First Espresso Maker

[TXSmokey]

Has anyone ever used one of these Mr. Coffee espresso makers?

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Mr.-Coffee...Black/13729285

I'm thinking about getting one for my first espresso maker. I don't want to sink several hundred dollars in an espresso maker and find out its not worth the trouble.

[nutcracker]

Hi Richard

I think with espresso two things make the most difference ( for flavor and crema)
- recently roasted freshly ground beans - which means you need a grinder
- a machine with high pressures - I would spend a few extra bucks on a starter machine like this:

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Hamilton-B...ingMethod=p13n

Regards

Neil

[TXSmokey]

that looks like a much better machine, I haven't seen it before.
Thanks

[mosesbotbol]

Waste of money. You'll never make anything to write home about. Better off with a Bialetti until you can buy a proper machine. Been there and done that.

[Porch Dweller]

You can always go for one of these: http://www.espressozone.com/bialetti...FSMV7AodbQoARA

My wife's side of the family is Cuban and that's what they use for making Cuban Coffee, which is basically espresso without the steam and pressure. Plus you can pick one up for $25.

[the nub]

try looking on Craigslist or Kijiji

you can often find ok pump machines for $50-75. At any given time you could probably pick up a brand new Starbucks machine for less than $100.

[ApexAZ]

I agree the moka pot suggested above is the best place to start. I'm saving for a $2000 machine that I'll buy used for a bit less (hopefully around $1500). The reason being is they really hold their value, so I won't wast time buying something cheap that will likely not produce good results and just frustrate me. If I decide it's not for me then I'll just sell it for close to what i paid.