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AR15.COM
12/9/2012 2:12:50 AM EDT
Wife wants an espresso machine for xmas. I have no idea where to begin. She used to be a barista and is pretty particular about how they work, specifically the steam wand. Anyone here have an expierience with home espresso machines and have a recommendation?
12/9/2012 3:09:35 AM EDT
[#1]
I have a Gaggia baby that has seen daily use for the last 8.5 years and is only now developing a slight leak around the wand.
12/9/2012 4:08:47 AM EDT
[#2]



Quoted:


Wife wants an espresso machine for xmas. I have no idea where to begin. She used to be a barista and is pretty particular about how they work, specifically the steam wand. Anyone here have an expierience with home espresso machines and have a recommendation?


I have had a couple that were under $100.

 



They were all garbage.  Expect to pay quite a bit and read reviews carefully for a good one.
12/9/2012 4:21:39 AM EDT
[#3]
Rancillo Expresso Machine

Good Stuff....
12/9/2012 5:01:13 AM EDT
[#4]
Agreed.  Rancilio Silvia is a great machine. This should be your starting point....
12/9/2012 7:41:50 AM EDT
[#5]
The gaggia looks decent, but I do like that Rancilio. Is there anything that she would need besides the machine? Beans and flavoring and what not aside.  Thanks for the help so far.
12/9/2012 12:06:41 PM EDT
[#6]
Accessories....Tamper, cups, brush, frothing cup.....all I can think of right now.
12/9/2012 6:16:25 PM EDT
[#7]
Quoted:
The gaggia looks decent, but I do like that Rancilio. Is there anything that she would need besides the machine? Beans and flavoring and what not aside.  Thanks for the help so far.


A good burr grinder is a necessity for expresso. The blade type top loading coffee choppers won't give you a fine enough grind.
12/10/2012 10:05:49 AM EDT
[#8]
Any recommendations for one I should look at? I sadly didn't know there were more than one option.

Quoted:
Quoted:
The gaggia looks decent, but I do like that Rancilio. Is there anything that she would need besides the machine? Beans and flavoring and what not aside.  Thanks for the help so far.


A good burr grinder is a necessity for expresso. The blade type top loading coffee choppers won't give you a fine enough grind.


12/11/2012 5:17:29 AM EDT
[#9]
I went with the matched pair from Rancillo and have had ten years of solid service from them.


12/11/2012 6:16:03 AM EDT
[#10]
I've had the Gaggia Baby Gaggia espresso and and the Rancillio grinder for 6 years now.  I have used them every weekday @ work and they have performed flawlessly.
12/11/2012 6:29:52 AM EDT
[#11]
This might be one of times when you ask her or at least see if she will generate an Amazon wish list. It would be like her picking a firearm out for you

Quoted:
Wife wants an espresso machine for xmas. I have no idea where to begin. She used to be a barista and is pretty particular about how they work, specifically the steam wand. Anyone here have an expierience with home espresso machines and have a recommendation?


12/15/2012 5:52:49 PM EDT
[#12]
Fuck that manual shit. I have had a Nespresso for a couple years now (and a 7 month deployment) and I like it more than chain store espresso. Wonderfully consistent and cost effective over the medium term. I was a huge naysayer until I used it 2-3x during a midwatch.