Who making espresso??

[bballbaby]

As the title says, who's making espresso around here? I'm looking to get an espresso machine for the house. I'm certainly not going to be spending $1000 or anywhere close to it, so forget those suggestions.

Right now I'm looking at the DeLonghi EC155 as a starter model. I can get it right now on Amazon for $60, after a rebate. I could be convinced to spend up to $300 or $400 if the convincing is good enough.

So who's using what and with what kind of success??

[WhiteLightning]

Gale,

I know this isn't what you are looking for, but it is amazing. http://www.delonghi.com/us_en/products/esam-3300/ It grinds, the beans fresh, then brews either coffee or espresso, then cleans itself, and even turns itself off. I thought it was crazy until I started using it everyday. It beats paying $5 each time you go to Starbucks. We enjoy fresh brewed coffee and espresso everyday now. It has paid for itself already.

[bballbaby]

THat does look nice indeed. Certainly over my intended budget...but that's usually the case with everything.

[Monsterdg]

I've tried a number of inexpensive espresso machines & gave up. This is definitely a case of you get what you pay for.

[WhiteLightning]

I forgot to mention that my FIL did all the research and went through countless espresso machines before landing with this one. Now everyone in the family has their own. it's definitely a case of you vet what you pay for.

[Skitalets]

I've tried a number of inexpensive espresso machines & gave up. This is definitely a case of you get what you pay for.

We actually use an inexpensive machine called an Aeropress to make espresso, and it's very effective. The coffee is great, though it does take a little more work than just pushing a button.

Here's a link to the review that got me interested in using one:

http://boingboing.net/2010/08/30/aer...ast-porta.html

[smokinghole]

http://www.google.com/products/catal...ed=0CHgQ8wIwAA

For the price these make decent enough. I have a low end Delonghi that makes decent enough too. I'm not a big cappuchino or espresso drinker though. I use my drip or press pot a majority of the time. I think the key to having good espresso is more the freshness and a very find grind instead of the machine. The machine is just the icing on the cake.

http://www.delonghi.com/us_en/products/ec-155/ This is the one I actually have.

[Deemancpa]

My New Auto Espresso Machine


my machine..still going strong 18 months of espresso every day.

[Wwestern]

I've had this thing for about 3 years, use it a few times a week and it does just fine for me. At 37 bucks it's pretty hard to beat.

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Mr.-Coffee...-Maker/5390912

[Mikess]

Got a Saeco Odea for the office, when I left it was well broken in and still functioned perfectly. I believe it was a refurb on ebay when I bought it.

[pmd]

I would definitely look at the Rancilio Miss Sylvia. I've had a few machines and currently run an Elektra manual lever pull circa mid 70's. It's super picky about the bean quality so I've started roasting my own earlier last summer. I've got to say using beans that are day old in this machine is amazing. The Rancilia has consistently gotten great reviews from all the coffee sites I trust and I think It'll be my next machine at some point. You can sometimes find them used on Craigslist for around $300-$350 at least in Portland, OR.
I would also take a look at Sweet Maria's site. They've reviewed a bunch of machines and have recommendations. http://www.sweetmarias.com/

[bballbaby]

OK, thanks for all the good info.

But I keep seeing people talking about getting the grind right. My current thought process is to use a $20 grinder that i've been using for years now and just gring it a little longer to get it ground finer.

Is that a sufficient technique or do I need to invest in some sort of ultra fine grinder?

and for what it's worth, I grind fresh for every pot I make, and my grinder definitely grinds more fine the longer I hold the button.

[pmd]

I use a Maestro grinder. It's a conical burr grinder that comes highly rated and it's $100. Much less money than the larger more commercial options. The other benefit is that you can put the portafilter right under the grinder so that it'll fill the grind basket as it grinds.
Ive read that burr grinders for espresso usage grind beans differently than normal drip coffee machines. I can tell you that it makes a huge difference in my machine but thats not to say it would affect you as greatly depending on the equipment. Hope this helps...

[ShortyStogie]

Bball!

Man, one slippery slope hobby ain't enough for ya?!

Seriously man, good coffee can get very expensive very quickly. However, if you're smart, you can actually save some money in the long run.

To answer your question, however, (and I know you will not want to hear this, because neither did I) the MOST important purchase you will ever make in this hobby is your grinder. Especially if you are thinking about espresso. Yes, the longer you press the button, the finer the grind is... But I'm assuming that at $20, you have a standard kitchen grinder and not a burr grinder, which is what is required. And a blade grinder will not grind for espresso.

Buying a great coffee machine after a terrible grind is just not worth it. YOu will not get what you paid for in the machine.

My advice: Buy the grinder first, and then the machine. There are good recommendations from all over the net, but off the top of my head: The Baratza Vario (as low as $300), and the Rancilio Rocky (~$400). But there are certainly cheaper ones starting at 150-200 also which apparently are outstanding.

I would strongly advise against an all-in-one super automatic machine (like the DeLonghi above). Many technical reasons for that, (which I don't know if I believe or not) but at the end of the day, my Saeco Odea just didn't cut it in terms of flavor and crema.

If you do want to buy a machine first, then +1 on the Silvia. Had used one for a long time, and my new Silvia / Rocky combo is on its way and should be here later this week.

Whatever you decide, good luck to you. Nothing like a sweet, thick shot of espresso in the morning! Meantime, some low-budget coffee pr0n for ya! [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zk1kzRkCe_o&feature=related"]Naked Portafilter shot with Rancilio Silvia - YouTube[/ame]


Enjoy!

[bballbaby]

holy smokes! In all honesty I was just looking to make a cheap, crappy cappucino or latte or something.

I guess that's out of the question now! Ignorance was indeed bliss for me...I thought I could just buy an espresso machine and call it a day. And to be honest, at this point, I wouldn't know if i was making a good shot of espresso or a bad shot. I mean, I know what cream is, but good versus bad, I've never done any side by side comparison.

But like I always say, if you're gonna do something, do it right.

Now I just need to sell the wife on spending another $200 or $300 on a grinder. SHe's gonna think I'm nuts!! Guess I"ll have to remind her that I'll be able to make those carmel frappucinos that she can only get when we go to the big city. that' might help her turn the corner