Espresso Machine recommendation

Samsquanch · 06-23-2012, 12:03 PM

Any recommendations for a good espresso machine? I've never owned one or used one but drink plenty of espresso. After spending some time in Europe last year, where it seemed like every house we were in had one, my wife and I are ready to purchase one.

Would be happy to hear your opinions on your favorite machines and the best places to buy them. We are looking to spend less than $1,000, preferably more around $500 or so if a good one can be had for that. I'm not opposed to the fully automatic machines but think I would rather have a separate grinder for regular coffee too.

Thanks for your input!

06-23-2012, 12:28 PM

Rancilio Silvia
Gaggia Classic

I bought a Classic about a year ago, used it for a while and I LOVED it. Made great coffee, but I sold it to my sister and her husband because I wanted more cigars

I'll be buying a Rancilio next time though, I want to buy one this fall/winter

CigarNut · 06-23-2012, 12:38 PM

This may be different from your expectations but you might want to look at Nespresso (http://www.nespresso.com/us/en/). This is an expresso machine that uses capsules -- which cost around .55 cents per shot (capsule) These machines are easy to use and produce an excellent shot with the best crema. And, it's fast!

The machines are small so they don't take up a lot of counter space. They are much easier to use than standard machines when you need to make shots or drinks for a group of people. It's also pretty hard to beat the price per shot.

A downside is that the prepackaged capsules may not have the coffee you are looking for. You can get kits that allow you to make your own capsules, but that seems like a PIA.

I like a number of the coffees provided by Nespresso so I have no problems. They also have milk frothers if you are looking for that as well.

The machines range from $200-$600.

Black Coral · 06-23-2012, 05:21 PM

nespresso machine, I think it is the citgo

The small unit for pods on top, great coffee, I buy the pods 100 sampler.

Easy to use and It has the warmer or foamer for milk that either comes with or add on for latte.

No space on counter and with 2 minutes of turning power hot enough for shots.

Blueface · 06-23-2012, 08:41 PM

Love my Rancilio.

MarkinAZ · 06-23-2012, 10:12 PM

I use a Krups Allegro Espresso Maker that I've had for many years:

Makes a great cup of espresso. I don't use the glass container shown. I simply insert my slim 10oz cup underneath and watch it fill up with some nice espresso and crema.

Sort of a "triple espresso" you might say...

emopunker2004 · 06-24-2012, 03:45 AM

I know nothing about this one but it's on sale on woot.com today ironically

http://home.woot.com/

Blak Smyth · 06-25-2012, 06:26 AM

I am currentley looking into the Gaggia Brera Super-auto.
A couple people on here have them and "Whole Latte Love" is telling me it is my best bet for the price range.
I want a super-auto so I can press a single button in the morning when I am a zombie and have a great espresso, no seperate grinding and tamping and cleaning.

Blak Smyth · 06-25-2012, 06:41 AM

Here is a picture and a link $649.00:

This may be a better option for you at $568.00 shipped with doser grinder:

GreekGodX · 06-25-2012, 07:11 AM

I would probably go with that refurbished Jura J6 from the link emopunker posted. Jura makes a great espresso machine. Also there is still a one year warranty even though it is refurbished.

floydpink · 06-25-2012, 10:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blak Smyth

Here is a picture and a link $649.00:

This may be a better option for you at $568.00 shipped with doser grinder:

That bottom setup is the exact setup I started with.

Not a bad way to get into the game, but some issues and limitations left me with serious upgraditis in a short time.

The MDF grinder is really noisy and nearly impossible to disassemble for cleaning.

If I was shopping in the price range mentioned, it would be a Rocky/Silvia combo, although I'd still be a couple hundred short I think.

Samsquanch · 06-30-2012, 12:25 PM

Thanks for all the tips everyone. I have a lot of research and more reading to do but these are some great ideas.

never_enough · 07-12-2012, 11:54 PM

While on vacation I used a nespresso several times and now I'm hooked on espresso's. Now to decide what espresso maker to get. Maybe the Citiz with the aeroccino plus?

CigarNut · 07-13-2012, 09:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by never_enough

While on vacation I used a nespresso several times and now I'm hooked on espresso's. Now to decide what espresso maker to get. Maybe the Citiz with the aeroccino plus?

That is the machine that we got and we love it! We don't use the Aeroccino as much as we thought we would. It works fine, but my wife and I find that we just love the espresso without the frothed milk. It's our kids that like the milk drinks and they both moved out

never_enough · 07-13-2012, 08:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CigarNut

That is the machine that we got and we love it! We don't use the Aeroccino as much as we thought we would. It works fine, but my wife and I find that we just love the espresso without the frothed milk. It's our kids that like the milk drinks and they both moved out

Awesome! I think I will pick the combo up at Williams Sonoma for $300. Seems like a good deal. I was drinking the espressos with nothing in them, but I figure for the price, might as well get the areoccino in case I want it sometime.

CigarNut · 07-13-2012, 10:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by never_enough

Awesome! I think I will pick the combo up at Williams Sonoma for $300. Seems like a good deal. I was drinking the espressos with nothing in them, but I figure for the price, might as well get the areoccino in case I want it sometime.

We initially looked at them in W&S -- but on a lark I checked out Amazon and the price (at that time) was $150 less than W&S so we ended up purchasing from Amazon.

htown · 07-14-2012, 06:16 AM

This is what I bought a year ago. My wife and I use it on average twice a day, have had no problems, it comes with a pod insert, and it makes a good cup of espresso.

http://www.amazon.com/Saeco-00354-Es...keywords=saeco

08-06-2012, 06:04 PM

Rancilio Silvia and Rancilio Rocky are great places to start.

363 · 09-23-2012, 07:54 AM

this just came up on woot today
TODAY'S WOOT
Jura J5B Auto Coffee Center
$799.99 Refurbished
not sure if it is a great deal just thought I'd share

Mister Moo · 09-24-2012, 06:10 AM

If not superauto, don't forget the best brewer is useless without a capable grinder. Grinder really should come first - the better, the better, one for life.

06-23-2012, 12:03 PM	#1
Samsquanch Feeling at Home Join Date: Jun 2010 First Name: Andrew Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 564 Trading: (21)	Espresso Machine recommendation Any recommendations for a good espresso machine? I've never owned one or used one but drink plenty of espresso. After spending some time in Europe last year, where it seemed like every house we were in had one, my wife and I are ready to purchase one. Would be happy to hear your opinions on your favorite machines and the best places to buy them. We are looking to spend less than $1,000, preferably more around $500 or so if a good one can be had for that. I'm not opposed to the fully automatic machines but think I would rather have a separate grinder for regular coffee too. Thanks for your input! __________________ ...I'm not saying I agree with it, it's just that bird law in this country, it's not governed by reason.

06-23-2012, 12:28 PM	#2
ChicagoWhiteSox Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Espresso Machine recommendation Rancilio Silvia Gaggia Classic I bought a Classic about a year ago, used it for a while and I LOVED it. Made great coffee, but I sold it to my sister and her husband because I wanted more cigars I'll be buying a Rancilio next time though, I want to buy one this fall/winter

06-23-2012, 12:38 PM	#3
CigarNut Fck Cancer! Join Date: Jan 2009 First Name: Michael Location: Clermont, Florida Posts: 18,042 Trading: (111*)	Re: Espresso Machine recommendation This may be different from your expectations but you might want to look at Nespresso (http://www.nespresso.com/us/en/). This is an expresso machine that uses capsules -- which cost around .55 cents per shot (capsule) These machines are easy to use and produce an excellent shot with the best crema. And, it's fast! The machines are small so they don't take up a lot of counter space. They are much easier to use than standard machines when you need to make shots or drinks for a group of people. It's also pretty hard to beat the price per shot. A downside is that the prepackaged capsules may not have the coffee you are looking for. You can get kits that allow you to make your own capsules, but that seems like a PIA. I like a number of the coffees provided by Nespresso so I have no problems. They also have milk frothers if you are looking for that as well. The machines range from $200-$600. __________________ Need Beads? Need Five Finger Bags? 2 of 3 Requirements for use of the CA Rolodex: 100 posts/ 60 day membership/ participation in trade (trader rating). New members can be added at any time.

06-23-2012, 05:21 PM	#4
Black Coral Have My Own Room Join Date: Mar 2009 First Name: John Location: Midland Texas Posts: 2,257 Trading: (11)	Re: Espresso Machine recommendation nespresso machine, I think it is the citgo The small unit for pods on top, great coffee, I buy the pods 100 sampler. Easy to use and It has the warmer or foamer for milk that either comes with or add on for latte. No space on counter and with 2 minutes of turning power hot enough for shots.

06-23-2012, 08:41 PM	#5
Blueface Gramps 4x's Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Horatio Seymore Hiny Location: Boca Raton - North of La Habana Posts: 8,774 Trading: (8)	Re: Espresso Machine recommendation Love my Rancilio. __________________ Little known fact: I am a former member of the Village People - The Indian

06-23-2012, 10:12 PM	#6
MarkinAZ Formerly MarkinOR Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Mark Location: Sun City West, AZ Posts: 6,221 Trading: (40)	Re: Espresso Machine recommendation I use a Krups Allegro Espresso Maker that I've had for many years: Makes a great cup of espresso. I don't use the glass container shown. I simply insert my slim 10oz cup underneath and watch it fill up with some nice espresso and crema. Sort of a "triple espresso" you might say... __________________ "Don't worry, God will work out His plan for your life..." Psalm 138 8

06-24-2012, 03:45 AM	#7
emopunker2004 Central Fla rollin Join Date: Jan 2011 First Name: Justin Location: Winter Springs, FL Posts: 6,171 Trading: (46)	Re: Espresso Machine recommendation I know nothing about this one but it's on sale on woot.com today ironically http://home.woot.com/ __________________ Cigar Asylum: Where all are equal, unless you are from CA, then you are more equal.

06-25-2012, 06:26 AM	#8
Blak Smyth Think Blue! Join Date: Jun 2011 First Name: SD Location: THE WOOD Posts: 8,486 Trading: (52)	Re: Espresso Machine recommendation I am currentley looking into the Gaggia Brera Super-auto. A couple people on here have them and "Whole Latte Love" is telling me it is my best bet for the price range. I want a super-auto so I can press a single button in the morning when I am a zombie and have a great espresso, no seperate grinding and tamping and cleaning. __________________ SUPPORT OUR TROOPS

06-25-2012, 06:41 AM	#9
Blak Smyth Think Blue! Join Date: Jun 2011 First Name: SD Location: THE WOOD Posts: 8,486 Trading: (52)	Re: Espresso Machine recommendation Here is a picture and a link $649.00: This may be a better option for you at $568.00 shipped with doser grinder: __________________ SUPPORT OUR TROOPS

06-25-2012, 07:11 AM	#10
GreekGodX Opa!! Join Date: Mar 2009 First Name: Christos Location: 7 Line Posts: 4,893 Trading: (82)	Re: Espresso Machine recommendation I would probably go with that refurbished Jura J6 from the link emopunker posted. Jura makes a great espresso machine. Also there is still a one year warranty even though it is refurbished. __________________ "If I give a businessman 10,000 francs, what is that to him, he is rich. But if I give him a Cohiba cigar, that is style."-Hotel Rwanda

06-30-2012, 12:25 PM	#12
Samsquanch Feeling at Home Join Date: Jun 2010 First Name: Andrew Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 564 Trading: (21)	Re: Espresso Machine recommendation Thanks for all the tips everyone. I have a lot of research and more reading to do but these are some great ideas. __________________ ...I'm not saying I agree with it, it's just that bird law in this country, it's not governed by reason.

07-12-2012, 11:54 PM	#13
never_enough Never Satisfied Join Date: Oct 2011 First Name: Robert Location: MA Posts: 650 Trading: (6)	Re: Espresso Machine recommendation While on vacation I used a nespresso several times and now I'm hooked on espresso's. Now to decide what espresso maker to get. Maybe the Citiz with the aeroccino plus? __________________ Why would I? More like why wouldn't I... Hahaha

07-14-2012, 06:16 AM	#17
htown Feeling at Home Join Date: Dec 2008 First Name: Mike Location: Sugar Land Posts: 877 Trading: (29)	Re: Espresso Machine recommendation This is what I bought a year ago. My wife and I use it on average twice a day, have had no problems, it comes with a pod insert, and it makes a good cup of espresso. http://www.amazon.com/Saeco-00354-Es...keywords=saeco

08-06-2012, 06:04 PM	#18
Mitch Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Espresso Machine recommendation Rancilio Silvia and Rancilio Rocky are great places to start.

09-23-2012, 07:54 AM	#19
363 Infecting Via PM Join Date: May 2012 First Name: Brendon Location: Maryland Posts: 1,773 Trading: (35)	Re: Espresso Machine recommendation this just came up on woot today TODAY'S WOOT Jura J5B Auto Coffee Center $799.99 Refurbished not sure if it is a great deal just thought I'd share __________________ Support our Troops "do NOT put pizza in your briar without letting it cool off Brendon" - Sterns

09-24-2012, 06:10 AM	#20
Mister Moo I barely grok the obvious Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Dan Location: Lizard Lick, NC Posts: 1,417 Trading: (3)	Re: Espresso Machine recommendation If not superauto, don't forget the best brewer is useless without a capable grinder. Grinder really should come first - the better, the better, one for life. __________________ "I hope you had the time of your life."