KLARSTEIN Gusto Classico Espresso Machine - Review 🏆

Klarstein is a German home appliance brand known for its range of kitchen products like stand mixers, toasters, and coffee machines. Founded in 2002, they have established themselves as a reputable brand in Europe for their quality and affordable products.

The Gusto Classico is one of their popular espresso machine models aimed at home baristas who want an easy-to-use machine with excellent brewing capabilities. With its classic Italian design and stainless steel finish, it brings a touch of Italian cafe culture into your home.

Design

The Klarstein Gusto Classico espresso machine features an elegant and compact design perfect for any kitchen. The machine is made of brushed stainless steel and black accents for a sleek, modern look.

Despite its small footprint at just 11.4 x 8.3 x 12.2 inches, the Gusto Classico doesn't compromise on features or power. The stainless steel and black color scheme gives it a sophisticated style that will look great displayed on your kitchen counter.

The machine is relatively lightweight at just 5.95 pounds. This makes it easy to move and store when not in use without taking up too much space. Overall, the Gusto Classico's dimensions and materials create an attractive and convenient espresso maker that complements any décor.

Features

The Klarstein Gusto Classico comes with several useful features for brewing quality espresso at home.

• Pressure: It can generate 15 bars of pressure, which is within the ideal range of 9-15 bars needed to properly extract espresso and create crema. This ensures you get a rich, full-bodied espresso.

• Heating system: The Gusto Classico utilizes a 1100 watt thermoblock heating system that rapidly heats water to the optimal temperature of 90-95°C required for espresso extraction. This promotes consistency in flavor.

• Frother: It has a manual frothing arm that allows you to froth milk for cappuccinos and lattes. The frother is easy to use and produces silky, foamy milk.

• Accessories: The machine comes with 2 espresso filters for single and double shots, a tamper for compressing the coffee grounds, and a measuring scoop. These accessories provide everything you need to get started making espresso drinks.

In addition to these core features, the Klarstein Gusto Classico has a few other notable capabilities. The portafilter has a pressurized double spout that helps optimize the brewing process. There is a cup warming tray on top that keeps your espresso cups nice and hot. The water tank has a 1.5 liter capacity, so you don't have to refill it too frequently. And the drip tray is removable, making cleanup easier.

When shopping for a home espresso machine, you'll want to compare the Klarstein Gusto Classico to other popular models. The Sage The Barista Pro is an excellent alternative to consider in a similar price range. It has a 1600 watt thermojet heating system that achieves optimal brewing temperature in just 3 seconds. The digital temperature control provides precision water temperature adjustments. An integrated conical burr grinder grinds beans right before extraction for maximum freshness. The Barista Pro also has digital PID control for automatic microfoam milk texturing. So it offers advanced technology and customization options for crafting café-quality espresso drinks.

Choosing between the Klarstein Gusto Classico and Sage Barista Pro depends on your budget and feature needs. The Gusto Classico is a more affordable option with manual controls and classic espresso-making functionality. While the Barista Pro costs more but provides digital precision and customization for specialty coffee enthusiasts. Both are well-made machines capable of brewing rich espresso with crema and frothing milk for cappuccinos or lattes. It just comes down to determining the right balance of price point and capabilities for your home espresso requirements.

Ease of Use

The Gusto Classico is designed for simplicity and ease of use. The control panel has just a few buttons to start and stop brewing, making it straightforward to operate.

Maintenance is also easy on the Gusto Classico. The water reservoir and drip tray are removable for fast cleaning. Descaling is recommended every 2-3 months to keep the machine operating smoothly, and Klarstein provides clear instructions for the descaling process.

Overall, the Gusto Classico espresso machine is very easy to use on a daily basis. The simple interface allows you to start brewing with just the push of a button. And occasional maintenance like descaling, cleaning the reservoir and tray, and backflushing are all quick and simple tasks. This is an espresso machine that won't require much time or effort to keep running optimally.

When comparing the Gusto Classico to other popular home espresso machines like the Sage BES875UK, the ease of use is quite similar. The Sage also has a straightforward interface with preset buttons and simple maintenance. However, the Sage does offer more advanced features and customization options, so there is a bit more learning curve for mastering those capabilities.

But for beginners who want a fuss-free espresso maker that doesn't require barista-level skills, the Gusto Classico is an excellent choice. The pared down controls and maintenance make it accessible for daily use without much effort. More advanced users may prefer the greater flexibility of the Sage for dialing in shots, but the Gusto Classico still delivers delicious espresso without the complexity.

When it comes to daily operation, the Gusto Classico couldn't be much simpler. Just fill the reservoir, lock it into place, power on the machine, and press a button to start brewing. The whole process from turning on the machine to pulling your first shot of espresso can be done in under a minute. This simplicity makes the Gusto Classico a great choice for busy households where family members just want good espresso without fuss.

The machine is also designed to be low-maintenance. Unlike some espresso makers that require frequent cleaning and attention, the Gusto Classico is built to be convenient. The removable reservoir and tray make cleaning easy after daily use. And the machine will remind you when it's time for descaling or other maintenance. The descaling process itself takes less than an hour start to finish.

With its focus on simplicity and convenience, the Gusto Classico removes much of the intimidation factor that can come with an espresso machine. Novices can start pulling professional-quality shots without needing barista training or much practice. And experienced users will appreciate an uncomplicated second machine for the office or vacation home. If you're looking for delicious espresso without the hassle, the Gusto Classico delivers on ease of use.

Brew Quality

The Gusto Classico brews espresso with excellent taste and a rich, smooth crema. The 15-bar pump provides enough pressure to properly extract the coffee oils and flavors from the grounds. This results in a balanced espresso with notes of chocolate and caramel in every cup.

The brewing temperature is consistently around 195-205°F, which is the ideal range for espresso extraction. Lower temperatures result in weak, under-extracted coffee, while higher leads to a burnt, bitter taste. The Classico heats water to the perfect temperature for highlight the flavors of your coffee beans.

The crema produced is a hallmark of a high-quality espresso machine. It has a thick, velvety texture that is golden brown in color. The crema lasts for a minute or longer before dissipating, which indicates the espresso contains dissolved solids extracted from the coffee. The crema also helps trap aromatics, leading to an intensely flavorful experience when sipping the espresso.

Customization

One of the best features of the Klarstein Gusto Classico is its high degree of customizability for an espresso machine in this price range. You have a good amount of control over the key variables that affect shot quality: grind size, dose, and tamping.

Grind Size

The Gusto Classico has a built-in burr grinder with 18 grind size settings, allowing you to adjust from ultra-fine for espresso up to coarse for drip coffee or French press. The wide range gives you flexibility to dial in the ideal grind particle size for your preferred roast. This is important for balancing flavor and achieving the perfect crema on your shots.

Dose

The portafilter included with the Gusto Classico is a standard double shot size basket. You can adjust your ground coffee dose from around 14-18 grams to control shot volume and flavor intensity. Using a scale while dosing into the filter basket allows consistency across shots.

Tamping

Tamping, or compressing the ground coffee evenly into the portafilter, is another key variable. The machine comes with a tamper to allow pressing with 15-30 lbs of pressure. Tamping correctly ensures water flows through the coffee puck evenly during extraction. You'll need to dial in the right tamping pressure for your grind setting.

Having control over these three factors means you can pull consistently great tasting shots, fine tuned to match your beans and personal taste preferences. The Gusto Classico gives you more customization than many affordable espresso machines.

Durability

The Gusto Classico is built to last thanks to its solid stainless steel construction. The housing and drip tray are made from brushed stainless steel, giving it a sleek yet sturdy appearance. Many reviewers comment on the overall high-quality feel and heft of the machine.

The internal components also appear well-made, including the 15-bar pump and thermoblock heating system. Owners report the machine works consistently after years of frequent use. One reviewer said they've owned the Gusto Classico for over 5 years and it still pulls great shots like the first day.

The only potential downside is that some plastic parts are used internally, like the portafilter handle and steam wand. But this doesn't seem to affect the longevity, just contributes to the reasonable price point. Overall, the Gusto Classico's stainless steel housing and quality internal components allow it to hold up well over many years of daily use.

Value

The Klarstein Gusto Classico offers excellent value for an espresso machine in this price range. At around £150, it's very competitively priced compared to similar espresso makers. You get a surprising amount of quality and features for the price.

The machine comes with a 2-year warranty, which provides peace of mind on the investment. Many espresso machines in this range only include a 1-year warranty.

It doesn't come with a lot of accessories, but it does include the key necessities - a tamper, measuring scoop, and single and double shot filters. You may want to purchase an additional tamper and milk frothing pitcher if you plan to frequently make cappuccinos and lattes. But for making straight espresso, it comes with everything you need.

Overall, the Gusto Classico gives you professional quality espresso and attractive design at a very appealing price point. The 2-year warranty provides good protection on your purchase. And it comes with the basic accessories required to pull great shots. For an entry-level semi-automatic espresso maker, it's an excellent value.

Pros & Cons

The Klarstein Gusto Classico espresso machine has several pros and cons to consider:

Pros

• Sleek and elegant design that looks great on any kitchen counter
• 15 bar pressure pump provides excellent espresso extraction
• Easy to use controls and intuitive operation
• Heats up quickly in just 2-3 minutes
• Automatically stops brewing when desired volume is reached
• Produces rich, full-bodied espresso with thick crema
• Frothing wand makes creamy cappuccino foam
• Removable water tank for easy filling
• Durable stainless steel construction

Cons

• Smaller water tank capacity at 1.4 liters
• Steam wand can be awkward to use at times
• No option to adjust or program volume/shots
• Cleaning and descaling requires some disassembly
• Tamping requires a separate purchased tamper
• No automatic milk frothing feature
• Single boiler can cause temperature fluctuations

Conclusion

The Klarstein Gusto Classico is a stylish and capable espresso machine that produces excellent espresso. It has a classic Italian design that looks great on any countertop. The 15 bar pressure pump and Thermoblock heating system brew rich, flavorful espresso with thick crema.

The machine is easy to use thanks to the intuitive controls and portafilter that makes it simple to lock in ground coffee. It also heats up quickly in just 2-3 minutes. The steam wand allows you to froth milk for cappuccinos and lattes.

For the price, the Gusto Classico punches above its weight in terms of features and performance. It's comparable to entry-level semi-automatic machines from brands like Breville and De'Longhi.

Overall, the Klarstein Gusto Classico is an excellent choice if you're looking for an affordable espresso maker that doesn't compromise on quality or style. It's easy to use, brews cafe-quality espresso, and looks great on your kitchen counter. For espresso lovers on a budget, it's a machine worth considering.