Can The Gaggia RI8525/08 Carezza Espresso Machine Deliver On Its Big Promises?
The attractive Gaggia RI8525/08 Carezza Espresso Machine is an example of a machine that makes some big claims for a small, general coffee maker.
The apparent abilities of the machine are supported by a specification that includes a Panarello steamer attachment, double walled pressurised crema filter, preheating cycle and the ability to work with ground coffee and pods.
However the promise that it will “delight you with a remarkable Italian espresso that the Founder would have been proud of” sounds too good to be true. Can it deliver on this claim?
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What advantages have buyers appreciated when using this Gaggia Carezza Espresso Machine?
One of the first aspects that people notice in the style of the machine, which is given the oddly vague description of a “traditionally modern vintage design” by Gaggia and has received compliments from visitors that have come to test it out.
In addition to this, there are many comments about the compact size, the quality of the construction and materials, the fact that the Gaggia RI8525/08 Carezza Manual Espresso heats up quickly and – most importantly – the quality of the produce.
It seems that it is not just the espresso that the “founder” should be proud of here. There are a lot of comments on the quality of the lattes and cappuccinos that are produced, partly because of the milk frother.
This is great because these longer drinks and milky coffees are often an afterthought for model that claim to primarily be an espresso machine.
This is not to say that the espresso is disappointing because there is great feedback about the flavour here too, although some say it is not quite as strong or hot as from other brands they have tried.
Some Noted Features of the Gaggia RI8525 Carezza Espresso Machine
- Ground coffee and easy serve pods
- Panarello steamer attachment
- Temperature gauge
- Pre-brewing function
- Double walled pressurized crema filter
- Frontal water tank extraction
- Descaling alarm
Is the strength and heat the only potential downside or have buyers noted other flaws in their reviews of this Gaggia RI8525/08 Carezza Espresso Coffee Machine?
The biggest issue is that there is a lot of trial and error when working with all the different elements and getting the coffee right,something that isn’t helped by the manual because it seems to be a direct translation from the Italian version with little thought into how it reads to the average user.
This learning curve includes the milk frother, which can end up producing a lot of airy foam at first, but this feature can clearly be tamed if the produce is so well received in the end.
Some buyers also feel that it is a little fiddly to put together and clean, even with the additional descaling alarm, and this suggests that the design is geared more towards the quality of the end product and the process than making the machine completely user-friendly.
Summary: is this Gaggia RI8525 Carezza worth the effort?
The feedback given shows that this is definitely a model for people that like their coffee and are happy to take the time to get it just right because there is a steeper learning curve here than many buyers would like.
It is a bit fiddly at times, it does take a bit of practice and the espresso does not have the depth of flavour of some other brands. However, there is still enough to love about the Gaggia machine’s range of produce and style to make the effort of learning and cleaning worthwhile.
Find more reviews about the Gaggia RI8525/08 Carezza Espresso Machine on Amazon here.