Coffee snobs! Please help. I need your input on espresso maker. (vanity)

Skooz | 11/23/2008 | Skooz

[Skooz]

After a decade or more of making espresso/cappuccino with my Braun and Mr. Coffee units my mom bought me for Christmas, I have decided to take the plunge and buy a REAL espresso machine.

My budget (and good sense) precludes my purchasing a $1000+ unit, so I am looking for the best I can find for around $200 - $350. I want one to make myself and the wife a few cups a week -- nothing commercial.

So far, I have found these units that look pretty good:

Saeco 30013 Aroma Traditional Espresso Machine

Capresso Ultima Coffee and Espresso / Cappuccino Machine

Capresso 121.01 Ultima Semi-Automatic Coffee and Espresso/Cappuccino Machine (I'm leaning towards this one)

Cuisinart Espresso Maker

Breville 800ESXL Commercial 15-Bar Triple-Priming Die-Cast Espresso Machine (This one is so pretty I might buy it for looks alone)

[Skooz]

A couple of years ago, I stumbled on a thread here in which several very knowledgeable people were exchanging views on espresso making and the machines they used. I can't locate that old thread now, but I know some of you are still out there and are far more knowledgeable than I about this.

[LibFreeOrDie]

Google search on “espresso” and “freerepublic.com”:

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&as_q=espresso&as_epq=&as_oq=&as_eq=&num=10&lr=lang_en&as_filetype=&ft=i&as_sitesearch=freerepublic.com&as_qdr=all&as_rights=&as_occt=any&cr=&as_nlo=&as_nhi=&safe=active

[library user]

Forget coffee, I just crush up a few of these in my Wheaties each morning.

[alisasny]

The TASSIMO is the best I have come across makes many varieties and a great frothed milk also....

[Skooz]

Thanks.

I found this:
'Sexy espresso' stands leave competitors steaming

[montomike]

Just wait until all the Starbucks stores start to close down. You could probably get a nice used one.

The barista is extra, how much depending on looks and experience.

[library user]

I would like a cup of coffee - not a-cup with my coffee. :O)

[Military family member]

I have a Braun Expresso Machine that I got 10 years ago for Christmas. It still works great.

[Kimmers]

Check out Nesspresso....we got one on Ebay....they have coffee pods so it is really easy and clean with consistant taste.....my hubby bought the professional which has less choice in coffee compared to the home models....

http://www.nespresso.com/precom/home_us_en.html?pres=3

[Bob J]

Outside your price range but here's my baby...

And my back up...

[LibFreeOrDie]

http://www.consumersearch.com/espresso-machines

http://coffeegeek.com/proreviews

[steveo]

We have had a Saeco Superautomatica for about six years. We never had a problem with the machine. Seems like they make a reliable product.

[Daffynition]

I have an older model Capresso that also makes espresso. In the course of a move, I lost a part and the instructional manual. FWIW, the customer care was fantastic! They are wonderful people to deal with.

The coffee maker is great ...hasn't given me any problems in many years and gets used a LOT...probably more than it should.

I see from their website they have merged with Jura/Swiss which can't be a bad thing. If I were in your shoes, I'd select a Capresso, hands down...for quality and durabilty.

Some [albeit biased] info.

[Red_Devil 232]

The TASSIMO looks good for about $140. Their store locater indicates that Wal-Mart sells them.

[Notwithstanding]

I would recommend an E.S.E. (Easy Serve Espresso) model, which need not be expensive. I have a deLonghi model that is very basic and sells for less than $100:

http://www.amazon.com/DeLonghi-EC140B-Espresso-Cappuccino-Maker/dp/B0000CDCMM/ref=pd_sbs_k_2

and a friend has this one and loves it:

http://www.amazon.com/DeLonghi-BAR32-Retro-Pump-Driven-Espresso/dp/B0002A3S66.

E.S.E. compatible machines are normal espresso machines that use traditional espresso coffee. But thay can also use hard-packed espresso pods that you can buy in many places, but I get mine at Amazon.com in bulk (100 foil-wrapped individual pods.

It makes clean up and preparation easy when you have guests and don’t have time to tamp and pack (and clean) for each serving.

If you really love good coffee, I also highly recommend a Senseo - but with a big twist: a “coffee duck” accessory that allows you to avoid pods altogether and simply use your favorite coffee. The coffee duck costs about $15 and you don’t need anything else ever again except your favorite fine-grind coffee (or you can fine grind it yourself. You simply fill the duck for each mug-ful. We have udes this for over a year and are happy to avoid the expense of pods. Pods are an amazing rip-off if you use them for every-day coffee. You can also keep decaf pods and some nice pods for company if you don’t want to be bothered with rinsing out the “coffee duck” when you have to serve a lot of people coffee.

http://www.amazon.com/Coffeeduck-Refillable-Coffee-Pod-Senseo/dp/B0013DTRJS/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=home-garden&qid=1227466433&sr=1-2

[martin_fierro]

lolz

[macamadamia]

I’m leaning towards/hoping to buy the Saeco 30013. If I remember right, that’s the one Alton Brown used. It’s very basic, but looks solid and gets good customer reviews and I trust Alton Brown’s opinion. As far as I understand it, the cheaper espresso machines tend to be weak on pressure...pressure being key to a good espresso. But the Saeco, according to Brown, does the job, even though $300 is on the low end when it comes to espresso machines.

[HardStarboard]

>>>Breville 800ESXL Commercial 15-Bar Triple-Priming Die-Cast Espresso Machine (This one is so pretty I might buy it for looks alone) <<<

This is the one I have - and (LOL) I bought it for the same reason. Best looking one out there! Bonus - its a darn good espresso/latte maker. Extremely well made....(this from a Mechanical Engineer). Never have had a problem in 2 years - except if I grind the coffee too fine and press too hard. Then it seems to want to push all the steam/water through only one side of the coffee carrier. Other than that - its a great machine. I'd recommend it. My gal friend has a Starbucks machine and, in comparison, its junk.

[Notwithstanding]

http://www.coffeeduck.com/uk_duckmovie.html

[cva66snipe]

I recommend buying a stove top coffee pot. Remove all guts to it and toss them aside, add water and bring to a boil on the stove eye. Add Coffee grounds :>}