Espresso machines?

[moyn]

Husby wants a fancy coffee machine, he drinks espresso and I like the other stuff based on espresso -

I want to get him a really good one, not one with "pods"

Any good suggestions?

Thanks!

 

[heather_in_sf]

Oh yes, I have been coveting the Breville stainless model. So wonderful, my friend has one

at her beach house and I really love using it. Makes professional grade espresso and latte drinks so quickly. Has a water reservoir, really easy to use. You need to buy a good burr grinder for the beans.

This is a good price too.

Covet, covet, covet...

http://www.amazon.com/Breville-800ESXL-Commercial-Triple-Priming-Die-Cast/dp/B00092ZVXA/ref=wl_it_dp_o?ie=UTF8&coliid=IAC0KRNU9ENXT&colid=1LGSBI2UZLOJJ

 

[moyn]

Thanks Heather

I just froogled and saw it for $251

Is it really big?

 

[heather_in_sf]

It fits under the cabinet with room for mugs on top, and is a little wider than a

Standard toaster, maybe 15 inches? I have used a bunch if machines and so far this one I just love.

 

[gayle-mo]

I love anything made by Gaggia...the original Italian machine.

I have the discontinued Espresso model. It makes WONDERFUL drinks. I also splurged and bought a Saeco (made for Starbucks) semi automatic model, Sirena. Makes great drinks, too. (I happened on to a deal one day on www.woot.com)

Can you tell I love espresso based drinks!

I will tell you though, that your grinder is more important than your espresso machine. Get a good one. I have Baratza Virtuso. (the least expensive one I could find was a refurbished on Baratza.com) It's great! The grind of your bean is oh, so important, especially if your husband likes espresso. You can't get a good crema from just any machine. I used a Rancilio Silvia and Mazzer Mini at the Espresso Bar.

I started and ran an espresso bar at my former church and did a lot of research.

Check out CoffeeGeek.com

It's an investment, but oh, so rewarding! You'll enjoy your machine for years, no matter what brand you get! Congratulations!!!

http://www.coffeegeek.com

 

[shaun-in-to]

That or a Rancilio Silvia. I'd have one tough time deciding.

 

[gayle-mo]

PS Check eBay

 

[gayle-mo]

I loved my Silvia but it was huge so I downsized

Silvia is a harder to operate on a consistant basis. Gaggia works PERFECT every time!!

I bought my Gaggia at Sam's Club 12 years ago! She's been a faithful friend!

 

[shaun-in-to]

I've read Silvia takes some practice, but do tell. How is it "harder to operate"? It gets great

reviews on Amazon.

 

[moyn]

Thanks for the link and recommendations

We are looking into all of them!

 

[gayle-mo]

Miss Silvia is great!! But at times it would spew grounds and hot water...

If you left it on too long. Looked great and made a great espresso with wonderful crema. But then, my Gaggia did, too. Silvia weighed about 30 lbs and would not fit under a counter. That's why I sold it after I left the church, because I had no place to keep it.

A Gaggia will fit under the cabinet!

Remember, you can have a great espresso machine with a terrible grinder and never get a good espresso. SO important to have a good grinder. Check reveiws on Coffeegeek.com

Have fun!! There's a lot to learn and it just keeps going!!

 

[sallybr]

we have a Breville....

... it's going to be 2 years old in March. We absolutely love it! Not too expensive, makes great capuccino.

I like the brand so much I just got a toaster/convection oven from them, arrived yesterday (happy camper!)