OK, a friend has asked me to help him find a combo machine and a grinder for under $300. I know, I know. This is for his RV (no he is not wealthy, the RV is 25 years old).

I'm kind of out of the loop on cheaper machines. My initial thought was a Solis grinder and espresso machine (my old SL70 came to mind) but that isn't going to happen (the SL70 is discontinued, right?).

Any suggestions?

• Kyocera Handmill - $75
• Mypressi Twist - $129 (or Aeropress @ $28)
• Bellman stovetop or CXE25 on eBay - ~$25 (used)

Total: $229 - pocket the other $70 for your time (or mine)...just kidding

Maybe a used Gaggia or similar machine and a hand grinder?

The Saeco Aroma is available refurbed for $130-140 on eBay. Modify the portafilter, learn to temperature surf, and you have a pretty capable machine. $23 gets you a Silvia steam wand for proper steaming.

I guess a hand grinder is probably best at this sort of price level.

Curious since I don't know -- is it common for RVs to have outlets capable of sustained 15-20A current delivery?

+1 on the SL70 if you can find one used still. That was the machine I learned on, and I found it quite capable. I stole it with a Maestro grinder for $120 and still use the grinder today for everything but espresso =D

andrewpetre wrote:Curious since I don't know -- is it common for RVs to have outlets capable of sustained 15-20A current delivery?

Probably not.

My recollection of "older RV's" is that they typically have a 30A shore power connection, and a similarly taxed generator-set. I'd expect that when the heater kicks on, the generator engine will slow down, the voltage will drop, and if you're trying to pull a shot, the pump will slow down (and lose pressure).


If you've absolutely got to do this (and it will be stuck inside the RV for a long time), see if you can get a propane-fired lever machine, and get that hooked into the LP tank. Of course, propane fired lever machines aren't cheap, just like everything else in the RV world.

Aeropress, Toddy, or pourover cone, along with adjusted expectations, are a MUCH better fit if your friend is not seriously "into" both espresso and RV'ing.

Yeah, or just get an open-boiler lever machine, like a Caravel, pour in boiling water and drink some of the finest espresso on the planet. Paired with a hand grinder its a no-nonsense solution to a lot of espresso nonsense.

For me at least, the world's best brewed coffee just isn't espresso.

PC

Oh, and add a $2 milk frother from Ikea.

I've been playing with a new Presso for a while, paired with a hand grinder and a hot water kettle might be just the right thing. It's light and easy to clean. I find it tastes better with coffee blends than most espresso blends.

peacecup wrote:Yeah, or just get an open-boiler lever machine, like a Caravel, pour in boiling water and drink some of the finest espresso on the planet. Paired with a hand grinder its a no-nonsense solution to a lot of espresso nonsense.

For me at least, the world's best brewed coffee just isn't espresso.

PC

For me...I haven't gotten a routine that works for the Caravel in pour-over mode. Shots are always sour, and I suppose if I wasn't drinking them straight it wouldn't be bad, but I can't wait till my transformer comes and I can put it back on the PID.

If I had to do pour-over...it would probably be the Twist.