If you enjoyed the video, or any video on my channel, please give this channel a subscribe and the video a like! I have loads more videos coming from basic coffee lessons (dial in videos coming soon), pourovers, machine comparisons, reviews, more mods, latte art, and more! Thanks for the support. Drop a comment below and I'll get back to you!
Hello! Your PID is overshooting at the beginning probably due to bad P, I & D parameters. Many PIDs has autoset/autoregulate function for these parameters, i.e. it has to be left for some time when it is changing and checking some stuff. After that it should be better. Might be a good idea to check the manual for that or find a manual for the actual PID module mounted in the case. Although, then it could be worse performing during brew or something, so it would be good to at least note default parameters.
I've been told it is due to me not setting up autotune. It never overshoots after the first purge of water, so even without, it is genuinely fine. Thanks for commenting!
Yes! You can! And the links are in bio for dimmer switch mods in caption tho they're for GCP. That being said, it is the same exact way in the Silvia. You can absolutely Replicate the process exactly. If need be, google rancilio Silvia dimmer switch mod home-barista
This makes me so happy to see, as I own a hot rodded gaggia classic. I currently have the PID and dimmer mods - but also installed a copper pre-heat coil around the boiler to reduce temperature drop over the course of a shot, and a pressure gauge. I think the pressure gauge is critical for getting the most out of the dimmer mod - since it tells you exactly what pressure you are at for low pressure pre-infusion and pressure profiling shots. Another feature of the dimmer mod that is worth highlighting for people is that if you set the flow just right, you can simulate a spring lever shot - a slow preinfusion ramp up to full pressure, followed by a gentle decline in pressure over the shot.
"also installed a copper pre-heat coil around the boiler to reduce temperature drop over the course of a shot". I used usual stainless steel 30-50 usd thermopot with T control, set at holding 94C and got stable pre-heated water, it works like outside boiler. PID is holding 93C this way so long you need it. :)
A simple google search or a search on here will show that none of the "mods' are needed. Perhaps one adjustment with a solid bottom in the portafilter and a pressure gauge whilst you adjust the pressure relief valve.
@@union310 Links? I would counter that they are needed... you cannot actually achieve what a PID does without one and an adjustment isn't going to get you that control if that is what you seek. Even with them you are still not at the level of a 3k machine.
A couple things.... The older Gaggia Classics don't use different springs to change pressure. There is an allen screw adjustment for that under a brass fitting. If you have a pressure gauge it takes about 15 minutes to dial in and you won't break plastic parts. PID's are essential, and there are some good private PID's available for $150 with good instructions. Time to install is about 30 minutes if you're handy. An hour at the max. I don't understand the point of the flow control, as the benefit wasn't fully explained to my satisfaction. The big negative of the Gaggia Classic is the small boiler. By the time you spend the money and do the mods you can have a Rancilio Silva that you can order with PID instlled.
The flow control also changes pressure. The spring just sets the "max" pressure. So if you also put a pressure gauge, you can basically change pressure and temp at will on a super cheap machine.
Truth is that this machine is accessible price wise to non nerd espresso lovers. If someone is looking to practice for world barista champ then by all means blow $3000 on a machine but the Gaggia especially the Gaggia evo pro with pressure control (9) is a great by for espresso lovers that aren’t full on nerds
@@cray-z578 yes! My main issue now is grinders. I swear to God it was easier to decide on my smoker (and that was a process). Each time I think I’m ready I see another video that puts me back at Step 1. For a 500-700 budget, any recs on good grinders that will last
Ugh, these Gaggia's. Agreed about the boiler. Temperature issues and "surfing" and other tricks such as the steamer button, waiting for the lights to be on or off a certain number of seconds, and so on. You can taste the difference if you don't get the correct temperature. Not to mention that the boilers corrode and destroy their own selves from the inside out if they don't plug the pump first. I've owned a few Gaggia's, and modded them, but have fallen out of love and don't even recommend them to others any more. Buy a machine double the cost, own it double the time because it won't destroy itself, and quite honestly get better coffee throughout the duration.
I just bought a GCP as my first espresso machine after getting a Nespresso as a birthday present last year. I am now several hours into this black hole. I have been looking for exactly this. I can't wait
Hi Lance, I'm discovering this video just now, since I clicked on the link from your recent "Ultimate Espresso Machine Modification" Video. I started watching that but then decided this would be a good starting point. I'm not sure if it's something that you've figured out yet, but if you can change your PID gain values, then the reason that your water initially heats past the set temp is because dynamic systems will always have overshoot after the initial ramp. Since the only function you have is to heat, the system can't control cooling values and as such it just needs to wait for the system to cool down from the ambient temperature, hence why once you flush the grouphead you're able to bring it back down to the right temperature. You can prevent the initial overshoot by increasing the D (Derivative) gain control value, but this will also increase the rise time of the system, making it take longer to heat up. You can typically tune it pretty well so that you can find a balance between increased rise time and very minimal overshoot.
Hey Lance! I found your channel recently and I have really enjoyed your content so far. I have had a Gaggia Classic Pro for about a year and a half, and I just started doing some of these "normal" mods myself. So far I have done the bottomless portafilter, upgraded shower screen, and new filter basket. Noticeable results already! I have a 9 bar spring kit and PID on the way. One thing I wanted to point out was that at around 4:40 you mention that the OPV shunts water into your drip tray. It actually shunts water back into the water reservoir. Small detail, I know, but one thing I noticed while examining and cleaning my machine was that the OPV return tube seems to hold on to stagnant water quite a bit. Mine contained a weird, nasty, film that was impossible to remove without taking the tubing out. Just something to keep in mind since that nastiness is getting pumped back into the water your drinking! Thanks again!
@@Johanlob1 the old version of the GCP used to dump it into the drip tray. the newer version dumps into the reservoir to avoid filling the drip tray too quickly since the OPV line can put out quite a bit of water
I’m just finishing up these mods (PID, pressure gauge, dimmer/flow control) installed in Shades’ Top Box. I love a good project, but these mods are very challenging on the newest Gaggia Classic Evo Pro machines. It’s really tight in there…! You’re going to have to read the manual most likely. Mr. Shades is awesome though! Got me sorted out a few times during the process. I got the Gaggia partly to be able to do these mods, and it’s a great little machine!
I was also thinking of buying the PID and OPV from shades, can you recommend it? Im not a beginner in building things at home like furniture but have no idea about wires, can I still do it?
Nice job with this project and congratulations Dad! Love to tinker as well and your video inspired me to install a dimmer to control pump voltage thus water flow. The PID controller was installed this summer and has been a really nice addition. First I tried wiring the dimmer from the positive wire attached to the pump switch but it didn't work out really well and made some crazy noises when the dimmer was about half way. Today I tapped the grey wire going directly to the pump which did the trick. So now my GCP is modded pretty much like yours with the exception of the low profile drip tray. I pulled out the drip tray all together and have a shot glass under the overflow tube and scale on the ground giving me lots of room to work. So tomorrow morning I'll attempt my first pre infusion and hopefully pull a couple of nice shots. Appreciate your help and your videos!
I just added the dimmer mod to my machine, AMAZING help to my brewing with a naked portafilter. No more spurting, and no more channeling. Best part is; I made a video showing the basics of how I did it. The first one on the internet as far as I know. Anyways, great video Lance! I love all the content you've been putting out. I hope we might see more on the gaggia in the future
@@LanceHedrick Nerding out cause I just got a reply from one of my favourite coffee people xD. Here it is! czcams.com/video/_iB_5xtS7ak/video.html&ab_channel=SamBurchard
This was a fantastic video with some great mods, guides, and explanations about how each mod works! I thought that the temperature offset that you used to account for heat losses was a really neat idea. A few semantic suggestions from an engineer: 1. The temperature controller is called a "PID controller" and not a "PID". "PID" does not really work standalone to refer to a control box, since it refers to the concept behind the control algorithm programmed into the PID controller. 2. The plural of "bar" (as in 9 bar of pressure) is simply "bar" and not "bars". Feel free to ignore these suggestions if it is already too ingrained in your vocabulary to change now or if you don't care. But, if your goal is accurate technical language you should consider trying to make these adjustments. I picked up from the rest of your video that you care about the linguistic precision so that is why I left this comment.
Yep! I'm aware of these. I frequently just screw up and say "bars." As for PID, as with other acronyms or complicated/long names, I tend to abbreviate. But I can certainly change that going forward!
Thanks for the great video! My wife and I are expecting our third child very soon as well and we hope your experience with your newborn has been wonderful. New to home espresso here and your videos are super helpful. Cheers!
This man probably just saved me a few thousand dollars. Maybe in a few years I'll take the plunge and get a Decent and a Lagom P100 or whatever the most-hyped espresso machine and grinder combo will be at that time. But for now I feel like a modded Gaggia Classic Pro and a modded DF64 with SSP burrs (or even just my Option-O Helor 101/Remi hand grinder for now) is 90% as user-friendly and capable for insanely less money.
Hoffmann also recommends the 6,5 spring (when he did a similar video). Both of them like lightly roasted coffee, what is probably the answer. AKA slower extraction better taste(with lighter roasts). If you go for a turbo shot then use the 9 bar spring. If you want a slow shot with 9 bar, then you need to grind very fine and use a puck screen, but I don't think this machine is compatible with a puck screen, so channeling is harder to avoid, so I think turbo or 6,5 bar is the answer.
@@Perceptence 🫠that depends on your coffee and grinder. Darker rost are (somewhat) easier to grind to right size(they break up more easy because they have lower volume of moisture). And the grinder should produce even results aka cheap grinders will produce a mixture of fine, medium and large particles on the finest settings. So when extracting the fine part causing more resistance(for the hot water) the bigger ones less. So some parts of your puck are over extracted. In worst case some part are over extracted, some parts are under extracted even channelling can happen in your puck. So you have to back down(in the grind settings), but that might cause you a turbo shot, what if you don't want a turbo shot, then you have back down in pressure: that is why everyone recommendeds the 6,5 bar spring (it's easier to dial in). Sometimes you extracting just fine in the beginning, then over extraction happenes in the end, why because your puck broke up some much in the process it can't produce the right amount of resistance in the end(puck exhaustion). Again you have to adjust the grind settings or pressure. (bonus: in the EG-1 review he said he chocked up the Bianca, that is a 4k euro grinder choking a 2k euro espresso machine. Why, because the grinder producing not just fine, but even particles so channelling didn't happen the machine stopped when the resistance was too high!)
Thank You!! I completed everything today: cut opv spring, lamp dimmer switch on right side in front of steam knob, installed manometer on front right, moved Gaggia logo left, setup xmt7100 for 2 relays, pulled a perfect shot, and I now know the pressure is at 8.5 bar. You helped a lot! Here’s how it all works, czcams.com/video/val-K-Z_YCM/video.html
Good video. I had a similar issue when I fitted my PID. it worked for a bit, but one day stopped working. Emailed Shades of Coffee, and went through settings, and found I'd set the temperature to -95 degrees.
That was dope. Now I need to read the 400 comments posted in the two days the video's been up, and order the PID and tray. Little trip to HD...I'm always there anyway. Thanks, Lance!!!
@@LanceHedrick I read them all! If there was a drinking game involving the times you brought up the Breville Dual Boiler, I'd be WIRED! I mean, I'd be drinking lattes, after all.
Great video Lance - and great to see a Classic with almost as many mods as some of mine :-) You really need The One single hole steam tip on it too… so reach out to me and we’ll fix that for whoever wins the Classic giveaway.
@@LanceHedrick don’t feel so bad - if you originally configure the sensor to be P100 and then set the temp to 95 - and then later you realise it should correctly have been P10.0 then the temp config will change to 9.5. It could have been either issue - but it’s easily done.
I will say I was majorly relieved when I realized that was the issue. I thought I fouled up. Instead, I did the mod correctly and the easiest part I flubbed lol
Thanks for all the informative videos! I’ve learned a lot and I’m having a blast watching them (pun intended). Question: How did you decide between the 6.5 and 9bar OPV? What is the rationale behind it? Thanks
Mostly the rationale was I really love 6 bar shots. So, when I'm not flow profiling, I can lazily open the dimmer all the way, let the OPV shunt flow, and have unlimited 6 bar shots haha
The lighter the roast, the lower the puck integrity. The lower the puck integrity, the harsher higher pressure is. The harsher the pressure is, the more chance of channeling. 6.5 bars allows both turbo shots (check my video on it if unaware) and allows for lower pressure after soaking the puck.
@@LanceHedrick with the dimmer you can even bypass the opv or set it higher like 9- 12bar... then grind very fine with big baskits without choking by having the extra pressure, then back the pressure down to control the flow....basically giving a wider range of pressure to work with for more options
@@LanceHedrick I see you removed my reply where I provided the link to wikipedia demonstrating that 9 bar is indeed required to extract espresso. Also my comments on the relationship between pressurised steam and temperature that proves your mods are not required.
One of the best things about a Gaggia is the ability to learn about how machines like this work by doing an upgrade.I bought a 20 year old machine for 90 quid and modded the crap out of it. I looked at it as a learning experience and the time I spent was part of it. But then I could just be a weirdo 😂
How much do you really need OPV mod if you have the dimmer mod? I imaging if you control flow, you essentially control the pressure no? Cool video. I'm definetly doing PID mod at some point (also busy with 2nd baby coming soon). I already have OPV mod but I'm curious about the simplicity of the dimmer switch mod. One thing I don't like is the esthetics of the two exposed boxes. But I've seen other options for PID (hiding it behind or other PID kits that sit on top).
So, first, I didn't focus on aesthetics. Lots of better ways to do these. Can mount the dimmer inside and drill a hole, for example. The OPV mod isn't necessary, but it allows me to pull 6.5 bar shots without have to mess with the flow. I would recommend getting the pressure gauge mod if no opv
That flow control is really interesting. Been using your "Crack the steam wand" hack to preinfuse, but might take a swing at this. Will also say, the PID is absolutely worth it, though it does take several hours to install and you need to read the manual to adjust the settings correctly. 9 bar OPV + brass IMS grouphead block/shower screen mod, and she runs nice and consistent.
Yep! Absolutely. The steam wand hack works, but plummets the temp..should look into the dimmer! And can mount it on the inside and drill a hole for a clean look
@@LanceHedrick Nice! I was curious about that! After the dimmer mod I want to make some cosmetic changes like a wooden steam knob., a wooden pf handle, and now a wooden dimmer knob.
You're crazy right. You made me think how on Earth we've been making great shots for 40 (mind you, forty) years with our antique piston machine! Pretty clear we haven't met the new world of baristas... we have traditional Italian ristrettos or plain espressos. Time for a change! This is making us take a new path! Thanks a lot for your videos. I guess we will enjoy a much better coffee now. Quite expensive, though, but it looks worth it!
Thank you for being open minded! I love tradition, but I also love leaving room open for innovation and changing technique going forward. So happy you enjoy the video!
@@LanceHedrick you’re absolutely right. We make around 20 espressos for the whole family every weekend. It would be a big change to have a modern machine.
That's completely fine. I'm sure I would not enjoy what you extract and you probably wouldn't enjoy what I extract. To each their own. I seek high clarity, low bitterness, deep sweetness. I don't mind if body is sacrificed for these qualities. It's just a different approach. Your's seems rooted in tradition, which is valid, whereas mine is rooted in an all-out chase for optimal flavor. So, for the most part, lighter roasts and and higher extractions.
@Jon Woo you know… I agree. I’m used to what I’ve doing my entire life, living in the country and the city where espresso was “discovered”. It’s a pleasure we all share many times throughout the day. It’s simple and straightforward. We’re used to darker, much darker roasts and that gives our tradition something that, makes our lives what they are. Sort of.
I have exactly the same (my Silvia is… 21 years old, this year, I think? And I installed the PID in… 2010, maybe? I've also replaced the boiler once - it ran dry with the steam wand open during a cocktail party, totally my fault), and, although I'm unemployed right now, so not able to become a Patreon supporter right this second, I, for one, would love to see a similar series of the same mods applied to the Silvia.
Hey! Don't worry about being a supporter right now. It is a difficult time for everyone. I'm just happy you're watching my videos and engaging. I will look into the Silvia.
I've had the Gaggia Classic Pro for years and I did the spring mod but not the PID mod. I've been very pleased with the machine for many years. It makes excellent espresso and cannot recommend the machine enough. It's really an amazing machine for the money the quality of coffee you get out of it. I eventually upgraded to an E61 HX machine which makes a lil better espresso more consistently than the Gaggia but I would not say it's a world of difference but more convinience allowing you to steam and brew at the same time. PID and some other features the Gaggia doesn't have. Though, for many years I have enjoyed using the Gaggia Classic and imo unless you really are prepared to take your coffee to the next step it could be very well that the Gaggia will be your only machine you'll ever buy. Machine is also build to last for decades. It's almost unlikely that something breaks in the machine.
Temp overshoot is from the d value under damping the system. It rises fast then rings around the setpoint. Tweak with the values and you can slow the rise time a fraction for smother hold
Thank you for the informative video. Just got a GCP Evo and will probably start tinkering soon. How did you get the Smart Espresso Profiler to work with the GCP? Happy to manually press buttons and pull levers, but would love to have the profiler tell me exactly what is going on! Thanks again!
you posted this 2 yrs ago, and I found your channel and I love it. I have an old Cuisinart espresso machine. the pods are cheap and each one has a single output hole. I bought an upgrade 51mm basket and filter full of holes, the water comes out so fast it's too much; however with this mod he he he I can get the crema and rate I really need without the pressure washer effect. even used the old filter basket on the new handle and it literally was a jet stream. again this will solve my issue for now until I get a high end machine. I hate I didn't think of it. also Cuisinart has plastic check valves no springs that is able to be modded. I'll research more on the output heat but as far as I can tell all are connected to a single heat source if anyone else reads this :)
16:40 ish - I think that's a feature to help heat things up quicker, rather than focusing initially on getting to the right temp which means slowing down and hitting the target temp it overshoots, I'm guessing you're expecting to do a little flush to get all the parts more equalized temperature wise, then it stays more stable at your desired temperature, so that's pretty neat and smart for a PID. Dimmer mod is pretty neat but ideally you want a pressure gauge with it!
@@LanceHedrick it is amazing to watch without the machine the problem is that if I finish the video I will have to buy one and i already owe my brother like $500
for a newbie, what is the difference in taste from a $500 machine to $3000? usually the components are bigger and stronger and more for a commercial use, where the 500$ is for home and the coffee is still ok, I’m I missing something? thanks , nice videos
I have seen someone has modded his delonghi machine (which has a boiler) with those things, even added a pressure gauge to observe the dimmer affect. I was impressed and wanted to do the same with my delonghi ec155, but I chickened out. But your video gave me some encouragement, I will look around a bit more to find more information on those mods. Thanks !
I bought a refurbished GCP to learn how to mod it and understand the machine/how to brew espresso better. Selling it with the mods I won't even lose any money. I just bought a used mara x and probably gonna be happy with that for a few years.
You are having way too much fun with that dimmer. Lol. Nice video. I noticed the temp. ending up at around 90C at the end of the shot. Where is the temp. sensor located ?
How strange. One of the wonderful qualities of this machine is it simplicity and robustness, no stupid circuit boards or chips to get corroded. I’ve had mine for 25 years and hasn’t skipped a beat in it’s twice daily use. I only clean it every 2 or 3 years and its only after cleaning that I ever have issues with steam flow. Never even had to replace an o ring or gasket. As someone who in the past, worked with and understands the mathematics and electronics of control units, a PID controller is a bizarre addition to a domestic machine. You would normally use one of these to control an industrial chemical reaction tank or the like. Why mess with the pressure relief valve too, mine is factory and very rarely discharges, I want as much pressure as I can get, not less! All very odd. It’s the reverse of polishing a turd, but each to their own I guess😊
I just drink coffee and what wonderful coffee it makes. Nearly as good as you would get from an $20 mocha pot boiler you put on the hob, but slightly more convenient. A workman reaches out for a hammer, instinctively weighs it in his hand, and begins to work. Each blow is hammered out with tiny, imperceptible adjustments of velocity and trajectory - adjustments that the workman does automatically and is barely aware of making. In fact, the more competent the workman, the less aware he is of the hammer at all: he simply hammers away. The movements in his hand are realized in movements of the hammer in such a way that the hammer serves as an extension of the workman’s hand. In this way the hammer and the workman are together, entangled. The moment the workman begins to contemplate the hammer as a separate object or ‘thing’, something gets in the way: something doesn’t work properly, and the very Being of the hammer itself gets lost. To simply stare at the hammer, to think about it as a separate ‘thing’, does not reveal anything of the Being of the hammer. In this way, the Being of the hammer is disclosed in its utility, its use: it is with the workman, in hammering, that the Being of the hammer is revealed. The same analogy Heidegger used to explain the entanglement of the hammer and the carpenter equally applies to coffee making, keep it simple and the user feels at one with the machine but complicate it and one looses connection with our being in the world, an intrinsic part of the coffee making and coffee drinking experience. Never thought I’d manage to slip in some existentialism into a post about coffee, but it is relevant, simplicity and utility are king in everything.
The pump draws less than 50 watts. Best location for the dimmer, provided your machine is no longer in warranty? Inside the machine itself! Pick up a rotary lamp dimmer. They are small, and can easily fit inside.
I get why people tend to get a PID-controller-kit. But to be honest: they are over priced. If you are used to tinkering around with electricity (what you should be, if you do that kind of stuff, even with a kit!) you can easily build all that for a third of the price they ask for. And to be honest: do it prettier as well. I used a microcontroller and a blynk-server on a raspberry pi which I use for my 3D printer anyways. So my Rancilio now has WiFi and can be app-controlled :) Including changing PID values, brew registration, timer, heating behaviour while brewing etc. You could even program a digital dimmer to control your pump and you can't tell from the outside. Except for a 0.9" oled-screen which I attached with magnets. It just takes time to develop that stuff DIY, but there are ready to use open source projects. I understand if you don't get into that stuff as a dad now ;)
My channel isn't meant to be over-the-top niche haha. I have no issue building my own, but it wouldn't be practical for the majority. I do appreciate the comment! Hopefully others find it helpful.
@@geofftech Sorry, I actually replied to you in a longer post with some links etc. but it seems like the comment was deleted?? Can't see it anymore. Don't know why. Just Google it, you will find tons of stuff. My source was mostly aimed at Germans anyways. Good luck and please note that a good electric job isn't too hard but has to be done with the right tools and with attention to detail. Even more than is required when building a PC. But everybody starts somewhere and installing your own stuff is just as hard or easy as installing a kit ;)
Comment was not deleted. For whatever reason, CZcams doesn't allow links in comments. I've noticed this like 20 times lately when I ask people for links. Only CZcams links work in comments. Really annoying
Congrats on becoming a Dad. Hope your wife & the baby are doing great!! You’re gonna need the espresso for the upcoming sleepless nights!!😜 Joking. No better feeling than becoming a Dad!! Congrats!!
Congrats Double Daddy! Great video. My first espresso machine was a saeco aroma that I put a pid on, never could get good shots from it (go figure) I appreciate that your videos are varied, something for everyone. Keep doin' what your doin'.
I just ordered a New Gaggia Classic Evo Pro today. Thank you for this great video. This is the first of your videos that I have seen. After all is said and done, would you rather have a Rancilio Silvia for the money? I appreciate the input.
Thanks a lot! I am still thinking about getting a GCP, and was looking for a complete video describing all the popular mods. If I buy one I'll just install first OPV spring mod and taking a bottomless porta filter and IMS basket . Also know a electrical ingineer if I ever want to install later the PID mod
HAHAHA Lance normally I dismiss your cheeseball humor but that double daddy 2 daddy espresso like the rivers from the mountains had me WEAK!!!! Love this content man, your stuff is always good but this felt especially relaxed and natural. I am very tempted to mess with this mod some day as 2-3k is a bit high for the other options. Thanks bro!
Hey lance, wonderful video as always. Do you know if you can do Spro'over type shots on these? The reason i ask is that I've heard you should only run continuous shots for around 45-50 seconds whilst using the dimmer, to avoid damaging the machine. Cheers, Louis
@Jon Woo I replied to you a week ago - don't know what happened it. The unit is great - it's the app that has really fallen apart. I'm hoping to build my own over the next few months.
I feel like a mention to the rancillio pid guys is in place. If you're in for true diy, and wifi app control. These guy put in the work and keep putting in the work, open source. Only thing is the pcb you need to get from one of the guys. But you can wire it yourself (it'll be a mess if you're not quite capaple) but once you're in, the options are endless.
Would love to see a gaggiaduino video. I’ve been doing some digging about the project and it turns out there is a pcb that you can purchase that stream lines the whole installation. I’ve been considering joining the next group buy for it.
Great mod, I know this is an older video, but I haven't seen a video that actually compares this to a high end machine. Could you make a video about that? (Unless I overlooked that video)
Bet there are a couple raspberry pi based projects to have even more control, programming and graphing. I know there's at least 1 online vendor here in Canada that will install the PID mod if you purchase with the machine itself.
Just ordered a GCP and I am a instrument tech, so looking forward to the modes! Thing is I am an espresso virgin but look forward to watching your content! Thanks!
Let's all face it. It's less about extracting something tasty from ground coffee beans and more about extracting the most out of a machine. And quite right too!
Congrats on the baby. From what I can see in the video you “could” have drilled a couple of holes in the right side (when facing it) and mounted the dimmer so its inside the cabinet. They make many “ shallow” dimmers for wall boxes. But nice job with the overall install. :)
If you enjoyed the video, or any video on my channel, please give this channel a subscribe and the video a like!
I have loads more videos coming from basic coffee lessons (dial in videos coming soon), pourovers, machine comparisons, reviews, more mods, latte art, and more!
Thanks for the support. Drop a comment below and I'll get back to you!
Is this truly worth more than an $800 machine?
Hello! Your PID is overshooting at the beginning probably due to bad P, I & D parameters. Many PIDs has autoset/autoregulate function for these parameters, i.e. it has to be left for some time when it is changing and checking some stuff. After that it should be better. Might be a good idea to check the manual for that or find a manual for the actual PID module mounted in the case. Although, then it could be worse performing during brew or something, so it would be good to at least note default parameters.
I've been told it is due to me not setting up autotune. It never overshoots after the first purge of water, so even without, it is genuinely fine. Thanks for commenting!
Can I do the dimmer switch mod in a Rancilio Silvia? Do you have a link with more details on the wiring? BTW Nice video!
Yes! You can! And the links are in bio for dimmer switch mods in caption tho they're for GCP. That being said, it is the same exact way in the Silvia. You can absolutely Replicate the process exactly. If need be, google rancilio Silvia dimmer switch mod home-barista
This makes me so happy to see, as I own a hot rodded gaggia classic. I currently have the PID and dimmer mods - but also installed a copper pre-heat coil around the boiler to reduce temperature drop over the course of a shot, and a pressure gauge. I think the pressure gauge is critical for getting the most out of the dimmer mod - since it tells you exactly what pressure you are at for low pressure pre-infusion and pressure profiling shots.
Another feature of the dimmer mod that is worth highlighting for people is that if you set the flow just right, you can simulate a spring lever shot - a slow preinfusion ramp up to full pressure, followed by a gentle decline in pressure over the shot.
"also installed a copper pre-heat coil around the boiler to reduce temperature drop over the course of a shot". I used usual stainless steel 30-50 usd thermopot with T control, set at holding 94C and got stable pre-heated water, it works like outside boiler. PID is holding 93C this way so long you need it. :)
phenomenal work, wish a vid like this existed a year ago when I had a GCP!
Haha! Thank you, Xris. For everyone reading, go sub to this man
@@LanceHedrick 🙏🏻
A simple google search or a search on here will show that none of the "mods' are needed.
Perhaps one adjustment with a solid bottom in the portafilter and a pressure gauge whilst you adjust the pressure relief valve.
@@union310 Links? I would counter that they are needed... you cannot actually achieve what a PID does without one and an adjustment isn't going to get you that control if that is what you seek. Even with them you are still not at the level of a 3k machine.
@@xjbladderx Tell me then what any of the mods achieves?
My advice is do the join for the dimmer inside the light box, don't try and hide it in the loom. Much safer and looks better.
A couple things.... The older Gaggia Classics don't use different springs to change pressure. There is an allen screw adjustment for that under a brass fitting. If you have a pressure gauge it takes about 15 minutes to dial in and you won't break plastic parts. PID's are essential, and there are some good private PID's available for $150 with good instructions. Time to install is about 30 minutes if you're handy. An hour at the max. I don't understand the point of the flow control, as the benefit wasn't fully explained to my satisfaction. The big negative of the Gaggia Classic is the small boiler. By the time you spend the money and do the mods you can have a Rancilio Silva that you can order with PID instlled.
The flow control also changes pressure. The spring just sets the "max" pressure. So if you also put a pressure gauge, you can basically change pressure and temp at will on a super cheap machine.
Truth is that this machine is accessible price wise to non nerd espresso lovers. If someone is looking to practice for world barista champ then by all means blow $3000 on a machine but the Gaggia especially the Gaggia evo pro with pressure control (9) is a great by for espresso lovers that aren’t full on nerds
@@cray-z578 yes! My main issue now is grinders. I swear to God it was easier to decide on my smoker (and that was a process). Each time I think I’m ready I see another video that puts me back at Step 1. For a 500-700 budget, any recs on good grinders that will last
Ugh, these Gaggia's. Agreed about the boiler. Temperature issues and "surfing" and other tricks such as the steamer button, waiting for the lights to be on or off a certain number of seconds, and so on. You can taste the difference if you don't get the correct temperature. Not to mention that the boilers corrode and destroy their own selves from the inside out if they don't plug the pump first. I've owned a few Gaggia's, and modded them, but have fallen out of love and don't even recommend them to others any more. Buy a machine double the cost, own it double the time because it won't destroy itself, and quite honestly get better coffee throughout the duration.
i have the pid on both the gaggia and a rancilio. hands down the gaggia is consistently better.
I just bought a GCP as my first espresso machine after getting a Nespresso as a birthday present last year. I am now several hours into this black hole. I have been looking for exactly this. I can't wait
10:39 "how *awesome* does that sound?"
Just about killed me.
Great job and info Lance. Also, congratulations on your new FAMILY member !
Thank you! Burping him right now in the hospital haha
I've had my GCP for like 2.5 years. I did the OPV mod almost immediatly. Super tempted to do the PID mod now!
Great video! Would love to see a comparison between this mod gcp and higher end machine.
Hi Lance, I'm discovering this video just now, since I clicked on the link from your recent "Ultimate Espresso Machine Modification" Video. I started watching that but then decided this would be a good starting point.
I'm not sure if it's something that you've figured out yet, but if you can change your PID gain values, then the reason that your water initially heats past the set temp is because dynamic systems will always have overshoot after the initial ramp. Since the only function you have is to heat, the system can't control cooling values and as such it just needs to wait for the system to cool down from the ambient temperature, hence why once you flush the grouphead you're able to bring it back down to the right temperature.
You can prevent the initial overshoot by increasing the D (Derivative) gain control value, but this will also increase the rise time of the system, making it take longer to heat up. You can typically tune it pretty well so that you can find a balance between increased rise time and very minimal overshoot.
Great video! It's nice to have a well produced video of all these mods together in one place.
Thank you! That was my hope, although I got burned out modding and didnt want to do the pressure gauge lol. Thanks!
You explain so thoroughly yet you keep it moving... that takes talent sir!
Hey Lance! I found your channel recently and I have really enjoyed your content so far. I have had a Gaggia Classic Pro for about a year and a half, and I just started doing some of these "normal" mods myself. So far I have done the bottomless portafilter, upgraded shower screen, and new filter basket. Noticeable results already! I have a 9 bar spring kit and PID on the way. One thing I wanted to point out was that at around 4:40 you mention that the OPV shunts water into your drip tray. It actually shunts water back into the water reservoir. Small detail, I know, but one thing I noticed while examining and cleaning my machine was that the OPV return tube seems to hold on to stagnant water quite a bit. Mine contained a weird, nasty, film that was impossible to remove without taking the tubing out. Just something to keep in mind since that nastiness is getting pumped back into the water your drinking!
Thanks again!
Indeed, i wonder why it goes back into the reservoir and not the tray.
@@Johanlob1 the old version of the GCP used to dump it into the drip tray. the newer version dumps into the reservoir to avoid filling the drip tray too quickly since the OPV line can put out quite a bit of water
I’m just finishing up these mods (PID, pressure gauge, dimmer/flow control) installed in Shades’ Top Box. I love a good project, but these mods are very challenging on the newest Gaggia Classic Evo Pro machines. It’s really tight in there…! You’re going to have to read the manual most likely. Mr. Shades is awesome though! Got me sorted out a few times during the process. I got the Gaggia partly to be able to do these mods, and it’s a great little machine!
I was also thinking of buying the PID and OPV from shades, can you recommend it? Im not a beginner in building things at home like furniture but have no idea about wires, can I still do it?
"Here you go you nerds!" 😂😂😂😂 Love your energy brother, never change!!!!
Nice job with this project and congratulations Dad! Love to tinker as well and your video inspired me to install a dimmer to control pump voltage thus water flow. The PID controller was installed this summer and has been a really nice addition. First I tried wiring the dimmer from the positive wire attached to the pump switch but it didn't work out really well and made some crazy noises when the dimmer was about half way. Today I tapped the grey wire going directly to the pump which did the trick. So now my GCP is modded pretty much like yours with the exception of the low profile drip tray. I pulled out the drip tray all together and have a shot glass under the overflow tube and scale on the ground giving me lots of room to work. So tomorrow morning I'll attempt my first pre infusion and hopefully pull a couple of nice shots. Appreciate your help and your videos!
"I am Storm, goddess of the espresso machines! Anyways..." hahahaha
Haha! I get weird when doing longer videos. I just kinda remove my filter and say what pops up 🤣
@@LanceHedrick I was ready for the cut to your Ororo Munroe cosplay
Haha! Next time... 🤣
Loving the honesty in this review, thanks a mill!
I just added the dimmer mod to my machine, AMAZING help to my brewing with a naked portafilter. No more spurting, and no more channeling. Best part is; I made a video showing the basics of how I did it. The first one on the internet as far as I know. Anyways, great video Lance! I love all the content you've been putting out. I hope we might see more on the gaggia in the future
Oh hell yeah! Good! Link me to the vid and I'll link in my caption
@@LanceHedrick Nerding out cause I just got a reply from one of my favourite coffee people xD. Here it is! czcams.com/video/_iB_5xtS7ak/video.html&ab_channel=SamBurchard
Thank you! Added to the caption
@@LanceHedrick Awesoooommmeeee! Thanks man!
why you put the 6.5 bar spring and not the 9.0 bar?
This was a fantastic video with some great mods, guides, and explanations about how each mod works! I thought that the temperature offset that you used to account for heat losses was a really neat idea.
A few semantic suggestions from an engineer:
1. The temperature controller is called a "PID controller" and not a "PID". "PID" does not really work standalone to refer to a control box, since it refers to the concept behind the control algorithm programmed into the PID controller.
2. The plural of "bar" (as in 9 bar of pressure) is simply "bar" and not "bars".
Feel free to ignore these suggestions if it is already too ingrained in your vocabulary to change now or if you don't care. But, if your goal is accurate technical language you should consider trying to make these adjustments. I picked up from the rest of your video that you care about the linguistic precision so that is why I left this comment.
Yep! I'm aware of these. I frequently just screw up and say "bars." As for PID, as with other acronyms or complicated/long names, I tend to abbreviate. But I can certainly change that going forward!
Thanks for the great video! My wife and I are expecting our third child very soon as well and we hope your experience with your newborn has been wonderful. New to home espresso here and your videos are super helpful. Cheers!
This man probably just saved me a few thousand dollars. Maybe in a few years I'll take the plunge and get a Decent and a Lagom P100 or whatever the most-hyped espresso machine and grinder combo will be at that time. But for now I feel like a modded Gaggia Classic Pro and a modded DF64 with SSP burrs (or even just my Option-O Helor 101/Remi hand grinder for now) is 90% as user-friendly and capable for insanely less money.
what’s your reasoning behind the 6 bar spring as opposed to the 9 bar spring? i feel like you might have answered this but i wasnt able to find it!
Hoffmann also recommends the 6,5 spring (when he did a similar video). Both of them like lightly roasted coffee, what is probably the answer. AKA slower extraction better taste(with lighter roasts). If you go for a turbo shot then use the 9 bar spring.
If you want a slow shot with 9 bar, then you need to grind very fine and use a puck screen, but I don't think this machine is compatible with a puck screen, so channeling is harder to avoid, so I think turbo or 6,5 bar is the answer.
@@Perceptence 🫠that depends on your coffee and grinder. Darker rost are (somewhat) easier to grind to right size(they break up more easy because they have lower volume of moisture). And the grinder should produce even results aka cheap grinders will produce a mixture of fine, medium and large particles on the finest settings. So when extracting the fine part causing more resistance(for the hot water) the bigger ones less. So some parts of your puck are over extracted. In worst case some part are over extracted, some parts are under extracted even channelling can happen in your puck. So you have to back down(in the grind settings), but that might cause you a turbo shot, what if you don't want a turbo shot, then you have back down in pressure: that is why everyone recommendeds the 6,5 bar spring (it's easier to dial in).
Sometimes you extracting just fine in the beginning, then over extraction happenes in the end, why because your puck broke up some much in the process it can't produce the right amount of resistance in the end(puck exhaustion). Again you have to adjust the grind settings or pressure.
(bonus: in the EG-1 review he said he chocked up the Bianca, that is a 4k euro grinder choking a 2k euro espresso machine. Why, because the grinder producing not just fine, but even particles so channelling didn't happen the machine stopped when the resistance was too high!)
What a sick setup! Nicely done Lance. And congrats to the dad and the mom!
Thank you so much! Really appreciate it, friend
I’ve watched this video 9 times now. I got the OPVs…the other stuff, I need to sit atop a mountain and ask the Gods if I should.
Love your channel
Hahaha! I love it. Thank you for the support!
"There you go, nerds" just about did it for me - Thanks for all the info and demos!
great content 👌 by the way have you heard about screen recorders on phone? 😂😂
Hahaha! I'm about as tech stupid as they come. Lol
Thank You!! I completed everything today: cut opv spring, lamp dimmer switch on right side in front of steam knob, installed manometer on front right, moved Gaggia logo left, setup xmt7100 for 2 relays, pulled a perfect shot, and I now know the pressure is at 8.5 bar. You helped a lot! Here’s how it all works, czcams.com/video/val-K-Z_YCM/video.html
Good video. I had a similar issue when I fitted my PID. it worked for a bit, but one day stopped working. Emailed Shades of Coffee, and went through settings, and found I'd set the temperature to -95 degrees.
That was dope. Now I need to read the 400 comments posted in the two days the video's been up, and order the PID and tray. Little trip to HD...I'm always there anyway.
Thanks, Lance!!!
Haha! Do it! And good luck with 400 comments hahaha! Appreciate the support watching it!
@@LanceHedrick I read them all! If there was a drinking game involving the times you brought up the Breville Dual Boiler, I'd be WIRED! I mean, I'd be drinking lattes, after all.
Hahaha! This is true. And I actually had that recommendation in the original cut but figured I'd cut it. Now I regret it! Lol
Great video Lance - and great to see a Classic with almost as many mods as some of mine :-) You really need The One single hole steam tip on it too… so reach out to me and we’ll fix that for whoever wins the Classic giveaway.
Haha sounds good! Thank you so much for that offer! I still feel silly for setting the dang PID to 9.5C instead of 95C haha. That was miserable.
@@LanceHedrick don’t feel so bad - if you originally configure the sensor to be P100 and then set the temp to 95 - and then later you realise it should correctly have been P10.0 then the temp config will change to 9.5. It could have been either issue - but it’s easily done.
I will say I was majorly relieved when I realized that was the issue. I thought I fouled up. Instead, I did the mod correctly and the easiest part I flubbed lol
Love my The One! I dont understand why it's not the standard steam tip, much easier to steam with it. Thanks Soc.
The One single hole is awesome!
Thanks for all the informative videos! I’ve learned a lot and I’m having a blast watching them (pun intended).
Question: How did you decide between the 6.5 and 9bar OPV? What is the rationale behind it? Thanks
Mostly the rationale was I really love 6 bar shots. So, when I'm not flow profiling, I can lazily open the dimmer all the way, let the OPV shunt flow, and have unlimited 6 bar shots haha
Want to know the same
The lighter the roast, the lower the puck integrity. The lower the puck integrity, the harsher higher pressure is. The harsher the pressure is, the more chance of channeling. 6.5 bars allows both turbo shots (check my video on it if unaware) and allows for lower pressure after soaking the puck.
@@LanceHedrick with the dimmer you can even bypass the opv or set it higher like 9- 12bar... then grind very fine with big baskits without choking by having the extra pressure, then back the pressure down to control the flow....basically giving a wider range of pressure to work with for more options
Oh wow! Didn't know you could bypass the OPV. How does that work?
The over pressure valve is adjustable and does not need replacing.
Espresso is extracted at 9 bar. That is fact.
1) that is not fact. Espresso doesn't necessitate 9 bar
2) I show how to adjust the opv in this video
@@LanceHedrick I see you removed my reply where I provided the link to wikipedia demonstrating that 9 bar is indeed required to extract espresso.
Also my comments on the relationship between pressurised steam and temperature that proves your mods are not required.
One of the best things about a Gaggia is the ability to learn about how machines like this work by doing an upgrade.I bought a 20 year old machine for 90 quid and modded the crap out of it. I looked at it as a learning experience and the time I spent was part of it. But then I could just be a weirdo 😂
No no! Not a weirdo. I LOVED the hours spent modding. So enlightening. And fun. Fellow nerd!
@@LanceHedrick lance, why 6 bar spring stead of 9? \Total noob
How much do you really need OPV mod if you have the dimmer mod? I imaging if you control flow, you essentially control the pressure no?
Cool video. I'm definetly doing PID mod at some point (also busy with 2nd baby coming soon). I already have OPV mod but I'm curious about the simplicity of the dimmer switch mod. One thing I don't like is the esthetics of the two exposed boxes. But I've seen other options for PID (hiding it behind or other PID kits that sit on top).
So, first, I didn't focus on aesthetics. Lots of better ways to do these. Can mount the dimmer inside and drill a hole, for example. The OPV mod isn't necessary, but it allows me to pull 6.5 bar shots without have to mess with the flow. I would recommend getting the pressure gauge mod if no opv
Yeah, that pressure gauge mode is definetly trickier to install thought but would love to have it. I think it would look good.
It absolutely would. And would help with extractions
That flow control is really interesting. Been using your "Crack the steam wand" hack to preinfuse, but might take a swing at this.
Will also say, the PID is absolutely worth it, though it does take several hours to install and you need to read the manual to adjust the settings correctly.
9 bar OPV + brass IMS grouphead block/shower screen mod, and she runs nice and consistent.
Yep! Absolutely. The steam wand hack works, but plummets the temp..should look into the dimmer! And can mount it on the inside and drill a hole for a clean look
@@LanceHedrick Nice! I was curious about that! After the dimmer mod I want to make some cosmetic changes like a wooden steam knob., a wooden pf handle, and now a wooden dimmer knob.
Yes! If you do it, shoot me a pic on IG or somewhere. Would love to see the final product
Just purchased a Gaggia Classic Pro. Thanks for the video... this beats temp surfing!!
SHEEESH
Haha! Sheeeeeeeeeee
The economic hardship , recession , unemployment and the loss of job caused by covid pandemic is enough to push people into financial ventures .
Sure thing.
I have secured financial freedom by investing in bonds , equities , EFT's and some digital currencies .
Absolutely right, I got 70% of my total portfolio in crypto and I have been making good profits.
I wanted to invest more in crypto, but the fluctuations in crypto value discouraged me into dumping.
How do I contact Mr Benjamin Harold?
This reminds me of messing with my Sylvia back in the day, really appreciate you making this video.
This so so well done man idk if I'll watch any more but jeez I'm subbing. The x-men hype got me so good. Grats on the baby
Thank you so much! Really means a lot that you'd give the sub even without intention of watching more. Appreciate the support!
Dang, baby Lance out here with no long hair, mustache, and tattoos is wild.
You're crazy right. You made me think how on Earth we've been making great shots for 40 (mind you, forty) years with our antique piston machine! Pretty clear we haven't met the new world of baristas... we have traditional Italian ristrettos or plain espressos. Time for a change! This is making us take a new path! Thanks a lot for your videos. I guess we will enjoy a much better coffee now. Quite expensive, though, but it looks worth it!
Thank you for being open minded! I love tradition, but I also love leaving room open for innovation and changing technique going forward.
So happy you enjoy the video!
@@LanceHedrick you’re absolutely right. We make around 20 espressos for the whole family every weekend. It would be a big change to have a modern machine.
Well, to be sure, this machine had a "classic Italian" profile built in, do that itch would be scratched... Haha!
That's completely fine. I'm sure I would not enjoy what you extract and you probably wouldn't enjoy what I extract. To each their own. I seek high clarity, low bitterness, deep sweetness. I don't mind if body is sacrificed for these qualities. It's just a different approach. Your's seems rooted in tradition, which is valid, whereas mine is rooted in an all-out chase for optimal flavor. So, for the most part, lighter roasts and and higher extractions.
@Jon Woo you know… I agree. I’m used to what I’ve doing my entire life, living in the country and the city where espresso was “discovered”. It’s a pleasure we all share many times throughout the day. It’s simple and straightforward. We’re used to darker, much darker roasts and that gives our tradition something that, makes our lives what they are. Sort of.
Great video! I have a Silvia with a P.I.D. and now I am thinking about attempting the dimmer switch mod. Thanks, and keep up the great content!
I have exactly the same (my Silvia is… 21 years old, this year, I think? And I installed the PID in… 2010, maybe? I've also replaced the boiler once - it ran dry with the steam wand open during a cocktail party, totally my fault), and, although I'm unemployed right now, so not able to become a Patreon supporter right this second, I, for one, would love to see a similar series of the same mods applied to the Silvia.
Do it! I think you'll absolutely love it. It opens up a whole new world of espresso
Hey! Don't worry about being a supporter right now. It is a difficult time for everyone. I'm just happy you're watching my videos and engaging. I will look into the Silvia.
Cool. Modding electric things that also use water. I salute your cojones!
Congratulations double Daddy!!
Also, very close to 40k subscribers now. Amazing and fully deserved. 👏🏻
Thank you! I'm hoping to somehow hit 40k before the baby comes. Just a fun little goal lol
I've had the Gaggia Classic Pro for years and I did the spring mod but not the PID mod. I've been very pleased with the machine for many years. It makes excellent espresso and cannot recommend the machine enough. It's really an amazing machine for the money the quality of coffee you get out of it. I eventually upgraded to an E61 HX machine which makes a lil better espresso more consistently than the Gaggia but I would not say it's a world of difference but more convinience allowing you to steam and brew at the same time. PID and some other features the Gaggia doesn't have. Though, for many years I have enjoyed using the Gaggia Classic and imo unless you really are prepared to take your coffee to the next step it could be very well that the Gaggia will be your only machine you'll ever buy. Machine is also build to last for decades. It's almost unlikely that something breaks in the machine.
For sure! Really well put. Thank you for sharing your experience and leaving this comment. Cheers
Thank god I found this video I’m going to be doing this soon
Temp overshoot is from the d value under damping the system. It rises fast then rings around the setpoint. Tweak with the values and you can slow the rise time a fraction for smother hold
Thank you for the informative video. Just got a GCP Evo and will probably start tinkering soon. How did you get the Smart Espresso Profiler to work with the GCP? Happy to manually press buttons and pull levers, but would love to have the profiler tell me exactly what is going on! Thanks again!
you posted this 2 yrs ago, and I found your channel and I love it. I have an old Cuisinart espresso machine. the pods are cheap and each one has a single output hole. I bought an upgrade 51mm basket and filter full of holes, the water comes out so fast it's too much; however with this mod he he he I can get the crema and rate I really need without the pressure washer effect. even used the old filter basket on the new handle and it literally was a jet stream. again this will solve my issue for now until I get a high end machine. I hate I didn't think of it. also Cuisinart has plastic check valves no springs that is able to be modded. I'll research more on the output heat but as far as I can tell all are connected to a single heat source if anyone else reads this :)
16:40 ish - I think that's a feature to help heat things up quicker, rather than focusing initially on getting to the right temp which means slowing down and hitting the target temp it overshoots, I'm guessing you're expecting to do a little flush to get all the parts more equalized temperature wise, then it stays more stable at your desired temperature, so that's pretty neat and smart for a PID.
Dimmer mod is pretty neat but ideally you want a pressure gauge with it!
Bro you just blew my mind....that has to be the coolest mod ever with the dimmer.....I'm soo getting that mod
Haha thank you! Glad you enjoyed it!
I will save this video and watch it whenever I have money to buy that espresso machine... It stays hidden for now, love u Bro, great content as usual
Hahaha! It's fun to watch even without a machine! Thanks for the support
@@LanceHedrick it is amazing to watch without the machine the problem is that if I finish the video I will have to buy one and i already owe my brother like $500
Haha! That makes sense. Save and watch later! Lol
for a newbie, what is the difference in taste from a $500 machine to $3000? usually the components are bigger and stronger and more for a commercial use, where the 500$ is for home and the coffee is still ok, I’m I missing something? thanks , nice videos
This is brilliant. This is the video I was waiting for. Thank you for the video and congrats for being a father and also to your wife!
Thank you so much! I really, truly appreciate the support and you watching! Drop any comment or question from the video here!
"I am storm, goddess of espresso machines!"
I have seen someone has modded his delonghi machine (which has a boiler) with those things, even added a pressure gauge to observe the dimmer affect. I was impressed and wanted to do the same with my delonghi ec155, but I chickened out. But your video gave me some encouragement, I will look around a bit more to find more information on those mods. Thanks !
Do it! The mods will bring your espresso to another level completely!
Nice mod bro, congrats with your baby! best wishes to the family
I bought a refurbished GCP to learn how to mod it and understand the machine/how to brew espresso better. Selling it with the mods I won't even lose any money. I just bought a used mara x and probably gonna be happy with that for a few years.
Heck yeah! That sounds great. And the machine chase is real. Haha! Thanks for watching and the support
You are having way too much fun with that dimmer. Lol. Nice video. I noticed the temp. ending up at around 90C at the end of the shot. Where is the temp. sensor located ?
I did the OPV spring, the buttomless portafilter and the IMS screen. And soon the low profilw tray, the IMS basket and a silicone gasket.
How strange. One of the wonderful qualities of this machine is it simplicity and robustness, no stupid circuit boards or chips to get corroded. I’ve had mine for 25 years and hasn’t skipped a beat in it’s twice daily use. I only clean it every 2 or 3 years and its only after cleaning that I ever have issues with steam flow. Never even had to replace an o ring or gasket.
As someone who in the past, worked with and understands the mathematics and electronics of control units, a PID controller is a bizarre addition to a domestic machine. You would normally use one of these to control an industrial chemical reaction tank or the like. Why mess with the pressure relief valve too, mine is factory and very rarely discharges, I want as much pressure as I can get, not less!
All very odd. It’s the reverse of polishing a turd, but each to their own I guess😊
Tell me you drink super dark roast without telling me you drink super dark roast (no judgment, just very telling)
I just drink coffee and what wonderful coffee it makes. Nearly as good as you would get from an $20 mocha pot boiler you put on the hob, but slightly more convenient.
A workman reaches out for a hammer, instinctively weighs it in his hand, and begins to work. Each blow is hammered out with tiny, imperceptible adjustments of velocity and trajectory - adjustments that the workman does automatically and is barely aware of making. In fact, the more competent the workman, the less aware he is of the hammer at all: he simply hammers away. The movements in his hand are realized in movements of the hammer in such a way that the hammer serves as an extension of the workman’s hand. In this way the hammer and the workman are together, entangled. The moment the workman begins to contemplate the hammer as a separate object or ‘thing’, something gets in the way: something doesn’t work properly, and the very Being of the hammer itself gets lost. To simply stare at the hammer, to think about it as a separate ‘thing’, does not reveal anything of the Being of the hammer. In this way, the Being of the hammer is disclosed in its utility, its use: it is with the workman, in hammering, that the Being of the hammer is revealed. The same analogy Heidegger used to explain the entanglement of the hammer and the carpenter equally applies to coffee making, keep it simple and the user feels at one with the machine but complicate it and one looses connection with our being in the world, an intrinsic part of the coffee making and coffee drinking experience. Never thought I’d manage to slip in some existentialism into a post about coffee, but it is relevant, simplicity and utility are king in everything.
The pump draws less than 50 watts. Best location for the dimmer, provided your machine is no longer in warranty? Inside the machine itself! Pick up a rotary lamp dimmer. They are small, and can easily fit inside.
I get why people tend to get a PID-controller-kit. But to be honest: they are over priced. If you are used to tinkering around with electricity (what you should be, if you do that kind of stuff, even with a kit!) you can easily build all that for a third of the price they ask for. And to be honest: do it prettier as well. I used a microcontroller and a blynk-server on a raspberry pi which I use for my 3D printer anyways. So my Rancilio now has WiFi and can be app-controlled :) Including changing PID values, brew registration, timer, heating behaviour while brewing etc. You could even program a digital dimmer to control your pump and you can't tell from the outside. Except for a 0.9" oled-screen which I attached with magnets. It just takes time to develop that stuff DIY, but there are ready to use open source projects. I understand if you don't get into that stuff as a dad now ;)
So did you build yours? And if so, what instructions and parts did you use? I'm good with my hands (PC builder) but want reliable steps.
My channel isn't meant to be over-the-top niche haha. I have no issue building my own, but it wouldn't be practical for the majority. I do appreciate the comment! Hopefully others find it helpful.
@@geofftech Sorry, I actually replied to you in a longer post with some links etc. but it seems like the comment was deleted?? Can't see it anymore. Don't know why.
Just Google it, you will find tons of stuff. My source was mostly aimed at Germans anyways. Good luck and please note that a good electric job isn't too hard but has to be done with the right tools and with attention to detail. Even more than is required when building a PC. But everybody starts somewhere and installing your own stuff is just as hard or easy as installing a kit ;)
Comment was not deleted. For whatever reason, CZcams doesn't allow links in comments. I've noticed this like 20 times lately when I ask people for links. Only CZcams links work in comments. Really annoying
@@LanceHedrick Alright, I just wondered how it disappeared. But thanks for the tip that I can't use external links!
Congrats on becoming a Dad. Hope your wife & the baby are doing great!! You’re gonna need the espresso for the upcoming sleepless nights!!😜 Joking. No better feeling than becoming a Dad!! Congrats!!
Thank you so much! Sitting in the hospital room now. Woooo
Congrats Double Daddy! Great video. My first espresso machine was a saeco aroma that I put a pid on, never could get good shots from it (go figure) I appreciate that your videos are varied, something for everyone. Keep doin' what your doin'.
Thank you so much! I'd thank you by name, but whos in a name? Lol Thanks for watching and commenting!
I just ordered a New Gaggia Classic Evo Pro today. Thank you for this great video. This is the first of your videos that I have seen. After all is said and done, would you rather have a Rancilio Silvia for the money? I appreciate the input.
Finally. Thanks for sharing this idea (even though it's a bit old, I didn't know about such transformation)
Yeah, nothing new here, just democratizing these mods, especially the dimmer mod, which seems to still be pretty unknown. Thanks for watching!
Subbed the second you called us nerds. Great video
Hey Lance, this video is amazing! did you also mod gaggia with the gaggiuino? Is this shades better than gaggiuino? what's the difference?
I just scored a gaggia classic in great condition built in 1999 for 140 euro, so just for the meme, I might implement of these mods.
Thanks a lot! I am still thinking about getting a GCP, and was looking for a complete video describing all the popular mods. If I buy one I'll just install first OPV spring mod and taking a bottomless porta filter and IMS basket . Also know a electrical ingineer if I ever want to install later the PID mod
Same
wow vintage lance. production has come so far
Congratulations on the new baby! 🎊
Thank you so much!
HAHAHA Lance normally I dismiss your cheeseball humor but that double daddy 2 daddy espresso like the rivers from the mountains had me WEAK!!!! Love this content man, your stuff is always good but this felt especially relaxed and natural. I am very tempted to mess with this mod some day as 2-3k is a bit high for the other options. Thanks bro!
DISMISS MY CHEESEBALL HUMOR?! What is this.
🤣🤣🤣
Glad you enjoyed it!
I like how he calls that jawn ‘the caption’
So authentic and genuine haha love your content
😂 This might be the best Lance video yet
Hey lance, wonderful video as always. Do you know if you can do Spro'over type shots on these? The reason i ask is that I've heard you should only run continuous shots for around 45-50 seconds whilst using the dimmer, to avoid damaging the machine. Cheers, Louis
This looks like what would happen if doc brown from back to the future made an espresso machine.
The MeCoffee is neat way of doing these mods without the holes in the frame and sacrificing the look of the machine. Great video Lance.
Thank you! Appreciate it.
@Jon Woo I replied to you a week ago - don't know what happened it. The unit is great - it's the app that has really fallen apart. I'm hoping to build my own over the next few months.
@Jon Woo yes post 2018. He’s written extensive blog posts on his experiences. This all happened by accident. From a hobby to a business.
Congratulations on your baby. Hope everything went well.
I feel like a mention to the rancillio pid guys is in place. If you're in for true diy, and wifi app control. These guy put in the work and keep putting in the work, open source. Only thing is the pcb you need to get from one of the guys. But you can wire it yourself (it'll be a mess if you're not quite capaple) but once you're in, the options are endless.
Oh snap! Drop a link and I'll add to caption!
Would love to see a gaggiaduino video. I’ve been doing some digging about the project and it turns out there is a pcb that you can purchase that stream lines the whole installation. I’ve been considering joining the next group buy for it.
Great mod, I know this is an older video, but I haven't seen a video that actually compares this to a high end machine. Could you make a video about that? (Unless I overlooked that video)
Bet there are a couple raspberry pi based projects to have even more control, programming and graphing. I know there's at least 1 online vendor here in Canada that will install the PID mod if you purchase with the machine itself.
Oh sweet! If you have a link, put it below!
Just ordered a GCP and I am a instrument tech, so looking forward to the modes! Thing is I am an espresso virgin but look forward to watching your content! Thanks!
Let's all face it. It's less about extracting something tasty from ground coffee beans and more about extracting the most out of a machine. And quite right too!
Thanks for a great video! When can we expect part 2?
That is an amazing work! I'm amazed! 😍
Thank you so much! Truly means a lot
Congrats on the baby. From what I can see in the video you “could” have drilled a couple of holes in the right side (when facing it) and mounted the dimmer so its inside the cabinet. They make many “ shallow” dimmers for wall boxes. But nice job with the overall install. :)
Yep! I could've done that. Im not keeping this machine, though. It goes to a Patreon supporter. I didn't want to drill any holes.
Great video as always…basically it is the best video I’ve seen endorsing the Breville (Sage) Infuser…lol.
Amazing! Going to start with the easy ones and probably the spring mod. Let's see how it goes! Thanks for the video!
Absolutely! Spring mod is pretty easy. Good choice!
You're the man! Thank you for this video
Thank you for watching and the support!
Congrats for the new baby!
Thank you! About to leave the hospital with the little tyke
So you could do the dimmer switch on the breville and not loose the hot water. You brought hope to my heart
My daughter has one of these. Pain in the ass devil machine from the abyss.
hahahaha! Great marketing slogan.
Great advice for GCP users! Thanks!!
Thank you! Much appreciated. Thanks so much for watching!