Coffeenoobie Senior Member Joined: 11 Dec 2011 Posts: 2,371 Location: PNW Expertise: I like coffee
Espresso: N S Oscar Grinder: Vario W
Posted Fri Nov 23, 2012, 2:58pm Subject: Re: Want an espresso machine
You said large espresso machine at work so I made a bad assumption. The Gaggia classic with a preciso is good set up especially if you don't care about milk drinks.
You can get into espresso cheaply as suggested by the links I posted with new or do what I did. I spent about 1k total for used machine, new grinder and accessories.
Coffeenoobie
Buying advice: GRINDER GRINDER GRINDER. Don't cheap out on the grinder. My coffee treasure map... Click Here (maps.google.com)
D4F Senior Member Joined: 15 Mar 2012 Posts: 1,222 Location: USA Expertise: I like coffee
Espresso: Gaggia Classic PID Grinder: Preciso
Posted Fri Nov 23, 2012, 4:04pm Subject: Re: Want an espresso machine
I have the Gaggia Classic and Preciso. I got the Preciso refurb through Baratza.com and sved some money.
Cappuccinos are easy, I drink those and espresso. I have not tried lattes, but probably good for one at a time without difficulty. It is a good set up for one or two people without large steamng needs.
The Gaggia came with single and double Crema devices, probbly for pods though I have never used these baskets, and a regular double basket.
a latte is basically a cappuccino with a higher milk to espresso proportion. the only other difference is the frothed milk is slightly thinner. both are very easy to do with that setup...as long as one is patient. the higher priced machines offer 1) faster recovery times (and faster drink turnaround); and 2) better temperature stability (giving you better consistency). Great drinks and sheer cafe happiness is certainly available from the Classic/Preciso setup!
More correctly stated, I have not tried steaming the amount of milk for lattes. More milk will take longer to steam and use more steam, so more that one at a time may be difficult. :)
Temperature stability and turn around time can can be helped with a PID, but another subject.
emradguy Senior Member Joined: 31 Mar 2011 Posts: 1,792 Location: Houston Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: Izzo Alex Duetto II Grinder: MacapM4T, Macap M4, OE Lido,... Drip: Espro press; Aeropress Roaster: internet
Posted Sat Nov 24, 2012, 10:45am Subject: Re: Want an espresso machine
gotcha! I actually was wondering if that was what you meant :) I used to make multiple lattes on my Silvia, and it was able to do 2 and 2 cappas in a single session without much waiting.
SStones Senior Member Joined: 24 Nov 2012 Posts: 234 Location: Canada Expertise: Professional
Espresso: Giga 5, ECM Giotto, Rocket... Grinder: Anfim Milano-Best Vac Pot: No :( Drip: Some $30 thing from Walmart Roaster: I buy pre-roasted.
Posted Sun Nov 25, 2012, 1:37am Subject: Re: Want an espresso machine
Perhaps something like a capresso EC100 and the infinity grinder? They are barely a step above disposable machines, they are in plastic bodies but for the price they are a decent semi-automatic espresso brewer with a proper three-way valve and a darn good conical burr grinder... A couple of wolves in cheap clothing. Click here click here
emradguy Senior Member Joined: 31 Mar 2011 Posts: 1,792 Location: Houston Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: Izzo Alex Duetto II Grinder: MacapM4T, Macap M4, OE Lido,... Drip: Espro press; Aeropress Roaster: internet
Posted Sun Nov 25, 2012, 9:27am Subject: Re: Want an espresso machine
SStones Said:
Perhaps something like a capresso EC100 and the infinity grinder? They are barely a step above disposable machines, they are in plastic bodies but for the price they are a decent semi-automatic espresso brewer with a proper three-way valve and a darn good conical burr grinder... A couple of wolves in cheap clothing. Click here click here
This is the first recommendation I've seen on this board to use the infinity for espresso...in fact, I've seen multiple recommendations against it
I bought my father-in-law the EC100 about 2 years ago, to replace his Krups steam toy he had in Venezuela. The wand fell off after about a year and he's been unable to find a part to fix it. He said the machine was pretty good, but didn't compare at all to the Silvia.
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