espresso machine

[cathouse willy]

I'm drinking coffee again after a layoff of a year plus. During the layoff I gave my Breville to my daughter so I'm looking to replace it. I'd like a compact unit as counter space is at a premium, my old breville had a larger footprint than I'd like but it was a good machine. What do you espresso drinkers use?

[Garret]

I rarely drink espresso, but my old Krups made a great cup. If I were looking for one, I'd head to the nearest Habitat resale shop & see what they have. Last week my local one had 2 machines each for under $20.

[bluedog225]

While I love my londinium, I got a big ass mocha pot recently (at restore). Used correctly, it makes a darn good brew.

[Jfitzger]

I have a version of the la pavoni europiccola from the late 70's. You can buy all the parts and they are easy to work on. I paid $150 for mine and spent another $50 on parts. New they run around $800. They make espresso as good as a high end coffee shop but it takes time to get the proper technique. Most cheaper espresso machines use a pressurized porta filter to make up for most consumers not having a high end grinder. The La Pavoni doesn't so you will need a good grinder.

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[ron ll]

Here’s my lashup. It’s a Rocket Appartemento with a DF64 single dose burr grinder. It may take up more space than you want however. A great machine for the price and a smaller footprint is the Gaggia Classic. Just remember that a good burr grinder is more important than the espresso machine.

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[Michael Beckman]

https://coffeechronicler.com/cafelat-robot-review/

This is what I use. I had a few entry level consumer machines before. The robot is so much better. All you need is a good grinder and a kettle. No maintenance to worry about, and it makes great espresso. And without a steam wand, there's no temptation to add milk.

[cathouse willy]

After a lot of time spent looking at shiny expensive manual espresso machines ( I almost spent $1000 on a La Pavoni machine but came to my senses just in time) This was delivered today. I tried it out right away and it makes a nice shot,my technique needs some work but it's a keeper. My only trouble with the shots is that they're so small, the temptation is to have a couple or more but I can't drink that much strong coffee any more. My thanks to Michael Beckman for bringing this one to my attention.

cafelat-robot_red__16339.1605900962.1280.1280__57356.jpg

[JimD]

Mine's a Breville. The base is 9" x 9". Get's used every morning. Can't remember the last time I had a brewed/drip coffee. Actually I can, it's one of the hardships of camping without a power hook up.

[Jim Bow]

[Paul Pless]

why cowboy coffee
its horrible
and more effort than a percolator
a pour over
a auto drip

[Figment]

We got this all-in-one deal for the office a while back. Cannot recommend.


I only use the espresso side for an occasional afternoon bump. (a thermos from home gets me through the morning)
It totally sucks but it beats running out to starbucks so I kept that opinion to myself.
After 3 weeks we had a staff revolt. Five different coffees, innumerable experiments with process and they just could NOT get the drip side to make a decent pot.

That $400 failure sits idle now while a 40-yr old Sunbeam 30-cup percolator keeps everyone happy.
I keep my bible study flashbacks to myself.

[willmarsh3]

I use an Atomic stovetop espresso and cappuccino maker.

https://www.amazon.com/La-Sorrentina.../dp/B0033AB9AO



The big advantage for me is that it sits on the stove. I built a small wooden box to put it and the coffee grinder and other bits in for travel and to the boat. It works well on a gas, electric or alcohol stove.

[bluedog225]

The Pavoni, aka the chrome peacock, made far and away the best espresso I’ve ever had. Once. Then you had to wait an hour for the birch to cool down. And it would burn you if you looked at it wrong. Bad. And if your grind was too fine and you chocked it, you waited an hour or you got sprayed with a pavoni sneeze of boiling coffee grounds.

I loved the magnificent elegant simplicity. And the way it made me suffer chasing the fix. Finally sold it cause I think it may be soldered with lead and made with leady brass.

[cathouse willy]

Grinders, what about grinders? I'm thinking a manual grinder suited to fine grounds for espresso. My counter top electric does a good job of every grind but fine (not fine enough). What do you use, any recommendations?

[artif]

Rok manual press or Aeropress for the price and travel

[ron ll]

Grinders, what about grinders? I'm thinking a manual grinder suited to fine grounds for espresso. My counter top electric does a good job of every grind but fine (not fine enough). What do you use, any recommendations?

James Hoffman on YouTube has a lot of reviews and comparisons of grinders and other coffee gear in various price categories. I use a DF64 (see post #5 above) but that’s maybe overkill for your needs.

[Bobcat]

I used a hand grinder for many years. It was this model: Hario Skerton plus ceramic coffee bill. Last Fall, I bought an electric burr grinder a Hamilton Beach because I got tired of the nightly ritual of 250 turns of the crank.

[bluedog225]

Orphan Espresso Pharos 2.0

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https://www.coffeeinaplace.com/produ...presso-pharos/