New Espresso Machine

[craigb84]

I've researched this topic loads and came to the conclusion that the Gaggia Classic was the way to go along with buying some good beans from Has Bean. The issue I have is buying an expensive grinder. My £180 setup suddenly isn't enough and I'm looking at £400 to pull my own shots. I think it's crazy money so I'm looking at my options now.

Anybody have any advice on what sort of setup I should look at? I couldn't really justify spending more than a few hundred £ but I still want great coffee.

I read that it's all about the grinder but with Gaggia and co wanting more than the machine itself it sounds daft. Unless I go down the hand grinder route?

[Mobile Chicane]

Here you go:



Cheaper manual grinders are available, but I'd bet this is what every Italian household has.

[Flying machine]

Have you bought the gaggia yet? I looked at a lot of machines at the start of the year as a friend has the one you mention. I ended up buying an ascaso uno and I’m very pleased with it, coffee has been excellent from it even though I’m only using a cheap krups conical burr grinder, so I’d totally recommend you consider other machine as well if applicable. I’m starting to think about buying a ‘better’ grinder, but I do wonder how much hype is behind it i.e. is it worth it. The Rancilio Rocky Grinder always has good reviews

[cramorra]

http://www.bellabarista.co.uk/pdf/compactgrinder1c...
might aid in your decision - you can buy a lot with 189 quid even a good grinder it seems (I am not affilated with this company)