Gaggia Classic Pro Vs Rancilio Silvia Comparison 2023

Whether you are tired of spending hundreds or even thousands of dollars at coffee amazons or you just don’t want to drive every morning to get your favorite espresso, the Gaggia Classic Pro Vs Rancilio Silvia are two Italian classics which you can create your favorite coffee beverages at home with.

Although both the machines are entry level however, they are packed with many features which are often found in high-end models.

Gaggia Classic Pro Vs Rancilio Silvia

Made in Italy, the machines perfect options if you possess some barista skills and appreciate commercial quality coffee drinks. The Rancilio Silvia is expensive compared to Gaggia Classic pro and boosts of a different design. Let’s explore each espresso machine to find out which of the two can find a dedicated spot in your kitchen.

Gaggia Classic Pro Vs Rancilio Silvia Comparison and Reviews

Let us explore Gaggia Classic and Rancilio Silvia in details.

Gaggia Classic Pro Review

The Gaggia classic pro is a semi-automatic espresso maker with certain limitations of course yet it enjoys a certain fanbase. It is the upgraded variant of much beloved Gaggia Classic espresso maker featuring a new commercial grade steaming wand and a functional and eye-catching design. The espresso machine is pretty popular among beginners and wizards alike thanks to the capability of the machine to pull delicious espresso shots.

Design and Build Quality

The Gaggia Classic is known for its sturdy build quality and the upgraded Gaggia Classic Pro is no exception. It boosts a sleeker design than its predecessor Gaggia Classic. The body is made out of stainless steel which is pretty uncommon at this price range. Usually, you will find stainless steel facing mixed with plastic body. The drip tray is made out of high-end dense plastic and it fits snugly and blends in nicely with overall aesthetic of the espresso maker.

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  • Solid Steel Housing, Made in Italy
  • 9 Bar Espresso Extractions

Unlike most machines, the classic pro has 3 rocker switches which is not very common for coffee and espresso makers. Overall Gaggia classic pro made use of durable material and with a little care the machine will last a lifetime.

Brewing with Gaggia Classic Pro

The Gaggia classic pro is a remarkable and capable espresso maker. It comes with a 58mm commercial sized portafilter which is not the case with most espresso makers at this price point. The machine comes with both pressurized and non-pressurized filter baskets and both are compatible with ESE pods.

Ease of Use

Gaggia Classic Pro is extremely simple and incredibly easy to use for both the newbies and experts alike. If you are not into needlessly overcomplicated appliances, you will for sure appreciate the rather simple and easy to use 3 switch and a knob control.

You can fill the water tank from the top or from the front of the machine which makes it comfortable to do so. The feature is a breath of fresh air for those who struggle with limited space on their countertop.

Further, the classic pro is quieter than the original classic thanks to new pump bushings. The feature comes in handy for those who just want their morning cup of coffee without waking up the entire family. Another amazing feature is the 3 way solenoid valve which means that when you are done brewing your espresso shot, a valve diverts the excess water and pressure from the group head to the drip tray. So, when you remove the portafilter, you will notice your coffee grounds to be dry instead of a soupy mess.

Frothing-Steam Wand

The Gaggia classic pro is equipped with stainless steel commercial steam wand which offers more control and makes café quality froth to add little flavor to your beverages. You can enhance your barista skills by making some latte art and show off to your friends.

Since the Gaggia classic pro is a single boiler espresso machine, you will have to choose between brewing espresso first or steaming the milk as you can’t do both simultaneously. But with a little experimentation you will be able to get everything right.

Cleanup

The classic pro is easy to clean. Its drip tray is convenient to remove and empty for cleaning. The brushed stainless-steel exterior can simply be wiped clean with a damp cloth as and when required. Cleaning the internal parts is not really very simple and it involves certain steps to remove screws to disassemble the group-head. After cleaning it a few times, the exercise will seem bit easy.

Accessories

The Gaggia classic pro comes with all the required accessories for the smooth operation of the espresso maker and you will not have to buy anything in addition to what is included in the package. You get cleaning tools, a tamper, coffee scoop, single and double shot pressurized and non-pressurized filter baskets.

Gaggia Classic Pro Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Durable Stainless steel housing
  • Pressurized and non-pressurized filter baskets
  • Cleaning tools included
  • Dust and stain resistant exterior
  • Available in a range of colors
  • Makes strong espresso shots
  • Easy to operate
  • Not noisy at all
Cons
  • No built-in grinder
  • Can’t steam and brew simultaneously

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Rancilio Silvia Espresso Maker Review

Rancilio Silvia has been a go-to machine for folks looking for barista experience at home. Let us look into different aspects of the machine to see if it is worth the hype. Silvia is probably one of the best offering of the company has little changed since its inception. Although the company introduced a pro version but the original model has been without revamps except for tiny changes in components like boiler and the steam wand.

Design and Build Quality

Rancilio has concentrated more on the quality and functionality of the machine instead of design and looks. The boxy housing is made of durable and stain resistant stainless-steel material. Inside the box the professional grade parts are made of metal as well. Impressive performance of a workhorse combined with simple design makes it easy to repair in case any parts of it break down.

The downside of metal internal parts is, they are prone to rust which you will have to look out while maintaining your machine.

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  • Single Boiler: The single 12-ounce brass boiler serves both brew and steam temperatures.

Tamper & Portafilter

The Rancilio Silvia comes with a quality tamper. In older models, you will often find lightweight, low quality and plastic tamper. People often had to purchase separate tamper with those machines. Thanks to an upgraded high-quality tamper you don’t have to buy one with Rancilio Silvia.

The Silvia is also equipped with a commercial grade 58mm portafilter. A 58mm diameter makes it easy to follow commercial recipes. Made out of chrome-plated brass, it is pretty heavy and helps maintaining consistent temperature throughout the brewing process. Further, you get a single shot and double shot non-pressurized baskets. You will be able to prepare barista quality espresso shots since you’ll have more control over the shots.

Brewing Capacity

The Rancilio Silvia is a single-boiler machine which is a normal thing at this price range. A dual boiler means the machine is capable of heating water for brewing and steaming simultaneously. The feature allows you to steam milk for your beverage while the machine is brewing and there is no delay between the two activities. However, with single boiler, you need to experiment and learn with the temperature fluctuations of the machine.

The single boiler used for brewing and steaming holds 12 ounces of water which is considerably larger than the 3.5 ounces by Gaggia Classic Pro. The drawback of the larger boiler is the longer heat-up time between the drinks. But with the Silvia’s incredible power, you can prepare back-to-back drinks without any trouble. Silvia’s 67 ounces water tank gives you plenty to work with. It is easy to access and can even be filled mid brew.

Ease of use and Frothing

Rancilio Silvia is known as a machine for purists without any presets and automation. If you are handy with an espresso maker, this machine will be an ideal for you. For a newbie however, the lack of preset programs and automation will make it a little difficult to get the best out of it. If you are coming from a semi-automatic espresso maker, you will see how easy the controls are how incredibly easy it is to pull an espresso shot.

The machine features a cup warming shelf which might not seem a big deal to many. But if you are new to coffee making with a semi-automatic machine, the process will take a little longer so you will appreciate at least your espresso won’t go cold while you steam milk.

Talking about frothing, The Rancilio Silvia is packed with commercial grade steam wand that you can prepare barista quality froth for your cappuccinos and Lattes. Since it is not fully automatic, you will have to go through a little bit of practice and experimentation in order to perfect the art of making great foam.

Control Panel

The Silvia has a pretty standard and not so overcomplicated control panel. It comes with rocker switches which are straightforward to use and since there is no complicated programming involved the machine is simple to understand. Perfecting in making great espresso is another thing but overall, the machine is easy to use.

Rancilio Silvia Accessories

The package includes a coffee scoop, plastic tamper, single and double filter baskets and cleaning tools.

There is a range of additional accessories which you may buy separately for further convenience.

Rancilio Silvia Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Appealing and eye-catching design
  • Functional, practical and dependable
  • Easy controls
  • Outstanding performance
  • Heats up fast
  • Durable stainless steel body
Cons
  • Expensive
  • No grinder

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Conclusion

Both the espresso machines are worthy of investment. The Rancilio Silvia offers a richer espresso shot but you have to put in some effort to get it. It further offers easy to understand control and buttons, a semi-automated process of brewing and incredibly consistent performance.

On the other hand, the Gaggia classic is a proven player in the market and offers a more stable and powerful heating system. Further, the Rancilio is way more expensive for the features it has to offer. So Gaggia Classic Pro Vs Rancilio Silvia comparison has its winner and that’s Gaggia Classic Pro!

We’d love to know your thoughts and opinion on both the machines so do leave a comment down below!

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