Re: The Newbie Has A Plan (stupidly long)

Hi Matthew. I enjoyed your letter.

I too worried that all this would be too fussy for first thing in the
morning, but in fact I enjoy the ritual and don't get into adjusting
the grind of my grinder depending on the humidity, etc.

I got a low to mid range espresso maker, a Gaggia Coffee. I'd been told
here that the Carezza has an odd placement of the frothing wand. Are
there Gaggia Espressos anywhere in your area? They're only a tiny bit
more than the Carezzas (like $10 U.S.). I'd stay away from anything
with a crema enhancer, like the Saecos.

The Gaggia Coffee does not have a steep learning curve, though of
course we have a relationship now! I did worry about that too.

I got a low to mid range grinder, a refurbished Solis Maestro Plus, at
about $130 U.S.. It seems quite adequate to me, though I haven't tried
a Rocky (I was advised that the Maestro Plus is at the low end of what
would work for espresso).

I guess I don't tend to buy things with the idea that I'll upgrade
later, unless "later" means "when this machine dies," or if I really
outgrow the use value of what I have. Anyway a used item rarely brings
in as much as one might hope, I've found.

Anyway, those are a few alternative thoughts.

Liz

.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: gaggia machines....
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  • Re: I keep raising my budget...
    ... | I looked at the Carezza and noticed it has an frothing aid... ... The Carezza, Espresso, Evolution, and Coffee all have the same internals, ... Espressos and Coffees have more normal wands (outer sleeve removes to reveal ...
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  • Modest espresso machine recommendations
    ... Espresso Nuovo when I bough it, ... Does anyone here know about the Gaggia Espresso and the Gaggia Coffee ... Are there other machines I should consider around $300? ...
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  • Re: Espresso m/c advice
    ... why a Classic and not an Espresso or ... I think Carezza is now discontinued, but to be honest I don't know which to buy, looking for advice ... ... the nice white plastic casing has turned a pretty awful 'old' yellow ... ...
    (alt.coffee)
  • Re: Espresso m/c advice
    ... Back to the original question, why a Classic and not an Espresso or ... another Carezza? ... I would say that an 'Espresso' with 3 way is the same as a Classic -- ... saeco / gaggia service SE ...
    (alt.coffee)