Joel_B Senior Member Joined: 9 Oct 2007 Posts: 1,823 Location: Pacific NW Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Astra Mega II Grinder: Mazzer SJ, Virtuoso Vac Pot: Yama 5 cup Drip: nope, french press Roaster: Behmor, WP, BBQ drum
Posted Tue Sep 28, 2010, 8:46am Subject: Re: Some opinions for a new espresso machine
wbaguhn Said:
If you're going to heat the milk in a microwave and use preground coffee, an AeroPress would be a good match. This system worked pretty well for me for a long time.
You can then take the balance of your budget and put it in an interest bearing account in anticipation of your future upgrade.
ACtually, great suggestion. I'd definitely second the idea of an aeropress, a capable grinder (Baratza Maestro, Virtuoso, or Capresso Infinity) and most importantly fresh artisan roasted coffee. You can heat the milk in the microwave or stove and use a cheap frother or french press to make foam if desired. Way better results than with preground anything on the most expensive espresso machine.
Posted Tue Sep 28, 2010, 2:21pm Subject: Re: Some opinions for a new espresso machine
but i know its a factor of getting a grinder and all that stuff but i dont mind waiting .. i might want to add i am a young guy working full time so i would feel bad about getting the good coffee machine and getting a cheap burr grinder for now the later on get a better burr grinder. but i am going tho depression due to lack of good coffee in the area, no one in lake louise seems to make decent coffee .. well i make decent stuff at work but they only have the ese pods
Joel_B Senior Member Joined: 9 Oct 2007 Posts: 1,823 Location: Pacific NW Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Astra Mega II Grinder: Mazzer SJ, Virtuoso Vac Pot: Yama 5 cup Drip: nope, french press Roaster: Behmor, WP, BBQ drum
Posted Tue Sep 28, 2010, 3:07pm Subject: Re: Some opinions for a new espresso machine
chefryan Said:
i might want to add i am a young guy working full time so i would feel bad about getting the good coffee machine and getting a cheap burr grinder for now the later on get a better burr grinder.
I understand and completely agree. I would suggest getting a good grinder now and whatever's left for the machine. I'd take a $2000 grinder and a $200 machine any day of the week over a $200 grinder and a $2000 machine.
I know you want the espresso machine, but I honestly think the best option is to buy a decent grinder in you $400 budget and buy a moka pot or aeropress. I own and use both; combined with milk and chocolate, either of those methods would make a solid drink. In fact both of those methods make good coffee without milk and chocolate.
This completely negates the previous statement. Sorry.
I think there's a world of great coffee out there you probably haven't experienced. I'm really not trying discourage you, but I would like to hopefully open your eyes to what specialty coffee can be. I don't want you to walk away from this thinking all of us geeks are a bunch of snobby a******s and we wouldn't just answer your question. To be honest, if you're using preground coffee, I honestly don't have a machine recommendation. You'll need a PPF; entry level Ascaso or Saeco maybe? But I truely hope you take the knowledge shared here to heart. Good fresh coffee, properly ground makes the coffee.
Posted Tue Sep 28, 2010, 3:15pm Subject: Re: Some opinions for a new espresso machine
ok would it be easier to ask what lower end machines to Not buy? and i know i have allot i have not experianced but im young and have lots of time and hopefully will be able to have the chance to spend the money on better machines and grinders and such but i am just looking to replace my dead cusineart machine for now .. i got some other debts (student loan) that will take priority before i can spend the money on a nicer machine and grinder.
Joel_B Senior Member Joined: 9 Oct 2007 Posts: 1,823 Location: Pacific NW Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Astra Mega II Grinder: Mazzer SJ, Virtuoso Vac Pot: Yama 5 cup Drip: nope, french press Roaster: Behmor, WP, BBQ drum
Posted Tue Sep 28, 2010, 5:25pm Subject: Re: Some opinions for a new espresso machine
chefryan Said:
i know i have allot i have not experianced but im young and have lots of time and hopefully will be able to have the chance to spend the money on better machines and grinders and such but i am just looking to replace my dead cusineart machine for now ..
It still seems you arent' hearing us. for $400 you could get a grinder you'd be very happy with for when you do finally get a nice machine to pair it with. A $400 machine will be something you'd want to upgrade sooner than later (most likely). $400 isn't going to buy you much. Since you also will need a perssurized portafilter (aka "Crema enhancer") I'd think just about any basic machine in your price range will work. I know it's a lot of money, but it really doesn't buy you a lot in the realm of espresso machines. Gaggia's tend to be the best value in the entry level range. An entry level Saeco would be an option. You can get an Ascaso Basic, but unsure if that has a PPF.
Out of curiosity, why are you against a good grinder paired with an aeropress or moka pot? For your price range, this will give you far superior drinks than what you're aiming for.
Posted Tue Sep 28, 2010, 6:35pm Subject: Re: Some opinions for a new espresso machine
meh i am aiming for more of an espresso machine to get me through the next year or so till next summer when i will not only be making more money but will be getting allot of hours since i am in an industry that kinda slows down in the winter for parts so i have the money right now to spare but not tooo much more since i do have bills to pay..lol
Joel_B Senior Member Joined: 9 Oct 2007 Posts: 1,823 Location: Pacific NW Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Astra Mega II Grinder: Mazzer SJ, Virtuoso Vac Pot: Yama 5 cup Drip: nope, french press Roaster: Behmor, WP, BBQ drum
Posted Tue Sep 28, 2010, 7:08pm Subject: Re: Some opinions for a new espresso machine
sigh..... OK! Here's my final attempt to persuade you ;-)
So you're against a grinder and an aeropress or moka pot because you're really looking for an espresso machine? I understand. And an aeropress or moka pot will not make espresso. BUT, with fresh beans freshly ground, it will be more of an espresso beverage than preground Illy (or anything else for that matter) from an espresso machine. Seriously. If you still want to not get a grinder now, I'd still recommend an aeropress over the machine cuz it is 1/10 the price, less maintenance, easier, more reliable, the list goes on. I can't in good conscience recommend an espresso machine without a grinder. It sounds like you typically make milk drinks, yes? If that's the case I'd personally buy a grinder and aeropress/moka pot or if you still want to hold off on the grinder, just buy the aeropress and delay the machine and grinder until they can be purchased together.
In all sincerity, regardless of what you decide I hope you still hang out and contribute to the community.
A good machine without a good grinder will give consistently bad results. (I know, I tried. I ordered a grinder a day later.)
A department store machine with a pressurized portafilter is designed to give better results without the use of a good grinder. You will almost certainly get better results with a low-end machine and no grinder than a high-end machine and no grinder.
Posted Wed Sep 29, 2010, 5:45am Subject: Re: Some opinions for a new espresso machine
wbaguhn, thats what i have heard and kinda what i was hoping for as a machine to get me through till i can afford to buy both the grinder and nice machine (i have my eyes on a gaggia baby twin a the gaggia mdf grinder) which might be like a year or so. hence why i was trying to get peoples opinion on what machines to buy or stay away from.
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