longleafpine Senior Member Joined: 17 Nov 2008 Posts: 5 Location: va Expertise: Just starting
Posted Mon Nov 17, 2008, 8:35am Subject: selecting a budget espresso machine
I want to purchase an espresso machine for under US $150.
I understand that a machine in such price range will not last the years, it is intended to intoduce my boyfriend to quality coffee at home (this will be a christmas gift). Right now he drinks instant coffee in the morning even though he loves quality coffee and often goes to coffee shops to obtain it. He dosen’t drink straight espresso but rather enjoys lattes so the drinks will be milk based and it is important to me that the machine have a good steamer. I used to work in a coffee shop so I know how to produce drinks and the all important foam. Non-detachable frothing aids are unacceptable. Aesthetics are not as important as quality and price. Counter space is unlimited (imagine the kitchen of a guy who has never lived with a woman). I think a semi-automatic machine would work best. I would buy a refurbished machine from the factory but am warry of used.
I understand the necessity of a grinder for good espresso and have decided on the Baratza Maestro to accompany the machine. I like that it can also grind for filter coffee (One day a coffee pot shall also make it onto his counterspace) and above all the price ($60 refurbished) and quality compared with others in the price range.
I am also interested in advise on espresso beans. I myself am partial to LavAzza but haven't tried too many brands. Is it possible to get little sample bags from the different companies?
Posted Mon Nov 17, 2008, 11:36am Subject: Re: selecting a budget espresso machine
You may want to try a pod type machine first! It will be more in your budget range. Good espresso grinders and machines cost REAL money. You will never be happy with jippo coffee espresso machines or be able to get the grind for espresso the good stuff from the low budget grinders and machines, or we all would be buying them. For a realistic budget conceder that a good espresso machine starts out about $599.00 to $4K easily and a good espresso grinder pro grade about the same money $369.00 for a rocky and the espresso maker a Silva the mate to the rocky is around $599.00 or so.
Not to rain on your parade, but if you truly love coffee i would hold out and look for a used Rocky grinder have seen them on here and ebay for $250.00 they keep there value. This grinder can do drip French press and espresso you just change the grinder settings its built like a tank for a lot of years of fine grinding and the burrs are cheap compared to some grinders out there. The doserless type is the way to go to get the most out of this grinder.
Not a bad little press thats almost espresso is Aeropress do a search for the information on one.
longleafpine Senior Member Joined: 17 Nov 2008 Posts: 5 Location: va Expertise: Just starting
Posted Mon Nov 17, 2008, 6:55pm Subject: Re: selecting a budget espresso machine
wow!
After hours of weighing the pros and cons of low range espresso machines in the consumer review section I was impressed by the massive number of pros and near lack of cons when i looked at reviews of the aeropress! and you sure can't beat the price!I guess I'll buy a seperate steaming devise; I recall seing a few durring my searches.
longleafpine Senior Member Joined: 17 Nov 2008 Posts: 5 Location: va Expertise: Just starting
Posted Tue Nov 18, 2008, 12:33pm Subject: Re: selecting a budget espresso machine
Im having a difficult time finding stovetop steamers.
There is one by Bialetti, the Graziella Vap 9, ( Click Here (coffeegeek.com) ) that looks like exactly what Im looking for: Stove heats water and makes steam in a spout just like on an espresso machine.
I have been unsuccessful at finding it or anything like it online, even on the companies own site! I have found a great many "frothers" and Bialetti makes a devise called tuttocrema that somehow steams and froths the milk on its own. I cannot find it for sale on its own but it comes packaged with one of their stovetop espresso makers.
does anyone know where i can find a stovetop milk steamer or what other brands/ models I could look for?
Posted Thu Mar 26, 2009, 12:19pm Subject: Re: selecting a budget espresso machine
I managed to find a used Gaggia Carezza for $100. That machine would put you miles ahead of anything a pod machine could produce. That's with a decent grinder of course.
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