Speaking of espresso machines - Do any of you have one?

T

tessie-in-cincy

Well-known member
Mine is a Briel (probably their base model) we got when we got hitched 12 years ago. I'm really happy with it and if it conked out tomorrow I'd get another Briel (can't beat the price). The latte's stack up respectably against what I get at Starbucks, etc. when I'm on the run.

I nuke a cup of milk then add the espresso and sweeten.

Never could master the onboard milk frother (which has probably been improved since ~1995)

Took the little guy camping last fall. What a champ! Oh, the ribbing! Guess how many of them requested a latte? Almost all. We heated the milk in a pan on a camping stove. -T

http://www.briel.com/en/produtos.html

 
I don't have an expresso machine...but I have a nespresso (m)

When my coffee maker stopped working, I believe it was a braun, I decided to purchase a french press. I am sooo in love with it!

I splurged for the nespresso frother. I have really enjoyed it. I can make my cafe latte's to perfection. ((Not that I really know the difference)) But they taste great, and DH and I really enjoy them every morning.

I have not been to Starbucks in ages, but last friday, met up with friends there, and was amazed at the cost of fancy coffee. I would highly recomend the nespresso. If you are making fancy coffee, it is alot of fun to put the froth on great coffee!!

regards,
Barb

 
I've had two.....

A Gaggia Espresso and a Rancilio Silvia. Both awesome machines!

The frother/steamers on these machine both work great.


Check out the link below to educate yourself on the art of coffee. I don't claim to be an expert by any means, but I spent a lot of time on this site learning.

The possibilities are endless! Find the best machines within your price range and get it. I can tell you, though...a good machine will not perform well without a good grinder, so budget that in, as well.

The grinder I bought was a Mazzer Mini.

Above all, enjoy! It's quite a thrill to turn out coffee house drinks for your friends and family! smileys/smile.gif

http://www.coffeegeek.com

 
LOL--the cost of Starbucks. If our cars ran on gallons of Starbucks, we would all be broke.

 
I have an el-cheapo Mr. Coffee....

We got it to see if we'd actually use it before investing. We love it. I have a double espresso shot to add to my coffee before work every morning. It has an on-board frother...only used on lattes though.!

 
I'm wondering how those single cup Senseos or Keurigs compare to espresso coffee? seems like they

make quite strong coffee.

 
A word of wisdom......

Strong coffee and espresso are not the same thing at all. Espresso is extracted by pressure.

There are many inexpensive 'espresso' machines (usually steam driven) that use regular ground coffee. This type of machine won't make espresso.

Anyway, the link I provided, above, will give you more hours than you would probably want to spend on the art of making good types of coffee. I spent a month on there before buying my second machine.

Hope this helps, somewhat. smileys/smile.gif

 
I've looked at the Briel machines, Tess...

I like that they are stainless steel. They look like a nice machine. Is the porta-filter commercial size on them, do you know?

They used to sell them at Macy's and I nearly bought one for a wedding gift but didn't know anyone who had one to ask about them.

Thanks for your input!

 
thanks Gayle. David Lebovitz also had a post on espresso machines. a search on his blog

will bring up some good info too.

 
Gosh, I don't remember! Sorry! I'll have to look that up and get back with you! smileys/smile.gif

 
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