I wanna make espresso at home

[Soybomb]

Hey all, I've been drinking a little more coffee lately and I think I finally need to start making my own espresso at home. The problem is I have really no idea what to get. Will a $30 machine from target do or will I really want something better? Among other things it looks like there is a great differene in the pressures the machines work at. The really cheap ones don't even list it, the somewhat more expensive ones seem to be like 4-8 bars pressure, and the higher end ones seem to be closer to 15 bars pressure. Of course the machines that cost as much as a car are flat out. Do I really want to spend the extra money on a burr grinder? For that matter what should I even look for in beans?

Your sage guidance will help me be sure I make a palatable cup of espresso my first time and will be greatly appreciated.

 

[iroast]

If you're serious about coffee, get a roaster and roast your own coffee. Then you can use an Aeropress http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/P/B...8EY1C._SS400_SCLZZZZZZZ_V40632488_.jpg to make your coffee.

OR

You can order from Gevalia. Free coffee machine http://www.gevalia.com/Gevalia/continui...l/gift.aspx?mv=g&ccd=1008-abanlys_1204

 

[SagaLore]

A $30 machine from Target will do fine. I bought a Mr. Coffee espresso maker, and I love it. I make 4 shots of espresso every morning, and add some clear vanilla syrup, caramel syrup (the kind you put on icecream), and half and half. Its pretty close to a Starbucks Caramel Macchiato, except I'm not using milk so its a little stronger tasting.

 

[djheater]

Cheap home machines don't have the pressure to make a good espresso. For reviews of all things coffee. Go to coffeegeek.com

 

[hytek369]

Originally posted by: djheater
Cheap home machines don't have the pressure to make a good espresso. For reviews of all things coffee. Go to coffeegeek.com

thats true, price does make a big diff

 

[mundane]

I'm in a similar situation - we were given an espresso machine, but in the dark as to how to achieve the best results. I'm left with the impression you should use finely-ground coffee, but don't know if the most economical (cheapest) route is to a) Purchase espresso coffee b) Buy a 'burr' grinder and whole beans or c) re-grind (with the burr grinder) purchased cofee into a finer granularity. I'll check out the coffee geek website, thanks.

 

[Soybomb]

How much do I need to be considering spending then to get the start of decent quality? I see pump and steam machines. The pump machines are available in many different pressure ratings. The higher the max pressure the more they cost with the 150 psi ones being like $150-200 usually it seems.

 

[nakedfrog]

You can get a Melitta burr grinder for $20 at Target.
I have a cheaper Melitta espresso machine, like $30-40 and it produces acceptable results. This december it will have been going strong for three years.

 

[imported_Section8]

I have a $40 Krupps version (5 years + old) and a $12 Krupps grinder. I use expresso beans from the grocery store and people I serve expresso and cappaccino to say it is as good as coffee shop made. Tip - Use good water and grind the beans very fine. I like mine with a fresh lemon peel rubbed on the rim of the cup.

 

[everman]

Go to Coffeegeek.com. Their forums have answers to every question you might ask.

Machine: best "cheap" machine would be a gaggia, like the gaggia espresso or gaggia coffee. They both go for around $300. They have commercial size 58mm portafilters and generally are the best low end machine.

Grinder: This is more important than the machine. The favorite for value is the cunnil tranquilo which goes for about $200.

Beans: there is no such thing as an "espresso bean". Just use coffee beans that have been roasted less than 2 weeks ago, less than a week ago is best (3-5 days is about perfect).

If you want a higher end setup, try chriscoffee.com, they have one of the best, if not the best reputation as far as retailers go.

Personally I have a Rancillio Silvia (with PID modification) and Mazzer Mini grinder, and roast my own beans bought from sweetmarias.com

 

[iamme]

you're not going to get quality espresso from a $30 machine from Target....even if the box says "espresso"

in addition to coffeegeek.com, check out wholelattelove.com for tons of user reviews, videos, etc.

prepare to spend $200-300 minimum. also, you can try craigslist.org or local ebay sales for used ones.

 

[jadinolf]

Originally posted by: nakedfrog
You can get a Melitta burr grinder for $20 at Target.
I have a cheaper Melitta espresso machine, like $30-40 and it produces acceptable results. This december it will have been going strong for three years.

I also have the $30 Melitta from Target. Purists would probably poo poo it but I have been happy with it for years.

 

[ultravox]

Originally posted by: everman
Go to Coffeegeek.com. Their forums have answers to every question you might ask.

Machine: best "cheap" machine would be a gaggia, like the gaggia espresso or gaggia coffee. They both go for around $300. They have commercial size 58mm portafilters and generally are the best low end machine.

Grinder: This is more important than the machine. The favorite for value is the cunnil tranquilo which goes for about $200.

Beans: there is no such thing as an "espresso bean". Just use coffee beans that have been roasted less than 2 weeks ago, less than a week ago is best (3-5 days is about perfect).

If you want a higher end setup, try chriscoffee.com, they have one of the best, if not the best reputation as far as retailers go.

Personally I have a Rancillio Silvia (with PID modification) and Mazzer Mini grinder, and roast my own beans bought from sweetmarias.com

AHH .someone who knows the ropes and appreciates a good machine and a good cup od coffee.
The makes you mention are indeed top of the line machines. I have hadonly 2 machines in my life so buying a good machine is an important investment and it should last a long time. You can replace the pumps if needed. My last machine was replaced only because after 18 years the metal body had rusted through and was beginning to stain the counter.

Another good brand is saeco. I was fortunate enough to stumble upon a half price liquidation sale for their top of the line machine. You just put whole coffee beans in the hopper and push the button. It will grind just the right amount of coffee and infuse it correctly each time. You can even program the machine for cup size. It's a big investment but probably he last coffee machine I will ever buy.

This is the model I have ....http://www.amazon.com/Saeco-Digital-Sup...atic-Espresso-Cappuccino/dp/B00005LVWS

 

[imported_vr6]

hymm more ways to get caffeine... might have to investigate more.

 

[Skeeedunt]

Steam machines are usually junk (tastes vary of course, some people are obviously happy with theirs ). I'm pleased with the $200 (Krups I think?) pump machine I got ages ago.

Originally posted by: everman
Grinder: This is more important than the machine. The favorite for value is the cunnil tranquilo which goes for about $200.

Seriously? That much better than a $50 grinder?

 

[ultravox]

While we're on the subject of coffee I want to dispel a popular misconception. Many people think that because espresso tastes so strong that it must contain a maximum amount of caffeine. Not true......it tastes strong because the beans are roasted more than a regular coffee. In fact, there is more caffeine in your run of the mill Maxwell house than in any "gourmet" coffee. The large coffee brands such as Folgers and Maxwell house typically buy the cheapest beans available because they are dealing with a tartget price and competition.
Anybody who is looking to buy some Blue Mountain isn't about to quibble over a dollar either way.
There is also no such thing as an Espresson coffee bean. Each rottiserie has it's own recipe for espresso and it could contain many different types of beans.
After extensive research and testing, my favourite blend is half black colombian with half brown arabica. I have even tried the blue mountain and really can't see why people would spend such a ridiculous amount on a coffee that is no better than what I mentioned earlier.

Different strokes ...

 

[ultravox]

Originally posted by: vr6
hymm more ways to get caffeine... might have to investigate more.

I'm not familiar with those brands of grinders but I do know that many so called grinders are actually blenders sold as coffee grinders. A real grinder crushes the bean rather than slicing it up into a powder.

 

[mrrman]

I have gone through the ranks in espresso machines from cheap to the one I have now...I currently have the Delonghi Magnifica and have no regrets...well worth the $500...this machine does everything and I love it

 

[thirdlegstump]

I'm >< close to getting this one:

http://products.saeco.com/index.asp?id_lingua=ENG&id_paese=7

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0007S5PAU/yahoo-kitchen-20/ref=nosim

 

[ultravox]

In my neck of the woods the only Delonghi they sell is an el-cheapo $75 machine. No pump just a steam powered one.

Deathkoba ....overkill but nice none the less.
I have a friend who owns a coffee import/rotisserie as well as operating a small coffeeshop wher he sells machines. He has used a saeco digital like mine in his shop for over 2 years ....hasn't missed a beat yet. They sell for over 1k here but as I said I got mine half price.

 

[iamme]

here's a $200 machine ($175 at amazon right now) that seems to be a great starter machine:

Gaggia Carezza

http://www.coffeegeek.com/proreviews/firstlook/carezza

 

[ultravox]

Gaggia is a good brand....if I'm not mistaken I think it was a Mr. Gaggia that invented the espresso machine.

 

[DainBramaged]

My friend used the Philips Senseo. That thing made an awesome cup of coffee, though I don't like the idea of "pods."

 

[everman]

Originally posted by: DainBramaged
My friend used the Philips Senseo. That thing made an awesome cup of coffee, though I don't like the idea of "pods."

The problem with pods is that they're never fresh and of course already ground. The very best cup of traditional coffee comes from a press pot (in my opinion). Of course fresh beans ground just before brewing is key. I love Ethiopian Yirgacheffe like this.

Vac Pot coffee is supposed to be very good, a much "cleaner" cup. Unfortunately I've never used one, I hope to pick one up this year though.

 

[Soybomb]

Well after reading a bit today I think I'm going to get a gaggia espresso and either the tranquilo or rocky grinder (the rocky looks far far far better).
after adding in some cups, a tamper, a pitcher, a couple pounds of coffee, etc I should be able to get started for under $500 still.