Espresso Maker

SKI.ING

SKI.ING

Active member
I know a lot of you have knowledge on this matter so I thought I'd post it up. I'm looking to save some money and have a mid-level espresso maker. I just want something simple if that is possible. No K-cups or anything. I'm not like a coffee expert or anything so just something in the middle will do.
 
Not sure of your price range but there are a lot of good ones. I have a Capresso EC Pro and I like it. I wanted one that had a bottomless and pressurized portafilter so I could do it the easy or hard way, depending on the situation. And the basic steam arm rather than the auto style. But really I would just buy what you can afford.
 
What's your budget?

Spend your money on a grinder and then go from there. Check out Baratza for solid grinders for someone to start off with.

I have a Rancilio Silvia and it's pretty decent, but finicky. Ideally I'd like something more consistent, but not sure I want to drop the money yet.
 
13631285:cool_name said:
I have a Breville 870 at home which I really like and would recomend
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i bought one of these this year for the restaurant i work in. we had a massive amount of Food Service Reward points so it didn't cost us anything. hands down the best prosumer "at home" espresso maker i've ever used...i would suggest it to anyone willing to drop $500 on an espresso machine.
 
start with good beans

then get something that won't fuck up the grind. Aka a burr grinder:

Nice:
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=sr_nr_p_85_0?fst=as:off&rh=n:1055398,n:284507,k:Baratza+encore%2Cp_85%3A2470955011&keywords=Baratza+encore&ie=UTF8&qid=1455654193&rnid=2470954011

Cheap:
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias=kitchen&field-keywords=+hario+mini+mill&rh=i%3Akitchen%2Ck%3A+hario+mini+mill

than worry about a good way to brew. Espresso is one option. Aeropress, French Press and Clever are all good options that produce different results.
 
I've got about 2 weeks with my Delonghi EC155 which was only $80 and so far I've been able to pull pretty decent shots with it, although the steam arm isn't the best. You can get a cheap hand Burr grinder (opposed to blade) for $10-$20 on amazon, along with a cheap tamper, beans, etc.
 
13632089:cobra_commander said:
start with good beans

then get something that won't fuck up the grind. Aka a burr grinder:

Nice:
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=sr_nr_p_85_0?fst=as:off&rh=n:1055398,n:284507,k:Baratza+encore%2Cp_85%3A2470955011&keywords=Baratza+encore&ie=UTF8&qid=1455654193&rnid=2470954011

Cheap:
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias=kitchen&field-keywords=+hario+mini+mill&rh=i%3Akitchen%2Ck%3A+hario+mini+mill

than worry about a good way to brew. Espresso is one option. Aeropress, French Press and Clever are all good options that produce different results.
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What are some good brands for beans? Like mid-level good.
 
13632394:SKI.ING said:
What are some good brands for beans? Like mid-level good.
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One of the biggest things to watch out for (regardless of brand) is roast date. Generally speaking, I avoid anything that doesn't have a date on it. If you can find something that's been roasted within the last week, awesome, especially if you're looking to pull good espresso shots.
 
13632411:saskskier said:
One of the biggest things to watch out for (regardless of brand) is roast date. Generally speaking, I avoid anything that doesn't have a date on it. If you can find something that's been roasted within the last week, awesome, especially if you're looking to pull good espresso shots.
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Okay sweet. Thanks for all the advice guys. So new to this, but I did the math and I spend too much money on coffee beverages. Especially since my favorite cafe just hired all new baristas (college town) and the drinks are pretty bad now anyways.
 
I use one of these every morning and it i like it quite a bit. It's funny, when i first got it I didnt pack it, now I do haha. Also really good to mix some brown sugar in with the coffee grounds.

bialettialumlg.gif
 
13632394:SKI.ING said:
What are some good brands for beans? Like mid-level good.
Click to expand...

13632411:saskskier said:
One of the biggest things to watch out for (regardless of brand) is roast date. Generally speaking, I avoid anything that doesn't have a date on it. If you can find something that's been roasted within the last week, awesome, especially if you're looking to pull good espresso shots.
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Absolutely on point regarding roasting date.

If you want to get fancy there is a great roaster in LA that will roast and ship the beans on the same day. I believe his company is West Coast Coffee Roasters

I will often get my beans from a local grocer that carries some good local roasts. I will get whatever is on sale.

Stump Town

Pegasus

Vita Coffee

Or swing by Diva Coffee in Seattle for a bag of beans one my way to work.

I'm not against espresso when it is cooler outside, however once it starts to heat up, I make a French press in the morning, and leave it in the fridge for 24 hours before straining and drinking.
 
13632089:cobra_commander said:
start with good beans

then get something that won't fuck up the grind. Aka a burr grinder:

Nice:
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=sr_nr_p_85_0?fst=as:off&rh=n:1055398,n:284507,k:Baratza+encore%2Cp_85%3A2470955011&keywords=Baratza+encore&ie=UTF8&qid=1455654193&rnid=2470954011

Cheap:
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias=kitchen&field-keywords=+hario+mini+mill&rh=i%3Akitchen%2Ck%3A+hario+mini+mill

than worry about a good way to brew. Espresso is one option. Aeropress, French Press and Clever are all good options that produce different results.
Click to expand...

What is exactly meant by a "burr grinder"? Like what other kinds of grinders are out there and what are they used for? Also, I decided to start with a Bialetti Moka Express since its in between coffee and espresso. Been going well just using a pregrinded can of Lavazzo, but I was curious what is the optimal grind for this type of brewing vs. an actual espresso machine?
 
13645602:SKI.ING said:
Also, I decided to start with a Bialetti Moka Express since its in between coffee and espresso. Been going well just using a pregrinded can of Lavazzo, but I was curious what is the optimal grind for this type of brewing vs. an actual espresso machine?
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I have used the Bialetti Moka Express for about three years now, really like it for the simplicity and great espresso. Always start with filtered water, and keep the thing clean. You can do this by boiling water through without any grinds in the hopper. As far as consistency of the beans, I have experimented quite a bit with mine and found that a very fine, almost powdery consistency works best. Then I just play around with the amount of water I use depending on how strong I am looking to make the espresso.
 
13646000:evaroni said:
I have used the Bialetti Moka Express for about three years now, really like it for the simplicity and great espresso. Always start with filtered water, and keep the thing clean. You can do this by boiling water through without any grinds in the hopper. As far as consistency of the beans, I have experimented quite a bit with mine and found that a very fine, almost powdery consistency works best. Then I just play around with the amount of water I use depending on how strong I am looking to make the espresso.
Click to expand...

Is there a huge difference between buying whole bean and just buying pre-ground coffee? I'm really enjoying making my drinks at home and am looking at going all in on a burr grinder.
 
13664369:SKI.ING said:
Is there a huge difference between buying whole bean and just buying pre-ground coffee? I'm really enjoying making my drinks at home and am looking at going all in on a burr grinder.
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Big difference. You want the freshest coffee possible. Depending on what brewing method you plan on using you can get a solid grinding for a little over $100.
 
13632564:cobra_commander said:
I'm not against espresso when it is cooler outside, however once it starts to heat up, I make a French press in the morning, and leave it in the fridge for 24 hours before straining and drinking.
Click to expand...

interesting, i wonder how that would compare to a normal cold brew, or japanese ice coffee(pour over coffee dripped directly on to ice)
 
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