[campbellcj]

Sorry to revive the old-ish thread, but does anybody have recommendations of sites/stores to buy the higher quality machines and burr grinders?

The big-name web retailers do not seem to have large listings of coffee equipment. (I found some decent-looking grinders but "need" white or brushed-stainless finish to match the kitchen or else the wifey would expel it to the cornfields...)

Also does anybody have more than hypothetical/anecdotal evidence that the full-auto machines are bad news? Granted many of them are hella-expensive, but I have seen some in the $600-800 range. Having an integrated water tank, grinder, tamper and emptier/trash-bin sure sounds cleaner and simpler esp. for those of us who are running out the door bleary-eyed in the a.m. and don't have time to deal w/ a manual.