2blue Senior Member Joined: 31 Dec 2007 Posts: 4 Location: Mississippi Expertise: Just starting
Grinder: Mr Coffee Drip: Bunn
Posted Sat Jan 12, 2008, 5:29am Subject: First machine for newbie on budget
Would like suggestions for first semi-auto espresso machine, not made of plastic, for newbie on a budget. Have a Saeco Titan burr grinder, which may not be considered great by many, but it sure beats the blade grinder I had -- am getting really good coffee from my Bunn drip. Your input will help greatly. Thanks.
Posted Sat Jan 12, 2008, 6:07am Subject: Re: First machine for newbie on budget
I'm in the market for a machine myself. The thing is I don't want to get something that will leave me feeling I want something more. Grinder is of top importance to me so I plan to spend a big chunk of my budget on it...a Mazzer or Macap most likely....I'd never have to upgrade from any of the two. What are you looking for in a machine? And you're on a budget, whether it's high or low, that could mean anything. The number one intro setup (as it seems to me by reading through the forums) is the Rancilio Silvia (machine) and Rocky (grinder). If you look around you can find deals on the combo. I've Also seen A PID'ed Silvia/Mazzer Mini grinder combo on eBay for around $1200-$1300, which, if you want to upgrade you already have a top of the line grinder and all you have to worry about is the machine. But I do thing if you want to get into espresso the Silvia/Rocky combo is the minimum. Well, have fun and do lots of research to find exacly what you want in a machine so you won't get upgradeitis right away :)
Posted Sat Jan 12, 2008, 9:56am Subject: Re: First machine for newbie on budget
2blue Said:
Would like suggestions for first semi-auto espresso machine, not made of plastic, for newbie on a budget. Have a Saeco Titan burr grinder, which may not be considered great by many, but it sure beats the blade grinder I had -- am getting really good coffee from my Bunn drip. Your input will help greatly. Thanks.
I think the best machine for a noobie on a budget is one of the inexpensive Gaggia machines ("Carezza" or "Espresso"). These have plastic bodies but the plastic is pretty tough and the group heads and portafilters are commercial-style....I have a Gaggia Espresso as a backup machine and it makes a pretty nice shot.
You can step up to the LeLit or Silvia machines, they have stainless bodies but they also cost twice as much. So it depends on your budget.....
As for the Saeco Titan, it looks very similar to the older Solis grinders and now Saeco and Solis are the same company (if I recall correctly). It can do well enough for a starter grinder but it will be working at it's limit to grind for espresso. I recently used a Baratza Virtuoso grinder and a Hamilton-Beach pump espresso machine to make drinkable shots but it took a little work and of course we were using very freshly-roasted coffee beans.
2blue Senior Member Joined: 31 Dec 2007 Posts: 4 Location: Mississippi Expertise: Just starting
Grinder: Mr Coffee Drip: Bunn
Posted Sat Jan 12, 2008, 8:30pm Subject: Re: First machine for newbie on budget
Very helpful. Thank you. I almost bought the Virtuoso but bought the Titan instead -- you're right, the Titan does look like the Solis. I noticed that after I bought the Titan. So, at this point in my budget, it looks like I need to step up the grinder and just get a plastic-bodied machine for now. Thank you.
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