.
Cleaning & Maintenance
I should mention first that it’s easy to remove their brew groups for periodic deep cleaning. It also means that in the event of a factory defect, you can replace this crucial component effortlessly, without the need to loosen any screws. Some other removable parts that you also need to keep an eye on regularly include the drip tray, coffee grounds box, water tank, and more.
Descaling these machines is almost hands-free, and remember to only use Gaggia’s descaling agent. As for cleaning the milk steam wand, just running hot water through it is usually sufficient to remove milk residues. A good wipe post-use is also recommended to keep it in prime condition.
Quick Rundown Of Gaggia Velasca
- Manual frothing for milk-based drinks: Pannarello steam wand for frothing milk
- Programmable: programmable brewing options for Espresso and Espresso Lungo with 3 different temperature settings
- Ceramic burr grinder and brew unit: ceramic burr grinder with 10 fineness settings, 5 brew strength settings, and bean hopper with 10.5oz capacity
- Front loaded water reservoir: features a 54oz capacity and pulls out from the front of the machine, ideal for low hanging cabinets
Last update on 2024-11-16 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Quick Rundown Of Gaggia Anima
- Note: 1)Too coarse a grind, too little coffee, or insufficiently tamping the grounds before brewing can all lead to inadequate pressure for a proper brew. 2)It is important to note that the amount of espresso extracted will vary depending on the grind size and amount and reprogramming may be needed when the size and amount are adjusted
- MANUAL FROTHING FOR MILK-BASED DRINKS: Pannarello steam wand for frothing milk
- PROGRAMMABLE: Programmable brewing options for espresso and espresso lungo
- TEMPERATURE CONTROL: 3 different temperature settings. Min/177.5 °F, Med/182.9 °F, Max/184.5 °F
- EASY ACCESS TO WATER RESERVOIR AND BEAN HOPPER: Features a removable 60 oz water reservoir that can be accessed on the top left of the machine, and an 8.8 ounce capacity bean hopper with access from the top right of the machine
Last update on 2024-11-16 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
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References:
- Gaggia Velasca: https://www.gaggia.com/automatic-machines/velasca/
- Gaggia Anima: https://www.gaggia.com.au/portfolio-item/gaggia-anima-focus/
Felix Hendricks is a skilled barista with over 12 years of experience. He excels in crafting coffee and has a strong foundation in coffee machine mechanics. Felix holds a Coffee Machine Maintenance Certification from the Coffee Equipment Technical Institute, showcasing his ability to diagnose and repair coffee machines. He’s also worked as a quality control specialist, selecting premium coffee beans for optimal flavor. Felix has a diverse work history, including stints at renowned coffee spots like Café Euphoria & Starbucks. His expertise in both brewing and machine maintenance makes him a respected figure in the coffee industry.