Source: http://ezinearticles.com/?Espresso-Machines—Solid-Investment-Or-Money-Drain?&id=5080420

These contraptions are easily the most daunting kitchen accessory; at least at first glance. But my goal here is to help strip away some of the misconceptions so that by the time you’ve found the right espresso machine for you, it’ll be just like greeting an old friend. And quite honestly, who wants anything to be difficult at six in the morning stumbling around in your pajamas? Exactly.

The most difficult detail for me to swallow about espresso machines is a pretty obvious one: their price tag. But just how much it does it cost to keep up with your caffeine habits at a specialty coffee shop? A typical beverage can cost anywhere from $3.50 to $5.00 each and most people end up going in four to five times per week; at the end of one year you’re looking at $728.00 to $1,300.00 that you’ve unwittingly thrown down the drain. So while espresso machines can look alarmingly expensive, ranging anywhere from forty to well over two thousand dollars it dawned on me that it’s really a question of a one time expense versus years and years of exorbitant spending that could easily have gone to something much more fulfilling.

In my opinion, the most important distinction between espresso machines is what kind of coffee they are suited for. Some machines can only take pod coffees which sometimes are further restricted to only specific brands. Then there are the machines that are compatible with ground coffee; these can sometimes use pod coffees as well, it just depends on your specific brand. And to make sure you get exactly what you want, it’s also important to remember that your favorite specialty coffee shop not only sells their coffee beans by the pound, chances are that they also have a grinder behind the counter for you too. My personal favorite is espresso made with whole bean coffee and this requires your machine have a built-in grinder.

There are four types of espresso machines available today: manual, semi-automatic, automatic, and super-automatic. To me, manual machines are just too much work; they’re exactly what they’re called: manual. In every way. Semi-automatic machines do almost everything, you do have to turn the pump off and on yourself. Automatic machines do everything and more, you can even pre-program them yourself. And then there are the super-automatic machines which quite literally do everything-including being partially self-cleaning. But as with all new toys in the kitchen, you do have to follow all included instructions to ensure you’ve made a truly wonderful investment.

At the end of the day, there are so many variables out there when it comes to espresso machines that you really shouldn’t let anyone else make the decision for you. So do your homework, first try to find out what kind of coffee you prefer your espresso to be made from. Then I’d recommend deciding what level of upkeep you’re prepared for to ensure your choice is compatible with your lifestyle.

Just found this exchange on the web that supports my statement “If you looking for the great espresso, great saving and great hobby, but not socializing – get your own espresso machine”

Is making espresso more expensive than making coffee?

by Gary
(Penticton, BC)
QUESTION:
I find I can no longer justify the price of dropping by at my local coffee shop and buying a cappuccino or latte. So I’m thinking of buying a home espresso machine. My question is – will it cost me more to make an espresso at home than it does to make a regular cup of coffee in my drip brewer?

ANSWER:

Gary,

Great question. The short answer is that it won’t cost you more to make your own cappuccino.

The high price of espresso-based coffee drinks in coffee shops is more to do with the atmosphere and “performance” of making your drink. Also, in a commercial setting, those shops are having to cover the cost of expensive equipment and the salaries of their baristas.

At home the cost of the coffee for your espresso is no higher than the cost of the coffee you buy for your drip brewer.

So yes, you can make a great cappuccino or latte for the same price as a regular cup of coffee.

That said, you’ll probably pay more for an espresso machine than you did for your drip brewer.

You don’t have to spend a fortune, but you should read a little about the espresso machine and make sure it is pump driven. Inexpensive espresso machines force the water through the tamped coffee grinds simply using “steam” pressure. Not good. You won’t get a quality espresso that way. Decent home espresso machines typically have a “15-bar pump”.

Source:http://www.coffeedetective.com/is-making-espresso-more-expensive-than-making-coffee.html