New to this forum, not exactly new to coffee, but certainly not a home barista either so I could use some thoughts from those who are more serious about it than I have been. I'm vacillating over whether to get serious about my espresso and make the investment in cost and time in a serious machine and grinder. My question isn't technical although I always appreciate advice from the more experienced, it's more along the lines of "How does indulging your passion for coffee fit into your life-style"?

I spent some time in Italy some years ago and picked up some of the lifestyle including a taste for cappuccino in the morning and espresso at other times. About 7 years ago I started roasting my own beans (using a series of roasters including a HW Precision, I-roast, two Alps, and currently a Behmor in addition to my still functioning Precision) and have developed some skill. In a week I typically make a half lbs of City+ roast SO's for my vac-pot and usually a lbs or so softer, northern Italian style Vienna roast blend for espresso. For that I have been using a series of super-autos (Solis and two Saeco's) over the years. They make a decent, lazy-man's espresso, as good or better than most local coffee joints (which I attribute to the quality and freshness of the coffee I use), if invariably thin on the crema. The other problem with the super-autos is usually the built-in, cheapy, conical grinder craps out in a year or two at most and I have to spend another $350-600 on a new machine. But my wife enjoys the simplicity of pushing a button for a cup of coffee in the morning when the vac-pot is not in use. Even though she tends to crank up the volume and over-extract it, because she uses cream, she doesn't seem to notice its defects.

I do. Which brings me to the point. I am considering making the investment in a serious machine and grinder. I can keep an old Solis (Baratza) Maestro in use, which is perfectly adequate for the vac-pot, but due to limitations on counterspace, I don't think I can keep the super-auto on the counter for my wife, and still have room for a big pro-style espresso machine and quality grinder next to it, not to mention space for the inevitable tampers, knock-box and everything else that goes with a manual or even a semi-auto machine like the LaSpaziale that I've been looking at. I don't know how many spouses of forum members jump right in clacking dosers and tamping and pulling shots on their own, but I'm not at all sure mine will.

So how many on this forum would say it's worth $2000-3000 to go from that drinkable, but uninspired shot of espresso and have to pull shots for the rest of the family on demand because they certainly don't have the barista urge, when all they want is a cup of coffee?

BTW, coffee isn't my only passion/addiction. I also have a very expensive passion for antique cars. In addition to owning a classic 1934 Auburn Phaeton , I volunteer as a docent at a local car museum. So it's not like I'm allowing myself this one passion for coffee.

Serious home espresso requires me 5 minutes for the first shot add 3 or so for each additional for the 2-4 shots I make every day. That is a small amount of time for the enjoyment of that daily flavor jolt.

As long as you stay serious about only devoting that much time, then it should have little impact on lifestyle. However when you start enjoying the community of a site like this or start seeking the next greater machine etc etc etc, it starts to take more time from other pursuits, be they objectively more important like family, work, electing a progressive or also relatively frivolous like home gardening, building a brick oven, roasting coffee or what have you.

I'll let someone else chime in. I have another question to post on another topic.

For me, when I'm lazy or simply want more than a shot, I'll pull an Americano rather then break out the
Vac pot, but that's due to whichever beans I'm going through that week.

Something to consider is the choice of the grinder before the choice of the machine. While I have no
experience with the Le'Petit and it's companions, they are highly recommended. I do have experience
with the Mazzer Mini, Cimbali Max Hybrid, and Mazzer Major, and some very minor experience with
the Mazzer Super Jolly. From that experience, I'd recommend insuring you budget for either the
Cimbali Max Hybrid or Mazzer Major or their equivalents, before even considering the espresso machine.

The consistency from a grinder with a long grind path is a key to forgiveness in technique and getting
the most flavor out of the coffee, in my opinion. The downside is they are fairly large machines. The
older majors can be shortened with the short mini hopper, the newer ones require more work.

Another consideration is you did not mention any need for steamed milk drinks. If that's so, you
could save a bit of money and get a pid equipped single boiler machine for a bit less than the
S1.

You will need to do a few extra steps, regardless of the setup you eventually decide on. You'll need
to get to know the grinder well - purge the beans in the grind path and clearing the doser (if the
grinder has one), prevent popcorning as the hopper empties, and adjust the grind as the beans
age and as the humidity changes.

The espresso machine will have a learning ramp as well - knowing how much to flush to bring the
group head up to temp or down to temp, depending upon design. How much to dose - some
machines are more sensitive than others, and which basket works best of the coffee your using.

Is the journey worth it? I'm still on that journey and, so far, it's been a blast.

Bob

HB wrote:There's the cost and the time. Although I can pulls shots in a hurry if properly motivated, I naturally linger, combining equipment testing, exploration, and enjoyment. Were it not for the excursions prompted by the discussions on this site, I doubt I would spend more than 15 minutes from start-to-finish on the weekdays and maybe 30 minutes on the weekend. Is the effort worth it? For me, yes; preparing espresso is a pleasure I look forward to each morning. If the espresso was only mediocre (as would be the case for a super-auto), I would rather have French press.

Couldn't have said it better.

Is it worth it? If you feel the love and getting great espresso is a passion from which you benefit not only by way of the coffee itself, but by virtue of the ritual and the play, then in a word, absolutely.

It seems like you're deep into coffee already. If you're home-roasting then you should have no problem keeping yourself in freshly roasted beans for espresso. You can have great results at home for less than the amount you said you were willing to spend. You're already spending time and money on coffee as a hobby and a lifestyle.

Impact on time can vary depending on individual personalities. If you get your technique down and are happy with your shots then it will be minimal time given up to the espresso ritual - if you become obsessed with other aspects of it, like tinkering with machines, splitting hairs over temperatures, etc...it may consume all your spare time.