I dont post a lot here, but I do read a lot of them, and I know there’s a bunch of people who love and know a lot about all things food. Our faithful espresso machine crapped out after 7 years. It was nothing fancy, an older Krups Novo. It made some good espresso every day and multiple times a day on the weekend. I’m using a stovetop one now, but I would like a new machine. Any suggestions for a midrange semiautomatic machine would be appreciated?
Is mid-range $500-1000?
I used to use a machine but I found that the Billetti stove top is my favorite.
Thanks euge, I didnt really specify $s. 500-1000 budget is what i would consider midrange for just the machine, no grinder. Our original was cheaper, but I would like a better one.
I also use the stovetop model. Makes a nice 16oz mug of espresso. 
Ha! no kidding I usually make a double on the machine every morning before work. I like the stovetop too, but my wife’s not so into it…our stovetop model makes 6…its a shame to waste it…so I have to drink it. :o
This is one of those weird questions that come to mind after reading the subject line “Espresso Machines” in a homebrewing forum…
What would happen (what would the result be) if you put hops (pellets would work best, I think) in your espresso machine and extracted tea at 9 bars pressure (is it 9?). Would it be a bittering tea, a flavor tea, or an aroma tea?
Follow up question: What would be an ideal use for this hop tea? Throw in boil, throw in at end, throw in fermenter or secondary, or use as a randalizer type situation in serving vessel?
has anyone ever tried any of this? Someone call Calagione. :)
Automatic, semi or manual?
This site has a lot of good info: http://www.seattlecoffeegear.com/
I have two espresso machines sitting in my garage. They have been modified to pour cold beer through the portafilter. We used them at the conferences in Oakland and San Diego, and will again at the conference in Seattle.
In one we pour a stout through coffee grounds and straight into the cup, but it gets pretty foamy because the pump is running (but the boiler is disconnected).
In the other we pour an IPA through hops and into the glass. This one comes out much less foamy - it’s a different machine that lets you push the beer through with just CO2 pressure. We found that whole hops work much better than pellets, the pellets clog too easily. There is a definite impact of pouring the beer through the hops, although it is fairly small which isn’t that surprising considering the short contact time.
Not exactly what you are talking about, but still cool. 
Yes, cool. I just can’t believe I hadn’t thought of it before.
Would like to see it in Seattle, but DOH! Waiting List.
Sheer beer geekery.
Thats a good site. Was just checking it out. Thanks for the info. Im looking for a semi automatic. Although I would love a manual one, that’s not just making an espresso, thats an art and far beyond me.
Now I know what I’ll be doing with our old machine. I’ll just put in on top of the Sanyo fridge that’s been waiting in my garage for over a year waiting for me to make a kegerator out of it….
;D
At some point it will float to the top of the priority list. Or you’ll throw it out. 
I had that coffee stout at club night 2010. It was really good.
I know that craigslist in my local area always has coffee shop equipment listed…you may be able to score a deal on something there.
for actual Brands, I own a Rancilio Silvia. I got it with the grinder and some other stuff (it was a gift set) for $1000, but the machine itself was about $600. I have had it for about 2 1/2 years, and it is still going very strong. It pulls a great standard shot or double, and I haven’t had any issues with the boiler or pump malfunctioning. We did have 1 small problem with the boiler not heating up, but it was an emergency switch that occasionally flips if you leave the boiler on too long, and the fix was simply pushing a button with a screwdriver.
I bought it from www.wholelattelove.com, which has a lot of good information and useful reviews.
Craigslist is great. Thats where I bought the Sanyo fridge I mentioned…and the one I use for fermentation…and a bunch of other stuff. I didnt think about equipment from coffee shops. I’ll have to check it out. I’m a little leary about buying some bigger items. I’m afraid of getting burned.
Thanks for the info. That’s one of the machines I am really considering. Is it as particular with the grind as some of the reviews say? I have burr grinder but its not that good. I’m afraid of the slippery slope thing. First its low end machine, then a better machine, then a better grinder……manual espresso maker…roasting own coffee…growing own “ingredients”….Wow that’s not a familiar pattern at all.
Oh c’mon, as long as you’re more careful than the McDonalds coffee lady, you shouldn’t burn anything
If you’re willing to spend that kind of money, get a better grinder and an espresso machine. If you don’t want to get both now, just get the grinder and use the stovetop, press pot or drip until you can get the espresso machine. That said, a friend went with the Rancilio Silvia/Rocky grinder combo 5 or so years ago and is still happy as a clam. I have a Gaggia Baby Class that I’m very happy with, but I do just black espresso, no steaming. I might not be as happy if I used the steamer, I dunno. Also, I did have to replace the solenoid valve, which was pretty cheap and easy to do.
Careful is something I am not very good at. At least she got a lot of money. I would just end up with a burn in an uncomfortable place. :o
Thanks for the info. I’m about 99% of the time black espresso. My wife likes Cappuccinos. I talked about the Silvia/ Rocky combo with her and we probably will buy that or get the machine and check Craigslist for a grinder. Personally I would use the stovetop one and put the money for a new machine towards a good beer engine.
This forum is great for advice(and great comments) for just about anything! Thanks for all the responses.