Posted Mon Oct 25, 2004, 11:04am Subject: Getting Started in Espresso
Hello my hobby seems to be progressing at an alarming rate. I am ready to delve into the world of Espresso and Capacino making. What do I need to get started on a budget. I have a new Infinity Capresso that I think will do the grind job fine for now. What type of Espresso machine is the best bang for the buck. I looked at several Krups models yesterday but I just have no clue. I do have the Intelligentsia Black Cat mix and am very excited to get it started.
I am hoping the brothers and sisters at coffeegeek can point me in the right direction.
"Duddly Dawson? Call me Booger!" -Revenge Of The Nerds-
expobar Senior Member Joined: 25 Mar 2004 Posts: 3,003 Location: .
Posted Mon Oct 25, 2004, 11:10am Subject: Re: Getting Started in Espresso
We'll need to know your budget first. If your budget is 200 or so dollars, look at the Gaggia Carezza. If it's 500 or so dollars, look at the Silvia, 600 look at the Expobar Pulser.
You're fortunate to have a world-class roastery in your back yard, Terroir. I've heard great stuff about them and am planning on getting some of their espresso (single origin!) to review sometime this week.
**edit** Wow! I just wrote this post, and lo and behold the UPS man comes and gives me a box with Terroir coffees! Peter and George, you run a great business and I'm excited to try out all 5 of your coffees!!!!
Posted Mon Oct 25, 2004, 3:12pm Subject: Re: Getting Started in Espresso
Well, um I actually only have about $100, maybe if I pushed it $150. I usually start slow then dump my used but mint condition machines on ebay and upgrade. I am thinking of something like a Krups. Can we start a bit lower, like entry level?
Yes I do live in Boston, Home of the Two time superbowl champion Patriots and your next World Series Champs the Red Sox. Were is Terrier I've not heard of them. I did use to deliver/ pick-up for a place called Cafe Britt in Newton, MA
"Duddly Dawson? Call me Booger!" -Revenge Of The Nerds-
Posted Mon Oct 25, 2004, 4:01pm Subject: Re: Getting Started in Espresso
Jack,
Save a little longer, and buy a Carezza--at minimum. As the owner of a couple of Krups babies, save a little longer and buy a Carezza. Save a little longer... you get the idea.
Posted Mon Oct 25, 2004, 9:03pm Subject: Re: Getting Started in Espresso
Hey Mate,
I'm new to the world of espresso machines as well. I just bought myself a carezza for $216 but that is in australian dollars. Bit of a bargain. I am mainly using preground coffee and after pulling shots for a couple of weeks I am starting to make coffee that is really impressive. I can tell that my coffee is crap but the shot is awesome. With practice, a grinder and fresh beans you will be able to make a shot that rivals most cafe's. Check this link out for its ability Click Here (coffeegeek.com) You are going to find it really hard to get a quality shot with a cheaper machine. Good luck mate. Keep us up to date.
korngold Senior Member Joined: 21 Jul 2003 Posts: 630 Location: Des Moines, IA Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Rancilio Audrey Grinder: Rancilio Rocky Vac Pot: Bialetti Moka Pot (not vac) Drip: Melitta Clarity Roaster: WE Popcorn Pumper/Poppery I
Posted Mon Oct 25, 2004, 9:49pm Subject: Re: Getting Started in Espresso
Boogs,
Welcome to the forums! Definitely save up. I have owned numerous machines over the past few years, and would not recommend a Krups to my worst enemy.
Some ideas to get by:
1) Buy espresso/cappuccino from your local roaster (have them brew). 2) Save the $3 per cup once or twice a day that you'd be spending on said beverage and put it into piggy bank 3) Get a Moka Pot (used - from $2 at garage sales to $40 new) and buy preground from your local roaster. This will actually make a pretty decent cuppa joe. 4) Save for a good grinder first. (Read: $150+) You'll probably start seeing a lot of recommendations for this, as it is the mantra we live by. "Grinder First" You will not understand why you need this until you use it, but trust me, it's worth EVERY PENNY. I tried getting a decent machine & using pre-ground. You can make a mediocre beverage that way, maybe even passable, but you will not be able to brew truly decent espresso until you buy a quality grinder.
If you spend $150-$175 on a decent grinder, and find a good moka pot or inexpensive machine (such as a used Gaggia on e-bay, or even a Saeco with an unpressurized PF), you'll be making some pretty decent drinks. I had a Saeco Maestro, which is a decent little machine--Ulka Pump (as used on machines up to $500), brass unpressurized portafilter (53mm). Also, the Gaggia "Gran Gaggia" can often be had for $40 - $75 on e-bay. That has an ulka pump and a heavy 58mm commercial-sized brass portafilter.
When machines like the aforementioned can be had for under $75, i would avoid a Krups at all costs.
Get a decent grinder (I think the Lux is the cheapest grinder that qualifies down here - the Solis grinders seem an iffy proposition) and some locally roasted beans and your Carezza will reward you with espresso that is VERY close to a HX machine - I've confirmed this by testing mine vs my favorite cafe's Azkoyen and the results stunned the owner/barista.
korngold Said:
Also, the Gaggia "Gran Gaggia" can often be had for $40 - $75 on e-bay. That has an ulka pump and a heavy 58mm commercial-sized brass portafilter.
A word of warning - the Gran Gaggia and Cubika models do NOT have the heavy brass PF of the other models. They have a lightweight aluminum version which is still 58mm and interchangable with the brass one. Also, the Gran and Cubika have half the heating power of the 'normal' Gaggias so they are much slower to heat up and slower to transition from brew to steam. The Carezza is the base model that is worth considering but a decent grinder is also required to get anything like the best from it.
brugeswalker Senior Member Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 145 Location: Delaware Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Expobar Pulser Grinder: Cunill Tranquilo SS Drip: Only in the office :-( Roaster: Thinking about it
Posted Tue Oct 26, 2004, 6:09am Subject: Re: Getting Started in Espresso
For hundred bucks you can get any number of decent machines off Ebay. Machines made by Saeco, Spidem and Briel are great starters. They have stainless steel boilers, ULKA pumps and good, if plastic, bodies. They usually come with pressurized portafilters which will be a good match with your current grinder.
I am not a fan of aluminum boilers, so I do not recommend Gaggia. But if you don't have the same concern, Gaggia does make a number of inexpensive machines that a lot of people like. The name recognition makes them a bit pricier though.
When you are ready to upgrade, be sure to do the grinder at the same time. However, the Infinity is a good inexpensive grinder that is great for its pricepoint so I don't think you NEED to do an upgrade quite yet!
SL28ave Senior Member Joined: 19 Mar 2004 Posts: 796 Location: Rockville, MD Expertise: I live coffee
Grinder: Baratza Virtuoso Drip: Technivorm
Posted Thu Oct 28, 2004, 6:19am Subject: Re: Getting Started in Espresso
Hi Jack,
If you have time, we'd love for you to stop by. At the moment Terroir is a warehouse/office, not an actual shop. We're in Acton, a 40 minute drive from Boston in "decent" traffic.
We have coffee seminars but, none are scheduled for any exact date at this moment. Also, we generally have formal cuppings on Wednesday and Thursday mornings. Just call and confirm with someone at least one day in advance because the spots are very limited.
When I heard George Howell was getting into roasting again, I moved from Washington D.C. to learn from him; you might want to come spend a morning with us. Cuppings are always a learning experience for anyone involved.
Symbols: = New Posts since your last visit = No New Posts since last visit = Newest post
Forum Rules: No profanity, illegal acts or personal attacks will be tolerated in these discussion boards. No commercial posting of any nature will be tolerated; only private sales by private individuals, in the "Buy and Sell" forum. No cross posting allowed - do not post your topic to more than one forum, nor repost a topic to the same forum. Who Can Read The Forum? Anyone can read posts in these discussion boards. Who Can Post New Topics? Any registered CoffeeGeek member can post new topics. Who Can Post Replies? Any registered CoffeeGeek member can post replies. Can Photos be posted? Anyone can post photos in their new topics or replies. Who can change or delete posts? Any CoffeeGeek member can edit their own posts. Only moderators can delete posts. Probationary Period: If you are a new signup for CoffeeGeek, you cannot promote, endorse, criticise or otherwise post an unsolicited endorsement for any company, product or service in your first five postings.
![expobar: 1025coffees.JPG](javascript:ImagePopup("/images/11828/1025coffees.JPG", 574, 238, "expobar: 1025coffees.JPG");)
= No New Posts since last visit 