4 ms·

Similar topic which might be of interest to HN readers is the [Gaggiuino](https://gaggiuino.github.io/#/ https://gaggiuino.github.io/#/), an open source project

Similar topic which might be of interest to HN readers is the [Gaggiuino](https://gaggiuino.github.io/#/ 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

benoliver999 3y ago
I love this sort of thing. But I learnt more about it from your comment vs the actual docs!
- dkdbejwi383 3y ago
  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.
kozhevnikov 3y ago
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.
- dkdbejwi383 3y ago
  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.
yourusername 3y ago
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.
- quickthrower2 3y ago
  For even less effort buy a breville bambino.
  - dkdbejwi383 3y ago
    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!
    - quickthrower2 3y ago
      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.
- speed_spread 3y ago
  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) https://www.auberins.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=6&sort=20a https://www.auberins.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=6&s...
  - matthewmcg 3y ago
    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.
    - antoniuschan99 3y ago
      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
fodkodrasz 3y ago
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.
- SkyPuncher 3y ago
  It’s only for a Gaggia. It’s one of those projects that you only stumble into if you already have a Gaggia.
  - blueblob 3y ago
    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.
- spdif899 3y ago
  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.
  - yeswecatan 3y ago
    If you're in the Bay Area I'd love to take the Gaggia off your hands :)
agloe_dreams 3y ago
I own a Gaggia Classic that this mod is for and I'm a little unsure of calling a nearly $500 machine + DIY 'affordable'
- bondarchuk 3y ago
  That's less than a year of 1 takeaway coffee a day.
  - agloe_dreams 3y ago
    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.
    - bondarchuk 3y ago
      I was assuming the takeout coffee is espresso. If so it's not fair to compare to a non-espresso alternative imho. Now for really affordable (almost-)espresso there's always the blade grinder + moka pot, of course. (anyway "affordable" is highly subjective ofc so what does it even really matter :))

benoliver999 3y ago

I love this sort of thing. But I learnt more about it from your comment vs the actual docs!

dkdbejwi383 3y ago
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.

kozhevnikov 3y ago

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.

dkdbejwi383 3y ago
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.

yourusername 3y ago

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.

quickthrower2 3y ago
For even less effort buy a breville bambino.
- dkdbejwi383 3y ago
  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!
  - quickthrower2 3y ago
    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.
speed_spread 3y ago
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) https://www.auberins.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=6&sort=20a https://www.auberins.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=6&s...
- matthewmcg 3y ago
  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.
  - antoniuschan99 3y ago
    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

fodkodrasz 3y ago

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.

SkyPuncher 3y ago
It’s only for a Gaggia. It’s one of those projects that you only stumble into if you already have a Gaggia.
- blueblob 3y ago
  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.
spdif899 3y ago
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.
- yeswecatan 3y ago
  If you're in the Bay Area I'd love to take the Gaggia off your hands :)

agloe_dreams 3y ago

I own a Gaggia Classic that this mod is for and I'm a little unsure of calling a nearly $500 machine + DIY 'affordable'

bondarchuk 3y ago
That's less than a year of 1 takeaway coffee a day.
- agloe_dreams 3y ago
  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.
  - bondarchuk 3y ago
    I was assuming the takeout coffee is espresso. If so it's not fair to compare to a non-espresso alternative imho. Now for really affordable (almost-)espresso there's always the blade grinder + moka pot, of course. (anyway "affordable" is highly subjective ofc so what does it even really matter :))