I want a little and cheap espresso machine

[Liz Wolf-Spada]

I bought a little Mr. Coffee and it doesn't work. The frothing arm doesn't steam or heat up. I've tried two different grounds of coffee. I'm disappointed and taking it back to Target on Wed. What suggestions do my fellow Tuggers have? It needs to be small (no room for much on our overcrowded counter), doesn't have to make more than one or two cups at a time and should be EASY to use.
Thanks,
Liz

 

[Nobylspoon]

I lived in Italy for 3 years and I noticed that most Italian families dont use machines for their espresso they use a french press. I picked one up for about $15 and it makes the best espresso. If you want steamed milk with it they also have something similar thats about the same price that froths the milk.

http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/product.asp?order_num=-1&SKU=113088&RN=831

http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/product.asp?order_num=-1&SKU=14703217

As far as grounds I highly recommend Illy or Manuel.

 

[ricoba]

Look on LA Craigslist, I see people selling theirs fairly frequently.

 

[Ginny]

I like that this espresso machine has a reasonable price, $80, and small footprint, while still having the DeLonghi name and is pump-driven, rather than steam driven. I'm not terribly fussy, but like a strong cup of coffee. I don't use the frothing arm.


http://www.target.com/DeLonghi-Driv...d-browse=1038576&rh=k:espresso machine&page=2

 

[stevedmatt]

Just had espresso from my moka pot tonight and it was as good as ever. If you do decide to go this route, be sure to use a medium heat, not high, when brewing the espresso. Some bitterness occurs when you brew it too fast. I think this is the best and cheapest method for making espresso.

 

[Liz Wolf-Spada]

One of my concerns about the French Press is that the ones I have seen are aluminum and that didn't seem like a good idea with something as acidic as coffee. Or are the newer ones stainless? I do want something to also froth milk. What is the difference between using a pump and the other way, like my Mr. Coffee? A friend has an old Salton which works great, but it is an old one.
Thanks,
Liz

 

[Jbart74]

Free Machine!!

Liz,

I have a Krupps Il Primo Espresso/Cappacino machine that is tiny, makes 2.5 cups at a time, and froths some mean milk. Well, it did last time I used it about 2 years ago. Do you want it? It takes up less space than a dinner plate and if you're interested, it's yours. Send me a PM with your address and I'll get it off to you by Thursday. If you don't like it, throw it away. I was about to because we just don't drink the bean anymore.

 

[Ginny]

I think having a pump-driven machine controls the temperature and pressure of the water better, which is important in extracting the flavor and oils from the beans.

Here's a wikipedia article about espresso, which explains the brewing process.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Espresso

 

[Liz Wolf-Spada]

Thanks, John. I sent you a PM.
Liz

 

[falmouth3]

Liz,

I have a Krupps Il Primo Espresso/Cappacino machine that is tiny, makes 2.5 cups at a time, and froths some mean milk. Well, it did last time I used it about 2 years ago. Do you want it? It takes up less space than a dinner plate and if you're interested, it's yours. Send me a PM with your address and I'll get it off to you by Thursday. If you don't like it, throw it away. I was about to because we just don't drink the bean anymore.

Wow. That was very generous of you!

I joined my local Freecycle group and people are giving away good stuff that they can't use anymore. One person was giving away a working 16 cu. ft. refrigerator, including delivery. People can be so nice!

Sue

 

[Conan]

These are used in Italy and are cheap to buy - - not actually espresso but the coffee is very similar, since the water passes through the grounds bottom-to-top as steam. I don't know if they're commonly made of steel vs. aluminum.

 

[silvib]

The coffee machine shown above is great! We used one like that all the time we were living in Spain. Obviously it doesn't have anything for frothing milk. Now I have a small Mr. Coffee expresso which has been great, but you get the best results with the coffee that is ground especially for expresso machines. I use La Llave which is very nice. It's popular in FL at least with those with a hispanic taste in coffee, it's not bitter and full of flavor.

 

[Nobylspoon]

These are used in Italy and are cheap to buy - - not actually espresso but the coffee is very similar, since the water passes through the grounds bottom-to-top as steam. I don't know if they're commonly made of steel vs. aluminum.

That is just what I was refering to in my post. You will find one of these in every home in Italy, sitting within an arms reach of a bottle of grappa of course