Jura GIGA 10 Features Overview – Is It Worth The High Price?

Traditional espresso machines, while capable of producing quality coffee, often require a steep learning curve and a lot of manual work. Enter the Jura Giga 10, a superautomatic espresso machine designed to address these very challenges.

With promises of ease of use, exceptional taste in both coffee and milk-based beverages, and robust durability, it’s no wonder that it has caught the attention of those in search of a more convenient brewing experience.

We decided to put the Jura Giga 10 to the test. We purchased and spent weeks experimenting with this machine, exploring every feature and function to determine if it truly lives up to its claims. From the initial setup to the daily grind (pun intended), our hands-on review aims to provide an in-depth analysis of whether this superautomatic espresso machine can transform the way you enjoy your favorite coffee beverages.

Dual Grinders in Giga 10

We loved that the Giga 10 offers the unique feature of having dual grinders, which provides many customization options for all the different drinks we can prepare. The Giga 10 inherited this feature from its predecessor, the Giga 6.

One popular option is to dedicate one grinder for cold brew, to take advantage of the cold extraction process implemented in the Giga 10. This requires an extra coarse grind, which can easily be achieved with one of the grinders.

Alternatively, we can dedicate one grinder for decaf coffee, allowing us to create true half-caff drinks with a 50/50 blend of regular and decaffeinated coffee.

There’s also a setting for those who prefer traditional American style coffees with lighter body and higher volume.

Adjusting the Grind

When playing with the grind settings, we would simply access the machine’s programming menu and select the “Set Consistency of Grind” option. From there, we could adjust the fineness of each grinder individually.

The fine or very fine grinds settings work well for espresso. Medium grind settings are suitable for American filter-style coffee. For cold brew, the coarse settings are the ones we had the best results with.

Naming the Grinders

Naming the grinders can be useful for keeping track of their purpose, such as decaf or cold brew. To name them, you can navigate through the programming menu to the “Display” option, then select “Grinder Name.” We can then assign unique names to the left and right grinders, making it easier to customize drinks on the fly.

Bypass Doser

The Giga 10 also features a bypass doser for brewing with pre-ground coffee. There’s a dedicated scoop available to load the doser with up to two level scoops of pre-ground coffee. This is a helpful option for offering decaf to guests without needing a dedicated decaf grinder or for trying other coffee varieties.

Swapping Coffee in Hoppers

Changing the coffee beans in the hoppers is a breeze with the Giga 10. It features a back access panel that can be easily removed, revealing the locks and slides for the two hoppers. Simply close the slide for the desired hopper, unlock it, and lift it out to empty and refill it with fresh beans. The machine can detect when there’s enough coffee for brewing, so don’t worry about underdosing.

Making Espresso Drinks

The Jura Giga 10 can make 35 different coffee drinks from hot espresso to iced flat whites.

Making espresso with the Giga 10 is as simple as pushing the espresso button. The machine employs it’s own pulse extraction process (P.E.P.) for short coffee drinks. This enhances both the crema and flavor of the shot.

To make an iced version, there’s a temporary override button that enables you to pick an iced espresso. Just remember to put ice cubes into your glass first.

We tested a medium-dark Italian style roast, as well as a light roast. Both coffees were bright and with good body. While they lacked the complexity you would get from a shot pulled on a prosumer espresso machine, the results were still surprisingly good and the espresso was tastier than expected, albeit not perfect.

Making Milk Drinks with the Jura GIGA 10

One of the standout features of the Jura GIGA 10 espresso machine is its ability to create rich and creamy milk-based drinks. The machine’s milk system ensures that you can enjoy lattes, cappuccinos, latte macchiatos and other milk-infused beverages at the touch of a button. Here’s a breakdown of how the GIGA 10 handles milk drinks:

1. Simple Milk System Activation: To create milk-based drinks, the GIGA 10’s user-friendly interface makes it remarkably simple. Once you’ve loaded your preferred coffee beans and selected your desired drink, the machine prompts you to add milk. You can conveniently adjust the milk volume and foam level to match your preferences.
2. Customizing the Drink: The GIGA 10 offers customization options to cater to individual taste preferences. Whether you enjoy a creamy latte or a frothy cappuccino, the machine allows you to adjust the milk and coffee ratios to craft your perfect beverage.
3. Milk Frothing and Dispensing: The GIGA 10’s milk system handles frothing and dispensing with precision. The machine delivers consistently frothed milk with the perfect temperature to complement your espresso shots. We found it made soft and velvety microfoam, as well as rich foam for latte art.

We used the same beans for making our milky drinks and in our opinion, this is where the Giga 10 really shines. A latte takes about 25-30 seconds on the machine versus the 3 or 4 minutes it might take to make using an espresso machine and milk frother.

Taste-wise the drinks taste really good. The milk is surprisingly well textured, as is the micro-foam. The cup has a lot of body and overall it does a really solid job.

The Rest of the Drinks

Here’s a full list of the drink options on the Giga 10.

• Espresso
• Double espresso
• Cold brew espresso
• Espresso doppio
• Cold brew espresso doppio
• Espresso macchiato
• Cold brew macchiato
• Regular brewed coffee
• Brewed coffee double shot
• Cold brew coffee
• Pot of coffee
• Americano
• Double shot Americano
• Cold brew Americano
• Lungo
• Double shot lungo
• Cold brew lungo
• Cortado
• Cold brew cortado
• Caffè latte
• Cold brew caffè latte
• Caffè latte extra shot
• Cappuccino
• Cold brew cappuccino
• Cappuccino extra shot
• Flat white
• Cold Brew Flat white
• Flat white extra shot
• Latte macchiato
• Cold brew latte macchiato
• Latte macchiato extra shot
• Portion of milk foam
• Portion of milk
• Hot water
• Hot water for green tea

Water Quality and Filters

We found that the GIGA 10 really emphasizes the importance of water quality. The machine comes with a Clearyl water filter, which improves the taste of your drinks and protects the internal components from mineral buildup.

Installing the water filter was straightforward; the machine detects its presence and calculates its remaining lifespan automatically. Regular replacement of the water filter helps prevent scale buildup and lowers the need for frequent descaling.

Descaling and Three-Phase Cleaning

While the water filter minimizes scale, we found that occasional descaling is still necessary. Jura offers descaling tablets designed to effectively remove mineral buildup from the machine.

The GIGA 10 introduces a three-phase cleaning tablet system. These tablets not only clean coffee oils and fats but also leave a protective layer that prevents both coffee residue and mineral buildup.

Regularly running the cleaning cycle using Jura’s cleaning tablets ensures optimal coffee quality and the machine’s longevity.

Brew Group Cleaning

The Brew Group, responsible for coffee extraction, requires separate maintenance. Even with a water filter, coffee oils and grounds accumulate over time.

We liked that Jura’s cleaning tablets specifically target the Brew Group, ensuring it remains free from buildup and operates optimally.

Milk Cleaning Caddy and Closed Circuit Cleaning

We loved that the GIGA 10 employs a milk cleaning caddy, which simplifies the cleaning of the milk system. This caddy utilizes a closed circuit cleaning process, ensuring that your milk tubes and spouts are thoroughly cleaned. By filling the caddy with cleaning tablets, attaching it to the machine, and using the included tubing, you can initiate the cleaning cycle. The machine takes care of the rest, ensuring that your milk system is hygienically maintained.

Like with all superautomatic espresso machines, proper maintenance is essential for maintaining the milk system’s performance over time. Regular cleaning prevents milk residues from building up and affecting the quality of your drinks. This maintenance routine also contributes to the longevity of the machine and its milk-related components.

Is It Worth It?

Jura espresso machines aren’t cheap. At the price point of the Jura Giga 10, there are incredible manual espresso machines available on the market. These machines represent the pinnacle of coffee-making craftsmanship, offering the best that money can buy.

For the true connoisseurs who seek nothing but the most exceptional coffee experience, these manual options may be a better choice, as they can deliver a cup that surpasses what the Giga 10 can produce.

However, the Jura Giga 10 has its own unique appeal. With its super versatility and a vast library of drink options, it manages to make each beverage pretty well. The coffee tastes good—not amazing, but certainly satisfying.

What sets the Giga 10 apart is its convenience, akin to a conveyor belt of coffee delights. If your priority is a wide selection of good-tasting coffee at the press of a button, without the fuss and intricacies of manual brewing, then the Giga 10 is a solid choice.

CHECK PRICE

Frequently Asked Questions

{ “@context”: “http://schema.org/”, “@type”: “Review”, “itemReviewed”: { “@type”: “Product”, “name”: “Jura Giga 10 Superautomatic Espresso Machine”, “image”: “https://www.coffeeble.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/jura-giga-10-black.webp” }, “author”: { “@type”: “Person”, “name”: “Thomas Fultz” }, “reviewRating”: { “@type”: “Rating”, “ratingValue”: “4.5”, “bestRating”: “5” }, }