espresso maker

[Anonymous]

I’ve started enjoying occasional cappuchinos and lattes, and am consdering buying an espresso machine to make them at home. Please help out this newbie!

I know of Nespresso machines where you pop a pod into the machine, hit a button and out comes an espresso. I dislike any coffee made in a keurig - is nespresso the keurig of espresso makers, or is a decent espresso?

It looks like my other option is to buy an at home version of the espresso machines used in coffee shops, where I’d need to grind beans, measure into the cup on the machine, and “pull” the espresso. I assume that produces a better cup of espresso, but seems a lot of work for my once a week latte and the machines look more expensive.

Am I analyzing this accurately, or are there other factors I’m not thinking of? What would you recommend to someone in my shoes?

Thanks!

[Anonymous]

https://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/1306315.page#31333446

https://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/15/947539.page#19213306

Recent threads. I don't know why it links to a post and not the thread, so you have to scroll up.

[Anonymous]

Look at YouTube for Coffee Kev and Tom's Coffee Corner, to see discussions around different types of espresso machines, primarily fully and semi-automatic types. You'll see how they operate, and hear about perceived pros and cons. Fully automatic machines require skill, patience, and $$, as inexpensive models typically are incapable of making better quality drinks.

Pod machines like Keurig and Nespresso win for convenience, but produce inferior beverages and you can only make a limited selection of drinks. Depending on your palate, they may still be fine for you. Note also that they are not usually expensive to purchase, but cost of the pods they use adds up over time, and selection is limited. With other options, whether machines with integrated grinders or separate grinder and espresso machine combos, you can use any whole beans you like, from the very exotic and expensive to bulk beans from Costco, according to your taste and budget.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Look at YouTube for Coffee Kev and Tom's Coffee Corner, to see discussions around different types of espresso machines, primarily fully and semi-automatic types. You'll see how they operate, and hear about perceived pros and cons. Fully automatic machines require skill, patience, and $$, as inexpensive models typically are incapable of making better quality drinks.

Pod machines like Keurig and Nespresso win for convenience, but produce inferior beverages and you can only make a limited selection of drinks. Depending on your palate, they may still be fine for you. Note also that they are not usually expensive to purchase, but cost of the pods they use adds up over time, and selection is limited. With other options, whether machines with integrated grinders or separate grinder and espresso machine combos, you can use any whole beans you like, from the very exotic and expensive to bulk beans from Costco, according to your taste and budget.

Oops - I meant to say fully manual machines require skill, patience and $$. Fully automatic machines require you to add beans and water and press a button. Easy-peasy, but drinks are usually not as good as those from portafilter machines, i.e., fully manual or semi-automatic types.

[Anonymous]

I don't understand the hate for Keurig, while loving Nespresso. It's all the same thing, especially if you find a dark blend of Keurig.

[Anonymous]

If any of your friends have a moka pot, try that + a milk frother. Not as good as the pricey fully manual machines, but better than Nespresso and very cost effective.

[Anonymous]

I process appliance specs for high-end kitchen builds - Jura is the brand I see most frequently. I can't wrap my head around the price, but I'm a simple pour-over drinker.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I process appliance specs for high-end kitchen builds - Jura is the brand I see most frequently. I can't wrap my head around the price, but I'm a simple pour-over drinker.

For what is effectively an automated pour-over brewer, which doesn't require special technique, take a look at the Fellow Aiden drip brewer. Expensive, but makes excellent brewed coffee. It is not an espresso machine, though, just drip coffee.

For an all-in-one alternative, the Ninja Luxe Cafe models make both espresso drinks and a credible drip coffee. Reviews on the YouTube sites noted earlier discuss that machine extensively.

[Anonymous]

Seattle Coffee Gear sells a wide range of espressos makers and their website has a lot of useful info too (they’ll even talk to you if you call with questions).

We got a superautomatic and we’ve enjoyed having it but whether the coffee is any better than you’d get from a nespresso I can’t really say (but I get to buy my own beans and not deal with pods).

As someone suggested above, a manual can produce coffee that is either better or worse than a semi (or super) automatic— depending on your skill level. An automatic will give you the same coffee every time without much effort or skill on your part.

[Anonymous]

Love my Breville Touch!