Need Advice

[benjiev]

Okay you Latte Heads I need some opinions on Espresso Machines. I am interested in a Semi to Automatic machine... Does anyone have one?

Let me know my Starbucks Estro Profi has made its last cup of espresso

 

[Lee]

Those little kettles are cool, I thought about one...can't remember the name of it though...

 

[caudio51]

I'd like something like this...preferably on the cheaper side

 

[Allofus123]

Its all in how much you want to spend. There's a few good home espresso machines....good yes, great no. In my experience you have to step up to the comercial machines to get great espresso consistently. Unfortunaely a good comercial grade machines will start in the $1000+ range which is more than most people care to spend for a home unit.

You might try looking at a Rancilio Siliva (my pick) or a Gaggia Espresso. What I look for in a good home espresso machine is a solid boiler/pump. If the machine can't pump the presure its nothing more than a coffee maker. The Rancilio is a solid stainless steel machine that looks good just sitting on the counter. It runs somewhere around the 4-500 dollar mark. The Gaggia is a bit lower in price (2-300 dollars) and is made partly of plastic but has gotten some good reviews.

Also, if you're going to invest in a good home espresso machine like the Rancilio make sure you have a good burr grinder. The grind is so important in pulling a great shot of espresso.

 

[CoventryCat86]

Too bad Scroto is banned, he actually has some limited knowledge on this subject :laugh:

Well on second thought, he THINKS he has knowledge about coffee but it's probably no more than his extremely limited knowledge about cigars so never mind......... :sign:

 

[Gonz]

I've got a Starbucks Barista and it has worked great for about about 4 years now. I would definetely recommend it.

And the grind of the beans does make all the difference. I don't have a grinder at home, but I get our beans at the same place (Dunn Brothers) and have them ground at the same exact setting everytime, which is around a 4.5 on their machine. Some folks I think like to have their own grinder, that way perhaps the coffee is even more fresh before you make it, but we go through a pound of beans rather quickly so I don't think it matters much for us.

 

[Corona Gigante]

I have a Krups Bravo Plus. Fully manual, two-cupper, works great, < $80.

 

[smokelaw1]

As a gift, I received the Nespresso machine. http://www.nespresso.com/precom/home_us_en.html?

It came with a cool gift box of all the different styles. Admittedly, it is not the higest end machine out there, but I have been consistently impressed with the quality of the espresso coming out of it. I ordered a few different styles of cartiges, and always have exactly what I am in the mood for.

 

[benjiev]

Thanks guys!

 

[atuck]

I like the Capresso brand products. :thumbs:

 

[moki]

Okay you Latte Heads I need some opinions on Espresso Machines. I am interested in a Semi to Automatic machine... Does anyone have one?

Let me know my Starbucks Estro Profi has made its last cup of espresso

[snapback]230228[/snapback]​

I would highly recommend the Capresso F9 -- it makes some incredible coffee/espresso. Water goes in one side, whole coffee beans go in the other side. It grinds just enough coffee/espresso beans for each cup.

We've had on in our office for almost 2 years -- it kicks mucho ass. Best thing is the maintenance is minimal.