Hello everyone as the title states i am looking for help with my first espresso set up. I currently enjoy pour overs and Moka pot coffee and use a comadante c40 as my grinder for those and am wanting to get into making espresso at home. I enjoy straight espresso shots but i also do enjoy a caffe au lait and an ocassional cappuccino. I know that the coffee and the grinder are more important than the machine. My dilemma is that i cannot buy both things at once as my budget does not allow for that i would say my total budget would be around $1,000 USD. So i really have a few questions.

1) since i will only be pulling one shot at a time as it is just me do i go with a Semi-Auto or do i go with a manual like a flair 58?

2) should i buy the grinder first or the machine first.

3) what grinder and machine would you recommend?

I have looked through the forums.

At $1,000 total, I'd go with an Option-O Lagom Mini and either a Flair 58 or Cafelat Robot. If you need steamed milk and didn't want to use a foamed or other moderately priced option, I'd look at the Breville Bambino.

Very good grinder, very good manual lever or acceptable pump-driven machine.

ok and let me ask this since i can not get both at the same time would you suggest to get the grinder first or the machine first

You most certainly can have a very good espresso start up kit for under $1000.00 US

The Bambino or Bambino Plus is a capable, affordable machine, and the Turin DF64 punches well above it's price point and will serve you well even when/if you step up to a more feature laden machine.

Of course, the Flair 58 and a solid manual espresso leaning grinder like the Arco would make fantastic espresso. You could probably add a stand alone milk steamer and still be in the $1000.00 US range.



https://www.espressooutlet.net/open-box ... e-grinder/

https://www.williams-sonoma.com/product ... bino-plus/

https://prima-coffee.com/equipment/flai ... 4-fl-es-sp

[FS] Goat Story Arco Combo Electric & Hand Grinder

Good evening, I am in the market for a new grinder. I would say my budget is between $400-$600. I currently have a comadante c40 that I use for pour overs and moka pot but am going to be getting into espresso. I want something that is single dose.

What would you recommend?

Should I buy the grinder before I buy the espresso machine since I can inly buy one at a time.

For $400, you can get a DF64 Gen 2.

https://www.espressooutlet.net/turin-df ... e-grinder/

That should get you plenty of grinder to last you a long while.

The C40 is a good grinder, but can be challenging to adjust for espresso. I wouldn't spend on the RedClix if you're buying another grinder. You can find the click that is close, then adjust the dose a few tenths of a gram to dial in a bit more. Just watch that you leave enough headspace. About 2 mm or the thickness of a US nickel is usually enough.

I'd say first do plenty research and read up on espresso and espresso machines. Then, with your budget, look at pre-owned pieces and see how far above its weight your budget would punch.

A lot of us will give you advice based on prices of new items. Espresso machines are hardy little beasts and going pre-owned can save you lots of money on premium machinery.

Jeff wrote:The C40 is a good grinder, but can be challenging to adjust for espresso. I wouldn't spend on the RedClix if you're buying another grinder. You can find the click that is close, then adjust the dose a few tenths of a gram to dial in a bit more. Just watch that you leave enough headspace. About 2 mm or the thickness of a US nickel is usually enough.

Jeff, would you say then that I should be good to buy an espresso machine before the grinder than. I ask because I am going to buy whatever piece is on sale this weekend out of what I want?

Thank you

The reality of the situation is you can't make espresso without an espresso machine. You'll have to make your own buying decisions based on the prices you see.