ESL Senior Member Joined: 23 Nov 2003 Posts: 18 Location: Cow Hampshire Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Isomac Tea Grinder: Mazzer MINI
Posted Sun Apr 1, 2012, 5:01am Subject: Re: Espresso for under $300
You can buy a used machine from fleabay for relatively short money. A friend is about to list an isomac millenium for a reserve of $300. 7 years old but very well kept.
primacoffee Senior Member Joined: 19 May 2010 Posts: 36 Location: Louisville, KY Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: Dalla Corte Evolution 2grp Grinder: Mazzer Mini Vac Pot: Yama Siphon Drip: V60, Chemex, Kone, Wave
Posted Mon Apr 2, 2012, 8:43am Subject: Re: Espresso for under $300
Two thoughts on this:
Under $300 -
1) Mypressi Twist ($149) - makes excellent espresso, only have to purchase N20 cartridges (bonus: ultra portable). 2) Baratza Encore Grinder ($129) - Baratza's newest grinder and probably the best entry level electric grinder that can grind espresso. (though if you want to splurge a little bit more on the grinder, the Preciso is even better with its micro adjustments)
$400 Price Point -
Frankly, if you are willing to spend $300 on a machine, I might try to entice you up to $400 with the new ZPME espresso machine that is coming out soon. http://zpmespresso.myshopify.com/ This machine appears to be the best machine for its price that is out [edit: this machine is still in pre-production at the time of this post], though this is based upon specs and estimates at this point and not actual testing. This does appear to be a great espresso machine that, at the very least, will be worth keeping your eyes open about.
Also, as a side note, a great grinder is better than a great espresso machine, so to begin with, if you have to stick close to your budget, I would advise investing in a better grinder and going with the Mypressi Twist to begin with so you can still have great shots until you can save up for a better home machine to go with your grinder.
Coffeenoobie Senior Member Joined: 11 Dec 2011 Posts: 2,372 Location: PNW Expertise: I like coffee
Espresso: N S Oscar Grinder: Vario W
Posted Mon Apr 2, 2012, 2:36pm Subject: Re: Espresso for under $300
Wow, I really like the programming from the USB card and smart phones down the line. That gets me excited... I am a computer nerd. Not so excited about not being able to steam and brew, but everything else looks really neat and well thought out. That would have been a contender for me if I was just starting out now. However, I am very happy with my ugly Oscar. He was just unloved and now he is a star in my kitchen. And only $75 more than their starting costs. I have had to fix him up a bit. So, I am not going to ditch him for all the iphone driven coffee makers in the world. :)
Coffeenoobie
Buying advice: GRINDER GRINDER GRINDER. Don't cheap out on the grinder. My coffee treasure map... Click Here (maps.google.com)
no7fish Senior Member Joined: 2 Apr 2012 Posts: 5 Location: Carolinas Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Pasquini Livia Grinder: Hario (+DeWalt) Drip: plastic pour-over Roaster: hot air popper
Posted Mon Apr 2, 2012, 7:39pm Subject: Re: Espresso for under $300
So, this is my first post here also. I was, not that long ago, just like you. I wanted espresso and I didn't want to invest a ton of $$ in equipment. What I ended up with was a good deal on a *$ Barista (saeco via venezia) for $80 and I shimmed my black and decker burr grinder to get an appropriate grind. I made decent espresso at best. Definitely not good, but decent. I had to do a lot to get it too.
I was in the mood to upgrade in about 3 weeks. I found a smokin' deal on a Pasquini Livia for $300 minus the portafilter. That was $100, the cleaning cost only time, and I invested in a Hario hand grinder (which someone else mentioned does INDEED get old fast, esp when trying to learn a machine) that I promptly chucked up to my cordless drill.
At this point, having been graced with all sorts of luck, I'm still a safe $150 over your budget. That's in no way intended to deter you. In fact, the opposite. Get on craigslist, stay on it and you will find a deal. You might have to travel for it but they're there.
You could get by with one of the little machines for a bit and ignorance may be bliss. If you are an experienced espresso'r or if you prefer milk drinks it might be fine, but you're going to need a grinder one way or the other, and you'll probably want something with a proper portafilter too.
May not have been helpful but that's where I'm at coming from exactly where you are.
Estimating about $20 for a 24 pack of N20 Cartridges and going by Mypressi's claim of 4 doubleshots or 8 singleshots per cartridge, my assumption is that it will cost approximately $0.30 per doubleshot or $0.15 per singleshot for the cartridge cost. Again, these are just estimates.
Coffeenoobie Senior Member Joined: 11 Dec 2011 Posts: 2,372 Location: PNW Expertise: I like coffee
Espresso: N S Oscar Grinder: Vario W
Posted Mon Apr 9, 2012, 1:36pm Subject: Re: Espresso for under $300
Maybe he meant try it out in a show room, not a coffee shop.
I think I would spend the full 300 on a good grinder and try to pick up a used starbucks machine from craigslist for about 100 or less as soon as I could save the extra 100. Then I would set a jar by the starbucks machine and every time I pulled a shot I would tip myself and then use that money to buy myself a nicer machine in 6 months or a year. Maybe by then the guys will have their new machine made.
Coffeenoobie
Buying advice: GRINDER GRINDER GRINDER. Don't cheap out on the grinder. My coffee treasure map... Click Here (maps.google.com)
GlennT Senior Member Joined: 13 Feb 2012 Posts: 38 Location: SF Bay Area (Silicon Valley) Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Kraps Il Primo Steam Wanabe... Grinder: Baratza Priciso Drip: Aeropress & "Don't ask don't...
Posted Mon Apr 9, 2012, 2:05pm Subject: Re: Espresso for under $300
To be blunt, I recommend doing what I did: Buy a versatile grinder like a refurbished Precisio and an Aeropress, and then save for an espresso machine. At least the grinder will work for drip, Aeropress and espresso w/o a need to upgrade in a few months.
I prefer buying quality stuff that will last than "starter" equipment that will be totally inadequate after a few months of use.
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