TL;DR What machine/grinder do you LOVE that’s within our budget? And which will be reliable/repairable in 10 years’ time?
I got a Breville Oracle Touch for $250 about 3 years ago during a going-out-of-business sale, and it has been a decent, reliable machine that makes a decent, reliable shot/latte/cappuccino roughly 4 times a day. I have no complaints with the machine itself, as it’s been a lovely, extremely affordable workhorse for 3 years.
(Not pertinent to this post but a fun story: This machine was purchased to replace a pissy, finicky DeLonghi La Specialista Maestro that I was sent in error by the exact same business that I bought the Breville from. I’d ordered a decent $150 DeLonghi pour over coffeemaker for a friend’s wedding gift and got a REAL nice espresso machine instead. I kept the espresso machine and bought the pour over machine again, and happy to report the couple is still using it like 7 years later. I sold the DeLonghi for $900 because it was pretty but had some annoying quirks I hated, so for those keeping score at home, I’m technically in the black for buying espresso machines. And of course the Breville will be sold, too. Everyone wins… except Bed Bath and Beyond.)
Anyway. Back to the Breville. It’s been good, but it’s TOO automatic. I want to go back to my days as barista, only without the obnoxious customers. So I’m looking at getting a grinder and a machine and going back to a more manual, involved process.
I’m looking at Profitec Jump, but open to suggestions. We drink mostly milk drinks, usually 4 per day spread over a 4 hour period, more if we have guests or if I’m just particularly annoyed with my boss that day and want to mutter into my coffee whilst chatting on Teams.
I also want grinder suggestions. I am not opposed to spending $500, but more than that seems silly for someone who just wants to go back to the fun part of my old gig at a coffee shop, and have lovely drinks in the process. Husband would also be appalled if it cost over $500. The machine would account for the other $2500.
We want something smaller than the Breville, in case we move somewhere with a teensy kitchen again. We’re leaning towards heat exchanger to keep costs down.