I've had a lot of bad Espresso from machines designed for in-home use. I'd really like to find a good quality one so I can get my fix at home. Any suggestions? I'd prefer something not too expensive, but would rather spend the bucks to get a good one than go cheap and get one that makes bad Espresso.

[Pooh]

I have a Gaggia and been very happy since 1993! It's a tough old bird, very reliable, as long as you give regular maintenance.

I also have a small espresso coffeemaker, the one you put on the stove.

Check this out:
http://consumersearch.com/www/kitche...nes/index.html




[ May 03, 2001: Message edited by: pooh ]

[bouland]

I use the Gaggia Expresso machine that sells for about $200. It works great and makes great coffee, but remember a couple of things. There are two types of machines available for home use: tank types and pump types. The pump types are more xpensive, but make better coffee in larger quantities. Also, just as your machine is important, so is your source of coffee. I am lucky enough to a have a choice of roasters in my neighborhood that provide freshly roasted coffee daily. Also, since I don't have a burr grinder, I have worked out settings with them on their machines that provide superior crema in my cup!

[SeattleDeb]

bouland...just reading about your trip to France on your website..Nice!

[nancya]

Margaret, where do you get these little pots? I would have said previously that my Krups was just dandy, but now I am learning so much about other exciting coffee brewers...I'm dying to try some new things.

[Pooh]

Nancya,

There's another similar topic in the Equipment Forum under What coffee maker do you have in your kitchen?

Look for Bialetti or G&B, either on the net or even in a good department store.

[KyleW]

Weighing the desire for espresso against the confines of my Easy-Bake NYC kitchen, this weekend I bought a Capresso combination coffee and espresso machine. So far so good. It can brew single or double espressos and has a setting that lets you switch from frothing to steaming milk. It will also dispense hot water for americano. Any problems I have had have been User Error. There is quite the learnig curve associated with making good espresso On the other side is a 10 cup drip coffee maker.

NOTHING makes better coffee/espresso than the small Italian pots that work on the stovetop. You put water into the bottom chamber, good quality coffee into the center section. When the water boils, the vacuum created causes it to **** throught the grounds quickly into the top section. It works so quiuckly and because of its speed, the coffee is never bitter. Why spend so much money on yet another electrical appliance when this simple pot has kept those pleasure-loving Italians so happy for so long. The damned thing is fabulous!!!

[Papa]

Dear Athena:

I have a Krups espresso/capuccino machine that I purchased 14 years ago and it works fine.

I have to agree with Margaret though. The stove top ones are the best to my opinion.

[nancya]

I bought a really cheap version of the stove top espresso maker just to try it out - I must say it makes an excellent latte and is a whole lot easier than getting out the other. But, the coffee is cloudy and stronger than most coffeeshop espresso I have had. Am I doing something wrong? Is it just because it is a really cheap pot? Or is it supposed to be cloudy and really strong and I just never knew it?

[Georgeair]

I've been lurking for months, but the mention of a Capresso machine prompted me to chime in with a story that might belong with the injuries thread.....

I had one of these several years ago, also in a small kitchen. First time my wife and I made expresso, as I'm standing directly in front of the machine the fitting the basket ratchets into blows loose from the machine, spraying us and the entire kitchen with steam and grounds! The only screws I could find were stripped... Scared us more than hurt us, but every machine I've been near since has had the attaching screws on the boiler removed, check to make sure they actually HAVE threads then re-installed tightly with ThreadLock. Haven't had a problem since....

George

cloudy and real strong is lovely (: can depend on your choice of beans too, i just go for the world standard lavazza in the black pack and have had many wonderful moments with that.