It does, and I think it’s jeering at us!
For 250 dollars, you’re better off buying a Gaggia espresso machine - actual “commercial” components. If you’re serious about espresso, you’re going to need a grinder - and you’d have to budget at least $300 for that.
But this is coming from the guy who bought a $900 espresso machine and a $600 grinder before I was 18, so take it with that grain of salt.
[QUOTE=jackmcdowell, post:53, topic:279380]
I agree, I just meant that this seems to be on the breville level, which have sold for 1xx on woot. Not on the $500+ level (this one claims a list price of $7XX). So it seems that for this one you are paying more than for a breville and not getting much in return. But I’m just going by the horrible reviews on amazon.
Also note that there is at least 1 fake 5 star review on amazon for this model.
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How can you tell a review is fake (for future reference)?
The Kalorik we got on here a few months back has been working flawlessly and was a lot cheaper…
I can’t say much about this machine. But for everyone who says it is too expensive for a cup of coffee:
1.) yes WAY too expensive…but the good news is its an espresso machine, not a coffee machine. For an espresso machine its not a bad price.
2.) I got an espresso machine for christmas (breville cafe roma) and I haven’t been to starbucks since. At $5 a pop, even if I was only going a couple times a week (and trust me there are times when I went once a day) This thing would have almost paid itself off.
[QUOTE=Roostalee, post:34, topic:279380]
No, you’d kill this machine in a small shop. Commercial machines are expensive, but they’re usually built like tanks.
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yes you would kill this in a coffee shop. it MIGHT survive for a year at an unpopular bistro. but i’m sorry, no. commercial ones are NOT built like tanks. i’ve had $10,000 ones, with huge brass eagles and crap on the top. and they probably broke more than that other guy’s hamilton beach. then the repair bills. and the downtime waiting for the tech to get there and fix it. if he has the part. if it’s a coffee shop, you should prob reevaluate your budget. add a zero.
The folks at Baratza are selling their entry-level “Starbucks Barista” (sic) as a refurb for around $80 - I have one of their other models, but my impression is that they make excellent burr grinders for espresso or any other grind you might care for.
Just checked their web site: http://www.baratza.com/cgi-bin/commerce.cgi?search=action&category=RFRB - and the supply of refurbs seems to be n/a at the moment. Found one at a higher price ($95) on Amazon.
I completely agree with the post - a good grinder is essential to making good espresso - and almost as critical for other types of brewing, as well. Consistency of steam/water/coffee surface area contact will result in an outcome that is satisfactory. Money well spent.
[QUOTE=ledzeppelin588, post:122, topic:279380]
For 250 dollars, you’re better off buying a Gaggia espresso machine - actual “commercial” components. If you’re serious about espresso, you’re going to need a grinder - and you’d have to budget at least $300 for that.
But this is coming from the guy who bought a $900 espresso machine and a $600 grinder before I was 18, so take it with that grain of salt.
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People freak out when you say you need to spend even more on the grinder. I don’t refute what you’re saying, but I went hunting and found a Rossi RR45 grinder (used) for $150. It’s a countertop-eating beast, but runs just fine (I removed the hopper). I highly recommend going for a used burr grinder and saving some money.
Wow, that stinks. I meant they were burly and heavy. I guess by saying “tank” I also implied they were reliable. Which obviously they are not, but most Italian products really aren’t (Remember Fiat stands for “fix it again, Tony”). Thanks for the info, I was considering buying a used commercial machine, but maybe not now. Maybe something new with a warranty, which will cost more, but hey…
[QUOTE=texxurv, post:127, topic:279380]
The folks at Baratza are selling their entry-level “Starbucks Barista” (sic) as a refurb for around $80 - I have one of their other models, but my impression is that they make excellent burr grinders for espresso or any other grind you might care for.
Just checked their web site: http://www.baratza.com/cgi-bin/commerce.cgi?search=action&category=RFRB - and the supply of refurbs seems to be n/a at the moment. Found one at a higher price ($95) on Amazon.
I completely agree with the post - a good grinder is essential to making good espresso - and almost as critical for other types of brewing, as well. Consistency of steam/water/coffee surface area contact will result in an outcome that is satisfactory. Money well spent.
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Baratza grinders (some of them) used to be sold under the Solis name. I have an older Solis Maestro which kicks butt and was $110 new. It’s now the Baratza Maestro. I know $100+ sounds like a lot for a contraption that just grinds beans, but it CAN make/break your espresso.
This is an EXCELLENT price for this type of machine, to get something of this quality for less than 3 or 4 hundred is a steal. And the fact that it’s an Electra simply puts it over the top.
For this price, you cannot go wrong…
[QUOTE=turbobuick86, post:120, topic:279380]
Do you make expresso while bathing? I tried but there’s not enough room on the tub edge for the toaster and waffle iron. Our coffee maker doesn’t have a ground plug either and I feel safe.
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…and of course, it has water in it, not attached to the plumbing.
[QUOTE=scottyopizza, post:15, topic:279380]
I’d just like to point out that if you buy this with the intent of making espresso, you ought to have a proper grinder. Your average household grinder will NOT grind the beans finely enough to extract a proper taste from the brew. Too coarse of a grind means water flows through it more quickly, which means a sour/acidic taste that is very noticeable. Espresso is a drink classified as having a very quick brew time because of the pressurized hot water meeting a very fine grind, so having coarse grinds misses the mark. If you buy this with high hopes for quality coffee, I would advise investing in a more professional grinder to accompany it. Happy brewing!
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This portafilter has the ability to use pods, so you can have a perfectly timed shot every time, if you happen to not be handy with a grinder…
[QUOTE=LilacWine7699, post:42, topic:279380]
Blasphemer! May the Coffee Gods smite you! A well brewed cup of quality espresso or a cappuccino are works of art. Truly taste amazing. One can only get the most out of a coffee bean if pressurized steam is used to extract it. The complexity of flavor is truly mind boggling.
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Still rather have drip…just as good and not as snobby. Sheesh!
AWESOME.
[QUOTE=dmmutti, post:131, topic:279380]
This is an EXCELLENT price for this type of machine, to get something of this quality for less than 3 or 4 hundred is a steal. And the fact that it’s an Electra simply puts it over the top.
For this price, you cannot go wrong…
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Don’t be too hasty there, this is an Espressione machine sold through Electra-craft, not the famed Elektra of Italy. It does have some redeeming qualities, namely the three-way solenoid, but it is still crippled by such a small reservoir, the pressurized portafilter, and questionable build quality.
Don’t know if this one is all that good. I make the best espresso in town on my 40.00 espresso machine from Walmart
This will probably reappear on the next Wootoff since it hasn’t sold out yet. I’m intrigued to see if there will be a discount in price. Not feeling the high pricetag - but could make a nice gift for someone if it’s a bit less.
One point on the grinder, a quality burr grinder is a must for any espresso machines. I actually bought the Breville burr grinder for my Ikon, but it does not grind fine enough even for an espresso machine made by the same manufacture!
I bought a restored hand-grinder from Orphan Espresso: http://www.orphanespresso.com, and now my Ikon pulls a shot in around 60 seconds, but at least I’m getting decent crema.
Now woot, how about a Gaggia Classic? As soon as you offer one, the Ikon goes to Craigslist.
Wheeeeee! -Mother Fucker!!!