What makes a "good" espresso machine?

[mac000]

I'm trying to pick up a new espresso machine after my $50 steam Krups died on me. So i did a little reading and found these 2 pump Gaggia machines:

I've been looking at the http://www.wholelattelove.com/Gaggia/carezza.cfm?SubCategoryID=1&BrandID=5

and the: http://www.wholelattelove.com/Gaggia/espresso.cfm

I am not trying to spend more than $250. Can any coffee experts help me make a solid purchase?

 

[Applespider]

Pressure is important when you're making espresso. You want at least a 14 bar machine.

And having a brass brewhead is good - helps keep the temperature constant.

Get one that's easy to clean out too - there's nothing worse than a bitter aftertaste because you can't get grounds out of awkward places.

 

[greendragon]

i know it's not what you're looking for but i have a http://www.bialettishop.com/MukkaMain.htm?gclid=CObi08ae8YcCFSb-YAoddnwzfg, and it works ok.

 

[blackstone]

The two espresso machines you're looking at seem pretty much identical (except that the second one looks a little more attractive to me), so it probably makes no difference which one you choose to get.

Do you already have a good grinder? If not, you should make sure to get one. The quality of your grinder is often a much more important factor than the quality of your espresso machine.

 

[mac000]

The two espresso machines you're looking at seem pretty much identical (except that the second one looks a little more attractive to me), so it probably makes no difference which one you choose to get.

Do you already have a good grinder? If not, you should make sure to get one. The quality of your grinder is often a much more important factor than the quality of your espresso machine.

to tell you the truth, i normally go to a coffee shop, local or starbucks, and ask them to grind me a 1/2lb of espresso there.

 

[The Mad Kiwi]

To get a good espresso, the grinder is probably more importent than the machine, get a good grinder (like a rocky or mini mazzer) and cheap machine.

Grind is crucial to good coffee.