Espresso Machine experiences?

OK, so I searched the board's "Shopping and Cooking" for "espresso AND machine" and basically got zip. Which, I must admit, surprized me a bit.

I've decided that what I need is a thoroughly competent espresso machine. One that grinds its own.

A Friend In The Know suggested that I talk to someone in the coffee biz and get a reconditioned Illy. Probably not a bad idea. All's I have to do is find someone in the coffee biz.

Meanwhile, what do yinz [Second person plural in Pittsburghese] think about the machines you've tried/owned??

Geo

Hi Geo,

did you see this old thread?

http://lthforum.com/bb/viewtopic.php?t=1546

Here's another:

http://www.lthforum.com/bb/viewtopic.php?t=6004

Frankly, the phpBB search features that are built into the software which runs LTHF are awful. I encourage you to check out the search strategies discussed in this thread -- mostly various ways to use Google to search LTH more effectively than "LTH can search itself".

Google searches can have their quirks, like when Google indexes a "relative" link to the "next" page, but it's still much more effective than using the LTH search.

Tnx Amata and Joe! That was exactly what I was searching for. I think one problem in my searching technique was that I limited my search to the topic "Shopping & Cooking"--I should have looked at the site as a whole.

It looks like the Saeco Vienna is just about exactly what I'm looking for. But there's two problems, both linked to the fact that I'm back in Montreal:

1) it doesn't look like Saeco sells the Vienna (simpliciter) up here; only the "Semiautomatico" and the "Digital" and "Deluxe" models;

2)the price is going to be nearly double... well, let's say 70% more. And the Canadian distributor says on their website: "And don't buy it in the US since we won't honor their guarantee: each machine has a serial number so we can tell where you bought it." Cheerful little threat, no?!

Soooo, I suppose I can buy it Down South, smuggle it in, and take my chances on needing repairs. Dang.

Anyway, lots of great info there, for which, tnx again!

Geo

On the sweetmarias.com list, the Rancillio Silvia is probably the most popular.
I would also consider the Andreja Premium. It is the cheapest way to get an E61/ heat exchanger machine.

Kit

The Andreja Premium is 1,900 $CA, which is about U$ 1,820. I could commute to Seattle a couple of times, buy my coffee there, for that price. : )

Geo

It is only $1345 from Sweet Maria's. That does buy a lot of coffee, but that is not the point. The point is to have a big, shiny, noisy object representing the pinnacle of the industrial revolution using valuable counter space...... that coincidently makes coffee.

Kit

some friends of mine who like to spend a lot of $$ on their coffee machines just bought the Saeco Vienna after a screw was somehow dropped into the hopper of their coffee beans on their "old" higher end Capresso machine, and it got ground up. (which was followed up by drunken disassembly and failure to reassemble the hundreds of internal parts in the thing..). their old machine was a real workhorse.

this new machine produces great tasting coffee (pretty close to the same...), which I guess is #1. it isn't quite as sleek looking and is wider than the other machines (and bigger in general?). it looks a little more toyish than workhorseish to me. will be interesting to see how it holds up!

i'm guessing this one is a little more flimsy, but for the price point, i think it's a good investment and might consider one myself..


on to less expensive choices... for $30 you can get an "Aeropress" that'apparently makes really great espresso. it works a little like a french press, but sort of the opposite. check it out. http://espressoparts2.zoovy.com/product/AEROPRESS ...my neighbor bought one after flying home sitting next to the inventor who was raving about all the great stuff it does. she now thinks it's great and threw out her coffee maker... in my search for finding a fully automatic coffee/espresso machine, this little thingy has me thinking maybe i don't need the more expensive machine. would love to hear if anyone has any feedback or has used one.

Well gang, I just bought a new in-the-box Saeco Vienna for U$440, from a Canadian, on eBay. Whoda thunk it?

I'll keep y'awl/yinz informed as things roll along.

Much obliged to everyone for all the good advice!

Geo

for$30 you can get an "Aeropress" that'apparently makes really great espresso. it works a little like a french press, but sort of the opposite. check it out. http://espressoparts2.zoovy.com/product/AEROPRESS ...my neighbor bought one after flying home sitting next to the inventor who was raving about all the great stuff it does. she now thinks it's great and threw out her coffee maker... in my search for finding a fully automatic coffee/espresso machine, this little thingy has me thinking maybe i don't need the more expensive machine. would love to hear if anyone has any feedback or has used one.

http://www.coffeegeek.com/forums/coffee/machines/195166?Page=1
I haven't used it seems to be getting a lot of good reviews. Polyester filters are the latest tweak.

Kit

I've now used a Saeco Vienna at least twice daily for five years without any mechanical issues. Like Sofia Loren, despite being both plastic and Italian, it has only gotten better with age. I snagged a second one for a friend recently; the "Deluxe" is usually $100 more but was discounted at Costco. The only differences I can divine are color, a swivel base, and more sound insulation, none of which justify the price difference.

So I bought a brand-new Saeco Vienna from a Canadian on ebay. Total cost, delivered, $470 US, which is about $300 cheaper than buying it in a Canadian store...

Oh, man, do I *love* this machine or what?! It operates smoothly, surely, quite simply, and makes an excellent cup of whatever I set it for. And the crema--which is my favorite part--is just superb!

Tnx to everyone who took part in this discussion, which, as LTH discussions typically do, let me unto The Light.

Geo

I received the newest version of Krups espresso maker...I have to say, I was reluctant, but it really produces a great cup of coffee. I am not happy with the steamer, but for a lower end machine it works great.

BUMP from the depths!

Starting to think about upgrading my Baby Gaggia after refining my technique for the past five years. Have the Baratza Vario grinder that seems to do a great job.

Anyone bought a new machine lately they felt was worth a plug?

Been thinking in the $1,000 - $1,500 range. Not looking for a super automatic either. I enjoy the art and science and therefore the fuss that comes along with tweaking for that perfect shot.

As noted above, coffeegeek's reviews and forums are pretty exhaustive:

http://coffeegeek.com/

I have a Rancilio Silvia that I love. The fourth iteration is $685. It's makes great espresso, but can be finicky. There is probably more written about the Silvia than any other espresso maker out there.

Here are two great write-ups that will either sell you on it or turn you off:
http://www.home-barista.com/rancilio-silvia-review.html
https://www.sweetmarias.com/product/ran ... iss-silvia

It's a bit below your price point, though, and so you have room for other features. What are you looking for? Do you make milk drinks, in which case a model with a heat exchanger or a double boiler might be the way to go (the latter may be out of your price range). A step up from the Silvia would a model with better temperature control (though you can buy an after-market PID for the Silvia for $200+ that accomplishes this).

Also, one of the best espresso sites is http://www.home-barista.com/ and especially this page: http://www.home-barista.com/advice/how- ... 16938.html

Here's a data point: my 14 year old Saeco Vienna remains. 14 years of wear and tear and at least twice daily use, still making a damn good cup of coffee. It's remarkable that a bunch of loud plastic moving parts from Italy could live to see 14. The original old Vienna with a knob, 2 buttons and no water filter has out performed a newer, "improved" model with more lights, buttons, a water filter, and a very finnicky shutoff command that kicks in at the slightest sign of too much or too little of whatever seems to be the problem at any given time (coffee, grounds, water, calcium scale, etc.). Knocking vigorously on wood.

I know jpeac2 is only interested in a hand-crafting machine, but I thought that I'd throw in some remarks for anyone else who might be less artisanally-minded.

I've got a nearly 10-yr.-old Saeco Vienna that has been out for repairs only once; it is used on a daily basis to make me 3-5 cups, and Debbie 1-2 fully-foamed cappucinos. Not a great cuppa, but totally acceptable, enjoyable, and automatically.

At our Lake place we have a Jura. Makes noticeably better coffee, but it's been back to the factory twice. [I've learned: do NOT move oily beans immediately from freezer to machine: the grinder gums up too easily that way!] Service was blindingly fast, no questions. But I *did* have to ship it away for a few days.

In the end, I guess I'd take the Jura's better taste over the Vienna's reliability.

Bought some Jacobs Kronung beans a couple weeks ago and was in total heaven...

Geo