Similar topic which might be of interest to HN readers is the [Gaggiuino](https://gaggiuino.github.io/#/), an open source project that adds a microcontroller to fairly affordable and mechanically simple domestic espresso machines, bringing them (almost) up to par with machines that cost 5x as much
The site would definitely need a rework based on the input from someone totally unfamiliar with the project.
I cannot know from the opening page, what coffee machines the mod is for, but I can see that an STM32 or an arduino nano and some other parts would be needed.
Not really informative, no pictures on the opening page to show something like before/after, to showcase the benefits, etc.
Yet there is a rickroll...
This is not really sympathetic, but yeah, I can see the begging icon (support paying for a professional technical writer)... but this is also really backwards in my opinion. First you should sell the project to me, then ask for donation.
While the engineering contents might be great, the presentation is very low quality, to put it politely.
I've built one of these based on the instructions and use it daily (and love it!), but the tone of the site is pretty reflective of the project overall. It's definitely a really impressive hack and I appreciate all the hard work that's gone into it, but could really use a little more user-facing empathy.
I'm not sure if I'd recommend it to someone else - and if I was doing it again I'd probably spend a few hundred more (than the gaggia + parts cost) and just buy an off-the-shelf machine with the same feature set.
They recently updated it with an official vendor for a [PCB kit](https://www.peakcoffee.cc/product/gaggiuino-v3-kit-set-gaggi...) that (I believe) includes all of the internal components needed. I did the lego build w/ tons of soldering and ordering parts off Aliexpress. This new kit should make it much easier for newcomers. You still need to know what you're doing and it's not for everyone. A machine with similar capabilities is something like the Decent at $4k.
I'm curious about what off-the-shelf machines you would compare a fully modified gagguino. Granted, I don't have one so I'm only going off the feature set listed on the page, but short of a Decent ($$$$) I can't think of any competitors with features like flow profiles.
Well, there's no cheap competitors with (automatic) flow profiles, but there are competitors with automatic flow profiles. ACS Vesuvius, Rocket R nine one (although IIRC this one is actually pressure profiling, not flow profiling), Synesso es.1, Sanremo You to mention some.
If you're looking at manual flow control, basically any E61 group machine can be outfitted with a needle valve for flow control, and a bunch of machines come with one installed from the factory, like the Lelit Bianca. There's also machines like the Slayer 1 group and La Marzocco GS/3 MP.
Gagguino is very cool, and if you're just pulling espressos and not too many back to back, it should be plenty of machine. If you're doing more than a couple of milk drinks, or pull lots of shots back to back, or want to connect it to plumbing, it's not as great of a machine. The fact that you started out with a small single boiler with a vibration pump starts to show.
I feel the same, as someone who has a Gaggia Classic collecting dust and has long considered splurging on a near-$1000 option because I want all these features...
This is so vaguely written as to seem far more daunting than it probably should, it's unclear how much money or time it would cost me, I don't even know where to start with it. Cool idea, but totally unapproachable to someone without extensive related background.
As someone that's been looking into it, it's not just for the Gaggia. It's also for some Silvia models and they have a small list of others that people have gotten it to work for. The list is, unfortunately, on discord and the discord server has some really petty rules and a lot of superiority complexes.
A bit less DIY but similar functionally is the kit Shades of Coffee sells that also adds PID to the Gaggia classic.
If you're just after the functionality of a cheap espresso machine with PID that takes a lot less effort.
If anybody's interested in a packaged solution, Auber Instruments has been making PIDs and timers for Gaggia and Rancilio machines for a looong time. Their support is also top notch. (I use their PID with my Silvia)
I have one. It’s made my machine so much better. Once you find a grind setting and dose weight that works well for your beans, you get perfectly reproducible shots.
What Grinder do you use? I have a Gaggia as well been using Baratza Encore but it’s not really for Espresso but now they have the Encore Esp for espresso
I've got the Virtuoso. The '586 (?) model with improved burrs. It's bulletproof. I did have to replace a few of the plastic parts that act like mechanical fuses when I tried to grind a batch of coffee that had a pebble in it.
I've been tempted a few times, especially by the fast (efficient) heat up times. But I have a bunch of 58mm tampers, dosing funnels, etc, so the 54mm portalfilter is a bit offputting!
As a Barista express person going 54mm is a regret. 58 is more versatile and compatiable.
But the recommendation was more for budget purchases. Breville also do a dual boiler with 58mm which is more expensive but if you live in Australia is amazingly good value (often $900AU which is about $600US). If you have more money still get a La Marzocco or whatever :-)
My taste is to avoid fiddly things that need too much skill like heat exchangers etc.
Before the $200 grinder, and the ~$200-300 of quality coffee beans in a year.
Meanwhile, one can also get a temp-controlled kettle, a V60, a years supply of filters, and a hand grinder for ~$80.
Skip the temp control and hand grinder and you are down to $30 or less.
It is better than daily takeout, sure..but lets not pretend it is just a randomly affordable purchase for most when brewing non-espresso is far cheaper for good quality. Trust me, I know, I spent the money on mine. Love it, for sure...but is every bit a luxury good.
That might be one of the reasons they're trying to fundraise for a technical writer! I think the docs currently serve more as an installation & troubleshooting manual, and assumes some kind of familiarity.
Lance Hedrick in his latest video (review of Decent XL) mentions that he got the Gaggiuino parts, but haven't got around to building it. I look forward to that video, whenever it comes out.
Yeah, I’m looking forward to his experience. I’ve been on the fence about whether to build a Gaggiuino myself, or sell the GCP and upgrade to a dual boiler machine. I don’t really care for flow profiling, but more stable temps and auto shot timing would be nice to have. And I make a lot of milk drinks so a DB would eliminate some of the wait time and need to flush the boiler.
