What is a very good Espresso machine

mosesbotbol · 05-11-2009, 11:33 AM

I have a the Rancilio Rock/Silva set and that will keep you loving the setup for several years. I am ready for an upgrade after owning this for about a decade.

Take a look in Craigslist. I have seen several nice setup's go for 50% off of what a new one would go for. Just the other day I saw a Rocky grinder go for $200ish. Sure they are used, but a nice setup should last a long time, and they are fairly easily repaired if you ever do need to fix it. A gasket on the group head and thermometer is all I have replaced in 10 years! Both are easy do-it-yourself repairs.

Certainly an espresso machine setup is not cheap, but it's not cheap in Italy or Switzerland either; just the name of the game.

floydpink · 05-11-2009, 02:42 PM

Just to add.. I totally think that if you want a good setup and are a little short on budget, the refurbished stuff from WLL is better than buying new crappy stuff.

I was told that they totally strip the machines and replace all parts that are worn as well as warranty them.

Not sure if it's as good as new, but my grinder has performed flawlessly for 2 years now, as has my Gaggia.

Bruins Fan · 05-11-2009, 05:37 PM

I have a Breville Caferoma I use it several times a day for the past three years.
I paid around 250.00 great machine.

Mister Moo · 05-12-2009, 05:28 AM

Good luck, guy. From your $500 starting point you now have rock solid recommendations from honest brothers for going grinder, going high, going low and going rebuilt in the middle.

My take is, we're all right (for different reasons).

(Get the grinder and the moka pot.)

trogdor · 05-13-2009, 05:15 PM

Brikkas are more fun and less work than regular old mokapots. Mukkas look great, too, and although I've never tried one the videos I've seen look pretty sweet. Consider getting her one of those two (or both!) and an Aeropress.

However, if you drop the cash for good equipment and she gets neurotic enough to make real espresso well, you should be in for a serious treat! Barista at home!

Pat1075 · 05-14-2009, 05:04 PM

I love my breville and you can often find deals on them I got mine for about 370 usually goes for about 600. And capresso makes a great burr grinder for about 100 bucks.

Silound · 07-08-2009, 11:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pat1075

I love my breville and you can often find deals on them I got mine for about 370 usually goes for about 600. And capresso makes a great burr grinder for about 100 bucks.

Yeah, and the way I was grinding a half-pound a day for my habits, that Capresso was dead by the third month. New burrs were nearly as expensive as the machine was.

I bought a used Mazzer Mini from a local coffee shop for $150. It needed a rewiring job (they did SOMETHING to rip off the power cord SOMEHOW) and new burrs, which cost me about $70 bucks shipped.

Given the manufacturing date is sometime 2008, I expect to get, at minimum, a thousand pounds out of this thing before it lets go for good.

Moral of the story is check with your local coffee shop. If you're in real close, they may even buy one and sell it to you at cost (for them Mini's run about $450 I was told).

DocLogic77 · 05-15-2009, 06:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mosesbotbol

I have a the Rancilio Rock/Silva set and that will keep you loving the setup for several years. I am ready for an upgrade after owning this for about a decade.

Take a look in Craigslist. I have seen several nice setup's go for 50% off of what a new one would go for. Just the other day I saw a Rocky grinder go for $200ish. Sure they are used, but a nice setup should last a long time, and they are fairly easily repaired if you ever do need to fix it. A gasket on the group head and thermometer is all I have replaced in 10 years! Both are easy do-it-yourself repairs.

Certainly an espresso machine setup is not cheap, but it's not cheap in Italy or Switzerland either; just the name of the game.

I have the same set up and I'm loving it.

05-11-2009, 11:33 AM	#1
mosesbotbol That's a Corgi Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Moses Location: Boston Posts: 6,171 Trading: (6)	Re: What is a very good Espresso machine I have a the Rancilio Rock/Silva set and that will keep you loving the setup for several years. I am ready for an upgrade after owning this for about a decade. Take a look in Craigslist. I have seen several nice setup's go for 50% off of what a new one would go for. Just the other day I saw a Rocky grinder go for $200ish. Sure they are used, but a nice setup should last a long time, and they are fairly easily repaired if you ever do need to fix it. A gasket on the group head and thermometer is all I have replaced in 10 years! Both are easy do-it-yourself repairs. Certainly an espresso machine setup is not cheap, but it's not cheap in Italy or Switzerland either; just the name of the game. __________________ Port Wine & Claret \| British Cars \| Welsh Corgi's

05-11-2009, 02:42 PM	#2
floydpink crazy diamond Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Pete Location: Orlando Posts: 1,955 Trading: (17)	Re: What is a very good Espresso machine Just to add.. I totally think that if you want a good setup and are a little short on budget, the refurbished stuff from WLL is better than buying new crappy stuff. I was told that they totally strip the machines and replace all parts that are worn as well as warranty them. Not sure if it's as good as new, but my grinder has performed flawlessly for 2 years now, as has my Gaggia. __________________ "If we weren't all crazy we would go insane"

05-11-2009, 05:37 PM	#3
Bruins Fan Hooper drives the boat. Join Date: May 2009 First Name: John Location: Cape Cod Posts: 1,359 Trading: (0)	Re: What is a very good Espresso machine I have a Breville Caferoma I use it several times a day for the past three years. I paid around 250.00 great machine. __________________ Here's to swimmin' with bow-legged women.

05-12-2009, 05:28 AM	#4
Mister Moo I barely grok the obvious Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Dan Location: Lizard Lick, NC Posts: 1,417 Trading: (3)	Re: What is a very good Espresso machine Good luck, guy. From your $500 starting point you now have rock solid recommendations from honest brothers for going grinder, going high, going low and going rebuilt in the middle. My take is, we're all right (for different reasons). (Get the grinder and the moka pot.) __________________ "I hope you had the time of your life."

05-13-2009, 05:15 PM	#5
trogdor Still Watching My Back Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: marc Posts: 146 Trading: (1)	Re: What is a very good Espresso machine Brikkas are more fun and less work than regular old mokapots. Mukkas look great, too, and although I've never tried one the videos I've seen look pretty sweet. Consider getting her one of those two (or both!) and an Aeropress. However, if you drop the cash for good equipment and she gets neurotic enough to make real espresso well, you should be in for a serious treat! Barista at home!

05-14-2009, 05:04 PM	#6
Pat1075 Feeling at Home Join Date: Nov 2008 First Name: Patrick Location: Lakewood, OH Posts: 755 Trading: (11)	Re: What is a very good Espresso machine I love my breville and you can often find deals on them I got mine for about 370 usually goes for about 600. And capresso makes a great burr grinder for about 100 bucks.