Jimbroni Posted December 7, 2004 Share Posted December 7, 2004 My wifes been hinting at an espresso maker for a while. I would like to get here one as well as something else failry nice so I don't want to spend more than $200 possibly $250. Does anyone around here know a thing or two about espresso machines? Because I have no idea of what to look for in an espresso machine. Thanks. Together all sing their different songs in union - the Uni-verse. My Current Project Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gabriel E. Posted December 7, 2004 Share Posted December 7, 2004 Home espresso machines don't usually have big enough boilers to provide the pressure and heat that good espresso and milk foam require. Look into a used commercial unit. Since restaurants are always closing, you can usually find them for a few hundred clams. "You never can vouch for your own consciousness." - Norman Mailer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
where02190 Posted December 7, 2004 Share Posted December 7, 2004 If it's espresso she wants to make get her a french press. http://www.npstudios.com/pics/NECC.jpg Simpler than any of the expresso machines, and IMHO far better flavor. I also agree with the previous poster, except for utra high priced commercial machines, the comsumer machines don't build enough pressure to properly make coffee. Hope this is helpful. NP Recording Studios Analog approach to digital recording. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spokenward Posted December 7, 2004 Share Posted December 7, 2004 This Starbucks machine is usually discounted in December (less than 400 but more than 300): Starbucks Barista® Espresso Machine Basic Black, Bright Red, Graphite Gray, Leafy Green, Navy Blue, Sunshine Yellow or Arctic White $399* http://www.starbucks.com/retail/images/detail_baristaItalia.jpg It's pretty good, they all take require time to master. They also require a burr grinder another 100 - 120 USD. Selecting the right grind will make a substantial improvement in the quality of your coffee product. Gaggia has some mid-level machines that are pretty well reviewed but they don't have anything like the distribution that the Starbucks machines have. Do not buy a Krups. Just keep walking. Don't forget - Starbucks may be willing to open a store in your basement - they have an agressive expansion plan. www.coffeegeek.com seems pretty informative. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe Cole Posted December 7, 2004 Share Posted December 7, 2004 You have to differentiate between esspresso and cappuccino. Esspresso is boiled water forced through a steel filter of dark finely ground coffee. No high pressure needed here. A cappuccino is the same coffee mix with frothed milk. You can get a stove top esspresso machine for about $50. That is how we make it at home in the old country. Trust me, common folk old italians (the ones who actual still speak italian) would not spend $1000 to make their morning coffee. As far as cappuccino, the guys above are right, most consumer machnes are a let down. I have a Krups that was around $100 that does an ok job. Happy hunting There is no substitute. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
djwayne Posted December 7, 2004 Share Posted December 7, 2004 Here's a picture of a stovetop espresso maker like mine. It makes great coffee !!...... http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=38252&item=4341919039& rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW Living' in the shadow, of someone else's dream.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coyote Posted December 7, 2004 Share Posted December 7, 2004 Here's what I use. Makes wonderful espresso and great cappucino: LINK TO KRUPS NOVO http://www.krups.com/img/int/products/225x225/FNC2.jpg I used to think I was Libertarian. Until I saw their platform; now I know I'm no more Libertarian than I am RepubliCrat or neoCON or Liberal or Socialist. This ain't no track meet; this is football. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
urk10 Posted December 7, 2004 Share Posted December 7, 2004 http://www.coffeegeek.com/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anderton Posted December 7, 2004 Share Posted December 7, 2004 I'm no coffee expert, but got the Mr. Coffee one on sale for $30. Surprisingly, it does the milk foam thang really well...how it works is you put in more water than you actually need for the coffee. It boils, and after it fills the carafe, you go to "steam mode." The remaining water continues to boil, and drives steam out through an arm into the milk. It's probably not very hip nor would it impress people, but it works and if it breaks, no big deal given the cost. Craig Anderton Educational site: http://www.craiganderton.org Music: http://www.youtube.com/thecraiganderton Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/craig_anderton Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coyote Posted December 7, 2004 Share Posted December 7, 2004 Having seen spokenward's comentary, I just read the reviews on the Krups. They all say the thing leaks; in adition, one or two mention that the first couple of cups come out less-than-fully-brewed. I experienced the watery thing on the first couple cups. But with a couple uses, the heating element came alive and now it brews wonderfully. As to the 'leaky' comment - it's a unit that works UNDER PRESSURE!!! Who would be moronic enough to not turn the handle til it's tight? What, just because of a silkscreened line on a piece of plastic?? When are people gonna learn to think for themselves? It's a great, reliable machine that makes delicious espresso & cappucino. Well worth the $$$. I used to think I was Libertarian. Until I saw their platform; now I know I'm no more Libertarian than I am RepubliCrat or neoCON or Liberal or Socialist. This ain't no track meet; this is football. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spokenward Posted December 7, 2004 Share Posted December 7, 2004 My comment on the Krups was based on having one that leaked and made watery coffee Over the last 20 years I have gone from stovetop > Krups boiler > Krups upmarket > DeLonghi > Starbucks. The Starbucks managers and lifers that I have talked to over the years generally have the one that I mentioned. And oddly enough they mostly do have a machine at home. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimbroni Posted December 7, 2004 Author Share Posted December 7, 2004 Well thanks for all the comments so far guys. Any word on Delonghi models. http://www.ciao.co.uk/Delonghi_BC0260__5683330 I'm thinking of one of those because it can brew reg coffee as well, thus taking up less space in my small kitchen. I'll probably get a french press kit as well as they are very inexpensive. I was checking into the Starbucks barista's but I thought it might be a bit much for a small household unit. If they work well then they're worth it, but it seems there's a limit to the quality you can get out of the smaller units. Together all sing their different songs in union - the Uni-verse. My Current Project Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
where02190 Posted December 7, 2004 Share Posted December 7, 2004 Starbucks presses (and lots of other things too) usually go on sale at 1/2 price right around christmas. Don't pay full listed price dude. I bought their biggest press (54oz) on sale last year for $25. Hope this is helpful. NP Recording Studios Analog approach to digital recording. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Zeger Posted December 7, 2004 Share Posted December 7, 2004 Originally posted by Jimbroni: Any word on Delonghi models. http://www.ciao.co.uk/Delonghi_BC0260__5683330 I had an earlier Delonghi coffee/espresso maker like this. Not recommended. It will make espresso but it won't have the "crema" on top. So, it's another underpowered machine. The one I owned had a reservoir for milk; you poured milk in, and it came out through a nozzle with steam into your cup. It was a major pain to clean I rarely used the espresso side. One day, it stopped working. Then, I had overly large countertop appliance that only made coffee. So, I ditched the whole thing and bought a Krups drip coffee maker w/a thermal carafe. Still looking for a good price/performance espresso maker. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chaibuka Posted December 8, 2004 Share Posted December 8, 2004 Here is a link that has espresso buying guides, reviews, etc. http://www.wholelattelove.com/index.cfm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tedster Posted December 8, 2004 Share Posted December 8, 2004 Originally posted by coyote: Here's what I use. Makes wonderful espresso and great cappucino: LINK TO KRUPS NOVO http://www.krups.com/img/int/products/225x225/FNC2.jpgI've got a Krups. It works fine for my needs. "Cisco Kid, was a friend of mine" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kendrix Posted December 8, 2004 Share Posted December 8, 2004 Originally posted by The Tedster of Christmas Present: Originally posted by coyote: Here's what I use. Makes wonderful espresso and great cappucino: LINK TO KRUPS NOVO http://www.krups.com/img/int/products/225x225/FNC2.jpgI've got a Krups. It works fine for my needs.My Krups is 3 years old and going strong. It gets used daily. It has the steamer nozzle to allow you to steam/froth up the milk if you choose to. No leaks. ( Ive got a single cup version). Best part is my local grocery stor carries the best expresso beans ive come across. Pleanty strong & flavorful- but not bitter. Check out some tunes here: http://www.garageband.com/artist/KenFava Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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