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Gaggia 35004 Carezza Espresso Machine, White | 
 enlarge | Brand: Gaggia
Buy New: $249.00
Rating:  19 reviews
Color: White
Shipping Weight (lbs): 13
Dimensions (in): 25 x 13 x 12
Warranty: Gaggia Espresso Machines and Accessories have a 1 year limited warranty
MPN: 35004
Model: 35004
UPC: 693042350044
EAN: 0693042350044
ASIN: B0001KO9RO
Shipping: Eligible for Super Saver Shipping
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
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| Features:
| • | 1425-watt espresso machine housed in ABS plastic with easy-access controls | | • | 17-1/2-bar pump; brass components provide temperature stability | | • | 1-1/5-liter water-tank capacity; ergonomic grip on filter-holder; drip-proof system | | • | Turbo-frother steam wand quickly froths milk; hot-water dispenser for convenience | | • | Measures 13-2/5 by 10-2/3 by 9-1/4 inches |
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| Editorial Reviews:
Product Description
The Carezza is a modern designed espresso machine with the soul of the Gaggia's traditional equipment. This economical machine will perform at the same level as Gaggia's more expensive models, but uses a plastic housing to minimize weight and production costs. For those who desire the pure Italian bloodlines and flashy style, the Carezza is a perfect choice. Commercial Quality Espresso Gaggia espresso is true Italian espresso. Thick with crema, black as night, more flavor per ounce then any other home machine. All Gaggia brewing components are specifically manufactured to ensure top quality espresso. This includes the heavy duty portafilter handle that weighs in at one pound of chrome plated brass. It matches up to a true commercial brew group also forged of chrome plated brass. The benefit to using such heavy duty material is temperature stability and unmatched durability. Creamy Froth. The Gaggia designed turbo frother is a perfect example of simplicity by design. With almost no skill a novice can create a creamy froth for the perfect cappuccino, or steam up enough milk for an American style latte. A 1,370 watt boiler system powers the Gaggia, reducing your preparation time. With locomotive power the Gaggia will steam up enough milk for 2 cappuccinos or even an American Style Latte in only a minute and a half. The turbo frother is easily removable for fast clean up. Hot Water Add hot water to your espresso and create an Americano as an alternative to drip coffee. The robust flavor of espresso is captured without the intensity, making a far more satisfying experience then you could ever hope to accomplish with a drip machine. You can extend the usefulness of your Gaggia by quickly preparing 8 oz of hot water in only 20 seconds for your favorite teas, hot chocolate, soups or whatever you can imagine. The boiler recovers for additional hot water in as little as 15 seconds. Your own Espresso Bar If your reading this then it's assumed you're a coffee enthusia
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| Customer Reviews: Read 5 more reviews...
 Too loud to be worth it April 12, 2008
C. Ryan (San Francisco, CA)
I bought this espresso maker and ~$80 Delonghi pump-driven model (for a different location) at the same time. The Gaggia, despite the great reviews, makes a very similar cup of espresso to the much-cheaper Delonghi. Yet it is VERY loud (sounds like a jackhammer) when pumping espresso.
In addition, poor quality: I returned it once to manufacturer for repair (broken mount) which went reasonably well although lengthy and expensive process (customer pays shipping for bulky unit). Now the frother nozzle has broken.
If I could do it again I'd get the cheaper Delonghi and save the $$ (and my families patience when listening to the loud sounds each morning when I make my espresso!)
sent back January 7, 2008
stmcc (FLA)
I sent this back (waiting for replacement) because the steam knob is ineffectual; the valve it's attached to gets hot (is that a surprise to the designers??), the plastic knob then just spins around the valve. I'm sure the replacement will do the same, but I can hope this was a rev.1 machine and I'll get a rev 2 which fixes (not holding breath).
Also, there was an "extra" piece of some kind of plastic that was rattling around inside the machine.
Makes a decent espresso - although I'm no connoisseur or expert.
 Great espresso, fussy messy machine September 30, 2007
Tim Groves (Stockton, Ca)
I've used this machine for over a year. It takes a day or two to work out it's quirks, but once you do the espresso is top notch. But it is very sensitive to small differences in grind and how you fill and tamp the portafilter. And it is messy. Multiple espressos take a bit of time. If you are willing to deal with these limitations, I don't know of a better machine for the money.
Good coffe, but big and messy April 4, 2007
Fuzzface (Mankato, MN United States)
The Carezza will produce good coffee, with crema, as advertised, but I found it too large for the kitchen counter -- and more important -- very messy. The frothing wand leaked, the seal around the coffee basket leaked steam, the sleeve on the frothing wand explosively discharged (milk everywhere). The machine also requires a lot of cleaning, including in places that are not very convenient to get at.
The clincher, however, was that the cappuccino (as opposed to espresso) was no better than with my 10-year old Krups steam machine. The Krups took a lot of experimentation to produce good coffee (Hint: start with Caribou Coffee, Consumer Reports' top-rated beans) but having mastered the process, I can consistently produce better coffee than Starbucks, and probably Dunn Brothers (but not Caribou Coffee -- only in the Midwest).
The Krups will even produce crema. Make one cup of espresso at a time, measure the water/coffee carefully, systematize the extraction process -- the same every time, and then change one variable at a time until you get it. With a small number of variables, it's not rocket science.
While I'm at it, the purists' claim that only a burr grinder can produce good coffee doesn't square with my experience. I have a 10-year old GE One-Touch coffee grinder (about $15.) that does better than the Cuisineart burr grinder I tried.
Oh, yeah. I sent the Carezza back. Too much hassle for the slight improvement in expresso, since I mostly drink cappuccino.
Great Buy February 7, 2007
Melvin Shupe
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
The Gaggia3504 is a great buy for the money. Does great job and convient to use for regular and ESE pods. It does take some time to heat up between pods. It seems to run out of really hot water after about 15 Sec. This machine costs 1/4 less than a Francis X1 and is well worth it.
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