Buying A Vintage Espresso Machine

Firstly - apologies for some sound issues on this one. Secondly - I hope you enjoy it, and are looking forward to the follow up to this nearly as much as me!

Links & More Information:
Thank you very much to Enrico Maltoni and Matteo Ricci for welcoming us to the workshop - it was a tonne of fun!

Thank you to the Museo della Città in Rimini for granting us access to film inside the gallery!

Music:
"Mohair Sweater 2.0" by coldbrew
"So Fresh" by The Fancee

Links:


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Things I use and like:

[cesaralmeida]

Something tells me this Enrico gentleman will have a lot more people lining up to buy some machines now. Which is a lovely thing, those machines were beautiful.

[Spongefov]

The classic Gaggia with its art deco styling emphasised to me how industrial products used to be designed to be just as beautiful as they were functional, really enjoyed seeing these machines are kept alive and we get to see it

[karu]

To be fair, the prices doesn't seem that inflated, considering they are vintage machines and new machines now are also costly.

[luciferdern]

As someone into vintage guitars I laughed when they were talking about those prices.
For something so old and so rare that's an incredible deal if you love the thing you're buying and can afford it.

[BIindsid]

You have a really good photographer working with you. Shot composition, colors, yadda yadda are not only professional af they are actually really good. I can tell whoever is behind the lens cares as much about making your youtube look good as you care about coffee.

[MrCess]

Last month I bought a Special Edition 1998 Gaggia Classic, fully polished stainless everywhere with 24k gold plated group, portafilter, drip tray & top plate. It may not be in the same ‘vintage’ class as the machine you’ve just bought but it’s one of the most beautiful things I own. I fully understand your love for old things. They don’t make em like they used to.

[justinlee]

"the idea of something old really appeals to me" - James Hoffman, the man who drinks espresso from the 1950s. highly accurate description of yourself, James!

[jameshim]

This smile on James' face, the genuineness of that smile, it really shows you what it's like when your work is your hobby

[ButchWilson]

The Crème Cafe Naturale machine grabbed my heart. That Art Deco styling is amazing. Thank you, Sir!

[Noverby]

That classic Gaggia with the text “Crema Cafe Naturale” is stunning. I love the design and styling of that machine and the glow of the lights. It somehow reminds me of going to an old theater.

These vintage espresso machines were designed to be both beautiful and functional. What’s striking to me is that attention was devoted to the way the machine presents both to the barista and the bar patron. I can’t imagine that many kitchen appliances today are designed to be beautiful from the front and the back — nor do many appliances seem built to last the way these machines were.

I doubt it qualifies as a vintage machine, but I recently tuned up a copper and brass pre-millennium La Pavoni lever machine. It was gifted to me after it had been lying around unused for some time. I’m glad it wasn’t my first espresso machine. The learning curve has been steep, but as I become more skilled with it it’s very much fun to use. To have such a beautiful and functional object that I get to enjoy daily is a joy.

[chaim]

I really liked how the Gaggia looked. It reminds me of the entrance to an upscale movie theater from the 50s

[samuelacheson]

Dude I LOVE how nervous he was to ask "can we make...coffee with this?" It was like asking permission from a superior, that was great.

[Ranzha_]

This was absolutely delightful. For some reason, I didn't expect that you would hook these up and actually prepare coffee from these machines! Not because of an inability to do so, but because of their preservation. But then I thought, what good is a vintage espresso machine that can't serve it's purpose??

So! When can we expect an "Ultimate Vintage Espresso Technique" video to drop? 😂

[_orodrigofernandes]

Love the enthusiasm on James face just before drinking the vintage machine coffee.

I love this man

[joshuaaustin]

The crown on the Gaggia, and the soft amber glow of the light behind the “crèma café”! Wow, stunning! That one is my favorite for sure!

[D-Vinko]

James, I'm not asking you to comment on politics, i just want to speak my mind.
Your calming and interesting videos help significantly with the anxiety related to the recent events in Eastern Europe.
Many of my favorite YouTubers were effected directly by this event in Ukraine including Life of Boris, among others, and to find a channel un-changed is nice. It's nice to feel like nothing is different nowadays. Thanks for your content

[thomaswhite]

If this doesn't become a road trip series of looking at different vintage espresso machines, I will be disappointed

[ChocolatTherapy]

knowing that the la marzocco linea mini of my dreams starts at 4000+? euros.. the prices of these are so.. low?? it's a lot of money for an old coffee machine, but i expected them to be way wayyyy more expensive! so glad you're supporting someone so passionate and knowledgeable for their craft <3

[GearsPhreak]

I love how that breville machine looked like a movie theater, incredible design work!

[DrewRandallPhoto]

I bloody love this video, it’s like a cross of coffee and classic cars. Also a small win for the environment I love how these machines are being rescued and repaired or even re-manufactured and being kept by people who will love and cherish them.

I can’t wait to see the final results and definitely will be thinking about a trip to London to see and taste for the finished product.