M
I’ll start by saying my previous machine is a well-used Breville Barista Express [BBE]. A few months ago I ordered a dual boiler that has a very long backorder. While I wait for it to dispatch, I decided to purchase the Gallatin to start learning how things work with E61 machines. Since this is a heat exchanger, the workflow was very similar to what I had with the BBE. The biggest difference is the amazing steam power provided by the Gallatin. Preparing milk with the Gallatin is now a much faster process. Sure, compared to the BBE, there’s some additional warm-up time needed before it’s ready to use, but that’s to be expected with any E61 machine. The need to perform a cooling- flush before puling a shot isn’t a big deal either as that was also part of my BBE workflow.
Now, on to the machine itself. Bottom line up front, I’m very pleased and feel I got an exceptional value. I’m using the machine’s reservoir and appreciate that I don’t need to remove the entire cup warmer tray in order to access the reservoir. I don’t see any kind of indication that it monitors the reservoir’s water level so you’ll need to be mindful of how much water you use. As noted in the video, the machine’s Over Pressure Valve [OPV] arrived set at “11 bar” and I wanted to start with the “traditional” 9 bar pressure. Following Espresso Outlet’s video instructions to adjust the OPV was very easy. However, I ran into a build-quality issue as one of the 4 screws that secure the top was ceased and the screw-head snapped while attempting to remove it. I’ve since tried to use an Easy-Out to remove the rest of the screw but it’s forevermore a permanent fixture in the chassis. It’s worth noting that there was no visible damage to the shipping container or the exterior of the machine when it arrived.
The owners manual for the machine is pretty basic but it does cover all of the functions of the Proportional Integral Directive, or PID. The PID is pretty much the star of the show as it allows precise control of the boiler temperature and allows you to set an automated pre-infusion time and control the “eco mode” timer. The folks at Espresso Outlet were able to clear up any confusion left by the poor grammar and sentence structure in the owners manual. Last minor gripe, it would be nice if there was a storage spot in the drip tray for a blind basket. I opted to purchase a metal blind basket in lieu of using the silicone plug that is provided with the machine.
Overall, for the current price of this machine, I feel it’s a great value. The joystick controlled steam and hot water is such a blast to use (no pun intended) coming from the BBE. The PID lets you set and monitor the temperature of the brew boiler and acts like a shot timer. There’s plenty of space under the portafilter for a scale and “shot glass”. I’ve set the boiler temperature at 124*C and have enough brew/steam power to prepare two mild based drinks back-to-back.
Yes, I would recommend this machine to someone early in their espresso journey.
L
The machine is not consistent on temp at the brew head. This is too important for me. Also, the vibration vibrates your espresso cups off so you have to hold or watch them while pulling a shot. Customer service was less than stelar.
J
Love it
T
I have been in the coffee industry for a few years and have several commercial machines in use at my shop and roastery. I also buy service and sell used commercial machines, so I am familiar with what the inside of a well-made machine looks like. The Gallatin is a rock-solid machine with great build quality, and just as important is the fact that it uses industry-standard parts, so there is no fear of ever having to source a hard-to-find proprietary part.
I would love to see future upgrades providing access to the OPV adjustment without having to remove a cover, but that is a simple task anyway. I have been using this machine to pull 3-4 double-shots per day, and the temperature is very stable, the pulls are consistent, and every part of the machine is built like a tank. I like the ability to pull a shot and steam at the same time, and not having to temperature-surf like many machines require you to do to get consistent pulls.
This machine is a great example of Asia beating the Italians at their own game since so many of the old Italian manufacturers have gotten complacent. I plan on adding a flow control sometime soon, but I cannot think of anything else this machine needs to be an absolute rock star. My espresso tastes amazing, and the steamer produces an amazing texture and reasonably fast heating of milk. This machine might not be able to keep up with a commercial machine volume-wise, but as far as drink quality goes, I would put it up next to a La Marzocco anytime.
a
I haven’t had this machine for very long but it has been great so far. To me, the finish of the machine is very nice. I really like the wood accents as it is a feature that makes you feel like you are getting more for your money. And I find the vibratory pump to be pretty quiet. I’ve added a group thermometer in place of the pressure gauge. If it proves to be reliable over time it will be considered the best value in the pid heat exchanger category.
