Beginner Espresso setup

pfm721 · 01-20-2010, 09:04 AM

Looking for opinions on what kind of setup to get to make espressos and lattes. Budget for this project is about $700. Fairly new to this so I'm trying to decide if I should go manual, semi-auto, or fully automatic. Any help is greatly appreciated.

Mister Moo · 01-21-2010, 06:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pfm721

Looking for opinions on what kind of setup to get to make espressos and lattes. Budget for this project is about $700. Fairly new to this so I'm trying to decide if I should go manual, semi-auto, or fully automatic. Any help is greatly appreciated.

I am usually the turd in the punchbowl here. If you want good espresso or lattes for $700 you will have a hard time doing it. A ticket for the slightly better than nosebleed seat starts around $1000.

Figure there isn't an "espresso" grinder worth buying beneath a Rancilio Rocky - they start around $385 delivered. Finding a good espresso machine for $325 is pretty much out of the question unless you want to rehab something really messed up on your own labor.

Here is the closest thing there is to what you want after a comprehensive 15-second search: http://www.wholelattelove.com/Rancil...essentials.cfm

Not sure what's happening with the world of superautos - there may be some masterpieces out there for $700 but I doubt it. Paying short money for this gear puts you in line for a replacement sooner than you'd wish. Think out what you buy really carefully with this in mind: good espresso at home ain't cheap and cheap espresso at home ain't good. American garages and basements carry a huge inventory of inadequate "espresso" machines.

0002S · 01-21-2010, 02:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mister Moo

Not sure what's happening with the world of superautos - there may be some masterpieces out there for $700 but I doubt it.

You're still short money for a good one. Used maybe. If you do go with and superauto be prepaid for about $20ish a month in maintenance costs for filters, cleaner tabs and other assorted "do-dads".

mosesbotbol · 01-21-2010, 01:58 PM

If you are still looking this summer, I'll sell you my Rancilio setup for well under $700. Not ready to upgrade yet... The Rancilio combo is the least expensive option you'll find that is worth going for. Not sure how much a new set is now, but any piece less than that is going to be junk by and large.

pfm721 · 01-21-2010, 02:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mosesbotbol

If you are still looking this summer, I'll sell you my Rancilio setup for well under $700. Not ready to upgrade yet... The Rancilio combo is the least expensive option you'll find that is worth going for. Not sure how much a new set is now, but any piece less than that is going to be junk by and large.

Just let me know when you decide to upgrade and if I haven't bought something by then I am sure we can work something out.

pfm721 · 01-21-2010, 02:36 PM

Thanks for the help guys. I was thinking about the Rancilio Silvia before I made this post and you guys validated what I was thinking.

TheGentleman · 01-21-2010, 02:47 PM

Heck, forget $700 and just get a Nespresso. I got one for Christmas and it's been unbelievable. I'm probably an amatuer, but it works!

e-man67 · 01-21-2010, 02:59 PM

I got a Cuisanart espresso/cappicino machine for Christmas and love it...it was about $40...doesn't grind the beans or anything like that but tastes just as good as StarBucks...actually I use there espresso blend.

floydpink · 01-21-2010, 06:18 PM

Personally, I'd never buy a superauto. Too little for me to worry about and too little control over the brew for my OCD ways. My friend has one and feeds it Illy beans. It is marginally good espresso at best and the machine cost a few thousand bucks. I have told him to head over to the local roaster or let me roast him some beans, but he's happy with the stuff he uses.

My espresso journey has left me convinced that you are not getting into the hobby properly without spending nearly the whole 700 budget on the most important part; the grinder. Not quite the whole 700, but not too far off either.

Lots of guys do nicely with the Rocky/Silvia combo, but are normally offering them up for cheap once they decide it's time to bite the bullet and upgrade.

I entered the hobby with a Gaggia Baby machine and Gaggia MDF grinder for about 600 total and grew out of it in under a year. Very inconsistent and unpredictable at the best of times.

0002S · 01-21-2010, 07:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by floydpink

Personally, I'd never buy a superauto. Too little for me to worry about and too little control over the brew for my OCD ways. My friend has one and feeds it Illy beans. It is marginally good espresso at best and the machine cost a few thousand bucks. I have told him to head over to the local roaster or let me roast him some beans, but he's happy with the stuff he uses.

My espresso journey has left me convinced that you are not getting into the hobby properly without spending nearly the whole 700 budget on the most important part; the grinder. Not quite the whole 700, but not too far off either.

Lots of guys do nicely with the Rocky/Silvia combo, but are normally offering them up for cheap once they decide it's time to bite the bullet and upgrade.

I entered the hobby with a Gaggia Baby machine and Gaggia MDF grinder for about 600 total and grew out of it in under a year. Very inconsistent and unpredictable at the best of times.

Pete,

I'm that Illy Superauto guy too. While I'm more than satisfied, I would like to try other espresso beans. Can you recommend me a local roaster and bean?

floydpink · 01-21-2010, 08:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 0002S

Pete,

I'm that Illy Superauto guy too. While I'm more than satisfied, I would like to try other espresso beans. Can you recommend me a local roaster and bean?

You're in Orlando, try the Whole Foods on Turkey Lake. They roast right on premises and have some great stuff.

I love their Ethiopian Yirga Cheff and they seem to get better results than I do roasting it myself.

Their houseblend Espresso is good too.

If you really want to see something good, order up some Intelligencia Black Cat or Stumptown Hairbender online. They'll roast it when you order it and give UncleBeanz a try as well.

Not trying to sound like a snob, and if you love Illy, great! I like my beans no older than 10 days post roast max.

If all else fails, meet up with me at Corona and I'll let you try some of my home roast.

Mister Moo · 01-22-2010, 05:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheGentleman

Heck, forget $700 and just get a Nespresso. I got one for Christmas and it's been unbelievable. I'm probably an amatuer, but it works!

Quote:

I got a Cuisanart espresso/cappicino machine for Christmas and love it...it was about $40...doesn't grind the beans or anything like that but tastes just as good as StarBucks...actually I use there espresso blend.

Fine machines for making coffee, I'm sure, but this discussion is about pressurized espresso machines which are a different category gear.

01-20-2010, 09:04 AM	#1
pfm721 I bleed Orange and Blue Join Date: Aug 2009 First Name: Patrick Location: Naples, FL Posts: 101 Trading: (7)	Beginner Espresso setup Looking for opinions on what kind of setup to get to make espressos and lattes. Budget for this project is about $700. Fairly new to this so I'm trying to decide if I should go manual, semi-auto, or fully automatic. Any help is greatly appreciated.

01-21-2010, 01:58 PM	#4
mosesbotbol That's a Corgi Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Moses Location: Boston Posts: 6,171 Trading: (6)	Re: Beginner Espresso setup If you are still looking this summer, I'll sell you my Rancilio setup for well under $700. Not ready to upgrade yet... The Rancilio combo is the least expensive option you'll find that is worth going for. Not sure how much a new set is now, but any piece less than that is going to be junk by and large. __________________ Port Wine & Claret \| British Cars \| Welsh Corgi's

01-21-2010, 02:36 PM	#6
pfm721 I bleed Orange and Blue Join Date: Aug 2009 First Name: Patrick Location: Naples, FL Posts: 101 Trading: (7)	Re: Beginner Espresso setup Thanks for the help guys. I was thinking about the Rancilio Silvia before I made this post and you guys validated what I was thinking.

01-21-2010, 02:47 PM	#7
TheGentleman Just in from the Storm Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 18 Trading: (0)	Re: Beginner Espresso setup Heck, forget $700 and just get a Nespresso. I got one for Christmas and it's been unbelievable. I'm probably an amatuer, but it works!

01-21-2010, 02:59 PM	#8
e-man67 Big Drunkin Monkey!! Join Date: Mar 2009 First Name: Eric Posts: 1,480 Trading: (29)	Re: Beginner Espresso setup I got a Cuisanart espresso/cappicino machine for Christmas and love it...it was about $40...doesn't grind the beans or anything like that but tastes just as good as StarBucks...actually I use there espresso blend.

01-21-2010, 06:18 PM	#9
floydpink crazy diamond Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Pete Location: Orlando Posts: 1,955 Trading: (17)	Re: Beginner Espresso setup Personally, I'd never buy a superauto. Too little for me to worry about and too little control over the brew for my OCD ways. My friend has one and feeds it Illy beans. It is marginally good espresso at best and the machine cost a few thousand bucks. I have told him to head over to the local roaster or let me roast him some beans, but he's happy with the stuff he uses. My espresso journey has left me convinced that you are not getting into the hobby properly without spending nearly the whole 700 budget on the most important part; the grinder. Not quite the whole 700, but not too far off either. Lots of guys do nicely with the Rocky/Silvia combo, but are normally offering them up for cheap once they decide it's time to bite the bullet and upgrade. I entered the hobby with a Gaggia Baby machine and Gaggia MDF grinder for about 600 total and grew out of it in under a year. Very inconsistent and unpredictable at the best of times. __________________ "If we weren't all crazy we would go insane"