Espresso Machines

I was hoping there might be some espresso fanatics out here that might be able to direct me to the perfect espresso machine.

I drink those little cold cans of "starbuck double shots" and they cost like 6.99 for a 4 pack or 2.69 for a single can.

I drink like 2 a day sometimes maybe even 3.

As you can see this adds up. I almost choked when I did the math and saw how much I was spending a year on coffee alone lol.

So I was thinking of making my own.

Anyone know of a really good quality espresso machine?

Thanks for any suggestions!

I was looking for an espresso machine two years ago and, after looking far and wide and admitting that I'm a lazy bastard, I settled for a cute little Nespresso Citiz with frother.
[link to www.nespresso.com (secure)]

It's very compact, takes little room on the counter and it makes perfect coffee, in seconds, every time.
I don't have to worry about coffee beans and keeping them in perfect conditions.

I got a bunch of their pods and they are delicious.

I was hoping there might be some espresso fanatics out here that might be able to direct me to the perfect espresso machine.

I drink those little cold cans of "starbuck double shots" and they cost like 6.99 for a 4 pack or 2.69 for a single can.

I drink like 2 a day sometimes maybe even 3.

As you can see this adds up. I almost choked when I did the math and saw how much I was spending a year on coffee alone lol.

So I was thinking of making my own.

Anyone know of a really good quality espresso machine?

Thanks for any suggestions!

Here are some things I like about this unit:

*Easy Clean Up
*Top Warming Tray
*Quick High Pressure Pour
*adjustable height for tall mugs
*Single Or Dual strength/pour settings
*Quick Steamer for frothing Cappuccino's
*Small Footprint
*Easy Water Reservoir Removal For Refilling
*Heavy Duty Solid Construction
*Many adjustable settings such as Temperatures and etc.
*Thick Power Cord
*Modern Look


I got the Stainless Steel Model and I found an EBAY Seller that sells these between 125 and 175 from time to time as refurbished store returns. Nothing wrong with them and they still have full warranty and it beats paying $350 + tax and shipping. Close to $400 when all is said and done and I got mine for $150 otd. Its the best Espresso Maker I have ever used or seen for home use because it is true high pressure!
Its the pressure that makes quality espresso and the typical espresso makers that are under $150 are not high pressure in fact many under $225 are not high pressure but cheap knockoffs.

This is the real deal and you cannot get a solid Espresso like at the coffee shops make unless its true high pressure. Its kinda similar to electric pressure cookers out there, all the cheap ones are under 10 pounds of pressure and only a very few get up to 15 pounds psi for true pressure cooking. You get what you pay for and you have to pay for the higher quality safe pressure units....

Hope that helps.

Depends what your price range is. A very good entry level machine is Rancilio Silvia. If you have more to spend something along the lines of Quick Mill Andreja Premium is awesome and even better if you get the kit to run water line to it so you don't have to fill it each time with filtered water.

Also, keep in mind that you will need a quality grinder to make really good espresso and a large part of your budget should go towards the grinder not just the machine. Mazzer Mini would be an excellent choice.

While all these items aren't cheap I know, but if you want real espresso at home it takes a real espresso machine and real grinder, not a "toy" machine made in china that most dept stores sell, you won't get good results with that kind of "equipment".

Yes, anything by Gaggia Milano...they are the inventors of expresso machines.

[link to www.gaggia.com (secure)]

I got this one for my wife a few years ago and she has loved it ever since...never a single problem either.

[link to www.gaggia.com (secure)]


Here is a review on this machine;

[link to www.youtube.com (secure)]
You want to be sure to shop prices, they vary greatly....

Yes yes yes!

I want quality hands down.

Since I just sat and did the math on what I spend now in a year... I would say I'm willing to spend anywhere from 300-500 bucks.

Im so glad you told me the importance of the grinder cause I would have never known.

I want to get thing right the first time so I do not waste any money.

I appreciate your knowledge thank you!

I have the Delonghi Magnifica with the auto frother. Unbelievable espresso from this thing. Easy to use and maintain.

I use one of 2 beans, either an Italian roast bean, or one called "Knee Buckler" out of Brooklyn NY (high caf blend). Starbucks bean sucks, to acidic.

An auto frother? Do tell me of this magic.

Oh cool... I was thinking about those little pod thingys.

Iv'e seen them but never tried them yet.

Thank you!

Maybe I could have that as a little side thing for when I do not feel like making a big batch.

I appreciate your post!

$300 - $500 total won't buy much of an espresso machine & grinder but here's the thing about buying quality a machine and grinder. You can pick a quality espresso machine and grinder up on the used market for far less than they cost new.

As long as those machines are still in working order they should lose very little value (if any) over the years and often times can be sold for more than you paid for them. If/when something does break on a "real" espresso machine parts can be ordered and it can be fixed, often times by the owner.

I've bought many nice espresso machines and grinders and used them for years then sold them for more than I paid for them years later because I look for good deals when I buy one used.

Cheap machines are disposable garbage like everything else sold these days, soon as you take it out of the box and use it it's lost half it's value. Then it breaks and it's not worth fixing and you throw it away, money lost.

Thank You!

See that's another thing I would have never known...
Pressure! I had no idea.

Now the question is....

Am I gonna be able to operate this thing? hahahahaaaaa just kidding. But still I hope its easy!

I appreciate your tidbits!

<------- coffee jitters lol

It rocks. The machine grinds fresh, and makes a killer fresh espresso. It has a jug for milk (use 2% for best froth) that you can keep in fridge. When you are ready to make a capp etc., you just push the jug into the front of the machine, push one button, and enjoy a latte or cappuccino with PERFECT frothed milk.

Takes all the work out of frothing.

An auto frother? Do tell me of this magic.

It rocks. The machine grinds fresh, and makes a killer fresh espresso. It has a jug for milk (use 2% for best froth) that you can keep in fridge. When you are ready to make a capp etc., you just push the jug into the front of the machine, push one button, and enjoy a latte or cappuccino with PERFECT frothed milk.

Takes all the work out of frothing.

Thank you for all that info..

So how much would I be looking at spending if I get something like you are talking about?

I would like to try one of those sometime for sure.

Do they pack a good punch?

I guess for me the stronger the better. I have had coffee before that had a pretty good punch but espresso seems to be my favorite tho.

Thank you!

I prefer my coffee ice cold so I figured I could just make a bunch of espresso and then add my heavy cream and sugar.

I was thinking of making a big pitcher of it that can last about 3-4 days in between brewing it.

cold-brewed coffee is ground coffee steeped in cold water and strained, and iced coffee is generally brewed hot and poured over ice.

If you are thinking of large batches of coffee to consume over several days you might want to consider Cold Brewed Coffee.




Also if you use the pod coffee makers, you will find that the pre-filled pods are as expensive per cup as buying those double shot thingies. I use a re-usable pod so that makes it more in line with my budget.