Choosing a setup is hard and expensive work, espresso machines can cost thousands of pounds, and then a grinder and all the additional equipment such as tamper and knock box can really start to add up. And people on Reddit, whether they are beginner, intermediate or seasoned pro, all share their home setups. So we'll pick out some of our favourites;
Expensive Setup - User friendly Expert Espresso
Favourite of many specialty coffee shop, the Linea Mini by La Marzocco is inspired by the Linea Classic range. This beauty of a setup is owned by user /rs_yay on Reddit and is about as professional and compact as you can get for the home. But it comes with a hefty price tag, the machine itself is a over £3500 and the Mazzer mini grinder is the smaller version of the Jolly, a tried and tested grinder used by many a coffee shop.
What makes this setup pro?
Mid-range Setup - Go Manual for Great Value
This is a more an interesting and more collection from user /AJTSin. This user has chosen to forgo any electric grinders, and a lever action La Pavoni Espresso machine (like we have in Pascal) and a stove top kettle. This collection will cost under £500 if you are savvy and pick them up second hand, and with proper care, will last many many years.
The lever machine will take some getting used to, and won't be as good for making coffee for groups of people, the steam wand over performs for its cost.
The OE Lido E manual grinder is top of the range in manual grinders and convenient for changing grind size between shots for tweaking.
What makes this setup Mid-Range?
Budget Setup - Cheap But Effective
The Gaggia Classic is a great gateway into the world of making espresso, with a couple modifications can create great tasting espresso. User /gAuraruar0e06s5ksh has everything needed and the proof is right there in the picture. OP states that they are still to make some of the adjustments needed to make the Classic run at the required brew pressure, but all in all a great machine and a nice little electric grinder in the Baratza Sette.
All in all, you could find this setup for between £200 and £300 if you are patient enough with eBay and Facebook Marketplace as they each pop up for under £150 every now and then.
What makes this Advanced Mid Range?
So there you have it, three great set-ups found on Reddit, this will be a regular feature now, feel free to share your own in the comments below or get in touch if you would like to be featured.
Another Beautiful Setup
The Ascaso Duo PID is a semi-automatic espresso machine that features a built-in pressure gauge and temperature control system, allowing you to easily adjust the temperature and pressure of the water used to extract espresso shots. It also has a built-in water tank and a steam wand for frothing milk.
The Eureka Mignon Oro Single Dose is a compact, commercial-grade espresso grinder that is designed for use in small cafes or home espresso setups. It features a durable, high-quality burr set and a stepless micrometrical grinding adjustment system, allowing you to fine-tune the grind size to achieve the perfect espresso extraction. It also has a single-dose grinding system, which allows you to grind only the amount of coffee needed for each shot, reducing waste and ensuring a consistent, fresh grind every time.
Overall, both the Ascaso Duo PID and the Eureka Mignon Oro Single Dose are high-quality products that are well-suited for those who are serious about making great espresso at home.
A Flair for 3D printing
I love it when people combine two hobbies, user u/UPetter has built his own espresso equipment holding tray using a 3D printer. Which keeps his tamper, WDT, dosing funnels and portafilter nice and tidy.
This user must love the manual process of building and measuring the espresso and optimising the process, we can see he has even made a tidy that fits onto the spout of his Turin SD50 single dose grinder.
Another really interesting but clean and compact espresso station that is rather budget conscious. Obviously it helps if you can print your own equipment and the budget won't include whatever 3D printer he has hidden away.
But with the flair coming in at around £350 and the Turin costing around £200 (although only shipping to America). The tampers costing no more than £50, and this whole setup would be no more than £600. Very reasonable considering the quality of the coffee he would be able to produce.
Good job UPetter!
A Baffling Grinder with a Pocket Rocket
User /u/zombiebackground4981 has a nifty little set up with a top quality grinder that with the aid of a baffle, has been converted into a single dose model.
The machine is a beautiful Rocket Giotto and with the features it has, like the PID, rotary pump, and digital shot timer, really make it stand out from other machines under £2k. I can imagine that the updated model is even more impressive! Maybe you could consider giving your machine a more prominent spot in your space to show it off? It's a shame to have such a fantastic machine tucked away in a dark corner. Regardless, I'm sure the coffee it produces is fantastic and will bring joy and brightness to your day!
