Espresso Products I've Tried | Beginner's Espresso Setup

Breville Bambino

I've been on a search for an affordable beginner espresso machine that could make high-quality espresso without spending a fortune and after looking at multiple espresso machines I decided that the Breville Bambino was the best pick for me. Not only is this machine small and easy to add to any setup it also has great features such as a ThermoJet heating system which allows it to heat up within 3 seconds, a timed dosing setting so you can save your ideal shot times, and a dedicated hot water button for tea or americano's. My favorite thing about the Breville Bambino is how easy it is to use because it comes with four buttons in total there are two buttons for making single-shot espresso and double-shot espresso, a button for hot water, and a button to steam. The Breville Bambino comes with a 54 mm portafilter, 4 different portafilter baskets, a plastic tamper, and a milk pitcher for steaming milk. If you want to try making espresso at home but are intimidated by the complexity of it I highly recommend you try the Breville Bambino as your first machine.

$300

Bottomless portafilter

When using a machine that comes with a pressurized portafilter this bottomless portafilter is a crucial upgrade that will take your espresso to the next level. The reason I recommend getting a bottomless portafilter over a pressurized portafilter is that pressurized portafilters push the coffee out of a tiny hole that creates the illusion of Crema however it is not actual Crema. While they may give the illusion of a good extraction pressurized portafilters don't ensure that the extraction is good. I decided to upgrade my portafilter as soon as I bought my machine so I have not used a pressurized portafilter at all but after researching them many people say that the artificial crema that they produce doesn't taste or have the same mouthfeel as the real deal crema. If you are looking to get a perfect shot of espresso with an amazing extraction then you need a bottomless portafilter but if you are someone who doesn't care about the fine details of your espresso then you are perfectly fine using a pressurized portafilter.

$30

Liabi Spring Loaded Tamper

The Liabi Spring Loaded Tamper is an excellent tool for any coffee enthusiast. With its ergonomic design and durable construction, it ensures a consistent and even tamp every time. Tamping is an essential step in the brewing process as it helps to create a uniform surface for the water to pass through the coffee grounds. This is important for achieving optimal extraction and ensuring a balanced and flavorful cup of coffee. By applying pressure to the coffee grounds, tamping eliminates any air pockets and creates a more even distribution of water, resulting in a more consistent extraction. The Liabi Spring Loaded Tamper makes this task effortless and enjoyable, allowing you to consistently achieve professional-level tamping without any hassle. One problem I have with the Liabi Spring Loaded tamper is that you have to press down straight or the tamper will occasionally lock up but other than that it is a great tamper for the price. This tamper is a must-have tool to take your espresso to the next level.

Distributor tool and puck screen

A coffee distributor tool is a device used to evenly distribute coffee grounds in the portafilter before tamping. It ensures that the grounds are evenly spread, resulting in a more consistent extraction and a better-tasting espresso. This tool is essential for coffee enthusiasts and professionals who strive for precision and consistent quality in their espresso shots. By using a coffee distributor tool, baristas can eliminate uneven extraction caused by uneven distribution, leading to a more balanced and flavorful espresso. Additionally, this tool helps to achieve a level surface in the coffee bed, allowing for a more even and effective tamping process. I chose to purchase this coffee distributor tool mainly because it was highly affordable. It was only 12 dollars and it came with a puck screen which is an insane deal because most of the distributor tools I saw were 35 dollars with no puck screen.

$12

$17

Baratza Encore Esp Burr Grinder

The Baratza Encore Esp grinder is an amazing budget option for somebody who wants great espresso at home while keeping their pockets intact for the most part. This burr grinder spins at about 550 RPMs which can cause less static build-up. The Baratza Encore Esp also comes with a hopper that can hold up to 227 grams of coffee which is plenty for the average coffee enjoyer and it comes with a large catching cup and a single dose catching cup. If you are someone that loves all types of coffee from espresso to French press this grinder can do it all it has 20 setting for just espresso and after that it has 20 more settings for coarse grinds. The main reason I picked this grinder up is because of the ease of use. A lot of burr grinders can get very complex for no reason but the Baratza Encore Esp is very simple all you have to do is twist the hopper to adjust the grind setting. Overall if you are a beginner espresso enthusiast but you still like drinking other types of coffee this grinder is a perfect budget choice.

$200