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is there such a thing that will produce decent espresso on a day to day?
Specifically espresso?
My aero press makes great coffee, but it's no espresso. Well under £100 though.....
No it's not worth spending 90 odd quid on an espresso machine - most of them break after a year or so's heavy use.
I have a Gaggia Classic, it's probably the benchmark in home espresso machines, but will set you back a lot more than £100....
I use an Aeropress at work and when I'm camping and they are brilliant - much better than a cheap espresso machine. You will need to factor in the cost of a decent grinder and I use a metal filer screen too.
With the Aero I used a harrio hand grinder, but now I have a cheap delonghi burr grinder, which does a decent job and doesn't cost the earth.
You'll be able to pick up a hand grinder and aeropress from any self-respecting hipster coffee shop for around £50.
SportsPursuit had a manual one over the weekend for around £30 or £35 if you wanted a colour.
Got a burr grinder, and an aeropress cheers already. Looking at machines but budget is tiny!!
2nd hand is probably your only choice then. Look out for an ebay odd finishing time on a Gaggia
If it really is espresso you want have you tried a Nespresso? Didn't really work for me because I like americanos but for a straight espresso I don't think they are that bad
no pods thanks!!
Delonghi burr grinder and a decent mokka pot will get you a long way to good espresso. We low heat and avoid the last gush and you’ll get. Crema.
I have a Jura bean to cup that I bought used for £75. Had a gaggia but found it unreliable. The man that serviced my Jura last week said avoid Delonghi bean to cup, and that generally Gaggia are reliable.
At work i use a nespresso machine for convenience.
i`ve got a 150quid ish delongi machine and its been great. had it for 3 years or so - not a pod one, it is a barista one.
i much prefer coffee made with this to coffee bought out in all but the poshest of posh coffee shops.
i`ve also got a posh hand burr grinder and a basic choppy grinder and i cant tell the difference only i get coffee quicker using hte electric choppy one.
Have you tried the inverted brew method with your Aeropress? I get a decent crema using this method...
Gaggia is definitely the way forward and if you can get a reconditioned classic from a few years ago they're more reliable than the newer ones apparently.
Gaggia Baby Class, used on ebay, seems to scrape in under budget. I've no idea if they're any good, would stretch to a Classic if at all possible, as said above. I 'started' on one, and once you learn the machine's foibles they are brilliant. I only got rid on the flimsy pretense that having a new baby would require copious amounts of steam, boiling water and espresso (it didn't of course, but the machine is nice!)
I got a gaggia classic (a pre valve change model) off gum tree for £90 (after an offer of one fell through off here) needed a good clean and descaling though (and i got a spare pump just in case) but it's been brilliant. Also as well as the cost of the grinder a decent tamper is a must (the stock plastic that comes the gaggia is woeful) and they are pricey for what they are.
Just get a stovetop espresso maker. Lots of varieties, this is mine. Bought it on finale for £10
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Barazzoni-Coloured-Coffee-Maker-Aluminium/dp/B01DCGGUPM
I've got a Gaggia Baby.
I agree it's not as good as a dual boiler, pid controlled, bottomless portafilter machine, but then that machine would be 3x your budget. Wait around long enough and a baby will be just about there in a sale somewhere (think mine was from tesco direct).
It produces perfectly adequate espresso as long as you use a fairly fine grind (blade grinder isn't enough, but is fine for the cafetiere) an dont tamp it down too hard. It will also produce shit coffee if you abuse it. And the single boiler makes latte/cappuccino a longer job as the boiler has to heat up further.
Apart from flushing with descaler I've done zilch maintenance on it in 6+ years I've had it.
You won't get anything decent for £100 - you need a grinder as well, and acceptable espresso grinders start at around £200 secondhand.
I'd suggest a Nespresso machine, but don't touch the Nespresso pods - use Colonna instead. They're roasted by one of the best guys in the business (3x World Barista Champion finalist, Maxwell Colonna Dashwood) and are made with the speciality grade coffee (nothing like commercial grade coffee, or the rubbish that chains sell).
Full disclosure - my company sells these pods here:
https://specialtycoffeehome.com/product-category/coffee-pods/
but I have been recommending them prior to selling them, and still would if I didn't sell them. At the moment there is no competition in terms of quality.
Your other option is an Aeropress or similar, a little hand grinder and some digital scales. This will make a reasonable coffee if you take a bit of care. I made a brief video about this a while back here:
I can do discount codes if anyone fancies any of our coffees.
/shameless plug over
JP
Is a nespresso better than my delongi and Lavazza pre ground coffee, dont seem so when I've tried them. Those pods seem like an environmental disaster to me also.
"Have you tried the inverted brew method with your Aeropress? I get a decent crema using this method…"
Still not espresso though is it. ... Doesn't even taste close , it's a decent coffee with decent beans but an espressos a different thing.
The father in law had a delonghi 70 quid job. Ground(since you have a decent grinder already ) into the top and passable espresso out the bottom.
Didn't do anything else and you had to preheat it but for 70 quid couldn't fault the output....I mean it wasn't an upside down aeropess but it was much closer to an espresso Than a plastic upside down cafetiere.
He replaced it with a Nespresso.... Shame it manages to make the coffee taste burnt and also be tepid at the same time....it's an art sure.
Moka pot n then get someone decent to supply appropriately ground fresh beans
Ive got a gaggia anima bean to cup thing, aeropress, filter thing and cafetière and I still think the moka makes some of the best tasting coffee.
Machine is used in the morning for breakfast and the 2nd cup of the day is a moka
Pre ground coffee is pretty awful - it oxidises much more quickly than whole beans and, because it's already ground, you've got zero control over the extraction bu adjusting grind size. Nespresso capsules are also pretty awful, but Nespresso compatible pods from Colonna are pretty good - certainly better than you can achieve without quite an expensive setup.
In terms of environmental impact, we're gradually moving over to the compostable pods - they're currently 50p per 10 pack more than the standard ones, but eventually all our pods will be compostable.
JP
Just watched that vid to make coffee and here was me thinking I was bad with my Gaggia classic or Rancilio Silvia machines, what a lot of faffing measuring to the gram, i'm 2 scoops of a grind that looks good as it flows then heat my milk to make my strong latte/ flat white
Just get a stovetop espresso maker. Lots of varieties, this is mine. Bought it on finale for £10
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Barazzoni-Coloured-Coffee-Maker-Aluminium/dp/B01DCGGUPM/a >
[coffee-snob-mode]
Or get a proper Bialetti one. Slightly more, but is the original and should last. Though you probably can't go wrong with these things. Very simple principal.
Just ignore the wording Espresso in some of the adverts for these. It's not an Espresso maker, however it does make damn fine coffee that's not far of it. Sometimes adverts confuse the original name Moka Express with Espresso.
For sub £100, one of these plus a burr grinder is best you'll get for good coffee IMO (though can be pushing it on the grinder even then). Or get very freshly ground coffee, but you really want fresh on the spot grind and from a recent roast. Coffee goes stale real quick.
[/coffee-snob-mode]
Stove top "espresso" makers don't make espresso...cos they're not at high enough pressure.they can make a nice coffee (I add hot milk), but it's not espresso.
Deadkenny beat me to it.
The Bialetti Brikka has a weight ontop of the spout where the coffee bubbles up...like a pressure cooker thing. Supposed to give it more pressure....and it does make a better coffeee with more weedy beans
I've always found stovetop pots over extract the coffee - basically too much heat for too long. The only way to avoid this is to use boiling water from a kettle, rather than letting the water heat up with the coffee above it. Taking it off the heat immediately also helps.
JP
I've tried all sorts to make good espresso at home using a cheap delonghi icona machine. Never really got a decent coffee out of it. Maybe it's me!
@toby1 Your grinder probably isn't good enough - there's a reason why we've got a £2.5K grinder in the shop, and it's not (just) for showing off - grind quality is the single most important aspect of espresso extraction. I could make a better coffee with my grinder and your machine than a cheap grinder and my La Marzocco FB80 ( an £8K espresso machine).
JP
You won’t get anything decent for £100 – you need a grinder as well, and acceptable espresso grinders start at around £200 secondhand.
With all the respect due (not much), you're talking claptrap and you should probably prefix your advice with the fact that you sell those coffee pods.
Saying that you can't get good coffee out of a £100 machine because you need to have spent at least double that on a secondhand grinder that takes up half your worktop is like saying you cant ride a £100 bike because a secondhand power meter starts at £200. You don't need a power meter, and pre ground coffee is also fine as long as you don't leave it open for weeks before you drink it.
As long as the machine has the water at the right temperature and pressure and as long as the coffee is "espresso grind" you'll still get a black liquid out the bottom that looks/smells/tastes like espresso.
If you want to treat coffee as a hobby, that's different. But the answer to "what £100 commuter bike?" Isn't "£8000 Hope HB160, it really makes the trail come alive".
Handpresso that was on sport pursuit mentioned above.
Get that and a manual burr grinder and you will be sorted.
A little faff to clean the Handpresso but makes great expresso, just don't grind the coffee too much as it gets blocked
Yawn, here we go...
First, if you read my post properly you'd have seen that I mention the fact that you could use a hand grinder and an Aeropress.
Second, my company sells pods, but its main business is actually selling beans (don't let the facts get in the way of a good trolling, though), so I have no particular pecuniary interest in selling pods over beans (the margins are about the same).
Third, I have worked in the speciality coffee industry for many years, have owned a highly regarded speciality coffee shop and have written extensively for some of the leading coffee websites. I was also trained by the 3x UK Barista Champion. I do know a thing or two about coffee. It is a fact that the cheapest grinder that will make acceptable espresso (and by this I mean espresso that is properly extracted and akin to what you would get in a coffee shop) is something like a Mazzer Mini or equivalent. Ask anyone in the coffee industry and they will tell you the same. Filter coffee is a little bit less temperamental, so you can get away with a cheaper grinder for that.
I'd be interested to know what credentials you have to back up your assertion that what I wrote was 'claptrap'.
Third, I have worked in the speciality coffee industry for many years, have owned a highly regarded speciality coffee shop and have written extensively for some of the leading coffee websites.........
Does your apartment smell of rich mahogany and do you have many leather bound books? Sorry, couldn't help but read that as Ron Burgandy.
Keeping the inappropriate expensive bike analogy. You're the LBS owner still trying to sell the £8k bike to the commuter.
I’d be interested to know what credentials you have
I ride to work on my £100* bike powered by espresso from my £100 Gaggia.
It's not the best coffee in the world, its not the worst coffee in the world, it's generally better than from a cafe, and it's convenient, and it answers the OP's question, is it possible to get good espresso from a £100 machine at home? And in a way that doesn't add in several other bits of kit that cost more than my car.
I'll grant you that technically the OP didn't specifically say he didn't want to hear about £2500 grinders as well as £100 machines, but I think that's a fair inferance.
*Actually £200, the hypocrite that I am. Could have bought a secondhand grinder for that apparently.
I’d be interested to know what credentials you have to back up your assertion that what I wrote was ‘claptrap’.
You dont need credentials to know that preground coffee from a cheap machine will make perfectly acceptable coffee for 95% of the population, most of these ****s drink Starbucks ffs. In just thecsame way most people are quite happy with whatever bottle of red Tesco have on offer for £7.00 this week.
Love how many posters don’t read.
i have a burr grinder
a blade grinder
a v50
3 Bialetti moka pots
2 drippers from hanoi
an Aeropress
You dont need credentials to know that preground coffee from a cheap machine will make perfectly acceptable coffee for 95% of the population,
Lets be honest, 95% is probably still in the instant coffee market!
Even something cheap (relatively its still £100) turns pre ground coffee into something that matches the notes on the back of the bag. Getting beyond that point is diminishing returns. An expensive machine will make better coffee from your least favourite beans, but a cheap machine will still make coffee you prefer from your favourite beans. And I'd suggest that for most people (95% of the 5% that don't drink instant) is way past the point of careing.
This is rather tedious, and you are purposely misreading what I wrote. My example of the £2.5K grinder is nothing to do with being ostentatious - I was stating that a top level grinder and a cheap machine will be better than a top level machine and cheap grinder - the grinder is the most important thing.
I outlined my experience in coffee in the hope that you might realise that you're not just dealing with an armchair expert. I work in the industry, you don't, yet you feel that you have the right to denigrate my advice in, actually, quite an offensive way.
I'm always open to debate on any questions. I'm not always correct. But if the question is 'can I make good coffee on a £100 machine' then I'm not going to lie. You can't. The key word here is 'good'.
JP
Love how many posters don’t read.
i have a burr grinder
But if you weren't trained by a 3x world coffee making champion and it didn't cost more than a small yacht, does it even count?
I’m always open to debate on any questions. I’m not always correct. But if the question is ‘can I make good coffee on a £100 machine’ then I’m not going to lie. You can’t.
And I'm going to disrespectfully disagree.
I’d be interested to know what credentials you have to back up your assertion that what I wrote was ‘claptrap’.
You dont need credentials to know that preground coffee from a cheap machine will make perfectly acceptable coffee for 95% of the population, most of these **** drink Starbucks ffs. In just thecsame way most people are quite happy with whatever bottle of red Tesco have on offer for £7.00 this week.
I don't agree - coffee, and people's expectation of coffee have been improving quite rapidly in the last 10 years. Pre-ground coffee is pretty awful once it starts to oxidise, plus it gives you no control over how your espresso tastes.
JP
😂
Love how many posters don’t read.
i have a burr grinder
But if you weren’t trained by a 3x world coffee making champion and it didn’t cost more than a small yacht, does it even count?
I’m always open to debate on any questions. I’m not always correct. But if the question is ‘can I make good coffee on a £100 machine’ then I’m not going to lie. You can’t.
And I’m going to disrespectfully disagree.
Your notion of 'good' is very different to mine, then.
It's weird how some people have a strange inverted snobbery complex. I'm not sure what's bad about wanting to strive for excellence.
JP
This is fun.....
Ignoring the troll, back to the original topic. Here's some advice that I wrote for our FAQs section on what espresso machine/grinder/etc:
If you want to drink espresso and have a budget that is less than several hundred Pounds, then the Nespresso machine and Colonna pods are your best options. If you like espresso based milk drinks, budget a bit more for a Nespresso machine with a decent steamer (don’t bother with the machines that have integrated milk pichers that auto-steam the milk – they don’t really work). Alternatively, buy a base level Nespresso machine and a separate steamer.
For filter coffee, the starting point would be a decent hand grinder, such as those produced by Porlex. Electric grinders only produce better coffee than hand grinders at much higher budget levels (as you’re paying much more for the electrics, rather than any improvement in grinding quality until you ‘re well into the triple figure cost level). Pair this with an Aeropress, which is the easiest and most consistent way to make filter coffee and you’re well on your way to making great coffee. Avoid blade grinders and electric grinders that are under the £100 mark.
If your budget extends to around £500 you can get something like a Gaggia Classic and a decent used commercial grinder. The Mazzer Super Jolly is popular and can be picked up for around the £200 mark used. Anfim Caimanos are also good at this level, or if you can stretch a bit further, the Super Caimano can be had used for around £300 and is good enough to have been used to win the World Barista Championship on several occasions. Remember that the grinder makes more difference to the taste and quality of the espresso than the machine.
Beyond this there are various machines from the likes of La Spaziale, La Marzocco and Sage. Look for dual boilers (enabling you to steam milk and extract espresso at the same time), PID control of the brew temperature (enables greater consistency) and commercial style groupheads. Don’t be tempted to purchase a used commercial machine, unless you’re willing to a) use up all your kitchen space b) have it wired to a dedicated 32amp power source c) enter an ever spriralling search for the perfect water/grinder/tamper/etc (you get the idea).
Remember that making a few coffees on a proper machine generates a significant amount of mess; if you’re OCD about your house, Colonna pods and a Nespresso machine will be friendlier companions.
JP
To be inverse snobbery I would have to hate you for having too much coffee parifinallia. The sad reality is my sub par espresso has left me with insufficient caffeine to summon the energy to go quite that far. I just think youre wrong (and more than a bit of a coffee snob).
Remember that making a few coffees on a proper machine generates a significant amount of mess; if you’re OCD about your house, Colonna pods and a Nespresso machine will be friendlier companions.
You're only recommending those because you don't sell these.
In terms of value these aren't bad at all, if paired with a hand grinder...... some people wouldn't like the faff though
I found this better than a larger Moka pot, as it's smaller it heats up quickly. Then you need to learn when to turn off the heat to stop it boiling and producing a spluttering mess
Of course I’m a coffee snob – is that meant to be some sort of insult?
There is a difference between likeing something and snobbery.
I like Keira Knightley, I tend not to point out all the way she's better than my girlfriend and snub her though as that would be snobbery, and she might stop bringing me coffee in bed and withdraw pudding.
But what if someone asked if your girlfriend could be a a successful actor and model?You presumably wouldn't lie then, if you knew that she couldn't?
JP
Colonna pods and a Nespresso machine
Are these pods reasonably priced and properly recyclable or biodegradable?
Nespresso machines are cheap as chips, but I've yet to have a decent espresso or espresso-like coffee from them (or any capsule based coffee maker). Always a bit thin, never thick or syrupy. Also they produce a high ratio of plastic /aluminium waste per cup.
I've been in a similar situation to the OP. I opted not to buy an espresso machine, mainly down to cost, The amount it would actually be used and available worktop space. Instead I've got an aeropress, v60 filter, the tiny Bialetti stove top maker, several cafetieres and a Hario hand grinder. I find myself considering Nespresso occasionally though
Gotta love an STW coffee thread
But if the question is ‘can I make good coffee on a £100 machine’
That wasnt the op's question.
I bought an Aldi Ambiano espresso machine for 50 quid. We use pre ground Lavazza Espresso coffee and, to us, it tastes better than most coffee we ever drink out.
I have no formal training, have never written articles on coffee but I hope this gives an answer to the OP.
We love ours, it's relatively cheap and has a 3 year warranty. Wealthy friends of ours who captain mega yachts around the world and live in fine dining restaurants say it tastes good. Boom!
Nah minty your wrong .
What you need is an aeropess. It'll make the best xdamn espresso(not espresso) you ever had.
Keeping the inappropriate expensive bike analogy. You’re the LBS owner still trying to sell the £8k bike to the commuter.
No he's like the LBS owner being asked if they have any decent mountain bikes for £100. Sure you can buy a BSO for that much but not an actual mountain bike. To 95% of the population, a BSO is still a perfectly functioning bike.
Anyway, OP....
As others have said, you'll struggle for £100, especially given your someone that clearly likes good coffee since you have a load of other kit. 2nd hand Gaggia is definitely a good shout, using your current grinder.
The problem with cheap espresso machines is they often don't operate at a high enough pressure to properly extract espresso. Sure they can still make a reasonable coffee from just passing hot water through coffee at a lower pressure, but that's essentially what your aeropress and stove top already do very well, so if you are really after espresso and something different from what you already have, theres probably no point.
Trial_rat, stop it, I'm married...😳
@dmorts - Yes - we do sell compostable pods. The Colonna pods taste very good - they can't really be compared to other pods - they're mucg higher quality. I'm happy to send out some samples if anyone fancies trying them.
JP
I had a thoroughly unacceptable coffee from my 10 year old Classic this morning, and pre-ground Lavazza. I feel ashamed.
Can’t see the point in coffee pods. Instant tastes just as good without the cost or pointless extra faffage/additional environmental cost.
keep a look out for a gagia classic in a sale/ on eBay and bobs your uncle.
No he’s like the LBS owner being asked if they have any decent mountain bikes for £100.
I read it more like he's asking if it's possible to buy a used decent mountain bike for 100. Which is difficult, but you might get lucky.
Good old STW coffee threads. To sum up:
Some people think you can get a decent Espresso from a cheap machine
Some people think you can't get a decent Espresso from a cheap machine
Some people think the grinder quality is really important to, others don't seem to have an opinion on them
Here's the thing - what constitutes a decent Espresso is very subjective (in the world of Internet cycling forums anyway, I'm sure there's more to it at Barista contests).
That said I'm not really sure why TINAS is bothering to argue against JP's advice, JP clearly knows a lot more and seems like he just has higher standards (as to what constitutes a decent Espresso). Don't take it so badly TINAS, you're just further down the scale of coffee snobbery.
Personally I prefer a latte, have a Nespresso (although getting rid as rarely make coffee at home these days) and even drink instant coffee from time to time. I guess I'm the coffee equivalent of a chav, shoot me now...
I have a machine that uses ESE pods. It cost much less than my car, and hence really much less than my bike, but I like it (the shame). FWIW the pods are biodegradable and a huge range of pods are available including lots made in micro-roasters in Italy.
Are these pods reasonably priced and properly recyclable or biodegradable?
No pods (especially the clooney cyst versions) are reasonably priced when you look at the piffling amount of coffee you get in them and the quality is never going to be as good as a decent shot out of a home espresso machine. You are paying for convenience.
the colonna pods are very good, I have used them in hotels sometimes where they have a pod machine but I don’t see them as a long term option.
(I’m currently drinking some normal colonna Ethiopian filter which is very good)
a blade grinder
Well they are not grinders, they just smash beans into different sized pieces .
(I’m currently drinking some normal colonna Ethiopian filter which is very good)
Not sure I could drink something called "colonna" 🙁
I like natural processed coffees, I also like natural wines and guzzled a fair bit of Spunk in that hot summer we had.
I have a sub £100 delongi (probably £50-60 or so many years ago). It makes functional espresso. Wakes me up. Better than my camping stovetop, but that's it.
I would love a gaggia classic, enormous 2nd-hand burr grinder, mini scales, unicorn coffee beans, barista course etc but I don't have the space, spare cash or time for all that. I do appreciate properly made espresso made by others who have gone down the 'proper' route, but I will stick at 'functional' for the foreseeable future. I don't need another hobby.
so this wouldn't be any good?
ive got a gaggia deluxe sat doing nothing in the corner of the kitchen if its any use?
tell me more 🙂
it looks like this
no idea what its worth. been sat a year without any use.
I had one of those too ^
Decent machine, though doesn't have the 3 way solenoid 'exhaust' valve, so you get a sloppier puck. It makes no difference to the shot quality though. Steam wasn't up to much either, but then I never used it.
Sorry if it has been mentioned before but I use a Presso (now called ROK) manual espresso maker every day and I think it makes a very good espresso for similar effort to a Bialetti (which I also have). A friend who had a Gaggia has got rid of that in favour of a ROK after using mine. They do need the rebuild kit periodically but I've been using mine virtually every day for about 4/5 years and only rebuilt it twice (although the rebuild kit includes multiple o-rings so you replace them more regularly) plus I bought it used
I also have Wacaco which does make a good (but small) espresso, arguably better crema than the Presso/ROK but it is more faff and more annoying to clean and I have had issues with it which were sorted with a replacement unit but it does still leak occasionally. Works well for camping and potentially while riding/touring. I'd be tempted by their Nanopresso rather than the Minipresso I have but I've just seen the sports pursuit offer on the Staresso which looks like a same principle but with better quality parts (less plastic)
I've also got two Bialetti's including the tiny single that takes a cup on top and I basically can't get that to work as my (gas) hob is too big 🙁
Hope this helps
I’ve also got two Bialetti’s including the tiny single that takes a cup on top and I basically can’t get that to work as my (gas) hob is too big
Can't sit the thing on the hob you mean?
Brake discs to the rescue.
I’ve got a Gaggia Cubika and it does the job for me and hasn’t broken down in the five years that I’ve had it.
However…
1. It is slightly over the £100 budget.
2. I've not tried a pod machine.
3. Somebody bought me a grinder, but it was a James Martin one, so I sanded his name off it and still refuse to use it.
4. I wasn’t trained by the 3x World Barista Champion, although my mate Nigel came second in the backwards running European marathon championships (over 40s) which is as relevant as banging on about fancy-ass kit to a bloke who only has £100 to spend.
just use a reducer, they are made for using with stove top pots
ffs just drink tea
lol @ Harry!
Brake discs to the rescue.
If you go fast enough (and then slow enough) you can dispense with the gas altogether 🙂
Gaggia Classics are OK machines - you won't get amazing coffee but it won't be terrible as long as you use a reasonable grinder.
JP
I find my Gaggia is finicky and difficult to get consistent results (and mine's an older model with the 3 way value and I use a proper portafilter not the crema thing for use with crap coffee). I think it may be as I'd only use it for one brew in a day and not really every day whereas it may be better after it's run a couple of brews through it first and is regularly running.
The Bialleti is perfect every time, even if it's not strictly espresso, it's great tasting coffee for me. It's also quick.
it looks like this
That's a Gaggia Classic. Basically the ideal entry level machine. Not quite the same as a Gaggia Deluxe (if that's what you;ve got), but not sure how it differs.
Can make great coffee and ok milk (especially with the modded steam wand). You can get good espresso with one of those & a hand grinder. Certainly better than any high street coffee place and to my tastes, better than any speciality coffee shop I've been to. The Mazzer Mini is certainly also not the cheapest decent grinder on the market. There are a fair few under £200 starting and cheaper s/h (not that you need one).
I'd love to try the manual ones but I need a milk steamer.
I find my Gaggia is finicky and difficult to get consistent results (and mine’s an older model with the 3 way value and I use a proper portafilter not the crema thing for use with crap coffee). I think it may be as I’d only use it for one brew in a day and not really every day whereas it may be better after it’s run a couple of brews through it first and is regularly running.
You might be suffering as much from inconsistent grind as it being the machine itself. That said, turn it on a bit earlier and let everything (including the portafilter & basket) heat up. Then run some water through to temp surf.