bonati wrote:What does everyone think about the "capsule" system that some machines use? Is this considered "cheatin'"? The couple I stayed with in Spain used these and they made a really nice cup, with the color of the capsule corresponding to the strength of the espresso. Very simple and clean, and ready to drink in a few minutes.

read this.

rancilio sylvia and rocky (grinder).

capsule machines are cheating, and you will get reamed on the coffee, not to mention you have limited choices for coffee as well.

get a good burr grinder, a good pump driven coffee machine, and learn how to make good coffee and cappuchino, it is not that hard. there are a shit-ton of resources available online for guidance.

This may also prove useful, perhaps.

I recommend this one -- the Nuova Simonelli Master.

It is maybe a little bit expensive.

Instead of getting a new consumer model, I suggest that instead you get a small, used commercial model, due to the fact that build quality is much higher. Look in your favorite coffee houses to see what brands that they're using, and ask around on where you can get one used. --Gaggia seems to be a fairly comon brand, though.

El Protoolio wrote:The Barista from Starbucks is one of the best home machines I have ever used. Sorry but it's the truth.

i second this... they go on sale every year (march maybe?) and you can get them for under $400... it's the best home machine i've used for the money...

I have this one.

It makes a helluva Mocha Bullshit.

JeremyLemos wrote:

El Protoolio wrote:The Barista from Starbucks is one of the best home machines I have ever used. Sorry but it's the truth.

i second this... they go on sale every year (march maybe?) and you can get them for under $400... it's the best home machine i've used for the money...

I third this, if you can get it on sale just as Jeremy and I have. These machines are made by Saeco and are adequate.

If not, you might spend another hundred bucks or so and get the Rancilio Silvia. They are supposed to be noticeably better than the Baristas.

I also second the importance of a good burr grinder. The Rancilio Rocky will cost as much as a cheapish home machine, but it's absolutely worth it. I should have bought one a long time ago.

I am hearing a lot of good comments about this Starbucks machine, will continue to read up on it. Nice to know it is made by Saeco too - bonus points!

The only thing that really appealed to me about the pod system was the speed and lack of mess. I actually didn't mind this system at all when I was in Spain, but maybe their "pod quality" is much higher than here? Remember, I am making this purchase for my studio, so the objective would be to ask clients if they wanted a coffee and then pow pow pow have some served up. I don't want to derail a session for too long just to fuck around with a coffee machine.

I have enjoyed reading everyone's recipes for these batshit crazy drinks with coke and vanilla over ice and etc etc but honestly I want nothing to do with that scene. I just want a machine that will make a simple, small "traditional" cup of espresso.

And maybe it could have a USB port so I could connect it to our network and download coffee everyday. The future!

bonati wrote:The only thing that really appealed to me about the pod system was the speed and lack of mess. I actually didn't mind this system at all when I was in Spain, but maybe their "pod quality" is much higher than here? Remember, I am making this purchase for my studio, so the objective would be to ask clients if they wanted a coffee and then pow pow pow have some served up. I don't want to derail a session for too long just to fuck around with a coffee machine.

I have had espresso from pod machines, and it is good, not great. it is dead nuts simple and almost mess-free. I just think it is fun to experiment with different coffees, to see how the espresso tastes different based on different beans. the pods do not offer as much variety in the beans. But if you want to pull a drinkable half-decent double shot, and you don't want to learn all the niceties of grinding, tamping, etc, then yeah, get a pod machine.

I think you will find most folks want capuccino or latte, not straight espresso, tho. I am rarely in an espresso mood, but I can always go for a cappuchino. So, I suspect you will want a machine that can froth milk too.