Shopping for espresso machine as graduation gift

[beany]

i'd like to get my brother a "real" machine as a graduation present. by "real" i mean one with a water line. for some reason he thinks this is the way to go. is he right, or should i just try to convince him that a normal reservoir system is totally acceptable?

do companies make home versions of machines like this (which i imagine are more for professional use) and if so could you suggest a company? are there ones that have the grinder built in? are there other things i need to consider?

thanks for the help,

a novice beaner.

[HB]

What is your budget? Does your budget include a good grinder?

I don't understand his comment about a water line; in any case, I don't think the type of reservoir is a key deciding factor. Assuming you have a modest budget, the site FAQs and Favorites Digest link to a number of threads on recommended entry-level equipment (e.g., Basic inexpensive espresso machine recommendations).

[Bushrod]

I think he believes it needs to be plumbed in to be a serious machine.

[HB]

In that case the new graduate will need a very generous brother.

Some pourover espresso machines have conversion kits to plumbed in (Quickmill Andreja Premium) or they can be converted with some DIY effort. I consider it a great convenience, but not a measure of the espresso machine's capabilities. It really boils down to budget. You can get a nice entry level setup including grinder for around $500. The espresso machines reviewed on this site falls into the $1500 - $3000 price range and the reviewed grinders start at $550 and go to over two grand if you include the Mazzer Robur from the Titan Grinder Project.

PS: As I recall, my brother gave me a warm pat on the back for my graduation "gift"... times have changed!

[zin1953]

Dan, re-read the original post . . .

i'd like to get my brother a "real" machine as a graduation present. by "real" i mean one with a water line . . . are there ones that have the grinder built in? are there other things i need to consider?

Plumbed in water line AND a built-in grinder?

Me thinks there is much to learn . . .

[zin1953]

Josh,

Let's forget about any pre-conceived notions of what constitutes a "real" espresso machine, and focus first on your budget. How good of a brother is he? (In other words, how much do you want to spend?)

First of all, my recommendation would be to avoid machines with a built-in grinder -- they frequently compromise on the quality of both the machine and the grinder . . .

The least expensive set up I would recommend -- and no doubt others will have their own personal favorites -- would be a Gaggia Coffee for about $299 (look here, for example) and a Gaggia MDF grinder for $299 (but if you shop around, you can actually find this for about $199 -- say, through Amazon -- click here). This setup lasted me for 15 years.

If you are serious about a machine that's plumbed in, you might want to look at the Izzo Alex (click here), as this is one of the very few machines that is easy to switch back-and-forth from a pourover to a built-in. (After all, what happens if and when your brother moves?) But it will set you back $1495, and I'm not sure if your budget allows for that sort of expenditure . . . plus a grinder!

[boston coffee party]

Has your brother ever owned an espresso machine, does he regularly drink milk based drinks or just straight espresso, what sort of space does he have in his apartment/house/condo/tent? Does he take care of his equipment / toys? Does he entertain a lot and "need" to be able to pull many shots or is this just for "wake up juice"

I think all these questions may help determine what sort of machine to get him. If he does not take care of equipment in general it may not be worth spending tons of money on something that will be destroyed in short order. If he does not have space a smaller machine like a Gaggia might be perfect while a plumbed in machine may take over his whole kitchen and he will end up hating it. If he makes a lot of milk based drinks a machine with a larger boiler / HX may be better than a smaller machine or if he just makes straight shots then less of a need for one.

If he is new to making espresso then some machines (others would be helpful with pointing out which ones) are more difficult to use and are more subject to grind / tamping consistency than others. I know these are a lot of things to consider, but I think worthwhile to think about before giving your brother his nice new toy.

Adam

[beany]

WOW! thank you all so much for the help. i'm at work and will carefully look at all the links later.

he's graduating from law school, so this is a pretty big gift. plus that means he needs to study for the bar, so caffeine is the way to go. perhaps i can get some other family to chip in.

as far as espresso experience, he's worked in a number of coffee shops and has developed a taste for good crema. i'd say he's about rank amateur, but isn't quite a barista. you're correct in assuming the water line is simply a matter of convenience (but it's worth mentioning that our other brother is a plumber, so installation isn't a concern). counter space is rather limited, but i know he's willing to dedicate some to the right machine. i'm assuming that when he moves (probably not for another two years) he'll just take it with him.

as for the grinder, i don't think being built in is a necessity. i will need to get him an espresso-specific one though, right? the beans must be ground different than as if for coffee?

as for budget, dare i say $400—$500??

sidenote: this is the first time i've posted anything on a message board. i really appreciate everyone's time and opinion.

[zin1953]

WOW! thank you all so much for the help. i'm at work and will carefully look at all the links later. . . .

as for the grinder, i don't think being built in is a necessity. i will need to get him an espresso-specific one though, right? the beans must be ground different than as if for coffee?

as for budget, dare i say $400—$500??

Josh,

Let me make a suggestion, or rather -- another suggestion. You can get him something along the lines of the Gaggia Coffee and Gaggia MDF for approximately $500-$600 (that's the machine AND a grinder). But honestly, if you are looking to spend $400-500, there is nothing in that price range other than a Gaggia that I'd recommend. (As i said above, I'm sure others will offer their own personal favorites, too.)

The next step up from something like these machines by Gaggia (click the link) would be the Rancilio Silvia. This is a great machine, but -- given the weakness in the US Dollar compared to the Euro -- the price is now $595, $100 over your budget.

If I were you, I'd talk to your brother (the plumber). Go in with him and get the Silvia, and your brother the law school graduate gets his own grinder! (The Rancilio Rocky grinder is $320.)

Cheers,
Jason