Espresso Maker as a Gift

[ackvil]

My cousin has been using a Bialetti coffee pot for years. He likes the way the coffee tastes in his trusty pot. However, the pot is really beat up and his wife complains about it quite a bit. He drinks about four or more cups of espresso a day while his wife sticks to "American coffee." His 65th birthday will be just around the corner and I would like to buy him an espresso machine.

My budget is $200 or less - hopefully less. Any of you coffee gurus have any recommendations or should I just buy him a new Bialetti pot and find another gift for him?

 

[Rorpen86]

How about a handpresso? Or mypressi twist? Those both fall well under our budget.

 

[Dr Roadrash]

Agree with one of the handheld ones. As far a countertop machine goes its going to be tight for $200. Really you should get him a nice grinder for espresso first. The grinder is much more important than the machine. He would be better off with a nice espresso grinder if he doesn't have one and stick to the Moka. Later could purchase a machine. Grinders that are acceptable for espresso start around $200, not much under that price point. I would suggest a cunill tranquilo grinder or a Baratza Virtuoso as good starter espresso burr grinders.
Aaron

 

[StillShaving]

You will not be able to buy what is considered a real espresso machine on that budget. Besides the hand held ones mentioned, the Presso is another possibility but it is manually operated, right down to heating the water, and the pressure applied during coffee extraction is variable; your cousin may not appreciate any of those factors.

If your cousin needed or appreciated a hand grinder, you could get a somewhat exclusive model, like the Lido from orphanespresso that could provide a good start towards making home espresso. Otherwise you best option might be a replacment Bialetti pot, along with some fresh coffee. If they are a coffee fan and don't own either an Aeropress, pour-over, or french press, then they might enjoy one of those contraptions as well.

 

[SiBurning]

I'd second the new Bialetti, and toss in some really nice coffee, and maybe a milk frother.

Then again, might he get insulted at a new moka pot? Some folks are awfully touchy about their trusty old coffee pots, and we all know a new one can be hit or miss, and takes an awfully long time to break in properly.

Another possibility is to get a finicky contraption for him to fuss over coffee for his wife, like maybe a vacuum pot. That'll keep the wife happy, and let him keep his old sho pot.

Or (in the best tradition of B&B) get all of them!

 

[tomcj2]

I bought a DeLonghi EC155 from Amazon for around $80 last June. I make 2 or 3 espresso a day and it has worked beautifully.
It was inexpensive and it does the job. I could easily spend more $ at Starbucks in a month.

 

[nff]

if your going to get him a bialetti get him the brikka.

magic happens a little after 2:30

 

[saishoots]

I concur with some of the above comments. Definitely get your cousin a grinder if he doesn't have one yet. Freshly ground beans are leaps and bound ahead of the pre-ground stuff. Even a manual grinder with ceramic burrs would be nice step up compared pre-ground (made by Kyocera, Hario etc...).

In terms of machine... if he likes the style of coffee from a moka pot, then get him a moka pot. Anything else would produce a drink that's slightly different.

 

[takeshi]

$200's a bit tricky and it doesn't sound like you've even considered the grinder which, as stated above, is even more important than the espresso machine. Most big box store espresso machines aren't worth bothering with unless your tastes are fine with them. You might be able to find a used or refurb Gaggia in that price range but, personally, I'm not keen on used or refurb items as gifts.

If he likes the Bialetti then get him a newer Bialetti and/or complementary items. The coffee that a moka pot and the espresso that a good espresso machine produces aren't the same thing at all. I agree that a good grinder could be a good gift -- especially if he's using preground.

 

[ackvil]

Thanks for all the suggestions.

I have opted for the coffee grinder. I am looking at the Capresso Burr grinder and I will go to a local market and get him a variety of coffee beans plus a new Bialetti.

As a matter of curiosity, what are some of less expensive espresso makers that you guys would recommend.

When we were in France we really enjoyed the espresso and some almost every day. And with Christmas coming up.........

I noticed that Amazon has a Gaggio 14101 espresso machine at about $400.

 

[Slash McCoy]

A sho nuff Bialetti cast aluminum moka pot takes a seasoning from the first few batches of coffee, and it's sort of like a well broken in pipe. NO NEED to get him a new moka. The old one is fine. Most moka users would never dream of trading in their old one for a new one. The grinder is a good idea. You can get something that will work for well under your budget. BTW speaking of budget, it is hard to beat Eight O'Clock 100% Columbian beans for the price. Amazing stuff. The aroma alone gives me a jump start. Sure beats Starbucks beans! It is a medium roast and not an espresso roast but I bet he will like it in the moka.

 

[nff]

"Espresso" roast is not what you use in espresso espresso blends are usually a medium roast coffee. espresso roast is also called Italian roast. basically burnt and if you like the taste of charcoal go for espresso roast.

OP if your set on getting him a new stovetop. go for the brikka its the closest to real espresso as possible without having 9 bar pressure.

for affordable but good machines go for a saeco aroma.

 

[RondeB]

How about a beans from go coffee go.com? It's a great way to try a bunch of different micro roasters. Can get regular coffee too.

 

[StillShaving]

I don't have a specific espresso machine recommendation. Most connoisseurs wanting convenience, repeatability, and basic control would look for a semi-automatic machine. Others wanting a more pure or intimate experience would look for a manual lever machine. As you know, these machines can be expensive, so even the most diehard espresso lover will have only owned a few machines to compare against each other. Prices vary due not only to fit-and-finish of the overall package, but also the way the heating element is put together...whether it is single boiler, single boiler with thermoblock, mechanical thermostat vs PID temperature control, etc. Delivering the proper water temperature and pressure profile in a very consistent and repeatable fashion at the business end of the machine (group head) is everything.

I don't know anything specific about that Gaggia 14101, but I would guess its temperature consistency is not the best. I suspect it is capable of produce good tasting coffee, just not the same as the more elaborate ~$1K machines. As a side comment - I know it is not feasible, but it would be fun to do a taste test between this Gaggia 14101 and the Moka pot, to see which comes out on top.

 

[cpcohen1945]

Watching that Youtube video of the Bialetti, I could almost smell the coffee . . .

Thanks!

. charles

 

[Dr Roadrash]

One of the less expensive Gaggias are great ways to get into home espresso. I think the Gaggia classic is one of the best values per performance. Yes the boiler is a bit small but what more could you get for the price. It is also competetly user servicable with lots of support. If you enjoy it you can always upgrade but grinder first...

Aaron

 

[Slash McCoy]

I like my moka but I actually prefer my steam power Mr Coffee. Plus I can steam milk for a cappa. And at 39.95 the price is right. It takes practice to get optimum results though. You nearly have to over tamp and I find it necessary to bleed off a little steam and then wait for approx 7 min to get a good head of pressure. Still it is prob about half of most pump
machines and the temp is too high. Nevertheless it satisfies my unrefined and unjaded palate. But the moka is still pretty darn good. I might try a bellman soon. Def looking at the cheap saeco automatics tho.

 

[MickToley]

That's it. After watching that video I must buy myself a brikka.

 

[AjaxLepinski]

There's something to be said for stainless steel made in Canada...
http://www.cuisinox.com/products.php?product_id=869

 

[nff]

wow that thing is expensive! even the 4 cupper is over $100 unless it can compete with the brikka in coffee quality i dont want to pay that much for a stovetop.