genoyamamoto 0 #1 March 19, 2005 Rainy saturday and i'm sitting here trying to figure out which espresso machine to get for my new office. Anyone have advice for a machine < $200? Gotta go... plaything needs to spank me Feel the hate... Photos here Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jib 0 #2 March 19, 2005 I don't know what's available at that price, but I would recommend a pump machine if you can swing it. The other thing that made a difference was a real burr grinder, but they start around $100 themselves (and the one I have won't grind flavored coffees). -------------------------------------------------- the depth of his depravity sickens me. -- Jerry Falwell, People v. Larry Flynt Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
freakflyer9999 1 #3 March 19, 2005 I have the $29 one from Walmart. I can't tell the difference between the Latte's I make at home and Starbucks. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skybill 22 #4 March 20, 2005 Hi moto, Don't know how big you wanna get but the Krupps Espresso single is great for well under $100. i havn't priced one lately but my friend Nancy gave me and our friend Laddie one for Christmas several years ago. I used mine so much that I wore it out to the point that the boiler blew up!! Any way check those out because they work really well. Now, don't bother with steaming up some milk for the Capicunio. What you do is you get a 12 oz beer mug and pour in a jigger of coffee liquor (Kalua or the like) a jigger of Irish Cream liquor, as much dark rum, Frangilico, Amaretto and what ever else you might like that you can handle and when the steam comes up, put the mug under the spigot and hit it with the steam!! If you do it right, all this stuff will turn to a real nice froth. Then pour the whole pot of espresso over this, sprinkle with a dash of cinnamon and some whipped cream (out of the can os OK) and enjoy!! I call it a "Black Death Cocktail" Got that!!!?? Also for coffee, you have to use some really good beans and I recommend getting a small krupps or the like grinder to grind up your beans right before brewing. a grinder is under $20. Diedriches coffee on east 17th street in Costa Mesa Ca has some killer coffee's and they mail order. Their "Yemen Mocha Java" blend is really tops for espresso!!! And remember to get the whole beans and grind your own right before brewing!!SCR-2034, SCS-680 III%, Deli-out Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WFFC 1 #5 March 20, 2005 Go to Starbucks and get one of the pump machines they have - 2 year warranty to boot. If you don't want to help increase the value of SBUX, then get a Saeco (they make the Starbucks machines). Having initially gone the cheap route, spend the money and don't have the headache. The cheap machines from your local wally world are not really designed to make good coffee.----- ~~~Michael Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
genoyamamoto 0 #6 March 20, 2005 Thanks for all the advice. Another question: what do you guys think about those ESE espresso pods. Are they any good? Keep in mind that i'm not very picky about coffee, only to the extent that I know what good is and what bad is. Gotta go... plaything needs to spank me Feel the hate... Photos here Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skydiver30960 0 #7 March 20, 2005 I'm a big fan of my Gaggia machine. My uncle (by marriage) is Italian and a big espresso fan and he got it for me when I graduated from college. That was eight years ago and it's still going strong with only one repair. They're a bit pricey, but definitely worth it... Elvisio "quadra-latte" Rodriguez Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
