Gaggia Classic Up Espresso Machine

Gaggia Classic UP Espresso Machine

The Gaggia Classic UP is a premium single boiler espresso machine with PID boiler regulation and low flow pre-infusion cycles for light, medium and dark roasted coffee. Made by Gaggia in Italy, the Classic UP incorporates many features common among the community of Classic enthusiasts, like the PID, but also a fully articulated commercial steam wand, a second shorter drip tray for greater cup clearance, 9 bar OPV, brew pressure gauge and a commercial tamper. 

Features and Benefits

Brew temperature stability is vital to pulling consistent shots, while the ability to customize brew temperature allows you to optimize extractions for specific coffees. The boiler on the Classic UP is regulated via a dual PID system. Brew temperature can be adjusted within 1° increments in your choice of Celsius or Fahrenheit between 176° - 212° with the current boiler temperature displayed on the screen. When brewing, the PID doubles as a shot timer like you'd expect.

For controls, the UP uses a combination of capacitive touch buttons for the display and toggle switches to operate the machine. You have a switch for power, brew, and steam mode, along with capacitive buttons to access the settings menu/return, -/+ buttons for changing temperature and navigating menus, and a confirm button to save your settings. The PID display regularly displays your temperature and allows you to modify it without accessing a menu, but the screen will also display instructions like a prompt to open the valve when steaming. Pressing the brew and steam switches simultaneously allows you to dispense hot water through the steam wand.

Steaming on the UP benefits from the inclusion of a fully articulated steam wand for optimal positioning in the pitcher. The single hole steam tip provides great directed pressure and is perfect for learning latte art. For more advanced users, the UP has three pre-infusion cycles for light (2 sec active/1sec soak), medium (8 sec active/3sec soak) and dark (12 sec active/3sec soak). You can also program your desired shot duration by time.

From a build quality perspective, the Classic UP is still a Made-in-Italy product that inherits the brass boiler and brew group from the Classic E24 along with its polished stainless steel portafilter. One of the most popular mods for the Gaggia Classic is a lower drip tray, so Gaggia includes a second shorter 8oz tray that adds an inch of clearance beneath the portafilter. The included tamper has a tight fitting 58mm base and is emblazoned with the Gaggia logo.

Why You Should Get It

In keeping with the tradition of the Classic series, the Gaggia Classic UP is an incredible value that puts premium features and performance in the hands of home baristas. The inclusion of PID boiler regulation and a fully articulated steam wand elevate the performance of the legendary Gaggia Classic to meet the expectations of legions of enthusiasts.