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  • New to coffee machines and have a $200 budget range

    Hey guys,


    I am totally new to buying coffee machines and am just looking for some recommendation. I have a total budget of $200 and just have some questions to ask:


    Firstly would it be better to buy a separate grinder, or an automatic machine with built-in grinder? What are the pros and cons of each?


    I don't have a lot to spend at the moment (due to tough financial times), so I'm hoping to spend as little as possible while having as high quality of coffee as I can get. So which of these two options is better for my situation?


    Secondly, are there any recommendations for a machine within my price range? Preferably being on sale during the Christmas holidays.


    Thank you so much for your help, looking forward for any advice and sincerely appreciate your responses!

  • #2
    Aeropress and appliance grinder, or get reeeeaaaallly lucky on the used market

    Comment


    • #3
      You'll have to think outside the box. The Salvos or Savers often have a Sunbeam or Breville machine. If you're patient, I think you might find something, leaving ~ $150 for a grinder. Then you could go a new hand grinder with that money. Porlex/ Hario are about $60 - $70.
      Cant think of a step up from those at that $150 mark, though.
      im being hypothetical here of course, but the idea i think is to max out on quality of grinder, and get a working machine (don't get a Bar Italia. They're total crap) or device like aeropress as mentioned above.

      Good luck!

      Comment


      • #4
        I don't know how cheap the Sunbeam burr grinders get in the sales, but that would be a good thing for you. Also to your question about integrated machines: I don't think you would find one for your money that you could trust. So I'd definitely be going seperate.

        Comment


        • #5
          Originally posted by coffeeidherer View Post
          Hey guys,


          I am totally new to buying coffee machines and am just looking for some recommendation. I have a total budget of $200
          What kind of coffee drinker are you?


          If you’re a black coffee drinker then you’re in luck. $200 is plenty for an excellent drip coffee setup.


          With $200, you can get:
          V60 pour over + filters
          Hario hand grinder
          Digital scales
          Hario Buono gooseneck kettle


          .. for example.


          Get yourself some speciality beans and start your coffee journey right!

          Comment


          • #6
            Hi there coffeeidherer,

            Also to your question about integrated machines: I don't think you would find one for your money that you could trust
            He's right, and the reason integrated units are untrustworthy is this: if one section/compartment of the unit (be it the grinder or the machine) breaks down, the other becomes completely inoperable. Which means the whole contraption will then need repairing, or even replacing (depending on the repair costs).

            If you’re a black coffee drinker then you’re in luck. $200 is plenty for an excellent drip coffee setup.
            I'll second this.

            When it comes to machines and grinders, the grinder is the most important consideration (something which has been repeated ad nauseam on this forum). Unfortunately, acquiring a decent grinder will require shooting well above and beyond your budget, however GunBarista's great recommendations should tide you over until you can afford a better setup.

            Bottom Line: you're still in the game!

            Comment


            • #7
              Hey guys, thank you so much for all your responses, really appreciate this!

              Just found out about the Aeropress and French press method haha, sorry but I should’ve been clearer with my initial post. I’m hoping to get an automated coffee maker, since I’m mainly using it for breakfast for work each morning, so the less time it takes the better.

              Although I just found out there also exists a special coffee maker called “single-serve brewer”, basically the pod ones. Because I’m just making a single cup each morning, would this be more suitable for my current situation?

              I understand the cost of capsules is high, and I’m planning to put my own coffee ground inside the reusable filter to make my own pods. How’s the quality of the coffee made this way? Such as using this one here:

              https://www.amazon.com/Keurig-K55-Si...2%3A1248915011

              By the way for the automated coffee makers, how is this one here which seems really popular on Amazon:

              https://www.amazon.com/Cuisinart-DCC...2%3A1248915011

              And how does it compare to the Bonavita BV1900TS which seems to be another popular product?

              Thank you all for these warm-hearted responses, it definitely is amazing the coffee community, can’t wait to get started with my first brew haha.

              Comment


              • #8
                Welcome mate...

                Rather than the Bonavita unit, I would suggest the Behmor Brazen Plus as a much better brewer and capable of producing excellent quality brews day-in, day-out...
                Brazen Plus – Behmor

                Unsure of your location but if at all possible, try to get into one of our Site Sponsors' premises and test one out for yourself. You won't be sorry...

                Mal.
                P.S.
                You will need a decent grinder though, such as those mentioned above...

                Comment


                • #9
                  If ease and speed are more important than taste then any pod machine will fit the bill. There's always plenty on Gumtree for $10-15. And the sheer variety of pods you can buy is staggering so you're bound to find something you like, especially if you drink lattes etc.

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Originally posted by BalthazarG View Post
                    Hi there coffeeidherer,



                    He's right, and the reason integrated units are untrustworthy is this: if one section/compartment of the unit (be it the grinder or the machine) breaks down, the other becomes completely inoperable. Which means the whole contraption will then need repairing, or even replacing (depending on the repair costs).
                    !
                    I'll refute this. If your grinder breaks down your espresso machine isn't much use. I had a Rancilio Lucy for many years and it never broke down so again no issue.

                    Thereotically, hypothetically a combination machine has drawbacks if one component fails, in reality it is not much different to having your grinder or espresso machine fails.

                    Although I don't think you will get a quality espresso machine of any type for $200. Brazen would be my pick

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      If your grinder breaks down your espresso machine isn't much use.
                      But that's exactly what I was saying, Trentski. Are you both refuting and supporting my Ph.D. thesis at the same time?

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Originally posted by BalthazarG View Post
                        But that's exactly what I was saying, Trentski. Are you both refuting and supporting my Ph.D. thesis at the same time?
                        Not at all, if you have a separate grinder and espresso machine, and your grinder breaks, your espresso machine is useless. Some people state that in these circumstances you can just use pre-ground coffee, but quite clearly they are wrong.

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          Not at all, if you have a separate grinder and espresso machine, and your grinder breaks, your espresso machine is useless.
                          True! I should have mentioned that.

                          Bottom line: if you're grinder breaks down - regardless of whether it's integrated with the machine or otherwise - you've basically got no coffee (and who wants instant anyway?).

                          The issue of the machine breaking down is another story...

                          *If your machine breaks down (and it's an integrated unit), the grinder attached to it can't be used;
                          *On the other hand, if your machine breaks down, and it's separate from the grinder, then at least you can use the grinder to make a nice French press, Chemex, etc.

                          Moral of the story? Stay the hell away from integrated units (unless, of course, it's a question of convenience and budget). But even then - stay the hell away from them.

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Mine never broke down and the WAF was higher than having a separate grinder, I did upgrade to an e61 machine which necessitated a separate grinder but that kitchen has more room.

                            Nothing wrong with a combi machine, you just need to know the limitations but that is true for any machine.

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              When I suggested seperate machines in my post, I was thinking about reliability/ value for money. I don't think I've seen an integrated machine for sale for under about $1k (not that I've looked much.)
                              I'd wonder about the quality of / wear in a $200 integrated machine.

                              I happened to also think of the useless broken down grinder aspect, but I take your point Trentski.

                              Comment

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