Hope this was helpful! Now, pls make my day and hit that subscribe button if you haven't yet! And tamping like would be cool, too. And wiring me a few thousand bucks would be swell. Much love
Grabbed an 1Zpresso with a broken handle and a slightly scratched up Flair Pro 2 for 220 total. Having a blast with it! Buying second hand stuff rules people!
Bought the Kingrinder K6 in 2021 and since then so many videos came out praising it as a great option. Never felt so good about myself lol. Still use it every day. Espresso in the morning, filter in the afternoon. Awesome grinder!
@@peterkapunkt6783 I make coffee at 5:00 a.m. and it's far far more quiet. It does pour over much better and it does espresso right around as well. I can travel with it easily and it's $100. The thing's a monster
The Coffee world is so similar to the Camera world. So many options, so many variables, so many opinions. But at the end of the day, there are capable tools in all price categories and the biggest attribution to good coffee and good photos is the person behind the machine.
Not sure if it’s in here, but I just went from a Bianca V3 to a Picopresso due to needing funds for my sons cancer, and I have to say, it’s pretty damn good.
Used marked all day long! I know prices vary a lot, it takes time and some risk is involved, but if we are talking bang for your buck it's unbeatable. You and Hoffmann could have a competition like "Scrapyard wars" one day, where each has 1000€ to get the best coffee setup used in 5 days or so. I think it is a great way to encourage ppl to buy second hand. I myself got a gaggia classic (100€+60€ new boiler+pump), bezzera bb005 (50€) and a 1zpresso J-Max(120€) within a year and all local. Gaggiuno mod on top, thx Lance
YES! THIS! I got my 1Zpresso J-Max last month! He was asking for $120, offered $90 and he took it. Also got my Breville Bambino for less than half off at $140 and it was only used ONCE before. Buy pre-owned for the big items if you can.
2 หลายเดือนก่อน +2
My friend looked at my Breville Dual Boiler and really liked it. He did not want to pay that much to get a new one, so went to a used one for $750. 3 months later the steam boiler cracked. He cannot find a new one or a used one. Breville does not sell parts, only service machines. He called to a service and they just said they cannot repair, only replace with a new one if he pays $900. Now I pray to have my machine working for a long time, because it appears that any major failure will be the end of the machine. The moral of this story is sometimes the miser pays twice.
that sucks to hear. New tech often comes at the cost of repairability. But it also shows why its important to inform ppl about what to buy second hand. If you can't find any replacement parts online don't buy it.
For the accessories, I can vouch for Aliexpress' "Fuego Espresso Scale". It looks good, its decently responsive, it is accurate, it is rechargeable, it has a timer, it has auto timer functions and it costs 15 euro. I cannot fathom companies asking 100 euro for a simple scale. Accurate scales have been on the market for cheap prices for decades at this point. Just get the 15 euro one and it will do everything you need it to do. Also, to add to this video to whoever reads this - do not be scared to go the second hand route. As Lance says - well built items should last decades. In most cases, it is better to spend 500$ for 1250$ worth of gear, but used, instead of 500$ for 500$ worth of gear, but new. Obviously, just use your common sense when shopping used, but second hand items often go -50/-60% off.
Damn you Lance! I’m a lurker that never subscribes to stuff but that song at the end… must…. resist… subscribing… (AND I turned on the notification bell lol)
For those with a Kingrinder k6 or getting one, make sure to check the zero point. There's a lot of variance between units so make sure you verify what yours is when you're dialing in your clicks for espresso. I use one for espresso and pour-over and it is excellent at both.
Same with the 1Zpresso and you have to recalibrate them every time you clean them. Don't worry too much about the "zero," just try to keep it consistent. There's no good way to perfectly calibrate a hand grinder, and you still won't be able to compare yours to anybody else's because most people likewise have a different 'zero'!!!
Been very happy with the K6. Took a few attempts to get the right number of clicks but it has been really great. Does seem to prefer darker roasts than ultra light.
I recommend to buy a puck screen too. They might or might not improve your extraction but they hardly cost anything and they will keep your machine squeaky clean.
I have a ECP3420 and found that a puck screen is more useful for the default pressurized portafilter. The bottomless portafilter seems to make less mess for me.
@@masato-lee I don’t use pressurized filters. The puck screen keeps your shower screen and everything in the group head up to the 3way valve clean. I now only clean my machine once every two months or so and even then there’s hardly any coffee residue visible. Before, I used to clean it every week and the cleaning solution would come out brown.
I’ve been fighting upgraditis for sooo long because, at the end of the day, I know I’ve been steadily upping my game with my Dedica. So thank you for validating I don’t need to rush to upgrade. And thank you for putting this Xmas cheat sheet together. Love you
Df54 and bambino. Started with picopresso and k6 kingrinder (a tiny espresso setup) Pico was great but the hand grinder was so far below the df54. I love the current setup. People always say grinders are so important. I finally get it. I’m sure the pico and df54 would also kick butt. If I could do it again is skip the hand grinder and just save for the df54. The exact same beans ground for the same shot time and ratio are so much cleaner with the df54. I mainly drink long blacks or americanos.
Lance, this is super helpful! I'll definitely be sending this to all my friends who ask about setups from now on. It's so tough to figure out what to recommend without knowing their budget and preferences. Thanks a bunch! 😊
Again very impressive video. Fun to view and great summary. Amazing how you made a bunch of choices and in the end bundle the to fit many situations. You’re the coffee magic master!
Recently went from a fully auto delonghi magnifica super automatic to a DF54 and a MiiCoffee Apex v2 based on your previous review and I absolutely LOVE the espresso this combo makes! What a huge upgrade, I've been drinking a lot more espresso because of it. Initially I was going to go with a GCP but the whole boiler gate issue coupled with having to do upgrades that the apex comes with out of the box sealed it for me.
@@tobischepp4046 Absolutely! I feel like it's such a good value. I have a friend who has a much more expensive espresso machine and this get's very very close to that at 1/3rd the price.
Two accessories that are almost obligatory are a dosing funnel and a comfortable tamper. A scale, of course, is necessary. I have one of the starter delonghis and agree it is a surprisingly good machine. Aside from the dosing funnel and good tamper, getting a better portafilter really improved my experience as the stock baskets always fell out when I knocked out the puck.
@ yep, I should have just waited to watch tte while thing. Btw, my daily driver is k6+flair pro2 with light to medium roasts from all over the place. I’ve found the combo great for experimenting and really getting into the process.
I'm so glad I chose the ESP, I shimmed it for more espresso-side granularity and it's great even for lighter roasts. All you need, really, for a Gaggia Classic adjusted to 9 BAR
If i was looking to buy an espresso set-up for $500 (£500 for me) I would be looking at the used market. So many people are always upgrading. It's so easy to get a good condition used Gaggia classic pro for £300 and a DF54 for £200 and that's in the UK. I imagine the used market is 10 fold the size in the US for espresso equipment. You can get much better starter gear used and even something like a used Gaggia it's going to outlive any Delonghi or Breville machine and it will keep it's resale value.
Started with a Picopresso + K6 grinder + Subminimal milk foamer. Works well for Med Dark to Dark beans and is portable! Upgraded to a DF54 + Gaggia Classic Pro modded to become a Gaggiuino. It's so awesome learning how to self mod and be able to repair in the future when needed. I can work with any beans, and the steam power is on steroids. The setup doesn't take up much space at all. I am very happy with this setup. Shout out to Gaggiuino devs! The Picopresso/K6/subminimal combo is still in use and has been awesome during my travels. Pulling nice shots while outdoors in Colombia's Valle de Cocora was surreal. Highly recommended.
Thanks for the shout out Lance, very kind of you!! 😎🙏🙏We have some great discounts that go out as soon as folk join the mailing list, including Sage, DeLonghi, Baratza, Lelit & Ikape. Very nice video, and I'm not only saying that because of the shout out! 😆. By the way, Sage Appliances and Baratza have black Friday deals running in the UK. Ta! Kev
@LanceHedrick witty remarks aside, I really love to watch you videos for all the warmth and humor they contain, and I also always learn something new. Have a great December!
I preferred coffee channels when the creators sneered at anything under $1,000. Those were the good, old days. "Urgh! My burr set alone costs more than your entire setup, prole!" 🧐😂
Me: I don't need vindication for the choices I've already made. I don't need vindication for the choices I already made. Also me: Oh thank god he mentioned the equipment I've already bought
I previously owned a Delonghi ECP3420. As an entry level and budget machine, you can definitely start the espresso journey with this machine. However, you are also paying for what you get. For me, making a cup of latte takes me about 15 mins from beans to latte. This is because the boiler takes about 5 mins to heat up. And switching to steam mode takes another 5 mins to prepare the steam. The pump also started showing minor issues after almost a year of usage. Your mileage may vary but don’t expect it to last. I have upgraded to La Specialista and it has been nothing but a joy to use for the past 3-4 years
Very nice list for those of us wanting good coffee without going down a costly rabbit hole or wanting to spend time modding out machines. Just unboxed a DF54 to replace my Virtuoso+ for espresso. I did not realize Breville had such good baskets which I appreciate. Meaning no need for upgrading and extra cost. If there's a discount on the Bambino I'd replace my Delonghi 3630 and get a real steam wand. 😮
Great video for the holidays, Lance! On Espresso coffee shop - I have bought my Lelit Mara X from them, and I can recommend their service and great prices! On the Eurekas - I have a Mignon Zero, which I have modded by removing the declumper, and changing the dial and placing on an inclined stand - both 3D printed parts sold on Etsy. It has greatly improved retention from 0.1-0.3 to essentially 0, and re-grinding seems to be greatly, greatly reduced because I had to move finer on the same coffee and there are no clumps either! I only wish I could get a nicer set of burrs in it, as I drink light to medium roasts, but still it gives me great coffee!
Would love you to do this type of video for the next few ranges up. I’m gonna have a few grand soon that is going on a full set up would be great to get some of your opinions.
Awesome Lance! Great video. I personally don't recommend the Solis Barista Perfetta for the long run. It's longevity is terrible if you brew 2-3 cups per day. Had so send the machine back a couple of times and now out of warranty it is almost done. And that is with using filtered water and doing regular cleaning cycles.
I've had a Dedica for a long time using pre ground coffee for years, it has been great and just recently decided to grind my own beans now using an Encore ESP, it has worked out as a great combo, I'm now able to make even better coffee for lower cost per cup now that it's all dialled in.
I got a De'Longhi ecp3630 on the bay for $30 and a starseeker e55 and, so far, really loving the spressos I've been able to make. Probably gonna go a year before upgrading. Thanks for the shinfo, brethren
I currently have the Hibrew H10A + Hibrew G5 combo. IMO, this is the best bang for the buck set up for me and for where I am (SEA). When I saw your review with the H10A, I felt convinced and bought it right away. Prior to this set up, I had Flair Neo Flex + Hibrew G5 combo.
For a little bit more the cafelat robot is your best choice for single shots. Workflow blows away the flair products and it should last multiple generations. I had a breville barista express, added an old flair neo to test out manual, and now I only have the robot. 320usd for the robot (380usd for one with a pressure gauge) and 100usd for a k6 grinder it does make this list, but probably no affiliate link. You won't find a used robot, and for very good reason.
2yrs ago i got a used bambino plus and a new eureka manuale for. Since then i have been using it every day for 5-8 espressos and it has been great. It is surely not the best setup you can get, but for this price it makes very good espresso. Recimmended!
my husband and I have been rocking a Gaggia CP with a hand grinder since we got married. Saved up and got the DF54 about a year ago. Best coffee in town :)
bought the df54 and very pleased with it retention is pretty much nothing even without rdt. Opened the machine after 2 weeks of use and probably .2g of retention
I'll share my experience for the similar budget. I live in a country where we don't have Amazon r a really good discount, so I searched for used machines and grinders. I found a Solis Barista Perfetta machine in a good condintion and a modded Mazzer Mini grinder (singe-dose mod) for the total price of around 500 euros, including some AliExpress accessories. I've been using this for capuchinos and flat-whites every day for almost a year now and it's been a great experience. This is my first setup, so I can't compare this with anything else.
I’ve worked on bar with LM, and a spaziale vivaldi for years now. At home I’m using a Bambino and a Baratza vario. That combo slaps and it’s very budget friendly.
Love you Lance. You are getting better and better. 🥰 Love your new look. Very mature. And yes. I agree. We don't have to buy buy buy. We can just buy 😊 ❤
I just bought the Wacaco Exagram a few months ago! I absolutely love it! It has an amazing espresso mode that auto tares and starts the timer when 0.3 grams are detected. I absolutely recommend! Edit: It also has a nice pourover mode, I just don't use it for that as I have an Xbloom Studio
For everyone living in France: The Kottea CK150S sells for 99€ (MaxiCoffee) right now. I bought a used one a few months ago and considering the price point it's an incredible machine! It's basically a Solis Gran Gusto in a plastic housing instead of stainless steel.
In case that isn't mentioned in the video (will watch soon): there's a LOT of gear you can buy used. Like with many other hobbies, there are many people already into coffee who upgrade their kit or move on to other interests. No need to buy everything new! It takes a bit of effort in research to find the stuff that's reliable and/or not too hard to repair, but it's very rewarding. The Gaggia is a classic (badum-tss), so is the Silvia, and at least here, the small Lelit machines are a dime a dozen. Plus it's best not to let so many machines go to landfills!
it is really insane how much money you can save only by having some patience (and luck maybe). I just started my espresso game 2 weeks ago when i bought a used Bambino plus on ebay for 160€ in pretty good condition.
@@rachenputzer Couldn't agree more. My first espresso machine was a fully working Gaggia Classic (year 2006, only needed a bit of cleaning), for the astounding price of 20€. The seller had no idea that these machines had a great reputation and resale value (~100-150€). I was lucky that I spotted the ad less than 15 minutes after it was published! I also bought used: a small moka pot, an Aeropress, 4 grinders (first a Wilfa Svart, then a Rocky, an Atom, and an Aergrind), a stovetop gooseneck kettle, a Brita jug, and 12 espresso cups. Only this year (after 3 years into coffee) am I finally splurging on a single-dose grinder, and those are still very rarely resold, so I took a chance on a new one that doesn't really have reviews yet.
I'm using a Delonghi EC230.BK Stilosa + SD40 grinder, upgraded to a naked portafilter and IMS basket and BOOM!. God damn kickass espresso every single time for a super friendly budget!
I would go with two of Lance’s previous notables: the HiBrew H10A, and the Urbanic 070s. The H10A gives you a stainless steel housing, 58mm portafilter, PID and pressure gauge for $200. The 070s is a 250 watt vertical 60mm flat titanium burr grinder optimized for espresso. Used as a single-serving system it’s great. Slow-feed the beans, which is easily done with the guillotine trap door in the hopper, and you get consistent grind size with no stalls - even using very light roasts. $220 shipped.
I picked up a gently used ECM Mechanika VI and paired it with a D64 Gen2 and have absolutely no regrets. I can't imagine spending any more but really wouldn't want anything less.
I have a gaggia classic (old one), flair Neo off Amazon (love it), off brand Outin off Amazon, and a Veispie grinder off Amazon that has held up for 2 years
Always look for second hand. People often buy espresso machines and either can't figure them out or can't be bothered because it takes more time and effort. I got a Bambino Plus in nearly new condition for €150 and I bought a display model Smart Grinder Pro for about 30% less.
Already have a grinder, scale and espresso machine from this list. Christmas this year is new gaskets for my Gaggia that I bought used. Thanks for fighting gear acquisition syndrome.
Cafellat Robot, 370 EUR without pressure gauge, is a machine which will outlive any machine. Take Kingrind k6 for 80 eur, or 350 EUR Kinu M47 for ultimate combination.
I’m currently impatiently waiting on a Cafelat Robot and J-Ultra in the mail-doesn’t look like there are any sales on the Robot (outside of Cafune referral codes), so that might squeak it over budget depending on regional pricing. But a decent alternative to consider for those looking at the Flair Pros.
What would you recommend for being able to do 3-4 drinks in short time frame? Coffee for me and the missus and steamers for the kiddos when trying to get out the door in the morning. Leaning towards something that has a 3 way solenoid and maybe one of the smart steaming things from Breville so the kids could learn to make their own.
It is now after Christmas, but I got lucky and found a Bambino at my local Marshall’s for $250. Immediately took it home as I’m an espresso noob and this is my first machine. I have a Fellow Ode grinder that I’ve been using for pour over, but it definitely does NOT go fine enough for espresso. Saw the DF54 is currently sold out but they’re offering discounted pricing for preorders so I jumped on the waitlist for $215 for that shipped. So total, I have $465 in a new Bambino and DF54. For now, I just have to figure out how to pull shots with my current grinder and this double walled basket that don’t taste like lemon juice until my new grinder ships at the end of this month… 🤔
This video is great any newcomers to the espresso / coffee world. I already builded out mine. A used gaggia classic evo pro 2023 for 360 euros and a used graef cm702 for 40 euros and about 100+ for espresso puck prep. Doesn’t have any pid but I can live without it for the time being. Is really enjoyable and the steam wand is gorgeous!
I have a set of equipment from your list - Dedica with modified steam wand and Baratza ESP. I'm mega happy with cappucino quality at home! Better than in coffee shops.
Thanks for the reviews. Glad to see delonghi mentioned Here in indonesia, they sell breville bambino for 2x price of delonghi maestro. Crazy expensive. I'll just buy delonghi
Hope this was helpful!
Now, pls make my day and hit that subscribe button if you haven't yet! And tamping like would be cool, too. And wiring me a few thousand bucks would be swell. Much love
Thanks Lance, I really appreciate your hard work.
@17:39 😂🤌🤌
Got the first two done, I'll get back to you on the third :)
What are your thoughts on the rancillio Silvia? Not about being in this price range just it gets compared to the gaggia a lot.
No more tapping like for me. From this point forward we should all “tamp like”!
Grabbed an 1Zpresso with a broken handle and a slightly scratched up Flair Pro 2 for 220 total. Having a blast with it! Buying second hand stuff rules people!
How do you find an 1Zpresso with a broken handle OmO
@@YerSiNia14 The wooden knob came off and they stripped some stuff trying to get it back on. Not difficult to fix!
Love my flair
Bought the Kingrinder K6 in 2021 and since then so many videos came out praising it as a great option. Never felt so good about myself lol.
Still use it every day. Espresso in the morning, filter in the afternoon. Awesome grinder!
It's quickly replacing my niche zero.....
Why? @@Azurelightning05
Got mine last year, great pair with Flair and filter
@@peterkapunkt6783 I make coffee at 5:00 a.m. and it's far far more quiet. It does pour over much better and it does espresso right around as well. I can travel with it easily and it's $100. The thing's a monster
@@Azurelightning05 bruh what's wrong with you
The Coffee world is so similar to the Camera world. So many options, so many variables, so many opinions. But at the end of the day, there are capable tools in all price categories and the biggest attribution to good coffee and good photos is the person behind the machine.
Agree.
yupp I'm a coffee lovin photographer 😂
@@handleisGG me too 📷😉
@@reysotolongo 🥰📸
Totally! Started my espresso journey in 2021 and I'm on my 3rd machine to date.
Not sure if it’s in here, but I just went from a Bianca V3 to a Picopresso due to needing funds for my sons cancer, and I have to say, it’s pretty damn good.
It's here!
@@LanceHedrickI’m finding it so good for the price, that I will never let it go even when I move back up down the road. So good.
Hope the best for your son, sir
Wish your son a resilient and successful fight
Much love to you and your son
Used marked all day long! I know prices vary a lot, it takes time and some risk is involved, but if we are talking bang for your buck it's unbeatable. You and Hoffmann could have a competition like "Scrapyard wars" one day, where each has 1000€ to get the best coffee setup used in 5 days or so. I think it is a great way to encourage ppl to buy second hand.
I myself got a gaggia classic (100€+60€ new boiler+pump), bezzera bb005 (50€) and a 1zpresso J-Max(120€) within a year and all local. Gaggiuno mod on top, thx Lance
YES! THIS! I got my 1Zpresso J-Max last month! He was asking for $120, offered $90 and he took it. Also got my Breville Bambino for less than half off at $140 and it was only used ONCE before.
Buy pre-owned for the big items if you can.
My friend looked at my Breville Dual Boiler and really liked it. He did not want to pay that much to get a new one, so went to a used one for $750. 3 months later the steam boiler cracked. He cannot find a new one or a used one. Breville does not sell parts, only service machines. He called to a service and they just said they cannot repair, only replace with a new one if he pays $900. Now I pray to have my machine working for a long time, because it appears that any major failure will be the end of the machine. The moral of this story is sometimes the miser pays twice.
that sucks to hear. New tech often comes at the cost of repairability. But it also shows why its important to inform ppl about what to buy second hand. If you can't find any replacement parts online don't buy it.
For the accessories, I can vouch for Aliexpress' "Fuego Espresso Scale". It looks good, its decently responsive, it is accurate, it is rechargeable, it has a timer, it has auto timer functions and it costs 15 euro. I cannot fathom companies asking 100 euro for a simple scale. Accurate scales have been on the market for cheap prices for decades at this point. Just get the 15 euro one and it will do everything you need it to do.
Also, to add to this video to whoever reads this - do not be scared to go the second hand route. As Lance says - well built items should last decades. In most cases, it is better to spend 500$ for 1250$ worth of gear, but used, instead of 500$ for 500$ worth of gear, but new. Obviously, just use your common sense when shopping used, but second hand items often go -50/-60% off.
Preach!
Fax, no printer. My gear bought used: $90 1Zpresso J-Max, $140 Bambino.
Value: *$458....*
Damn you Lance! I’m a lurker that never subscribes to stuff but that song at the end… must…. resist… subscribing… (AND I turned on the notification bell lol)
For those with a Kingrinder k6 or getting one, make sure to check the zero point. There's a lot of variance between units so make sure you verify what yours is when you're dialing in your clicks for espresso. I use one for espresso and pour-over and it is excellent at both.
Same with the 1Zpresso and you have to recalibrate them every time you clean them. Don't worry too much about the "zero," just try to keep it consistent. There's no good way to perfectly calibrate a hand grinder, and you still won't be able to compare yours to anybody else's because most people likewise have a different 'zero'!!!
Been very happy with the K6. Took a few attempts to get the right number of clicks but it has been really great. Does seem to prefer darker roasts than ultra light.
Amazing song at the end! Well done!
I recommend to buy a puck screen too. They might or might not improve your extraction but they hardly cost anything and they will keep your machine squeaky clean.
True
I have a ECP3420 and found that a puck screen is more useful for the default pressurized portafilter. The bottomless portafilter seems to make less mess for me.
@@masato-lee I don’t use pressurized filters. The puck screen keeps your shower screen and everything in the group head up to the 3way valve clean.
I now only clean my machine once every two months or so and even then there’s hardly any coffee residue visible.
Before, I used to clean it every week and the cleaning solution would come out brown.
@@Conservator. that's neat. Do you taste anything metallic from the puck screen though? Also how do you clean the puck screen?
The puck screen doesn't affect the taste at all. Also, a simple rinse will keep it clean for a good amount of time.
@masato-lee
I’ve been fighting upgraditis for sooo long because, at the end of the day, I know I’ve been steadily upping my game with my Dedica.
So thank you for validating I don’t need to rush to upgrade.
And thank you for putting this Xmas cheat sheet together.
Love you
So glad to have discovered your channel today I've been trying to find espresso machines on a budget for my birthday so this is an amazing video!
Df54 and bambino. Started with picopresso and k6 kingrinder (a tiny espresso setup) Pico was great but the hand grinder was so far below the df54. I love the current setup. People always say grinders are so important. I finally get it. I’m sure the pico and df54 would also kick butt. If I could do it again is skip the hand grinder and just save for the df54. The exact same beans ground for the same shot time and ratio are so much cleaner with the df54. I mainly drink long blacks or americanos.
Being an ex small biz owner, UI appreciate your support of direct company support. Great video, and information, Thank you!
Lance, this is super helpful! I'll definitely be sending this to all my friends who ask about setups from now on. It's so tough to figure out what to recommend without knowing their budget and preferences. Thanks a bunch! 😊
Lookin buff my man, really fillin out those sleeves
This is amazing timing thank you! I’ve been binging all your videos and specifically looking to get into espresso lately
Again very impressive video. Fun to view and great summary. Amazing how you made a bunch of choices and in the end bundle the to fit many situations. You’re the coffee magic master!
Nicely done, Lance! You cut through the noise and gave us good counsel.
You're awesome, great finale! 👏
Watching your intro I feel like we litterally saw you grow up on youtube! Or, you really enjoy changing style often. Nice evolution and maturation.
Recently went from a fully auto delonghi magnifica super automatic to a DF54 and a MiiCoffee Apex v2 based on your previous review and I absolutely LOVE the espresso this combo makes! What a huge upgrade, I've been drinking a lot more espresso because of it. Initially I was going to go with a GCP but the whole boiler gate issue coupled with having to do upgrades that the apex comes with out of the box sealed it for me.
I also have the DF54 and just use it for filter, frenchpress and bialetti. I am thinkng about buying the MiiCoffee v2. So you are happy with it? :)
@@tobischepp4046 Absolutely! I feel like it's such a good value. I have a friend who has a much more expensive espresso machine and this get's very very close to that at 1/3rd the price.
Im a fairly new owner of a Hibrew h10a with a DF54. Mostly due to your recommendations. Super happy with the setup!
How you like the hibrew? I want to pick one up since they’re so cheap
Very informative ! There are so many options out there and this video really helped me understand/narrow down what I just might end up buying !
I always recommend the Weightman. I have many scales but it's the one that I treat the worst and it treats me right.
So glad this video come up... Now I can continue my life, looking up my future and don't regret buying Eureka Mignon Specialita
Two accessories that are almost obligatory are a dosing funnel and a comfortable tamper. A scale, of course, is necessary.
I have one of the starter delonghis and agree it is a surprisingly good machine. Aside from the dosing funnel and good tamper, getting a better portafilter really improved my experience as the stock baskets always fell out when I knocked out the puck.
absolutely! All you mention are on my list
@ yep, I should have just waited to watch tte while thing.
Btw, my daily driver is k6+flair pro2 with light to medium roasts from all over the place. I’ve found the combo great for experimenting and really getting into the process.
I have the specialita for 4 years and it still a great grinder for me. Easy to clean and so many accessories available.
I'm so glad I chose the ESP, I shimmed it for more espresso-side granularity and it's great even for lighter roasts. All you need, really, for a Gaggia Classic adjusted to 9 BAR
If i was looking to buy an espresso set-up for $500 (£500 for me) I would be looking at the used market. So many people are always upgrading. It's so easy to get a good condition used Gaggia classic pro for £300 and a DF54 for £200 and that's in the UK. I imagine the used market is 10 fold the size in the US for espresso equipment. You can get much better starter gear used and even something like a used Gaggia it's going to outlive any Delonghi or Breville machine and it will keep it's resale value.
As always...appreciate the honesty and candor.
Best possible video ?! At the best moment ?!!! LET'S GOOOO !!😮😮😮
Great review, Lance. Thank you!
Started with a Picopresso + K6 grinder + Subminimal milk foamer. Works well for Med Dark to Dark beans and is portable!
Upgraded to a DF54 + Gaggia Classic Pro modded to become a Gaggiuino. It's so awesome learning how to self mod and be able to repair in the future when needed. I can work with any beans, and the steam power is on steroids. The setup doesn't take up much space at all. I am very happy with this setup. Shout out to Gaggiuino devs!
The Picopresso/K6/subminimal combo is still in use and has been awesome during my travels. Pulling nice shots while outdoors in Colombia's Valle de Cocora was surreal. Highly recommended.
Sir Lancelot at it again, bringing spro to the masses.
Thanks for the shout out Lance, very kind of you!! 😎🙏🙏We have some great discounts that go out as soon as folk join the mailing list, including Sage, DeLonghi, Baratza, Lelit & Ikape. Very nice video, and I'm not only saying that because of the shout out! 😆. By the way, Sage Appliances and Baratza have black Friday deals running in the UK. Ta! Kev
Wow, now that is a Christmas banger 🎶
Hahahaha
@LanceHedrick witty remarks aside, I really love to watch you videos for all the warmth and humor they contain, and I also always learn something new. Have a great December!
Lance's performances are great!
Digging the fresh crew cut and mid fade!
The into was so good lance 👌🏼
I preferred coffee channels when the creators sneered at anything under $1,000. Those were the good, old days. "Urgh! My burr set alone costs more than your entire setup, prole!" 🧐😂
Hahahahahahaha
Well, in those good old days there weren't so many cheap and good options.
Love the shoutout to the classic drug dealer scale at the end there
I have basically the same one by a different brand, and I love it. Physical buttons all the way!
Me: I don't need vindication for the choices I've already made. I don't need vindication for the choices I already made.
Also me: Oh thank god he mentioned the equipment I've already bought
I literally ordered Flair Pro 3 and 1Zpresso K Ultra 30 mins ago. I feel you.
I previously owned a Delonghi ECP3420. As an entry level and budget machine, you can definitely start the espresso journey with this machine.
However, you are also paying for what you get. For me, making a cup of latte takes me about 15 mins from beans to latte. This is because the boiler takes about 5 mins to heat up. And switching to steam mode takes another 5 mins to prepare the steam.
The pump also started showing minor issues after almost a year of usage. Your mileage may vary but don’t expect it to last. I have upgraded to La Specialista and it has been nothing but a joy to use for the past 3-4 years
lol. Appreciated the video and loved the song. Happy Thanksgiving.
Very nice list for those of us wanting good coffee without going down a costly rabbit hole or wanting to spend time modding out machines. Just unboxed a DF54 to replace my Virtuoso+ for espresso. I did not realize Breville had such good baskets which I appreciate. Meaning no need for upgrading and extra cost.
If there's a discount on the Bambino I'd replace my Delonghi 3630 and get a real steam wand.
😮
Great video for the holidays, Lance! On Espresso coffee shop - I have bought my Lelit Mara X from them, and I can recommend their service and great prices!
On the Eurekas - I have a Mignon Zero, which I have modded by removing the declumper, and changing the dial and placing on an inclined stand - both 3D printed parts sold on Etsy. It has greatly improved retention from 0.1-0.3 to essentially 0, and re-grinding seems to be greatly, greatly reduced because I had to move finer on the same coffee and there are no clumps either! I only wish I could get a nicer set of burrs in it, as I drink light to medium roasts, but still it gives me great coffee!
Would love you to do this type of video for the next few ranges up. I’m gonna have a few grand soon that is going on a full set up would be great to get some of your opinions.
Awesome Lance! Great video. I personally don't recommend the Solis Barista Perfetta for the long run. It's longevity is terrible if you brew 2-3 cups per day. Had so send the machine back a couple of times and now out of warranty it is almost done. And that is with using filtered water and doing regular cleaning cycles.
I’ve had my Bonavita for a couple years now and I really love it.
Fantastic video Lance, cheers!
I've had a Dedica for a long time using pre ground coffee for years, it has been great and just recently decided to grind my own beans now using an Encore ESP, it has worked out as a great combo, I'm now able to make even better coffee for lower cost per cup now that it's all dialled in.
I got a De'Longhi ecp3630 on the bay for $30 and a starseeker e55 and, so far, really loving the spressos I've been able to make. Probably gonna go a year before upgrading. Thanks for the shinfo, brethren
:) stoked to see manuale/notte, it has been such a cool grinder for me and my light roast adventures. cheers! :)
I love your videos. Thank you for the effort you put on them!
I currently have the Hibrew H10A + Hibrew G5 combo. IMO, this is the best bang for the buck set up for me and for where I am (SEA). When I saw your review with the H10A, I felt convinced and bought it right away. Prior to this set up, I had Flair Neo Flex + Hibrew G5 combo.
Yes! Great video, loved the full setup section
For a little bit more the cafelat robot is your best choice for single shots. Workflow blows away the flair products and it should last multiple generations. I had a breville barista express, added an old flair neo to test out manual, and now I only have the robot. 320usd for the robot (380usd for one with a pressure gauge) and 100usd for a k6 grinder it does make this list, but probably no affiliate link. You won't find a used robot, and for very good reason.
2yrs ago i got a used bambino plus and a new eureka manuale for. Since then i have been using it every day for 5-8 espressos and it has been great. It is surely not the best setup you can get, but for this price it makes very good espresso. Recimmended!
my husband and I have been rocking a Gaggia CP with a hand grinder since we got married. Saved up and got the DF54 about a year ago. Best coffee in town :)
bought the df54 and very pleased with it retention is pretty much nothing even without rdt. Opened the machine after 2 weeks of use and probably .2g of retention
Got the ESP, EC885 and aftermarket portafilter in the beginning of the year for around 260€ through some nice discounts in germany and it SLAYS
Thats truly one of the best timestamps ever
Thank you Lance.
I have needed this.
I'll share my experience for the similar budget. I live in a country where we don't have Amazon r a really good discount, so I searched for used machines and grinders. I found a Solis Barista Perfetta machine in a good condintion and a modded Mazzer Mini grinder (singe-dose mod) for the total price of around 500 euros, including some AliExpress accessories. I've been using this for capuchinos and flat-whites every day for almost a year now and it's been a great experience. This is my first setup, so I can't compare this with anything else.
I’ve worked on bar with LM, and a spaziale vivaldi for years now. At home I’m using a Bambino and a Baratza vario.
That combo slaps and it’s very budget friendly.
Only watching for confirmation of my choice of the K6. Thank you Lance.
Love you Lance. You are getting better and better. 🥰 Love your new look. Very mature. And yes. I agree. We don't have to buy buy buy. We can just buy 😊 ❤
I just bought the Wacaco Exagram a few months ago! I absolutely love it! It has an amazing espresso mode that auto tares and starts the timer when 0.3 grams are detected. I absolutely recommend!
Edit: It also has a nice pourover mode, I just don't use it for that as I have an Xbloom Studio
For everyone living in France: The Kottea CK150S sells for 99€ (MaxiCoffee) right now. I bought a used one a few months ago and considering the price point it's an incredible machine! It's basically a Solis Gran Gusto in a plastic housing instead of stainless steel.
In case that isn't mentioned in the video (will watch soon): there's a LOT of gear you can buy used.
Like with many other hobbies, there are many people already into coffee who upgrade their kit or move on to other interests. No need to buy everything new!
It takes a bit of effort in research to find the stuff that's reliable and/or not too hard to repair, but it's very rewarding. The Gaggia is a classic (badum-tss), so is the Silvia, and at least here, the small Lelit machines are a dime a dozen.
Plus it's best not to let so many machines go to landfills!
100000% agreed
it is really insane how much money you can save only by having some patience (and luck maybe). I just started my espresso game 2 weeks ago when i bought a used Bambino plus on ebay for 160€ in pretty good condition.
@@rachenputzer Couldn't agree more. My first espresso machine was a fully working Gaggia Classic (year 2006, only needed a bit of cleaning), for the astounding price of 20€. The seller had no idea that these machines had a great reputation and resale value (~100-150€). I was lucky that I spotted the ad less than 15 minutes after it was published!
I also bought used: a small moka pot, an Aeropress, 4 grinders (first a Wilfa Svart, then a Rocky, an Atom, and an Aergrind), a stovetop gooseneck kettle, a Brita jug, and 12 espresso cups.
Only this year (after 3 years into coffee) am I finally splurging on a single-dose grinder, and those are still very rarely resold, so I took a chance on a new one that doesn't really have reviews yet.
The burr man carol was the highlight of the video by far 😂
This is what I needed.
I'm using a Delonghi EC230.BK Stilosa + SD40 grinder, upgraded to a naked portafilter and IMS basket and BOOM!. God damn kickass espresso every single time for a super friendly budget!
I would go with two of Lance’s previous notables: the HiBrew H10A, and the Urbanic 070s. The H10A gives you a stainless steel housing, 58mm portafilter, PID and pressure gauge for $200. The 070s is a 250 watt vertical 60mm flat titanium burr grinder optimized for espresso. Used as a single-serving system it’s great. Slow-feed the beans, which is easily done with the guillotine trap door in the hopper, and you get consistent grind size with no stalls - even using very light roasts. $220 shipped.
I picked up a gently used ECM Mechanika VI and paired it with a D64 Gen2 and have absolutely no regrets. I can't imagine spending any more but really wouldn't want anything less.
I have a gaggia classic (old one), flair Neo off Amazon (love it), off brand Outin off Amazon, and a Veispie grinder off Amazon that has held up for 2 years
Always look for second hand. People often buy espresso machines and either can't figure them out or can't be bothered because it takes more time and effort. I got a Bambino Plus in nearly new condition for €150 and I bought a display model Smart Grinder Pro for about 30% less.
Happy Thanksgiving Lance.
Flair plus 1Zpresso is the winner combo.
came for the coffee recs; stayed for the singing
First time I sort of enjoyed Lance's singing!
That haircut is fire, my guy!
Already have a grinder, scale and espresso machine from this list. Christmas this year is new gaskets for my Gaggia that I bought used. Thanks for fighting gear acquisition syndrome.
Cafellat Robot, 370 EUR without pressure gauge, is a machine which will outlive any machine. Take Kingrind k6 for 80 eur, or 350 EUR Kinu M47 for ultimate combination.
Bossman. Glad youre reading through our comments 👍
Trying to keep up!
@LanceHedrick great content. Keep it up! 💪
I’m currently impatiently waiting on a Cafelat Robot and J-Ultra in the mail-doesn’t look like there are any sales on the Robot (outside of Cafune referral codes), so that might squeak it over budget depending on regional pricing. But a decent alternative to consider for those looking at the Flair Pros.
Great set up!
What would you recommend for being able to do 3-4 drinks in short time frame? Coffee for me and the missus and steamers for the kiddos when trying to get out the door in the morning. Leaning towards something that has a 3 way solenoid and maybe one of the smart steaming things from Breville so the kids could learn to make their own.
Awesome video as always! No love for my beloved cafelat robot 😢but that's ok
The song at the end 🤌👌🏻
Hey lance! I absolutely love you videos. Was wondering if you could do a video on dialing in various espresso with the fellow opus? Big love
Love the hair cut
Coffee Kev gets some love!
Like the new hair cut
It is now after Christmas, but I got lucky and found a Bambino at my local Marshall’s for $250. Immediately took it home as I’m an espresso noob and this is my first machine. I have a Fellow Ode grinder that I’ve been using for pour over, but it definitely does NOT go fine enough for espresso. Saw the DF54 is currently sold out but they’re offering discounted pricing for preorders so I jumped on the waitlist for $215 for that shipped. So total, I have $465 in a new Bambino and DF54. For now, I just have to figure out how to pull shots with my current grinder and this double walled basket that don’t taste like lemon juice until my new grinder ships at the end of this month… 🤔
Lance the Hi Brew has an updated H10-plus now that includes a solenoid valve. Also it is pressure programmable now as well
Cafelat Robot + Kinu Classic
= Great Espresso Setup
Yes. Also not under 500 bucks lol
This video is great any newcomers to the espresso / coffee world. I already builded out mine. A used gaggia classic evo pro 2023 for 360 euros and a used graef cm702 for 40 euros and about 100+ for espresso puck prep. Doesn’t have any pid but I can live without it for the time being. Is really enjoyable and the steam wand is gorgeous!
I have a set of equipment from your list - Dedica with modified steam wand and Baratza ESP. I'm mega happy with cappucino quality at home! Better than in coffee shops.
Thanks for the reviews. Glad to see delonghi mentioned
Here in indonesia, they sell breville bambino for 2x price of delonghi maestro. Crazy expensive. I'll just buy delonghi