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Is anyone making real espresso at home?
Posted on 10/16/23 at 4:54 pm
Posted on 10/16/23 at 4:54 pm
I have a Bialetti moka pot and the product is good and strong, but it isn't actually espresso. Most inexpensive "espresso" machines are not much different than the moka pot in that they use a restrictive portafilter basket to artificially pressurize the output. Real espresso machines start around $1,500, and don't allow for any actual control of the shot until you get closer to $2,000 at the low end.
Has anyone here tried a manual espresso maker, such as a Flair Espresso Maker or a Cafelot Robot?
For those you have to account for all variables, but they can deliver real espresso at a reasonable investment (less the cost of OCD attention to detail).
Has anyone here tried a manual espresso maker, such as a Flair Espresso Maker or a Cafelot Robot?
For those you have to account for all variables, but they can deliver real espresso at a reasonable investment (less the cost of OCD attention to detail).
5
Posted on 10/16/23 at 4:59 pm to TBoy
I don’t, closest I get to that is my Nespresso. My dad loves making his own lattes at home. Has the whole setup.
Posted on 10/16/23 at 5:03 pm to TBoy
quote:
Most inexpensive "espresso" machines are not much different than the moka pot
This is so false
Posted on 10/16/23 at 5:43 pm to bluebarracuda
quote:
This is so false
No. If the machine uses regular coffee grinds and generates pressure by a restricted flow portafilter, it may be strong coffee but it isn’t espresso.
Posted on 10/16/23 at 5:58 pm to AbitaFan08
quote:
closest I get to that is my Nespresso.
Same, and I actually only use it for martinis.
It’s not even in my kitchen. I actually would like to get into real espresso because I do like it, but the machines intimidate me.
This post was edited on 10/16/23 at 5:59 pm
Posted on 10/16/23 at 6:20 pm to TBoy
I've got a Breville Barista express. Got it for a little over $600 when on sale at Bed Bath & Beyond. Comes with water tank, bean grinder and storage. The water tray underneath can be removed and store the 4 different portafilters it comes with (2 restricted and 2 nonrestricted baskets, 1 serving and 2 serving sized).
Learn to grind different beans at different settings. Some beans will grind out more and thinner at the same settings as a different set of beans. It sometimes takes a few tries but eventually you'll get it. The pressure gauge on the front will tell you if it is too high or low on pressure when brewing.
Machine also comes with a steam wand, 1 cup boiling water spout, and a frothing pitcher.
I love my machine. I make at least 1 cup a day. I've tried different beans. Right now I'm on the Starbucks Pike Medium Roast beans and love it. Used to use the medium roast Costco beans but the last two bags didn't grind very well, so I went to try the Starbucks beans.
It's a very cool looking machine that works well for the price and daily espresso.
Learn to grind different beans at different settings. Some beans will grind out more and thinner at the same settings as a different set of beans. It sometimes takes a few tries but eventually you'll get it. The pressure gauge on the front will tell you if it is too high or low on pressure when brewing.
Machine also comes with a steam wand, 1 cup boiling water spout, and a frothing pitcher.
I love my machine. I make at least 1 cup a day. I've tried different beans. Right now I'm on the Starbucks Pike Medium Roast beans and love it. Used to use the medium roast Costco beans but the last two bags didn't grind very well, so I went to try the Starbucks beans.
It's a very cool looking machine that works well for the price and daily espresso.
Posted on 10/16/23 at 6:54 pm to TBoy
I have a totally automated one with a burr grinder, has espresso , cappuccino , coffee, americano and like 3 other ones.
Love it.
Love it.
Posted on 10/16/23 at 7:14 pm to AbitaFan08
quote:
closest I get to that is my Nespresso
My Italian in-law says that Nespresso and moka pots are far and away the most popular and common for home coffee in Italy. Real home espresso machines are extremely rare there.
Posted on 10/16/23 at 7:36 pm to t00f
This. Nothing wrong with fully automated either. I enjoy the challenge and art of grinding and brewing my coffee, along with the history and culture surrounding it.
The machine I mentioned is semi-automatic. You need to grind and set the quantity of your beans, then tamp your grounds yourself. It's fun to show when you have people over. Looks like a lot of work but with practice you eventually get the hang of it.
If you do get a machine, highly suggest investing in a separate portafilter that is bottomless. You can see how the espresso pours out from underneath.
The machine I mentioned is semi-automatic. You need to grind and set the quantity of your beans, then tamp your grounds yourself. It's fun to show when you have people over. Looks like a lot of work but with practice you eventually get the hang of it.
If you do get a machine, highly suggest investing in a separate portafilter that is bottomless. You can see how the espresso pours out from underneath.
Posted on 10/16/23 at 7:46 pm to TBoy
quote:
My Italian in-law says that Nespresso and moka pots are far and away the most popular and common for home coffee in Italy
Moka pots originated in Italy, sounds reasonable.
Nespresso, well, Italians aren’t absolved from drinking bad coffee I guess
Posted on 10/16/23 at 8:17 pm to BilbeauTBaggins
I've got the Bambino with an aftermarket portafilter. Great little machine.
Hoping upgrade from the Smart grinder pro in the near future to something better
Hoping upgrade from the Smart grinder pro in the near future to something better
Posted on 10/16/23 at 11:20 pm to BilbeauTBaggins
quote:
I've got a Breville Barista express.
We’ve got the same and I love it. It’s just enough hands on but not too much to where it is overwhelming. I’ve been using it for over a year now. I typically use Reve’ coffee beans I get fresh from their shop.
Posted on 10/17/23 at 7:54 am to BugAC
I used to use Reve's beans, but I've been really liking French truck's big river
Posted on 10/17/23 at 8:06 am to bluebarracuda
quote:
I used to use Reve's beans, but I've been really liking French truck's big river
Big River is one of my go to's. I also like ERATO ESPRESSO I been drinking this one for a couple months now.
Posted on 10/17/23 at 8:10 am to BilbeauTBaggins
Breville Touch here. I agree with everything TBag says.
This post was edited on 10/17/23 at 8:26 am
Posted on 10/17/23 at 8:11 am to bluebarracuda
It's not local, but Buddy Brew out of Tampa has a "Cubano Espresso" blend that is really nice. If you're in BR, Fresh Market carries it.
Posted on 10/17/23 at 8:29 am to BugAC
Beer related, im in.
Posted on 10/17/23 at 9:22 am to creeper
Latte.
This post was edited on 10/17/23 at 9:23 am
Posted on 10/17/23 at 2:00 pm to TBoy
I have a Rocket Cellini Evolutione. I tried traveling with a MOKA pot and my own beans and there is no comparison.
Is it worth the money for a "real" machine? That's up to the individual. We all have things we're willing to spend more on. I knew lots of guys who dropped thousands on rifles to do long range paper target shooting.
Is it worth the money for a "real" machine? That's up to the individual. We all have things we're willing to spend more on. I knew lots of guys who dropped thousands on rifles to do long range paper target shooting.
Posted on 10/17/23 at 2:39 pm to RaginCajunz
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