Who making espresso??

[smokinghole]

I make espresso with whatever coffee I have on hand all the time. Whether that is proper or ideal I don't know but I like drinking it.

 

[SuperKrishna]

I use the Baratza Virtuoso daily and love it.
[ame="http://www.amazon.com/Baratza-Virtuoso-Conical-Espresso-Grinder/dp/B000FLWCOG/ref=sr_1_11?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1320083436&sr=1-11"]Amazon.com: Baratza Virtuoso Conical Burr Coffee Espresso Grinder: Home & Garden@@AMEPARAM@@http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41uvGuhrdnL.@@AMEPARAM@@41uvGuhrdnL[/ame]

Here's a Baratza refurb.
http://www.baratza.com/cgi-bin/commerce.cgi?preadd=action&key=380R

I use the Starbucks Sirena
[ame="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0010Z9LI6/ref=nosim/pertiltheend-20"]Amazon.com: Starbucks Sirena Espresso Machine, Stainless and Black: Kitchen & Dining@@AMEPARAM@@http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41Wh1pC98HL.@@AMEPARAM@@41Wh1pC98HL[/ame]
It's been a good machine, BMW on the outside and Saeco on the inside.

 

[Highlander]

We have a decent grinder and use a Coffee/espresso press.

 

[ShortyStogie]

Hey Bball... I think you got yourself a nice starter machine.

A lot of the elitists over at coffeegeeks.com frown down upon it, but looks like a good starter machine.

http://www.coffeegeek.com/reviews/consumer/delonghiec155

Raven's brew gets really good reviews as a consistent blender that makes fresh roasts.

Now to eff you up completely: Ever thought about roasting your own coffee?

Good luck.

Fauzi

 

[MangoMike]

Have you read the Espresso articles on Sweet Maria's? They confirm that buying a best grinder you can afford is critical, much more important than the espresso machine. I own a Rocky grinder (outstanding) and recently bought a refurb espresso machine from Whole Latte Love. But, these are well above your limit. Cheap shots of espresso are a waste of money. You might be better off buying an AeroPress and just drinking the initial press without diluting it. This is NOT espresso, but you'll get some flavor, and be well under your budget.

Mike

 

[Alwayslit]

I've tried a number of inexpensive espresso machines & gave up. This is definitely a case of you get what you pay for.

^^^this^^^ espresso is a labor of love.

 

[BEN(SWEDEN)]

I drink a couple per day 4-8! I have a Nespresso D120 and IMHO it makes a fantastic espresso!


/ Ben Bockbrännarbolmers

 

[thejavaman]

Have you read the Espresso articles on Sweet Maria's? They confirm that buying a best grinder you can afford is critical, much more important than the espresso machine. I own a Rocky grinder (outstanding) and recently bought a refurb espresso machine from Whole Latte Love. But, these are well above your limit. Cheap shots of espresso are a waste of money. You might be better off buying an AeroPress and just drinking the initial press without diluting it. This is NOT espresso, but you'll get some flavor, and be well under your budget.

Mike

I give this post a big +1. The grinder is much more important than the espresso machine when making espresso. You can get good results with a used Gaggia (carezza/coffee/baby) and a used burr grinder (nemox lux/Gaggia MDF). No matter what anyone tells you, an Aeropress will make a mean cup of coffee, but it will never make a true espresso. Good luck!

 

[nhateL]

I would love to find a good espresso machine.

 

[vivalanation734]

I just got a Saeco Aroma for my birthday. It makes a great espresso.

 

[Fitze55]

After months and months of research I pulled the trigger on a expresso machine yesterday.

From my findings the BEST is the Rancilio Miss Silvia Espresso Machine.

But that is a manual machine and I want a good shot or two in the am quickly when I do not do drip on the technivorm moccamaster.

I decided on the francis francis y1 iperespresso machine which takes Illy capsules (one of my favorite coffee brands).

The Mrs says I can't play with it until Santa brings it for Christmas, we'll see about that!

 

[Fitze55]

One more post to address the OP, sorry.

I've been making espresso on bialetti moka pot's for the better part of 10 years. Very simple classic espresso, not much creama but compaired to the$500+ machine's you cant beat it!