[Closed] Espresso Machines - mines just died

Had a silvia for about 4 years. Seems built to last, solid and heavy, nice chunky switches and nothing fancy looking. Good results but you need to get the right grind, temp etc (as with all machines)

Only thing I would say is that if you are going to be using the steam regularly, it takes a while to get to temp, by which time your lovely crème has started to disappear

My Gaggia Classic is 16 years old now, and still makes good coffee, although it leaks water and steam from several places these days. They went through a bad patch but I understand the new 2019 ones are good. But when the Classic finally dies, I'll probably get a Ranciio Silvia.

Sorry for your loss. Died how, though? Is she resurrectable through a descale and some new parts?

Else, Rancilio Silvia or Gaggia classic is always the answer here. Silvia with an Auber PID if you're feeling fancy or don't want to temperature surf.

Give that shit up and get a stove top coffee pot for proper satisfaction.

Looking at the price of a haggis classic you can make a small additional investment and go Delonghi bean to cup. A lot less faff and loads of adjustment to time it to produce an espresso to your exacting specifications.

I've had 4 different gaggia machines over the past few years and they all leak/break eventually, a couple of years ago i bought a sage duo temp pro (£300 ish) and it makes a far better espresso than any of the gaggia's.

I've been running a Sage Barista for over 3 years, very decent machine, really good burr grinder, and spare parts are easy to come by cheap.

Had a Gaggia Classic for 20+ yrs. The steam wand dripped and leaked for the last 5 yrs and it could only generate enough steam for 2 small lattes in the end. Beyond descaling and many bits practically welded in place. It was superb for most of its life.
It’s been replaced with a Silvia. Superb machine, easily as good as the Gaggia at its best. The creamy microfoam it better and loads of capacity for doing more than 2 cups when we have guests. I agree that you have to wait a minute before using the steam wand. Main (minor) downside for me is that the water tank empties relatively quickly, you can’t easily see the level (without removing lid). Although you can easily top up the water, if you’ve not used it for a few days and want to change the water for fresh, the water tank is a real fiddle to get out.
I’d buy another Gaggia again if they build them as good as my 20yr old machine. I’d also buy another Silvia, which, although more expensive, is a better machine in terms of power and microfoam.

I've got that Sage, though it's called a Breville here.
It must be 9 years old now. Still works a treat.
It nearly went in the bin a couple of times, but youtube videos & a couple of O rings saved it.

I too have that Breville! Have had it 3 years or so, and it hasn't missed a beat, even after being shipped back to the UK when we moved home...

We had one at work that was pretty well<span style="font-size: 0.8rem;"> used (20+ cups a day), and it never missed a beat for the 2.5 years i was there..</span>

Our beloved DeLonghi Dedica has just died - for the 2nd time. The first one lasted 1 year and its replacement less than 2 years, so we're not getting another one. However, we loved the taste of the espresso it made (as did many visitors).

We've also had bad experiences with Gaggia Classics (in contrast to many here on STW) - we had 2 Gaggia Classics within a 3 year period 2014-2017.

Honestly, we're not doing anything wrong with the machines, we make 6-8 espresso's per day at most, and that's it. We take good care of our stuff and our machines all looked almost like new.

Anyway, we just need a simple espresso machine for making espresso. We don't need bean to cup, we don't need a milk frother, we don't need any fancy gubbins.

What's STW's recommendations these days?

I've got a Silvia. It's a good, solid machine, not had any faults. Makes great espresso. I froth the milk before I make the espresso, though, so I probably need to be burned alive.

I wish my Gaggia Dose would die, it's rubbish, but it continues to work. Must be 15 years old.

we make 6-8 espresso’s per day at most

Blimey.

we had 2 Gaggia Classics within a 3 year period 2014-2017.

Will those be the post-takeover ones then (where all the brass internals were swapped out for cheaper alternatives? My Classic is around 18 years old I think and still going strong (as above, it does have a couple of minor leaks, but that was my fault as I slightly botched the steam wand upgrade).

When mine dies I want a Sage – but only because I have a Sage grinder and I want it to match.

My Classic is 12 years old and going strong. I recently replaced the main seal and upgraded the steam wand, but apart from that, all it's had is irregular cleaning and descaling.

I got MsGinge one of the Sage Bambino pro espresso machines and a smart grinder pro for her birthday. They make a lovely cup of coffee and the espresso machine is ready to go just a few seconds after being turned on which has turned out to be much handier than it sounds.

https://www.sageappliances.com/uk/en/products/espresso/bes500.html

I also have the Sage, it replaced a Dualit. It is a lot better than the Dualit.

6-8 espresso's per day in a family of 4 isn't much.

I hear good things about Sage. Am looking at the Bambino Plus and the Duo Temp Pro.. both at John Lewis.

I've not watched this, but I trust James Hoffman's approach to reviewing stuff:

Rancilio Silva with a PID. Had mine for 15+ years and it's been faultless (fingers crossed) and makes perfect espresso. Not sure about the water tank being fiddly to get out..you just take the lid off and lift it up

Rancilio Silvia. Very good. Yes there is a little lag from espresso temp to steam temp, but a twin boiler jobbie was out of my price range.

I replaced my leaky Gaggia Classic with a Sage Bambino at the start of the year and wished I'd done it sooner. The coffee is more consistent and the quick warm up plus automated cleaning cycles make it much easier to live with.

If you've already got a decent grinder then the Bambino or Duo Temp would be a good replacement for the Dualit. the Bambino has a smaller form factor and was on offer when I bought, which is why I went with it. the minor downside of the Bambino was it expected the use of a pressurised basket whereas the duo temp is designed for a non-pressurised basket - a pressurised basket is supplied with the bambino so its not a problem.

Anyone see last week's Gadget Show where the £30 filter machine beat the top of the range £17k machine?

Worth a watch on catch-up.

Anyone see last week’s Gadget Show where the £30 filter machine beat the top of the range £17k machine?

They got espresso out a filter machine ?

I got a Sage Duo Temp Pro from Currys on Black Friday last year for ~£200. Probably worth waiting until BF this year if you can, if you're thinking of a Sage

Its a lot of dosh for a decent machine. You're all caffeine junkies. Whats wrong with a kettle or a stove top pot/percolator ?

I drink tea. much better for me.

Whats wrong with a kettle or a stove top pot/percolator ?

I drink tea. much better for me.

Yes based on the first part , I'd believe the second part.

Nice espresso is different from stove top /percolator

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As above no it won't replace you barista machine but what it makes is drinkable (even my coffee snob brother admits this) and will get you by whilst you fix or buy a new machine. Also easy to take on holiday, use with a camping stove etc. Recommended extra tool if you don't have one already.

P.S. yes cooker / kitchen needs a clean but it's Wednesday and I'm supposed to be working.

For maximum niche points get a La Pavoni Europiccola lever espresso machine.

I have a Sage Bambino plus, picked up from the German service centre on eBay for £190 delivered. Was a brand new open box return, never been used so was spot on.

I like it, it's generally well received and gets pretty good reviews, including by those really into their coffee (that's a YouTube rabbit hole right there).

It's not customisable like the Gaggia or Rancilio, it is what it is but that makes it easy to use and apparently if you do your own grinding and non-pressurised baskets produces really good results.
I just use supermarket coffee (lavaza) and dual wall baskets and am happy with the results. My pallette is clearly not that refined!

I just use supermarket coffee (lavaza) and dual wall baskets and am happy with the results. My pallette is clearly not that refined!

I think it's worth trying a variety of different sources and types - doesn't have to be expensive and you'd be amazed at the results, a real rainbow of flavours on offer!

For maximum niche points get a La Pavoni Europiccola lever espresso machine.

Flair espresso are cheaper and just as good. Very manual though so wouldn't suit 6-8 shots in a day in my experience.

Flair espresso are cheaper and just as good.

Not actually the same type of thing - that Flair doesn't have a boiler or a steam wand.

@slowol - I believe you need one of these there.

I like my Rancilio but I'm sure bits were made in an old BMC factory in England, the floor pan is like a rusty subframe from an old Morris 1100 or the cills, the wings

Give that shit up and get a stove top coffee pot for proper satisfaction.

This. £10 from TK Maxx. Spend the other £390 of your money on bike bits and save a load of worktop space. If you're really feeling tight then I picked one up recently from a charity shop for £3.50 and gave it a good clean.
Yes, it's not true espresso, but it's a damn strong shot of coffee that can then be made fancier in whichever way you want. In my case with a small drop of milk because I'm not man enough to take it straight black.

Stove top coffee /= Espresso

It’s fine if you like stove top coffee, I personally find it bitter and mostly undrinkable. Aeropress is better IMHO. Neither are espresso though.

If anyone spots a decent deal on a Sage Barista or similar, please let me know / do a PSA. I regret not ordering one when they were half price last year. I’m gonna cross my fingers for a Black Friday deal.

that Flair doesn’t have a boiler or a steam wand

Cheers, I hadn't actually looked at the LaPavoni to see what it had, would be nice if it had a pressure gauge for the group head. Looks pretty decent for the price I'd say, but I love a niche coffee product 🙂

but it’s a damn strong shot of coffee

If you just want strong coffee. Just do it Turkish style save your 10er even.

Toby, if you want a manual lever machine, gaggia G105 or G106 are rebadged La Pavoni Europiccola or Professional machines (pro has bigger boiler and pressure gauge). These come up on eBay and are normally cheaper than the La Pavonis.

They are the rigid single speed of the coffee world 👍

Yes, it’s not true espresso

It's not espresso at all. It's just strong. Aeropress makes much nicer coffee if you just want something simple.

I've got an aeropress thanks. By the time all the fannying around is done then it's just a shot of cold coffee.
Maybe deep down I'm just jealous because the idea of spending that sort of money on a machine for 1 type of drink is way out of the realms of reality for me.

Cheers Rich, I might have a look as the flair is awesome, but it's a pain having to pre-heat the chamber and the water then do it all over again for a second shot, the built in boiler might make it easier. It is a faff, but the coffee is better than a bunch of coffee shops out there now (with equally daft manual grinder and quality beans of course).

Maybe deep down I’m just jealous because the idea of spending that sort of money on a machine for 1 type of drink is way out of the realms of reality for me.

Do you mean coffee as 1 type of drink as obviously espresso is a great base for loads of different coffees, sorry, this might be a stupid question, I've only had the dog for conversation all day ...

It’s fine if you like stove top coffee, I personally find it bitter and mostly undrinkable.

If you put hot water in it then heat really slowly, so the expanding air gradually forces through, then it's not bitter. But it takes ages.

I’ve got an aeropress thanks. By the time all the fannying around is done then it’s just a shot of cold coffee.

Not sure what you do but it only takes a minute for me. Put kettle on, load aeropress with coffee and paper, when coffee is nearly boiledpour in (more than the markings suggest), stir with the t bar thing, wait ten seconds and press. Then pour the still nearly boiling water in the mug and you're away. Less time than brewing tea.

As much of a fan as I am of the aero press and stovetop (done well) neither of them makes anything like espresso.

Inverted method with aeropress FTW

I'd probably go with the new Gaggia Classic (2019) now they've gone back to the solenoid valve and added a decent steam wand. That or the Sage Bambino/Barista Plus around your price range. The Gaggia will just keep turning out great coffee. Even my 2015 (takeover years) model made great espresso, not far off what my Rocket now produces which considering the price difference is amazing. It was just the milk steaming which was was shite and they've now fixed that it seems. Probably as good as they get before going to rotary pumped/dual boilers and forking out over a grand!

I'd avoid ones like the delonghi though, they seem to break quickly!

I think it’s worth trying a variety of different sources and types – doesn’t have to be expensive and you’d be amazed at the results, a real rainbow of flavours on offer!

Don't get me wrong, I love nice coffee and all the flavours you can get, but I only have dual wall baskets at present and more importantly don't have a grinder. It's a potential future purchase but for the time being I'm just as happy with super market stuff.

I’ve got a Sage Barista Express we got as a gift. It’s one of the best things in the house - if it broke I would buy one again immediately! Not sure I could live without it. Tend to get beans from Pact.

I also have an Aeropress and stove top but they just don’t compare.

Sage Barista here, very good nice and simple. It seems a decent middle ground given the in built grinder. The flow meter did go after 18months but no issue being replaced within a couple of days engineer was round and replaced it.

I got a second hand Silvia V2 on eBay, cost £110 and can't fault it really.

Rancilio Silvia V1 here, 17 years and still going strong. Had a new boiler at about 12 years. V easy to take apart and clean / replace parts as needed.