As a complete newcomer to the home barista game I'd really appreciate some honest advice!

I've got a real passion for good espresso and it's something I'd very much like to get involved in. I've had some professional experience at a major UK chain and so I feel I've got the basics down but I'd like to get myself some equipment so I can experiment at home.

Put simply; I'd really like to get sourcing and tasting some great coffees and I'd like an espresso set up that allows me to draw out the flavours as best as I can! My interest lies in flavour rather than the equipment.

As far as I understand, I'm going to need...

- Grinder
- Tamper
- Milk jug/thermometer/other milk related equipment?
- Espresso machine
- Cleaning products
- Great coffee (obviously)...

Really I don't want to spend more than £200-£250 on the basics and advice on what I should be looking for and where I should spend my money would be VERY much appreciated!

Many, many thanks!

Tom

With that budget, you're looking at a hand grinder and a La Peppina if you're willing to forego steam.
If you really really want steam, you're looking at a secondhand Gaggia.

No way.

If you forget milk and cappas, you best bet for real top grade espresso on a budget is the
Mypressi Twist at around $150
and the Pharos handgrinder at around $250

This will get you world class espresso, but at a lot of work. It's also gear you won't throw away after you upgrade.

another_jim wrote:No way.

Last time I checked, La Peppinas run roughly the same as MyPressi Twists. And the MyPressi twist uses expensive cartridges, requires a kettle and requires considerable flushing with hot water until the unit is up to temp.

TomGsir1 wrote:As far as I understand, I'm going to need... Really I don't want to spend more than £200-£250 on the basics and advice on what I should be looking for and where I should spend my money would be VERY much appreciated!

There are lots of threads asking basically the same question as yours; you may want to read them to narrow your criteria and/or refine your budget. How to choose an espresso machine and grinder at the "right" price offers other tidbits you may find helpful.

Bluecold wrote:Last time I checked, La Peppinas run roughly the same as MyPressi Twists. And the MyPressi twist uses expensive cartridges, requires a kettle and requires considerable flushing with hot water until the unit is up to temp.

The OP is in the UK, but on this side of the pond, a working La Peppina is not easy to find. The MyPressi TWIST is available just about everywhere espresso equipment is sold. I agree about the cartridges, but it's worth noting they announced a pump that refills the cartridges at the SCAA in Houston. Presumably it will be available in the fall (corrections and/or pointers welcome).

I never answer these questions with used equipment, sales, or other one shot deals, since such answers are more about shopping acumen than espresso. Sure, if you trawl restaurant supply sales for a year, you will find commercial grinders and machines at a few hundred dollars. If you spend a life time doing nothing but going to garage sales, you may even find a Kees for $30.

A restored Peppina, for instance, if Orphan fixes one up, will run around $300 to $600; at $150 after a few months on Ebay, you'll find one that's been sitting in an attic since 1969 and needs an unspecifiable amount of work. Also, while the shot profile is terrific, it is light and clear, a style of drink that is not anything like espresso from top cafes. The Twist delivers the gloppy stuff.

A cheap hand grinder will not make great espresso from great coffee. Even a $250 Lux will be marginal for that. You can spend $250 on a Pharos, or $400 on Vario, but nothing less will work on high end, acidic coffees.

But to be really honest, if I were broke and on a 200 quid budget, I'd get a Vario grinder and press pot, and leave espresso for a time when my finances have recovered.

Student life is as it is I guess - thanks all for the advice and I'll look into the options and I hope I haven't duplicated too much from other posts!

I'm unfamiliar with the manual/lever presses but presumably they take considerable effort to get them going consistently? Perhaps something that might put me off rather than inspire at this stage though I'm sure the results I'm sure are satisfactory...

From what I'm reading it seems like it's worth investing in a really top grinder and having a play with filter coffees; I have a french press and the Chemex seems popular at the moment too. When the money (overdraft) starts flowing again a decent Gaggia is the first item on the list!

Thanks again.

Tom