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  • Budget Coffee Machine

    Guys...just wondering what can i get for around $200 for a entry level coffee machine ???
    Was thinking of getting Gaggia Cubika but after reading some posts here i might ask for more further information....and what sort of grinder should i get ???

    Thanks for any input

    Derrick

  • #2
    Re: Budget Coffee Machine

    Hi mate - welcome to the site. It depends on whether after reading some threads on this site your thinking that you will upgrade!

    I like the little Sunbeam Ristretto - can pick them up for about $90 new. It has pressurised baskets. You can get a second hand sunbeam em grinder for probably the remainder. Otherwise you can pick up a new sunbeam grinder (their top of their line one) and do stove top percs or plunger coffee - combine that with genuinely fresh coffee and either way you should have a nice start.
    Realistically, in my opinion, there isnt much point going to something that looks a little flasher at the top of the budget but that still uses pressurised baskets. Also the little Ristretto uses a little boiler and is a better proposition I reckon than a thermoblock machine - which most are around $200 - and steams like a little devil.

    Cheers

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    • #3
      Re: Budget Coffee Machine

      I picked up a Sunbeam Cafe Crema for $156, if you look around and bargain a little you can get the prices down. From memory the starting price was $200.00. They have the pressurised baskets. But you can buy unpressurised baskets (Krups) for them. Good Luck

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      • #4
        Re: Budget Coffee Machine

        Ok thank for the info.
        What is the different between boiler vs thermoblock ???
        In regarding to the coffee machine...usually how long does it take for the temperture to heat up before first cup and should it be turn off or better to put it on stand by???
        And how much is the grinder going to cost brand new ???

        Derrick

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        • #5
          Re: Budget Coffee Machine

          The Crema (Thermoblock) is ready in about 5 minutes but leaving it a little longer makes the steam better. A grinder will cost from $150 up for a Sunbeam 0450 or 0480. .

          I havent used a boiler machine yet so I wont comment on them. Someone esle will no doubt help you in that area.

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          • #6
            Re: Budget Coffee Machine

            Derrick,

            I too am new to this coffee world. After having only a handful of what i would deem good coffees, and far too many average ones over the past couple of years at cafes, i decided it was time to get my feet wet and buy a machine and grinder. After a fair bit of research over the past week i decided to get the Sunbeam Ristretto, since im a uni student and wanted to also get a grinder for no more than $250. I picked the little Ristretto today for $69.95 at the Good Guys (cash price). While i am yet to make a coffee with it (i just gave it a flush to clean it out for first use), i am going to pick up a non-pressurised basket for it and some grounded beans tomorrow and give it a while. I will let everyone know how it goes. I am looking to pick up a Sunbeam EM0450 grinder in the next couple of weeks (Myer last time i check had them for $149, but im sure you could do better elsewhere). Have a read of the articles in the Entry Level forum, lots of good reviews of the Ristetto. So for about $250, you should be able to get a little Ristretto, a Sunbeam Grinder, a non-pressurised basket (about $12 or so from what i understand) and possibly a better tamper than the standard one provided. I will fill everyone else in on how my very first coffee from a home machine turns out.

            Cheers

            Comment


            • #7
              Re: Budget Coffee Machine

              The Ristretto with boiler only takes about 7 mins to full temp and you can turn it off after. It is much better than the thermoblock steamers unless and until you get to the EM6910 which is better again with the steam TB turned up to full.

              Cheers

              Comment


              • #8
                Re: Budget Coffee Machine

                I have a look at The Ristretto...dont really know if its good quality i mean most of the thing are plastic.
                Anyway is there any another budget options???

                Derrick

                Comment


                • #9
                  Re: Budget Coffee Machine

                  Hi Derrick

                  In the under $200 bracket, I think the Breville Ikon has had pretty good reviews. You might just need to change the basket to one thats non-pressurised.

                  Theres more info on it here...

                  http://coffeesnobs.com.au/YaBB.pl?num=1178803379

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Re: Budget Coffee Machine

                    Derrick, what about the Breville Ikon... I got one recently for $129 (standard price from Breville seconds outlet) and also a Sunbeam 4050 grinder for $130 (Myer - got them to price match DSE). I then got the Breville Bar Italia unpressurised basket for $9 (Breville seconds outlet) and a 52mm tamper $19 (The Coffee Company) the Breville plastic one is crap.

                    All up approx $290, and I couldnt be happier.    It may not be the greatest coffee in the world, but it definately beats all of the dodgy cafes out there.

                    The Ikon heats up in around 2-3 minutes... but I leave it a good 10-15 to warm up the PF as well. In my opinion it does nice silky milk and good froth (if you like that kinda thing). The extraction process is unique if you just press the button, it does a pre-soak of the grind before it does the final extraction... but this can be overridden just by keeping the espresso button depressed.

                    Good luck.

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                    • #11
                      Re: Budget Coffee Machine

                      Breville Ikon is out of my price range at the moment(Target Breville Ikon $350)....i am willing to spend $200 on the coffee machine, and later on i can get a good grinder.
                      As for second hand...not sure it would be an good option for me.

                      Derrick

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Re: Budget Coffee Machine

                        Originally posted by derrick28 link=1208660501/0#10 date=1208759839
                        Breville Ikon is out of my price range at the moment(Target Breville Ikon $350)....i am willing to spend $200 on the coffee machine, and later on i can get a good grinder.
                        As for second hand...not sure it would be an good option for me.

                        Derrick
                        How about $205.00, incl postage? Or if youre in Sydney you can pick it up and save $30 postage...bay of evil

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          Re: Budget Coffee Machine

                          Derrick
                          A retailer gave me some sound advice: dont buy a grinder that is more expensive than your coffee machine!! Ive got a Sunbeam EM3600 which works fine. I use a small blade grinder (also Sunbeam but the top of of that particular range) which is fine. I ignore the settings and effectively overgrind. This gives a me a fine enough coffee to use with pressurised baskets without clogging them up, which Ive seen a Sunbeam barista do whilst demonstrating!

                          I tamp with a fair bit of force.

                          Theres a raft of opinions on this site so try out different things and experiment a bit. One thing that most members say which I FULLY agree with - grind yourself. It is much better,

                          Kes

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Re: Budget Coffee Machine

                            Originally posted by Kes link=1208660501/0#12 date=1209189403
                            Derrick
                            A retailer gave me some sound advice: dont buy a grinder that is more expensive than your coffee machine!!   Ive got a Sunbeam EM3600 which works fine.  I use a small blade grinder (also Sunbeam but the top of of that particular range) which is fine.  I ignore the settings and effectively overgrind.  This gives a me a fine enough coffee to use with pressurised baskets without clogging them up, which Ive seen a Sunbeam barista do whilst demonstrating!

                            I tamp with a fair bit of force.

                            Theres a raft of opinions on this site so try out different things and experiment a bit.  One thing that most members say which I FULLY agree with - grind yourself.  It is much better,

                            Kes

                            Well I clearly know nothing then!  : Perhaps I had better trade in the K10WBC and get me a Sunbeam.

                            Rule #1 of coffee at home: Buy the best grinder you can possibly afford. Blade choppers may be satisfactory for spices but they have nothing to do with coffee.

                            If you want to ditch the pressurised baskets and make true espresso, a blade grinder will be absolutely useless. Id suggest that your retailer might be best to stick to selling toasters and vacuums

                            Chris

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                            • #15
                              Re: Budget Coffee Machine

                              snap Chris

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