Best Espresso machine?

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Wide

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Looking at taking my coffee to the next level and investing in a decent semi-automatic espresso machine. Not interested in fully automatic or capsule machines.

Any recommendations from coffee connoisseurs out there? My budget is around R10k excl burr grinder

Really interested in the Rancilio Silvia v5 or Breville BES870 (cant seem to source the better Breville models locally).
 
No idea about newer machines.

I bought a espresso machine off my mom that she got from my Aunt inheritance thing.

All I can say about this is excellent move. I will have to sell my right testicle (need the kidneys for coffee) to replace it if it ever breaks.
Plungers and filter machines make terrible coffee.
 
I have a machine like this:-

http://www.boardmans.co.za/dl-icona-espresso-55372724.html

When I bought it about 3 years ago it cost about R2k from Boardmans. I know this is way under your budget, however...

My parents and my sister both have those expensive bean to cup machines from Delonghi (cost R15k plus) and I can honestly say that my machine's coffee tastes much better. I have been using it for a long time so practice does make perfect but it makes such a delicious cup.

I even bought a grinder and beans etc. but went back to buying the regular 'Italian' ground blend from Pick n Pay (500g costs around R90) because it is just more convenient and tastes awesome. Good luck with whatever you decide to buy
 
mister said:
*ignores further posts*
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Pick n Pay ground coffee... I am with you man. The lowest I go is Woolies beans, but otherwise I prefer freshly roasted beans from a local Roastery like Aroma, Bean There, Colombo Coffee or Peacock Coffee.

Seriously 4ftersh0ck, PicknPay stocks Bean There, its also available in Dischem... do your taste buds a favour and buy it. And if you find the Italian blend PicknPay crap better than that then may I suggest some Riccoffee as a good instant coffee for you.
 
4ftersh0ck said:
I have a machine like this:-

http://www.boardmans.co.za/dl-icona-espresso-55372724.html

When I bought it about 3 years ago it cost about R2k from Boardmans. I know this is way under your budget, however...

My parents and my sister both have those expensive bean to cup machines from Delonghi (cost R15k plus) and I can honestly say that my machine's coffee tastes much better. I have been using it for a long time so practice does make perfect but it makes such a delicious cup.

I even bought a grinder and beans etc. but went back to buying the regular 'Italian' ground blend from Pick n Pay (500g costs around R90) because it is just more convenient and tastes awesome. Good luck with whatever you decide to buy
Click to expand...
Kenna is pretty good at R70 for 500g as well :)
 
killerbyte said:
Pick n Pay ground coffee... I am with you man. The lowest I go is Woolies beans, but otherwise I prefer freshly roasted beans from a local Roastery like Aroma, Bean There, Colombo Coffee or Peacock Coffee.

Seriously 4ftersh0ck, PicknPay stocks Bean There, its also available in Dischem... do your taste buds a favour and buy it. And if you find the Italian blend PicknPay crap better than that then may I suggest some Riccoffee as a good instant coffee for you.
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Look, I was giving my honest opinion. I tried buying some beans from Checkers and Pick n Pay but I did not find the taste hugely better to warrant buying and grinding beans. Maybe I bought old beans or maybe I need a new grinder. I should probably look into this again as I really love my coffee.

And as for instant, the only instant I find slightly bearable is Jacobs (green bottle) and Nescafe Gold.
 
Are there any boutique coffee shops where various decent machines can be viewed and professional advise obtained ?
 
4ftersh0ck said:
Look, I was giving my honest opinion. I tried buying some beans from Checkers and Pick n Pay but I did not find the taste hugely better to warrant buying and grinding beans. Maybe I bought old beans or maybe I need a new grinder. I should probably look into this again as I really love my coffee.

And as for instant, the only instant I find slightly bearable is Jacobs (green bottle) and Nescafe Gold.
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It all comes down to what bean you buy... if you buy high quality freshly roasted beans (or even ground coffee from a local roastery) then you will see the difference.

Also make sure your grinder is a burr grinder, and try different levels of grind to see which one you machine prefers.
 
When you're spending R10 000 on a machine & probably R7 000 on a grinder use freshly roasted beans and grind them on demand. You're wasting your time otherwise.

Beans bought from a supermarket will almost certainly be stale. Why do you think they put a "best before" date instead of a "roasted on" date on the packet?
 
Wide said:
Are there any boutique coffee shops where various decent machines can be viewed and professional advise obtained ?
Click to expand...

Don't know where you are, but if in PTA, try the one in Brooklyn Square next to food lovers. There's a lot of machines on display there
 
The Rancilio has an E61 group head, the Breville does not.

Many people, myself included, would call the Rancilio a 'real' espresso and the Breville not, on this basis alone.

You want to take the next step in your coffee then move more toward the catering end of the spectrum than the home use end. E61 is a must have.
 
SlinkyMike said:
The Rancilio has an E61 group head, the Breville does not.

Many people, myself included, would call the Rancilio a 'real' espresso and the Breville not, on this basis alone.

You want to take the next step in your coffee then move more toward the catering end of the spectrum than the home use end. E61 is a must have.
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Thanks for this, any other recommendations in this Group besides the Rancilio ?
 
Wide said:
Thanks for this, any other recommendations in this Group besides the Rancilio ?
Click to expand...

I need to apologise - the Rancilio does not have an E61 group head. I was thinking of the Expobar Brewtus. I would look into one of those. You can also find old catering machines for your price range on Gumtree, they can tend to be big but that's not an issue other than space.
 
Speak to Grant, he gets dealer prices on machines. He knows which ones break....
Pm me if his number
 
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