question about Sunbeam Cafe Ristretto

Rev

First let me just say that I am glad I found this forum as I have learn't heaps.

After scouring the forums I have decided to purchase a Machine and Grinder,

mattyj

I used to think that the ristretto would be a good machine ... until I bought one. Maybe it was that it was floor stock, but it really sucked - it leaked a lot while I was pulling a shot of espresso (using the same amount of coffee, grind, distribution and tamp), and the steam was more like a massive gush of super-heated water. Needless to say, I've moved on to sunnier fields  ;D Maybe if you can find a gaggia carrezza, they sound like they doa good job, but may cost $100 more... But for the grinders - I used a solis 166 (a cheaper model, rebadged by delonghi) for 18 months, and it did a good job ... for 18 months. A rocky seems more durable, and would most definately give out a better quality of grinds. That said, I've heard lots of good things about the Solis Maestro Plus.

Remus

rev, i think this is the age old question and alot of it depends on your expectations. imo, you just won;t get a great package for that price and you will be disappointed. the problem here is that when you buy an espresso machine you will start drinking more espresso. the more you use it the more certain things will frustrate you with a cheap package. then what happens is that you get the sh*ts with the machine cos it doesn;t make great coffee and then it ends up where most other machines end up. in the back corner of a cupboard in the kitchen before being on a tressel table at your next garage sale with a $30 sticker on it. i would recommend you save a little more money and buy something a little better and look at it as an investment. there are two machines around the $400 mark that i have drank coffee from that produce excellent results for the pricetag. the new breville 800 series and the sunbeam cafe armomatic. buy the machine and then buy yourselves the grinder for xmas. just my opinion.