Espresso Makers

[Beth]

We have a Krups Il Primo that we got as a wedding gift. It is a steam model, but it has worked very well for us, first for occassional use, then daily for the last 3 years. However, it is starting to act a little strange and may need to be replaced soon. Wanted to see what models you have experience with and what you like. It needs to be a smaller one due to the well-publicized lack of counter space. TIA

[HARRYET]

I have a Barista by Starbucks, it makes great coffee drinks, my DH gave it to me for xmas 2 yrs ago (if i remember correctly, it was quite pricey) the measurements on it are about 9in wide and 13in tall.

Good luck in finding a new machine.

Ann

[Beth]

Well, the machine was DOA this morning, so I'm looking again. We've had some great coffee threads. Anyone else an espresso drinker (just about the only coffee DH drinks)?

[ReneeV]

Hi Beth,

I have a Krups Pronto and just love it!! I have had it a number of years and it is going strong. It makes wonderful espresso with a nice, rich crema. It also froths milk very well for cappuccino and other coffee drinks.

I believe that they have changed some of the models and names since I purchased mine. (Mine is about 6-7 years old.) But regardless, get a pump machine, NOT a steam machine if you plan to use it daily. They hold up much better and also make *far* superior espresso. Espresso should be brew at a slightly lower temperature than boiling water. Steam machines operate on the princple of boiling water and this will extract some of the bitter oils from the grounds. A good pump machine heats water to the proper temperature for brewing espresso and them uses pressure to force the steam and water throught the tamped grinds. You can get a good pump machine for around $200, maybe less.

Hope this info helps.

Renée

[Beth]

Thanks. I've had this up for a while as I go back and forth between fixing some lunch and other things, including looking at espresso makers. Our Il Primo is nearly 10 yrs old, and it has been excellent for a small steam model. We don't get bitter coffee, get crema (which I've read you're not supposed to get from steam models), and it's been very reliable. I think the switch just gave out, and we may see about getting that fixed so DH can take it to the office.

We tried a Krups Novo a while back, but it didn't get hot enough and made weak, cold coffee. I found an article in Cuisine Magazine a couple of years ago that also liked Saeco, Solis, Gaggia and Briel. And I thought I had an unusual name!

[Connie]

Beth,
We also have the Barista from Starbucks. I bought it for my husband last year for his birthday. He loves it! If memory serves me right, it was rated well by Consumer Reports. But that was in November 1996. Check out the library for the magazine. Good luck!

[Beth]

Just thought I'd let you know that we wound up buying 2 machines. Maybe it was all the cold, wet weather or the late nights through the holidays, but DH decided he had to have espresso at work. (Thanks for the recs, but DH hates Starbucks. A friend also has and loves one of their machines, but couldn't bring one into this house.)

We got a Briel Lido for him to take to the office. If anyone is looking for a good machine without a big investment, this one runs $99, is rated a best buy and got good recommendations as a light use/entry level machine. It makes nice espresso with great crema and froths very well. The salespeople told us the owner of the co. travels with one of these and said it's main drawback is that it won't hold up to heavy use for the long haul.

The one we bought for home is a Solis Crema SL 90. It's a semi-automatic (dispenses a measured amount of coffee and stops) and has been very impressive. It makes even better espresso, lots of crema, and good frothing (but a little slower steaming my milk than I am used to). I'm also having more trouble knocking out the used grounds than I had with the little Krups. Any hints or tips?

I shopped all over and bought on-line through www.aabreecoffee.com. (http://www.aabreecoffee.com.) The folks there were very helpful (they use all the machines they sell in their office and can tell you so much about them), they carry a nice selection of machines, they guarantee their prices and no shipping charges. I'm not often this impressed by a ccompany I'd never heard of before, so wanted to pass it along.

[Susann]

I can't remember where I read this, but apparently you can make something similar in taste to espresso with 1/3 c. coffee and 1 c water. Then you run it through your coffee machine twice. Now, I have not tried this, so do not know how how it tastes!

[mightyh]

Hi Beth - just was reading your old post and wondered if you and DH still like your Briel Lido espresso machine. My DH wants a new machine for X-mas and I'm perusing my options. Really like its price, though.

[mightyh]

just giving this a bump!

[Beth]

Sorry, I didn't see your post before. For the price, I don't think you can beat it. You get a pump driven machine with a resevoir so you don't have to fill it for each cup, it's small and handy and seems to work very well.

DH has that one at the office. I just called him to see if there was anything he hadn't told me about it, but he said he's really happy with it. He makes straight espresso with it and doesn't steam milk. We tested the steamer before he took it in, and it worked fine. I think I remember the salesperson telling us it wasn't the greatest steamer on the market, but it's certainly not bad either.

The salesmen (we talked to all three of them by the time we ordered and received our machines) said this was a great entry level machine. They recommended it for light use or for folks who weren't sure how much they would use it. It's also good for cramped spaces.

I would talk to the folks at aabree (888-280-8584). They were very straight forward about the strengths and weaknesses of each machine. Plus, they actually use the machines in their employee coffee area, so they are talking from experience rather than a company's sales brochure. I found them very helpful. Hope you find one you love.

[mightyh]

Thanks, Beth. I'll follow up on this, but it sounds like a winner so far...

This board is wonderful!

[julia]

Here's another vote for the Barista from Starbuck's - I'm sure Beth may have replaced her machine by now, but if anyone else is in the market, check it out. Comes with a great video that tells you all about how to use the product as well. Very helpful. DH has learned how to make my lattés just the way I like them. The morning coffee making is his job ;)

[Beth]

I think Briel also send a video with theirs. It's a selling tool more than it will tell you anything the manual won't. I think I remember learning that the Starbucks machines are made by Saeco, another good company. Two of the final three were the Saeco (DH doesn't like Starbucks) and Solis. I'm not sure of the third.

There may have been other factors, but I remember the boiler of the Solis is made of marine brass and the folks at Aabree who had used them all said the Solis was the least tempermental in terms of having the grind and dosing perfect. We liked the fact that we could count on getting a good cup made while we were still in need of the coffee. ;) I have a friend who bought the Starbucks machine and liked it so much she ought another later.

[wallycat]

Just curious how all the espresso makers are making out...
I'm thinking about breaking down and getting one now and wondered if anyone had updates.

BOy, this BB can be expensive....first a pressure cooker, now this:D :D
NO, I will NOT cave in and get a foodsaver (not that I know what it is :o )

TIA..

[mightyh]

I ended up getting the Briel Lido ($99 from aaabree, above) for DH for Christmas and he loves it! He probably uses it about 5 times a week for making espresso and steaming milk and it's a BIG improvement from his old cheapie one.

He's really happy with it; I can't really comment cause I'm not a coffee drinker. :)

[dcornelius]

My Pronto has lasted me about ten years so far and it is still going strong. Always get a good crema and never get burnt, over extrcted espresso. I am a little worried cause it is ten years old I hate to think about replacing it. I use mine several times a week for several drinks at a time and love it.

[Kjente2]

I had a Krups I think it was a Novo that worked just slick for years..My husband read for days about them and found the Starbucks Barista Athena rated the #2 machine by the folks at I think coffeekids.com or coffeegeeks.com..after the rancho something or other that he went looking for but couldn't find. Now, I figure we could open a coffee house with this thing if life ever gets rough...its very very nice...Google groups also has a good coffee group.
Had to laugh about this board being expensive...I had never thought of a pressure cooker...but I'm thinking that there will be one in my future...

[Beth]

We are very happy with both of our purchases after about a year. Now, if I were to ever win the lottery, I might get one of those thousand dollar jobbies that grinds, tamps and knocks out the grounds so that the counter stayed cleaner, but for now, we are very happy. Ours preheats in less than a minute and brews a cup of espresso in 18-20 seconds.

BTW, I think is is Saeco that makes the Starbucks machines (in case you want that type of machine without the Starbucks name). Again, I recommend aabreecoffee.com (800# above) -- for selection, prices and their knowledge of the machines. They personally use all the machines in their coffee room on a rotating basis, so they know the strengths and weaknesses of each machine and can help you get what will work best for you.

As for expensive, I posted on another thread that just one cup at Starbucks a week for DH and I could pay for a good machine in a year. You can justify the Briel Lido in about 30 cups of coffee at Starbucks (depending on what you buy). And there's no waiting in line!