ATLDiver Said:

Ok, I've spent some time on here reading and learning, (as well as other places,) but I still confused on what I want. Here's the setup, I want to step up to an espresso maker from my current French Press as I appreciate good strong coffee but I'm not to the connoisseur that many are here.

Start with what I like...Mostly cappuccinos/Latte's and the occasional espresso from the coffee house. I buy all my coffee at Costco, I generally buy the medium blend house blend but occasional splurge on Kona beans. I work from home so I usually drink 3-4 cups of regular coffee (black) with an occasional cup in the evenings after dinner. I first started out thinking I wanted a super-automatic machine for the convenience and the ability to make milk drinks, (I've found out semi's do this as well.) After reading, talking to a friend that has a Silva and looking at my options I think I really want to go with a semi-auto but have some reservations. First is cost, I really, really don't want to go north of $500 as that's the point where I feel comfortable spending for this endeavor.  That would include both a grinder and machine so my options are rather limited but I'm not opposed to a refurb'ed unit (actually Whole Latte Love has some I've been eying,) and might consider used so that opens up some higher priced machines normally to me as well.

Right now the Gaggia Baby line as well as the classic are my top choices for my criteria but I'm not sure on the grinder, is it possible to to use a semi-auto with pressurized head and use a the grinder at the store set to espresso? I've read where some have done this with good success until they can justify/afford a quality grinder, if possible this is what I would do in the short-term. If this is possible I might just make the jump to the Silva or pick up one used. If this is not possible, what's the bare minimum grinder I could pull off? Gaggia MDF or maybe a refurb'ed Rocky? If I were to stick with the Gaggia line would I be better off sticking with the Classic over the Baby dual-boiler unit?

One thing I'd like to prevent is buy something that I'll want to upgrade fairly soon as I do appreciate spending time to produce a more quality product but obviously there's a limit here. I don't want something that takes 10 mins to make a single drink and/or froth milk so your advise is appreciated.

Thanks in advance for patience on my questions as I muddle my way through this. Given that I've always made coffee, never espresso this whole thing is a tad new but I'd like the ability to produce something better than I can get at my local coffee house.

Posted January 28, 2013 link

CMIN Said:

I would go Classic over Baby anyday. Don't know much about the MDF grinder. But like posted above you'll have to start using fresh roasted beans as in the stores those bags have been sitting for months generally and already stale. Stale beans = nasty tasting gushing shots....espresso unfortunately is more picky then other coffee methods. If you could swing a Classic and then a refurb Baratza Preciso I'd go that route (Baratza list new refurb units every Thursday on their site).

Plenty of roasters online, but google your area and see if you have any local ones or not too far, as well as 'good' coffee shops/cafes (not Charbucks lol). Good places will generally carry fresh beans from known roasters that they'll sell to you, be able to pick up a pound here and there and not have to pay shipping.

Posted January 29, 2013 link