Comparing the Breville Infuser vs Gaggia Classic, I’d say the Breville Infuser is the better one since it maintains temperature stability with its PID, and its pre-infusion feature is a significant advantage for preventing channeling. As for the Gaggia Classic, you’d either need to modify it to include a PID controller or get accustomed to temperature surfing, which can be quite frustrating for beginners.
Breville Infuser Vs Gaggia Classic: Specs & Features Comparison Chart
Last update on 2024-12-17 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Breville Infuser Vs Gaggia Classic: Differences
The Breville Infuser came out on top against the Gaggia Classic with a score of 4-0 in my head-to-head comparison. Let’s read on to explore!
Coffee Flavor & Brewing System
Winner: Breville Infuser
Built-in Grinder
You might find these machines a bit limiting if you don’t already own a coffee grinder since they come without one. But if you have your own grinder or you are okay with pre-ground coffee, it’s not much of a barrier for you. And if you want to explore all the brewing possibilities, you could always invest in a conical burr grinder.
Dosing & Tamping
The Gaggia Classic uses a 58-mm commercial-grade portafilter, which is quite impressive, but the tamper is made of plastic and is terrible. It’s too flimsy and not heavy enough to do the job, so you’ll need to buy a separate stainless steel tamper.
The Breville Infuser, on the flip side, comes with a 54mm portafilter. Its tamper is far from perfect, but it’s not bad at all. Incidentally, it can also be attached to the machine’s body for neat storage.
Both ship with two sets of filter baskets: a pair of pressurized baskets and a pair of non-pressurized filter baskets. Receiving four filter baskets is a bit like discovering extra fries at the bottom of a fast-food bag – unexpected but a delightful surprise. Many manufacturers tend to take away the option of pressurized or non-pressurized, even though they know that each type has its own role.
Pressurized filter baskets are a better fit for beginners or those who prefer pre-ground coffee, offering a more forgiving brewing process. On the other hand, non-pressurized baskets are often the go-to for achieving superior extraction, even though they may require a bit more finesse.
Heating System
These machines have just one boiler, so they can’t pull a shot of espresso and froth milk at once. For most of us, the few seconds of wait time is no big deal. But if you’re really serious about milky drinks like lattes and cappuccinos, consider splurging on a dual-boiler machine.
The Breville Infuser, with its thermocoil heating system, heats up faster than the Gaggia Classic, which uses an aluminum boiler. To compare, the Breville Infuser reaches the right temperature within one minute, while the Gaggia Classic is ready to go in around two minutes.
The differences might seem minor, but they truly make a difference. I mean, in the rush of a chaotic morning, every single second counts, doesn’t it?
Brewing System
While I’m on the subject, I should say that the Breville Infuser has pre-infusion, while the Gaggia Classic doesn’t. Still, you can manually pre-infuse on the Gaggia Classic by slightly opening the steam knob, pressing the brew button for seconds, then turning the steam knob off, and you can start full extraction.
If you’re curious about pre-infusion, it is all about gently wetting the coffee grounds with low-pressure water before starting the full extraction process. This step is crucial because it helps the coffee grounds swell and settle, leading to a more even extraction of flavors when full pressure is applied.
Pressure, right, 9 bars of pressure is the minimum for proper extraction. Both use a 15-bar pump, so they’re more than capable of getting the job done well, without a doubt.
Ultimately, the Gaggia Classic also has no PID, so you have to modify it to add PID or temperature surf to get convincing results.
Design & Convenience
Winner: Breville Infuser
Dimensions & User Interface
| Breville Infuser | Gaggia Classic | |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 12.3 x 10.2 x 13.1 inches | 14.2 x 9.5 x 8 inches |
| Weight | 17 lbs | 18.7 lbs |
Coming to dimensions, they’re compact enough that they won’t crowd out other kitchen appliances. Both are encased in stainless steel, providing both a sleek appearance and robustness. It doesn’t matter which part you consider- the upper portion or the wand – the build quality’s strength is evident throughout.
Controlling Breville Infuser is as easy as a piece of cake. There are only four buttons on its front-facing control panel. Nestled in between is a Pressure Gauge, so you can get a clear picture of what’s happening with my espresso with just a glance.
The Gaggia Classic is even more minimalist with just 3 buttons for turning the machine off, brewing, and steaming. It’s just a matter of minutes to get used to everything, trust me.
Spout Type & Cup Clearance
| Breville Infuser | Gaggia Classic | |
|---|---|---|
| Spout Type | Dual | Dual |
| Cup Clearance | 4.5 inches | 3.3 inches |
Their cup height is pretty standard for espresso cups, but the Gaggia Classic can pose a bit of a challenge if you’re using something larger like a tall latte macchiato glass, something. So if you need the extra room, you can just remove the drip tray grille.
Water Reservoir & Bean Hopper
| Breville Infuser | Gaggia Classic | |
|---|---|---|
| Water Reservoir | 1.8 liters | 2.1 liters |
| Bean Hopper | None | None |
The Gaggia Classic boasts a slightly larger water tank, which is definitely a plus, but it lacks a handle and removing it is a bit tricky. Fortunately, you can just fill the tank from the top of the machine, which is quite convenient.
The Breville Infuser’s tank is not bat at all and has a slot for the included water filter. If you’re curious about the filter. It is used to remove impurities from water, enhancing the coffee’s flavor and extending the machine’s lifespan.
Milk Frothing System
Winner: Breville Infuser
The Gaggia Classic comes with a Panarello wand, while the Breville Infuser boasts a manual one. I appreciate the user-friendliness of the Panarello wand – you simply immerse the frother in your milk without worrying about the angle or depth to create the perfect vortex.
Still, the Panarello wand struggles to create microfoam with the velvety texture needed for latte art. For those aiming to craft latte art, the Breville Infuser, with its manual wand, is the better choice.
Personally, I lean towards manual steam wands over automatic ones. They offer more control, which is crucial for achieving delicate milk foam. The Breville Infuser’s wand rotates 360 degrees and there is a control knob on the side. By the way, the Breville Infuser comes with a stainless steel milk jug, whereas the Gaggia Classic doesn’t.
Drink Options & Programmability
Winner: Breville Infuser
Drink Options
| Breville Infuser | Gaggia Classic |
|---|---|
| Espresso Hot Water | Espresso Hot Water |
In addition to brewing espresso, both also have the option of pulling out hot water through a dedicated hot water outlet. So whenever you’re in the mood for a cup of tea or even a quick bowl of soup, this handy feature is a lifesaver.
Programmability
| Adjustable Settings | Breville Infuser | Gaggia Classic |
|---|---|---|
| Coffee Strength | No | No |
| Coffee Temperature | No | No |
| Milk Foam Temperature | No | No |
| Milk Foam Texture | No | No |
The Gaggia Classic has no PID so it has no option to change the coffee temperature, and it only allows you to manually control the shot length. The Breville Infuser, with its PID, lets you adjust the coffee temperature in 4°F increments.
I know, 4 degrees might not seem significant at first, it can dramatically affect the quality of your espresso. Temperature plays a crucial role in extraction, so those few degrees could be the deciding factor between a perfect espresso and a bitter, nearly undrinkable shot.
Quick Rundown Of Breville Infuser
- The Breville Infuser delivers optimal flavor in every cup creating third wave specialty coffee at home using the 4 keys formula, ensuring the right dose of beans, optimal water pressure, precise temperature control and microfoam milk for latte art
- VOLUMETRIC AND SHOT CONTROL: Control the volume of each pour at the touch of a button and choose 1 shot, 2 shot or manually control over how much espresso ends up in your cup for the perfect dose every time
- OPTIMAL WATER PRESSURE: Low pressure pre-infusion gradually increases pressure at the start and helps ensure all the flavors are drawn out evenly during the extraction for a balanced tasting cup
- PRECISE ESPRESSO EXTRACTION: Maximize flavor potential with low pressure pre-infusion, digital PID temperature control, adjustable in 2°F increments complete with pressure gauge that guides you to the right extraction every time
- MANUAL MICROFOAM MILK TEXTURING: High power 1650W element for high pressure steam wand and faster heat-up to create the microfoam necessary for a third wave specialty taste and essential for creating latte art at home
Last update on 2024-12-17 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Quick Rundown Of Gaggia Classic
Product Videos
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References:
- Breville Infuser: https://www.breville.com/us/en/products/espresso/bes840.html
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.