Graphoniac Senior Member Joined: 14 Nov 2012 Posts: 3 Location: Nashville, TN Expertise: I love coffee
Posted Wed Nov 14, 2012, 9:49am Subject: Christmas wishlist help
New here. I'm trying to find a respectable burr grinder in the $25-$35 range. I know that the best ones are probably going to be significantly more than that, but I'm looking for something that I can put on my husband's wishlist.com list, something that a family member might actually be able to afford. He uses our current grinder for drip coffee, and I use it for espresso and manual drip.
Also looking for a simple, low-end espresso machine for me, something that can pour two shots simultaneously and has a switch for the steam so that the steam wand can be used on its own.
We'll move up in quality later, but how do we find the cheapest options that are worth having?
MochaJoe Senior Member Joined: 31 Oct 2012 Posts: 66 Location: Omaha, NE Expertise: Just starting
Espresso: Gaggia Classic Grinder: Baratza Preciso
Posted Thu Nov 15, 2012, 2:40pm Subject: Re: Christmas wishlist help
Hey, I saw that no one has responded to your question yet...so I thought I might offer some advice. But please keep in mind I have like, 2 weeks under my belt regarding "correct" equipment and what not.
First off, I dont think they even make a burr grinder period for $35 let alone a respectable Your stated price point is more like a kitchen aid or Cuisinart blade grinder. I would think, after my research and advice from the guys here is that the cheapest you can find that comes close to espresso-fine grind would be the Gaggia MDF burr grinder. Its currently on sale for $199 at Whole latte love. It gets a lot of good reveiws, but I looks like the doser lever wouldnt hold up to much use, and some guys here recommend tinkering with it.
If you're anything like me, you just want it. Thats why I purchased a Baratza Preciso. It retails for 299, and yea thats a lot of money. I know they sell a lower priced model called the Encore but dont know anything about it. I think that goes for 129???
For a simple, low end machine I'd suggest the machine I was going to get before I settled on my current Gaggia Classic. Its the Saeco Aroma and last time I checked Seattle Coffee gear was selling refurbished units for 149.99 +free ship.
Hopefully I helped, maybe some of the other more seasoned guys can help...but if you use the search function for grinder recommendation I doubt youll see any for less that $200 lol
Graphoniac Senior Member Joined: 14 Nov 2012 Posts: 3 Location: Nashville, TN Expertise: I love coffee
Posted Thu Nov 15, 2012, 2:50pm Subject: Re: Christmas wishlist help
Thanks for replying. I wasn't sure that I'd get anything from that post, since those in these forums are likely to be too accustomed to excellence to consider the cheap alternatives. I'm like that in some things, but I can't afford the real quality, so I'm looking for a knock-off that'll buy me time, if you will.
Same thing with the espresso machine--I want something that can brew two shots, and can switch the steam wand on and off. The cheapest "espresso" machines don't switch the steam on and off, but the next step up in price range does.
Again, thanks for the reply. If no one here can help me in this price range, I'll just go with whatever I can find, and return when we can afford something better! :)
MochaJoe Senior Member Joined: 31 Oct 2012 Posts: 66 Location: Omaha, NE Expertise: Just starting
Espresso: Gaggia Classic Grinder: Baratza Preciso
Posted Thu Nov 15, 2012, 6:18pm Subject: Re: Christmas wishlist help
Well like I lot of people here, I would say get a really good grinder first, and get like a cruddy espresso machine. Look at seattle coffee gear. They carry a Saeco Poemia (sp). It can pull two shots, and has a steam wand like you're talking about. New is 179.99, but for that money I'd say get the Refurb Aroma. The good thing about these both is the pressurized pf/baskets they have. You dont have to do any tamping, or get the grind as fine as you do with a tradition non-pressurized pf/basket. They have really cool youtube video reveiws on their entire line demonstrating there use
if get the Saeco Aroma Refurb for 149.99 and order a refurb Baratza Preciso for 229.00, you could get a low end set up for under $400.00. And, since the grinder is espresso grade, you would only have to buy a tamper and non-pressurized basket to make "real" espresso later on. Just my thoughts, Im sure the others might have some ideas.
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