I awaiting delivery of a Gaggia Classic (my very first espresso machine, I currently use a caffettiere).

I have a few bags of ground coffee in the cupboard which I'll want to use up before I get started grinding my own beans. However, I note that at least one of the bags of coffee says it is for filters and caffetierres.

What will be the consequence of using this coffee in the machine? I appreciate the coffee quality will be reduced, but will it actually cause any damage (I was wondering if the coffee would get stuck somewhere etc). As I understand it, espresso machines require a very fine grind of coffee.

Many thanks from a very excited espresso machine newbie.

I have got one of these machines, they are great machines. the classic these days uses a pressurised basket, this makes it easier to use as it don't matter on the grind or tamping for it to work and get the crema. So yes the coffee you have got will work. but you will not get the full taste if the water flow too fast.

A shot should take around 25 seconds to pour and you need the finest grind you can get to be honest. A lot of the coffee you get out there is not really fine enough.

Use the basket that comes with the machine for a while until you get used to it, then I suggest you get a non-pressurised basket, you don't need the perfect crema thing if you use a non-pressurised basket.

Get a decent grinder and start grinding your own. i use this one. there are better ones, but you pay a fair bit for them, look around and you can get this one cheaper maybe. i got mine for £39, A burr Grinder is what is required, not a blade grinder.

You also need a decent Tamper, the one that Gaggia gives you is a waste of time. like this one

a decent jug for steaming, but you can get them from anywhere and maybe just to start with a thermometer to check the temperature of the milk.

Then some decent coffee beans.

I get mine from http://www.jamesgourmetcoffee.com/, because they are localish, they will grind them as well.

I have also used and still do sometimes http://www.thecoffeehopper.com/.

All this depends how far you want to go, but in my opinion if you are going to buy a machine like the Classic, then you want to get the best from it. Loads of videos on you Tube showing how to make a perfect espresso.

i would say at least get a decent tamper and some decent coffee if nothing else.

Best of all enjoy, I love my classic, when I first had it, people said they would give it a week or two and then i will not use it any more, I use it most days and have had the machine now for 16 months. It is a bit of a fiddle, but I love a decent coffee when I come home from work.

Thanks for that.

I have bought a grinder but I obviously need to use up my current stock of ground coffee.

Next job is sourcing the beans that I like and I think this is going to have to be done online because there isn't anywhere near me that sells decent beans.

Beans from supermarkets have been roasted weeks if not months before and they loose their freshness, even if they are packed. Best to pay a bit more and get some decent beans.

Have you got the machine yet?

I did take delivery last week but upon opening it was broken so I've had to send it back to Amazon and an new one should be with me in the next day or so.

I have found lots of online bean retailers who I might use but for the moment I've bought some Lvazza beans from the supermarket just to try out grinding etc and getting the right grind.