Foo - Who makes their own espresso/cappuccino?

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Quite frankly, you probably aren't going to find a really good espresso machine in that range.


You're bare minimum "good" espresso machines probably start in the $300-400 range. Anything cheaper than that, and it probably isn't enough better than the $50 machine to bother with.

Don't worry....even the fancy machines don't grind your beans for you. That's a gimmick low-quality machines add as a feature to make unsuspecting customers think the machine is higher quality (Cuisinart does this on some of their bad drip coffee makers).

What's so great about the $300-$400 machines? The pressure? The features? I'll start looking for a used one if it's not even worth getting one cheaper than that, need to know what to look for.

Probably more basic things like pressure, quality construction, well built cup/tamper so you can pack coffee really tight.

Do some research on www.coffeegeek.com for more details.

Rancilio Sylvia is probably the best overall workhorse machine. It seems to be the "Mr. Coffee" in the higher end espresso world.

Typically goes for about $500 used, $600 new (I was just looking at them on Ebay yesterday).

Looks like good info, but every link I click gets an error, I have to reload 3 or 4 times.

I just went over there and was seeing the same thing.

It's a good website in terms of content, it's a bad site in terms of quality. Its down a lot and ALWAYS slow even when it's working. Try again in an hour or two.

If you want any quality at all, about the cheapest route I could suggest would be:

Bodum Granos - $309 at Amazon
Capresso Infinity Grinder - $80-120 (this is the grinder I have)

I don't own an espresso machine...I'm holding out until I have enough spare money to get the Rancilio Sylvia.

A major thing to look for is a pump driven machine, not steam driven. I got a real steal on a pump-driven machine for about $100, but I don't use it more than a couple or three times a week and realistically, it'll probably blow apart in a year or two. At that point, I might pony up for something more substantial, but I really don't know. I'm probably not sufficiently refined in my tastes to know the difference between a shot of espresso from a $100 machine and a $600 machine. I can, however, tell the difference between the stuff I get from my machine and the stuff you get from a cheapo steam drive one.

If you want any quality at all, about the cheapest route I could suggest would be:

Bodum Granos - $309 at Amazon
Capresso Infinity Grinder - $80-120 (this is the grinder I have)

I don't own an espresso machine...I'm holding out until I have enough spare money to get the Rancilio Sylvia.+1

and find someplace that you can buy fresh-roasted beans.
If you figure what you spend on coffee shop coffee by the cup, you'll pay for that sucker in a couple months.
you'll also find yourself more caffeinated because its readily available. :twitchy:

+1

and find someplace that you can buy fresh-roasted beans.
If you figure what you spend on coffee shop coffee by the cup, you'll pay for that sucker in a couple months.
you'll also find yourself more caffeinated because its readily available. :twitchy:

Better yet - find a place to buy green coffee beans (like Sweet Maria's) and a cheap air popcorn maker ($10 at Wagreens) and roast them yourself.

Personally, I like Sweet Maria's Monkey Blend roasted until the oil just surfaces.

I'd love to make my own coffee at home. I have one of those drip coffee funnel cups that sit on top of the mug with a paper liner in it. I grind some beans place it in the paper liner and poor nearly boiling water. Tastes like mud every time. Horrid. Then it's off to Starbucks. I need to learn how to make good coffee and espresso.

I need to learn how to make good coffee

http://www.mrcoffee.com/Images/Products/PRODUCTS/DR4_2.JPG

I've been using this guy every morning for about a year and a half.

Was fifteen bones from walmart.

http://www.sunrichgourmet.com/en/images/products/GrinderA.jpg

Been using this grinder for about 10 months.

(probably about $10)

I'd love to make my own coffee at home. I have one of those drip coffee funnel cups that sit on top of the mug with a paper liner in it. I grind some beans place it in the paper liner and poor nearly boiling water. Tastes like mud every time. Horrid. Then it's off to Starbucks. I need to learn how to make good coffee and espresso.

Throw away that funnel and get a AeroPress (pic below).

Honestly, you can get a good cup of coffee with a fairly cheap drip coffemaker. I like the ones that have conical filter baskets, like Krups and Braun. I really like Eight O'Clock Brand 100% Columbian coffee. Buy a bag of whole beands and grid it at the store.

Don't be afraid to use a lot of coffee in the drip machine, like two tablespoons per 6 ounces of water. I heard Alton Brown say that people think they don't like strong coffee, but what they don't like is bitter coffee. I think he's exactly right about that.

BTW, that's just about the amount of coffee you use to make a double shot of espresso (2 ounces). That's why an espresso machine needs a pump - to force the water throught the finely ground and densely packed ground coffee. That's typically about 12-15 bar (about 170-210 psi).

You're right, looks like I'll stick with my $50 pos.Well, start with a grinder then. It's kinda like programming a computer, garbage-in/garbage-out. A whirly-blade grinder will always give you bitter harsh-tasting coffee due to the fine dust it creates. Get a burr-grinder, even a $59 Capresso one will be a 1000x better than a blade-grinder. Try it out on your $50 Krups and you can immediately taste the difference. You'll find no residue or sediment at the bottom of your cup either. :)

I found a used Krups 966 for $50 at a garage-sale. Doesn't have adjustable-pressure or temperature, but has separate steamer with swivel wand to make better froth. Much, much better than your boiling-steamer kind.

I bought this a year and a half ago and use it 5 times a week. It stays in my office at work and makes my coworkers jealous when they smell it brewing. It is pump driven and think it is in the $100-150 range. I have had no complaints and it was a definite upgrade from the old steam driven one I had.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3070/2847624241_9a0b9f2222.jpg?v=0

I make Cafe con leche every weekend for the wife and I. I make the "espresso" in a coffee press with Bustelo, very strong. 1/2 cup of espresso to 1/2 cup of lightly boiled milk.


Other than McDonalds coffee occasionaly, which is very good by the way, this is what I make and serve in bed to my hot Puerto Rican wife after a morning "session!"

Well, start with a grinder then. It's kinda like programming a computer, garbage-in/garbage-out. A whirly-blade grinder will always give you bitter harsh-tasting coffee due to the fine dust it creates. Get a burr-grinder, even a $59 Capresso one will be a 1000x better than a blade-grinder. Try it out on your $50 Krups and you can immediately taste the difference. You'll find no residue or sediment at the bottom of your cup either. :)
Danno has a good point. If you are willing to spend that amount of money and want the best bang for your buck, get a decent burr grinder. I'd recommend the Capresso Infinity I mentioned above. It's probably the best grinder you're going to find before moving into the really expensive ones. A decent grinder and good coffee beans will take you further than anything else in that price range.

edit: doh! I didn't see the thread made just a day before mine about espresso machines. What are the chances?
In Foo, higher than you'd think. Plenty-o-coffee geeks in here.

Do you have a brand/model name? I can't see pics.


It is a Krups. Looks likt this is the newer version of what I have http://www.krupsusa.com/All+Products/Espresso+Machines/Pump+espresso+machines/Products/XP4030/XP4030.htm

Espresso after almost every ride when I get home. The dirty little secret is that those expensive home espresso machines don't do any better than a simple stove top espresso pot. An ordinary, classic Bialetti Moka Express is only about 10 bucks, lasts forever. Just get good quality neapolitan type coffee.

Espresso after almost every ride when I get home. The dirty little secret is that those expensive home espresso machines don't do any better than a simple stove top espresso pot. An ordinary, classic Bialetti Moka Express is only about 10 bucks, lasts forever. Just get good quality neapolitan type coffee.

Mine....Bellmann 3-6-9
http://www.terracaf.ca/images/produits/1250_b.jpg

I've tried almost every style of 'Spro maker over the last 20 years....This is the Best one I have ever had! I have yet to find ANY Electric model that can can foam milk as well as this one!!! With a bit of practice its easy to get the foam nearly the consistency of Whipped Cream. Try a DARK Espresso/Italian Roast....Peets is Recommended

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FAIL

U want real ? like, espresso that civilized persons will enjoy ? right here.



http://www.1st-line.net/cgi-bin/category.cgi?item=JuniorDASilv&source=froogle

you got a place to stack your cups on top even

u have mobsters or a rebel commander over for lunch, you will win them over




actually, this bad boy http://www.cimbali.com/eng/pr_scheda.asp?id=26 is me favorite

Espresso after almost every ride when I get home. The dirty little secret is that those expensive home espresso machines don't do any better than a simple stove top espresso pot. An ordinary, classic Bialetti Moka Express is only about 10 bucks, lasts forever. Just get good quality neapolitan type coffee.

There is a HUGE difference in the taste of the coffee between a stove top moka pot and a decent espresso machine. To say other wise makes me think you haven't actually had good espresso before.

we have a kitchenaid burr grinder, they're a bit less expensive than the Rancilio or Gaggia grinders
and is very easy to use/clean. Its amazing how much better coffee tastes with well ground beans.
I got a Saeco Via Venezia (sic) espresso machine for christmas (was an early gift, november), no it's not
a Sylvia, but it makes a good espresso, nice crema and steam wand froths milk nicely. The only thing that is a bit different is the portafilter, it's not the standard 58mm like the pro machines and it has a pressurised portafilter. So far I'm quite satisfied with it, someday a Sylvia but for now this is just fine. It generally runs less than $300 on sale.

Marty