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Sage (Breville) Barista Express. Been around for 8 years. Solenoid valve has been needed to be changed twice but it’s a job I’m confident in doing now and the parts are quite cheap (£25).
I bought it broke and fixed it up. Still makes a quality cup better than anyone else’s at home machine. Mainly because other’s often opt for less complicated but more expensive Nespresso pods (which make weak cereal-heavy flavoured outputs - check the James Hoffman video on that); or cheaper Delonghi’s, which I used to own before upgrading.
However I find Delonghi machines have a particular taste which I think comes from the Easy Serving Espresso system they implement in their machines, which puts a rubber gasket in the basket which a) is used to compensate for the weaker pressure of those machines by creating pressure in the basket rather than from the resistence from the coffee (thus affecting taste from the method of extraction), and b) affects the taste from the rubber itself (as well as its collecting of old coffee grounds).
So for anyone looking for a good quality espresso machine, I’d recommend picking up one of these second hand.
Sorry, but your comment definitely reminded me of this video.
This is very helpful- I've been wanting an espresso machine but I refuse to buy Nespresso. I was considering Delonghi but my biggest issue with coffee makers is the fact that no matter how much I clean the machine it still tastes like old coffee after a couple years of use. Good to know saving up for the better one- or even buying a refurbished model- will probably serve me better.
Breville and sage are the same company? I did not know that.
I have a Delonghi. It leaves something to be desired, but it was only $20. Works for a cup at home.