Reddit reviews RSVP International (TAM) Dual Sided Coffee Espresso Tamper | Two Flat Tamping Sides | Distribute, Compress & Level Ground Coffee | For Coffee Shops or Home Use

Yeah it is. Pressurized means that there is a flow restrictor that keeps the water and coffee in contact at pressure longer. This means you get good shot times no matter the grind (ish)

Since the pressure drop isn’t across the coffee it’s very different. Since it’s so easy to just pop that thing out or put it back I would recommend trying, just make sure you tamp it. If you don’t have a tamper check this one out (no affiliation I bought one 10y ago with my 155)

RSVP International TAM Dual Sided Espresso Tamper, One Size, Multi Color https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0001XRNEM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_JfbLDbSTWNPEF


First one will probably run fast, tighten grind until 1oz in 30s and go from there (it’s a 52mm PF I think? It’s been years sorry, anyway that means it won’t match a lot of the full size 58mm recipes you read on here FYI).

It is easy to use. Fill tank with water. Grind beans. Put grinds in coffee basket and tamp. Put basket on the unit and tighten down. Put cup underneath basket and turn the knob once. Wait for the green light to come on. Turn the knob again to dispense. Turn off when done.

And here is the tamper I use. It is excellent IMO. Cheap and useful AND sturdy. Can't beat it.

EDIT: Well here is the rest of what I use as well. Grinder. This is a bit cheap, you could do better but also do worse.

And the milk pitcher for frothing. It may seem silly to spend that much on a metal pitcher but I highly recommend it.

So for about $120 $140 plus shipping you can be all set up!

EDIT 2: Buy decent whole beans and keep them tightly rolled in the bag and put the bag in something like this. Grind just enough to make a cup when you are wanting one.

I have a home setup that works great for us:

For under $200, you can buy the Cuisinart 15-bar espresso machine, and a decent burr grinder, and Terry's tamper is worth the $6 + s&h.

Also, as others have mentioned, the Aeropress makes great strong coffee that can make great mochas and such.

Broke college student here, I'm also a barista that's use to having amazing, freshly roasted coffee. So far, no one has lied. AMAZING espresso IS expensive. But can you make a latte as well as your local cafe? With a little practice, time and money, yes.

My current home setup consists of a Delonghi EC155, this is a true espresso machine, it's not steam powered and with a little modification and practice makes good espresso. Modification wise the only thing I'd recommend is depressurizing the portafilter basket, which is easy. If you ever want a better machine but don't want to spend the money you can modify it even more. They're vary popular machines and can be modified to pull amazing shots. They go anywhere from 70-130, however, occasionally things get repacked or the packaging gets damaged in the warehouse. They'll offer them at a hefty discount, I just got mine "reboxed" from amazon for 47 dollars, wait a few days and one will come up. If you use your student email you can get Amazon Prime for free, take advantage of that.

http://www.amazon.com/DeLonghi-EC155-Espresso-Cappuccino-Maker/dp/B000F49XXG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1396498476&sr=8-1&keywords=delonghi+ec155

I also got this tamper, works well, it's a little light for my tastes but for home use it's fine. The EC155 has a 52mm basket, if having a 50mm tamper bothers you then pay the extra few bucks for a 52mm tamper. Personally doesn't bother me, and it was only 7 bucks.

http://www.amazon.com/Espresso-Tamper-Sizes-Alloy-Coffee/dp/B0001XRNEM/ref=pd_bxgy_k_text_z

Here's a milk frothing cup, you'll need it to properly froth milk. You can poorly froth milk in a microwave but why do that when you can spend an extra 8 dollars and do it properly? I personally got mine for a dollar from a thrift store.

http://www.amazon.com/Update-International-EP-12-Stainless-Frothing/dp/B000MR6I9I/ref=pd_bxgy_hg_text_y

I got one of these grinders years ago for around 20 dollars. I've seen them used, repackaged, and refurbished for about that much. Wait around and a deal will come up. You can also get a Hario Mini and a number of other hand grinders. But this one does just fine. Now out of the box it won't grind fine enough for espresso, however, with about 20 minutes worth of work you can shim it and it'll grind perfectly for espresso. It's not hard and anyone can do it with a screw driver and some tin foil.

http://www.amazon.com/Cuisinart-DBM-8-Supreme-Grind-Automatic/dp/B00018RRRK/ref=sr_1_1?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1396498766&sr=1-1&keywords=cuisinart+grinder

At this point if you're willing to wait for a deal on the EC155 you've only spent 107 dollars. Even less if you're willing to wait on a deal for the burr grinder as well. If you want AMAZING coffee you can spend another 27 dollars and get an Aeropress, or wait for a deal and get it for 20 dollars. It will make a coffee concentrate which will taste "okay" for a latte.

At this point, I cannot recommend going to your local coffee houses and asking if you can buy green beans. They typically sell green coffee for 5-8 dollars a pound. You can roast your own coffee with a skillet and a whisk, or a popcorn popper, there are hundreds of ways to do it cheaply and it easy. You'll save money and you'll be drinking tastier coffee.

Don't let these people get you down, good espresso doesn't have to be expensive. Feel free to message me if you have any questions!