Buying Your First Coffee Machine
“Hi, I want to get a coffee machine. Could you recommend one for me?”
This is a question I get frequently from my friends in various forms (sans polite tone and grammatical integrity of the spoken sentence), hence this article. Full disclosure: I am not an expert on all things coffee. This article is by no means exhaustive, or beyond critique. Feel free to comment with your thoughts and point out anything you disagree with.
Choosing the right coffee machine is a tricky question to tackle. Given the numerous brands and types of coffee machines out there, choosing a machine can get overwhelming. Unless you’re confident of what you want, there’s a high possibility that you might end up buying something completely different from your expectations. To make it easier for you, I have drawn a simple flow chart which should roughly direct you to the kind of machine that best suits your needs.
Now that you have some clarity on the kind of machine that you should be looking at, feel free to skip to the section that concerns you. I will be making recommendations based on the next big thing to consider — budget. Don’t expect to see the La Marzoccos and Slayers in this article; this article is for the beginner with a modest budget.
Semi-automatic Espresso Machine
Espresso machines should not be considered lightly. They’re a mighty big investment, both in capital and time. They’re also the closest you will come to in replicating the cappuccinos and flat-whites from your favourite cafes. A semi-automatic will set you back by quite a sum, and it is worth noting that it is equally (if not more) important to invest in a proper grinder. A good grinder is not something you can ever run away from, believe me- I’ve tried. And no, just because the grinder has “espresso/fine” settings, it does not mean that it can produce a grind size fine enough to pull good espresso shots.
The ballpark region you should be looking to spend on an entry level grinder+espresso machine combination should be around the SGD2000 range. The cheapest recommendation would be a Breville Infuser (SGD986), paired with a Baratza Sette 270 Wi (SGD799). You could also pair it with a hand grinder capable of grinding to espresso such as the Comandante C40 hand grinder (SGD379). This might be the cheapest option to get a decent espresso shot out but by no means do I recommend this. Firstly, hand grinding for an espresso is a chore. Unless you want a workout to go alongside your coffee, stick to the electric grinder option.
For a tighter budget, one could, perhaps, also look at the DeLonghi Dedica and pair it with a good grinder. It’s worthy to note that the Dedica comes with a pressurised portafilter basket only. You should look to get a third party non-pressurised basket if DeLonghi does not make them. If you are not fussy about the quality of espresso you pull, the Dedica with the pressurised basket, and a relatively cheap grinder could do the trick to produce espresso shots. You could also use store-bought ground coffee in this set up. Your espressos won’t taste great, but your body will get the caffeine it craves.
I initially started out with the Breville Infuser, paired with the Breville Dose Control Pro grinder. The espressos I pulled were alright but I was itching for a change within a year.
It might also seem tempting to get an espresso machine with a built-in grinder but I highly recommend a separate grinder mainly for the reason that when you choose to upgrade, your first upgrade should be your grinder. Having a built-in grinder makes your machine more prone to break downs. Modularity is your best friend here.
Also see: Breville Bambino or the Gaggia Classic Pro.
Lever Espresso Machine
If spending a thousand dollars on a coffee set dilates your pupils beyond a reasonable size, consider the route of a lever espresso machine. Requiring more engagement and less forgiving than a semi-automatic, but equally capable of producing an exceptional shot of espresso, lever machines are a great way to learn more about the art of espresso. The Flair Pro 2 will set you back SGD550 but the cheaper Flair Neo is a steal at SGD245. Pair it with a Commandante or a Sette and you get a setup that is capable of producing an exceptional shot of espresso. A downside to lever machines would be the lack of a steam wand, meaning the need to scrounge for alternative methods of steaming milk for a milk-based drink. There are milk frothers such as the Nespresso Aeroccino or the Breville Milk Cafe Milk Frother which can produce great micro foam but do not expect to do latte art with them as the foam is usually very thick and dense.
Also see: Rok Espresso Machine or the Cafelat Robot Espresso Maker.
Stove-top
If you want a good, honest and strong cup of coffee, the classic moka pot should be a great choice. A staple in most Italian households, the moka pot is meant for the non-fussy, caffeine-chasing individual. A Bialetti (SGD97) would be the first brand that comes to mind when one thinks of moka pots although there are many around which could be worth a look. The Bialetti was the first piece of coffee equipment I owned and I have nothing but fond memories of it. Pair it with a Baratza Encore grinder (SGD225) and you have a fresh cup of coffee every morning. Since the moka pot does not need a grind size as fine as an espresso, cheaper hand grinders such as the Hario Ceramic Coffee Mill Mini-Slim Plus Coffee Grinder (SGD42) would also be a worthy and budget friendly option. Moka pots have an unfair reputation for producing very bitter coffee but this is mainly due to faults in technique and equipment maintenance.
A point to note — the moka pot, while claiming to do so, does not actually produce espresso. What you get is a brew that sits somewhere between an espresso and a filter brew. If you’re adamant on an espresso-making stove top device, the only option you have in front of you, to the best of my knowledge, would be the 9Barista Espresso Machine. A fascinating device, the 9Barista Espresso Machine is something I’d invest in just for its engineering magnificence. The 9Barista embodies some of the most fascinating qualities of coffee-making: precision, science and artistry. Be warned though, it does not come cheap, retailing at GBP295. You’d also need to pair it with an espresso-grade grinder.
Pour-over
If you prefer to taste the nuances of flavour in a coffee bean, or if single-origin coffee beans and complexity in flavour excite you, a pour-over might be your rightful companion. With a plethora of options to choose from, I recommend starting out with the classic Hario V60 (SGD42) or the Kalita Wave (SGD50). The two drippers produce subtle variations in taste; you’d have to decide which you prefer. Pour-overs also double up as great travel brewers, so you wouldn’t have to compromise on good coffee on your travels.
Also see: Aeropress, Chemex
French Press/Automatic Brewers
Most of us have seen or even owned a french press. It is a classic yet often disregarded piece of coffee equipment. However, with fresh beans ground to brew, a french press can produce exceptional coffee. Consider this if you’re looking at a fuss-free morning routine.
If you want to have your (filter) coffee and drink it too, consider an automatic brewer such as the Breville Precision Brewer (USD300) or a Moccamaster. It is an automatic filter brewer capable of brewing exceptional filter coffee. With customisable presets and temperature control, this is a great choice for the individual who is unwilling to compromise on quality and effort.
Super-automatics, a bracket of coffee machines I’m not exploring in this article, is an option for those with a relatively large budget who want good coffee but do not want to get involved in the entire coffee making process. Usually fetching more than a thousand dollars each, super-automatics are geared towards use in offices. As I have never owned or wanted to own one, I find it difficult to recommend any particular brand.
Explore: Jura, Gaggia, DeLonghi, Miele
Conclusion
Now that you have some idea on which pieces of coffee equipment to invest on, there are some points I’d like to reiterate. A great machine does not equate to good coffee. A relatively inexpensive machine paired with a great grinder will usually give you a better coffee than a four-digit-sum coffee machine paired with an incompatible grinder. Whatever your budget is, try to allocate about 60% of that on a grinder.
If you feel as though the budget you are trying to work with is too steep, look at second hand goods. Most coffee enthusiasts upgrade their equipment over time and you are bound to find great deals on machines and grinders that are usually very well-maintained.
Do not be lured into buying products which promise to deliver espresso at dirt cheap prices. Certain handheld pump products (I shall not name them) produce subpar tasting coffee with crema and claim that to be espresso. They’re not.
Nespresso machines are a great countertop show piece. That’s it.
The quest to make great coffee is a rabbit hole that is going to put some stress on your wallet. It will rob you of hours. If you’re not someone who will make it a lasting hobby, the opportunity cost of making a trip to the nearest specialty coffee bar for a cup of good coffee is far less than investing on a coffee setup only to use it sparingly.
Finally, always remember: the ultimate metric for good coffee is your tongue.
