New Espresso Machine?

[PhotoNic69]

Hi People,
Looking at getting a new coffee machine. I just had some unexpected money. Decided to spend around £800 max on Espresso machine and grinder.

Two choices. Gaggia or Sage. Gaggia are bombproof but also very manual in operation. Anyone with experience of these things?

Personally I'll be having Espressos or Americanos. Wife/Daughter will be having Lattes.

 

[briantrumpet]

Hi People,
Looking at getting a new coffee machine. I just had some unexpected money. Decided to spend around £800 max on Espresso machine and grinder.

Two choices. Gaggia or Sage. Gaggia are bombproof but also very manual in operation. Anyone with experience of these things?

Personally I'll be having Espressos or Americanos. Wife/Daughter will be having Lattes.

Actually, that's not a bad idea, as I've just been given a generous Amazon token from colleagues on my retirement from school. Espressos only required.

 

[Jameshow]

Road bike... 🤣

 

[VinSumRox]

I looked at all the fancy ones when my De.Longhi Magnifica died, but ended up with another the same , as once you set it up you only have to press the button to make a cup, no fiddling about!

 

[Profpointy]

A number of years ago I was going to buy one, and as they are quite expensive did a load of reading up on coffee geek websites. The common advice was to spend anything up to half the budget on the grinder. I duly bought a secondhand Mazzer grinder (as found in coffee shops) and used it with my Italian mokka pot for a bit intending to get the machine proper later on. A decade later I still haven't got the machine. Anyhow I'm not saying don't get the machine as stove top pots still aren't quite espresso, but just to add weight to the importance of a good quality burr grinder which really does make a difference

I would still like a machine though !

Another thought is an all-in-one machine (presumably?) can't grind up coffee to take away on holiday and such, and also you have all your eggs in one basket if half-of-it dies

 

[Dorset Boy]

We treated outselves to a Sage Oracle Jet last autumn, outside your budget, but an impressive machine. Very happy with it.

 

[PhotoNic69]

I'm liking the look of this:

Gaggia Classic 2024 E24 Evo PRO SS with MDF-55 Grinder

 

[accountantpete]

I waded through lots of pretentious reviews and realised my taste buds were not that super refined.

So I got a lightly used DeLonghi Magnifica during lockdown for £50 and a separate Sage grinder - the grinder didn't make much difference to my taste so that went but the Magnifica is still doing sterling service.

 

[Bonefish Blues]

I'm liking the look of this:

Gaggia Classic 2024 E24 Evo PRO SS with MDF-55 Grinder

The machine as it's delivered is at 15 bar. There's a widely-held view that this needs to be reduced to 9 bar to make good espresso. Search will give the details.

The Sage machines have a very good reputation as an all-in-one solution.

 

[Tenkaykev]

We have a Melitta bean to cup machine gifted to us by our son. It has been perfect for us as it doesn't take up too much space on the worktop and the coffee it brews is excellent. ( neither of us take milk ). We also have a few Sage appliances in the kitchen and again, excellent ease of use and build quality. Wife is in London for a few weeks, staying with our son, he has a few " Ninja " appliances and my wife is impressed with them too. I suppose it all boils down to how much " work " you want to do with preparing the coffee, I'm more of a button push person, but I can understand the enjoyment of the coffee making ritual.

 

[si_c]

The Gaggia Classic is a nice espresso machine. Yes it's quite manual but I enjoy that aspect of making coffee so it wouldn't put me off.

It's under budget so you could spend the remainder on a grinder...

 

[Drago]

800 sheets! You could buy a helluva lot of Aldi own brand instant for that sort of lolly.

 

[newts]

We have the Sage Barista Pro, been using for 4 years. Use the grinder (on a coarse setting) to take coffee for the aeropress when away for a few days. The machine itself makes great coffee, but it is a learning curve to get grind size correct for good espresso. Once you have it sussed it make a great cup to suit your palate. There is a youtube channel Hoons coffee https://youtube.com/@hoonscoffee?si=g2gs0DisUyYkC_86
Very informative videos.

 

[fossyant]

800 sheets! You could buy a helluva lot of Aldi own brand instant for that sort of lolly.

Instant ! Wash your mouth out.

 

[si_c]

Instant ! Wash your mouth out.

Sounds as though he's been drinking mouthwash already.