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 Wed Sep 29, 2010, 5:56am Subject: Re: Some opinions for a new espresso machine
chefryan Said:
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.
I missed it or you didn't make it clear, but this machine you plan on buying now is being replaced shortly? If you're only planning on having it for a year or two, I'm not sure it matters what you do or don't buy. Just get something cheap that has a PPF. For a short time, longevity isn't really an issue.
Yikes, we clearly have different opinions of what good means. Though I guess with enough milk & chocolate the espresso itself probably doesn't matter much. You really should try hitting a good (ask around here) coffee shop to see what the word truly means when you have an opportunity. There's truly a significant difference versus what can be done with a can of Illy.
However, in the end it's your taste that matters. I don't think I can provide any useful advice as I'd rather hit my favorite local shop even though that would easily run me $225/month or more. Good luck!
Posted Wed Sep 29, 2010, 9:08pm Subject: Re: Some opinions for a new espresso machine
i might not of been clear i haven't been to articulate the past week... been busy at work. For now i got a cheap lil machine but it does use a stainless steel boiler instead of a thermoblock and a low end burr grinder but something better then my 10$ spice/coffee grinder
You'd be surprised; some burr grinders are as bad as a spice grinder and some are actually worse. None the less, freshly ground from any grinder will out perform preground everyday of the week. A pressurized portafilter will still work with an improper grind. Still, the better the grind the better the cup, but w/o a PPF, you wouldn't get anything you'd want to drink from a poor grind.
PS. I hope you stick around a while. Over the next year or so you'll also be able to dial in what you may want for your next machine and grinder :)
Posted Thu Sep 30, 2010, 3:54pm Subject: Re: Some opinions for a new espresso machine
its a Delonghi ES460s. i know some people have had issues with them while others love them. it was on for a good deal and it had a Stainless steel boiler as a posed to a thermoblock, plus it looks awesome ( yes i know aesthetics dont always mean much but it still helps). sadly it is a ppf but on the other hand the pressure seems to be from the cup insert not the actual portafilter and might be able to be altered .. since i am not worried about it since my old machine has pretty much the same sized inserts so if i break one i have a spare ( i hope i make sense).the grinder is a cheap black and decker burr grinder.. i have never0 ever had issues with black and decker that is manufacturing related (issues with their equipment were due to gravity..lol) and it should be better then my spice grinder considering i think i blew the thermal fuse in it today...lol
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