RobynC Senior Member Joined: 20 Nov 2012 Posts: 1 Location: Canada Expertise: Just starting
Posted Tue Nov 20, 2012, 8:57am Subject: New to coffee and buying espresso machine as a gift please help!
Hey there,
I am currently on the hunt for an espresso machine as a gift for my boyfriend for Christmas. He's Italian, loves his good quality espresso Daily and I have no knowledge about coffee! So I thought I'd ask the experts. I am looking for something between 600 & 1,100 as well as a machine with a grinder on it and my main priority is quality. He won't drink more than 2-3 shots a day so I'm not worried about mass production or anything. Any insight / recommendations would be great! I am looking at the Breville barista express espresso maker, a few Saeco machines and Delonghi. Thanks!!
calblacksmith Moderator Joined: 25 Nov 2007 Posts: 5,772 Location: Riverside, Ca, U.S.A. Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: ECM Veneziano A1 Grinder: Many different commercial Vac Pot: 40s era Silex Drip: Milita, Bunn&Curtis... Roaster: Cast iron pan, gas burner
Posted Tue Nov 20, 2012, 9:41am Subject: Re: New to coffee and buying espresso machine as a gift please help!
There are a LOT of better machines available to you in that price range, please do not settle for consumer starter, er, less than optimal for price machines. Please start with the how to buy an espresso machine FAQ, it will address questions you do not know to ask at the moment. Then after you understand all the info there, you are in a better position to ask questions.
Coffeenoobie Senior Member Joined: 11 Dec 2011 Posts: 2,372 Location: PNW Expertise: I like coffee
Espresso: N S Oscar Grinder: Vario W
Posted Tue Nov 20, 2012, 12:20pm Subject: Re: New to coffee and buying espresso machine as a gift please help!
1k is a good starting budget. I spent that on my set up and I feel I got a good machine at a good price. However, it was a USED light duty commercial machine. The grinder was new.
As a gift you might not want to get used and I understand that. I was under the impression that most Italians used a moka pot at home and did not own an espresso machine. Might not that do the trick? They are less expensive and then get him a good grinder.
Coffeenoobie
Buying advice: GRINDER GRINDER GRINDER. Don't cheap out on the grinder. My coffee treasure map... Click Here (maps.google.com)
Please ignore all of the self-important bombast and appreciate the sincere attempts at helping All87 start out at an advantage. If you wish to 'cut to the chase', I think she made a wise choice. As was suggested, don't forget to include some beans. Get him a Reg Barber tamper for Christmas next year. Good luck to you and to your boyfriend, and Merry Christmas.
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