Looking for a small cappuccino machine for the office

[Isocene]

I don't drink too much coffee but I like cappuccinos. I just came from Europe on vacation and a lot of my friends had mini cappuccino machines they used daily. Anyone have any recommendations on a good below $100 one? Or at least what I need to look for?

I was looking at getting something like this:

Link from Amazon

 

[Descartes]

Honestly, you might be better off with a Moka pot and a separate frother. This machine isn't likely to give you anything resembling a quality cappuccino. The steam power won't be enough to microfoam the milk, so you'll get really thick bubbles and milk that looks like soap; this means that you'll have a huge layer of foam that always sits on top of the espresso. Additionally, the temperature stability of the machine isn't likely to be anything that can produce a consistent espresso. You won't likely be getting anything like this from that machine.

Finally, the grinder will be immensely important no matter what you do. Do not buy preground. If you buy fresh beans and grind them before each pull you'll likely have something that passes as ok or good. Espresso is, unfortunately, rather expensive relative to most preparation methods.

Hope that helps.

 

[Isocene]

haha nice picture!

So. For $100 bucks, what all do I need to get?

 

[Descartes]

Originally posted by: Isocene
haha nice picture!

So. For $100 bucks, what all do I need to get?

Honestly, I don't know how you can do it for $100. I would never try espresso without a grinder, but you're not going to get a grinder and a machine for $100. Your closest bet, in my opinion, would be to buy a Moka pot and a decent burr grinder like a Bodum Antigua. That doesn't get you a cappuccino though, so maybe up your budget to ~$150 and get this machine and the Antigua

My $0.02. It also depends on what quality you're willing to accept. If you're a complete espresso fiend you simply will not be satisfied with what you get for $100.

 

[Isocene]

Honestly I probably can't taste the difference. If it's easy to use and clean that's all I care about. This is for my office and I just want something better than drip coffee. I don't have access to a stove or anything but I have water here and a fridge.

 

[Isocene]

My friend is suggesting I get this. It seems a bit expensive and I need to buy a grinder as well right?

http://www.wholelattelove.com/Gaggia/espresso.cfm