Is there a worthwile espresso machine for under $250?

[71T Targa]

Any recommendations for an espresso machine for under $250?

I don't need all of the bells and whistles, but don't want plastic junk either.

Can that be had for less than $250?

[greglepore]

Maybe-if you're not afraid of refurb or used-check ebay for Gaggia Baby or Baby Class-both have nice solid boilers, and the Class has a 58mm solid brass portafilter-both AAbree and wholelattelove list their return machines regularly, and they are reputable outfits.

If you are a style freak, there's a nice francis francis on ebay now below your pricepoint-they are decent real espresso machines-if the one you buy is set up for pods, you can convert the portafilter.

The real problem is that to make decent espresso you're going to spend at least $100-200 for a burr grinder-yes, you can use a bodum for 60 bucks or so, but a grinder is more than half the equation.

[nostatic]

A little above your range, but I've been happy with this

Wholelattelove.com: Saeco: Saeco Aroma SS: Espresso Machines: Semi-Automatic Espresso Machines

And I'm a heretic - I have Peets grind my beans.

[JavaBrewer]

Todd, I thought you had the FrancisFrancis brand, the X1 or something like that?

I have the Starbucks Barista Espresso Machine in stainless steel. It's been flawless for many years now. I see them all day used over on Ebay for ~ $100. Lots are purchased and rarely/never used and then sold. Definitely go with a Semi-Auto. I always grind beans (Peets or SB) at local Sprouts market with the big Bunn grinder. I know the perfect setting

[71T Targa]

Great, thanks. I'll take a look at these.

[tabs]

A decent machine for under $250..you gotta be jokin...open anyone of those beothchs up and seeeeee the PLASTIC.....

Go read the reviews on Whole Latte Love....on the various machines...and then go read what the people have to say about the HIGH END machines they have bought...to paraphrase..."I shoulda just bought the expensive machine to begin with instead of all those cheap clunkers..."

I have been running my Salvatore for 6 years and 4 months without a hiccup..and the Mini Mazzer is da way to go with the Grinders...think I'll go get me another Latte right now...

[JavaBrewer]

Someone like Saeco builds the Starbucks machine. I don't think SB even sells these anymore but like I said they are $100 all day on EBay.

Nice Tabs, the guy is looking for a solid Honda and you're recommending a Bentley.

[mossguy]

Originally Posted by JavaBrewer

Todd, I thought you had the FrancisFrancis brand, the X1 or something like that?

I have the Starbucks Barista Espresso Machine in stainless steel. It's been flawless for many years now. I see them all day used over on Ebay for ~ $100. Lots are purchased and rarely/never used and then sold. Definitely go with a Semi-Auto. I always grind beans (Peets or SB) at local Sprouts market with the big Bunn grinder. I know the perfect setting

David, Aren't you concerned that the coffee will lose something by grinding it so far in advance of brewing it?

Best,
Tom

[JavaBrewer]

I'm sure it loses 'something' but not enough for me to cough up the money for a good grinder. Grind is very important and the few <$100 burr grinders I have used were crap. I buy coffee 16 oz at a time and it lasts about a week. I keep it in the bag rolled up and sealed with a clip.

[tabs]

I was lookin for a Honda too..till I started readin those reviews on WLL...

[wdfifteen]

Originally Posted by tabs

A decent machine for under $250..you gotta be jokin...open anyone of those beothchs up and seeeeee the PLASTIC.....

Go read the reviews on Whole Latte Love....on the various machines...and then go read what the people have to say about the HIGH END machines they have bought...to paraphrase..."I shoulda just bought the expensive machine to begin with instead of all those cheap clunkers..."

+1 on that.
I had 3 or 4 machines over the course of a year. Finally settled on this one:
Incanto Deluxe | ShopSaeco.com

I can make any kind of coffee drink for friends when they come over. But the best part is, i can stagger out to the kitchen in the morning and push a button and in 2 minutes I have a killer Cup-O-Joe made to my specifications.

[mossguy]

Originally Posted by JavaBrewer

I'm sure it loses 'something' but not enough for me to cough up the money for a good grinder. Grind is very important and the few <$100 burr grinders I have used were crap. I buy coffee 16 oz at a time and it lasts about a week. I keep it in the bag rolled up and sealed with a clip.

Understood! And if money were no object, what/which grinder would you own?

Thanks,
Tom

[gtc]

You might be able to find a used Rancilio Silvia in that price range. Their price to performance ratio is very good.

[JavaBrewer]

Equally a slippery slope with the grinders. I'm with Tabs on that - Mini Mazzer weighs in at $700. I'll keep using the free one at the market.

It's all about the grind dude

[tabs]

lrts see now....I only grind what I can use today or so..basically ther might be a bit of gind left over after todays Lattes...I can tell the difference between todays grind and yesterdays grind...I can also tell the differenc ebetween beans that are freshly opened and have been opened for awhile. I can tell the difference between the style of roasting and where the beans come from. In general fresh roasted beans need 24 to 48 hours of mellowing time after being roasted for optimal flavor.

I generally now favor burnt roast...especially Yemen beans...Kenya, or Ethopian beans..But to some extent I don't care anymore about the nuance recently I bought 5 bags of Sams Club Members Mark Expresso Roast for $6.41 for a 2.5 lb bag...on close out...I put 4 in the freezer...which might or might not degrade the flavor a bit?

Also any machine you buy keep the function simple..more features, more to go wrong...

As for a Grinder the Mini Mazzer is da bomb..and yes the Grind is huge for the taste outa of a cup of Joe...my grind is down to jsut above hearing the burrs mesh when the beans are done...

[tabs]

I bought my Mazzer for $275 from WLL....6 years ago...they have a no ask buyers remorse return policy..and I got one of the returns...for a bit of a discount...it was as NIB...

Salvatore...basically takes orders and then builds your machine for you...when I have opened up the back my name is inscribed inside...

The only peice of plastic inside the Salvatore is a 3/4 inch piece of tubing that connects the resovoir to the pump..and that is in case you lose priming to the pump..the rest is brass and copper..

[greglepore]

Originally Posted by gtc

You might be able to find a used Rancilio Silvia in that price range. Their price to performance ratio is very good.

Yes, but not below 250...its a great 350 machine.

Tabs, without a doubt, a h/x is the way to go entirely, along with a real grinder, but give the guy a break, there's a learning curve...

As to the price no object grinder, a full bore mazzer, or a mazzer mini without a doubt. However, my 7 yr old Nuova MCF is working perfectly at half the price.

In my mind it works like this : 1) Roast at home-a nice rig can be cobbled for a hundred bucks (stir crazy and convection oven lid-does about a pound a time) unless you live in a major city and can get 2-3 DAY old beans 2) Grinder-need to be able to grind espresso, not dust, not chunks for a french press-harder than you think 3) Brewer-even the "Starbucks" Saeco will make nice shots (not god shots) with 1 &2 in place if you remove the silly auto crema thing.

If you want milk drinks, you need a double boiler or h/x machine-fuggitaboutit.

DJM? U out there?

[tabs]

I've gone to Whole Earth Foods and bought their freshly roasted beans..and yeah they are better..after a coupla days resting...but that much better?????? ehhhhh law of diminishing returns.

What I wanted out of a machine was something that could make a coupla real strong cups of coffee in the morning..I had a little Krupps French Press machine for 7 years before I burned the heating element on it..couldn't find anything in the dept stores so started looking for the better more dedicated machines...and after reading for about 8 hours on WLL I decided that the Salvatore was about the best out there.

[tabs]

The question is....is it worth the extra dinero for the hX machine..after thinking about it...it comes down to being something that I use virtually everyday.. I am getting my money's worth out of that purchase. it has been a far better purchase than many other things I have spent my money on. Also you can figure how long it will take for you to recoup your money by not going to a coffee boutique.

[red-beard]

I have a Super-Automatic. I don't think you can find one for that price. A semi-auto yes.

Espresso Machines; Espresso Coffee Makers; Coffee Makers from Wholelattelove: Capresso, Jura, Saeco, Gaggia, Rancilio, Nespresso

Brand new, there are 3 Saeco Super-Automatics under $499.

Semi-auto you can get a refurb Gaggia for $267.93

Wholelattelove.com: Gaggia: Refurbished: Gaggia Espresso Dose : Espresso Machines: Semi-Automatic Espresso Machines

On a Semi, this is the one I'd buy:

Refurb Gaggia New Baby Espresso Machine

Wholelattelove.com: Gaggia: Refurbished: Gaggia New Baby: Espresso Machines: Semi-Automatic Espresso Machines

The baby line is very good