Need new espresso maker
 

I got 2 years out of my krups expresso maker. Made good preasure and it was cheap, but its busted. I want to try something new.

Specs:

-$500ish or less. Might go higher if its going to last me 10 years
-Only needs to make expersso. Doesn't need to grind the coffee or have drip coffee maker built in. The less automated the better.
-NO pod machines

My sister has a Francis Francis and she likes it, but I have heard the newer machines are pieces of junk, and their customer service is horrible.

Input needed!

About La Sorrentina machines

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1277835877.jpg



You won't get less automated than this, and it's fantastic. I don't use anything else. My wife had a nespreso machine which she gave away when I bought my Atomic. No reason it can't last 50 years, although eventually the silicon seals (2) would need replacement I suppose.
(Getting it right does take some trial and error initially)

Our Krups went Ka-Blooey...we found a Cuisinart at a great price (200 less than Macey's wanted) at overstock.com. Model EM 100...here' a vid on the machine...

YouTube - Cuisinart Espresso Maker EM100

At overtock.com, the price is well in your range.

U get what U pay for...

As U probably know I bought a Salvatore Espresso Maker...in October of 2003...it is handbuilt with all commercial parts in Solvang , CA. There are NO plastic parts in the machine all Brass and Copper. After looking over what was available and listening to the advice in the form of reviews on Whole Latte Love that the people who purchased high end machines wished they had done so earlier instead of screwing around with lessor machines I ponied up the money and bought the Salvatore.I have had no regrets in nealry 7 years. As a matter of fact there are some purchases that are worth the money because YOU USE THEM EVERYDAY..this is one of them.

I have used that Salvatore everyday for nearly 7 years without a problem. SOmetimes I leave it on all day..

When looking for an Espresso maker..NEVER buy a machine that does everything...there is simply to many things to BREAK. Buy a single purpose machine that brews the coffee and also buy a good quality BURR Coffee Grinder..the MINI MAZZER is the top of the stroke..

You can also see Salvatores for sale on E-bay from time to time..if something is wrong they can be easily rebuilt. My Salvatore has my name on the inside..Salvatore takes the order and then he builds a machine for you..so your name is going to be on the inside.

I have been very happy with my machine and would recommend that anybody who wants a quality machine look no further than a Salvatore.

And it was less than $500, right Tabby?

Your name inside...gosh I have a pool cue that has that...made back in the early '70's, a "Palmer Supreme"...worth $$ as a collectable these days. How's it play? Like hitting with a piece of pipe... My Keith Josey custom has a much better feel.

The cuisinart is a "Pump" machine...so Harddrive, be prepared for some funny noises if you opt for that one...but you'll be amazed how much smoother the result is over the Krupps...somehow, the bitterness gets removed.

Craigslist!
Living in seattle, we have a pretty good selection to choose from. Silvias are good starter machines.
Rancillio Silvia Espresso Machine

a francis francis... not sure if this is a good deal for this model:
Espresso Machine

Fixer upper:
Unic 2 head Commercial Espresso Machine

You could get by with a Cuisinart burr grinder, but their espresso machines are no better than the krups you just got rid of. Something like the Silvia is about as cheap you can get while still being serviceable locally.

These machines still show up on Craigs list for ~ $100. That post was in April 2007 and the sucker still pumps out great espresso. Only maintenance so far was a simple cleaning (remove the screen and wipe) and re-tighten of hardware. The only 'special' handling it gets is I only run bottled water through it. Shows no sign of slowing down...

We've been very happy with the Gaggia New Baby.

Wholelattelove.com: Gaggia: Gaggia New Baby: Espresso Machines: Semi-Automatic Espresso Machines
http://www.wholelattelove.com/ItemIm...2720XLarge.gif

The name on the inside is a Production thing..like Porsche putting a number under the Dash of the car on the production line...you know better PWD..

I have $1800 in my Salvatore and Mazzer...used everyday for 6.75 years and figure the alternative of 2 Lattes a day at a low of $2 a throw at a Coffee Emporium. How long would it take for the machina to pay for itself...

As STATED sometimes it is worth putting out the dinero for something that gets used...and the quality of the product can be tasted.

However PWD you would be making a big mistake to think I am Mr Yuppy conspicuous consumption..

For instance I don't believe in buying the TOP O THE LINE when it comes to appliances....Basic Heavy Duty model is where I go..My little bread Toaster is the cheapest model available..cost $7.00 it gets the job done..

Why the Salvatore...because it is the Basic Heavy Duty Unit..rock solid at nearly 60 lbs,handbuilt..commercial parts..built to last...no cheap Plastic or Pot metal parts...SS, brass and copper...built the old fashion way with care and pride...that in todays mass produced throw away world costs money...

Compare the Salvatore with the above...machines...

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1277840481.jpg

I have the same Krups espresso machine from college. Getting a little tired, but it still works well. I am into it for about a dollar a year

i like to skip all the fancy stuff
you supply the cup but a little too cowboy for some
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1277841964.jpg
a little more sophisticated for home use
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1277842004.gif

I use a french press - everyday.

I know you say you don't want anything automatic, but I do suggest a low end Superautomatic. I've had a Jura-Capresso E8 for 3 years and it is still going strong. We had the same machine at work and 12+ (the plus was the people using it that weren't part of the club) using it every day for 2 years. After 2 years, I was gone, but the machine is still there.

This machine, usually around $600 refurbished ($900 new) makes great espresso and coffee. Beans on one side, water on the other, push the button and coffee. Yes, I expect that with a very good semi-automatic and a very good grinder, I could make better espresso. But it wouldn't be consistent or as quick, or as braindead.

for $500 you can buy a lot of espressos at a good bar or coffee shop; also let's you hang out & watch the free "humanity show"

Why bother with a Salvatore, when for a mere $6,000, you could have one of these:

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1277845284.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1277845302.jpg

If you want to be hip, then you need the Coffee Bong! AKA the vacuum coffee pot.


http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1277845678.jpg

Or my favorite, the coffee equivalent of the easy bake oven:
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1277846667.jpg

(for a mere $20,000)

(acknowledging that the fancy-pants US-made semiautomatic is da $****...)

We bought a lower end Capresso (1500?) for work 4 years ago from WholeLatteLove for maybe $600. Over 15,000 cycles later, it's still going with no service or maintenance. When it breaks, they say $300 to recondition and we're off for another 10k+ cycles.

Not the best espresso ever, but consistently better than 80% of your Local Coffee Shop (TM) dreck.

I'm a believer, but since we already have a Rocky grinder we're buying a good E61 group semiauto one of these days now...

Gaggia Classic for me. Not bad, but somewhat inconsistent.

go to Espresso Machines; Espresso Coffee Makers; Coffee Makers from Wholelattelove: Capresso, Jura, Saeco, Gaggia, Rancilio, Nespresso and do some comparisons. and eventually, you'll be persuaded that the grinder is more important than the machine. Mazzer jr for me.

Oh and your espressos will only be as good as the coffee you use. If you're a bud light guy, buy starbucks beans. If you're a dogfish head guy, get Klatch or Counter Culture Coffee (toscano espresso blend is amazing). Doesn't cost much more and delivered to your door.

I bin down the road of beans...they have to age a coupla days after roasting then you have about a 3 or 4 day window to use them before flavor starts to fall off...after awhile who cares....

Wow that is steep. Sorry if I'm derailing this thread, but they are just so interesting.

We were visiting a friends house one evening when he brought out the coffee bong (vacuum brewer). I have to say it is quite the conversation piece if you've never seen one work.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1277865982.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1277866001.jpg

Espresso runs under $.25/cup at my house. In the past 3 years, we've run 8589 cups of coffee (according to the stats menu). I get about 20 cups out of a $2.94 ($3.44 bag with a $.50 coupon) bag of 8-o-clock 100% Columbian.

$0.0699+$0.147~$.22/cup

Yes, I drink a lot of coffee/espresso...I expect together we drink 10 cups per day, including our part time worker and friends who drop by.

wow - you should move to the PNW - you'd fit right in

A couple of high end machines you may wish to consider, the Rocket E61 and the VBM. I've got a VBM and a mini mazzer and make better lattes than 9 out of 10 cafes. Make that 19 out of 20 cafes. Google VBM coffee for pics. You may need to buy second hand to get the price into your price bracket, or spend a bit more but the rewards are excellent :)

The VBM is a excellent quality machine...in the same price range as the Salvatore...and using the same commercial quality components..flip a coin...

J, for an interesting change of pace you might try Mae's beans. Fresh-roasted daily, available by the pound or half-pound at the front counter. It's quite good, comparable to Peet's French Roast and Caffe Appassionato but with even more flavor if that's possible..

http://www.maescafe.com/article.espx?show=12249&slot=&show_related=

:)

Thanks for the ideas guys.

A really cheap alternative - not a joke - $25
 

No laughing please - I bought a $40 Mr. Coffee espresso maker after my wife proposed that that would make more sense than brewing a whole pot that she only had one mug from. And she like lattes. I did the shop saavy scan at Target and many proclaimed it was worth 10x that by comparison. (Other reviews complained about the short "6 inch" cord - it is 2 ft or so and wraps underneath, duh!) The first one quit heating on the first use and I returned it to find it on sale for $24.99.

I made my wife a latte each morning this spring - waiting for her as she stepped out of the shower - good points. I don't drink coffee. She says they are better than the Starbucks latte's.

Mr Coffee Machine - $40

I have the machine figured out. If I fill with the right amount of filtered water it will stop producing espresso and leave the right amount for steaming that days mix of milk and soy milk. Very simple and it paid for itself in A WEEK.

I just lost an Isomac Relax that I've had for ... 8 years? I've had that machine forever, and I've made a LOT of coffee with it. If you can get used to the heat exchanger, it's worth spending just a little more than your $500 budget.

Under that line, there's not a lot that's real good. The features that matter are the ability to precisely control shot temperature (either a PID-controlled boiler or a way to monitor/control shot temperature), an E61 grouphead, and, if you're into milk-espresso drinks, the ability to froth and pull shots simultaneously.

Sure -- a cheap machine may pull better shots than the kid at *$, but when you get a good shot from a well-built machine, even the non-snobs can tell the difference.

Just my $0.02.

Dan

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