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I have massive need of espresso
nuclearalchemist
Registered User regular
Registered User regular
Hi H&A,
As the title suggests, I have massive need for espresso. My mom is getting me an espresso machine of my choice (within reason) for Xmas, but I was going to ask you all what you would recommend, since I suspect there are some afficiandos running around.
The espresso machine must be:
1) Tasty (of course)
2) Easy to clean
3) If it can take PODs of some sort that are available easily in the US, that would be ideal.
I was going to bring this machine into my office (I am a grad student), so that everybody could use it and split the cost of the pods. So, any thoughts?
As the title suggests, I have massive need for espresso. My mom is getting me an espresso machine of my choice (within reason) for Xmas, but I was going to ask you all what you would recommend, since I suspect there are some afficiandos running around.
The espresso machine must be:
1) Tasty (of course)
2) Easy to clean
3) If it can take PODs of some sort that are available easily in the US, that would be ideal.
I was going to bring this machine into my office (I am a grad student), so that everybody could use it and split the cost of the pods. So, any thoughts?
~Eigen-fleichen
nuclearalchemist on
0
Posts
One and Three are not compatible, please choose again.
PODS are by definition not tasty, being pre-ground coffee designed for quick extraction. Any good espresso machine will be several hundred dollars and beyond.
You may want to consider a French Press or Moka pot instead. The TECHNIVORM drip machines ($265) are rated highly by Cook's Magazine.
For good espresso though, you really want a proper machine and those are about an order of magnitude more expensive than you'd expect. And then you'll need a proper grinder because using pre-ground coffee in such a machine is a terrible waste.
As a gentleman lacking in fabulous wealth, I use a stovetop pot (some call these a moka pot) with beans that I grind from my local roaster. I also have a Krups Nespresso machine for when I'm lazy.
I have had a run of really bad expresso machines, an i gotta tell you, don't skimp and get cheap ones. they just won't do ya.
2 40$ barely espresso machines and two that were 100$ and 120$.
Shit, that is 300$ right there. Imagine if I had put that all toward a decent machine the first time.
but they're listening to every word I say
if you want a good espresso machine, then you'll also need to invest in a good grinder
so factor that in
http://coffeegeek.com/guides/howtobuyanespressomachine
this is a good guide, but then i am guessing for something you'd bring into the office, this would be a bad idea and out of what you were thinking of
if you want cheap good coffee a french press or an aeropress (i have one of these they are nifty) will work well and a cheapo grinder would be fine for these
pods are shitty mostly, but if you do not mind the taste of coffee, i guess they are at least pretty easy and are good for an office environment... but i cannot help you there
There are 2 types: pod-based and automatic espresso machines. And while both make tasty coffee-drinks, IMO neither makes a beverage as tasty as can be made by a human.
Pod-based machines produce more of a flavored strong brewed coffee (so if you want to have the option for irish creme, vanilla, hazelnut, and other flavored coffees you'll want this).
Automatic espresso machines do the whole process (grind beans, tamp, send boiling hot water through it) to dispense espresso shots. The ones I've used (Saeco branded, in the $1000+ price range, though I think you can get in the door around $500) can't really produce much crema, but it makes a strong espresso-like brew. They require more cleaning and maintenance then the pod-based machines (filling with beans, eliminate grinds, decalcification runs, fill with water, there's a tray or 2 that can get dirty).
True, but they make stronger, fuller bodied coffee for much less monies. The OP hasn't said a budget, but it's fair to guess a good espresso machine (and related equipment) is more than they realized, unless they like the Nespresso you mentioned.
I know, I know, you want espresso. Finding a machine that's designed for heavy use and takes Pods means something at least semi-commercial. Which means getting a water line set up next to a sink probably. Pod type drip coffee is passable. Pod type espresso is hideous.
Go buy drip pot.
Buy gold plated re-usable filter.
Buy coffee grinder.
Spend the 300$ you saved at peets.com trying out a whole shit ton of different types of bean.
Edit:
The Sumatra is pretty dark and strong.
I have to disagree strongly with the grinder snobbery. There is absolutely no reason to spend 300$ on a coffee grinder unless it gives free handjobs. Buy one for 45$ and replace it every 3 years.
OP: Maybe you should specifically clarify what your caffeinated beverage drinking goals are, as a rephrasing. I imagine if people knew what your goals wer, they could recommend something in your mom's budget that will still be awesome.
For instance, do you want something that lets you make a tasty beverage before work, or something cool for entertaining people after dinner, etc. We mostly bought our espresso machine because it impressed girls.
It really depends on what you are trying to make
If you are actually trying to make like, legitimate, good espresso with good crema and flavor and all, then yes, a grinder does matter, but no, you don't NEED to spend 300 bucks
something like this capresso infinity http://www.amazon.com/Capresso-560-01-Infinity-Grinder-Black/dp/B0000AR7SY could be okaaay
or a refurb http://www.baratza.com/products.php?id=42 maestro
and those are under 100
i mean, nothing amazing but they'd be okaaay
If you are really all about espresso, and not milk drinks, I might suggest picking up a MyPressi Twist. That little guy partnered with a hand grinder like the Hario Skerton can make 'spro comparable to that of a setup costing thousands of dollars more. That's really all I would recommend on the low budget these days.
Suggested reading on the Twist: http://www.jimseven.com/2010/01/23/mypressi-twist/
If you are going to buy one, there is a new version that should be out by Christmas. Make sure that it is the new version though as they've made marked improvements.
doing the beans yourself and using a proper machine would probably make a better cup of espresso but something like this is so simple. you just push a button. I'm not really a morning person so the easier it is to get caffeine in me the better.
I bought a $150 DeLonghi machine a few years ago and I buy pre-ground coffee from the Starbucks.
http://www.amazon.com/DeLonghi-EC155-Espresso-Maker/dp/B000F49XXG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1288157113&sr=8-1
It's not the best cup of coffee in the world, but honestly, it tastes pretty good and is cheap. The machine is easy to clean and even though it is non-pod, it is super painless to make a coffee.
I know that its making a "bad" cup of coffee compared to a $500 or even a $1000 machine. But, I've never owned a $1000 espresso machine so it tastes perfectly fine to me.
If I were to buy a machine for my lab, I would just get everyone to put in on one and save my christmas present for something that's just for me. How many people are in your office? My five roommates also use my machine and I'm not having any problems with it.
It makes delicious, delicious coffee once you get the hang of it, since it employs basically the same method to extract the coffee as a barista in a coffee shop. I get pre-ground coffee or grind my own with a hand grinder. If you care about frothy milk though the plastic frother that comes with it isn't as good as injecting hot steam into milk. I have espressos or long blacks so it doesn't worry me.
We have a $2k machine at work that isn't as good.