Best Espresso Machine
69Which is the best espresso machine? Tough question really, because there will be an element of personal preference involved in this and the answer will depend on a number of factors, not least of which is how much time and effort you are prepared to invest.
Some of the automatic machines do everything except clean themselves afterward, but for a purist this is not an acceptable solution. Merely popping a tab of prepackaged coffee in the slot and pushing "Go," is no fun at all and getting the roast, grind and mixture right is where the fun is.
Fun?. I hear you ask. Yes - fun - in getting exactly the perfect shot, trying many different coffees, and bean varieties and roasting and grinding techniques before finally pronouncing that you have the perfect shot of espresso.
As far as I am concerned, the best espresso machine is a La Pavoni EPBB-8 Europiccola 8-Cup Lever Style Espresso Machine, but I am open to the possibility that there are other contenders for the crown and the Espressione 1387 Caffe Novecento comes a close second. I only ever use my own grounds although I do some times buy ready-roasted beans and grind them using a Capresso Infinity Burr Grinder. I find the blade grinders give too fine a grind - almost like the coffee has been hurt in some way during the process. I don't know why and cannot explain that aspect - but a burr grinder does a better job. Now, you can buy some very expensive grinders, but I have never found one to beat this one.
But my favorite means a lot of work and I guess if you are really not into the nitty gritty of making the perfect shot, there are other machines that do as good a job (almost) without quite so much work involved. I would never really recommend buying anything under about $200 because they are just not substantial enough to create a high enough pressure to force the water through the beans. Certainly not a plastic machine and perhaps the only budget machine worth the money is the Lello 1375 Ariete Café Prestige Coffee Maker, which is the cheapest stainless steel machine.
But that is the fun in trying to determine the best espresso machine - everyone has a different opinion. Once you reach a certain level, it does not seem to make any difference how much more money is spent and spending $1500 seems to get no better coffee than spending $700. You can get more features, and bells and whistles, but - no better a shot of espresso.
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i would like to test ths coffee... good share
I have been using the old one
Interesting article. I am curious about the burr grinder also. Will have to try one. Ken
can you please make me one cup or two.
only 680 huh! Wow! When I start makin 1000/week hubbin I might go for one! Meantime, I'll just stick to my french press. but of course I would not turn down a shot from one!
I worked as a Barista and used to have a Breville Barvista at home, quite economical but as you say the real secret is having the freshest possible beans, if you have that perfect shot extracted well (from good beans) then why not have the best machine too. Good hub.
Thanks guys - EK - Yes - and one man's "perfect shot" is another man's "not impressed." lol
I absolutely agree with the 'one perfect shot' comment. I had many that I thought were perfect tipped down the sink when I was training ,lol. Over extracted ,under exracted ,good milk etc etc ,at the end of the days it is personal taste,but one thing I hate is paying top dollar for wt? coffee lol.
And I do need a new machine, my taste buds know better plus maybe check out the local roasters.
Yes - personal taste. For the money - I think the stovetop makers are very good value and make almost as good a shot as anything under $200
Ok thankyou.
Storytellersrus Level 7 Commenter 2 years ago
Too late for me, but I appreciate having this information for the future! You are making me thirsty. Gotta make me a cup of India Nespresso, lol.