I admit that I stepped up and bought a very expensive Espresso Machine.
The last machine I had was a Krups and it lasted for 7 years before it gave up the ghost. When I went looking for another one that was suitable it eventually led me to the high dollar high flautin deluxe model.
HOWEVER...that model is really very simple. It has a power button, and a button to start the extraction process. It has 2 valves, one for steam and the other for hot water. What makes it costly is that it is hand built made like a tank in the good ole US of A. Everything inside is copper and commercial quality components made to last.
