Espresso maker for Christmas?

[Bun-bun]

I need to get my sister a Christmas/Hanukah present, and was thinking an espresso maker would be useful. Unfortunately, I know almost nothing about them.
Also, I'm not trying to spend more than about $250-300. It's not that I'm a cheap make the beast with two backs(I am, but that's not the reason), but it's been a pretty tough year.

Anyone have any FHE? Recomand a specific brand/model?

[1KDS]

I know nothing about them but these guys seem to.
http://ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=31689.0

[DesmoLu]

I wish you were my brother 

[cyrus buelton]

Not sure you can get a good quality one in that price range, but good luck!

If you dont mind used, you can find some good used deals of ebay.

[Howie]

You need to look for a pump machine of at least 15 bar pressure.  If you shop around you can find something nice in your price range on sale.  If you sister is not a serious enthusiast you might want to consider "pod" machines like the Nespressos. 

[Fresh Pants]

I wish you were my brother 

[ute]

You need to look for a pump machine of at least 15 bar pressure.  If you shop around you can find something nice in your price range on sale.  If you sister is not a serious enthusiast you might want to consider "pod" machines like the Nespressos. 

just follow this advice ......hard to find a pump machine for that price ....look on ebay /craigs /kijjii

the cheap non pump are pretty useless

[Kopfjager]

just follow this advice ......hard to find a pump machine for that price ....look on ebay /craigs /kijjii

the cheap non pump are pretty useless

http://www.bialettishop.com/ConcertoMain.htm

[OwnyTony]

http://www.wholelattelove.com/
Got my parents a super automatic last year from them.  Not a bad machine and you can find espresso makers in that price range.

[Bun-bun]

http://www.wholelattelove.com/
Got my parents a super automatic last year from them.  Not a bad machine and you can find espresso makers in that price range.

Thanks, Tony.
That site helped.
I think I've settled on a Saeco Vienna. It's automatic, has a burr grinder built in, 15 bar pressure, hot water dispensing for tea, and I can get a refurb from fleabay for right at my price limit.

You need to look for a pump machine of at least 15 bar pressure.  If you shop around you can find something nice in your price range on sale.  If you sister is not a serious enthusiast you might want to consider "pod" machines like the Nespressos. 

I thought about pod machines, but I don't want them to be limited to buying expensive "accessories" in order to use the machine.

[Nitewaif]

I had a manual Saeco (~$300-400) that pulled excellent espresso shots, and produced a decent foam.  I gave it to my sister and got a fancy-schmancy fully automatic DeLonghi super automatic machine (~$800-900).   The fancy automatic machine grinds the beans and has adjustable settings and all that, but it just doesn't produce shots as good as what I was getting from the cheaper Saeco.  It may just be me, but I've played with the settings, and it just isn't as good.

On the other hand, it's fast, and I can be out the door with a cup in minutes, versus waiting for the manual to warm up, tamping the coffee, etc., and clean-up is easy versus the manual.  Saeco is a good machine.  I used mine like mad for four or five years, and never had any trouble from it.  A manual might be a better choice if your family are coffee snobs.

My sister who inherited my old Saeco is not a coffee snob but she was spending tons at Starbucks.  She was thrilled to get the Saeco and to my dismay uses drip grind Folgers in it and is happy as shit.   

[Popeye the Sailor]

I have a coffee fairy who delivers it to me in the mornings.

[somegirl]

I have a coffee fairy who delivers it to me in the mornings.

 

[ryandalling]

You need to look for a pump machine of at least 15 bar pressure.  If you shop around you can find something nice in your price range on sale.  If you sister is not a serious enthusiast you might want to consider "pod" machines like the Nespressos. 

I have the Nespresso... it rocks... I mean it really rocks!! 

[Nitewaif]

I have the Nespresso... it rocks... I mean it really rocks!! 

Do you have to use their pods, or is there a way to use different coffees?  I looked at the Nespresso, but the thought that I might not be able to use whatever coffees I wanted was what led me to my DeLonghi, but I am not totally happy with it.