Espresso: Espresso Machines Please recommend an entry level machine Espresso Machines-Canada Saeco-Jura-Gaggia -LaSpaziale-Solis- Rancilio-LaPavoni - Expobar - QucikMill - Isomac & lots more. www.creativecookware.com   Not Logged in: log in updated topics   new posts   new unanswered   search   faq   sign up   Discussions > Espresso > Machines > Please recommend...   view previous topic | view next topic | view all topics showing page 1 of 2 last page next page Author Messages justpoor Senior Member Joined: 13 Dec 2004 Posts: 2 Location: usa Expertise: Just starting Posted Tue Dec 14, 2004, 12:04am Subject: Please recommend an entry level machine   I stumble onto this website and hoping to set some recommendation for a good entry level expresso coffee maker.  I have a budget of $200 for a machine - dont have money to buy a grinder yet but will get one after tax season next year. Any help is greatly appreciated. back to top Silver Senior Member Joined: 24 Jun 2004 Posts: 99 Location: Anaheim Expertise: I love coffee Espresso: Andreja Premium Grinder: Mini Vac Pot: Bodum Drip: Nope Roaster: Heat Gun Posted Tue Dec 14, 2004, 12:15am Subject: Re: Please recommend an entry level machine   A machine is a waste without a good grinder. But since you want a machine recommendation, a Gaggia Carezza makes damn good espresso. But, you still need a grinder. Everyone wants to run before they walk... back to top NYC_Crema Senior Member Joined: 13 Oct 2004 Posts: 1,504 Location: New York City Expertise: I love coffee Espresso: Miss Silvia Grinder: Mazzer Mini Roaster: I <3 Gorilla Coffee Posted Tue Dec 14, 2004, 6:17am Subject: Re: Please recommend an entry level machine   you wont find an answer for your question here unless you buy a grinder.  Trust me, I came with the same question and ended up spending $700! For $200, the best you can get is 125 starbucks double espresso shots.   "Drink it like it's hot" http://www.espressoporn.com back to top tiro Senior Member Joined: 6 Dec 2004 Posts: 14 Location: Milwaukee, WI Expertise: I like coffee Posted Tue Dec 14, 2004, 7:05am Subject: Re: Please recommend an entry level machine   For around $200, get the Hamilton Beach Cappuccino Plus and the Innova conical grinder. I think that's the best combo in that price range. back to top Fred1 Senior Member Joined: 3 Sep 2004 Posts: 504 Location: Seattle Expertise: I live coffee Espresso: LaSpaziale S1 Mini Vivaldi... Grinder: Mazzer Mini/NS MCF Vac Pot: None Drip: Chemex Roaster: Hottop, FR+8 Posted Tue Dec 14, 2004, 8:08am Subject: Re: Please recommend an entry level machine   Hi, Making good espresso requires:    1.  A good grinder    2.  A good machine    3.  Fresh coffee beans. Take away any of these three elements and you are not going to be happy with the results.  I can understand not having a ton of money to spend, but, I think I have a solution for you. Since you can only spend $200.00 now, The Gaggia Carezza or Gaggia Espresso models are available at Whole Latte Love for $199.00 including shipping.  If you live in New York, you will have to pay sales tax.  Otherwise it's $199.00 at your door.  Internally these two machines are the same.  The only difference is the case.  Either machine is capable of producing outstanding espresso.  Both machines are also capable of using ESE coffee pods.  Pods are like a round tea bag filled with 7 grams of espresso ground coffee.  They are individually sealed in nitrogen for freshness.  They will not produce great espresso, but, they will get you by until you can buy a good grinder.  If you drink lattes and caps they will do OK.  If you are a straight shot drinker, that might be a different story.  I use pods in the machine in our motorhome.  There is no mess unlike ground coffee.  You can buy pods on Ebay.  The best pods we have found are by Bristot. Just my opinion, but, this looks like the best bang for the buck for you. Good luck, Fred back to top GoDucks Senior Member Joined: 21 Dec 2003 Posts: 20 Location: Portland, Oregon Expertise: I like coffee Espresso: Starbucks Barista Grinder: KitchenAid ProLine Drip: Starbucks Barista Aroma... Posted Tue Dec 14, 2004, 9:12am Subject: Making Do   Like many others here, I enviously read the comments about the universally well-regarded machines.  But, I do not own them.  My reply is NOT intended to blunt the comments of those with the "Grinder, Grinder, Grinder" or "Rocky & Silvia" mantras.  Those people DO know what they are talking about!  BUT, if you are looking for something which costs less and with which you can "make do," you may want to try, yes I am going to say THAT word:  Starbucks.  Particularly, if you can come up with an acquaintance who works there.  Their $400 Barista is currently on sale for around $350, but the employee discount can get it for you for $245.  (Sadly, it is not likely that you can still find a discontinued color, which could recently be had for $200 ($120 with employee discount - and, yes, I picked up a red machine for work at that price).  Their $125 Barista grinder (deemed inadequate by those in the know, but perhaps a workable "make do" for you), is on sale for about $100:  $70 with employee discount.  Admittedly, not the best, and the espresso will not be up to par for many on this board, but they work for me and might for you, too. back to top zakglass Senior Member Joined: 17 Mar 2004 Posts: 358 Location: Austin, TX Expertise: I love coffee Espresso: Expobar Pulser Grinder: Macap M4; KitchenAid ProLine Drip: Technivorm MoccaMaster CD Roaster: Soon! Posted Tue Dec 14, 2004, 10:14am Subject: Re: Please recommend an entry level machine   I had a lovely $100 set up for a while. eBay eBay eBay. This was a couple of years back, but I got a Krups Gusto ($30) and Solis Mulino ($70). I still use the Mulino for non-espresso grinding (I think I could recalibrate it finer and use it for decaf for spousal lattes, but I haven't gotten to it yet). Main thing to look for on a machine, IMO, is as close to the basics as you can get. Pump, no pressurized anything, decent steam capability. Gaggias are clearly nicer than the Krups, but pricier too. For $200 I'd bet that you could squeeze out a better-than-most-coffeeshops espresso in no time at all. Agreed with all - no grinder, no espresso. I haven't tried pods so don't know how that would work. -e. back to top RockyGag Senior Member Joined: 14 Dec 2004 Posts: 194 Location: Houston Expertise: I love coffee Espresso: Olympia/Expobar Office/Mirco... Grinder: Rocky/Mazzer SJ Vac Pot: n/a Drip: n/a Roaster: Poppery II & CO/SC Posted Tue Dec 14, 2004, 12:04pm Subject: Re: Please recommend an entry level machine   Look at Ebay for a baby gaggia, $1800 is the range.  It's not great, but I started by grinding in the Supermarket.  Kroger has them, Randalls too ( Houston )  I even did a kilo at Sams club.  Not the best, but better than pre-ground. Its a start and got me more into the geekness ...... Dave back to top RockyGag Senior Member Joined: 14 Dec 2004 Posts: 194 Location: Houston Expertise: I love coffee Espresso: Olympia/Expobar Office/Mirco... Grinder: Rocky/Mazzer SJ Vac Pot: n/a Drip: n/a Roaster: Poppery II & CO/SC Posted Tue Dec 14, 2004, 12:09pm Subject: Re: Please recommend an entry level machine   Sorry, that was baby gaggia, $180, not with the extra 0!!! back to top tiro Senior Member Joined: 6 Dec 2004 Posts: 14 Location: Milwaukee, WI Expertise: I like coffee Posted Tue Dec 14, 2004, 12:33pm Subject: Re: Please recommend an entry level machine   Tim, The Hamilton Beach machine I mentioned above is the only machine I'd recommend under $100. I've tried a lot of other pump brands (Delonghi, Mr. Coffee etc). The HB is the only one that comes with a 58mm basket.  It seems sturdier than the others and the steam is also more powerful than the rest. It looks good too, if that is a concern. The next step up would probably be the Gaggia Carezza, but that is more than double the price for some minimal improvement. As mentioned by others, get a good grinder. The Innova I2 conical is the best for your price range, but the Solis Maestro should be sufficient. Above all, get fresh beans from a roaster in your town. Starbucks or packaged coffee will suck. The crema and aroma from old beans (older than a week or 2) will be severly diminished.  The ultimate would be to roast your own, but that could be too much of a hassle. Also, don't get suckered into believing that you have to spend $700 for good espresso. You can do very well close to your budget and move up later. back to top showing page 1 of 2 last page next page view previous topic | view next topic | view all topics Discussions > Espresso > Machines > Please recommend...   updated topics   new posts   new unanswered     search   faq   sign up   Not Logged in: log in Discussions Quick Jump: Select Espresso Discussions --Espresso Machines --Lever Espresso Machines --Grinders - Espresso --Espresso Mods and Restorations --Espresso Blends --Questions and Answers --Latte Art and Etching --Barista Jams Around the World --General Discussion Coffee Discussions --Machines and Brewing Methods --Home Roasting Talk --Questions and Answers --General Discussion Columns, How-Tos, and Reviews --Holiday Gift List Feedback --CoffeeGeek Columnist Feedback --Detailed Review Feedback --Products First Look Feedback --Quickshot Review Feedback --Guide Article Feedback --How-To Article Feedback --CoffeeGeek Podcast Feedback Members Forum --Bug Reports and Suggestions --Buy, Sell and Trade --Retail Coffee Jobs Offered / Wanted Ads --Coffee Recipes --Cafe and Bean Reviews --CoffeeGeek Site Info and News --General Off Topics World Regional --United States West --United States Central --United States East --Western Canada --Eastern Canada --United Kingdom --Western Europe --Eastern Europe, Nordic Countries, and Russia --Central and South America --Australia, New Zealand and Asia Symbols: = New Posts since your last visit      = No New Posts since last visit     = Newest post Forum Rules: No profanity, illegal acts or personal attacks will be tolerated in these discussion boards. 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