Looking for a cheap(ish) but decent starter espresso machine

[aindfan]

Hello everyone!

The office I work at has a Lavazza espresso machine that uses AromaPoint tabs for a very easy brewing process. I've made a fair number of delicious lattes (I think that's what they are-I pour the shot of espresso into a cup of steamed milk, and as this is my first experience with espresso ever, I think they are delicious). Now, I'm looking for a cheap but decent espresso machine for my dorm room. I'm hoping someone can point me towards a pump driven machine that's under $100.

I did stumble upon the DeLonghi EC155 (15 bar pump machine, Amazon.com reviews seem good, see link here). It costs about $100 (even that is pushing my price limit). Most of all I need something that will produce good enough coffee (that will be covered in steamed milk anyway). Keep in mind that there's no way I'll distinguish between a good machine and an amazing machine (or maybe I will, but am not spoiled by it yet). If there is a difference in temperature or pressure between cups, I probably wont care. The machine will probably brew decaf on mornings I get sleep and some good strong stuff when I have those ever-so-slightly-painful 9am classes.

Another pump machine I've found is this Faberware pump machine.

Thanks so much for your help, and I'm looking forward to your responses!

Recap: I need a good enough, cheap espresso machine with a milk steamer that will make my morning coffee at the push of a button (or two pushes, etc. I just can't monitor it).

Thanks again!

EDIT: I noticed that this was on the FAQ page and I have posted a six month follow up of my experience so far here

EDIT 2: A short one year follow up post is here.

[HB]

Now, I'm looking for a cheap but decent espresso machine for my dorm room. I'm hoping someone can point me towards a pump driven machine that's under $100... Recap: I need a good enough, cheap espresso machine with a milk steamer that will make my morning coffee at the push of a button (or two pushes, etc. I just can't monitor it).

Best Inexpensive Grinder and Best espresso gear on a student's budget? offer some suggestions on low entry espresso equipment.

Espresso preparation by its nature is more expensive (both in terms of coffee consumed and equipment), more time consuming, and requires far more skill than preparing French press. Personally I'd rather get an inexpensive good grinder ($120 ish) and a French press ($12 at Target) than ruin exceptional coffee with an inferior espresso machine due to its unregulated brew pressure, pressurized portafilter, and unstable brew temperature (claims of 15 bars pressure is disheartening when you consider the recommended brew pressure is 9 bars).

Before I'm accused of snobbery, I hasten to point out my admission of past sins in Hall of Shame: ''What I did when I was a newbie''. While I don't cry each night over my years of drinking coffee swill in ignorance, I do sincerely wish someone would have shown me what I was missing so at least the choice would have been a knowledgeable one.

If none of the above sways you, I would recommend scouring eBay for bargains, or the CoffeeGeek Buy & Sell forum. There's bound to be a decent Gaggia Coffee or similar. Couple that with a decent grinder from the above suggestions (don't skimp on the grinder!) and you'll be years ahead of where I started.

[Randy G.]

Hello everyone!
...... Now, I'm looking for a cheap but decent espresso machine for my dorm room. I'm hoping someone can point me towards a pump driven machine that's under $100.

Do you already have a grinder? More than one (thousand) person(s) has(ve) ended up with an espresso machine up in a cabinet after a number of frustrating mornings. Sure, you can get a cheap machine that takes pods and be happy with that but the cost of pods does not meet with a student's budget...Here's the advice I have given lots of folks:

COFFEE MAKER - Aerobie Aeropress - It doesn't make "real" espresso, but within a wide range of parameters it makes the best strong espresso-ish coffee you probably have ever tasted. Once the water is hot and the coffee is ground, you can have a double in about 30 seconds. I can just about guarantee that you will get better and more consistent results with this than with an economy espresso machine as you are considering. It is also very portable. Cost - $25

GRINDER - The Cuisinart from Costco, or similar will work. With the Aeropress you could even get away with a whirly blade cheapie. I would recommend spending as much as possible on a grinder, but your $100 budget is a limiting factor here. Since you can't afford a $200-300 grinder, the Cuisinart will work fine with the Aeropress. Cost - $15-35

MILK FROTHER - This could be something as simple as one of the battery operated whippers, but a used, thrift store steam-driven espresso machine would do quite well in this regard. Cost: $10-30

HOT WATER: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000K9TY5S This is a sale on an electric, cordless kettle: Remanufactured Cuisinart CJK-17BC Cordless Electric Jug Kettle, Brushed Stainless Steel ($20.00). Of course, the water could come from the steam-driven machine, a tea kettle, or even a second-hand percolator. A microwave works well too! Cost - $0-20

The only thing you need now is a source of quality, whole bean coffee

TOTAL: $50 to $110 or so (maybe less).

[joellawry]

also, don't underestimate how much difference a good grinder will make - i didn't get a good grinder at first and ended up thinking my new machine had been a waste of money...bring on a new grinder and all that changed.

[timo888]

Hello everyone!

The office I work at has a Lavazza espresso machine that uses AromaPoint tabs for a very easy brewing process. I've made a fair number of delicious lattes (I think that's what they are-I pour the shot of espresso into a cup of steamed milk, and as this is my first experience with espresso ever, I think they are delicious). Now, I'm looking for a cheap but decent espresso machine for my dorm room. I'm hoping someone can point me towards a pump driven machine that's under $100.

If you tell us what city you're in or visit, someone here can recommend a good place where you can get a good espresso, cappuccino, and latte. Then you can decide whether you like coffee, or steamed milk with coffee in it.

I would do that before you take the advice on purchasing equipment. If you are a coffee lover and don't need steamed milk, HB's advice (i.e. get a $120 grinder and a French press and great beans) is very good advice--except that boiling water can be tricky in a dorm room. You could boil the water and heat some milk in the dorm kitchen and make cafe au lait.

Your price range is much too low to include the required burr (not blade) grinder and a machine that can make a decent espresso. With your budget constraints, and considering that you are living in a dorm room, you could look for a used machine on eBay or Craigslist that can use pods. Perhaps a Quickmill or Ascaso, or even a FrancisFrancis. Making espresso starting with whole roasted beans is very messy--not at all suited to a dorm room. You will have grinds in every piece of clothing lying on the floor. Also, the wet spent coffee is very sloppy...you really need running water close at hand. Check out the Movies link in the Media area of this website: http://www.grindenstein.com/

Regards
Timo

[podo98]

If you tell us what city you're in or visit, someone here can recommend a good place where you can get a good espresso, cappuccino, and latte. Then you can decide whether you like coffee, or steamed milk with coffee in it.

hey fellas this is a little off topic but you asked so . . I am in Houston can you recommend a place to get a decent shot, other than my house of course?

Brett P

[HB]

HB's advice (i.e. get a $120 grinder and a French press and great beans) is very good advice--except that boiling water can be tricky in a dorm room.

An electric kettle or immersion heater will do.

I am in Houston can you recommend a place to get a decent shot, other than my house of course?

Ask JonR10, prolific bottomless portafilter photographer and fellow Houston resident (or better yet, go to each others houses). The US Central forum on CG is worth searching too.

[timo888]

When I was in college, one of my dorm rooms (in a converted mansion) had a giant fireplace, which I used ... till they boarded it up on me. Safety rules have gotten even tighter. Many schools now prohibit immersion heaters and electric kettles in rooms. Room inspections are frequent, and room-safety violations are taken seriously.

But a french press would be a very convenient coffee making device if the student had to carry it to a dorm kitchen to get hot water. Steamed milk presents a greater challenge.

Regards
Timo

[aindfan]

In terms of the grinder... I plan to buy ground coffee.

For any further suggestions, please put aside the fact that I will basically be pulling (that's the term, right?) crap (relative to what most of this site's members are crafting), so I need something that makes an *OK*ish beginner espresso shot that gets poured directly into a cup of steamed milk. Ok, maybe I'll take a sip of the espresso every now and then, but certainly not often enough to warrant a super high quality espresso process.

EDIT: A note on the french press. The instructions that came with mine (Bodum of some sort) stated that the press takes course grounds. It was also a royal pain to clean, not something I will be energetic enough to do.

How about some details on using the french press: do I grind regular coffee beans and pour hot water over them, press the plunger down after some time and pour?

EDIT #2: I don't know that I'll have time in the mornings to boil water or grind coffee beans, hence my desire to get a machine that does the work for me (heats water and brews). Latte's just happen to taste worlds better than drip coffee, therefore I refuse to take a $10 Mr. Coffee machine like the ones in motel rooms.

[HB]

In terms of the grinder... I plan to buy ground coffee...I need something that makes an *OK*ish beginner espresso shot that gets poured directly into a cup of steamed milk.

You can't get there from here. Use preground coffee while saving for an espresso grinder? and How can good espresso be made with preground coffee or pods? explains why. A cheap $100 pump espresso machine and preground coffee = dark brown, bitter, caffeinated dreck. Sure, you can drown it with enough milk to make it "drinkable," but why suffer?

How about some details on using the french press: do I grind regular coffee beans and pour hot water over them, press the plunger down after some time and pour?

See French press brewing instructions on the Resources page.

I don't know that I'll have time in the mornings to boil water or grind coffee beans, hence my desire to get a machine that does the work for me (heats water and brews).

How to put this delicately... With preground coffee and a budget of $100 for an espresso machine, which you choose won't matter; they'll all be equally awful.

[aindfan]

I've sorta made the decision to go with either that costco machine (Faberware FES15B) or the DeLonghi EC155. Both within my price range, basically, leaving a bit of room in the budget to save up for the grinder. Given that both machines I listed are cheap, entry level pump machines, am I likely to notice a difference between them?

[jesawdy]

If you don't have time to boil water in an electric kettle and grind coffee for a press, you won't have time to use those machines either.

I will second any of the above recommendations. I especially like Randy's suggestions if you want espresso-like drinks, more so since you intend to use milk.

(EDIT - Oops, realized these are pump machines, but still....) If you must have a steam toy machine (and it will work fine for steaming your milk), save your money and hit a few yard sales or thrift stores, they are usually in abundance.

[Randy G.]

In terms of the grinder... I plan to buy ground coffee.

For any further suggestions, please put aside the fact that I will basically be pulling (that's the term, right?) crap (relative to what most of this site's members are crafting), so I need something that makes an *OK*ish beginner espresso shot that gets poured directly into a cup of steamed milk. Ok, maybe I'll take a sip of the espresso every now and then, but certainly not often enough to warrant a super high quality espresso process.

You didn't say what the source of pre-ground will be. If you have a convenient shop nearby and can get half-pounds of preground, then it might work out. If you are thinking about cans of pre-ground or buying a pound or two at a time, then this is not a good idea. Once ground for espresso, coffee is good for about an hour at the most- the very most. Without knowing the coffee, how old, or how it will be stored, I would say that using preground in a $sub-100 espresso machine would not approach OKish- IMO, I would barely be able to choke it down.

Using a sub-$100 machine with preground coffee will make some really pitiful coffee beverages. You are trading taste for the "experience" that will enable you to tell your friends that you make espresso, and that is about all that you will be getting out of it. Adding milk may make it drinkable, but just. You might as well say that you found some ground beef and are wondering if you can heat it with a kerosene lamp and make a sandwich with it.

If you want to make believe that you are making a cappuccino, then get a $19 milk frother and put in a spoonful or two of instant coffee. If you think heating water is too much trouble, or that cleaning up a French press is a mess, then after cleaning up after using an economy espresso machine for the first time you will be wondering if you should turn the machine into a lamp or sell it to the guy down the hall that likes the Grateful Dead and said he thought it would make a cool bong.

If you are interested in something that tastes good, read my first post in this thread. If you just want to make espresso and that is a priority, then hit the thrift stores and spend $10-20 on a used steam driven machine. Since you are going to be using pre-ground, the lower pressure of a steam machine may just make a better cup of coffee than using a better machine.

I am not tying to make fun or embarrass you, but trying to make the point that if taste is not important, then why even ask the question here in the first place. My first suggestion will make the best tasting coffee for the money. If fresh-ground (about one minute's effort) and heating water (fill kettle, plug in, and brush teeth while waiting) is too much effort or time, then give up on making espresso. It will be too much effort and after a week you will wish you still had the $100 in pocket.

[aindfan]

Thank you very much for all of the very well thought out responses (making them quite different from my original way of thinking). Thanks to all of you, I have come to the realization that the taste of the coffee is truly more important than the cool looking foam on top of it, so here is what I might be deciding on:

1. Aerobie Aeropress ($25 + s/h)
2. "Burr" grinder - this seems VERY important based on what I've read. Posts on this forum lead me to believe that I should prefer to spend $50-$60 on a good grinder for fresh coffee every morning than $100 on a mediocre machine.
3. I already have a water heater. ($0)
4. I go to school in NYC, so I'm sure I'll be able to find good coffee somewhere. Zabar's comes to mind. ($10/bag?)

I'm considering the grinder an investment, so I can use it for espresso later in life, if/when I get a real machine.

I once again thank everyone for their hard work in making me realize that hiding a burnt/otherwise badly made shot in a hot cup of milk is not the way to go, and (based on what I know about the Aeropress) I hope the Aeropress will help me achieve delicious, low maintenance, straight cups/shots of good coffee.

[peacecup]

With all due respect to the above baristas, I firmly believe you can make VERY GOOD espresso with a ~$20 second hand, hand-operated conical burr grinder, and an entry-lever Gaggia or Saeco pump espresso maker. And I mean VERY GOOD.

You can often pick up Estro (Saeco) Vapores (AKA Starbucks Barista) for $100 on Ebay - coupled with a non-pressurized portafilter ($20 new from Saeco) you can be pouring very nice shots. If you're coupling them with milk I'll wager you'll be brewing better drinks than most coffee shops within 100 miles of your house in no time.


Here's a 100% crema shot poured from a Saeco Via Veneto - a very entry level machine - don't let the plastic case fool you, its the same pump as the fabled Silvia. This shot happens to be from the pressurized PF - these are easily over-ridden with good beans and a proper grind, but for the extra $20 you can get the non-pressurized kind.



Here's the $20 grinder - conical burr, stepless, no clumping, no noise, and FUN:



PC

[Randy G.]

Thank you very much for all of the very well thought out responses (making them quite different from my original way of thinking). Thanks to all of you, I have come to the realization that the taste of the coffee is truly more important than the cool looking foam on top of it...

There is hope for the youth of America!

so here is what I might be deciding on:
1. Aerobie Aeropress ($25 + s/h)
2. "Burr" grinder - this seems VERY important based on what I've read. Posts on this forum lead me to believe that I should prefer to spend $50-$60 on a good grinder for fresh coffee every morning than $100 on a mediocre machine.
3. I already have a water heater. ($0)
4. I go to school in NYC, so I'm sure I'll be able to find good coffee somewhere. Zabar's comes to mind. ($10/bag?)
I'm considering the grinder an investment, so I can use it for espresso later in life, if/when I get a real machine.

That all sounds good, but please be aware that an "investment" grinder will set you back at least $200. For espresso figure at least $250 or so. Unlesss you are willing to spend that much on just the grinder, the Cuisinart CCM-16PC mentioned from Costco (reviewed HERE on my Website) will work OK with the Aeropress. For just under $200 or so, take a look at the Solis or Baratza offerings- or maybe the MDF. Alternatively, you are close to two suppliers (1st Line and Whole Latte Love, both in Jersey), and you may be able to pick up a return/refurb grinder from one of them for less and save shipping. Give them a call.

I once again thank everyone for their hard work in making me realize that hiding a burnt/otherwise badly made shot in a hot cup of milk is not the way to go, and (based on what I know about the Aeropress) I hope the Aeropress will help me achieve delicious, low maintenance, straight cups/shots of good coffee.

See my review of the AEROPRESS. If the coffee is decent, it is nearly impossible to make a bad cup with it.

[alsterlingcafe]

I had to add this......... By the time Randy and Peacecup, above, posted their responses, I had yet to finished mine. I read Randy's and realized how abrupt mine appeared, but out of selfishness and the unwillingness to admit I had drafted a poor example of a thoughtful response, decided to let it stand. And for Randy.....I still keep the Cuisinart, mostly as a napkin weight, in the espresso bar area....right next to the MDF which at that time replaced it! (My prime grinders are Macap M4 Stepless Doser) The Cuisinart will be "regifted" to one of the kids sometime this year. (smile) And as demonstrated by Peacecup, there certainly are used coffee equipment items out there. Although I've observed that the majority of gear is used commercial grade, with grinders rarely under $200. Of course, wait long enough and eventually a bus will stop at your corner.

Thank you very much for all of the very well thought out responses ..............Action Item #2. "Burr" grinder - this seems VERY important based on what I've read. Posts on this forum lead me to believe that I should prefer to spend $50-$60 on a good grinder for fresh coffee every morning than $100 on a mediocre machine.

Simply thinking out loud, and with malice toward none......

I'll never forget how excited I was to find a Cuisinart Burr Grinder at Costco for $29.00, regularly suggested retail $80.00! (....in the beginning)
Let's see............ I lost about 3 weeks of time and a fews dollars of roasted beans, trying to figure out why I couldn't get crema out of my Expobar!?
(Yes, one of you did mention the misplaced anger of the ".....this damn espresso machine doesn't work syndrome.")

My suggestion to those who posted such fine responses; wait until your kids grow up and have kids. Watch your kids explain to their kids why they have to shut the lights off when they leave the room. It took me about 30 years to realize that "Please-shut-off-the-lights-when-you-leave-the-room" may include certain frequencies and harmonics that may, pretty much, be inaudible to humans. The same phenomenon probably occurs when generating the sounds......"You must have a good grinder ($150 and above) before you worry about anything else."

I'm sure someone, maybe you Dan, has posted a warning that, plus or minus, THERE IS NO NEW GRINDER AVAILABLE FOR UNDER $150 THAT WILL GRIND FINE ENOUGH FOR ESPRESSO. This would certainly save alot of newcomers to this hobby a considerable amount of time. Beyond that, and being in sales and marketing, I am a firm believer that we all will sometimes pursue an objective, simply waiting to hear what we want to hear as reassurance for our decision. ("There must be SOMEONE out there that agrees with me? I'll just keep plugging away until I get my "go-ahead.")

Best, Al

[HB]

With all due respect to the above baristas, I firmly believe you can make VERY GOOD espresso with a ~$20 second hand, hand-operated conical burr grinder, and an entry-lever Gaggia or Saeco pump espresso maker. And I mean VERY GOOD.

I suppose it depends how you define "very good"; I define it as a 4, as discussed in What does your typical espresso rate? Regrettably they are not as frequent as I would like, independent of the equipment. Most of my espressos are in the 3.0 to 3.5 range and I'm willing to accept blame as the weakest link of my current setup. If it's any consolation, I consider those who pull consistent 4s as national competition level baristas.

I'm sure someone, maybe you Dan, has posted a warning that, plus or minus, THERE IS NO NEW GRINDER AVAILABLE FOR UNDER $150 THAT WILL GRIND FINE ENOUGH FOR ESPRESSO. This would certainly save alot of newcomers to this hobby a considerable amount of time.

I didn't say that, but I do agree the problem of most low-end motorized grinders is inconsistency of the grounds (boulder and dust), which leads to uneven extractions (i.e., both under and overextraction). Peacecup's suggestion of a hand grinder is apt, though I understand the Zassenhaus models are hard to come by these days.

[peacecup]

Let me start by saying I began the espresso journey with a Saeco Via Venetto and store-ground coffee. I used to make great (so I thought) cappucinos and lattes. Looking back, I'm sure they were bad, but likely not worse that some cafe espressos out there. BTW, there wasn't any HB out there to help in those days! Then I read somewhere that I needed a burr grinder - off the get the cheapest I could find - an $50 La Pavoni PA. This was the worst $50 ever spent - totally useless for espresso - I used to have to grind two or three times through to get it fine enough! Then, I stumbled upon an old German hand grinder on Ebay - $15 at the time, and my espresso improved dramatically. I won't claim these are as good as $150+ electric grinders - I've never compared - but they will grind fine enough to choke both my lever and pump machines. I've since gotten a few more, and almost all have been excellent. So, I maintain that a good, used entry level pump machine, from a reputable seller, and a good hand grinder (you can PM me for specs) can make GOOD espresso (see below). Since I have never developed a taste for brewed coffee (french press), I would vote hands down for the entry level espresso setup. I love the ritual of grinding, tamping and brewing espresso, and I love the results in the cup.

RE: espresso quality, I've yet to read the link re: how my espresso rates( but will do so), but if Dan's are in the 3-3.5 range I doubt mine are any better. If 4's are competition level, a three is pretty darn drinkable. I'll give you an example of how my rate, just off the cuff, because I've never even been to a barista competition.

I live in Juneau, Alaska, and travel to Seattle 2-3 times per year. My straight espresso is better than 90-100% of what I can get in Juneau, from a local roaster/coffee shop chain that has been roasting and brewing 30 years. I buy my beans from their roastery, so we use the exact same espresso blend. However, I know my equipment, its clean, consistent, etc., and the beans are always fresh, and freshly ground. There is at least one competition barista in the chain, but other than that I have no idea about their training. They use La Marzocco machines. I doubt I have had a shot from them the past two years that rates with any of mine, either lever, or possibly from the cheapo pumps I use for backups (Saecos).

Even on trips to Seattle I've generally been disappointed with coffee shop espresso - even fairly well-known roasters, like Cafe D'Arte, Caffe Umbria, Zoka. Last time I was in Seattle I had 10 or more straight shots at Zokas, from at least two competition baristas. Some may have been better that my good shots, but most weren't.

BTW, Haven't I read from Dan the same thing, that its tough to find cafe espresso better than home-brewed? Isn't there a thread somewhere on HB where someone compares his old Krups to his new HX machine?

Regards,

PC

[Randy G.]

...... And for Randy.....I still keep the Cuisinart, mostly as a napkin weight, in the espresso bar area....right next to the MDF which at that time replaced it!

I'm sure someone, maybe you Dan, has posted a warning that, plus or minus, THERE IS NO NEW GRINDER AVAILABLE FOR UNDER $150 THAT WILL GRIND FINE ENOUGH FOR ESPRESSO. This would certainly save alot of newcomers to this hobby a considerable amount of time. Beyond that, and being in sales and marketing, I am a firm believer that we all will sometimes pursue an objective, simply waiting to hear what we want to hear as reassurance for our decision. ("There must be SOMEONE out there that agrees with me? I'll just keep plugging away until I get my "go-ahead.")

Best, Al

I am a bit confused because I cannot tell whether you are agreeing or disagreeing with what I said. To clear any confusion, I have never stated that the Cuisinart would work for espresso. I recommended it for use with the Aeropress. A flat plate of steel and a smooth-faced hammer would work with the Aeropress. Although I have not tried it, I do believe that the Aeropress would work well with a whirley-blade device.

As far as espresso, I agree with peacecup in that the least expensive grinder for espresso is a quality hand grinder. As far as electric grinders, there are some in the general area of $200 that would work, albeit not well, but acceptably for most people (not for most people on this forum, but most people). MDF, Solis, Baratza come to mind. Spend a bit more and get a Rocky. But the Cuisinart for espresso? I never recommended that.