Espresso/Capaccino machines

[Habanos2000]

hey guys,

I'm dying to make my own espresso and cappuccino at home and am looking for some opinions on a good machine to buy for home use. I'm not looking for a commercial size unit or to spend over $1000 US, preferably much less, but I know quality comes at a price.

What are you guys using and do you have any suggestions?

Gracias!

[jjeng]

Hey,

I'd recommend the Bialetti 3-cup moka express. It's under 30 dollars and does a really good job. You won't get the crema that you get with real espresso machines, but it comes pretty darn close.

[Onsto]

hey guys,

I'm dying to make my own espresso and capaccino at home and am looking for some opinions on a good machine to buy for home use. I'm not looking for a commercial size unit or to spend over $1000 US, preferably much less, but I know quality comes at a price.

What are you guys using and do you have any suggestions?

Gracias!

Nothing will compete with a commercial machine with a really strong pump, but you can get a stove-top espresso pot for $20 (for an aluminium one) which will make as good coffee as the el-cheapo (less than $400 no pump) home machines. Not sure where you live, but there are occassionally good deals on ebay for used commercial units for under $1000 in the US. If properly maintained, you could be looking at a lifetime of GREAT espresso!!

[SandmanTR]

hey guys,

I'm dying to make my own espresso and capaccino at home and am looking for some opinions on a good machine to buy for home use. I'm not looking for a commercial size unit or to spend over $1000 US, preferably much less, but I know quality comes at a price.

What are you guys using and do you have any suggestions?

Gracias!

Check out http://www.nespresso.com. I have the LATTISSIMA EN680 at work and love it. Simple without all the mess.

[stargazer14]

I bought a $18 unit many years ago - basic, no frills, gets daily use, froths perfect, makes GREAT coffee.

Doesn't even have a name on it.

I laugh when my friends spend $600 for a coffee maker, then never use it - "too much work".

[gfoster]

Please, please, please you guys are killing me.

If you don't get a super automatic, bear in mind that you want to spend just as much *or more* on a high quality grinder. The grinder is *the* most important part of the chain, not the espresso machine (yeah yeah, you're still not going to believe me and end up spending $30 on a crappy grinder to pair with a $1000 espresso machine and then wonder why the espresso isn't very good). Trust me on this. If you insist on not believing me, go to a barrista or espresso forum and hang out and see if I'm full of crap or not.

You can get a good grinder and a good espresso machine (albeit not *the best* in either category) for around $1000 clams. I have a Rancilio Rocky grinder and a Rancilio Silvia espresso machine (modded with a temperature PID so I don't have to temp surf it) and they are great machines for home use but with the single boiler design it's a pain when I want to make a *lot* of steamed milk drinks back to back (steaming a couple cappucini for my wife and I is perfect and the Silvia is a steaming monstrosity). I spent about a grand on both of them together plus the various extra things (like a good tamper, a naked portafilter, etc). There are lots of good deals in that price range, I advise going to a site like http://wholelattelove.com and doing some price comparisons and reading articles and reviews. I also highly advise getting a PIDded machine if you're getting a silvia (I modded mine myself and it's not hard, but it makes a HUGE difference in shot quality).

Another thing to bear in mind is if you just want the occasional espresso, the super autos are probably satisfactory for you but if you're prone to obsess over the "perfect" shot and want to master the art of pulling perfect espresso you are better off with a semi-auto. The nespresso type machines (super autos in general) pull consistently good shots (if you feed them good capsules/beans) but you'll never get that "oh my..." caramel loaded God-shot straight from God's own espresso machine with a super auto. Of course, you won't get the satanic cold sour "wtf is this crap?" sink shots either.

And in keeping with stargazer, if you're not going to USE the machine regularly, don't spend a bundle on it. I roast my own coffee beans and am sort of a fanatic about my coffee so I obviously don't fit in that category and would dropkick an $18 steamtoy after five minutes

-- Gary F.

[Colt45]

I agree with going with a pump drive - the stronger the better, and you don't have to spend a grand to get one which is serviceable.

You may want to spend some money on a good burr grinder - consistent grind is important for consistent espresso.

p.s. writing while Gary was posting

[MIKA27]

Check out http://www.nespresso.com. I have the LATTISSIMA EN680 at work and love it. Simple without all the mess.

I have to agree with Sandman here bud.

You can not beat the quality, selection and ease of use from a Nespresso machine.

I personally have the 'Le Cube' Nespresso machine but all Nespresso machines use the same capsules of coffees so its entirely up to you in style and budget as to what you purchase but you CANT GO WRONG.

There are around 20 different coffees you can select from and each year, newer flavours are released. Each coffee has a 'grading' in strength as well as acidity level(s), all ranges are from 0 - 10 with 10 being the highest.

Cleaning this machine is almost null and void with Nespresso keeping a record each time you purchase capsules and they send you a cleaning kit after I think 1000 capsules have been used.

Trust me, you'll love it.

[luisparis]

I'm also a Nespresso fan - but nothing original, in France they opened huge stores in the most expensive locations - amazing commercial success for a coffee brand. Used to have one machine in both office and at home but kicked the house machine to avoid drinking over 10expressos per day . Can't compare with the most fancy stuff described in this thread but the Nespresso coffee sure beats what you get in most bars and restaurants over here.

[stargazer14]

I should add that while I only spent $18 on my expresso machine

($26 in todays dollars) - I did spend $212 for a grinder - Gary is right - they are important.

and lets not forget good coffee is also a factor (see Café Cuba link below).

[sfordham]

I should add that while I only spent $18 on my expresso machine

($26 in todays dollars) - I did spend $212 for a grinder - Gary is right - they are important.

and lets not forget good coffee is also a factor (see Café Cuba link below).

Roast my own coffee, blend my own espresso, and make my coffee's at home - everything else tastes like crap now that I started this.

Absolutely the machine is only as good as a grinder. I to have have the Miss Silvia/Rocky combo and love it. For the money (its price point), it is the best single broiler on the market. Personally I hate super automatics, I want more control over the shot and the quality of the shot.

[PartagasIV]

I have a hand-me-down La Pavoni Europiccola like this one at the link below. Don't have a super fancy grinder but I tend to make drip and French press more than espresso. Takes a little work to operate (at least more than a push-button machine, need to use the lever on this unit) but makes a great cup with nice crema.

http://www.pavonishop.com/lapaveuresma1.html

[Wiley]

My wife and I have worn through a lot of plastic super automatics. Finally we had the dough a few years ago to pony up for the real thing, the Vibiemme Domobar Super Manual Stainless:

[gfoster]

I have a hand-me-down La Pavoni Europiccola like this one at the link below. Don't have a super fancy grinder but I tend to make drip and French press more than espresso. Takes a little work to operate (at least more than a push-button machine, need to use the lever on this unit) but makes a great cup with nice crema.

http://www.pavonishop.com/lapaveuresma1.html

Ooooh, I've heard really good things about those La Pavoni machines... nice bit of kit there

-- Gary F.

[Professor Twain]

I have an Aeropress, don't knock it until you have tried it. Easy to travel with as well. About $25.00.

http://www.aerobie.com/Products/aeropress_story.htm

http://www.amazon.com/AeroPress-Coffee-and...r/dp/B000GXZ2GS

[Jimmy2]

Bialetti 3-cup moka express !!! make some of the best you dont need the fancy ones more $$$$ its just as good if not better.

Also Cafe De Cuba has 15% off of anything in stock for FoH members and they have them look for the St Patrick's Day ! Coffee Special ! in the Discussion Forum "the water hole" i just put up..

I have a real one and its a pain in the ass and it gets played out fast i mostly go to the Bialetti 3-cup moka express as its the real way to make it well old school way..

[jquest63]

Recommend paying Illy.com a visit. Several years ago, I splurged on a Pasquini Livieta and have never regretted it. I signed up for a payment plan, along with joining the "coffee club", so it takes the bite out of paying for a $1000 plus unit up front. What we love about the unit: easy to use, large capacity water resevoir, quick heat between shots, great froth, accomodates pods, quality of Illy espresso pods and relative maintenance free.

[jquest63]

Heres the link to the Illy program:

http://www.illyusa.com/webapp/wcs/stores/s...esso-membership

[Colt45]

know why they call it a latte?

'cause it costs a latte money.

[Guest rob]

I use a Diadema Unico Splendor

It is one of the best purchases I have made in the last 24 months.

I agree with any comments that suggest the grinder is one of the most important aspects to making good coffee.

I disagree with any comments that suggest that higher pump pressures are desirable.

I dont want to sound cocky - but I know of what I speak.

[Jimmy2]

Diadema Unico Splendor Holly crap thats alot of $$$$ !!!

[Guest rob]

Diadema Unico Splendor Holly crap thats alot of $$$$ !!!

That's Australian Dollars Jimmy. When I bought it that was about $1.25 USD.

[Ken Gargett]

know why they call it a latte?

'cause it costs a latte money.

know why they call it humour?

clearly not.

[Colt45]

know why they call it humour?

clearly not.

I'm not sure I understand - could you espresso yourself a bit more clearly?

[gfoster]

I would never knock the Aeropress. I have one as well and use it when I'm travelling. It's NOT espresso, but it makes a very good cup of Americano. It's pretty much replaced my French press.

-- Gary F.