Feed back needed on Espresso Machines..

[Rakhi]

I was wondering if any one here owns an Espresso Machine. I am planning to buy this but I have no clue where to start. Before you all say, “Do some research”, I have gathered the below facts but I am not sure which brand is good for these machines. If you have any idea, I will really appreciate your suggestions.

I am thinking of going for Single boiler, duel use machine (others are over $1000), fully automated. Semi-automated looks sexy but given our rush hour schedules, I think automated is the best option.

Any other suggestions will be really appreciated!! I will also be checking for few other details but which brand is good? Thanks guys in advance!!

Edit: I am also planning on buying a separate grinder, as suggested by websites.

[echarcha]

I have seen two types of machines. One is where you get small half anf half type sealed cups. You put them in the machine and it makes coffee and then you remove and throw them. Rather the machine dumps them in a small compartment. You can buy different flavours and roast strengths of coffee.

The other one is where you put the beans in the machine and set how many cups you want. It automatically crushes the required number of beans, makes the coffee and then dumps the used ground powder into small compressed cakes into a disposal container.

I dont have much experience of using either, but thought that coffee bean to coffee option in the second one was much better.

[Cooldude]

Most good quality espresso machines are direct bean to cup types that have inbuilt grinder for crushing the coffee beans followed by instantaneous brewing. Going for such machines are better than buying your grinder separately. The brew quality you get with these machines are way better than the ones you get with the mediocre ones that brew with ground coffee powder.

Italian machines are the best you could consider for a good brew. Some good ones are:

1) Delonghi
2) Saeco
3) Gaggia
3) Jura (Swiss machines, more expensive)

When choosing a machine you also have to decide whether you need auto milk dispensing or just a milk frother. Almost all machines come with an external milk frother. The ones with auto milk dispensing are pricier. I would also suggest going for a machine with an inbuilt descaling program, which you would have to do every quarter of a year to remove scale accumulation inside the machine pipes & keep it running in good condition. Good in the long run.

I have a Delonghi ESAM 6600 for over two years now & still enjoy my morning brew with it. Can't do without it.

[chando]

If you want something cheap, I would go with stove top espresso maker

http://www.espressozone.com/espresso-makers.html

I bought one in walmart for $10-$12

[Rakhi]

Thanks Cooldude. I am actually willing to spend up to $500 and the model you mentioned you have at home is over $1000. I was looking at various reviews and in most of them they say that even though the machine has an inbuilt grinder, the coffee beans get the best flavor if they have a grinder attached to it. I am not too sure how true this is and how effective/redundant it is.

Another quick question. Are you able to make regular coffee as well with this? I mean, I do know that for espresso we need the beans to grind soft/fine and for coffee it will have to be slightly coarse. So, can I make regular coffee with this? What is the ratio if it has to me manual (1:2, espresso to water?)

Thanks for your response.

[Cooldude]

Originally Posted by Rakhi

Another quick question. Are you able to make regular coffee as well with this? I mean, I do know that for espresso we need the beans to grind soft/fine and for coffee it will have to be slightly coarse. So, can I make regular coffee with this? What is the ratio if it has to me manual (1:2, espresso to water?)

Thanks for your response.

The machine brews with regular ground coffee too. But just simple coffee with no strength adjustment. For Cappuccino, Machiatto & Latte espressos, one has to use beans only. More info here:

http://www.seriousaboutcoffee.com