Hi,
Heres where Im at....
Ive got the bottom of the range Sunbeam Ristretto. Used it because its all I could afford. Found a coffee I liked and was happy for a while, coffee was better than anything in the local cafes (doesnt say much for them though Smiley . Then I started to get picky, so I bought a proper Sunbeam grinder (good deal at $169), now suddenly the coffee tasted like crap (same brand as before, only now I bought unground beans). Suddenly I have to buy much more expensive beans to get a nice cup - muuuuch better than pre grinder. Im now getting picky, so Ive read about unpressurised baskets, but nowhere in Melbourne can I find any to buy so I carefully drill a tiny pattern of holes in the bottom of my double basket. Now I get 1 cup of liquid gold to 4 cups of swill, but that one cup is heaven. No matter how carefully I try to do the same thing each time, I cant get any consistency, so like many poor workmen Im ready to blame my tools. Its time to buy a new machine.
The question then is, what is the absolute cheapest machine that could produce a decent consistent cup of espresso?
Id love a Silvia, but it aint gunna happen any time soon, I can stretch to around $400. Is it worthwhile to do this, or should I just forget esspresso and drink Sunbeam lattes?
cheers
Gary

Comment