Inexpensive espresso machine as a present?

System

I know this sort of topic has been canvassed at length, and I've tried to read all the posts, but I'm still a bit confused. A friend has asked for an espresso machine as a wedding present but I am a non-coffee drinker so I don't know much about them. I have a budget of about $300. Do you think I need to buy a cheap machine (e.g. that <$100 Sunbeam) and a good grinder? Or should I buy a more expensive machine and let her get a grinder herself if she wants it? A couple of machines that have been suggested are the Gaggia Carezza or the Saeco Magic Espresso. Does anyone have any comments on either of these models? Or any other suggestions in that price range? Thanks heaps.

Lovey

G'day Makovitza, Either of the two machines you have metioned will produce a good espresso with good technique, and a good grinder. How into coffee is your friend? Is she prepared to learn how to grind, dose and tamp with fresh coffee beans to get a good result, or is she a set and forget kind of girl? If she doesn't want to mess around grinding and tamping, she might be better off with a super auto, although that might be slightly out of your budget. Another suggestion, slightly out of left field, may be a coffee appreciation/preparation course. By doing that she'll learn how to make a good cup, and maybe get some tips as to what machine/grinder to purchase later. If you search for barista training courses in her local area, you should come up trumps. Hope this helps.

Unknown

I have just done some more research, and discovered that they already grind their own beans for plunger coffee - so presumably they would be happy with a manual machine. Of course this also means that they already have a grinder of some sort, so I suppose I need to focus on the machine. How does something like the Sunbeam Cafe Aromatic compare to the Gaggia Carezza or the Saeco Magic Espresso? I notice it's selling at Retravision for $350 with $30 cash back which just about brings it into the price range...

Lovey

G'day Makovitza, Out of the three machines you mentioned I would rate the Gaggia slightly above the Saeco, which is a fair way above the Sunbeam (strictly my opinion of course  ). The Sunbeam uses a thermoblock, whereas the other two use boilers. Check this link to a good comparison between various machines. http://tinyurl.com/ns2xr I think that Gaggia may have stopped importing Carezza's to Aus though. You can get a Saeco magic espresso for less than $300, do a Google search and you should find a few places that will do it. Do you know what sort of grinder they use now? If it's a blade grinder, they'll find it very hard, if not impossible to get a consistent grind for an espresso machine. If they've got a decent burr grinder you're set. All the best.

john

Makovitza Lovey has given a few good suggestions. Not sure where your friend is located, but I am assisting a colleague in putting together some interesting interactive-domestic coffee-appreciation courses. These courses are held in Sydney. If you would like more info contact me. John

FreshCoffee2

Makovitza, please check your "Private Messages" (as accessed at the top RHS of the page once you are "logged in"). Regardz, FC.

FreshCoffee2

Check PM's again please. Regardz, FC.

Unknown

Thanks for all the advice everyone. We ended up going with the Saeco Magic Espresso. I know the aluminium boiler is not ideal but we weren't able to stretch the budget far enough to avoid it. Hopefully our friends will like it. Thanks again, m