Espresso

[tonyb]

Thinking about picking up one of those fully automatic ones like from Saeco or Jura.Any of you guy's have experience with these?Steer me in the right direction.Jura as I understand,can't get parts and have to send in the whole machine when or if it goes south.Saeco seems to be popular but looks rather cheaply made.Any thoughts from you coffee junkies out there??

[hearingimpared]

Tony if you have a Fante's out your way, they have every espresso maker known to man and they will guide you and guarantee the product. Here's the link to their website (http://www.fantes.com/). I've never purchased from their website, I've always purchased from the brick and mortar store in the Italian Market on 9th Street in South Philly.

[Refefer]

I've never purchased from their website, I've always purchased from the brick and mortar store in the Italian Market on 9th Street in South Philly.

I was down the for the first time last weekend. Incredible area, the Italian Market. An experience everyone should have!

[hearingimpared]

I was down the for the first time last weekend. Incredible area, the Italian Market. An experience everyone should have!

Did you see the lambs hanging in the butcher shop window?

[Refefer]

Did you see the lambs hanging in the butcher shop window?

Missed that, but saw the live chickens and rabbits on the street and watched them make pasta from scratch.

[Kex]

I probably qualify as a junkie since I drink between six and ten espresso's every day! Saeco gear is tempermental and crappy, even if the idea of a fully automatic machine seems tempting. It's also a bit like buying a TV with the DVD player built in. Actually, it's worse, because if the grinder breaks, the whole machine needs fixing.

I currently use a Gaggia and, while it's sturdy and doesn't break, it is also tempermental and too messy. I would not recommend it. In Europe, where these machines are so much cheaper, Krups have a big following at the entry level (but with the required 15 bars of pressure). There is a Krups being sold over here right now, at Linens & Things. It looks small and I haven't tried it, but if it's anything like the ones I use when travelling in Europe it is terrific value at $150 if you don't already have an espresso machine. I would expect it to make better coffee consistently than a $500 Gaggia.

http://www.lnt.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2408630&cp&sr=1&origkw=Espresso&kw=espresso&parentPage=search

[Face]

I'm happy with my Krupps and grinding my own beans. I make 3-6 cups a day also.

[tonyb]

I have used fully automatic and done it by hand.Tell ya the truth,I like the automatic.Push a button,done.Maybe I'll seek a used one out to try for awhile.Damn things are expensive ya know.

[Kex]

... Maybe I'll seek a used one out to try for awhile.Damn things are expensive ya know.
They sure are tonyb! If you get lucky with a good used one, let us know, and some of us junkies might try for one ourselves. I'm about fed up with my Gaggia but I don't think I can finance audio upgraditis (which I have, BTW) and top notch espresso machines brand new in the same lifetime.

I don't know how good the Francis machines are, but they sure look good! Not fully automatic though and the name sounds gimmicky (verrrry suspicious in my book, but I haven't checked it out):
http://www.wholelattelove.com/francis.cfm

Did you notice that Krups make a fully automatic too? I would trust their machine for reliable use long before I would trust Saeco.
http://www.krupsonlinestore.com/product_detail.asp?T1=KRU+XP9000&MENU=&SKW=krufavorite

Actually, I also met a guy once who saw me buying coffee products and started chatting. He claimed he had used everything, including the all manual lever type. He said his Starbuck's machine was the best of all for regulare use. I don't think it was BS, and he seemed to know what he was talking about. They do have a couple of automatic models I noticed in their line of products.
http://www.starbucksstore.com/products/shprodli.asp?DeptNo=8100&ClassNo=0036

[hearingimpared]

I have used fully automatic and done it by hand.Tell ya the truth,I like the automatic.Push a button,done.Maybe I'll seek a used one out to try for awhile.Damn things are expensive ya know.

I don't think you can beat the old fashioned, on the stove, top-on-top espresso makers. One cup of this and you need to go shave again!:D

[tonyb]

Starbucks machines are made by saeco.I know a few people with them and they really like 'em.The key to the automatics is descaling on a regular basis.I like froth,Joe so the stove top is out.Plus I don't want to wait that long.Nobody here has a fully automatic one? All you dago's still going to mama's for a good espresso?:D


OOOPS.....I said"dago".....add that to the list.

[Face]

I don't think you can beat the old fashioned, on the stove, top-on-top espresso makers. One cup of this and you need to go shave again!:D
I haven't used mine in a couple of years. I may have to give it a try again tomorrow.

[hearingimpared]

OOOPS.....I said"dago".....add that to the list.

WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA watch it the PC guru on here might report you for speaking in a politically incorrect manner about yourself!!:eek::D

[Kex]

I haven't used mine in a couple of years. I may have to give it a try again tomorrow.
Some of the stove top models are fine and dandy and I use one when I travel sometimes. I still prefer a good 15 bar pump machine for home use. One of the secrets is a good layer of crema, as tonyb points out.

Did anyone notice the Saeco machine being sold by Costco in the 11/26 to 12/10 Online Holiday Gift Guide delivered by mail? It's "only" $650 delivered (+ sales tax) and looks much better than some of their tacky machines IMO. Maybe working as a supplier for Starbuck's has given them a lesson or two about build quality and consistency (not that I'm a big fan of Starbuck's BTW, much prefer Peet's).

http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=11236686&search=Saeco&Mo=6&cm_re=1_en-_-Top_Left_Nav-_-Top_search&lang=en-US&Nr=P_CatalogName:BC&Sp=S&N=0&whse=BC&Dx=mode+matchallpartial&Ntk=Text_Search&Dr=P_CatalogName:BC&Ne=4000000&D=Saeco&Ntt=Saeco&No=4&Ntx=mode+matchallpartial&Nty=1&topnav=&s=1

Part of my problem with the fully automatic machines is that I don't trust them to have a good burr grinder mechanism with proper adjustment for coarseness.

[Kex]

... The key to the automatics is descaling on a regular basis. ...
Actually, I find descaling such an annoyance that I just use filtered water to start with. The coffee supposedly tastes better and I never have to descale (even when I lived in very hard water areas).

[Disc Jockey]

Part of my problem with the fully automatic machines is that I don't trust them to have a good burr grinder mechanism with proper adjustment for coarseness.

Agreed, and that's one of the keys for a good shot. Like the one I just had:D
Nice layer of crema, just about the perfect shor. We just got ours back from being repaired and I sure did miss it.

[mark090852]

Missed that, but saw the live chickens and rabbits on the street and watched them make pasta from scratch.


That would have been something to see. I didn't even know rabbits and chickens could cook! :D

[hearingimpared]

That would have been something to see. I didn't even know rabbits and chickens could cook! :D

That is funny. . . when I was a youngster, they use to run the cattle, pigs, and lambs up 9th street on their way to the slaughter house. Talk about fresh meat!