<p>What is the best machine that is under $300, or maybe $300-$500, for a twentysomething not a gourmet kitchen?
Are there some good machines which are simple and allow one to use any coffee rather than the makers pod?
My Dd was interested in Nespresso, but I hate her to be stuck buying their coffee all the time.</p>
<p>I use a Mr. Coffee model from Target. You are able to add your own grounds, but it is a little more ‘labor-intensive’ per say than just adding a pod to a machine. However, I love mine. </p>
<p><a href=“http://www.target.com/p/mr-coffee-pump-espresso-maker-black/-/A-10990076#prodSlot=medium_1_6&term=espresso+maker”>http://www.target.com/p/mr-coffee-pump-espresso-maker-black/-/A-10990076#prodSlot=medium_1_6&term=espresso+maker</a></p>
<p>I bought my son one of the low end Nespresso machines along with the pods. He too has a non-gourmet kitchen. This lighter weight machine is supposed to have the same pump the more expensive ones have, but it has more plastic, so is supposedly louder. It’s really easy to use their online store. The machine and pods arrived quickly (one or two day). I have a heavier duty machine and love it, although it is loud. It makes great espresso. Again, the pods you have to buy from their club online come very quickly by mail. The only disadvantage is having to order a minimum number of sleeves of pods.</p>
<p>I have a nespresso at work and another in our camping trailer. They are easy and convenient. One is tied to their proprietary pods. At home I use a fully automatic Saeco machine. </p>
<p>I suggest taking a look at either SeattleCoffeeGear.com or WholeLatteLove.com. Some purists will go only for a manual machine and a top-notch grinder, others aren’t so picky. These two sites will help guide you to the machine that fits the user. </p>
<p>I like this espresso maker (it’s called a moka pot). This is classic–easy to use, inexpensive, and doesn’t take up much room. I still have and use the pot that we bought when we got married 34 years ago.</p>
<p><a href=“Espresso Maker and Espresso Machine | Crate & Barrel”>Espresso Maker and Espresso Machine | Crate & Barrel;
<p>Here’s a link on how to use it:
<a href=“https://bluebottlecoffee.com/preparation-guides/moka-pot”>https://bluebottlecoffee.com/preparation-guides/moka-pot</a></p>
<p>You may find your answer here:</p>
<p><a href=“http://www.coffeegeek.com/forums”>http://www.coffeegeek.com/forums</a></p>
<p>I just bought a stovetop 3 cup moka maker (cafetera) last week at Walmart. It’s a Bialetti knockoff priced at less than $6.00. 6 cup cafetera is priced at under $8.00. Also bought a 3 oz. cup and saucer set for 4 with a rack for $7.50. With a $3.00 brick of Café Pilon…had whole ‘espresso’ shooting match for under $20. Am using new cafeteria to make Cuban coffees and also espressos. Really tastes great and highly recommend. Economical way to start enjoying espresso at home.</p>
<p>There is a store called Seattle coffee gear, and they are pretty good at making recommendations. I had a saeco giro, and it was Not bad. Now I have a more expensive one and I love it, but It costs more than $500 (worth it for me. I make 2 lattes every day). You need to consider whether you want a fully automatic one or whether the user will have to load the espresso, etc. another place I like is wholelattelove. Costco has had some models for great prices. </p>
<p>I bought my husband a Delonghi espresso maker a couple of years ago and it works pretty well. I think it can use both pods and ground coffee and isn’t too expensive, about $80 right now on Amazon.</p>
<p>Another vote here for the Moka-type pots. There also are stainless steel models if you don’t like the aluminum. I’ve got an ancient single cup espresso pot that used to be my mother-in-law’s. The only problem I’ve ever had with it is that I have to get her to send me new gaskets every couple of years from Miami, as I can’t find them in that tiny size where I live now.</p>
<p>Some Targets carry Cafe La Llave. I like that one better than Cafe Pinon. Trader Joe’s makes decent French Roast as well.</p>