boxta Senior Member Joined: 4 May 2008 Posts: 6 Location: US Expertise: Just starting
Posted Sun May 4, 2008, 6:40pm Subject: What to buy for a beginner? Capresso ultima or Breville ?? Need advice!
Hi guys,
I have been using a crappy drip (hamilton b.) for a long time, and am never impressed with the quality. I have just decided that maybe getting an espresso machine will provide the coffee that i love.
I mainly like espresso / mocha or regular "crema coffee"
I am under the impression that these espresso machines can also make "crema coffee" by having more water pump thru.
Given i am a "beginner" i don't want to spend too much.. 300 is probably max.
i have narrowed down to:
Capresso ultima - semi automatic machine.. seems to be easy to use.. and capresso seems to have pretty good review throughout
breville cafe roma... or Ikon... not sure what's the difference between the two.. but both seems to be great machine.. and breville seems to be a great name as well
so here you go.. 3 machines.. please help me decide
Posted Sun May 4, 2008, 7:08pm Subject: Re: What to buy for a beginner? Capresso ultima or Breville ?? Need advice!
Look for refurbished "Gaggia Coffee", "Gaggia Carezza", or "Gaggia Espresso" machines (all of the entry level Gaggias have the same quality internal components) from Whole Latte Love -either through their site or via ebay... Then seek refurb Gaggia MDF, Lelit, or Rancilio Rocky grinders. The machines that you have named are not likely to keep you happy for very long for a myriad of resons. Full disclosure: this is going to get you closer to the $400 range, but you are going to get an awful lot more for your money.
If you can live without a machine for a little while, consider investing in a higher quality grinder and a Chemex pour over coffee set ($25-$40) first while you save up for a machine. The importance of your grinder cannot be overstated. Seek fresh roasted quality beans. You can find plenty of information on all of this using this forum's search engine. Also try visiting the Chris' Coffe website as they always seem to have buyers remorse/refurb deals and seem to be VERY highly recommended among coffee folks here for their untouchable service.
Also, try the search feature, it will turn up hundreds of posts on this exact question.
That being said, at a $300 budget, 2/3 of your budget should be grinder, 1/3 espresso machine. I'd suggest a refurb gaggia carezza (sometimes going for $85 on ebay), and one of the grinders suggested in the thread above.
DavidBB Senior Member Joined: 10 Jan 2008 Posts: 173 Location: Alberta Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Vibiemme Domobar Super... Grinder: Mazzer Mini Vac Pot: 8 cup FP Drip: Hamilton Beach Roaster: 5lb BBQ Drum, iR2
Posted Mon May 5, 2008, 3:02pm Subject: Re: What to buy for a beginner? Capresso ultima or Breville ?? Need advice!
I started with the breville and have been very satisfied with it. (At least until I found this site). It has been reliable and easy to use. Always hot and good crema. It has wet steam, but that seemed to get better the more I used it. It heats up quick and has a fast recovery time for doing more than one drink with friends over. I have since upgraded my grinder to a Mazzer Mini and have ordered a new Vibiemme double. Times change :) Good luck in your choice and enjoy the coffee.
"Once you wake up and smell the coffee, it's hard to go back to sleep".
Zin1953 Senior Member Joined: 9 Dec 2005 Posts: 426 Location: Berkeley, CA Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: Elektra T1 - La Valentina -... Grinder: Mahlkönig K30 Vario -... Vac Pot: no, Press Pot Drip: No Roaster: No, no, not another...
Posted Mon May 5, 2008, 6:32pm Subject: Re: What to buy for a beginner? Capresso ultima or Breville ?? Need advice!
stevier Said:
That being said, at a $300 budget, 2/3 of your budget should be grinder, 1/3 espresso machine. I'd suggest a refurb gaggia carezza (sometimes going for $85 on ebay), and one of the grinders suggested in the thread above.
If $300 is your entire budget, including a grinder, you DEFINITELY need to check out some of the items on eBay. Either that, or talk to Danny . . .
But if $300 is just for the espresso machine itself, you cannot do better than a Gaggia (speaking only of MSRP here; certain machines on sale might change the recommendation). Also, keep in mind many internet vendors do not charge sales tax and have free shipping . . .
boxta Senior Member Joined: 4 May 2008 Posts: 6 Location: US Expertise: Just starting
Posted Mon May 5, 2008, 7:28pm Subject: Re: What to buy for a beginner? Capresso ultima or Breville ?? Need advice!
hmm.. well.. originally... it was 300 for the espresso machine.. after this thread..
i guess i need to put some money to a grinder.. which i am eyeing on the breville ikon grinder... the brand i like (breville) and good review... and that's 100.
so that left 200 bucks for the machine itself
i am curious on why the replies on this thread has been overwhelmingly towards gaggia (and not breville / capresso). But when i look at the coffeegeek review section, both machines have very similar ratings on average (mid to high 7's ) .. so it left me wonder.. here's what I seem to find about the 2 (i guess capresso ultima wasn't so great afterall ...... )
breville ikon: looks better to me definitely. stainless steel exterior goes with my decor much better... seems to brew a decent shot from what i read.. people have replaced the basket with non pressurized ones and said to have good result.. basket size a bit weird with 51mm ish.
gaggia carezza: looks uglier to me. definitely more plastic, which is OK, but doesn't really make my kitchen nicer.. it's a machine i am not sure i want to put it out .. which is a minus.... basket seems to be commercial size and inner workings seem to be a good thing
hmmmm hard to decide.. bottom line.. i wonder how much quality difference is there.. in terms of quality, crema, etc.
if not much differenece.. i really think i want to like the ikon (coz i just like the overall styling much better). has someone experienced both brand and attest to gaggia's quality?
DannyBoy21 Senior Member Joined: 28 Apr 2008 Posts: 19 Location: Los Angeles Expertise: Just starting
Posted Mon May 5, 2008, 7:36pm Subject: Re: What to buy for a beginner? Capresso ultima or Breville ?? Need advice!
Boxta - here's why I went with the ikon over the gaggia. Like you said, the design is much better. The ikon is a pretty machine. Second of all, the gaggia uses "thermoblock" technology to heat its water, whereas the ikon uses a boiler, which is not usually found in lower end machines. Also, you can get the ikon for $160 (plus tax) at Bed Bath and Beyond with their ubiquitous 20% off coupons.
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