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Old 20 April 2018, 09:33 AM   #61
run23
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Seeking a recommendation for an espresso machine

[edit- just reread the op’s post and saw he only wanted to spend a couple hundred bucks. For that price get a Nespresso unless you already have a really good grinder as you’ll need to spend most of your budget for just the grinder]

I owned a Nespresso for years and would recommend it for a no-fuss and consistent machine. You’ll never get ‘great’ espresso, but you will easily get consistently good enough espresso and better than your average coffee shop that happens to have an espresso machine (as opposed the hipster ‘3rd wave’ coffee places that obsess over espresso).

About 5 years ago I got a Rancilio Silvia machine, added a PID (temperature gauge control) myself, and I love it. The machine gets crap for being a bit out of date, even when I got it 5 years ago (you should definitely add a temp control), but the thing has been an absolute workhorse. It took me a while to learn how to get a really good espresso shot with it, but now I can pretty consistently pull great shots and steam perfect micro foam milk. It doesn’t have a double boiler, so it’s not great if you are making multiple lattes in a row.

I keep telling myself I’ll upgrade when the Silva quits, but it hasn’t shown any signs of slowing down and I’ve learned to get shots as good as I want them to be.

Grinder is obviously super important. I have a Baratza Vario grinder and find it works really well for a nice, fine and consistent grind.

Don’t forget beans. If you are grinding your own you really do need beans to be within 2 weeks of roasting to get a perfect shot.
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Old 20 April 2018, 10:52 AM   #62
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Nespresso virtouline!!

It’s pods but makes a darn good cup and lots of options!!!!
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Old 20 April 2018, 12:53 PM   #63
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In all honesty - the best espresso you will get at home will be from a Nespresso machine (unless you're willing to fork $2k+ for a machine). Get the Ristretto pods with it;)
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Old 20 April 2018, 01:03 PM   #64
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Nespresso is at est average coffee. They only use 8gr per shot vs 18/22gr in a proper espresso bar... Yes, if you want a proper set-up it will cost you about 2k for the machine, and at least $400 for a proper grinder.
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Old 20 April 2018, 01:09 PM   #65
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Agreed. I have a Breville machine with built in burr grinder and it makes a decent espresso if you use quality beans and get the grind/tamp right which takes a bit of experimenting. Cost was $600.

I've been buying my beans from Verve coffee roasters in northern California. I drink a cappuccino every morning that I make at home and I'm pretty happy with the results but sometimes it doesn't seem to get enough pressure to make decent espresso and other times if I change the grind to a little finer it doesn't make anything at all. Can be a bit tricky to get it right.



We're pretty happy with it overall and we have had this machine for a couple years now but when it comes time to replace it I think I'm going to look for a higher end model. I will say the milk frother works great. My wife uses that to make chai tea lattes every morning. I use it to make my cappuccinos.


We have this machine at home also and think it's great. We've never had any problems with it and we have it a good few years now.
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Old 20 April 2018, 01:31 PM   #66
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The Breville Barista Espress Manual is a nice machine Rog, but they are about $700.
Tudor and Fabrice suggest that you need to pay upwards of $2K for good Espresso and it DOES depend upon YOUR 'standards' as to what you define as "good".
Run23 talks about their Rancilio Silvia (with PID) and you can definitely get acceptable Espresso from this kind of set-up ONCE you have mastered the technique for a manual machine.
Some folks test their 'compatibility' for an Espresso machine by buying a good second-hand or reconditioned machine. These can be sourced from the net (Buyer beware) or from Coffee Specialists who will often be trading and reconditioning machines. They will generally offer some sort of warranty and will almost always offer training for the newby.
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Old 20 April 2018, 02:07 PM   #67
run23
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Seeking a recommendation for an espresso machine

Quote:
Originally Posted by Rock View Post
Run23 talks about their Rancilio Silvia (with PID) and you can definitely get acceptable Espresso from this kind of set-up ONCE you have mastered the technique for a manual machine.

Yeah, it took me a few months to get really good shots out of the machine, but now I feel like I can hit great most of the time, with average to trash shots other times. I think that’s the biggest difference between sub $x machines and really expensive ones— consistency.

I had the use of a Rocket r58 (like a $2,500 machine) for a month while my friend was relocating, and the ease of use was night and day. That being said, with practice you can certainly pull shots that are ### close with a sub $1,000 machine, it’s just going to take more attention and you won’t hit it every time, and will have to put up with some mediocre espresso some times. I love the Silva and will keep it until it craps out, but I will definitely upgrade when it does.
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Old 20 April 2018, 03:50 PM   #68
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Agree Run23, and that's the point that I was making earlier, that you need to think about what sort of coffee consumer you are and whether you are prepared to 'learn the trade' or whether you just want a coffee before you go to work.
It's easy to get a good Espresso if you have $4K to spend. Just buy a big Automatic and you're there, but for folks that have a couple of hundred to spend and just want a fuss-free coffee in a hurry - the Capsule/Pod machines are the way to go.

(Being a 'Manual' type of guy, the Rocket R58 for around $4K would be my grail - maybe when I'm done with my Diadema Perfetta.)
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Old 20 April 2018, 04:54 PM   #69
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I personally recommend a La Pavoni even if it is perhaps not what you are looking for. A Gaggia or a Rancilio are good value basic machines. I would not recommend a Jura.

Edit: On your budget, a Nespresso.
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Old 20 April 2018, 05:06 PM   #70
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I have a brand new Italian Espresso (in the box unopened) from Italy, Italian 100%
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Old 20 April 2018, 05:11 PM   #71
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Come on Steve, don't keep me in suspense, what is it?
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Old 20 April 2018, 06:16 PM   #72
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Old 20 April 2018, 10:17 PM   #73
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This damn thread is prying at my wallet

Anyone have a jura z6 or A1?

I am contemplating adding a superautomatic as I think (know) we would use it more.

Budget is fluctuating wildly.

Z6
https://www.amazon.com/Jura-15093-Au...=jura+z6&psc=1

A1
https://www.amazon.com/Jura-Compact-...ywords=jura+A1
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Old 20 April 2018, 11:57 PM   #74
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This damn thread is prying at my wallet



Anyone have a jura z6 or A1?



I am contemplating adding a superautomatic as I think (know) we would use it more.



Budget is fluctuating wildly.



Z6

https://www.amazon.com/Jura-15093-Au...=jura+z6&psc=1



A1

https://www.amazon.com/Jura-Compact-...ywords=jura+A1

I have an E8 which is pretty much slap bang in the middle of the 2 you’ve selected.

It has the new ‘pulse extraction process - PEP’ and the only discernible difference I can see between mine and the uber expensive models is the volume of beans/water/waste it can hold.




Sent from my iPhone
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Old 21 April 2018, 09:50 PM   #75
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Snapped a few photos of my new setup.
The machine is a bit funky looking but the espresso is great in my opinion. Last photo is to show how thick is the crema.

1FEC04D3-3633-496F-A9EC-663EE72F366B.jpeg

03F5D0CD-7210-4125-9BB4-0F53E9A70556.jpeg

64E5A6DD-5996-46AD-9AE1-F2702BA7FBAA.jpeg
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