high end espresso machine

[fizguy]

My drip coffee maker is just about dead. It leaks water on the counter and into the carafe, the latter of which is the bigger problem. I have been at a beach house this weekend and enjoying the espresso maker they have here, but it is too much work to do every day when I am not on vacation.

So I am considering one of the auto espresso makers that grind, tamp, and brew. Does anyone have experience with one of these? Costco has the Saeco Spidem Villa Espresso Machine. Any experience with this one in particular?

Thanks!

[Mennald]

I have no experience with the machine you mention, but I have a Jura Impressa S9 that I couldn't live without. It's a fully automatic that works really well.

[md4958]

Originally Posted by fizguy

My drip coffee maker is just about dead. It leaks water on the counter and into the carafe, the latter of which is the bigger problem. I have been at a beach house this weekend and enjoying the espresso maker they have here, but it is too much work to do every day when I am not on vacation.

So I am considering one of the auto espresso makers that grind, tamp, and brew. Does anyone have experience with one of these? Costco has the Saeco Spidem Villa Espresso Machine. Any experience with this one in particular?

Thanks!

One of my buddies (a coffee roaster) sells these, but he cant touch the costco price.

He has one and it makes a decent cuppa coffee... the extraction is a bit on the light side, but its decent.

You do have to clean them out on a regualr basis, or they get this slimy buildup.

But if youre just drinking espresso have you ever considered a Moka? They are stove-top coffee pots and will only run you $15-$40 depending on the size. Its a staple in every Italian household.

[md4958]

http://www.clubstogie.com/vb/showpos...&postcount=105

I sell Bialetti at my caffe because I consider them the best. The link is to show you what im talking about... (I bombed Fred macms one for the his work on then support the troops raffle)

PM me with any questions.
Moe

[tapaz1976]

I have one of these Bialetti (for about 5 cups). The problem is that you need to put so much coffee in it to get a really good cup. But you do get a really good cup in the end, that's for sure.

[aich75013]

We've had a Delonghi Magnifica for a year now, and have been quite happy with it.
The price isn't as high as a lot of the others.
You have to decalcify it every few months, but that is about it as far as maintenance. It's a simple process.
http://www.williams-sonoma.com/produ...key=celtespful

[javadiva]

My drip coffee maker is at the same point and I've been shopping around for something more dynamic. A friend gave me a Senseo last year and I don't really like it or the pods you have to use. Sometimes I use an old-fashioned percolator and still love the flavor of percolated coffee.

[mosesbotbol]

I would go with Saeco for two reasons:

1. It's from Costco. If you do not like it you can return it at any time, no questions asked. Also carries their warranty,

2. My cousin has a Saeco maker in Switzerland, and I have brewed 100's of espressos from that machine. It is certainly not an "artisan" espresso like one could do on a semi-automatic, but it makes nice "coffee". Similar style to a Swiss coffee; a hybrid of coffee and espresso.

My preference would be with the warranty and ease of return. There's always a better coffee maker, not what one you choose.