![]() The former will regulate flow from the group head much more accurately, while the latter will allow you to monitor the progress (and note any mishaps) of your shot as it pours. Two things I'd recommend adding: a bottomless portafilter and an IMS shower screen (or a whole tune-up kit). It's also on the smaller side, so it won't take up much more counter space than your average pod machine. It foregoes a lot of the bells and whistles you'll find on competitors within the same price range, but those are the things that are liable to give you trouble down the road anyway. (Check out Lance Hedrick's YouTube video, " How to Hack the Gaggia Classic Pro" to learn what that process looks like.) Still, for being so inexpensive (relatively speaking), the Gaggia Classic Pro is wrapped in kitchen-grade stainless steel, has very few plastic components, and is highly customizable, should you decide to tweak it. Otherwise, you're better off with a manual device like a Flair (more on that option below). At about $450, it's as cheap as I'd go on a machine. The most affordable one that's given me the least amount of trouble but enables me to draw a sufficient shot is Gaggia's Classic Pro. There's a wide range of espresso machines on the market, and I've tested more than I can count. It's a bit of a chore to grind out a couple of shots worth of espresso, but it's about the size of a Tom Collins glass and great for anyone on the go. For backup, travel, and covert early-morning grinding, I have a Comandante C40 MK4. The one problem with the 270 is that it is loud as can be. Blade grinders, which are really more suited for spices, create lots of undersized bits (fines) and oversized chunks (boulders) that will throw off your brew. To ensure your grounds are uniform, you need a tool that reduces them in such a way. The trick to good coffee, whether you're making espresso, French-press, pour-over, or cold brew, is consistency. But to achieve consistent grind size (measured in nanometers, or one-billionths of a meter), you need precise machinery. You might balk at the idea of a $400 coffee grinder. It's a small, conical-burr grinder best suited for fine grind sizes (i.e., those required for espresso), offers infinite adjustments, and is easy to clean and service. ![]() My top pick after trying well over a dozen grinders is the Baratza Sette 270. Here's everything I use, in order of importance. ![]() Without further ado, let me tell you about my espresso bar. Much of that research went into our guides to espresso machines, coffee grinders, espresso tampers, Moka pots, and more, and one of my biggest goals in this line of work is to help readers discover that there are affordable approaches to finding your own cup of bliss at home. I've been edging toward this goal slowly, interviewing countless experts and testing well over a dozen espresso machines and grinders along the way. While I've probably lost a few friends in the outside world due to my deepening obsession with achieving the perfect espresso shot right within the confines of my own four walls, I'm saving a bit of money and having fun in the process. In the past few years, I've gone all-in on my home coffee spread, and unfortunately for cafes, there's no chance I'm ever drinking espresso out again unless I absolutely have to. When you buy through our links, Insider may earn an affiliate commission. ![]()
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