Search & Destroy: Home Espresso Machines

http://www.fairfaxcookshop.com/images/La%20Pavoni%20Europiccola.jpg

My first experiment produced fair results - about as good as the espresso in my neighborhood coffeeshop, but not exactly great. I understand these things take a little practice (tamping, grind, pulling speed, etc.) I have yet to watch the accompanying video. Also, the burr grinder I picked up seems to be defective and does not work on the finest settings, so I was only able to produce a grind on the lower end of acceptable for espresso.

I used Zabar's espresso, which is probably not the best thing available, but seemed pretty good.

One thing about this machine is that it's a bit light so that when you're pulling the lever it can move around a little - you kind of have to hold it still by one of the parts that doesn't get too hot.

http://www.abbode-cookware.co.uk/acatalog/gaggia_classic_brushed_chrome%5B1%5D%20new%20photo.jpg

I made my first espressoey-tasting espresso this morning. I used a grind from my favorite place (since my burr grinder doesn't work properly), and tamped it good and hard. The lever finally gave me that "armful of resistance" I've been hearing it's supposed to give. I also managed to work the steam arm properly and get a good frothy cap.

I wish I had one of these on top, though expensive and purely decorative:

http://www.bella-italia.com/gondola/coffee/pav-AGC.jpg

Incidentally, did anyone see this?
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/09/13/dining/13coff.html?_r=1&oref=slogin

Has anyone tried these places? I was just talking to someone about how hard it is to get good espresso in NYC, so let's hope this is a real trend.

just ordered a 3-cup bialetti

just got a 3-cup bialetti & two pretty pavina double-wall espresso cups

i love bialettis. but the rubber seal on mine is getting old and frayed. the past few cups i've made have had a gross burnt rubber taste. anyone know where you can buy replacement ones? (haven't checked bialetti's website btw)

yuppie scum: the thread

lol bialettis are so cheap dude

3.5 years later, the handle of my pavoni portafilter breaks into pieces - it had completely rusted through because the plastic grip on the handle allows in moisture. The base is getting rusted as well, because the steam wand drips water under the tray. Pretty o_0 for a machine that expensive.

We've had a Saeco Aroma machine for about 4 years now...it ran about $250 when we got it, and it has withstood two morning lattes every day, with weekend lattes as well..and the only thing we've had to replace was the steam nozzle, which was like a $10 part that we bought online. It's semi-automatic (I think)...water-pump, steam enhancer wand thingy, and it's got a pressurized portafilter (cheating, I know). But I'm a fan.

I always coveted the brightly colored Francis! Francis! machine...it looks like a little submarine.

Mr Veg covets the Pavoni, but the look of it kind of terrifies me. Gorgeous, but I feel like I would need a pair of overalls and a shovel full of coal to get it working.

I have never once made a good cup of coffee out of my Europiccola. It's like an art installation at this point.

It's a wonderful and terrible machine. I think one thing that some people find hard to get used to is that in a way it doesn't really "make" good coffee, it just gives you the potential to make amazing coffee. People expect a coffee machine to do everything for you. But a significant downside I'm realizing is its design flaws combined with the terrible and sparse service available, although at least if you're in NYC there's a guy you can get through Porto Rico that works on the machines.

Dark glossy espresso beans, right? Fine grind with a burr grinder, hard tamp finished with a twist, draw the arm up a little through the grounds slow, let the chamber fill, and then push down real slow and controlled? I got nothing. I watch the youtubes of guys pulling swirly muddy shots thick with crema and it's like I'm a eunuch watching a John Holmes movie.

The Pavoni absolutely seems like it's for the love of the process AND the result...and when you get an amazing espresso out of that machine you know it's not just the machine, it's you as well. Or your understanding of the machine. I bow down to anyone who can pull a shot from something that looks for all intents and purposes like a very attractive drill press. Bow. Down.

Did you use the "double" filter cup? The single is notoriously too small.

Actual lols at antexit's last post. Great stuff.

dark glossy espresso beans are not ideal for good espresso...you should go with a lighter roast

not really an espresso machine as such but i've never had a better americano than the one the aeropress makes

we have one of those single-serving espresso machines at work, with the little pods

makes surprisingly above-average espresso. still not pro barista-level but better than most non-specialist cafes.

Update?

I've been using one of these Delongghi Dedicas for a couple of years now and it has been quite reliable. Coffee snobs would probably not approve but its a good low end unit:
https://www.delonghi.com/Global/Products/Images/Coffee-Makers/Pump-Espresso/ec-680r/EC680R-left.jpg

https://www.delonghi.com/en-au/products/coffee/coffee-makers/pump-espresso/dedica-ec-680r-0132106108

My only gripe is the milk doesnt froth really solid thick, but that could be my technique.

G-A-G-G-I-A-F-T-W

Still perfectly happy with my Quick Mill 3004 here

delonghi magnifica represent

its good

Obscenely expensive normally but I bought my mom a Breville Oracle on clearance at Bed Bath and Beyond (so just really expensive) - even though it's fully automatic with a questionable grinder it's as good as any espresso shop I've been to (with fresh beans).