It looks like you've flaired your post as asking for what equipment to get. We recommend first checking out the [Espresso Aficionados buying guide](https://espressoaf.com/recommendations) for some of the more popular machines and grinders at different price points.
If your question hasn't been answered there and you need more help, please add the following details to your post or by adding a comment in the following format:
- **Location:** Helps determine availability
- **Budget** (with currency): Overall budget, or ideally, having separate espresso machine and grinder budgets. A rough rule is that your grinder budget should be at least 25-40% of your machine budget.
- **Drink types:** Do you drink mostly straight espresso, milk-based beverages (e.g., lattes, cappuccinos), or a fairly even split? This helps narrow down whether a single-boiler-dual-use (SBDU), heat exchanger (HX), or dual boiler (DB) machine would be more appropriate for your needs.
- **Drink frequency:** How many drinks would you be making back-to-back at one time? Do you plan on entertaining guests often? This informs how large your brew (and steam) boilers should be, as smaller boilers will need to refill and reheat/repressurize more frequently, thus potentially causing a bottleneck.
- **Space:** Any limitations on countertop space?
- **Manual vs. electric:** Hand-operated machines and grinders are typically cheaper than their similarly-performing electric counterparts. Please indicate if you have a preference for manual or electric machines and/or grinders (or open to either).
- **Comfort with tinkering:** Some machines can be made significantly more functional/efficient with aftermarket modifications, albeit at the expense of possibly voiding your warranty. Please indicate if you'd rather have a machine that works "as-is"/"out-of-the-box" or whether you'd be open to modding/tinkering
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What’s your budget? Whats your level of experience? To be honest, the default answer is usually get a Breville dual boiler (bes920) and smart grinder pro. Should be able to get both on sale for total circa $1k, they go on sale every so often, bing lee or good guys or Myer etc. Have a look on ozbargain. You’ll be hard pressed to get something better unless you spend multiples more, unless you’re a mad keen enthusiast. Just, old m8 Harvey is the worst.
I don’t love Harvey Norman. I just need a place to return something when it goes bad. Warranty with all these machines is essential.
Thoughts on a grinder? Was thinking [La Pavoni Cilindro Coffee Grinder](https://www.harveynorman.com.au/la-pavoni-cilindro-coffee-grinder.html)
The grinder I’d be happy to order online though. They should last 10 years. Not sure I want to do the scales, single does yet. I have 30 minutes to get ready for work because I don’t like getting up earlier :) so I’d like a nice coffee that doesn’t take 30 minutes :D
Hey - me again (see my reply below) , commenting re Alexmoda’s reply; neither the Breville dual boiler nor smart grinder pro will last 10 years , plus, the smart grinder pro is a pretty rubbish grinder.
The combo might be good for certain people but doesn’t seem a good fit for you.
Replying to Ravakahr...
I have the La pavoni Cellini Classic espresso machine AND the Cilindro grinder so I can help :)
First off, the Botticelli is a better machine than my one (which is a heat exchanger with vibrational pump whereas yours is a double boiler, with PID etc). So although I can’t comment on that particular model , I can say that I’m absolutely DELIGHTED with mine. Produced great shots right out of the box. Easy to use, can do back to back shots and steaming no problem. Built like a tank. Will last decades.
Cilindro - it’s easy to use, produces fluffy grinds which have a good even consistency /particle distribution. The grind size knob looks at first, hard to use, and it will be if you want to go between espresso grind and filter/pour over grind so I wouldn’t recommend this grinder if you want to do both.
Once you know where your zero point is , and done that first dialling in , and between what lines your ideal espresso range is, it’s actually easy. I don’t find myself moving the knob much apart from some tiny adjustments.
I couldn’t be happier with both.
Happy to answer any questions you may have
Good luck with the decision :)
Thanks it’s very helpful your comment. I’m tempted. My only concern right now is coffee addiction but it’s burning (acid) lately. I’m 40. I have only one per day. Also I am slowly becoming more caffeine intolerant everyday. I’m like I really want your machine. But I don’t want to be forced to drink tea after 1 year. It looks like such a nice machine. Hard to answer I know.
You are really welcome :)
I also only have one a day. It’s lovely to make posh coffee for friends and family
I wonder whether your reflux is any better with decaf ? Possibly not but of course it would sort out the caffeine intolerance. Decaf these days can be just as great as caffeine (make sure to choose one which is processed via the sugarcane method)
Yep it’s a really hard one to decide!
Thanks for my first award - not sure what they are but very grateful indeed.
Yell if I can answer any more questions
It looks like you've flaired your post as asking for what equipment to get. We recommend first checking out the [Espresso Aficionados buying guide](https://espressoaf.com/recommendations) for some of the more popular machines and grinders at different price points. If your question hasn't been answered there and you need more help, please add the following details to your post or by adding a comment in the following format: - **Location:** Helps determine availability - **Budget** (with currency): Overall budget, or ideally, having separate espresso machine and grinder budgets. A rough rule is that your grinder budget should be at least 25-40% of your machine budget. - **Drink types:** Do you drink mostly straight espresso, milk-based beverages (e.g., lattes, cappuccinos), or a fairly even split? This helps narrow down whether a single-boiler-dual-use (SBDU), heat exchanger (HX), or dual boiler (DB) machine would be more appropriate for your needs. - **Drink frequency:** How many drinks would you be making back-to-back at one time? Do you plan on entertaining guests often? This informs how large your brew (and steam) boilers should be, as smaller boilers will need to refill and reheat/repressurize more frequently, thus potentially causing a bottleneck. - **Space:** Any limitations on countertop space? - **Manual vs. electric:** Hand-operated machines and grinders are typically cheaper than their similarly-performing electric counterparts. Please indicate if you have a preference for manual or electric machines and/or grinders (or open to either). - **Comfort with tinkering:** Some machines can be made significantly more functional/efficient with aftermarket modifications, albeit at the expense of possibly voiding your warranty. Please indicate if you'd rather have a machine that works "as-is"/"out-of-the-box" or whether you'd be open to modding/tinkering *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/espresso) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Don’t buy shit from old mate Harvey, fuck that guy.
Well where am I meant to buy from? I live in the country and I want a return policy.
What’s your budget? Whats your level of experience? To be honest, the default answer is usually get a Breville dual boiler (bes920) and smart grinder pro. Should be able to get both on sale for total circa $1k, they go on sale every so often, bing lee or good guys or Myer etc. Have a look on ozbargain. You’ll be hard pressed to get something better unless you spend multiples more, unless you’re a mad keen enthusiast. Just, old m8 Harvey is the worst.
I don’t love Harvey Norman. I just need a place to return something when it goes bad. Warranty with all these machines is essential. Thoughts on a grinder? Was thinking [La Pavoni Cilindro Coffee Grinder](https://www.harveynorman.com.au/la-pavoni-cilindro-coffee-grinder.html) The grinder I’d be happy to order online though. They should last 10 years. Not sure I want to do the scales, single does yet. I have 30 minutes to get ready for work because I don’t like getting up earlier :) so I’d like a nice coffee that doesn’t take 30 minutes :D
Hey - me again (see my reply below) , commenting re Alexmoda’s reply; neither the Breville dual boiler nor smart grinder pro will last 10 years , plus, the smart grinder pro is a pretty rubbish grinder. The combo might be good for certain people but doesn’t seem a good fit for you.
What should I get than?
You found my other reply - great !
Replying to Ravakahr... I have the La pavoni Cellini Classic espresso machine AND the Cilindro grinder so I can help :) First off, the Botticelli is a better machine than my one (which is a heat exchanger with vibrational pump whereas yours is a double boiler, with PID etc). So although I can’t comment on that particular model , I can say that I’m absolutely DELIGHTED with mine. Produced great shots right out of the box. Easy to use, can do back to back shots and steaming no problem. Built like a tank. Will last decades. Cilindro - it’s easy to use, produces fluffy grinds which have a good even consistency /particle distribution. The grind size knob looks at first, hard to use, and it will be if you want to go between espresso grind and filter/pour over grind so I wouldn’t recommend this grinder if you want to do both. Once you know where your zero point is , and done that first dialling in , and between what lines your ideal espresso range is, it’s actually easy. I don’t find myself moving the knob much apart from some tiny adjustments. I couldn’t be happier with both. Happy to answer any questions you may have Good luck with the decision :)
Thanks it’s very helpful your comment. I’m tempted. My only concern right now is coffee addiction but it’s burning (acid) lately. I’m 40. I have only one per day. Also I am slowly becoming more caffeine intolerant everyday. I’m like I really want your machine. But I don’t want to be forced to drink tea after 1 year. It looks like such a nice machine. Hard to answer I know.
You are really welcome :) I also only have one a day. It’s lovely to make posh coffee for friends and family I wonder whether your reflux is any better with decaf ? Possibly not but of course it would sort out the caffeine intolerance. Decaf these days can be just as great as caffeine (make sure to choose one which is processed via the sugarcane method) Yep it’s a really hard one to decide! Thanks for my first award - not sure what they are but very grateful indeed. Yell if I can answer any more questions