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Recommendations for first espresso machine
(lemmy.sdf.org)
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this post was submitted on 24 Jun 2023
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Does your existing grinder do espresso? if not you may need to also factor that in.
Another factor is whether you're okay with a manual machine that can't froth milk. (E.g., Flair, Uniterra Nomad, Wacaco Picopresso, Cafelat Robot). If you're just doing straight espresso or you don't mind picking up a separate milk frothing device like a nonfoamer, this can save you quite a bit over a machine with a boiler and pump. However, the workflow will probably be more fuss.
For a full machine sub $500 I think a lot of folks go for something like the Breville Bambino or the Gaggia Classic. Some modding may be required for best results on the Classic.
(My espresso setup is an 1zpresso J-Max and Uniterra Nomad)
I currently have a Timemore C3. It can do espresso, but I'll probably need to buy something else later.
I don't mind having a separate frother. Honestly, I'd prefer it, since it gives me more modularity and I can just upgrade one part later if I need to. But I don't really like the idea of a manual machine.
Do you know where I should look to buy these?
Breville machines, anywhere you would buy a home appliance, probably, they're a pretty ubiquitous kitchen machine brand. Something like a Gaggia Classic you'd probably be looking at a distributor that handles them; there are several, but I don't know if any are better than the others.
You can definitely also find such machines used, lots of entry level espresso machines are given as gifts to folks who later decide they don't really want to fuss around with them.