Espresso Machine
- Thread starter claret73
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ANYTHING you want to know about espresso, send me a PM.
Gaggia classic has a similar construction to the ever-reliable, easy-to-repair-yourself Rancilio Silvia, which you could also consider.
I have a Silvia at home and an ECM Technica at the shop....
The ECM doesn't make better coffee than the Silvia - but it's a lot easier to use, especially for milk frothing. Small boiler machines are not too great for milky drinks.
If you only want to use the machine for espresso and the odd cappuccino or macchiato then small machine is fine.
Don't forget that
1) Fresh-roasted beans are essential
2) A good grinder is crucial.
3) You will need a better tamper than the one that comes with the machine.For beginners you can get ones that click at the right pressure.
4) The learning process is a long one but persevere and you will get there.
Gaggia classic has a similar construction to the ever-reliable, easy-to-repair-yourself Rancilio Silvia, which you could also consider.
I have a Silvia at home and an ECM Technica at the shop....
The ECM doesn't make better coffee than the Silvia - but it's a lot easier to use, especially for milk frothing. Small boiler machines are not too great for milky drinks.
If you only want to use the machine for espresso and the odd cappuccino or macchiato then small machine is fine.
Don't forget that
1) Fresh-roasted beans are essential
2) A good grinder is crucial.
3) You will need a better tamper than the one that comes with the machine.For beginners you can get ones that click at the right pressure.
4) The learning process is a long one but persevere and you will get there.
suburbanreuben
Old School Grand Master
You need a lot of gadgets to make mediocre coffee.
If you want to make good coffee, get a little espresso pot!
If you want to make good coffee, get a little espresso pot!
We have found the Silvercrest one that is on sale from time to time in Lidl's to be good for home use.
It's good from the point of view of making the one cup, however I drink plain black coffee (with a bit of sugar) and the cruddy 'Americano' that is concocted from a shot of espresso and hot water is a poor substitute for a decent filter coffee, problem is when it's only me drinking it it's not worth making a whole pot for just 1 cup so I live with it and it's just as good as I get at work. My wife rates the cappucinos that I make from the Silvercrest machine as well as Costa's.
Carl.
It's good from the point of view of making the one cup, however I drink plain black coffee (with a bit of sugar) and the cruddy 'Americano' that is concocted from a shot of espresso and hot water is a poor substitute for a decent filter coffee, problem is when it's only me drinking it it's not worth making a whole pot for just 1 cup so I live with it and it's just as good as I get at work. My wife rates the cappucinos that I make from the Silvercrest machine as well as Costa's.
Carl.
You could always get a cycling themed one?
http://www.rapha.cc/rocket-espresso-for-rapha/
Maybe a bit pricey though.
http://www.rapha.cc/rocket-espresso-for-rapha/
Maybe a bit pricey though.
theredchili
Old School Grand Master
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I Have a Dualit one , takes pods or ground coffee, nice bit of kit
We got a Delonghi EC152 for Christmas > http://www.amazon.co.uk/Delonghi-EC152- ... 760&sr=8-3 . Basic and cheap, seems to make good espresso. Reviews and write ups quite favourable too.
suburbanreuben":1v329plj said:
Call my coffee-making skills mediocre again and it's you and me, outside.
Seriously though - good beans in a stovetop, vaccuum press or press jug will make better coffee than old/poor quality coffee in the latest tech.
But good coffee in a good machine? What's not to like?
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My Gaggia Classic is used several times daily, it's totally bombproof. Has needed a couple of group seals in its lifetime and regular (monthly in my case) mini-services which is a soak in puly-caff for components and a boiler descale. they're so simple in construction and operation that maintenance isn't a problem.
We've had ours for somewhere in the region of 7-8 years now and it still puts out a fantastic cup. As dbmtb says recommended.
If you like a decent latte or cappucino it's worth changing the steam wand from the standard one to that found on a Rancilio Silvia. Easy change and relatively cheap parts (about £25).
It's worth looking for machines that were given for wedding presents and things like that, never used and sold on relatively cheaply.
We've had ours for somewhere in the region of 7-8 years now and it still puts out a fantastic cup. As dbmtb says recommended.
If you like a decent latte or cappucino it's worth changing the steam wand from the standard one to that found on a Rancilio Silvia. Easy change and relatively cheap parts (about £25).
It's worth looking for machines that were given for wedding presents and things like that, never used and sold on relatively cheaply.
