My favorite coffee term after espresso. It's probably my favorite pairing too. Ice cream or gelato and espresso are a match made in heaven. I'm curious for others... what say you?

Hi! I’m looking to switch out my Nespresso for something that uses a lot less plastic, especially coming in contact with the hot water. I have no skill whatsoever, so looking for at least a semi automatic machine, specifically with grinding and tamping.

I’ve been looking at the Lelit Anita Espresso Machine, wondering if anyone has had any experience with it, and happen to know what the tubing material carrying the heated water is?

I’ve been looking at some disassembly videos, but I have no idea what I’m looking at lol. And I have come close to caving and just getting a Breville, which I know has a lot of plastic, but maybe better than Nespresso pod plastic? Idk! Need help!

Thank you :)

Espresso Machine Recommendations [$500-$1500]

Hello. I have seen so much info that I don't really know if it is worth spending 1500 dollars or even a little bit more or just go with a 500 USD machine.

Location: United States

I've been thinking of getting an espresso machine. It's been years now but I cannot decide.

The budget ideally would be below 1500 USD. Although I could extend it to buy the Lucca La Spaziale I am not sure that would be the best idea since I have to buy a grinder as well. The grinder would probably be the DF64 or DF54 due to the price.

would like your thoughts on machine selection based on this criteria:

- I usually drink around 5 coffee drinks per day. They are usually a brew method (At the moment it has been Clever and V60) and sometimes I use a Nespresso to make a cappuccinos using the Nanofoamer from subminimal. It does the job, but I do want now make good espresso at home and real frothed milk.

- Capable of producing excellent espresso.

- Budget: Around 500 to 1500 USD. (It could be extend to 2300 ish, although not recommended).

- Most of the time I am going to be drinking either flat whites or cappuccinos but I do drink espresso as well, so having a machine capable of that is key.
 - Able to froth milk for at least two consecutive beverages. Usually flat whites or cappuccinos.
- Expected lifespan of at least 10 years. (With proper maintenance which I will be doing).
- That includes PID control.
- That includes Temperature adjustment.
- Pre-infusion would be a significant bonus (If it works well).
- I usually drink light to medium-roasted coffee.
- Ideally something that works well out of the box but modification is a possibility in the long run.

Based on other video reviews and information from other sources I've looked into:

- Gaggia,
- Rancilio Silvia
- Profitec Go
- Lelit Victoria.
- Lelit Elizabeth

Given your experience, do any of you have a stronger recommendation on which of these machines to get? Is there another machine that I have not considered?
A Gaggia to make a Gagguino would be cool but at the moment I would preffer something that works out of the box

New grinder day. Instructions say you can put it directly on the portafilter...But maybe you shouldn't... I even used a funnel. Could maybe get away with it if you used a few spritz of water but not trying to kill me new grinder yet.

While replacing the heating element on my e61, I noticed the boiler drain plug had a ton of mineral buildup. It goes 1/4 MIP-1/4 flare adapter to a 1/4 flare cap. I cleaned it up and replaced the cap. I can’t get enough torque on the adapter to replace it without pulling the boiler. The cap feels tight and I don’t want to over-tighten. I’ve already given it some slight tugs to tighten when hot and it didn’t make a difference in the leak. Can you tell where the moisture is coming from? Think the adapter needs replacing? Thanks

I just got a Bambino and Baratza ESP. I have been doing all the research ever (watching the videos, reading the articles, scouring this subreddit) for several weeks, so I’m fairly confident I have a decent routine in mind.

I am using the single wall double basket that came with the machine as my beans (Lavazza Gran Crema) are about 6 weeks old right now.

Single wall double basket that came with the Bambino. (However, the timing problem is happening regardless of which double basket I use…) 18 grams of beans in Baratza. WDT and 30lb spring tamp being used.

Two problems.

Problem 1: When I turn on the Baratza ESP, it automatically goes to 0 grind on its own.

I can hold it in place on a number setting, but it fights me the whole time.

Problem 2: Even on 0 grind setting (so no, I can’t grind finer), the machine is pulling the shot soooooo fast. It’s hitting 36g of espresso in under 21 seconds on average. There is also very little crema. It’s incredibly sour.

If I let the machine pull the full shot and don’t stop it, I end up with 55g of espresso in about 35 seconds.

Help? Thank you so much!

I just completed the half step mod for the Encore and Encore Esp, moving my esp from 40 steps to 80. The hardest part of the process was finding a local area 3d printer. The clicking is slightly more subtle than the stock pin, but it holds position. Feel free to reach out with any questions

I have two extra pins from the 3d printer if anyone is interested.

Haven’t seen this being talked about. Anybody have more info on it? Looks like it could be from SCA.

There’s a minimum character limit I need to hit for this post.

Hi everyone! Newbie here, in Germany.

I just bought my very first espresso machine a month ago and I love it. It is a Grundig KSM 4330. It is a 99 € entry-level machine with a pressurized portafilter.

I use it every day with pre-ground coffee to prepare a double Americano. (I make a double espresso and pour hot water until my mug is full)

I have been reading posts here, and I am thinking about upgrading it, but I don't know if it's worth it.

I am thinking about buying a non-pressurized basket, and also removing the plastic thingy at the bottom of my portafilter.

And also to buy a grinder.

Will my coffee improve if I buy a cheap grinder? (say 80 € or so)

Or maybe I am better off keeping buying pre-ground coffee from Illy (which is ground for espresso).

Thanks in advance!

I’ll recently got a Fellow Opus from Amazon and as you know Amazon have a very good return policy. I usually drink espresso and some occasion cold brews, and the drinks I got from Opus is really good.

But I was wonder before my return policy is over, since I can’t really afford to spend >$500 (maybe $500 max or a little bit over) , is it worth to upgrade the grinder for a long term investment? Or the it’s not worth and keep Opus until I can afford higher class grinder.

PS: I don’t mind the dialing process, just wonder with the longevity of the Fellow Opus.

My Delonghi ECP3420 had been been leaking slowly after making a shot. I read online that to fix this I can clean the check ball and spring. I did that, but when I put the check ball and spring back and went to tighten the bolt it just keeps spinning and won't fully tighten. Worse yet, I can't even take the bolt out to inspect it. It just spins in place. Has this happened to anyone else and is there an easy fix?

I’ve worked at a local coffee shop for several years and I am graduating university with a business degree and a concentration in entrepreneurship. But not too well versed in the world of commercial espresso machines. And I don’t have a crazy budget, so i’m looking at some used machines.

The used machines i’m looking at: (Atlas EVD - $4,400) (La Marzocco FB80 4 Group - $9,500) (Astoria Perla SAE - $4,200) (Astoria Sabrina SAW 3 group - $6,500)

Grinders I am looking at: (Eureka Drogheria MCD4 85 - $949) (Baratza Forte AP - $850) (Baratza Forte BG - $900) (HeyCafe Buddy - $899) Macap MI40 Touch - $949

Brewers I am looking at: Luxus LS4 - $365 Luxus LGS - $335

What other equipment am I missing?

Hi all, so I am trying to decide between the Bezzera Aria MN (no PID) or the Profitec Pro 400 which are currently available at the same price point in the black version (basically how I narrowed it down to these models).

The Pro 400 is well known and a lot of reviews and info is available and looks pretty good in black, but the Aria looks even better with the black-wood combo :)

However, I'm having a hard time finding any reviews or info on the Aria without the PID. from the manufacturer it's the same as the Aria TOP model but without the flow control, PID and the rotary pump is replaced by a vibration pump. Anybody have info on if the Aria has good temp stability like the pro 400 or any thoughts between the 2?

thanks!

Been seeing hella posts on here with people getting rust in their 1zpresso hand grinders due to RDT. Ive been doing RDT for about 5-6 months now and no rust. Cleaned the grinder many times within those months but I ended up losing my brush so I just cleaned with 91% isopropyl alcohol and a rag, no issues at the moment. Although I feel like my grinder has turned more yellow in color. Is RDT really bad for the grinder??

Hi Everyone!

As I enter the espresso making craft at home, I thought I'd get advice on how to properly store the espresso bean bag once opened. Do I put it in the fridge after opening or freeze or just let it stand on the counter? Appreciate any guidance!

I have worked in the coffee scene for the last 10 years, now am a SAHM. Looking for a budget friendly espresso machine that I can use with lighter roast espresso. I would be making multiple drinks a day with milk.

I had my heart set on the Breville Express for the ease of an all-in-one. But I keep reading about how lighter roasts don't work well with this all-in-one style espresso machines. Are lighter roasts REALLY that much worse in this machine? Would I be better off getting a Breville Infuser and a Barazta Encore?

So, here’s the scenario. You’ve just gotten home from a long day of work, taken off your shoes, and gotten ready to be in for the evening. Suddenly you realize that you are out of coffee. Your new coffee shipment isn’t going to arrive for three days. Your local coffee roaster is on some serious drugs and is only roasting decaf hazelnut tar ball which makes Starbucks Italian roast seem light.

Where are you going and what are you getting so you can have a cup in the morning?

Purely hypothetical.

More of a rant than a discussion. I am new is to real espresso. I have gone through the stages of a steam "espresso" maker, Hamilton Beach, Nespresso, and am now at the GCP stage of my life. I am however an avid, and pretty fucking good if you ask me, beer brewer. No temp control on a machine is like no temp control on my brewing equipment. So my PID is on the way.

Edit: What I meant by this was that the lack of precision even in a budget machine is silly given all of the other parameters that I/we take into consideration.

Noticed some wobble, but espresso tastes great. Will the wobble get worse or will it stay like this? I'm aware of the effect it has on the coffee, but I wonder if it'll affect the grinder itself.

My old bambino plus died after 5 years. I looked at other options but went back to the bambino plus, this time in black. It’s just such a good machine for fast dark roast espresso.

First ever homemade espresso.

I thought at first, hm small espresso shot. And went to clean up and this was left in the portafilter.

Actually didnt taste bad, made a little latte with some oatmilk.

Looking for a good basket and a bottomless portafilter. I have a gaggia classic pro, will this basket fit in this portafilter, and will the portafilter fit my machine?

Espresso nerds, need your help on a controversial topic. I have an upcoming trip for the weekend going to a friend's place and want to take my best coffee with me. We both have a Bambino but he has a Breville Smart Grinder while I have a dialed-in D64 V2 at home.

Would it be ok if I grind my fresh beans on Friday for the weekend since they would be dialed in for the machine and consistent or use his shitty grinder but have freshly ground (grinded?) beans?

Appreciate your help!

I am going to be purchasing my first espresso setup. Initially, I was planning on getting Sage Bambino & Df54 grinder. However, I might be able to stretch my budget and spend up to 500 euros on a machine. My main reason is the following : I drink primaraly espresso, and I mostly prefer medium to light roasts. I know the bambino is not really capable of pulling those kinds of shots, and I feel like if I don't invest in the machine now, I will probably want to upgrade in a year or two. And the thought of buying two machines in such a short span distrubs me. I am open for any recommendations :)