£300 to blow

[quink]

Need ideas on how to blow £300 on a new espresso machine and where to get one. Should be coming in to a bit of money soon by way of the inland revenue, when ever they get their act together and pay out. So whats out there for this kind of money? The only thing I have to worry about other than getting it past the wife is the size of the thing. Any ideas?

[matts]

Remind us what you have now, are upgrading from, grinder etc... Are you a renovation type technical guru or a 'it needs to work straight out of the box' man? Are you happy to buy a 2nd hand machine? Do you have the space to consider a commerical monster?

Cheers
Matt

[quink]

Space is definetly a major concern at the moment. The grinder is a slightly modified dualit/starbucks grinder adjsuted so that at the finest setting the burrs will touch. The espresso machine (or joke) I use at the moment is an old briel chamonix from about 5/6 years ago, which I think is on its last legs. Working out of the box would be great, I can imagine the look on the wife's face if I tell her this thing cost me £300 and it doesnt even work yet. ( I think Steve may have seen this face at some point )

[MKSwing]

Need ideas on how to blow £300 on a new espresso machine and where to get one. Should be coming in to a bit of money soon by way of the inland revenue, when ever they get their act together and pay out. So whats out there for this kind of money? The only thing I have to worry about other than getting it past the wife is the size of the thing. Any ideas?

I'd go for a Gaggia Baby or a Classic. They are tall but not big.

[Gouezeri]

For that kind of money, I'm going to break ranks and say you can almost afford a Silvia (bout 325)... however, prepare for everyone to tell you to upgrade the grinder first....
Can you use the Silvia with a Solis/Dualit/Starbucks...? Yup, I've done it. Is it ideal? In a word, no (I think part of the problem is the inconsistency in the grounds). I think it is safe to say that even with a Solis and a little bit of care and attention it is possible to make better espresso than you will be served in many commercial outlets.
If it was me, I think I would try and go for a new machine (either a gaggia classic or silvia) and then try and get a good secondhand grinder. Who knows, somebody here might have something they are willing to sell.
Good luck and let us know how you get on!
Dom

[stevenzaat]

I would suggest to buy an espresso and a grinder both 2nd hand. I think that you can buy a very good set-up then (a Silvia and a Rocky/Innova or maybe if you are lucky a Mazzer). Good luck.

Steven

[NottmSteve]

Try www.gaggia.co.uk for one of their well priced "recons" that are as new... call them first if you are worried!

[tisri]

You can probably get a used bean-to-cup machine if you're into those. I like mine because it makes life so easy, especially first thing in the morning when I need my coffee and don't want to have to fuss with making it. The Compact Digital is about £450 new so you might get a used one for a little over £300. You can also get the non-digital versions cheaper but I reckon they aren't as good.

[PeterAG]

Unlike Quink I only half that amount to spend,£150, (she who must be obeyed has sanctioned it, it pays to be cranky without a shot first thing sometimes). I have been tempted by La Pavoni, its the levers and guages, bells, whistles, steam and the smell of smoke. Most seem to be in Germany on E-bay is it advisable to go for the gleam of chrome or stick with a used Gaggia Classic??

[PeterAG]

Sorry I almost forgot,

Hello everyone.

[phil]

Hello Peter.

If you're talking Pavoni levers, then from experience I would go for the Gaggia Classic. I had a Pavoni lever for about 8 years until I bought the Gaggia commercial I now own. I sold the Pavoni to a nice chap called Oliver something-or-other. They're too much like hard work. I should have bought a Classic, or its contemporary in 1995.

Oliver - if you ever read this, why haven't you joined TMC yet?

[Gouezeri]

Peter,
I'm going to second what Phil recommends. Do the research for yourself, to make sure you are making the right decision for you, but as you'll learn, it's all about getting the different variables just right. So to start with, you want a machine which will control as many of those for you as possible, whilst providing you with the results you are looking for. After that you can start to take control of elements for yourself, one by one and appreciate the effect that each one has on the overall result.
Good luck!
Dom

[MKSwing]

If you're talking Pavoni levers, then from experience I would go for the Gaggia Classic. I had a Pavoni lever for about 8 years until I bought the Gaggia commercial I now own. I sold the Pavoni to a nice chap called Oliver something-or-other. They're too much like hard work. I should have bought a Classic, or its contemporary in 1995.

I agree with Phil. They demand on long learning curve and you'll never get what you can get from a good espresso machine (and I don't say a 1500 euros one). If you go for a second hand, I saw a Cimbali Domus on eBay sold by an italian.

My brother owns one and it makes a great cup.

[chrisnotton]

The La Pavoni pump machines are good too. I used one daily for seven years before changing up to a larger machine.
They have an online shop where you can get all their smaller machinses at good prices:
http://www.lapavoni.it/Shopping/Shoppin ... t=5&lang=2

Pip pip
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[quink]

I'll admit I am tempted by the pavoni levers as they're just about in my price range. From what I've seen on the net in various places, in reviews and what nots, people who use them a LOT (I think that should be stressed) swear by them as making some of the best espresso ever. The only thing putting me off is, am I going to make that much espresso in the next couple of years to master the thing and contrasted with how long will a new pump machine last in daily use, as pavonis can last for years