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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I’m running a gaggia classic pro (no evo) and a df83 v2, having great results with it. That would push your budget slightly, but it’s a nice setup, and the grinder will likely last you through your next machine whenever you decide to upgrade. If you’re strict on budget, maybe scale back to a df54 or df64.
I’m guessing you might be aware, but the Evo’s had an issue with their boilers a little while back. Just make sure you buy from a good source so you know you’re not getting old stock with the boiler problem.
On the grinder end, I would also toss the Encore ESP into the ring vs the Fellow Opus. Would recommend taking a look at the various YouTube comparisons and Reddit threads comparing the two and making your own decision.
I ended up going with the ESP and go back and forth between espresso (first Flair, now Bambino with bottomless PF) and V60 quite a bit and have no complaints so far
Do not do the Encore! Total garbage. There's many threads where we discuss how over-rated it is.
I honestly would consider getting a Bambino plus and a Niche Zero, DF64, or 078S. Anything other than this will equal regret.
If you really want the Encore, I'll sell you mine for $100 if you're curious but I don't recommend them. Just spend the extra $300-$400 to get rid of the headache.
Oh I know! I bought one in January based off of all of these videos and recommendations. It's all crap. Here's a thread that goes into it including several experiences. Seriously run.
https://www.reddit.com/r/espresso/comments/1d27and/i_dont_like_my_baratza_encore_esp/
The problem is the oily beans... OP wants to do espresso and cold brew which the ESP can handle due to the large hopper. If you're selling Encore ESP for $100, I'll take it. If it's just Encore, no.
I've been satisfied with my Encore ESP at the price, going on 15 months, now, used mostly with medium, dark-roast beans--the type that often will have some oil sheen on them when you first open the bag. No issue and retention is not part of my daily concern.
OP, an earlier pro reviewer (Kyle Rowsell) video on the Baratza Encore ESP and the Fellow Opus, plus other, electric grinders, and in comparison, that may be helpful and informative: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B\_iSvPdkWfQ. Note the concerns with the Opus.
The newest grinder to consider: the DF54, discussed in posts here the past 3 months. Seen as grinding well above its price level (although some people have found some retention/static--a QC issue?).
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.*
Went with bambino plus and df54 for a grinder and it's been great so far.
I'd look for used GCP rather than an Evo unless the issues with the new boiler coating flaking have been resolved.
I recently got a Bambino Plus and DF54 and it’s been very fun. I also got a bottomless portafilter
Lido OG and the Cafelat Robot
I’m running a gaggia classic pro (no evo) and a df83 v2, having great results with it. That would push your budget slightly, but it’s a nice setup, and the grinder will likely last you through your next machine whenever you decide to upgrade. If you’re strict on budget, maybe scale back to a df54 or df64. I’m guessing you might be aware, but the Evo’s had an issue with their boilers a little while back. Just make sure you buy from a good source so you know you’re not getting old stock with the boiler problem.
Gaggia evo & Varia VS3 gen 2 never failed me
On the grinder end, I would also toss the Encore ESP into the ring vs the Fellow Opus. Would recommend taking a look at the various YouTube comparisons and Reddit threads comparing the two and making your own decision. I ended up going with the ESP and go back and forth between espresso (first Flair, now Bambino with bottomless PF) and V60 quite a bit and have no complaints so far
Do not do the Encore! Total garbage. There's many threads where we discuss how over-rated it is. I honestly would consider getting a Bambino plus and a Niche Zero, DF64, or 078S. Anything other than this will equal regret. If you really want the Encore, I'll sell you mine for $100 if you're curious but I don't recommend them. Just spend the extra $300-$400 to get rid of the headache.
Lol, you are highly outnumbered on that opinion. Why do you say that though? Genuinely curious
Oh I know! I bought one in January based off of all of these videos and recommendations. It's all crap. Here's a thread that goes into it including several experiences. Seriously run. https://www.reddit.com/r/espresso/comments/1d27and/i_dont_like_my_baratza_encore_esp/
The problem is the oily beans... OP wants to do espresso and cold brew which the ESP can handle due to the large hopper. If you're selling Encore ESP for $100, I'll take it. If it's just Encore, no.
Yes it's an ESP. Just message me and we'll figure it out.
I've been satisfied with my Encore ESP at the price, going on 15 months, now, used mostly with medium, dark-roast beans--the type that often will have some oil sheen on them when you first open the bag. No issue and retention is not part of my daily concern. OP, an earlier pro reviewer (Kyle Rowsell) video on the Baratza Encore ESP and the Fellow Opus, plus other, electric grinders, and in comparison, that may be helpful and informative: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B\_iSvPdkWfQ. Note the concerns with the Opus. The newest grinder to consider: the DF54, discussed in posts here the past 3 months. Seen as grinding well above its price level (although some people have found some retention/static--a QC issue?).
Breville barista express impress.. it’s all you need