espresso machine

[Aleks]

Hi guys....I'm looking around for a decent entry level espresso machine.....Price dependant on features, and I'm picky about it not being a "thermoblock" unit. Do any of you guys have one? Or any recommendations?

[stefan]

Re: espresso machine

If you are in to the more manual ones: I have an old Gaggia machine. Its manual.. no one button coffee. Its Italian made, and pretty tough. Its probably 15 years old now.. but still strong. Not sure if you can still get this brand here, but a close equivalent would probably be a Rancilio Sylvia. Also, the Rancilio Rocky is a pretty sweet grinder, I have one of these and its probably ground a tonne of coffee by now without skipping a beat.

http://www.mrcappuccino.com

I have this
http://www.zuccariniltd.com/gaggia_coffee.html
and this
http://www.mrcappuccino.com/home.htm

only both are white, and more 80's-esque

[LiQuus]

Re: espresso machine

http://www.illyusa.com/AB1666000/web...?WebPage_ID=75

best machines out there

[Kor]

Re: espresso machine

Hey I did a TON of research into this, like about 3 or 4 months worth.

Here is an article to read to start you off:

http://coffeegeek.com/guides/howtobu...miautomachines



Do you want a semi/auto machine? Or something like a super automatic?

Do you have a grinder, or use pre-ground coffee, or want the grinder to be built in?

How much do you want to spend?

...

Most home-espresso aficionados will tell you that buying a decent burr grinder is more important than the machine and that you should spend the same on your grinder as you do on your machine, if not more.

If you want a semiauto machine:

A lot of people seem to say that the Rancilio Silva is the best semi/auto machine for the money and they cost around $550-$600



A slightly better machine still would be an Isomac Venus which would probably be $650+



A slightly cheaper machine would be a Le'Lit PL-041 or Nemox Fenice which would be around $450 I think.




A slightly cheaper machine than that would be something like a Gaggia Classic which would be maybe $400 I think.



IMO the Gaggia Classic is maybe as cheap as I would go for a semi/auto machine. However, there are other decent machines out there too, your mileage may vary.

One machine that is actually OK when its on sale is the new one at Starbucks, the Sirena I think its called. They used to be like $700 but I have seen them for as little as $350 on sale here in Calgary lately. For that price, its a good machine, it has auto-tamping which you don't get in most semi-auto machines. I am not sure about how long they last but it makes a nice cup and its easy to operate and looks good.



If you want a super automatic, do NOT buy those $400 special ones they have at Costco sometimes, they will break down in no time and make a bad coffee anyway. I think if you want a super automatic that will automatically grind and tamp and pour you a shot with the press of a button, you need to spend at LEAST $800


If you want a good grinder I can recommend some too.

[Kor]

Re: espresso machine

Also just to note, Stefan has a good setup it looks like, a nice grinder and a Gaggia Classic?

That would be a good way to go.

On a really tight budget, buy a Gaggia Classic on sale and also buy something like a Cunill Tranquillo grinder, its one of the best priced grinders.

[Aleks]

Re: espresso machine

Manual is all good for me, I use a stovetop cooker right now so its not like its any harder! I also want to avoid all the automation, I want a simple sturdy good machine that has a useful steam nozzle.....Thanks for all the info so far!

[stefan]

Re: espresso machine

Mine is a Gaggia "Coffee" from about 15+ years ago, which looks almost identical to the current "Classic".... It's getting old enough, its a classic either way. I'm just impressed how well it's held up. I probably average 3-4 cups a day out of it for the last 3 years, and before that it was my dads for 10+ years doing a probably more then that a day. I think the pump on it may have been replaced once.

The ones with a brass boiler are preferable to those with aluminum boilers. Aluminum can get pitted over time, especially if you run the wrong de-scaler through it.

Most of the good ones are serviceable too, so if a pump, or solenoid goes, its no biggie to fix.

Burr Grinder is defiantly a nice thing to have. Much nicer result the the ones with the blade that whips around. I've opened mine up (which is also a hand-me-down), and the grinder rings still have lot of life after heaps of beans. They are a little pricey though.

[Kor]

Re: espresso machine

Yeah I wanted the same thing you want I think, a machine that is built like a tank and will last for years, all stainless no plastic and good sturdy internals too. I think any of the ones above would be good if they are in your budget. The Gaggias aren't too hard to find even in Canada.

[stefan]

Re: espresso machine

oh, make sure you britta your water that runs through it. they last way longer, and rarely need de-scaling if you do. Not to mention tastier coffee.

**geese.. looking closer, i think my stuff is closer to 20-25 years old.

[Aleks]

Re: espresso machine

I only use bottled water through my current machine (I know, still has some minerals...)....

Where would i find these locally? I'm not being lazy....I can get Saeca's at Starbucks, and they don't seem to bad......I'm love to find a good deal, nothing in any of the papers, and ebay has been a dissapointment so far.....

[stefan]

Re: espresso machine

Mr Cappuccino was good, haven't gone in there for several years now. Just bring in some prices from good online sources... i think there is pretty big mark-up on these guys, so any bargaining power is useful.

[blackradon]

Re: espresso machine

all of the machines Kor brought up are good...hit up the cappuccino king on 23 ave N.E calgary is a good place. plus the guy who works there is a VW guy, lol. I bought a machine from them. Very nice guy, and gets good prices and awesome machines.

[Kor]

Re: espresso machine

There are also several places in Canada that would ship you a machine cheaply and support it well if you had any problems. West coast in particular has a huge coffee community, Vancouver and Victoria.

http://www.greenbeanery.ca/bean/cata...oducts_id=4112

http://www.espressotec.com/store/pc/...0&idproduct=27

[Kor]

Re: espresso machine

Here is a review of the Le Lit

http://www.coffeecrew.com/content/view/168/27/

[Canadian Turbo]

Re: espresso machine

Just make sure you run Illy in it when you get the machine.....ummm Illy