New Machine Help

Slattsy

Hi,

Im looking for some advice on what machine I need/should get as im looking to upgrade from a French press/Moka Pots and convenient Nespresso machine.

Just some background on what I drink to make your advise more applicable to me.

Most of the coffee I drink is espresso. And a fair few Americano's.
Maybe at the weekend I might have the odd cappuccino or two.
And certainly guests tend to go for a milky coffee over an espresso/Americano - so I'd like a frother but I think most machines come with this anyway(??).
I have my own grinder and try to get my coffee beans roasted freshly (shout out to Coffee Mojo).

Budget wise, I'd be looking at around 500 bob.

So what should I be looking to get Bean to cup or an espresso machine?
Is there much of a difference taste wise/strength wise from these?

Any help appreciated as complete newbie to these kind of machines.

Mr Magnolia

The 'strength' of the coffee is often confused in conversation. Cheaper robusta beans have a higher caffeine content and therefore would be 'stronger' but seriously lack in flavour when compared to arabica beans (all things being equal).

'Strength' can also be incorrectly confused with roast profile. The darker roasted beans providing a bigger (although burnt) flavour.

At €500 and wanting to drink espresso based drinks you could aim for a very decent second hand machine or a lesser, new Gaggia Classic with change left over for some coffee.

For a long black coffee you won't beat a french press imo. I found that visitors when given a choice will, as you say, pick a milky coffee but they're time consuming to make when you have guests to entertain so I stopped offering cappuccinos and lattes and brew exclusively with the cafetiere. What type of a grinder do you have?

Slattsy

Never thought of second hand. Bit dodgy though, hard to know if I'm getting a dud? Interesting point though. What sites worth looking at for these, Adverts DD etc?

I have a Dualit burr grinder. No issue with it tbh, very consistent grinds to date and have it a few years.

uncle_sam_ie

I went second hand. It's not dodgy at all.
https://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2057730788
I've had no trouble with mine. Those Italian made machines are old school reliable.




https://www.adverts.ie/small-kitchen-appliances/gaggia-classic-coffee-espresso-machine-with-cappucino-frother/15936761


You would want a better grinder for espresso,
https://www.adverts.ie/small-kitchen-appliances/gaggia-mdf-coffee-grinder-with-knock-out-drawer/15666291

Slattsy

Jebus 170e for a grinder!!

Gaggia Classic for 200 seems fair enough though.

uncle_sam_ie

Slattsy wrote: »

Jebus 170e for a grinder!!

Gaggia Classic for 200 seems fair enough though.

They're 250 euros new. https://www.homecoffeemachines.ie/products/gaggia-mdf-grinder

You could try and talk them down to 150. A good grinder is really important though. Just as important as the machine itself. It's key to making a good cup of coffee.
The Gaggia looks hardly used. Great price for that.

Slattsy

Gaggia Classic new here for 250e

https://www.homecoffeemachines.ie/collections/gaggio/products/gaggia-classic-espresso-ri8161-40

uncle_sam_ie

Slattsy wrote: »

Gaggia Classic new here for 250e

https://www.homecoffeemachines.ie/collections/gaggio/products/gaggia-classic-espresso-ri8161-40

The newer model Gaggia Classic's don't have the 3 way solenoid valve. All commercial espresso machine's and the more expensive consumer espresso machines have the 3 way valve. The 3 way valve stops the coffee flow from dripping into your shot when you stop the pull. That's why the Older Gaggia Classics and Rancilio Silvia's are so popular.
The one on the adverts is 2003. I think it was 2014 when they changed it.

Slattsy

Ah ok

The one on adverts does look in pretty good condition.