Top products from r/espresso

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LIST OF PARTS/BUILD LIST TO GET TO WHERE WE ARE:

Gaggia Classic: new they come in around $3-$400, but you can pick up a refurb from Whole Latte Love for about $290, or even cheaper on the used market (I picked one up that was basically just out of the box for half a decade but never used for $250. After some cleaning she was in perfect condition)

https://www.wholelattelove.com/refurbished-gaggia-classic-brushed-ss-espresso-machine?source=googleps&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI2eCjlYLJ4AIVrr3tCh1zHg6yEAYYBCABEgIaVvD_BwE

Mr Shades PID Kit: £89 - and worth every penny. How to get in touch with Mr Shades to get it I already explained above

https://coffeeforums.co.uk/showthread.php?27931-MrShades-Gaggia-Classic-PID-Kit-Complete-PID-kit-with-full-guide-%A389

Baratza Sette 270WI: They come in at around $550 new for the latest, and most updated WI model (that we think is the move for overall durability and ease of use). There are other 270 and W models all available for cheaper, but the most desirable WI model dskot got refurbished from Baratza’s site for $450, but only when they have them available.

https://www.amazon.com/Baratza-270Wi-Grind-Weight-Conical-Grinder/dp/B01G82WTZ2/ref=sr_1_3_sspa?hvadid=267969625121&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=9021717&hvnetw=g&hvpos=1t1&hvqmt=e&hvrand=12162448283058120052&hvtargid=kwd-470582918388&keywords=baratza+sette+270wi&qid=1550621304&s=gateway&sr=8-3-spons&tag=googhydr-20&psc=1&smid=A302OQK4GZWXCC

20g VST PF Basket: $20 - Competition grade baskets from VST just help to take out another potential layer of uneven extraction, closer examined by having bottomless PF’s. We’ve also noticed this just helps the consistency of shots a little better, but like I said earlier, we’re not certain if it was more due to the PID or the basket, as we put them in at the same time. Not meant to be a scientific review, all you gotta know is this thing will help your extractions.

https://store.vstapps.com/products/vst-precision-filter-baskets

Tamper: $57 (or much cheaper) We would recommend getting a precision tamp to work better within the VST basket, which is precision machined to 58.4mm. Just fits together a lot nicer than a standard 58mm tamp, and will prevent any further potential for uneven distribution, but realistically, you can get just any 58mm tamper. I got the Cafelat precision zebra wood tamp linked below, but recently upgraded to the Eazytamp 5 star pro because I’m lazy and find myself tamping unevenly, but this is just part of my OD nature in doing things. There are cheaper options depending on the wood you choose from them, just look on amazon to whatever fits your preference. Just whatever you do, DO NOT drop your tamper on the floor or counter. I learned the hard way on accident and had to buy another because they will dent/bend and any chance of precision is now out the window, but thats my fault, and not just because of the type of metal they use.

https://www.amazon.com/Cafelat-Zebra-Wood-Tamper-58-35mm/dp/B01MG3ZDKH/ref=sr_1_6?keywords=cafelat+tamper&qid=1550621500&s=gateway&sr=8-6

EVERYTHING BEYOND THIS POINT IS OPTIONAL, BUT WILL CONTRIBUTE TO HELPING YOU MAKE GREAT, AND CONSISTENT EXTRACTIONS

Distribution tool: $18 - We both went the cheap route, and got the OCD knockoff tool from amazon. There are a handful of other options from the Pullman, OCD, BT Wedge, and so on, but are all very expensive, and for $18, we didn’t think it could be a bad move. Major differences are the 3 fins vs 4 fins on the OCD, and also very likely any type of precision milling will not be there on the knockoff, but realistically, they do the same thing, and we’ve both been able to get near perfect center streams almost every time within 10-15 sec of extraction. Only reason why it would take longer or wouldn’t go perfect center is bc I’ll occasionally lop side my tamp, or in the beginning when we didn’t necessarily understand how to properly use the tool yet (Once height is dialed, I use 6 counterclockwise turns to distribute, followed by 4 clockwise turns to smooth the top. There are plenty of videos and tutorials online on how to get your tool dialed in if you decide to get one)

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B077BZ4CV6/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o08__o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Bottomless PF (PortaFilter): $35-65 Few different options here - just make sure you get one that will work with the Gaggia classic, or most Gaggia machines as they have different flange positions than most other machines or E61 group heads. Cheaper/simple black version is on the first link, but if you’d prefer to go down the same route I did and get the walnut handle, I bought the one off of ebay from Portugal. I know there are a few other links on the web for a walnut handled PF for the Gaggia, but I only care to include things from experience, and even though I can’t really tell you if it’s legit/high-quality wood or not, I’m more than happy with it and it’s looks.

https://www.amazon.com/Bottomless-Portafilter-Gaggia-Filter-Basket/dp/B00KRR4K2K/ref=sr_1_1?hvadid=176952831569&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=9021717&hvnetw=g&hvpos=1t1&hvqmt=e&hvrand=4233166420998163957&hvtargid=kwd-46401287557&keywords=gaggia+classic+bottomless+portafilter&qid=1550622553&s=gateway&sr=8-1&tag=googhydr-20

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Bottomless-Portafilter-Gaggia-6-6-mm-Wings-Walnut-Wood-Handle/222827423587?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649

Rancilio Silvia Steam wand: $25 - a very easy mod (just an unscrew and trade of the nut to connect it to the machine, (don’t use the extra washer from the Rancilio wand)) to upgrade the machines milk steaming capabilities. Also plenty of videos online how to do so. I decided to go with the Silvia wand instead of the pannerello for the extra durability (full metal wand vs plastic part trade off) and also easier to keep the Silvia wand clean and sanitary. Up to your personal preference, I get good results with the Silvia wand but have heard and seen good things from the pannerello alternative.

Acaia Lunar: $225 - will probably put you over the top of the $1k range, and isn’t directly necessary, but is a very useful tool to time your shots accurately, as well as have a very accurate scale setup to weigh everything out. Great for logging your shots and helping to develop recipes for different beans. You can essentially do the same thing with a normal scale sensate down to .1 grams, and then either a timer or your phones timer, but if you have the bread for the lunar, it’s definitely well worth it with it also being water resistant (they say in a video you can’t list something as waterproof unless it can operate under water, and you obviously can’t get an accurate reading of coffee weight while the thing would be underwater).

And finally, if you care to go down the exact same route I did with wrapping it, you can basically buy any type of automotive 3M wrap (color and finish of your choice) and just take off all the components and wrap the front facade. Little tedious, but if you like the look it’s well worth it.

That should basically do it for the full writeup of where we’re at with our home setups, and hopefully can aid in giving you some insight to what you might want to do with yours. Might be a lot to digest, but hopefully we included enough detail and info to get you started. If not, feel free to ask either of us any questions, or if you’d care for any of our suggestions on if any piece of this caffeinated puzzle would be worth it or not, just shoot away in the comments.

Outside of that, happy extracting :)

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Hi David! Huge fan of your show, btw.

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If you want something simple, go with a Rancilio Silvia, which you can find here. https://www.seattlecoffeegear.com/rancilio-silvia-espresso-machine-version-m. It’s not as high tech as something that Saeco or La Marzocco would put out but when paired with a Rancilio Rocky grinder they are a great duo worth their price.

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On the higher end of the price range, the Saeco Superautomatic Xelsis is literally all you will ever need. Anecdata here: a close friend of mine uses it, and it's great. It's fully digitized, it's smaller, it looks great, and the performance is second to none for home espresso IMO. https://www.amazon.com/Saeco-SM7684-04-Automatic-Espresso/dp/B07G3XYR3R. ($2,399)

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My personal espresso machine I have used for the past 5 years is a Gaggia Classic Semi-auto espresso maker. I can't find it on amazon, however the Gaggia Anima is very similar and actually a bit better than mine. https://www.amazon.com/Gaggia-Automatic-Macchiato-Cappuccino-Programmable/dp/B016RYODRS/ref=sr_1_4?keywords=gaggia+classic&qid=1558640715&s=home-garden&sr=1-4 ($899)

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As for grinders, I would definitely recommend getting an automated burr grinder. I personally hand grind my coffee just because I like the control it gives you, but it is time consuming. If you want a good hand grinder, start with the Hario Skerton. https://www.amazon.com/Hario-Skerton-Ceramic-Coffee-Mill/dp/B001802PIQ/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=hario+skerton&qid=1558640805&s=home-garden&sr=1-2 ($40)

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For an automated grinder, I would start with the Baratza Virtuoso. It's roughly $250 USD and the quality is up there

I got the Breville Infuser and Smart Grinder Pro from Amazon a couple of weeks ago. I love them. By no means am I an expert, but I enjoy the shots I pull just as much as from coffee shops using La Marzoccos. Yes the beans, barista, and placebo all play into that, but it still pulls a great shot and is pretty affordable. You could even go cheaper and get the Duo Temp Pro which could functionally be the same as the Infuser and is $100 cheaper so you could spend it on cups, knockbox, distributor but the infuser would still put you under budget. I went with the infuser because you can adjust the temperature and you can pull manually or preset volume, which allows you to eliminate that variable for a consistent shot and you can see how your tamp/grind are as the program pulls 60mL (2oz) no matter what and so you can gauge what you need to do to dial that volume in for the proper extraction time. Downside is that if you want a naked portafilter then you gotta DIY or buy one from Aus for like $150, but I don’t think it’s a huge deal and if you do then maybe that’s where your extra budget could go. The pressure gauge is also nice although it won’t really tell you what you don’t already know from extraction time.

I can’t say this is the best machine for the price (although Seattle Coffee Gear did so take that as you will) but I can highly recommend it. I would get it over the Barista Express as the extra $50 for a dedicated grinder is totally worth it as it is more versatile and I’ve heard it’s a better grinder than the built in one. I also recommend it over the Gaggia. Although it does not have the modabilitiy of the Classic, it has most of the features that people mod the Gaggia for already, plus it uses a traditional steam arm instead of a panarello like the Gaggia, and has stainless steel lined thermocoil instead of aluminum thermoblock.

Overall would definitely recommend going separate grinder and machine no matter what.

So what you are going to gather here is that you aren't going to be able to obtain "espresso" for that price range. However, if your girlfriend likes strong coffee in milk there are other options that would get you there without breaking the bank.

For the coffee:

1. Aeropress: This is a very versatile tool that can be used to make a number of coffee styles including strong shots of concentrate to be added to milk. Lots of room to grow and try other styles as well as time goes on.
   
   
2. Moka Pot: Can be either stovetop or electric depending on what works best. These are super popular in europe and have been around for ages so they are generally time-tested. They also make strong, pressurized percolated coffee that can be added to milk drinks.
   
   For the grinder:
   
   Hand burr grinders from Hario or Porlex are great and have a good following. You can get a knockoff on amazon for a lot less but it may fall apart after a while. Depends on your estimated use.
   
   https://www.amazon.com/Hario-Skerton-Ceramic-Coffee-Mill/dp/B001802PIQ/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1480362440&sr=8-6&keywords=porlex
   
   For the milk:
   
   Frothing Pitcher: https://www.amazon.com/Gourmia-GMF215-Detachable-Stainless-Non-Stick/dp/B01MD0AAVJ/ref=sr_1_1?s=kitchen&ie=UTF8&qid=1480362139&sr=1-1-spons&keywords=frother&psc=1
   
   Frothing wand: https://www.amazon.com/Ikea-Milk-Frother-303-011-67-Black/dp/B013S27CLQ/ref=sr_1_9?s=kitchen&ie=UTF8&qid=1480362139&sr=1-9&keywords=frother
   
   
   
   Both of these together should get you where you need to go and make a nice gift bundle (maybe with some beans if you have a few bucks left over.
   
   I hear that the nespresso are ok but I really have to take a stand against the waste and concept. Putting together a bundle gives you a ton of flexibility and is a more thoughtful gift in my opinion.
   

This is the absolute best scale for the price. Very very accurate. An absolute must for dosing and measuring shots by volume. It’s the perfect size to fit under the spout as well.

My grind setting sits just under a 2. But, it will differ based on what coffee, how old, each machine individually, and so on. I’ve never had a shot time correctly courser then a 4.

The cone + toothpick this helped my shots 10 fold. It’s called re-distribution. Doing this help break up the clumps in the ground beans and makes sure that everything is more evenly distributed. Getting rid of the clumps helps + even distribution help fight against channeling.

The tamper feels much more comfortable in my hand and has a better weight to it. I feel like I can control it better then the cheap plastic tamper the machine came with.



scale

cone

tamper

Caveat: I'm an espresso noob, but think I'm sufficiently well informed to address this.

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Your OXO conical burr grinder is at the low and cheap end of espresso-capable grinder, so it will likely become the first upgrade. I don't know if the one in the Barista Express is better, but upgrading it will only be possible by upgrading the whole expensive device. There are other grinder-related arguments against machines with built-in grinders.

The New Classic Gaggia (Pro), one of which I recently purchased for $418 after discount from Whole Latte Love, comes with a plastic tamper which you should not use. I bought an Apexstone leveler for $18 which sits on a $10 mat and does close to a perfect job [See caveat]. It's one of the best entry level machines because it does the basics very well - pushing sufficiently hot water [See caveat] through coffee in a proper filter basket (i.e. not the pressurised filter) in a proper 58mm plated brass portafilter. It also comes with a proper steam wand which can be used shortly after a press of one of the three buttons which operate the machine, which is normal for a single boiler machine.

Most of the modifications discussed relate to the not-New/pro Classic (which does not preclude modifying the New/Pro Classic).

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Before buying I was also watching the price of the Breville BES840CBXL for a long time since it's competitively priced and looks much nicer, matching my the Smart Grinder Pro, however others' experience with the product and both my and others' experience with the manufacturer recommend the Gaggia. Note that the cheaper Breville grinder - the Dose Control Pro - is the better choice between the two for just espresso.

Completely off topic, but I just noticed your username. Do you work in the medical field? I'm a lab tech working nights in a smaller hospital.


The budget is going to get gnarly, especially if you buy things new.

I can tell you that setup I see recommended most often are the Baratza Vario (not W), the Crossland CC1, and a good scale, which is also probably one of the cheapest ways to do it. My wife and I also pretty much only use the same bean over and over again, so tuning it in between batches is pretty simple.

The scale in the grinder is a nifty feature, but it ends up giving your dose +/- .2 grams, whereas if you if you tune it in with a scale and the built in timer, you can get it down to smaller than +/- .1 gram. It may not seem like a big deal either way, but I use the same bean with the same dose over and over and over... So I feel like the added feature kind of goes to waste.

You can try different grinders like the Baratza Sette, which uses conical burrs vs the flat burrs of the Vario, but is new and unproven. There is also the Baratza Forte which is the older brother to the Vario and is supposed to resolve some of the flaws with the Vario. Your other grinder options are stepless (preferably doserless) grinders like the Fiorenzato, [Mazzer Mini]http://www.mazzer.com/en/grinder-dosers/mini/) (La Marzocco sells Mazzers, so there is that) and others that I can't remember at this point.

At the top of the home espresso machine market price wise is La Marzocco. Honestly, I think the only reason to get one of these would be to piss people off. Breville Dual Boiler(BES920XL), Rocket anything I guess, Rancilio Silvia + a PID kit, and others. I think a PID is a must have feature for any espresso machine.

I am by no means an expert in this topic, I'm just in the middle of researching an upgrade. I'm currently considering the Fiorenzato (because the name sounds cool. No really, I don't have a good reason for this. My Vario is more than sufficient, it just annoys me from time to time) and the Breville Dual Boiler (it's chock full of features and it has a bigger portafilter).

Congrats! I have the same machine (w/Sette 270) also bought second hand and it has served me very well. A few things that will help you with getting excellent shots consistently:

-Get a scale (if you don't have one already)! Preferably with .1 gr precision. This cheapo one I have isn't perfect but has worked for me: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B073TVC1N8/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

-Practice tamping on a bathroom scale (30lbs) so you can develop a feel for the right amount of pressure

-Grooming devices aren't crucial but I've found one to be helpful with distribution, here's an inexpensive one that's well-made: https://www.amazon.com/Coffee-Distributor-Leveler-tool-Distribution/dp/B077BZ4CV6/ref=sr_1_11_sspa?ie=UTF8&qid=1538574694&sr=8-11-spons&keywords=espresso+tamper&psc=1

-Use fresh coffee, ideally no more than 2 weeks off roast. The more espresso you make the more you'll see the impact that freshness of the beans has on the resulting appearance, texture and taste.

-If you really want to get nerdy then buy a bottomless portafilter (I found mine cheaper on eBay). They are unforgiving of grinding/tamping issues and will give you an indication when something is off.

Have fun and enjoy the coffee!

What a steal! I got mine for $250 and considered it a good deal.

1. Nice start with the descaling.
   
   
2. Now I'm going to tell you to spend money. I just outfitted a Silvia myself so everything linked should be available and compatible.
   
   

• You need a good grinder. I bought the Breville smart grinder pro because I couldn't afford anything nicer. It works well, but there is a large gap between grind settings (~6-7ml difference when brewing for 30s) and the grinds do come out a little clumped.
  
  
• Clean your machine. I bought a blind basked and Cafiza cleaning tablets which work well.
  
  
• a bottomless protafilter has helped me get my technique down.
  
  
• Get good fresh coffee to practice. You can't dial in with an old bag of supermarket coffee. Go to a coffee shop you like and get a shot and buy some beans. Then go home and dial in until your shot tastes like the one at the shop.
  
  
• Steaming milk with Mrs. Silvia takes some practice. Buy and extra gallon and practice. You will get the hang of it after a few tries.
  
  

3. what /u/tricross mentioned
   
   links to the things mentioned
   
   https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002G40VNO/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
   
   https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01NAAJRH1/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
   
   https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06ZZ24BH2/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
   
   https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00OXGXW8O/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
   
   https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01MY2EB10/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o09_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

No worries! Are you getting the flair or are you weighing options. The flair is definitely nice because you can produce some pretty amazing shots for not an incredible amount of money, but it is definitely a commitment. What budget are you wanting to stick with for a grinder? Scales can be pretty cheap. I will attach the link to a good starter one that is portable and fits under the flair pro.

GDEALER DS1 Digital Pocket Kitchen Multifunction Food Scale for Bake Jewelry Weight, 0.001oz/0.01g 500g, Tare, Stainless Steel, Backlit Display, Silver https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01E6RE3A0/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_Ua8HDbK32A2TD

Oh my gosh the Ninja is terrible. Classic example of "tries to do everything, succeeds at nothing".

Breville machines are a pain in the butt to deal with repair-wise (it's like a cell phone, ship everything back to headquarters) but while they are working they have a lot of features for a pretty good price. Unfortunately still above your price range though. This is the Breville grinder-integrated unit (still requires the user to do manual tamp and portafilter extraction):

https://www.amazon.com/Breville-BES870XL-Barista-Express-Espresso/dp/B00CH9QWOU/

Super automatics aren't necessarily pricey-pricey, but obviously the nice ones are. However, even the cheaper ones (Saeco XSmall, Gaggia Brera) are unfortunately above your $300 limit. Whole Latte Love has a refurb XSmall super-automatic for $199:

https://www.wholelattelove.com/refurbished-saeco-x-small-v2-espresso-machine

So that grinds, makes espresso, but the frothing isn't automatic, so they'd have to get their own milk pitcher in there.

> I've thought about getting a mini scale and weighing the beans and manually pulling shots and weighing my product

Yes, you need to do all of that before you worry about getting a better grinder. I have also have a Barista Express. Getting a scale and weighing the dose and yield made a huge difference. I got this cheap one which is often recommended on this sub, and it works great. I single-dose the BE's grinder; I found that was much easier than weighing the filled portafilter. The BE's grinder has a couple of grams of retention, but the retention is pretty constant, so single-dosing a weighed amount of beans will give you a reasonably consistent dose.

Once I got my scale, I could see the limitations of the BE's grinder, especially that the steps were way too far apart. With a constant dose, one step would give me a gusher, and the next finer step would choke the machine. I had to vary the dose in addition to the grind to get get a good extraction.

I eventually gave up on the BE's grinder, and I got a Kinu M47 hand grinder. It was a huge improvement. But a new grinder would have been a waste of money if I hadn't gotten a scale first.

If you look around for a bit on Amazon and wait for a warehouse deal to pop up, you can find a Barista Express for around $325 in "Used - Acceptable" condition (which normally just means it has no box and some scratches). Here is the page to look at.

I got one a while ago for that price. It has a grinder built in and is a good machine. The grinder isn't the best and the machine is just entry level, but for the price I don't think you can find anything that can get an OK shot for that price.

Amazon has a 4 year extended warranty through Assurion for like $30 as well if you care about those things.

It may be below your budget, but I've been very happy with a Rancilio Rocky for espresso. I love that it can grind a single dose at a time, because I make 2-4 shots total on a typical day.

https://www.amazon.com/Rancilio-HSD-ROC-SD-Espresso-Coffee-Grinder/dp/B00H1OUW24

It's weighty and won't move around, and the grind settings are adequate.

Help you learn. You can see exactly what's going on with your shots. Also, it's just cool.

I have this tamp but I'll probably upgrade to a precision. It's a solid cheap option, though:

Tamper - Espresso Tamper - mm... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07NJ8MGWZ?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

And then this leveler:

Coffee Tamper Coffee... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07M986PM7?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

Since I'm in Amazon, you're gonna want to pick up some descaler. There's probably a cheaper option but this is what's recommended by Gaggia:

Gaggia Decalcifier Descaler... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01IABPSNY?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

Then some cafiza to back flush:

Urnex Espresso Machine Cleaning... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001418KNS?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

If you're buying used, I'd highly recommend pulling the boiler apart to make sure it's not super gross and just soak it in descaler.

I've never used a knockbox, but I agree with the rest. Also:

A small, digital scale in grams. Besides the grind's coarseness, accuracy and consistency are key.

If you're making milk drinks, a pitcher. Milk poured to the crease in the middle is perfect for a (6 oz) capp.

A thermometer for steaming milk, if you don't yet trust your instincts (I don't).

A blind basket for back flushing and cleaning.

Caffiza for occasional deep cleaning.

Nice-to-have: A vacuum sealed coffee canister so that beans stay fresher a bit longer.

Our favorite cups: Cremaware

I have been lurking around this sub for months researching my first espresso machine. The gist of what I found is:

• super automatics don’t produce quality espresso and are not worth the hassle (too much work to clean and maintain)
  
  
• Gaggia classic is the entry level in espresso machines. Anything below that won’t give you decent espresso no matter what.
  
  https://www.amazon.com/Gaggia-14101-Semi-Automatic-Pannarello-Cappuccino/dp/B0001KOA4Q/
  
  
  
• you need a good grinder (with burrs not blades) and good beans (fresh roast and fresh ground).
  
  Welcome to the rabbit hole of espresso drinks :)
  
  Edit for formatting and adding link to Gaggia Classic.

I got the Brewista Smart Scale II about a week ago and am loving it so far! It has 0.1g precision, is water resistant + has a removable silicone cover, a built-in timer, and a bunch of fancy auto-tare/time modes if that's your thing. I definitely wanted a built-in timer as using my phone stopwatch or whatever sounded like kind of a pain over a 5+ year period. Others might feel differently, and some choose not to time at all, but I'm a believer.

Like I said I'm only a week in so I can't really comment on longevity. However I am extremely happy with it and can't imagine I'll feel the need to upgrade to a Lunar anytime soon if ever.

Even a barebones setup that will be frustrating to use is something like this:

https://www.amazon.com/Gaggia-14101-Semi-Automatic-Pannarello-Cappuccino/dp/B0001KOA4Q - Gaggia Classic ($400)

https://www.amazon.com/Baratza-Sette-Conical-Coffee-Grinder/dp/B01G82WVZ0 - Sette 270 ($379)

Not exactly your $600 window, but not insanely far off.

While it's a decent first machine... the Gaggia Classic, IMO, is frustrating to use...but can make a good espresso shot here and there, but will, in general, not be able to make shots back to back or steam at the same time as making a shot (and honestly not even for a minute or so after very well) and the steam tip is not great...and the portafilter that comes with it is frustrating.

You can do some modifications to the Gaggia Classic to make it better - the ones that come to mind are the Silvia V1 steam wand, a bottomless pressureless portafilter, and a PID to reduce the temperature surfing. These all require more money, time, and skill on your part to mod your machine into something that is significantly better than the out of the box experience.

There's really no way around it that good espresso requires funding. Your local (good) coffee shop probably has a $1500-2750 grinder (or two) and a $9000-18000 espresso machine.... along with all the water filtration and miscellaneous hardware that goes with it.

I never got any splashing. I do have a pretty strict workflow though.

I single dose into my MonFlat into a LW blind shaker then I distribute into my basket and use a distribution tool ( https://www.amazon.com/Coffee-Distributor-Leveler-tool-Distribution/dp/B077BZ4CV6/ref=sr_1_4?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1540521611&sr=1-4&keywords=distribution+tool) and then a eazytamp to ensure consistent pressure.

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With all of the above I get zero issues from my first naked shot: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0dwE995wNV8

Yes this shot is WAY too fast this was my first shot. It only gets better from here :)

​

I have a delonghi ec680. Certainly not high end when it comes to espresso, but I've modified it to be an unpressurized basket, which for me was the most important thing, and I make great shots with it. If you're willing to put in some effort, and are not afraid to take things completely apart, there's a mod for the machine, where you can replace the panerello wand with a rancillio Silvia wand. Just another option to consider.

Ec680- here
Ec680 steam arm mod- here

This is helpful, thanks. Right now I'm developing my taste for straight espresso with no milk or sweetener (and really enjoying it!), and I'm having trouble replicating good, local coffeeshop espresso with what I can do at home with my Delonghi EC680M Dedica (with a random Mr. Coffee non-pressurized filter that I found fits) and my Virtuoso grinder.

I suppose it's not at all surprising that my results with my current setup aren't great haha. So that's why I'm thinking of upgrading things

I don't know where you live, but in the US the "good" version is still on the market. As others have said, apparently Whole Latte Love sells it and so does Amazon (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0001KOA4Q/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1).

I literally just got mine from Amazon 3 days ago and it is the RI9303 (model 14101). It has the aluminum boiler, 3-way solenoid, and over pressure valve (I opened it up to be sure). The "bad" version is the RI9403... which from everything I have read, is only sold in Europe.

As a comparison, here is the RI9403 (https://www.amazon.co.uk/Gaggia-New-Classic-Brushed-Chrome/dp/B00SBLMICS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1421526213&sr=8-1&keywords=RI9403). Notice on the RI9403 the different control buttons, the plastic portafilter spouts, and the lack of the solenoid drain tube on the left side that you can clearly see on the US version (RI9303).

Have this one and it works great.

I did have to order a replacement though as the first came miscalibrated (probably due to a fall during shipping). To avoid that, it may be beneficial to order a scale that includes a calibration weight, like this one.

I have the Smart Grinder Pro as a separate unit, I love it, grinds so perfectly

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00OXGXW8O/ref=oh_aui_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

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This one is perfectly small enough (I have it), just wait for it to be on sale so you can nab it aorund 70 :) https://www.amazon.co.uk/Brewista-BSSRB2-Smart-Scale-II/dp/B01N3U7RKH

complete agree. i use this one, i like the form factor better than the one you posted just because the display is always visible.

don't need a fancy scale, although having a timer built in would be nice...

I know OP said they were in Brazil, but I bought this leveler the other day for my duo pro

Coffee Distributor 53mm,Espresso Distribution Tool,Coffee Distributor Tool,Espresso Distributor,Coffee Distributor Leveler https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07CPRBS8C/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_0iwEDbWH47W64

It’s awesome

I live in NYC. There are many awesome espresso places here and probably more concentration of roasters than in most other parts of the US(?). However I can't find anything smaller than 12 oz bags.

Here is my setup:

• Nuova Simonelli Oscar Pour Over Espresso Coffee Machine
  
• I grind with the Rancilio Rocky
  
• I store my beans in a Coffeevac 1/2 lb

I have a couple of this AWS scale and they're excellent. Same thickness as OP's scale and have been absolute workhorses for about 3 years now. Every time I'm about ready to pull the trigger on a Lunar, I realize it won't be 20x better than the one I already have so I just keep using them.

I use this measuring cup and this scale. I weigh the beans going into the grinder. I measure the espresso coming out by setting the scale on the drip tray, putting the little plastic cover that came with the scale on top to protect it from spray/overflow, and then put the cup on top of that. With my bottomless portafilter, there's more than enough room.

Thanks! Here you go!

Vario 886 Grinder

Pocket scale

Distributor

Dosing Funnel

Espro calibrated tamper VST 58.35 Flat

Grindenstein Knock box

Presto timer

18g VST portafilter basket

IMS E61 shower screen

E61 thermometer

A different model than the other American Weigh Scale, the American Weigh Scales AMW-SC-2KG has the same range and capacity as the Coffee Gear scale and is ~$21. It receives lots of mentions for coffee use, lots of folk like them, some report easy to break or issues with accurate weights.

These work. Not as fast as some, but you can very good results with a little practice.

American Weigh Scales AMW-SC-2KG Digital Pocket Scale

https://www.amazon.com/American-Weigh-Scales-AMW-SC-2KG-Digital/dp/B001RF3XJ2

(edited for typo)

This has been great for me. Small and simple.
American Weigh Scale Ac-650 Digital Pocket Gram Scale, Black, 650 G X 0.1 G

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0026KXU7W/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I bought the Infuser espresso machine and the breville grinder http://www.amazon.com/Breville-BCG820BSSXL-Grinder-Brushed-Stainless/dp/B00OXGXW8O/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1457080106&sr=8-1&keywords=breville+grinder

Total of about 600 or so after a coupon I used at Seattle Coffee Gear (local here)


Have had it for about a month now, and no complaints. I had a delonghi EC155 for a year and the grinder + infuser feels like an actual espresso setup. I figure I'll end up spending a good 1-1.5k after I outgrow this setup in a few years but it's a nice stepping stone.

I used a DeLonghi Dedica for three years and loved it.

https://www.amazon.com/Delonghi-EC680M-Espresso-Machine-Stainless/dp/B00KA8YC6A

Very small footprint

I got this one off of Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00KRR4K2K/ref=oh_aui_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I'm not sure if there are better or cheaper options available elsewhere, though!

I have a Gaggia Classic, used this for years, works perfect. You can opt out of having the handle and hook it up to a power drill too. Under 50 usd:

https://www.amazon.com/Hario-Skerton-Ceramic-Coffee-Mill/dp/B001802PIQ

Yeah I was meaning with the bottomless you have more room under the portafilter to fit a scale. I have this scale and a bottomless on my Gaggia Classic and it fits.

I have had the same setup for about 10 months. Depending on the beans you get, you will experience clumping. Look up the WDT method for clumping.

This tamper works perfectly.

https://www.amazon.com/LuxHaus-53mm-Calibrated-Espresso-Tamper/dp/B01MUXN53U

This distribution tool made my shots improve.

https://www.amazon.com/Coffee-Distributor-Espresso-Distribution-Leveler/dp/B07CPRBS8C

If I could only give you one tip for that machine, it would be to never descale it. The solenoid valves in Breville's machines for whatever reason, after being descaled start rattling, chattering, buzzing. Basically they start to go bad.

Yep! I use this scale on my drip tray as it goes to fractions of a gram and fits under the portafilter with a little ceramic bowl on top:
http://www.amazon.com/American-Weigh-0-01g-Digital-Scale/dp/B0012LOQUQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1421508338&sr=8-1&keywords=scale+aws

Looks like they have a new one out, but I haven't used that one. http://www.amazon.com/American-Weigh-Scales-Digital-BL-1KG-BLK/dp/B0012N1NAA/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1421508353&sr=8-2&keywords=scale+aws

What's your water source? Hard water could lend itself to a salty taste.

Your machine might also need cleaning. Try running some vinegar through a few times then rinse it with water a few times maybe. Cafiza cleaning powder is even better.

Most likely it's the extraction though, like /u/hifideo said. Try adjusting dose, grind, time/water, and tamping pressure. You want it coming out like honey and to stop even after the stream turns blonde.

I saw another user bought this, which seems nice and not out of my price range. Do you have a rec?

Yep, 50/50. I use a Gibraltar glass which you can get from Amazon here. It's a 4.5oz drink. I pull a 36g shot from 18g of espresso and shoot for 25-30s extraction just like almost all other drinks (20-24s is too sour for me).

Not sure about tips but here are some things that come to mind:

• I stir the espresso shot to break up and redistribute the crema
  
• My beans are ~2 weeks off roast
  
• I use a 12 8oz milk pitcher and fill it a little less than half way. So I do waste milk when I make cortados, but if you don't have sufficient milk in the pitcher, you can't submerge your steam wand.
  
• I stretch the milk only for a second or so and then just continue to whirlpool/heat. Milk doesn't need to be super hot since the drink is so small

American Weigh Scales AMW-SC-2KG Digital Pocket Scale https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001RF3XJ2/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_HRf2BbW9J0VJ3

Its a bit more expensive than when I bought it. Still well worth the money.

Looks like they just released a dosing funnel for the Breville 54mm now, too!

https://www.amazon.com/Espresso-Dosing-Funnel-Breville-Portafilter/dp/B081R2CH7M/ref=sr_1_12?keywords=54mm+dosing+funnel&qid=1574537042&sr=8-12

Because it is just you that is making the coffee, you might want to consider a hand grinder. These take longer to do the job, but they can output the control needed for quality espresso. Porlex, Hario, Lido, and others are available. You should be able to adjust the grind to get the flow of the espresso to be correct.

https://www.amazon.com/Hario-Skerton-Ceramic-Coffee-Mill/dp/B001802PIQ/ref=sr_1_4?keywords=hario+coffee+hand+grinder&qid=1562606990&s=home-garden&sr=1-4

You'll get better-quality shots (and milk) out of a semi-automatic than a superautomatic. If you're set on an all-in-one solution, have a look at the Breville Barista BES870XL

I had some channeling issues myself and found that the $20 distributor/leveler tool has really helped. I use it before ramp to make sure the puck is really evenly distributed before tamp


Coffee Distributor/Leveler tool https://www.amazon.com/dp/B077BZ4CV6?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

This doesn't have a tamp on the other side, but I use this cheaper 53mm distributor with my Breville Barista Express and Niche Zero combo. I just set the depth so it distributes and tamps. I haven't had a bad shot since getting this. Its definitely helped and sped up the process. Now I just need to get a 53mm cup for the niche zero and I'm set.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07CPRBS8C/ref=dp_cerb_1

This one is showing in stock with positive reviews for Breville 54mm products! I just ordered one.

Edit: no tamper on this one, but we all have one already...right?

The plastic tray that comes with this one allows you to put the whole portafilter plus basket on top.

American Weigh Scales SC Series Digital Pocket Weight Scale, Silver, 2000G, 2KG x 0.1 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001RF3XJ2/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_0Y.lDbSDA802E

Looks like a variant of this, which is a decent scale but doesn't have a built in timer.

Brewista is also a solid choice https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N3U7RKH/

Funnel: 54mm Espresso Dosing Funnel/Ring, Fits 54mm Breville Portafilter

Distributor: Coffee Distributor 53mm,Espresso Distribution Tool

Here is the basket I previously used-non pressurized, I believe.

This is the bottomless I bought, now using the basket that came with it (in the same style as the one I'm currently using)

Use this one every day

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0012N1NAA?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title

Why not both, for cheaper?

American Weigh Scales AMW-SC-2KG Digital Pocket Scale https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001RF3XJ2/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_bs-OCbMX92F8E

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0026KXU7W/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B00CH9QWOU/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awdb_t1_te7ZDbNHXQQYP

This is the one I have

I think you are thinking of this version

Is this the BES870XL?

Unbelieveable deal at $450

Got mine on amazon.

What I am using since starting my collection over the last 14 months:

Tamper

Tamping mat

Distribution tool

Decent Pitchers (got the 3 set)

My Weight Scale

Bottomless Portafilter for Gaggia Classic

What grinder are you using? That is something you should consider investing money in more-so than anything else.

Libbey Gibraltar/Cortado glasses from Amazon

This is the one I use for my breville dual boiler. Coffee Distributor/Leveler tool, Coffee Distributor 58mm, Coffee Distribution Tool https://www.amazon.com/dp/B077BZ4CV6/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_6Wz7BbZK2D2S6

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07JG1PXLC/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

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https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B077BZ4CV6/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I use this one:

Coffee Distributor/Leveler tool, Coffee Distributor 58mm, Coffee Distribution Tool https://www.amazon.com/dp/B077BZ4CV6/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_D9YADbA3TCPAB

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07CPRBS8C/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o09_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

alternative:

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https://www.amazon.com/Espresso-Coffee-Distributor-Leveler-Black/dp/B07S4Q179B

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edit:

an even cheaper one

Not quite the same scale as pictured (but I bet it is the same internals)

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07PLXTYCN/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o07_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I think the picture is the same leveler I bought:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B077BZ4CV6/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

And since I was uncertain about leveling vs tamping at the time:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01MTJ9224/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

All three items are doing exactly what I want.