Does anyone here have an espresso machine?

[pete6032]

What type of machine do you have and how do you like it? What type of drinks are you making and what features do you deem critical?

 

[nakedfrog]

I have a low-end De'Longhi 15 bar pump espresso machine, I'm happy with it. I make espresso, it produces espresso that I'm satisfied with. I've made at least 3,500 cups of it with this machine so far.

 

[WelshBloke]

I have a nespresso notreallyanespresso machine but it makes good enough coffee and it does it quickly. I only ever drink espresso (don't like milk or long hot drinks).
All I want is a machine that makes me a short coffee with as little input from me as possible.
I like to kid myself that nespressos pod recycling scheme actually recycles the aluminium in the pods.

 

[Chaotic42]

I've got an Ascaso Steel DUO. 20A with two heaters, one for the coffee and one for the steam. It's wonderful, but I can't drink coffee anymore, so it's just been sitting. You really need to know what you're doing to make proper espresso - it's a bit of an art. You need to pair it with a proper grinder which has been dialed in for the specific coffee you're working with.

https://ascaso-usa.com/products/ste...etric-conrtroller-dual-thermoblock-120v-black

 

[WelshBloke]

I've got an Ascaso Steel DUO. 20A with two heaters, one for the coffee and one for the steam. It's wonderful, but I can't drink coffee anymore, so it's just been sitting. You really need to know what you're doing to make proper espresso - it's a bit of an art. You need to pair it with a proper grinder which has been dialed in for the specific coffee you're working with.

https://ascaso-usa.com/products/ste...etric-conrtroller-dual-thermoblock-120v-black

Ain't nobody got time for that when you've just dragged yourself out of bed and you need to be in the car in 10 minutes!

That is a beautiful machine though!

 

[quikah]

I have the Breville Barista Express. It works well enough. Decent value, see it on sale often. The built in grinder was a bit of a hassle to get dialed in. Also it really needs a funnel to not get coffee all over the place (I 3D printed one).

I just do Lattes.

 

[herm0016]

Rancilio Silvia Espresso Machine

Take your home espresso to the next level with the classic, beloved Rancilio Silvia Espresso Machine. Learn with one of home baristas' favorite machines and master your espresso brewing and milk frothing for exceptional lattes, flat whites and cappuccinos

www.seattlecoffeegear.com

Rancilio Silvia, older model that I recently rebuilt with new thermostats, heater, gaskets, group head filters, etc. Spent about $300 on parts. also have the matching grinder and knockbox/drawer.

It's a fantastic machine. I bought the setup used in 2020, It was used every day for 10+ years before that, and I use it every day as well. It is totally manual and has no electronics. All the parts are available to repair if needed. the only plastic is a cover on the group head and the nice mechanical switches. Inside you will find cast bronze and stainless. The dial on the front is a magnetic timer. I pull a double americano every weekday morning and may make a latte or mocha or something else on the weekends. My wife steams milk for her tea most days. Once you have it down it's super easy. takes about 3 min. to heat up, another 2 or 3 if you want steam. The steam is quite powerful if you give it a few extra min. I pull about 2 fingers of espresso in my coffee cup and top up with hot water or steamed milk. I have done all the experimenting with weight and time and find i get the most consistent cup by watching the volume of water.

I expect it to last another 15 to 20 years on my recent rebuild. We are on a well, but have a great water treatment setup including RO for drinking, so it does not get scaled up.

if you are looking for some fantastic usa made dishware, all the cups pictured are from https://lail.design/ We have a cabinet full of Brad's dishware and it's held up fantastic and we get compliments on it all the time from our guests.

 

[herm0016]

I've got an Ascaso Steel DUO. 20A with two heaters, one for the coffee and one for the steam. It's wonderful, but I can't drink coffee anymore, so it's just been sitting. You really need to know what you're doing to make proper espresso - it's a bit of an art. You need to pair it with a proper grinder which has been dialed in for the specific coffee you're working with.

https://ascaso-usa.com/products/ste...etric-conrtroller-dual-thermoblock-120v-black

looks like a cool machine! I could be convinced to go for a pid controller with something like this if I get more into it.

 

[repoman0]

I have the Breville Barista Express. It works well enough. Decent value, see it on sale often. The built in grinder was a bit of a hassle to get dialed in. Also it really needs a funnel to not get coffee all over the place (I 3D printed one).

I just do Lattes.

This is what I have too. I spent years agonizing over what fancy machine to buy and then my wife bought me this one. It makes extremely good espresso and cappuccino honestly, have thousands of double shots through it now. The built in grinder is way better if you skip the timer for measuring out beans and use a scale to get a consistent 17-20g (depending on the beans) and get one of those 3D printed bellows hoppers to get all the grinds through. They also come with funnels now and are sold separately for older machines.

I'll upgrade when/if it dies but see no need to upgrade before then.

Different beans are fun to try and are just as or more important as the machine itself. I buy online 5-10 pounds at a time from a local roaster called George Howell, really nice selection.