Ask Engadget: Best home espresso machine?

Ask Engadget took the week off last Thursday, but it's back, this time with a question from reader Phil H. who wants to know:

I have a pretty boring job. I'm not complaining, but I've just been looking for a good espresso machine for home use to get me going in the AM. Semi-auto is fine, but full auto's probably a little much, and it needs to be something that  works well, won't require a lot of maintainence, and that the wife won't kick out of the kitchen because it's so ugly. I hear the Rancilio Silvia has the best bang/buck, but is there anything else out there worth the cash?

Yeah, we're getting a little drowsy over here too in the late afternoon sun—anyone care to shoot a suggestion on a good shot of the good stuff?

[jayarr_superstar @ Dec 19th 2005 1:02AM]

in my kitchen we have a nice sleek black philips senseo, it makes good coffee but the pods can be more expensive than just normal grains :/

[Joel Bernstein @ Dec 19th 2005 1:02AM]

I highly recommend the Bodum Mocca.

[E @ Dec 19th 2005 1:02AM]

The linked thread (click my name) on a great food forum has some good suggestions. MAG knows what she's talking about, so I'd go for a Nespresso.

[Fuzz @ Dec 19th 2005 1:02AM]

http://www.kitchenemporium.com/cgi-bin/kitchen/prod/16zzba275.html#Top

I'm drinkin' one right now. Cheap, easy to clean, small and easy to put away, no problems with breakdowns. Quick (around 2 min to make) Realy a no-brainer.

[john r @ Dec 19th 2005 1:02AM]

You need three things to make espresso:
1. Good ingredients.
2. A good machine
3. A good grinder

Most people who haven't had a good cup of espresso typically say they don't like espresso because it is bitter. If espresso is bitter, it most likely hasn't been made properly because one or more of neceessary 'parts' were not there. Espresso is supposed to taste like a cup of molten bitersweet chocolate. It doesn't need sugar; it is naturally sweet. In the US, I've only been to 3 cafes that serve espresso the right way; a lot of other places make espresso in such a way that it tastes bitter. (In europe, the opposite is true)

You can get the Silvia, like I did, and try to use your starbucks bought coffee and all you'll have is a small cup of bitter coffee and $499 less in your pocket. You need finely ground coffee that is fresh; Illy espresso in a can won't get this for you.

Look for a decent grinder first. Mazzer Mini is great; Rancilio makes the Rocky (I have the doser-less one).

As for the machine, yes, the Rancilio is regarded as one of the best home espresso machines. It is built like a rock, all stainless steel components, and a good pump mechanism that will wake up the neighbors in the morning. It is the hummer of espresso machines.

Ingredients: You'll want fresh coffee beans. Beans typically go bad after 2 weeks. Try intelligentsia coffee's black cat espresso blend - they deliver with the roast date on the bag. You'll also need good water; NYC has great water but some parts of the US have really 'soft' water which doesn't make for a good cup.

[Ryan @ Dec 19th 2005 1:02AM]

If you want a high end machine go to the capresso line of semi auto espresso machines. The E8 which is aroudn $950 grinds your coffee and then packs it for you. For the best coffee and the steamer is very powerful! It is a great machine and looks very high tech in your kitchen.

[zack @ Dec 19th 2005 1:02AM]

check out illyusa.com's espresso memberships--killer espresso & killer machines.

and, i only got the cheap one.


z

[B @ Dec 19th 2005 1:02AM]

Nespresso +1

[LordJohnWhorfin @ Dec 19th 2005 1:02AM]

Saeco beats them all. The entry-level Vienna is fully automatic, extremely reliable (mine is going on 10 years old and works as well as the first day I got it) and only costs about $400. Put in coffee beans, water, press a button, and you get a perfect espresso cup complete with crema in 30 seconds. Cleaning up is easy (the brew group is removable and rinses under the tap). Check out Amazon and Wholelatteluv.com

[Saleem @ Dec 19th 2005 1:02AM]

I've got the gaggia compact super-auto machine, which is just a bit more expensive that that rancillio, and I will never go back to a semi-auto or manual machine. Sure, you have less control over the process, but you can get a great espresso out of this machine and a fantastic cup of regular coffee (8oz pressure brewed through espresso ground coffee). Plus, no mess, which has gone over very well with my semi-OCD girlfriend.

[James Watts @ Dec 19th 2005 1:02AM]

I think that best "bang for the buck" has to go to Gaggia machines. They feature marine brass plated, "commercial" quality innards, at a very affordable price. I have a "evolution" model and it looks great. With practice, you can brew espresso MUCH better than any mass market chain coffee store can.

[Alex Bernson @ Dec 19th 2005 1:02AM]

I have a Rancilio Silvia and a Rancilio Rocky grinder and have to say it's definitely worth the money. It is most definitely worth the money.

For more info then you could probably ever use, look at www.home-barista.com and www.coffeegeek.com

Also, I'd have to respectfully disagree with E and say that the Nespresso machines are sins against coffee and shouldn't be allowed within 5 feet of a kitchen. The disgusting podwater that they make could never be called espresso and the proprietary pods they use are a. expensive as hell b. bad coffee and c. proprietary so you couldn't order after market pods of (decent) coffee from http://www.podhead.com/ or the like.

[Daniel Zen @ Dec 19th 2005 1:02AM]

I own a Gaggia Synchrony. It works great. However, I had one problem that completely stumped me. It kept saying that I needed to add more water despite the reservoir being full. In the end I discovered that the magnetic float was waterlogged and didn't.

However, once I discovered this a replacement was sent, I had only to pay for shipping. I bought mine from www.wholelattelove.com

[Joshua @ Dec 19th 2005 1:02AM]

A stovetop one! Not one of those stupid kind you have to plug in. Put the water in, pack the coffee in the middle part, screw it on and put it on the stove. Unless you want that silly foamy crap I don't see why you need some fancy expensive machine.

[Jordan Berkowitz @ Dec 19th 2005 1:02AM]

Do you desire that perfect espresso like you would get in some 300 year old town in Italy? The La Pavoni Europiccola is the way to go. Admittedly, it is not the easiest machine to use as it requires you to do more than just turn on the power and push a button ... but it is truly well worth it. Using an extra fine grind gives you a single shot of perfection. It consistently yields a thick tasty crema.
If you do get one, season it by making a half-dozen, or so, coffees that you should just toss. The machines are extremely well engineered and, if nothing else, it will surely be the coolest looking item in your kitchen.

[Cheemo @ Dec 19th 2005 1:02AM]

FrancisFrancis X5 with Illy pods. Great design and tastes like Italy.

[Charles Henrich @ Dec 19th 2005 1:02AM]

Bialetti's Brikka. Its a stovetop job, $49 at target.com, and it makes some of the best espresso there is. Simple little two chamber part,
water in the bottom, ground coffee (normal grind please!) in the center,
and pot on top with a pressure release valve. Water heats up, pressure
builds up, release lets go steam comes blasting through the beans into
the upper pot, perfect home espresso.

[dthree @ Dec 19th 2005 1:02AM]

Friends don't let friends use coffee pods.

also john r knows his shit. heed his advice

and check the ratings yourself on coffeegeek:
http://www.coffeegeek.com/reviews

[KaiBeezy @ Dec 19th 2005 1:02AM]

.
for this info
go to the source
http://www.coffeegeek.com
caffeine fueled obsessives
sick
really
.
i'm a
single-cup
manual
pourover
with a
whirlyblade
(shameful, I know
but grudgingly accepted
for a pourover)
.

[Mike @ Dec 19th 2005 1:02AM]

Get a Bialetti, nothing to break and makes the best cup of espresso. I have used a lot of machines, this is the best, and the most simple.

http://www.bialetti.com/
http://lib1.store.vip.sc5.yahoo.com/lib/coffeeandkitchen/moka-directions.jpg

Mike

[enzostefano @ Dec 19th 2005 1:02AM]

i am italian and espresso is a definetly an important part of everyday life. when i moved to my new office in nyc i had to seat on a couple of boxes for a while waiting for my furniture, but the nice NESPRESSO coffe machine was there from day one!

[ganza @ Dec 19th 2005 1:02AM]

Gaggia machine
+
either illy or lavazza coffee.

= perfect espresso.

[Billy Billum @ Dec 19th 2005 1:02AM]

Jura-Capresso machines are super cool. Rather pricy but worth it. Fill them up with illy beans and you are in espresso heaven.

I have the F9 and really love it. The only problem is you will drink way too much coffee!

http://www.capresso.com/prod_super_f9.html

[Daniel @ Dec 19th 2005 1:02AM]

How about JURA Impressa or SAECO?

some pictures you can see here
http://www.aving.co.kr/newproduct/default.asp?p1=newproduct&mode=cat_list&c_code=02_03

(in Korean though)

[Daniel @ Dec 19th 2005 1:02AM]

How about JURA or SAECO?

[Cube Guy @ Dec 19th 2005 1:02AM]

Ease of use and quality: Nespresso
Manual, do-it-yourself: La Pavoni
Middle of the road: Bialetti

I have first and last; Pavoni was my first and has since been handed down to another coffee lover.

As to Nespresso: yes, pods are expensive at $0.49 each, but the quality is outstanding; the crema is consistant; the service from nespresso USA is timely and top notch. We are on our second machine, after wearing out the first after 6+ years of use; this one is 2+ years, and going strong.

Mike

[greg @ Dec 19th 2005 1:02AM]

One more vote for the stovetop model. I picked up mine in the Havana airport after spending 11 days in cuba. This is the ONLY way cubans make their coffee (cuban coffee = espresso overloaded with sugar). Mine cost $3 US, admidaly it will cost a bit more in the states, but it's the same machine. Simple, consistant, easy to clean, and makes some damn good espresso.

Also, good dark beans (not french roast, too bitter) and good water always make for good coffee. If you have to shop a the grocery store--and they are not well stocked--look for Cafe Bustello.

[cesar agustin @ Dec 19th 2005 1:02AM]

I also spent time on coffeegeeks. I ended up w/ a refurb Gaggia Evolution from WholeLattaLove.com from way less than MSRP. The key is the grinder, to make a big diff, you want fresh beans. I use a Rocky Rancilio, but similar burr grinders are just as good. Others may suggest getting a used Mazzer on ebay, but a little too big for my kitchen.

I use Barefoot Element 114 beans, FANTASTIC. I used a Krups w/ Illy coffee for about 4 years. Doesn't even come close.

[tmchow @ Dec 19th 2005 1:02AM]

FYI, Gaggia is owned by Saeco.

[Brian @ Dec 19th 2005 1:02AM]

La Pavoni europicola is a great machine. I am a true coffee head and like quality designed products. This machine is great. It took a little time to learn how to use but now I make better Espresso drinks than most coffee shops. Check coffegeek.com. It has paid for itself in less than a year.

[Willy @ Dec 19th 2005 1:02AM]

Nespresso makes the best at home, short of having a commercial machine.

Capsules are not expensive. How much is double shot at Starbucks? :D
At lest the coffee grind is perfect.

It makes perfect crema, better than some coffee shops/restaurants who don't bother cleaning the machine or learning how to make a shot.

It's an art to make the perfect espresso, the Nespresso machine does it all. All you have to do is put the capsule in! :) Perfect everytime.

[PBJ @ Dec 19th 2005 1:02AM]

An Illy ESE pod based system is an exceptionally good buy, particularly in an office environment where the last thing you want to do is to have to spend time cleaning it prior to your next cup! Can't recommend the Francis! Francis!'s X1...

http://62.207.135.220/FrancisFrancis/en-US/Products/X1.htm

...highly enough myself. Not cheap, though, particularly should you feel the need to splash out on the Titanium version weighing in at a cool, wait for it, $1,399.99(!!):

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0000AFX48/102-3266769-0949700?v=glance

[cxr344 @ Dec 19th 2005 1:02AM]

Add another vote for the Gaggia + Illy or Lavazza coffee combo. I personally have a Gaggia Espresso and a Gaggia MDF grinder and I love it. I can make better espresso at home than any coffee shop I've ever been too. Make sure you don't skip on the grinder, IMO it's equally as important as the espresso machine.

[brian @ Dec 19th 2005 1:02AM]

Rancillo Silvia all the way, and get the Rocky grinder to go with it. With good freshly roasted and ground espresso beans and a little practice, you'll be pulling perfect shots in no time.

[nial @ Dec 19th 2005 1:02AM]

Let's be honest, even if this is just for home you really need a professional model like this: http://www.nuovasimonelli.it/espressocoffeemachines/view.aspx?Action=link&Id=2299. OK, I have had great results from this machine, but I'll be honest, it's not really worth the price for at-home use. It's just so damn cool to have though.

[Ryan B. @ Dec 19th 2005 1:02AM]

I used to work for Starbucks. Because of that, I am a bit partial to the equipment they sell. My wife and I have a little Barista and it gets the job done. It looks nice on the cupboard, it's made of metal so it's quite durable and the good thing about Starbucks equipment is that if anything goes wrong with it, usually you can just bring it into the store and get a new one. They are pretty nice about it...

[Anon. @ Dec 19th 2005 1:02AM]

Total Nespresso.

Seriously.

[nemi @ Dec 19th 2005 1:02AM]

I can highly recomend the StarBucks Digital Barista machine, we bought one and I use it every day .

..I'd link to a decent picture...
...Though I can only find the manual on their web site.

It is defiantly the most *gadget* expresso machien I have ever seen (dual line LCD display, blue LED backlighting, motors and actuators to do everything):

http://www.starbucks.com/retail/Starbucks%20Italia%20Digital%20165895600%20Rev01.pdf


ahh .. found a picture:

http://www.starbucks.com/retail/images/lg_saecoDigital.jpg

And a forum on it:

http://www.coffeegeek.com/forums/espresso/machines/36966

[Paul @ Dec 19th 2005 1:02AM]

Another vote for Jura. They're absolutely fantastic! Certainly don't make a purchase before checking their full product line out.

[3dguymwm @ Dec 19th 2005 1:02AM]

DO NOT buy a Barista from Starbucks. My first one lasted 2 months, replaced under warranty, the next unit lasted 8 months. I used it pretty much every day and the Starbucks people pretty much told me it wasn't made for heavy use, nor did they refund my money.

[Derrick @ Dec 19th 2005 1:02AM]

I used to work for Starbucks and we always did our coffee tastings in a french press. It is actually the reccommended brewing method of Stabucks because the resulting coffee maintains its natural oils and flavors. The one Starbucks sells is their branded version of the Bodum Melior.
http://www.bodumusa.com/shop/line.asp?MD=1&GID=3&LID=11&CHK=&SLT=&mscssid=9XBP6UP55SXE9GB9L4NKR33J2EK7DF6B

[Matt Westervelt @ Dec 19th 2005 1:02AM]

If you've got a big kitchen, you really need a Victoria Arduino

http://www.victoriaarduino.com/

[Stephen @ Dec 19th 2005 1:02AM]

Nespresso D300. Pick up one on ebay for $300.

[jchiang @ Dec 19th 2005 1:02AM]

Lavazza Espresso Point is great.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0002ELNQY/qid=1122603392/sr=8-1/ref=pd_bbs_1/104-3273641-2086328?v=glance&s=gourmet-food&n=507846

[Mark Donahue @ Dec 19th 2005 1:02AM]

Not exactly a home machine, but the Synesso machines surely qualify as some of the most technically advanced machines available:
http://www.synesso.com/index.shtml

[John_Repeat_Dance @ Dec 19th 2005 1:02AM]

+1 to LJW (#9). I have a Saeco Via Venezia, still running the way it was the day I unboxed it in 1997, and my water is hard. Now: Starbucks owns Saeco - no feces - and if you buy a Starbucks superautomatic you will get a Saeco machine; just don't screw around with Starbucks coffee - it is what Peet's wouldn't buy.

[Lee Willis @ Dec 19th 2005 1:02AM]

We have a Gaggia Compact super-automatic, and we love it. We've had it a little over a year now, and so far, no problems. Makes a great cup of espresso, and a head of steam for lattes.

[bobhope @ Dec 19th 2005 1:02AM]

Those stove top ones rock. Just rinse, no soap. I know this is engadget, but digital espresso? Old school baby. Save your money for some beans or a trip to Italy.

[Rick Nathan @ Dec 19th 2005 1:02AM]

Go for a brass boiler. The Silva, and Gaggia's all have aluminum (want some Alzheimer's with that coffee?) I have a Nuova Simonelli Oscar. I paid about a grand, but the prices have come way down. Have had it for over 5 years with very little problems. Got to have my espresso every morning. You'll need a good ($150+) grinder too.

[Cuba @ Dec 19th 2005 1:02AM]

I hope you are not considering anything the Starbucks people say, they make the worst coffee I have ever tasted.

Gaggia are excellent value for money.