<p>Looking for a smallish non professional machine I can drag out on the weekends for lattes and steamed milk. Not looking on spending more than my first car.
Yes we have a cafe a couple blocks away but they are changing ownership & have been closed for a couple months- times are getting desperate!
;)</p>
<p>Check out the Nesspresso machines at Williams Sonoma. There should be someone who can show you how they work and make you an espresso so you can see if you like it. Yes, you use the Nespresso capsules sold online which bothers those who want to grind their own beans but most people find the flavor of the Nespresso coffee to be as good or better than that made in the fancy, expensive machines. Cleaning and maintaining the machines using the regular or grind yourself coffee may be more work than you want to do.</p>
<p>The price ranges from ~$250 to about $500 for the more elaborate versions and the coffee capsules run about $.60 each sold in sleeves of 12. There are a wide range of choices which you can see on the website. These machines are extremely popular in Europe and excellent value for the money in addition to being simple to use.</p>
<p>It’s tough to get an inexpensive small machine that gives you enough pressure to really steam and froth the milk properly. I gave up a few years back, but if anything has been developed recently…I would be interested as well.</p>
<p>One day a week? Stop by Bed Bath & Beyond an pick up a Mokka espresso maker. There should be two or three sizes available, and the biggest might set you back about $30. This is stove-top. So while you are brewing the coffee on one burner, heat the milk on another or in the microwave. Old-style yes, but won’t break the budget. As an added benefit, you can choose the coffee brand/beans you like best. And when the power goes out, you can make your espresso on the camp stove!</p>
<p>We have a french press that is acrylic that we take camping, also one that is glass, but we have to use a filter with it.
We used to have a Mr Coffee machine that didn’t last that long, so I am looking for something that is easier to maintain. They can get gooped up pretty fast.
I may go take a look at this one with a removable water tank.
[Saeco</a> Aroma Espresso Machine | Seattle Coffee Gear](<a href=“http://www.seattlecoffeegear.com/saeco-aroma-espresso-machine]Saeco”>http://www.seattlecoffeegear.com/saeco-aroma-espresso-machine)</p>
<p>I enjoy our now 2 year old Breville that is still going strong. The brand has a range of prices and it is so convenient that cappuccinos are now a daily treat. The one I have grinds the beans directly into the portafilter (ready for brewing) and the steam wand is very efficient. Less than 3 minutes total per drink. I was reluctant to buy a combination machine (fearing that the grinder would fail before the rest of the machine), but so far, it has been zero problem and is used at least twice a day. I also know people who are happy with a simpler , grinder-free Breville that is much less expensive. </p>
<p>I have a had another machine that was not as efficient and easy to use; I prefer one that is practical daily. If you would only be using it once a week, it may not make sense to invest in many expresso machines as it seems to take about $250 to get one that is more fun than aggravation according to my 2 year old research. There are a lot of coffee forums with a variety of opinions to sort through and perhaps there would be good information there. Good luck!</p>
<p>I try each machine I can and my opinion is the nespresso is best. The only one that makes coffee that really comes close to matching what I can get at a Peet’s, to cite a really good chain. Not sure about the really tiny ones that are taking over the market, if they generate sufficient pressure.</p>
<p>I have a Saeco espresso machine that I got from Seattle Coffee Gear over 5 years ago. It’s been fine, and I still order my espresso from them. I use Lavazza, because My machine uses whole beans, and they can’t be oily. Williams Sonoma tends to be very expensive. I suggest you definitely compare prices, but SCG has always done fine by me, and my Saeco Giro has worked for 5 years with no problems. I usually make 2 Patte’s every day.</p>
<p>The Nespresso Citiz we bought two years ago is still the best $300 we have ever spent on home goods. We make two espresso/latte a day, and it is still as good as new.</p>
<p>The espresso makers of yesterday are pretty pathetic. The key is to have a minimum of pressure to extract the coffee aroma. That is also why the Keurig machines are subpar. </p>
<p>At this time, the Nespresso machines are the best, and the companion milk frother is nice. The negative is the higher price of the capsules. However, Nestl</p>
<p>I tried the Williams Sonoma Nespresso the other evening at a Pottery Barn friends & family event. Very nice! They had the separate frother machine which delivered fluffy light froth. We have the original Starbucks “Barista” machine, still going strong, but the little and easy compact Nespresso is tempting.</p>
<p>Zipyourlips… I loved that original star bucks Barista machine. I used one for about 10 years, and it was great.</p>
<p>another vote for nespresso. The milk pitcher froths milk beautifully. If you use nonfat the milk it is like meringue. We bought ours on the recommendation of the local Italian restaurant owner and have been very impressed with it.</p>
<p>I have a Saeco super automatic (bought from Costco online) for everyday use and a Nespresso machine + milk frother for the office and camping. The Saeco is wonderful and I couldn’t get through a week without it. The Nespresso is handy and makes decent coffee. The few issues with it: having to order the capsules online, although they arrive in a day, and the milk frother sometimes shuts off before it’s done and it doesn’t get as hot as I’d like.</p>
<p>You can try the Nespresso machines at WS or Macy’s. Macy’s will discount machines before Christmas. </p>
<p>I recommend Seattle coffee gear (it’s actually off 99 in Lynnwood) as well. A huge variety of machines.
I’m intrigued by the new Starbucks machine, but the capsule price ($1 each) is high.</p>
<p>I am curious about the Nespresso capsules. Can you make your own, sort of like ammo reloading?</p>
<p>How does 60 cents a capsule compare with your cost of buying and grinding your own beans?</p>
<p>I also have the original Starbucks Barista and it is still a workhorse. The pods run $5 for a box of 10 or you can use grounds, but slightly more clean-up. Only problem is the pods are frequently out of stock at the Starbucks stores, but I try not to run out before I go looking to replenish.</p>
<p>Had a Nespresso in the room in a few of the hotels I have stayed and it is extremely simple to use and makes a very nice cup of espresso.</p>
<p>I have a Nespresso that was bought at Bloomingdales. It’s wonderful. You can buy make it yourself capsules on Amazon - [CoffeeDuck</a> Refillable Coffee Capsules For Nespresso - 3 Pods - These Espresso Cups fit all Nespresso machines from after October 2010: Amazon.com: Grocery & Gourmet Food](<a href=“http://www.amazon.com/CoffeeDuck-Refillable-Coffee-Capsules-Nespresso/dp/B005ZEGLH2/ref=sr_1_12?ie=UTF8&qid=1352037398&sr=8-12&keywords=nespresso]CoffeeDuck”>http://www.amazon.com/CoffeeDuck-Refillable-Coffee-Capsules-Nespresso/dp/B005ZEGLH2/ref=sr_1_12?ie=UTF8&qid=1352037398&sr=8-12&keywords=nespresso) We got a bunch of free pods when we started which helped.</p>
<p>I use a Keurig at work. I think the Barista Prima coffeehouse pods do make as good a cup of coffee as some of the Nespresso pods, but I love the latte froth of the Nespresso machine. The biggest difference (besides the froth) is that the Nespresso can’t make big mugs of coffee with one pod.</p>
<p>I have a very basic, very inexpensive (had to check, it is Krups model 963/A, of course they don’t make it any more) small machine that works great.</p>
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<p>My experience with my machine has been all about technique. I get good results by placing the steam nozzle near the surface of the milk rather than submerging it deep into the milk. Also I find skim milk froths better than 2%.</p>
<p>Williams Sonoma has their machines at 25% off online right now. I’m not sure about in store.</p>
<p>I have a Breville expresso machine. It works well but does take up a lot of space. It’s too high tech for hubby. He uses this every day, several times a day.</p>
<p>[Bialetti</a> USA | Moka](<a href=“http://www.bialetti.com/coffee/moka/]Bialetti”>http://www.bialetti.com/coffee/moka/)</p>
<p>There are several different models.</p>
<p>Also, someone gave us this last year:</p>
<p>[Capresso</a> Froth Pro - Bed Bath & Beyond](<a href=“http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/product.asp?SKU=17591142]Capresso”>http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/product.asp?SKU=17591142)</p>
<p>It’s great for frothing milk.</p>