Need Espresso machine recommendations

[Shaun @ Tru6]

Looking for an espresso machine, $300 budget. With that I can, I think, either buy a nice new one or an excellent used one but there must be pitfalls in buying used.

What do you look for in an espresso machine? New or used?

[aigel]

Jura ENA Micro 5 - about 5000 shots through mine, trouble free, low maintenance, fully automatic. 500 above your budget. Sometimes on sale at Costco for 700 or seen refurbed around 500-600.

G

[NutmegCarrera]

I have a couple of Illy iperespresso machines. One at home, one at work.
Work nice, consistent shots. About a buck a pull and tied into their capsules - but no mess, no cleanup. I think both of mine are made by Francis Francis. If you like packing your own, not the way to go - but convenience is nice.

[greglepore]

If you're ok with grinding etc in your price range, gaggia classic. Used Rancillio Sylvia for a hundred or so more. Used Breville BDB if you can tinker a bit, its a world class machine made of somewhat cheapish parts, all fixable.

But really, the problem is you need to budget the same amount for a grinder to get decent espresso.

[jhelgesen]

Jura c60, going on 3 years with no issues and fabulous shots every morning.

(used machines probably on feebay)

[mgatepi]

I am on my second Delonghi Magnifica, beans to espresso machine. Grinds, brews, froths, serves.
Great machine! Had the first one 10 years.
You are going to need to up your budget.

[LWJ]

Not sure the price and I won't check it as my wife bought as a Christmas present. I have a Profitec at home. It is pretty wonderful. I think it is well above your price point.

[Shaun @ Tru6]

CL would appear to be my best bet. Found a few machines listed here for $300 to $500. All the ads read the same, "just don't use it anymore."

May save my pennies for a Jura.

French press every morning with freshly ground beans. Need something extra in the afternoon.

[LWJ]

FYI, you will love it. Like legal crack.

[jhelgesen]

Have you tried an aeropress? Not bad if you like the manual process (until you go fully automatic)

Fb marketplace was good for a while to find deals.

[Shaun @ Tru6]

There's something about a great espresso with lemon peel that takes me back to 6 yo, Sunday night dinners at my great grandparent's house, everything was made from scratch that day or picked from the garden. Freshly made pasta, sausage, meatballs, salads, and then dessert with freshly made cannoli, coffee and espresso.

Working long hours these days, no better way to take a break in the afternoon and remember the best of times.

[Shaun @ Tru6]

I haven't John. I'm probably going large or going home on this. Just have to decide on whether I get an espresso maker or new custom muffler and headers for the M491.

[HardDrive]

Love my Nespresso machine. Yeah, the pods aren't free, thats fo sho.

[dan79brooklyn]

I got tired of grinding beans separately so I bought a Gaggia Brera. About $380 refurbished from Whole Latte Love.

https://www.wholelattelove.com/refurbished-gaggia-black-brera-espresso-machine

[MMiller]

i have one you can have...just pay shipping. i no longer can consume the caffeine so it goes unused.. I really enjoyed it at one time... pm if interested

[JavaBrewer]

^ decent fully manual machine. Our Starbucks barista was exactly that with different labels. Lasted almost 2 decades and I never cleaned it. Search espresso on this forum. We recently bought a Breville with built in bean hopper and grinder. That is all separate from the brewing process. I have ZERO faith in the full automatic machines.

[tabs]

Best to get a manual machine and separate grinder.

More functions more to go wrong.

Mini Mazer is the best grinder bar none. I have my opinion as to who makes the best semi commercial espresso maker.

[Shaun @ Tru6]

Originally Posted by MMiller

i have one you can have...just pay shipping. i no longer can consume the caffeine so it goes unused.. I really enjoyed it at one time... pm if interested

Mike, that's extremely kind of you, thank you, sending a PM now.

[zakthor]

You won't get gud espresso out of a $300 machine. I think you're much better off with a digital kettle, a $300 grinder and the good old plastic melitta cone. You'll need a grinder anyway for espresso, eventually.

Grinder, new the new baratza sette 30 isn't horrible. Best is find a mazzer on Craigslist.

We had a Starbucks barrista machine years ago (same as that saeco). It quickly made a tasty small cup of coffee but it wasn't espresso.

[jyl]

I like my friend's Nespresso machine. No fuss and for just one or two a day, the cost and waste of the pods isn't a big deal.

I still have the twin head commercial espresso machine as a someday restoration project. But doubt I'll ever use it except for dinner parties.