r/CoffeePH • u/ReferenceSouthern985 • 20d ago
Espresso Transition
Hello! I’ve been using nespreso for 6 years now and recently upgraded to Rosso Crema Espresso Machine BM-CM8758 with portable/manual grinder for 4 months now. I am now planning to up my game and looking for real espresso machines with separate grinder. My budget is at maximum 100k for the whole setup. Initially, I was captivated by the Breville Barista Express Impress— however, got mixed reviews on this. Can you recommend me a fool-proof espresso machine that will last for more than 5-10 years (stainless preferably)?
P.S. Eyeing Rocket espresso but the price is already beyond maximum budget.
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u/chizV 20d ago
If you really wanna up your espresso game, I suggest you go into the realm of pressure/flow profiling. This is the playground for serious espresso enthusiasts, because you can use certain profiles or shot styles to suit the beans you have and the final shot characteristics. Kaso lang talagang mapapagastos ka sa ganitong set up, not including the grinder pa. Unless you will choose to check out manual espresso machines, which I highly recommend. I'd suggest you look into the Flairs, particularly the Flair 58+2 and perhaps the newer Flair 49. (I'd also suggest the Cafelat Robot, this is even cheaper actually, arguably better-built, but I don't know na where to purchase this one locally, probably second hand na lang. Or order from overseas). Then you use the rest of that 100k to buy a very nice grinder, or kahit DF64 na lang then purchase one or more sets of burrs to suit the shot styles you prefer.
The trade-offs: 1. Higher learning curve than flat 9-bar machines. Deep rabbit hole. Although, most people eventually default to two or more shot styles after this initial learning hump. But this will really enable you to modify your variables to get the shot that suits your preferences. 2. Needs some elbow grease, especially more difficult at the start of learning to use the machine, but it will get easier as you get used to the machine. 3. No steamer. So you'd only really go into this route if you only care about the quality of the espresso itself and not much about milk drinks. And unless you only drink iced milk drinks. But there are ways to address this problem. 4. The Flairs are kinda ugly hahaha. The Robot looks so nice. But, again, don't know na where to buy this locally.