What Espresso Machine?

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luxe

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I'm tired of crap coffee, and have been ogling a few espresso machines with grinders so that I can grind on demand, tamp and choose my bean (Ie: Not Nespresso).

What machine should I be looking at with a budget of R5k. Is this too little for something decent as I have seen a few machines (not thermoblock but boilers) for over R15k.

I basically drink Americano's, sometimes with milk, so I want control of my grind and bean. In my price range is the Breville 860 @home - thermoblock, single and double shot, grinder and steam wand - is this machine any good?

Can you recommend an espresso machine? :D
 
I have this one: http://www.otest.co.uk/mobile/px/1/170417.html
Got it as a gift a year ago and have never looked back to regular coffee machines. Thinking of upgrading to a built in unit when i redo the kitchen so it might be up for sale. Can't comment on other brands as i have not used anything else.
Sent from my RM-821_im_south_africa_250 using Board Express
 
signates said:
I have this one: http://www.otest.co.uk/mobile/px/1/170417.html
Got it as a gift a year ago and have never looked back to regular coffee machines. Thinking of upgrading to a built in unit when i redo the kitchen so it might be up for sale. Can't comment on other brands as i have not used anything else.
Sent from my RM-821_im_south_africa_250 using Board Express
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Can also strongly recommend this one. Does it all at the touch of a button and tastes fantastic.

It was a gift! You should gift it to someone else (I volunteer to take it off your hands).
 
De Longhi Magnifica - R5.5k to R6k at Dion Wired. Bought ours more than 5 years ago and still going strong with heavy use. Had a rubber seal replaced a few months ago, no other issues.
 
Thanks- I have a Moka pot, works well.

I am after a machine that lets me grind on demand, tamper (squash the grind), select the type of grind (fine to coarse), single and double option, steam wand, looks good, easy to clean and has a decent water well size. the Delongi is a fully automatic machine, which means I don't get to control all these variables, so its not an option - but thank you.

Has noone used the Breville? I did mail the Bean there people and they saw no issues with the machine. I am told the steam wand is not the best out there as the pressure is a little low for the best quality frothed milk. Unless there is a machine out there that can do more than this Breville, or better, surely this is a good buy then?
 
I have a De Longhi that my daughter passed on when she upgraded hers, we also have a De Longhi in the office that's giving problems with the steam system, but it's made over 13 000 cups in less that 18 months, which is very good for a domestic grade machine and it still makes decent coffee, it's only the milk steamer that dodgy.
I am very happy with my machine, I get a nice fresh cup of coffee every time.
 
Can't ever go wrong with Delonghi! I have the Delonghi Ecam 23.450 and I'm super happy with it.

Check this out - it fits perfectly into your budget. You will pay roughly double that price for a super automatic bean to cup type machine

Edit: As Roelie stated above, I passed on my machine to him. Am I not just the perfect daughter :whistle:
 
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We have a Jura coffee machine. It makes cappuccinos, normal coffee, espresso, or macchiatos. It can also use coffee beans or ground. Its quite pricey- (around 10k) but you do get some machines that are smaller and obviously cheaper. We used to have a Krupps but I will def. recommend the Jura. Its a great machine!! Miele also has some great machines.
 
Again, just to be clear - I WANT a manual machine. A super automatic is not what I am after. I WANT to control the tamper, grain crush, pressure and milk froth :)
 
luxe said:
Again, just to be clear - I WANT a manual machine. A super automatic is not what I am after. I WANT to control the tamper, grain crush, pressure and milk froth :)
Click to expand...

Ridiculous... :D

Sorry, didn't read first post properly.
 
Why not buy a machine that does good espresso and with a decent steam wand, and also get a good coffee grinder and (if you want a separate one) a tamper?
 
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