Finding a reliable, user-friendly espresso machine that delivers barista-quality coffee at home can be challenging. The Gaggia Besana Automatic Espresso Machine promises to bring that experience into your kitchen with its fully automated features. This review explores the Gaggia Besana’s capabilities, guiding you through its features, usage tips, and maintenance routines to ensure you get the best out of your coffee-making experience.
Introduction to the Gaggia Besana
The Gaggia Besana Automatic Espresso Machine is designed for convenience and quality. It grinds your beans, doses, tamps them into an internal group head, and brews espresso—all at the press of a button. This machine is perfect for those who want freshly ground coffee with minimal effort. Besides brewing espresso, the Besana also produces café-quality steamed milk, making it ideal for creating a variety of coffee drinks.
Key Features
Water Tank and Filter
The Besana features a one-liter water tank, accessible from the front panel. Using filtered water is recommended to prolong the life and health of the machine’s boiler. Compatible filters fit directly into the water inlet, ensuring the machine runs smoothly.
Bean Hopper and Grinder
On top of the machine, you’ll find the bean hopper, which holds around 180 grams of coffee beans. The beans feed straight into an internal grinder with five adjustable settings. These settings can be tweaked using an adjustment switch behind the hopper. For optimal results, set the grinder to its finest setting before adding beans.
Brewing and Steaming Functions
Once the machine is turned on, it goes through an automatic rinse cycle as it heats up. The Besana operates like any other single boiler espresso machine, though it cannot brew coffee and steam milk simultaneously. A twist knob on the front panel allows you to switch between steaming, espresso brewing, and hot water dispensing. The stainless steel boiler quickly reaches the required temperature for brewing coffee. When the on/off button stops blinking and remains solid, the machine is ready to use.
Programmable Brew Buttons
The Besana has two programmable brew buttons: one for a single espresso and one for a long coffee. The single espresso button defaults to about 40 milliliters of espresso. However, since each espresso uses only 10 grams of ground coffee, programming the button to achieve a more common espresso brew ratio (1:2) is advisable. Reprogramming the buttons is straightforward: press and hold the desired brew button until the grinder starts, and press the button again when the desired amount is reached in the cup. This process ensures precise espresso volumes, providing consistent results.
Milk Frothing with Pannarello Steam Wand
Steaming milk is simple with the Pannarello steam wand. First, prepare the machine for steaming by placing a container under the steam tap and switching to the steam function to release water. Switch back to the coffee function to heat the water, then return to the steam function with a jug of milk under the steam tap. The Pannarello wand simplifies frothing, making it easy to create frothy milk for cappuccinos and lattes.
Brewing Process
To brew a single espresso, place your cup under the machine and press the single espresso button. For a double espresso, press the button twice. If you prefer a long black coffee, program the second button accordingly. Once you have your espresso, you can steam your milk by following the steps mentioned earlier.
Maintenance and Cleaning
Proper maintenance is crucial for the longevity of your Gaggia Besana. The machine cycles through automatic rinse cycles every 15 minutes when left on. Daily maintenance involves removing spent coffee pucks from the grinds tray, which holds around eight espressos worth. The drip tray has a float indicator to show when it’s full, making it easy to remove and empty.
Periodic cleaning of the group head and descaling of the machine is recommended to keep it running efficiently. Using compatible filters for the water tank helps maintain the boiler’s health. Regularly wiping the steam wand after each use prevents milk residue buildup.
Advantages and Disadvantages
Advantages
- Convenience: The fully automated process makes it easy to brew fresh coffee with minimal effort.
- Quality: Despite being an entry-level machine, the Besana uses the same brew group as more expensive Gaggia models.
- Programmable: Customizable brew buttons allow for precise espresso volumes.
- Milk Frothing: The Pannarello steam wand simplifies the frothing process, perfect for cappuccinos and lattes.
- Compact and Affordable: The Besana offers a compact design at an affordable price, making it accessible for many coffee enthusiasts.
Disadvantages
- Grinder Limitations: The internal grinder has a limited range of settings and uses ceramic burrs, which are not ideal for espresso brewing.
- Single Boiler: The machine cannot brew coffee and steam milk simultaneously, requiring users to switch between functions.
- Manual Cleaning: While some cleaning processes are automated, manual maintenance is still necessary to ensure optimal performance.
Tips for Optimal Use
- Use Filtered Water: This helps maintain the machine’s boiler and improves the taste of your coffee.
- Preheat the Machine: Allow the machine to go through its rinse cycle to ensure it reaches the correct temperature for brewing.
- Program Brew Buttons: Customize the brew buttons to achieve the desired espresso volumes for consistent results.
- Clean Regularly: Perform daily maintenance and periodic deep cleaning to keep the machine in top condition.
- Experiment with Grind Settings: Find the optimal grind setting for your beans to enhance the flavor of your espresso.
Conclusion
The Gaggia Besana Automatic Espresso Machine is a reliable choice for those seeking convenience without sacrificing quality. Its fully automated features, including grinding, dosing, tamping, and brewing, make it an excellent entry-level option for coffee enthusiasts. While it has some limitations, such as the grinder’s range and the single boiler system, its overall performance and ease of use make it a worthwhile investment. Proper maintenance and regular cleaning ensure that the machine continues to deliver excellent coffee for years to come.
By following the tips and guidelines provided, you can enjoy barista-quality coffee at home with minimal effort. Whether you prefer espresso, cappuccinos, lattes, or other milk-based drinks, the Gaggia Besana has you covered. Embrace the convenience and quality of the Gaggia Besana Automatic Espresso Machine, and elevate your home coffee experience to new heights.
Gaggia Besana Specifications
Dimensions and Weight
- Height: 12.8 in
- Width: 11.6 in
- Depth: 16.5 in
- Weight: 14.4 lbs
Drinks
- Number of Beverages: 3 (2 One-Touch)
- One-Touch Espresso
- One-Touch Espresso Lungo / Caffe Lungo
- Hot Water: Yes
- Steam: Yes
Adjustments
- Grind Settings: 5 Selections
- Aroma Strength: 3 Selections
- Temperature: Non-Programmable
- Adjustable Coffee Length: Yes
Steaming & Frothing
- Frothing Method: Pannarello Wand
- Steam Wand Movement Type: Pivoting
- Steam Wand Usable Length: 2.5 in
- Steam Wand Features: Cappuccinatore Compatible
Capacities
- Hopper Capacity: 6.3 oz
- Water Reservoir: 1 L
- Dreg Drawer Capacity: 8 Coffee Pucks
Materials
- Burr Set: Flat Ceramic Burr Set
- Housing: Black ABS Plastic
- Front Panel: Black ABS Plastic
- Drip Tray & Cover: ABS Plastic, Stainless Steel
Maintenance
- Water Filter: Mavea Intenza
- Rinsing Cycle: Automatic
- Descale Cycle: Manual
Power
- Watts: 1400 W
- Volts: 110V-120V
Included Accessories
- Lubricant
- Ground Coffee Scoop/Grinder Key
Additional Features
- Boiler Configuration: Thermoblock
- Brew Group Features: Removable
- Coffee Dose Quantity (grams/cycle): 10
- Controls and Additional Features: Cup Volume Control, Decalcification
- Adjustable Cup Height: No
- Cup Height (max, inches): 3.87
- Display Type: Indicator Lights
- Built-In Grinder: Yes
- Grinder Burr Type: Ceramic
- Grinding Method: Flat Burr
- Housing Color: Black
- Pump Type: Vibration
- Steam Wand Features: Insulated Grip, Auto Frothing
- Warranty: 1-Year Parts and Labor
