Espresso Maker Suggestions

[Displaced Texan]

Well that’s a monster but looks like you had counter space to handle it. Can water be plumbed to it or just fill up the tank by hand?

No, it has a tank that you can remove to fill or you can fill it from a pop open door on top near the front. Very easy.

 

[Buttah Butts]

Delivered today. Breville Dual Boiler and Smart Grinder.

View attachment 655849

Nice machine. I looked at that one but I’m too lazy and went with a super automatic machine instead.

 

[Displaced Texan]

Nice machine. I looked at that one but I’m too lazy and went with a super automatic machine instead.

Yes, this machine will take some dialing in for sure.

 

[Hockeydudde]

Nice choice.
The separate grinder is the way to go vs the integrated one they have.

 

[kuroki]

I had a Nespresso, didn't care for it .. I've tried a number of things, and keep going back to a stovetop Moka pot. They consistently make the best coffee to my taste.

 

[Displaced Texan]

I had a Nespresso, didn't care for it .. I've tried a number of things, and keep going back to a stovetop Moka pot. They consistently make the best coffee to my taste.

I have used a Bialetti for years.

I think I am going to enjoy this Breville. It is taking quite a bit of dialing in to get the right shot. But I'm getting there. It's like...smoking meat.

 

[Hockeydudde]

I have used a Bialetti for years.

I think I am going to enjoy this Breville. It is taking quite a bit of dialing in to get the right shot. But I'm getting there. It's like...smoking meat.

But way easier! You only have to be able to focus for 45 seconds to grind and pull a good shot. And if you screw it up, far less to cry over.

 

[Displaced Texan]

But way easier! You only have to be able to focus for 45 seconds to grind and pull a good shot. And if you screw it up, far less to cry over.

Very true! Actually, the Smart Grinder Pro that came with it, I pulled off the top burr and adjusted it finer, and I am getting closer to the perfect shot now.

 

[Fueling Around]

I've had a Gaggia baby for about 25 years. It replaced a POS steam powered Krups unit.
Very little maintenance on the Gaggia well from my viewpoint. Portafilter handle, steam valve, basket gasket twice and at least 6 o-rings on the steamer wand.
I use distilled water only. Did the math and much cheaper than using the descale chemical and much easier on the machine.
I had 3 different grinders that didn't produce a decent espresso. I get mine ground at a local coffee shop here in FL. I measure into 1/4# portions and vac seal and do not freeze. At home in MN, I buy the beans from a coffee shop attached to a grocery store and use the grocery store grinder to make it to my liking. Vac seal and do not freeze.

 

[idahopz]

20 years ago I purchased a Saeco espresso machine from Costco and it was pricey: $800-900 or so and am still using it to this day. I figure if I went to a coffee place for a couple of cups a day for each of us, at $3 per cup I've saved over $40k - at least that's how I rationalize my purchase.

My wife had me purchase a Nespresso Virtuo for our fiver and I must say it makes the best coffee outside of a coffee shop I've ever tasted. Perfect crema and a wide variety of coffee pods to choose from. The reason I like the Virtuo over my first Nespresso is that the pods come in all kinds of flavors and cup volumes: 5, 7,14,18 ounce sizes (my prior machine only dispensed one size). The machine reads the barcode on the lip of the pod and dispenses the perfect amount of water for the size of that pod. I've used Nespresso for many years and although the machines don't last as long as my Saeco, they are relatively inexpensive. The Virtuo is about $139. The downside of the Nespresso system is that you can only purchase the pods online. I put up with it however, because it makes the missus happy, and as is well known "a happy wife means a happy life"

 

[BrianGSDTexoma]

My wife had me purchase a Nespresso Virtuo for our fiver and I must say it makes the best coffee outside of a coffee shop I've ever tasted.

I may have to break down and get a Nespresso. The cost of pods has kept me but maybe I will splurge. Will probably look for a refurbished one.

 

[Displaced Texan]

Nespressos are good. I liken it to Traeger vs stick burning offset. Does a good job and very easy.

We had a Nespresso in the Challenger 604 I flew several years ago.

 

[BrianGSDTexoma]

My wife had me purchase a Nespresso Virtuo for our fiver and I must say it makes the best coffee outside of a coffee shop I've ever tasted

I going to go ahead an buy an open box I found. Any suggestions on which pods to try?

 

[Displaced Texan]

I going to go ahead an buy an open box I found. Any suggestions on which pods to try?

I have a Minipresso that I bring on the road. I bought this and am enjoying them.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00O6FU8TI/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[BrianGSDTexoma]

I have a Minipresso that I bring on the road. I bought this and am enjoying them.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00O6FU8TI/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Does not look they work in the Vertuo. I like that it does different sizes.

 

[Displaced Texan]

Does not look they work in the Vertuo. I like that it does different sizes.

Ah, okay. But the flavor is good if you can get those pods in the correct size.

 

[jdixon]

I've had a Gaggia baby for about 25 years. It replaced a POS steam powered Krups unit.
Very little maintenance on the Gaggia well from my viewpoint. Portafilter handle, steam valve, basket gasket twice and at least 6 o-rings on the steamer wand.
I use distilled water only. Did the math and much cheaper than using the descale chemical and much easier on the machine.
I had 3 different grinders that didn't produce a decent espresso. I get mine ground at a local coffee shop here in FL. I measure into 1/4# portions and vac seal and do not freeze. At home in MN, I buy the beans from a coffee shop attached to a grocery store and use the grocery store grinder to make it to my liking. Vac seal and do not freeze. epoxy flooring gold coast

also thank you for your suggestion

 

[BrianGSDTexoma]

Found a new Nespresso Virtuo Next for $110. Box is ripped but everything still in plastic and has the milk frother. Now to order some pods. Another rabbit hole.

 

[idahopz]

I going to go ahead an buy an open box I found. Any suggestions on which pods to try?

My wife likes Melisio quite a bit, but recommends getting a variety of sleeves (of pods) to try to find your favorite coffee. Her favorite size is the 230 ml pod because it fills her big mug. She also waits to order for their promotions during which they offer things like "by 7 and get 1 free" or "buy 10 and get two free". They also offer interesting flavored coffees like Deep chocolate, etc., half-caff, and de-caff.

I personally like using my old Saeco because I'm a tightwad and the coffee to me tastes much better when it is less expensive :-)

 

[idahopz]

I may have to break down and get a Nespresso. The cost of pods has kept me but maybe I will splurge. Will probably look for a refurbished one.

Yes, they are expensive compared to ones like Keurig, but in my wife's opinion, much better because you end up with what looks (and tastes) like a professionally prepared Italian coffee (if you like that sort of thing).