One of the most basic rules of netiquette is to lurk on a forum for at least a week, reading everything you can before you post. If you had taken some time to do so, you would have known that your post would have been better answered in the Lever Espresso Machines Forum. Would a moderator be so kind as to move this post into that forum please?
I'm sorry if I sound rude, I don't mean to be.
I've posted in the lever machines forum before asking if buying a lever machine was a good (And cheaper) alternative to buying a conventional semi-auto or auto pump-based machine. Believe me, it isn't. I've tried to go down that road.
I can't really provide an opinion about either machine you've mentioned because I haven't used them, but here's some information below if you are interested in going down the road of serious espresso preparation:
There are two types of "real" lever espresso machines. The first is a completely manual type, which requires physical force to extract the espresso. These machines are finicky, unforgiving and require a skilled operator to use. They typically start in around the $900 (Roughly 450 pounds) mark when they are new. The most commonly known brand of manual lever machines are La Pavoni. You MAY be able to find a decently priced used La Pavoni lever machine for your budget though. Give them a good hard look first.
The second type is what is called a "Spring-Type" lever machine. These machines have a spring which does the hard work, you use the lever to cock it. A well known spring-type lever machine out there for home use is the Elektra Micro Casa Da Leva machine. They usually start out at the $1800 mark, or roughly around 900 pounds. I've seen used versions of this machine sell for nearly half that. These machines don't require as much physical force and make a much more consistent espresso shot than a completely manual machine.
BTW, Nice camera. If you want something nice to Photograph, the a Elektra Micro Casa Da Leva machine is a very photogenic machine and is a wonderful piece of steampunk style art which just happens to make great espresso. :-) I fell in love with the looks of them on first sight.
These lever machines are really only designed to make one or two drinks at a time. You have to be very patient with them and very forgiving because they won't be. Everything matters when it comes to these machines. Dose, grind, tamp, extraction pressure (Only for the La Pavoni) and the method the operator uses to extract the espresso.
Dazzler83 Said:
two that i have been looking at are the 'handpresso' and 'presso espresso' machines.
Both of these machines look like they would be good if you wanted to make espresso on the go, but I don't think that they're ideal for regular daily use. At least not IMHO.
As well, any "real" espresso machine, lever or not, is fussy about grind. Are you planning on purchasing a good espresso grinder to go with it? If not, you will get disappointing results.
If you want the true manual experience of making an espresso, consider doubling your budget and consider an Orphan Espresso Pharos hand grinder. Click Here (www.orphanespresso.com)
Once you have obtained the grinder, then consider the machine.
With espresso (and coffee in general) the grinder is much more important than the machine. Not all burr grinders are able to grind for espresso so just having a burr grinder is no guarantee that you can make espresso.
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