What is a decent espresso machine for not a lot of money?

[JulesMaximus]

I just bought a Krups yesterday but I'm returning it today because it is missing a piece for the frothing attachment and it jams up too easily.

This is the piece of crap I have now. Looking for something in the $200-250 range at most...if possible.

Edit-I exchanged the Krups for the same model earlier today and guess what...this one looked like it had been used for a good month or so and returned. There was build up on the bottom of the filter basket like you wouldn't believe so I returned yet another of the same model and complained about it. They were going to give me 20% off any other model in the store but I didn't recognize any of their other brands from my research so I just asked for a full refund.

I'm increasing my budget to include a grinder and possible going up to $350 on the espresso machine.

 

[abaez]

I have a nespresso essenza.. makes some great espresso the only thing is that you are limited to their little packets, which are about 50 cents each. Otherwise its great and gets good reviews.

 

[OdiN]

I used a Krups quite a bit and it worked fine.

Shit...I mean:

.. / ..- ... . -.. / .- / -.- .-. ..- .--. ... / --.- ..- .. - . / .- / -... .. - / .- -. -.. / .. - / .-- --- .-. -.- . -.. / ..-. .. -. . /

 

[Dunbar]

The low end Gaggia machinesare highly regarded on the coffee boards. The more expensive Gaggias don't necesarily make better espresso but have more features. A decent grinder is a must for espresso, plan to spend at least $150 on something like a Capresoo Infinity. I just bought the $230 Cunill Tranqiulo which is a full sized burr grinder (and some people spend a lot more.)

 

[everman]

The Gaggias are great. There are several around $200 with different names but they're all basically the same except for the exterior. They use full size commercial portafilters and can truly make real espresso. However, you must get a good grinder, I can not emphasize that enough; expect to pay around $200 for something like the tranquilo (it's the best value out there, built like a tank). And finally you'll need a tamper (around $20), and use fresh beans.

Check out coffeegeek.com

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: everman
The Gaggias are great. There are several around $200 with different names but they're all basically the same except for the exterior. They use full size commercial portafilters and can truly make real espresso. However, you must get a good grinder, I can not emphasize that enough; expect to pay around $200 for something like the tranquilo (it's the best value out there, built like a tank). And finally you'll need a tamper (around $20), and use fresh beans.

Check out coffeegeek.com

Thanks. I've been researching this a bit today and found out pretty much what you said in your post. I'm going to order a Gaggia and get a quality burr grinder. The Krups is going back to BB&B.

I do love good espresso.

 

[RossMAN]

I'm tempted to buy this but I need to do more research first:

http://www.costco.com/Browse/P...t.aspx?Prodid=11256614

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: RossMAN
I'm tempted to buy this but I need to do more research first:

http://www.costco.com/Browse/P...t.aspx?Prodid=11256614

I would buy this right now if they had it in stock.

 

[RossMAN]

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus

Originally posted by: RossMAN
I'm tempted to buy this but I need to do more research first:

http://www.costco.com/Browse/P...t.aspx?Prodid=11256614

I would buy this right now if they had it in stock.

I'm looking for the best $400 super automatic which can make a latte a day with minimal cleanup.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: RossMAN

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus

Originally posted by: RossMAN
I'm tempted to buy this but I need to do more research first:

http://www.costco.com/Browse/P...t.aspx?Prodid=11256614

I would buy this right now if they had it in stock.

I'm looking for the best $400 super automatic which can make a latte a day with minimal cleanup.

I love cappuccino...I've been ordering them lately and want to be able to make them myself to avoid the expensive coffee shops. I had a cheap $50 Krups before and it was okay but not near the quality of a decent coffee shop. I used it almost daily just to froth milk for my wife, she likes Chai tea lattes, and to make my "coffeeccinos" but they don't compare.

 

[AlienCraft]

Originally posted by: RossMAN

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus

Originally posted by: RossMAN
I'm tempted to buy this but I need to do more research first:

http://www.costco.com/Browse/P...t.aspx?Prodid=11256614

I would buy this right now if they had it in stock.

I'm looking for the best $400 super automatic which can make a latte a day with minimal cleanup.

I'll do it.
For $400.00 / day , tell you what, I'll do three latte's a day for you, and clean up.
< believes in a simple approach to espresso.

 

[RossMAN]

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus

Originally posted by: RossMAN

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus

Originally posted by: RossMAN
I'm tempted to buy this but I need to do more research first:

http://www.costco.com/Browse/P...t.aspx?Prodid=11256614

I would buy this right now if they had it in stock.

I'm looking for the best $400 super automatic which can make a latte a day with minimal cleanup.

I love cappuccino...I've been ordering them lately and want to be able to make them myself to avoid the expensive coffee shops. I had a cheap $50 Krups before and it was okay but not near the quality of a decent coffee shop. I used it almost daily just to froth milk for my wife, she likes Chai tea lattes, and to make my "coffeeccinos" but they don't compare.

I spend about $80/mo for one 16 ounce flavored latte a day. If I had my own Espresso machine I'd break even after a few months.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: RossMAN

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus

Originally posted by: RossMAN

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus

Originally posted by: RossMAN
I'm tempted to buy this but I need to do more research first:

http://www.costco.com/Browse/P...t.aspx?Prodid=11256614

I would buy this right now if they had it in stock.

I'm looking for the best $400 super automatic which can make a latte a day with minimal cleanup.

I love cappuccino...I've been ordering them lately and want to be able to make them myself to avoid the expensive coffee shops. I had a cheap $50 Krups before and it was okay but not near the quality of a decent coffee shop. I used it almost daily just to froth milk for my wife, she likes Chai tea lattes, and to make my "coffeeccinos" but they don't compare.

I spend about $80/mo for one 16 ounce flavored latte a day. If I had my own Espresso machine I'd break even after a few months.

I've been buying a few a week (only one from shurbucks recently) and I really enjoy them. I enjoy coffee in the morning but the flavors in espresso are so much better. I'd give up coffee for a well prepared cappuccino or two everyday.

 

[everman]

Originally posted by: RossMAN

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus

Originally posted by: RossMAN
I'm tempted to buy this but I need to do more research first:

http://www.costco.com/Browse/P...t.aspx?Prodid=11256614

I would buy this right now if they had it in stock.

I'm looking for the best $400 super automatic which can make a latte a day with minimal cleanup.

Super autos don't do well at all, that gaggia paired with a proper grinder will do better than a super auto that costs 10x as much. There is a learning curve, but it's not too much of one. Personally I've always approached espresso as a hobby, so I enjoy taking the time to make it.

 

[ponyo]

Originally posted by: everman

Originally posted by: RossMAN

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus

Originally posted by: RossMAN
I'm tempted to buy this but I need to do more research first:

http://www.costco.com/Browse/P...t.aspx?Prodid=11256614

I would buy this right now if they had it in stock.

I'm looking for the best $400 super automatic which can make a latte a day with minimal cleanup.

Super autos don't do well at all, that gaggia paired with a proper grinder will do better than a super auto that costs 10x as much. There is a learning curve, but it's not too much of one. Personally I've always approached espresso as a hobby, so I enjoy taking the time to make it.

So these super autos are not worth it? I'm looking for an easy and quick solution because I figure the easier it is, the more I'll use it. I was looking at the same one RossMan was looking at but if it's terrible, I don't want it for that price. I'm pretty much complete espresso noob so I'm willing to trade little bit of quality to gain lot of convenience. Same goes for cost.

 

[Descartes]

Originally posted by: Naustica

Originally posted by: everman

Originally posted by: RossMAN

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus

Originally posted by: RossMAN
I'm tempted to buy this but I need to do more research first:

http://www.costco.com/Browse/P...t.aspx?Prodid=11256614

I would buy this right now if they had it in stock.

I'm looking for the best $400 super automatic which can make a latte a day with minimal cleanup.

Super autos don't do well at all, that gaggia paired with a proper grinder will do better than a super auto that costs 10x as much. There is a learning curve, but it's not too much of one. Personally I've always approached espresso as a hobby, so I enjoy taking the time to make it.

So these super autos are not worth it? I'm looking for an easy and quick solution because I figure the easier it is, the more I'll use it. I was looking at the same one RossMan was looking at but if it's terrible, I don't want it for that price. I'm pretty much complete espresso noob so I'm willing to trade little bit of quality to gain lot of convenience. Same goes for cost.

As everman said, approaching it from more of a hobby perspective is best. If you're not prepared for that investment, then a superauto might actually be for you.

That said, the Saeco machine linked above won't come close to approaching what you can achieve with a proper machine, grinder and understanding of espresso preparation. Based on your requirements though, the superauto is probably closer to what you're wanting. They do make reasonable drinks provided you have fresh beans.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: everman

Originally posted by: RossMAN

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus

Originally posted by: RossMAN
I'm tempted to buy this but I need to do more research first:

http://www.costco.com/Browse/P...t.aspx?Prodid=11256614

I would buy this right now if they had it in stock.

I'm looking for the best $400 super automatic which can make a latte a day with minimal cleanup.

Super autos don't do well at all, that gaggia paired with a proper grinder will do better than a super auto that costs 10x as much. There is a learning curve, but it's not too much of one. Personally I've always approached espresso as a hobby, so I enjoy taking the time to make it.

I'm willing to approach it from this perspective. Hell, I bake my own bread...without a bread maker.

 

[oiprocs]

Doesn't coffee make you all jittery and stuff, or something like that if you've drunk it for long enough?

I mean, if you had a cup or two each day for 5 years, and then stopped, would it be hard to get through the day?

 

[everman]

Originally posted by: Oiprocs
Doesn't coffee make you all jittery and stuff, or something like that if you've drunk it for long enough?

I mean, if you had a cup or two each day for 5 years, and then stopped, would it be hard to get through the day?

It seems to depend on the person, and it's not "coffee" itself but the caffeine it contains. I don't get caffeine withdrawals, but I know someone who drinks a lot of red bull and will get withdrawal headaches without caffeine.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: Oiprocs
Doesn't coffee make you all jittery and stuff, or something like that if you've drunk it for long enough?

I mean, if you had a cup or two each day for 5 years, and then stopped, would it be hard to get through the day?

Not me. I drink a cup or so in the morning but that's it for the day. I've gone without before and even quit drinking coffee altogether a couple times.