Let's talk coffee...

[Cajungaltx]

I've talked myself into buying an expresso machine and making my skinny caramel lattes at home... Starbucks is getting too much of my bank balance... ;-)

I'm not looking for anything that's several hundred dollars... Less than 200 would be preferred... Under $100 would be better...

Anyone have any experience or expertise on suggestions for 'do it at home barista' expresso machines?



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[Rson]

IMO, if you want the all in one machines, Nespresso has had the best coffee. I like the green cups. Most the time, the all in one machines have weak coffee.

I am old school and love Lavazza ORO and a classic maker:

Amazon.com: Bialetti 6800 Moka Express 6-Cup Stovetop Espresso Maker: Kitchen & Dining

[J Eddington]

I have had a expresso machine for more than 20 years. Like you I didn't want to spend much. I went through 2 under a hundred machines in 18 months. When the second one did not work, I went to Starbucks and bought one from them! It was 9:00 pm and I was ticked that my cheap machine did not work AGAIN and I wanted a latte. It cost me 299. I still have it and it works perfectly and is used almost daily.

Then after you have your machine you will go in search of the perfect expresso bean.

[revjvegas]

To heck with espresso.

I still remember my grandma using a percolator to dish out some strong @ss coffee. You could almost stand a spoon up in that stuff.

[J Eddington]

Originally Posted by revjvegas

To heck with espresso.

I still remember my grandma using a percolator to dish out some strong @ss coffee. You could almost stand a spoon up in that stuff.

It was strong ass with grinds :). Grandma always had grinds in hers.

[Jake]

We bought one from starbucks a few years ago that was on clearance for $199 and it still works great.

[srwatters]

I have a Flavia machine at home. Although when it dies, I'm switching to a K-cups style maker. I'm limited to only the packets that Flavia sells now. Not a big issue because they have a few varieties that I like, but I prefer a wider choice and multiple vendors.

[ptrd]

I think for the most part, expresso machines are like cameras. You get what you pay for.

That being said there are great new cost effective things I have been reading about (I am an amatuer coffee nerd).

Most of these things take time and normally only make one cup of coffee. Now for expresso, I saw this thing for like $100 that is a manual press. Seems like you end up buying a nicer expresso machine when you can't get the temp and pressure quickly (much like cameras).

[Jake]

Originally Posted by srwatters

..... Although when it dies, I'm switching to a K-cups style maker. .....

We love our Keurig!

[Some Idiot]

Originally Posted by revjvegas

I still remember my grandma using a percolator to dish out some strong @ss coffee. You could almost stand a spoon up in that stuff.
]

that's what we have, it makes a great cup of joe, very strong but not bitter

[BG Photo]

I've been looking to get one for about a month now. Haven't decided yet but getting close.

If I spend more, I'm thinking Saeco Aroma about $270-300.

The De Longhi EC-155 gets very good reviews for a low price- About $80 new. I may try it.

I think the grinder is very important and will probably spend more on that. (eiither Baratza Maestro cheap, Baratza Virtuoso more expensive, or a Gaggia MDF if I go all out.

Maybe check some of these out.

[David Whatley]

Donna, I just sold one here while back, but it was a commerical model. You might want to check out some of the forums, such as coffeegeek.com
I really like the coffee from a roaster here in dallas, but he does ship
AHH Coffee
1225 E Crosby Rd
Carrollton TX 75006
Primary: 972 820-6181

[rab3rd]

Areo press and a conical grinder is all you need. The cheap machines are just that, cheap. I have been using an Areo Press for about 5 years now and it makes better espresso than any less than 500.00 machine I have ever had espresso from.

[rab3rd]

ThinkGeek :: Aeropress Coffee Maker

Amazon.com: Breville BCG450XL Conical Burr Grinder: Kitchen & Dining

Breville SK500XL 1.7 Liter Ikon Brushed Stainless Cordfree Kettle

This is the setup I have and it rocks.

[revjvegas]

Originally Posted by thejakestir

We love our Keurig!

For you K cups people, I don't know how their prices compare to other sites, but they are local here in Houston and my customer service experience with them thus far has been great...I order those little individual creamer packs from them.

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