Espresso maker question

[Panakk]

I am shopping between these two. What are your thoughts? What do you guys use?

Saeco


Gaggia

 

[Descartes]

Any chance you can bump up your budget a few hundred? If so, you could get a Silvia. The boiler capacity on those machines is miserable and so too will be the temperature stability. Temperature is of extreme importance in espresso. The Silvia is a well-established machine that can produce a great espresso.

If you can't, I'd probably get the Gaggia, but I haven't looked over either completely. Also be sure not to skimp on the grinder.

 

[lozina]

I have owned this one: http://www.coffeegeek.com/reviews/commercial/nuova_simonelli_oscar for almsot 2 years now. What a great machine.

Churns out endless steam whenever you want for the cappuccino lovers while the espressos have a rich layer of delicious crema.

It's a bit pricey yeah but it's built to last.

Between those two I am really not sure which might be better. Try looking them up on that web site I linked to see the reviews they got

 

[nakedfrog]

Originally posted by: Descartes
Any chance you can bump up your budget a few hundred? If so, you could get a Silvia. The boiler capacity on those machines is miserable and so too will be the temperature stability. Temperature is of extreme importance in espresso. The Silvia is a well-established machine that can produce a great espresso.

If you can't, I'd probably get the Gaggia, but I haven't looked over either completely. Also be sure not to skimp on the grinder.

What do you think of this one?
My fiance's sister insists that we register for gifts for our wedding, I was thinking about putting that on there.

 

[Descartes]

Originally posted by: nakedfrog

Originally posted by: Descartes
Any chance you can bump up your budget a few hundred? If so, you could get a Silvia. The boiler capacity on those machines is miserable and so too will be the temperature stability. Temperature is of extreme importance in espresso. The Silvia is a well-established machine that can produce a great espresso.

If you can't, I'd probably get the Gaggia, but I haven't looked over either completely. Also be sure not to skimp on the grinder.

What do you think of this one?
My fiance's sister insists that we register for gifts for our wedding, I was thinking about putting that on there.

Personally, I'd never buy a superauto for espresso. There are numerous reasons why, but the ultimate problem is that they do everything mediocre: Grinding, tamping, temperature, dosing, etc. etc. It's great in that it automates the process for you of course, but the quality won't compare to what you can accomplish on your own. The downside to doing it yourself is gaining the knowledge and spending a little additional time for each espresso.

Having said that, Saeco generally makes a pretty solid machine.

 

[nakedfrog]

Originally posted by: Descartes

Originally posted by: nakedfrog

Originally posted by: Descartes
Any chance you can bump up your budget a few hundred? If so, you could get a Silvia. The boiler capacity on those machines is miserable and so too will be the temperature stability. Temperature is of extreme importance in espresso. The Silvia is a well-established machine that can produce a great espresso.

If you can't, I'd probably get the Gaggia, but I haven't looked over either completely. Also be sure not to skimp on the grinder.

What do you think of this one?
My fiance's sister insists that we register for gifts for our wedding, I was thinking about putting that on there.

Personally, I'd never buy a superauto for espresso. There are numerous reasons why, but the ultimate problem is that they do everything mediocre: Grinding, tamping, temperature, dosing, etc. etc. It's great in that it automates the process for you of course, but the quality won't compare to what you can accomplish on your own. The downside to doing it yourself is gaining the knowledge and spending a little additional time for each espresso.

Having said that, Saeco generally makes a pretty solid machine.

My current espresso machine is a cheap Melitta

 

[destrekor]

Originally posted by: nakedfrog

Originally posted by: Descartes

Originally posted by: nakedfrog

Originally posted by: Descartes
Any chance you can bump up your budget a few hundred? If so, you could get a Silvia. The boiler capacity on those machines is miserable and so too will be the temperature stability. Temperature is of extreme importance in espresso. The Silvia is a well-established machine that can produce a great espresso.

If you can't, I'd probably get the Gaggia, but I haven't looked over either completely. Also be sure not to skimp on the grinder.

What do you think of this one?
My fiance's sister insists that we register for gifts for our wedding, I was thinking about putting that on there.

Personally, I'd never buy a superauto for espresso. There are numerous reasons why, but the ultimate problem is that they do everything mediocre: Grinding, tamping, temperature, dosing, etc. etc. It's great in that it automates the process for you of course, but the quality won't compare to what you can accomplish on your own. The downside to doing it yourself is gaining the knowledge and spending a little additional time for each espresso.

Having said that, Saeco generally makes a pretty solid machine.

My current espresso machine is a cheap Melitta

better than my Hamilton Beach that is sitting in the basement at my home. Can't put it to any use here in the dorm room.
however, it did do the trick... mainly the grinder, a Rancilio, really helped the overall product. However, the Hamilton Beach easily outperforms anything in its price range but I can guarantee it does not have a large boiler capacity or stable temps, but for $70 I didn't expect that. It does, however, have a standard portafilter size.

 

[LeiZaK]

I have a Gaggia Evolution, which uses the same boiler and most internals as the one you posted. I've been using it almost daily for a year now.

Works great, had to give it a thorough cleaning a couple times. My only complaint is that it sometimes doesn't have enough steam to fully steam/froth the milk and I have to wait for it to heat back up. Also, it is starting to leak a bit like a seal is beginning to give way.

A side note, I also have the Gaggia MDF burr grinder. A burr grinder is a must if you are getting serious about espresso.

 

[Panakk]

bump

 

[mrrman]

delonghi, capresso

 

[dmcgough]

At work we have a Saeco Royale and a Lazzo not sure the model. They're both quite nice with the Saeco being the obvious winner in terms of versatility. The Lazzo makes good quality espresso.

 

[Panakk]

I did a little more researching on coffeegeek and wholelattelove and decided that eventhough i want the silvia for its brass boiler that has huge capacity, i will stick with the gaggia from costco just for the return policy and it's also $250 cheaper.