Rancilio Silvia is very low tech and hackable. Solid, simple, built to last. The design doesn't change from year to year.

http://www.engadget.com/2008/04/21/rancilios-silvia-espresso...

http://www.make-digital.com/make/vol04/?pg=124#pg124

http://coffeegeek.com/reviews/consumer/rancilio_silvia

Looks like a good one. Will check it out.

I would suggest buying a french press and grinder instead.

That or a Moka pot. Not only does it taste much better than in a machine, but handgrinding coffee is an awesome and satisfying micro-break!

I've got both - I need something that can make espresso.

If you can wait a month, the "Good Eats" episode on espresso is coming up for rerun on August 4th and 5th. If I recall correctly it goes into how to pick a good machine.

The episode also appears to be on Youtube for the impatient.

Wait a month? Insanity.

Gaggia Classic is very good. It's the same machine type as Rancilio Silvia, and about $150-200 cheaper. I can't claim that it's better as I have never owned Rancilio, but it's definitely worth considering.

The DeLonghi EC155 Espresso Maker makes beautiful espresso because of its 15-bar pump (most models in this pricerange have lesser pumps). Only 90$. I've had it for a while and it's awesome. Haven't been able to make very good capuccino yet, but I'm told that's a matter of milk-frothing technique :)

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> Haven't been able to make very good capuccino yet, but I'm told that's a matter of milk-frothing technique :)

You won't get anything better than a semidecent froth on amateur machines like this no matter how good your technique is.

They either lack the necessary pressure or run out of steam midway.

This is about the best you could probably get: http://thealps.files.wordpress.com/2008/08/img_6168.jpg

This is what you want: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/16/Classic_C...

Try the 20 oz Rattleware frothing pitcher. I tried five different frothing pitchers and none of them made very good foam except the 20 oz Rattleware, the 12 oz and 32 oz Rattleware do not make good foam for me either. It always amazes me and I think my technique is improving but I always go back to the 20 oz Rattleware. Only makes enough for 2-3 cappuccinos but then the DeLonghi is only good for 2-3 espressos at a time.

I bought a Saeco from Premier Appliance for around ~$430. They don't have the machine I bought, but the Giro is a great little coffee robot, too: http://www.premierappliance.com/storefrontprofiles/deluxeSFs...

The Saeco machine I bought has a built-in grinder, so its relatively clean. Makes very consistent espresso, good to very good with the right beans. The machine is quick to heat up, has two heating elements, and foams milk well. The build quality is better than the Gaggia machine I replaced.

I can't recommend a Moka pot, unless you're very precise, patient, and have an equally precise stove. Aeropressed, french pressed, and cold pressed are great ways to get good coffee, but they're not espresso.

What grinder will you be using with this? Without the right grinder, the machine is basically meaningless, so you will want to spend money on that first.

I've got the grinder covered. I'm just looking for a solid, dependable machine.

I ask because most people looking in this price-range tend to under-spend on the grinder. In this range, the grinder should cost nearly as much as the machine to achieve good output.

At the volume and price you want, the Silvia is likely the best choice. You don't get great precision/consistency, but with some practice you will get great shots, and it will last a long time. It should be paired with a grinder like the Rocky at the very least.

Jura makes a very nice machine, but it's about $2000. That (more than) a little out of my price range, but we have one at work, and it's fantastic.

Save yourself some time and money: buy a grinder, a Nissan vacuum thermos and an Aeropress: http://www.aerobie.com/Products/aeropress_story.htm. I've tried several espresso/coffee makers and barring one that is commercial grade and several grand, the $25 Aeropress can hang with the best of them.

This is the only espresso machine I've owned, but I really enjoy it. One-button lattes and cappuccinos are very nice.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001NAATK2/ (DeLonghi EN670.B Nespresso Lattissima)

(Edit: If you're not looking for automatic, you can probably scratch this one from your list.)

This is the one we use at work and it works like a breeze :). Very easy to use and you can vary flavors without cleaning the machine, which is as far as I know one of the main cons for automatic machines.

Aeropress (http://www.thinkgeek.com/homeoffice/kitchen/8e3a/) btw is another cheap and handy solution.

- What price range? < 200? <800?

- Mainly for espresso, or also for capuccino and others (ie. good frother)?

Less than $750ish

Not fully automatic.

For home/office use - several shots a day.

Mostly for espresso, someimtes capuccino (80/20)

Not interested in bells/whistles/computers - just good espresso.

Solid quality/durability/maintainability is a plus.