I want to buy an espresso machine.

Not automatic, but I have a Rancilio Silvia. It makes espressos and steamed milk drinks. I make morning lattes, which are as good as any coffee shop, and better than Starbucks because my beans are better quality. It’s expensive but I’ve had it for five years now, and it’s paid for itself many times over.

A lot of people rave about Nespresso, but I’ve never tried it. If you go that route, get reusable pods.

R1, thank you for your thoughtful reply. I am very confused by the Nespressos, with the pods -- is that like a Keurig machine? And your machine looks very intimidating to use, though I am sure it makes wonderful coffee!

I have two machines: My old reliable Krups from the 1990s at my country house. It works like a charm and is very simple to operate. Basically, you fill the boiler, and when the water boils it is forced through the poratfilter to make the coffee. Then you flip the control and it makes steam for the milk.

Just a few months ago, I decided to get a machine for the city. I researched the lower end Capresso and DeLonghi models , which run around $120-150, and settled on the Capresso EC 100. This and the DeLonghi use a pressure system that generates 15 bars of pressure. It has a reservoir that holds 43 oz, so you don't have to keep refilling for multiple cups. It works okay, but there are a couple of things I am not crazy about. For one thing, the portafilter baskets have the tiniest holes, so they do not drain fully. That means that instead of a nice solid 'hockey puck,' there is always a puddle of sludge when I clean out the portafilter. I've ordered a non-pressurized universal 51mm basket on eBay and that might be more what I am used to.

I'm not an espresso purist, and don't have any interest in spending hundreds of dollars for a machine. These basic models are fine for my purposes. If you get one, be sure to invest in good coffee, like Illy or Lavazza, and you should be fine.

Yes it's like a Keurig. You must buy Nespresso branded pods. They are the most expensive pods on the market. There are few other companies making compatible pods, although they are available at Aldi.

I’ve bought ones from $150 to $600 and they weren’t good. I’m about to try bialatti with lavazza. The problem is my shipop in Seattle has a $10K machine so it’s hard to replicate.

^shop

I just bought the most divine $50,000 espresso machine, love it!

pods kill sea turtles

For good good brewed coffee and good espresso you need two different machines.

The coffe one needs to be a simple percolator-type. The MOST important thing is all components are stainless steel. Any plastic parts will effect the taste of the coffee. Serious coffeehouses have all stainless steel machines.

Real, high-quality espresso at home is almost impossible. The machines that make a good one are expensive and the fresh grinding of espresso is another headache in and of itself. If you have hard water forget it.

Also, go to a high-end consignment shop that sells home furnishings. They always have espresso machines and you’ll see how even nice home machines don’t do a good job, without spending a fortune.

R9/R10, that is interesting advice! What coffee machines would you recommend? I currently use a Chemex.

I've always used like a $60 basic expresso maker. They steam milk thing always stops working, so if you want to go cheap make sure the milk part isn't the most important thing.

Nespresso has the new vertuo line - it makes espresso and coffee. It uses a centrifuge to make coffee or espresso (or more simply it spins a disc).

[quote] For good good brewed coffee and good espresso you need two different machines.

Not rich enough as R3 to have a city home and a county home, we just have a apartment in the city but, after tying one in an Airbnb, we recently bought a Nespresso for after-diner espresso and it's quite good. We still make a full pot in the morning using our old, reliable pour-over Chemex.

The things that kept me from previously buying a Nespresso was 1) the pods seemed wasteful and 2) what if I wanted something other than a tiny espresso? So we ended up with a Nespresso Vertuo which lets you make both espresso and larger, American-size coffees and they let you bring in the pods for recycling. Also, you can go into a Nespresso store and sample the coffee for free.

We got ours from Bloomingdale's , on sale of course, but shop around for deals. Worst case, you can use a Bed Bath & Beyond coupon, but don't pay full price.

This is like what I use for coffee at home, ensure the entire interior of the machine is metal, no plastic. Plastic has the major drawback of having ‘plasticisers’ in it. It’s an oil that will leech into and flavor the coffee. It will also attract any oil or grease from the water when it’s washed (think how the oil from tomato sauce or curries stain plastic containers). This oil is later released by heat into the brewing coffee. The flavor of coffee is carried by oils from the beans and any adulteration is bad for the flavor.

A lady I work with has a Nespresso machine in her office and makes me a latte once in a while. It is very good.

I use a Bialetti moka pot, which I realize does not make espresso. However, OP might enjoy what the moka pot does produce. The moka pot is relatively cheap and produces a really hot cup of coffee.

There are moka pots that you can put milk in and make a cappuccino-type drink. Here's a YouTube video for how to use those.

I have the Nespresso Vertuo (or whatever it's called) and I really love it. I use it to make cappuccinos. As someone mentioned, when you order your coffee pods, you can get free pre-paid bags so you can mail your used pods back for recycling. Kind of strange, but I'm glad they offer it.

OP, the Rancilio is not daunting to use. You just need to learn how to steam milk properly.

I disagree with r10. My lattes are as good as anything from a coffee shop, and more often than not, better.

But, do what works best for you, OP.

I love my Nespresso Virtuo. Simple to use and if I want "coffee" I just add hot water from my tap dispenser to thin down the espresso. It is NOT as versatile as a Keurig, however. But after a couple latte's or espressos in the a.m., I switch to tea anyway.

Go to a Goodwill or Angel View in a high end neighborhood. They have dozens of super expensive machines to choose from for literally pennies on the dollar. I got a little used $850 one for $10. Employees don’t know what they are and priced just to get rid of them.

I assume you purchased your machine, OP, but if not, my son was given a Nespresso, and says it makes great lattes.

FYI the vertuo does not make true espresso. It is a centrifugal design. The original Nespresso makes true espresso. To make espresso the water has to be a specific temperature and at least 19 bars of pressure.

I'm the OP, and I am still waiting and doing research -- though I was tempted by the Breville Barista Pro during the current Williams-Sonoma sale.

Just please make sure none of your friends or family ever pronounce it expresso, or kill them.

This one looks fantastic. I'm in the market for one too OP.

Oh, that looks like a very good machine, R26!

I have actually never heard anyone pronounce it that way, R25.

We have this one

The dang word is EXPRESSO! MAGA!

Make Americano Great Again

Get this

This is what I have. Not cheap but it will pay for itself in about a year if you are regularly buying coffee at a coffee house.

R32 what name brand and model please.

[quote] I have two machines: My old reliable Krups from the 1990s at my country house. It works like a charm and is very simple to operate.

R3 is just here to flash the fact she has a "Country Home" GTFO out of here flashing your wealth you old queen

R33 Quick Mill double boiler. Italian made. Expensive but built like a tank. Rocket is also a good brand. The magnificent chrome, mirror finish is definitely a conversation piece in the kitchen.

[quote] I have two machines: My old reliable Krups from the 1990s at my country house. It works like a charm and is very simple to operate. Basically, you fill the boiler, and when the water boils it is forced through the poratfilter to make the coffee. Then you flip the control and it makes steam for the milk.

Just a few months ago, I decided to get a machine for the city.

Humble bragging at its best...

My nespresso is great. Plus Starbucks, Pete’s, and Lavazza now make pods for it

I’ve had this machine for 3 years and I love it. Use Lavazza espresso beans and it makes a superb latte. It takes a little tweaking to get the grind and strength you like, but once you hit the right combo it is the best. I don’t buy my morning latte any more, now I have one in my the comfort of my kitchen.

I’ve had two Pavonis and a Seiko for making cappuccinos for the past 30 years, and I’m pretty reliable at making good coffee. But when you make a coffee by hand there is always a risk of overpacking or underpacking the coffee which ruins it. I like only creamy foam with no milk, so I had to make a lot of foam, and then store the rest in the fridge to reuse later.

A friend I stayed with had a Nespresso, and while its not as good as the best hand made coffe, it is very close, and no effort, you can push two bottons in your sleep and get a decent coffee every time.