Reasonably priced Espresso machines

Posted by: Ancipital on 26 January 2006

Hi

Just wondering if anyone has any recommendations for reasonably priced espresso machines, I guess it should have a steamer(?) as well.

I did have a look in House of Fraser in Bluewater recently but the guy whose sole purpose in there to sell espresso machines didn't make any signs in being interested in talking to me even though I was looking closely at a number of them.

Still, chalk one up for one being bought over the internet soon over what could have been a sale there and then in the store.

Steve.

Posted on: 30 January 2006 by John Sheridan

quote:

One company I worked for had their own Starbucks (run by the same company that done the catering). The same people always worked in the Starbucks section.

wouldn't happen to have been Shell would it? I found their internal Starbucks to be pretty good, except for one so-called barista who just didn't have a clue.

Posted on: 30 January 2006 by Squarepusher

The problem is that as soon as you roast the beans they begin to oxidise (which is bad) and start to lose their flavour.
I believe that all chain/mainstream outlets have there beans supplied from a single distribution hub, which means that the beans are rosted god knows when and left to sit in a warehouse for god knows how long. Losing flavour all the time.
Even if they are freshly roasted and used within a few hours, you then have to employ staff who know what they are doing. Not so student that could care less and is making minimum wage.

A good barista needs to know;
How to to grind the beans (each type of bean and for that matter each roasting batch of the same bean will mean that they all need to be tweaked).
How to tamp the grind to ensure that the water is faced with the same resistance as it is pushed through (extracted) the grind.
How long to extract and by definition how much espresso to draw.
You also need to control the water temperature but this is somewhat out of your hands and is where the quality of the machine comes into its own.

If you manage to get all of that right then I promise that you will not go back to starbucks ever again and pay their ridiculous prices.

Cheers

Jon

P.S.
Also for anyone living in London
I recommend the following;

Monmouth Coffee
Flat White Espresso Bar

These guy's seem to know what they are doing.

Posted on: 31 January 2006 by Derek Wright

If you are ever in Portsmouth on a Tuesday to Saturday go to Danny's Coffee Bar on the Commercial Road street market - he is a bit of a fanatic regarding cofee.

Posted on: 31 January 2006 by Avalin

Few simple words of experience.

Stove top pots do not make quality or real espresso ( even if you gave the bog std aluminum ones or the fancy S/S Alessi designer ones- have tried 'em all). Have also got Gaggia classic and had Gaggia Synchrony for about 4 years. Faultless. You can adjust bean grind, ground coffee dosage, cup size and preheat the cup. You even get a good crema with quality beans ( ie Illy or their like).

Good tasting

Posted on: 31 January 2006 by Ancipital

John - no wasn't Shell!

Was passing through Carphone Warehouse recently in Dartford, there's is now a Costa's attached to it. When I was passing through, the staff there were doing a training course - they were being asked questions based on a presentation and were having difficulties answering. After one look at the slide being shown, was tempted to shout the answer across to them!

Steve.