Why you SHOULD NOT buy an Espresso Machine

[Chevovish]

I had the opposite experience. Owned a cafelat robot, a 1zpresso hand grinder, and a NanoFoamer at home for more than 3 months. I developed a routine and was able to make a latte in 5 mins from start to finish, but I always thought the latte I used to order from my favorite coffee shop tasted better. Oh boy I was wrong. Today I visited the coffee shop for the first time in 3 months and ordered the same drink and I couldn't even drink half of it. The coffee tasted so bland. And I can tell they are not using high quality beans for their espresso. And the milk tasted extremely watery. The latte I make at home are so much better and I won't be coming back any time soon.

[ganicoruna]

Time is what makes it sweet and rewarding. The fact I, as a home barista, spend a lot of time and effort to serve my family and friends delicious coffee is why I’m into this hobby. Seeing them enjoy my coffee brings me joy.

[ellious]

I bought a $3 outlet timer from Home Depot and set it to come on 35mins before I wake that heats my machine up perfectly without me having to get out of bed. I dial in my grind setting at the beginning of the week and it gives me pretty consistent brew time and flavor as my DF 83 holds grind setting well throughout the week. Also I drink milk drinks which hides a multitude of sin. 😂👍🏽

[davidnguiingyant]

Totally agreed, finally someone said it. I bought a Breville B870 a year ago and I have gone thru all the things you said. I have just sold it and bought myself a good hand grinder and will go for Pour Over. While the espresso rabbit hole has been fun as well, I enjoy my pour over much better. Maybe one day I will have enough money getting higher end espresso machine and grinder. But for now, the experience with pour over is much consistent and enjoyable. ❤❤

[RasenRambo]

A Flair 58 with an Acaia scale adresses your concerns at well sub $1k. You have pressure control, flow control and (somewhat coarse) temperature control. There's even a BT connected third party pressure gauge attachment so you can also put that parameter on the screen. Check Lance Hedrick's work flow with it.

Others also mentioned the Robot, another solid option for great, great shots on a relative shoestring. I would go with these options until concepts like the Decent become ubiquitous and affordable.

[iecoie]

Simple solution for avid home-espresso creators:

Kinu hand grinder (m47)
& Cafelat Robot (standard edition)

[judiththomps]

I’ve got a Decent XL. Warmup time is not a problem. Dialing in new beans is fun and why this is a challenging hobby. The variables in prep can be adjusted from the real-time feedback I receive on my Decent screen. That is why I got a Decent machine. Regarding cost, my machine will have paid for itself once I’ve made 600 lattes. My counter shows I’ve pulled about 250 shots (averaging 1-2 shots a day). I have no regrets. I love this hobby. If this is not a “hobby” for you, I agree, it’s expensive and time-consuming. Drive to a coffee Shop instead.

[AbslomRob]

Pro tip: you don't need to stare at the machine while it warms up.

[audriusa]

I think you've hit all the right points and I think this video will be helpful for people who are not aware of what goes in to it before they spend lots of cash and realise its not for them. On the other hand it's funny to see people not wanting to put time and effort but wants maximum results everyday, and want it to be perfect, it doesnt have to be. It's a skill like any other, if you put time and effort it will be rewarding and satisfying, you are creator of this drink and you control it to your preference. I know everyone keeps on saying they dont have time, but find time for things that make you happy, and what interest you, hobbies paints life with colors and it will be over before we know it, so lets enjoy it!

[darolynbarber]

Coming from a former barista, these things even happens to the best of us. Even after making coffee for 8 hours a day for over 3 years, we still made mistakes and every now and then made bad coffee and believe me, the costumers would always let us know, bc people are picky about their coffee, even if they don’t think they are. This is all apart of the process. If you want a machine at home, it should be for hobby purposes. Otherwise, just go the coffee shop.

[betchaanbetjane]

There is a cost factor involved. I have two cups of coffee a day, 450ml, the minimum cost at a coffee shop £7.00. The equipment I have bought is about £618.00, so paid this off in about four months. I too went back to the coffee shop I used to frequent, and found the coffee weak and watery. Buy a percolator

[ferdinandludo]

Thanks for the video.. Agree on this specially for home use and if only 1-2 people drinking 1-2 cup a day.. Moka pot for me is as good as it gets.. Not quiet espresso machine but good enough..

[MrArdytube]

Smile… you make so many great points…. But probably these issues require experience to be able to fully understand.
Ultimately this is a hobby that requires significant commitment to;be able to move to an expert level.
But then again, the same is true of wine, golf, audiophile, classic car rebuilding, painting, music, photography, flying, baking, etc.
Otoh… serious hobbyists will find rewards that are inaccessible to dilettantes
A major problem is that most often we do not start with an understanding of our level of interest and commitment.
We neither understood the necessary dedication… nor do we understand the ultimate satisfaction of accomplishment
Regarding this hobby… I have been at it 20+ years and am still learning
I can say that I rarely enjoy a cafe coffee as much as I enjoy what I make at home
And, actually, this is a disappoint as well as as a source of pride and daily enjoyment

[fhailywalid]

I always tell people and friends that owning an manual espresso machine at home is a hobby, and for each hobby you need to spend time learning practicing it.
Get an automatic coffee maschine if coffee Making is not your hobby.

[aren]

if you’re a person who don’t wanna deal with waiting n improve your barista skills then i suggest go with nespresso machines they’re quick no headache and coffee taste really good
but what you come up in this video as problems it’s actually what makes it fun and enjoyable

[Gkm]

1:15: if warm up time is an issue for you, there are a slew of machines (small boiler, thermoblock) that are ready in just a few minutes. By the time you grind and tamp, the machine is ready.

[miko]

This is so true, it broke my spirit wanting to buy a new E61 just keep my gaggia

[redchen]

I opted to get the Flair 58 since I don't want to be bothered by repair when time comes. Also, I'm afraid to go down the rabbit hole of mods and upgrades.

[sbolger]

Oh my god! Spot on! I have been feeling like such a failure with my inconsistent espresso making these last years. (Olympia Cremina user). You make me feel a lot better! So, I've got 3 choices since I simply must have espresso at home: 1. Devote a ton of time refining my skills. 2. Spend a ton of money on a great machine. 3 Continue to fail!

[slvrbach]

Of course, you forgot to mention that, even with your 3 valid reasons, if you have a passion for making Cafe-quality (or better) espresso (and espresso drinks) at home, there really isn't anything more rewarding than this hobby!

Also, for what you paid for the Mara X, if you had it to do over again, you should have gotten a BDB (says a BDB owner)! 😉