Espresso machine

Can anyone recommend a solid, well made, has all the basic necessities espresso machine for home use? I know what to do if I want to spend $1000+, but I don't really want to approach that range. I just want a basic, well made machine that generates the right millibars of pressure. Tips?

Brad- I am afraid that home espresso brewers and affordable prices really do not exist. Most of the home model espresso brewers that you may see at Williams-Sonoma or other locations just doesn't have the power to produce a great foam for cappuccinos or lattes. They probably brew a great espresso, but just doesn't have the boiler pressure to create steam. I know there all a lot of people that have sucked it up and purchased a commercial espresso machine, but that can run to over $3,000.00.

If you do purchase one of the smaller ones however, be sure that you fill it with filtered or softened water. The lime that we have in our water wrecks havoc with the small orfices that are in espresso brewers.

Good Luck

We had a good experience with the Saeco "Vienna" model, alas, no longer being made. Because I am a lukewarm at machine maintenance, it now has croaked (awaiting repair someday when I have time to ship it), and I've decided to buy another, but haven't gotten to the end of the research cycle to see which model replaces the Vienna. Anyway, it's fully automatic. Everything done internally. Makes great espresso, and in four years we didn't use if once to steam milk -- primarily because the best use for milk and coffee is not. My guesstimate for price when I find out the newer model is $500.

In fact, if anyone reading knows which model has supplanted the Saeco Vienna, give me a shout, eh?

From some kind PM's I'm getting from Carol C (and a previous thread on this subject she pointed out), I'm hearing good things about the Rancio Silvia. I did a little research on the espresso machine Alton Brown seemed to think very highly of on the Good Eats espresso episode, which was the Saeco Aroma.

We had a good experience with the Saeco "Vienna" model...

Is that the one that Tommy at Caffe Classico was able to order for customers? Seems like that was discussed here awhile back

I can give you some pointers:

1. ABSOLUTELY critical. Budget plenty for your grinder. You can have a great espresso machine, but if you use a cheap grinder, you'll get bad coffee. I'd recommend a Mazzer mini if you can afford it. I'd spend as much on the grinder as on the machine. A Rocky is another recommendation ($350 or so),
2. For an economy espresso machine, Gaggia makes them. They have proper weight groupheads and portafilters, and make plenty of steam for a home environment. I think the Gaggia classic is still being made.
3. Miss Silvia is a slightly better machine for roughly twice the price.
4. The Saeco's are an industry workhorse with a good reputation, but I don't know much about their home models.

You will generally get what you pay for. I wouldn't get an "automatic," because semi-automatics let you master the art of espresso, which is half the fun (drinking it is the other half - and then there is showin' off for your friends)...

Cheers!

-Nimbus
Ray's Monkey House Coffeeshop

If you're looking for an espresso machine and need a consultant or head hunter let me know I'd be happy to help out. I have a few contacts and insights on how to get a good used machine and what to look for in a used machine.