ShadySkins Junior Member Joined: 11 Mar 2013 Posts: 11 Location: Philadelphia Burbs Expertise: I love coffee
Posted Mon Mar 11, 2013, 10:08am Subject: First Espresso Machine ~ $700 Budget
I've caught the bug. I'm currently using an Aeropress and Chemex with a Hario Mini Mill. I'm ready to jump into the world of Espresso. I have a new Baratza Preciso arriving in the mail tomorrow and I'm looking for the perfect Espresso Machine to pair it with.
I was originally eyeing the Silvia... but I think with my limited (absolutely zero) experience I would need to get the Auber PID pre-installed. This brings the machine out of my budget (but maybe I can stretch)
The only other machine I have really researched is the CC1.
Can you guys help this newb out?
1) What kind of drinks do you like/want to make? (This will tell us what you need in terms of a machine's capabilities.) Shots for me and Latte's / Cappuccinos for the Misses 2) How many drinks, on average, do you see yourself needing to make at ay one time? (This will tell us what you need in terms of a machine's ability to work continuously.) 1 Drink 80% of the time and 2 drinks 20% of the time 3) How many drinks, on average, do you see yourself making in any given week? (This will tell us what you need in terms of a machine's durability.) 10-15 4) Can you plumb a machine directly into the water supply, or do you want/need a pourover machine with its own reservoir? No. I Need a reservoir. 5) Do you have a 20-amp circuit available, or only a (standard) 15-amp circuit? 15 Amp 6) What is your budget for a new machine? Does that also include a grinder? If not, what is your budget for a grinder? ~$700 for a machine. I have a new Baratza Preciso arriving in the mail tomorrow
CMIN Senior Member Joined: 14 Jun 2012 Posts: 500 Location: South FL Expertise: I like coffee
Espresso: Crossland CC1 Grinder: Baratza Preciso
Posted Mon Mar 11, 2013, 10:27am Subject: Re: First Espresso Machine ~ $700 Budget
Can't beat the CC1 for the $ with it's competition especially with your budget. Silvia is out if date and over priced and adding a PID puts it into entry level HX machines that are far better so you may as well go HX. Since your making shots and milk drinks the CC1 has a seperate thermoblock for steaming, way faster when switching back and forth vs other single boiler machines (except the Silvano which has an extra pump to brew/steam same time).
Coffeenoobie Senior Member Joined: 11 Dec 2011 Posts: 2,313 Location: PNW Expertise: I like coffee
Espresso: N S Oscar Grinder: Vario W
Posted Mon Mar 11, 2013, 10:35am Subject: Re: First Espresso Machine ~ $700 Budget
If you want new I think a CC1 is a good idea.
Used with time and shopping around you can get low end HX like La Nuova Era Cuadra or Bezzera BZ02 or Oscar. I got my Oscar for 475. They sell for about half the new price so that puts them in the 400-700 range.
Coffeenoobie
Buying advice: GRINDER GRINDER GRINDER. Don't cheap out on the grinder. My coffee treasure map... Click Here (maps.google.com)
calblacksmith Moderator Joined: 25 Nov 2007 Posts: 5,645 Location: Riverside, Ca, U.S.A. Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: ECM Veneziano A1 Grinder: Many different commercial Vac Pot: 40s era Silex Drip: Milita, Bunn&Curtis... Roaster: Cast iron pan, gas burner
Posted Mon Mar 11, 2013, 11:07am Subject: Re: First Espresso Machine ~ $700 Budget
Like Helen said, if you go used, your money will go a LOT further and at resale if you decide to upgrade from there, you will get much more of your money back as the higher grade machine will be worth more to start with and it will not drop as much in value.
If you MUST go new, the CC1 is a good way to go but used for the same money you will be in the next tier of machine, one that you may never want to upgrade from. YMMV!
EDIT, these are two recent listings on our board, your money goes a LOT further used.
Coffeenoobie Senior Member Joined: 11 Dec 2011 Posts: 2,313 Location: PNW Expertise: I like coffee
Espresso: N S Oscar Grinder: Vario W
Posted Mon Mar 11, 2013, 11:29am Subject: Re: First Espresso Machine ~ $700 Budget
Takes time but Craigslist and ebay are your friend. I got my Oscar from a cafe that used it for 2 events then it sat in the back for two years from craigslist. It had some issues but easy to fix and I have a workhorse for less than 500 and I have tweaked it out and I will not upgrade till I win the lotto.
Coffeenoobie
Buying advice: GRINDER GRINDER GRINDER. Don't cheap out on the grinder. My coffee treasure map... Click Here (maps.google.com)
Used would be great as well if you have the time. But I spent 6 months with notifications set on Craigslist and Ebay and there was zilch on Craigslist except for huge multigroup commercial machines (some home machines but all across country and nobody wanted to pack/lug around to ship even with me paying for shipping lol). Ebay is hit or miss, didnt really have what I was looking for as wasn't looking to buy a $1500-2500+ machine which pop up use frequently on there.
So if you have the time used can give you a crazy machine for the $...but who knows how long it'll take lol.
Coffeenoobie Senior Member Joined: 11 Dec 2011 Posts: 2,313 Location: PNW Expertise: I like coffee
Espresso: N S Oscar Grinder: Vario W
Posted Mon Mar 11, 2013, 11:58am Subject: Re: First Espresso Machine ~ $700 Budget
I would think it would be hard to find used espresso in FL and most of the small towns of the south. It is better farther north and near a big city where the OP is. I had to drive two hours to get to the big city to get mine.
Coffeenoobie
Buying advice: GRINDER GRINDER GRINDER. Don't cheap out on the grinder. My coffee treasure map... Click Here (maps.google.com)
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