Reddit reviews Espressione-Ariete (a company of De'Longhi Group) Café Minuetto Professional Thermoblock Espresso Machine, Silver
We found 2 Reddit comments about Espressione-Ariete (a company of De'Longhi Group) Café Minuetto Professional Thermoblock Espresso Machine, Silver. Here are the top ones, ranked by their Reddit score.
1000-watt espresso machine with Thermoblock heating system and 15 bars of pump pressureMaxi Cappuccino device for effortless cappuccinos; accepts ground coffee and ESE espresso podsHigh-pressure safety valve; self-priming temperature-controlled boiler; rubber-grip handlesCup warmer; removable 1-liter water tank; removable drip tray; measuring spoon includedMeasures 12 by 11-1/3 by 14-2/3 inches; 1-year limited warrantyKindly refer trouble shooting steps under the Product details and instruction video under the image section for set up and trouble shooting details.
I understand and share your fondness for espresso. While it is more expensive, it doesn't have to be quite as expensive as everyone makes it out to be. I get delicious shots out of my $200 Lello machine with a Baratza grinder. Pairing this and that with some good espresso beans will make you mighty happy, but the total tab would come out closer to $300.
Until your budget is at least that much, it doesn't even make sense to spend half of that to get something that won't be 1/10th of what you want. Wait a few more months and go straight to espresso.
If you want to start making coffee at home now, consider buying that Baratza grinder now, along with an aeropress or pour over cone, then add a good pump espresso machine when you can.
When it comes to non-espresso brewing methods, here's how I'd rank them from my experience from easiest to most difficult to get a good cup: aeropress, pour-over, french press, filterless (cupping, ibrik, etc), siphon, espresso. I've personally never made coffee with a moka pot. Interestingly, coffee seems to get better with some of the more difficult methods, but pour-over is still what I do most often. Here's a bit more detail about my experience with each:
Aeropress - I make it at my gf's place with a whirly grinder and stovetop kettle, no measurement equipment whatsoever. Coffee amount varies wildly, as does water temperature, grind size, and seeping time. It's very hard to make a bad cup of coffee here.
Pour over - easiest of all to cleanup (easier than aeropress, IMO), but I've gotten poor cups when eyeballing the amount of coffee to use. Coffee to water ratio is quite important and I strongly suggest using a scale to make a good cup.
French Press - Relatively easy, but, again, coffee-to-water ratio, grind size, and steep time is a bit more sensitive than pour over. Also seems to take forever in the morning if I'm on my way out the door.
Brewing without a filter or any special device, just mixing ground coffee and hot water in your cup - it's a bit artsy and it's fun to really have physical control over the process of removing the grounds from the coffee with a spoon (or decanting, in the case of the ibrik). I just included this one as a minimalist option. It's my preferred method to make coffee during ultralight backpacking.
Siphon - This brewing method is a bit cumbersome, sensitive to time and temperature and pressure and grind size just to make it work. I've made some terribly over and underextracted cups, stalled numerous times with a glass drain rod, and overall just haven't fallen in love with this brew method. It's still fun to play with, but I rarely find myself with the time or patience.
Espresso - I've got my setup pretty well dialed in, but so many shots are pulled in the process. Coffee amount, water temperature, and water amount are largely taken care of for you, but grind size and tamp pressure are pretty sensitive parameters. This method is also sensitive to bean type. For kicks, I pulled a shot of a single origin I roasted really light and it tasted like someone squeezed a lemon in my little cup.
Despite the increased complexity, some of the most rewarding cups have come from the espresso machine and siphon pot. But even with pour over, you can get some amazing, mind blowing coffee. The variation in flavor and texture is like the difference between an IPA and a stout, and sometimes you're in the mood for one or the other.
I have a Lello Ariete Cafe Prestige that's been going strong for close to 7 years with no problems. It's a little over your budget right now, but if you're not in a hurry it goes on sale pretty regularly. It was $150 a couple of weeks ago when I recommended it to someone else.
I've heard good things about this Capresso machine and this Minuetto, but I can't give any detailed info about them since I've never used either myself. I have friends who use them and seem happy.