Espresso Machines and Espresso Grinders

FWIW, I have a Nespresso C-190, so I can't speak specifically to good grinders, but I find coffeegeek.com to be a very good resource for information about espresso products. I believe they have an entire product review section on grinders.

 

For what it's worth I have been using this one daily for a couple of years
http://www.wholelattelove.com/Rancilio/rockydoserless.cfm

Works well, and trouble free. Burr grinder is the only way to go.

 

jura

 

I use a Francis Francis machine (and a Starbucks burr grinder--received as a gift). As I understand it, as long as the pump pressure is high enough and the water temperature is within the correct range, any machine can make great espresso. The key variables are pressure (usually fixed), temperature (usually fixed), grind size, grind amount (in grams), and time of extraction/volume of shot drawn (for any given coffee bean). I was into it enough that I fixed all of the other variables and adjusted grind amount to the 1/10th of a gram. I now mostly used pre-done pods, which are not quite as good but quite acceptable.

 

I have a QuickMill Anita espresso machine and a Rancilio Rocky grinder. In the near future, I'm probably going to upgrade to a Vetrano, plumbed in, as the Anita is simply too loud-- makes great espresso, though! I'll probably end up with a Mazzer as well.

I also have a Gaggia Carrezza, which, for a low-end machine, can make excellent espresso when used with the right beans.

 

The problem with lower-end espresso machines is temperature stability. In the really low end machines, they don't get hot enough at all.

In the slightly better machines, they get hot enough but can't maintain it as it goes through the group. The "prosumer" machines have heavy groups, which hold the heat and help maintain a constant temperature all the way into the cup.

And, as you said, the grind and the freshness and quality of the beans are the really key variables. Personally, I try to buy Stumptown coffee, since they put the roast date on the bags.

Check out http://www.coffeegeek.com for more than you really want to know!

 

I'm a lazy bastard, so... Jura.

 

Jura

 

I use a Lavazza - great machine and cool looking. Check out the water fill cap .... looks like a gas cap. I have bought several of these from www.espressozone.com.
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For beans, definately roast your own. I've been buying beans from www.sweetmarias.com for many years - great service, great selection of beans. They have some good roasters there also. For espresso, try one or two of their custom made espresso blends. For regular coffee, they have many great selections to choose from.

Once you've roasted your own beans, you will never want to drink anything else ever again.

 

I have had a Saeco Vienna Deluxe for about 3 year it was a real value at $600 and has been bullet proof.

I drink about 3 double shots a day and they are always perfect.

 

I'm having the house wired so I can put in a La Spaziale Vivaldi II or a Mini Vivaldi, probably going with the MACAP M4 grinder. I'll have it figured out in the next few days. Anybody have a recommendation on a plumbed vs non-plumbed machine?

 

I'm getting a plumbed in, rotary pump machine next-- probably a Vetrano.

The Anita has been fantastic as far as quality of espresso goes, but it is a pain to be constantly refilling the reservoir. And it goes through more water than you would think, between flushing to get the temperature right, making espresso, and flushing again to clean.

The biggest thing, though, is that the vibe pump is LOUD.

The Vivaldi looks great, though! I'm pretty happy with the HX machine, but I can see the merit in the dual boiler system.

 

Thanks for the feedback Don. I watched a video of the Vivaldi, it was pretty quiet. I think I'm going with the Mini, so I'll have to fill the reservoir. Plumbing to run a line where I want the machine to sit will be very expensive. It holds 3 litres of water. How much does the Anita hold?

 

I have a Faema Eurostar which is nice and small great for the home. I once had Gaggia industrial-use (one group) which was obviously great.

I also have an Olympia pictured below. Very rare and very pricey compared to other home machines. Hand built in Switzerland.
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I don't know how much the Anita holds. It's quite a bit, but it's still a hassle to take the cups off the top, remove the cover, and fill the reservoir. If there's any way for you to go plumbed in, I would recommend it.

What kind of machine do you have now?

 

Lever machines are awesome! I've thought about getting one, but I don't really have the counter room for another espresso machine! I'm already facing a hard sell getting the Mazzer grinder...

 

Best machine, for home use, on the market. My friends, who visited from Rome, loved it.

 

Rancilio Silvia - Macchina
Rancilio Rocky - Grinder

http://coffeegeek.com/reviews/consumer/rancilio_silvia

 

I recently sampled a whole-bean Miele and at $2,500 it was worth every penny.

http://www.miele.com/usa/cva/product.asp?nav=21&model=390&series=84&cat=5&subcat=30
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The problem with all superautos, no matter how expensive, is that they need to be calibrated on a regular, probably daily, basis. The beans, the humidity, all of those things are not the same from one day to the next. For that matter, the same beans are not the same from one day to the next.

If you do that, however, they can make excellent espresso.

 

So is one machine a clear winner, or is it preference thing? I can only afford Krups right now (actually it was donated to me), but one day I dream of owning such a machine!

 

I'm running with the Vivaldi Mini now, along with a MACAP M4 grinder. Need to get it dialed in still but for the past couple days it's served up some nice drinks. The reservoir is super easy to fill, all I do is remove the drip tray and it pops right out. This machine makes massive amounts of steam so cappucinos and lattes are very easy to make. Glad I went this route.

 

Lavazza in our house.