How much have you spent on espresso equipment?

[HB]

This site's full-length reviews feature espresso machines costing more than $1000. Looking at the cost of energy and the currency exchange rate, the prospect of high-end equipment prices staying steady looks bleak:


Euro versus the US Dollar over the past five years

At some point I apparently decided it was normal to spend serious sums of money on producing a mere two ounces of liquid. How about you... How much have you spent - or plan to spend in the near future - on espresso equipment?

Optional follow-up question: Do you find yourself frequently justifying your expenditures to non-espresso enthusiasts?

[JD]

Yes,

I must justify it with my wife. I plan on upgrading in the near future and will probably spend on a new grinder 400 dollars and if I can swing it, I have been eyeing the S1 as the utimate upgrade. So I would say over 2 grand in the next year.

[Psyd]

Kind of a trick question. D'ya want the amount that my present kit costs, or what I paid for it? ALL my kit, or just the stuff I'm using right now. Does the Travel Silvia and Rocky Combo count? What about all the tampers and pitchers and thermometers and test equipment and... wheew! I think I'd need an accountant and a much more specific question. The kitchen contains over $10,000 in parts, pieces, and machinery, retail. What about the plumbing and the 240V drop? 'Zat count?

[chelya]

Greater then $3000 and counting. Ouch.
Let's add ~400-500 yearly beans expense on top of that. Now this one is recurring. Every single year.

[HB]

Kind of a trick question. D'ya want the amount that my present kit costs, or what I paid for it?

How about what you paid for your current setup, not including prior purchases. For example, if you upgraded twice and sold your prior gear, we can simplify by not treating them as part of your current investment. Of course, if you kept all your prior upgrades for old time's sake, they would count towards your total.

(It's pretty safe to say that if you're in that situation, you're in the $3000+ crowd.)

[jrtatl]

"can you see the tears roll down my cheek?"

-stevie ray vaughan The Sky Is Cryin'

[Dr Jim]

Hard question to answer - hence the 'other' response, even if I do end up on the Group 'W' bench ...

Amazingly enough, the current espresso setup (Machine, Grinder, and Roaster) comes in at less than $1400. Which, considering that the Gene Cafe roaster was purchased new, rather surprises me...

Even more spooky is that fact that with 3 full-time espresso drinkers, we look at full amortizing this cost in something like 12-14 weeks, since we all went from spending in excess of $150/week at the Mermaid to something under $25/week for green coffee, electricity, and other miscellaneous expenses.

Cheers

Jim

[bobroseman]

It's amazing how making 2 or 3 grande lattes a day at home will more than pay for an S1, in a very short time. Maybe if I pushed my family into drinking 5 or 6 a day, I could justify a GS3.

Bob

[TimothyJohn]

Espresso equipment, etc.: 3k+.
Having great espresso everyday: priceless

Tim

[JonR10]

I answered $2500 - $3000 because that's my current kit's cost.
Overall I have spent well over $3k

Follow-up - NO, I never feel the need to justify my expenditure and setup.
Most folks that know me well would expect no less, and then they come over and try the coffee drinks

[Gatewood]

I think I'm $1500 and rising. But I forgot about the roasters and related stuff. Nobody questions me because I am mean. And old. And mean old ladies don't get asked personal questions about their coffee habits.

[mtnwoman]

Since I just bought it all, this is an easy question...put me in the $2K-$2.5K range.

[papalatte]

I don't even justify my expenditure to my self. I've been fascinated with coffee a long time ...... I'm now roasting for other people....... I love this stuff........ I don't know where it will end.........

Skip

[Psyd]

How about what you paid for your current setup, not including prior purchases. if you kept all your prior upgrades for old time's sake, they would count towards your total.

(It's pretty safe to say that if you're in that situation, you're in the $3000+ crowd.)

Ehm, higher....higher....higher... yep. The Astoria 'Big Gulp' lists just under $8K, the two Mazzer Majors at $1200 each, the Rocky at $300, Silvia at $500, three steamtoys (one for a spare, one for the travel kit, one for the GF's house) at $80, plus about a grand in parts, pieces and accessories (see the 'Ummagumma'esque' Astoria layout). Do the roadcases for the travelling kit count? Call the two that I'll use for the Silvia and the Rocky (plus the briefcase for the PF's and shakiers and pitchers etc.) an even $500. Eleven thousand one hundred and twenty dollars? Sumpin like that. Anyone want a slightly used two group Astoria in great condition? With a buncha espresso manufacturing tools thrown in? ; >

[Gatewood]

Ehm, higher....higher....higher... yep. The Astoria 'Big Gulp' lists just under $8K, the two Mazzer Majors at $1200 each, the Rocky at $300, Silvia at $500, three steamtoys (one for a spare, one for the travel kit, one for the GF's house) at $80, plus about a grand in parts, pieces and accessories (see the 'Ummagumma'esque' Astoria layout). Do the roadcases for the travelling kit count? Call the two that I'll use for the Silvia and the Rocky (plus the briefcase for the PF's and shakiers and pitchers etc.) an even $500. Eleven thousand one hundred and twenty dollars? Sumpin like that. Anyone want a slightly used two group Astoria in great condition? With a buncha espresso manufacturing tools thrown in? ; >

Holy Moly! I'm afraid I'm looking at my future!

[k7qz]

Be thankful for small favors- Dan could have put a greater than $5,000 dollars catagory in his poll. At least with the $3,000 limit we don't have to look like such addicts...

[cannonfodder]

Hmm. I know the question is current setup, but just to reminess over the past 1.5 years...
Ebay special toy $80
KitchenAid Pro $700
Isomac Melinium $900
Gaggia Factory lever $500
Faema 2 group (free, thanks Barry) $400 for frame up rebuild. New cost, say $3500
Grinders
Kitchenaid A9 $70
Gaggia MDF (free won it on Coffee Geek) new $200
Mazzer Mini P $450
Cimbali JR (thank you HB birthday special!) $395

Assorted mods, cups, essential accessories, HotTop Roaster, Illy cups etc $800

My current outfit. At home, Gaggia Factory lever, Faema 2 group, Cimbali Jr and Kitchenaid A9 grinder. Say $1500, value well over 3K

At work, Isomac and Mazzer $1400

So i would say I qualify for the 5K+ club

[Psyd]

Holy Moly! I'm afraid I'm looking at my future!

I've had my fun with the Astoria. If you're ready to move up into the two-group, five figure loft, let me know and I'll get me a single group home machine. She's a blast, but I want my kitchen back!

[HB]

The homepage has a running poll where anyone can vote (no need to register though it doesn't allow more than one vote every 24 hours to deter "stuffing the ballot box"). Over the last couple weeks it has had the same poll question as in this thread, but with strongly contrasting results:

[bobroseman]

The homepage has a running poll where anyone can vote (no need to register though it doesn't allow more than one vote every 24 hours to deter "stuffing the ballot box"). Over the last couple weeks it has had the same poll question as in this thread, but with strongly contrasting results:

Here is a case where taking the average would be misleading.


bob