I drink a cup of coffee daily, I’m very interested in making my own cappuccino or latte at home, and hopefully I can do the latte art someday. I don’t want to place one coffee maker, one espresso machine and a grinder on my counter top, there’s just no space for all of that. Is there any coffee/espresso combination machine out there that doesn’t cost too much? By the way I’m new to espresso
Please read this thread. Also the links I put in the 2nd post on the thread if you decide you want espresso. I believe the first page of this thread with the other links in it will more than answer your questions.
It seems like the combo machine is not a very good choice, I think I'll go with an espresso machine, I can add hot water in to get Americano, right?
I'm looking for these features: can make crema on top good steam so I can forth milk to make latte or cappuccino can make hot water reliable (I did some research on Breville Cafe Roma, many reviews say their machine stopped working after 2 days or 3 months, and steam is not working well, milk is not hot enough to make latte etc)
my budget is $400, is it possible to get a machine that meets all my needs? any suggestions?
I have a Black & Decker grinder (model CBM210C), which has 10 levels of selection, can I use that for the espresso machine?
Everyone has to start somewhere. Your grinder is not good enough and is most important part of espresso. It could easily take all your budget. I would get a good hand grinder and maybe find a used or refurbished gaggia or even get lucky with an Oscar like hotwasibipeas did. He found a oscar for under 200. I often see starbucks machines for the 100 mark. It will take research and luck to pull it in under 400 but you could do it. Check craigslist and don't be afraid of used. Be smart open up the machine and know what to look for inside.
Did you read the links on the other thread I posted? That is a good starting place.
Coffeenoobie
Buying advice: GRINDER GRINDER GRINDER. Don't cheap out on the grinder. My coffee treasure map... Click Here (maps.google.com)
Like anything, you can't buy a machine which is a jack of all trades and expect it to do everything. Besides, drip machines are better bought separately anyway.
red_apple Said:
I'm looking for these features: ... can make crema on top ... good steam so I can forth milk to make latte or cappuccino ... can make hot water ... reliable
I found out the hard way that buying an espresso machine is not like buying a small appliance, at least, not if you want something reliable and built well.
I purchased a used Rancilio Silvia espresso machine and a Rancilio Rocky grinder for about $700 used. Lots of coffee retailers usually offer the Silvia and Rocky as a combo for roughly around the $1000-$1200 mark, depending on the vendor you buy them from. From my own personal experiences, I believe this machine is a great "starter" machine and will do everything you want. I would also expect to spend roughly around $150 for all of the accessories which go with making good drinks.
You have to budget in a decent grinder with your espresso machine, I think you'd be hard pressed to find something within your $400 budget, but that's just IMHO. Like what Coffeenoobie said, checking out Craigslist and Kijiji certainly doesn't hurt.
red_apple Said:
I have a Black & Decker grinder (model CBM210C), which has 10 levels of selection, can I use that for the espresso machine?
You wouldn't want to. The key to making good espresso is having a really good grinder which can grind fine enough for espresso. There are some guides on this site which basically mention how you should budget for a grinder in comparison of what you'd pay for a machine.
Going right back to your OP, have you considered a hand method for long coffee brewing alongside an espresso machine? I use my Clever Coffee Dripper or a french press alongside mine (among other options).
red_apple Said:
I have a Black & Decker grinder (model CBM210C), which has 10 levels of selection, can I use that for the espresso machine?
I have one of those, currently at my girlfriends apartment for emergency use only. I don't think it's even more than just about acceptable for auto-drip use, as it mostly grinds on the screwheads sticking out of the burrs, and produces about 10% of the grind as powder that massively overextracts (and sticks to the inside of the bin). It also sort of works OK with a Clever Coffee Dripper, but that's about it. It certainly will not produce good results with an espresso machine.
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