please help me choose an espresso machine

[lovelylulu]

I love espresso. a lot. and have decided to stop giving all of my money to the coffee shop next to my work and invest in a machine of our own.

any recommendations?


thanks

 

[October2008bride]

DH and I have a Nespresso Cube and LOVE LOVE LOVE it. Sure it isn''t the fancy grinding cleaning brewing espresso machine DH originally wanted, but it makes espresso that is just as good, if not better, that is perfectly consistent.

It is a pod system that even espresso purists can be convinced with!

It doesn''t make fancy hot chocolates or anything, just lovely delicious espresso.

Almost no clean up and the machines are reasonably priced. Sure you have to pay for pods, but the machine is significantly cheaper than many of the fancy high end machines.

Another upside is that all Nespresso machines have the same internal mechanism (not sure what the technical terms are) so the cheapest and the most expensive units make the exact same espresso. Only difference is aesthetic and some added features (milk frothing, cup warmers, etc).

Just my 2 cents If you have a nespresso boutique (or a williams sonoma)in your city you can go and they will show you how all of the machines work and try the espresso. Watch out though - once you are hoppped up on caffeine, it is hard to not walk out with a machine under your arm!

 

[karpouzi]

I second the Nespresso! I don''t have one, but I''ve used one a lot, and it makes really wonderful espresso, crema and all. And the pods are about fifty cents apiece, if I remember correctly? Which is comparable to the price of coffee or espresso using quality beans, but much much easier and cleaner.

 

[geckodani]

Do you just want the espresso, or are you looking to make lattes and caps as well?

 

[MichelleCarmen]

Well, we''re from Seattle and superior coffee is a must. . .

The one we have is:
http://www.google.com/products/catalog?sourceid=navclient&oq=&rlz=1T4GGLL_enUS303US303&q=rancilio+silvia+espresso+machine&um=1&ie=UTF-8&cid=16793595925816426566&ei=gEOZS7ufNYXUsQPwmriyBg&sa=X&oi=product_catalog_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CBsQ8wIwAA#ps-sellers


It needs a specific coffee grinder to go with it:
http://www.wholelattelove.com/Rancilio/rockydoserless.cfm

The price of both is crazy, I know, but trust me, you''ll experience the best espresso EVER. Also, we''ve had this machine for 9 years and it''s still in perfect condition.

Maybe you can find a used set-up.

 

[upgrade]

I have the Saeco Spidem Trevi Digital Plus and I love it. But they don''t make that one anymore.

When the time comes to replace it, we''ll probably go with this: http://www.espressotec.com/store/pc/Saeco-Talea-Giro-Plus-II-2p944.htm My sister was trying to buy the one I have, but couldn''t get it so she got this and loves it.

I''ve had cheapy ones before and there''s just no comparison. I love my espresso, but I make a lot of lattes and cappucinos too and my machine can also make an americano so it''s a really good all purpose machine. Mine has a grinder so yu just fill the hopper with beans and you''re ready to roll. My sister''s has the grinder like mine, but also has a bypass where you can you put ground espresso. Great if you have one person drinking decaf and one on regular- you can both use the machine.

 

[Pandora II]

We have a Krups Nespresso.

LOVE IT!

 

[lovelylulu]

thanks for the suggestions so far.

gecko - i mostly drink espresso or americanos, not so much lattes, etc. but I think that I would like to have the option to make them . . .

 

[JulieN]

What is your budget? Do you have a good grinder?

If cut is the most important thing to diamond beauty, your grinder is the most important thing for excellent espresso.

And were you looking for super automatic or semi automatic machines?

 

[fleur-de-lis]

Well, I'll 'fess right up front that I dislike all the in-home-pod systems. Besides the lack of artistry, the stupidity, waste, shipping, and fabrication of millions upon millions of little synthetic pods for the coffee to come from a factory in China to be shipped to another location to be filled before being shipped to the US to be used for two minutes then tossed in the trash so that the plastic and non-recycled aluminum can fulfill its intended destiny of being tossed in a landfill forever peeves me. Two, four pods per household, per day? So over a thousand a year? Times millions of households worldwide? So BILLIONS of little pods go pile up in pits worldwide each year? Really, people? Really? Are we really that close to being the fat, space-bound, cartoon people in "Wall-E"?

(Red-faced, the crazy lady steps down off the soapbox...)

Sorry about that. Oh, and as for great espresso-brewing suggestions,

Date: 3/11/2010 2:26:14 PM
Author: MC
Well, we're from Seattle and superior coffee is a must. . .


The one we have is:

http://www.google.com/products/catalog?sourceid=navclient&oq=&rlz=1T4GGLL_enUS303US303&q=rancilio+silvia+espresso+machine&um=1&ie=UTF-8&cid=16793595925816426566&ei=gEOZS7ufNYXUsQPwmriyBg&sa=X&oi=product_catalog_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CBsQ8wIwAA#ps-sellers



It needs a specific coffee grinder to go with it:

http://www.wholelattelove.com/Rancilio/rockydoserless.cfm


The price of both is crazy, I know, but trust me, you'll experience the best espresso EVER. Also, we've had this machine for 9 years and it's still in perfect condition.


Maybe you can find a used set-up.

MC clearly knows her stuff.

 

[PinkTower]

I have a Nespresso. I use it and the milk frother every day. Espresso for one is too much work for me otherwise, as I have to be at work by 7:30 am.
I just love it.

 

[cara]

I think you want to look at the pricescope for coffee-lovers: Coffee Geek.

But you do need a good grinder, almost more important than espresso machine. Also beware blindly following recommendations from Brits/Europeans. Yes they have some awesome home espresso machines across the pond but they also have higher voltage. Many of the models were not properly redesigned to achieve the proper brewing temps with the lower N. American voltages so a good machine over there may not be as good over here.

 

[October2008bride]

Depending on where you live, Nespresso pods are recyclable.

The one I have can easily make espresso and americanos, but I have the add on milk frother that is insane.

You pour the milk in, press a button and 90 seconds later, voila!


Milk Frother

 

[PinkTower]

Nesresso pods are recyclable. They are aluminum. If you do not live where they are easily recycled, you can order a gadget from outpresso.com.