disclaimer!
coffee at-home can seem expensive at face value... and it is.
BUT its a long term investment! and if it means having a coffee everyday, the way you like it, right at home, then i'd say its something worth saving up for. plus, it saves you from throwing money at big corporations each day before work!
and remember, you don't have to buy all these tools in one go. in fact, you don't need all these tools. once your espresso tastes the way you like it, there's no point in buying more tools and involving more factors.
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filter by priority:
espresso machine
priority:
⦿⦿⦿
you probably need this
average price: $500
this bad boy's like the engine of your espresso game. it blasts hot water through finely-ground coffee to make that intense, flavorful shot we all love. comes in all sorts, from hands-on to push-button magic.
you can find them ranging from manual to super fancy automatic ones. price-wise, you can snag a basic manual for around $90, but if you're feeling fancy, those automatic ones can run you up to $2000. if you're looking for a solid pick, check out the breville barista express.
bottomless portafilter
priority:
⦿⦿⦾
necessary to diagnose your shots
average price: $50
find out what's wrong why your espresso shots taste funky with a bottomless portafilter! it's like the coffee grounds' cozy home on your espresso machine. this metal doodad holds the grounds while water works its magic, making sure every sip's packed with flavor.
if you're in the market for an extra or replacement, you can find them anywhere from $20 for a basic one to $100 or more for the fancy stuff. a good pick? the rancilio silvia's got you covered.
wdt tool
priority:
⦿⦿⦾
ensures that all of your coffee is fully extracted
average price: $30
this pointy octopus stands for "weiss distribution technique," and it's all about leveling out your coffee grounds in the portafilter before tamping. it ensures a more even extraction, giving you a tastier shot.
prices for wdt tools range from $20 to $40, depending on the brand and materials used. If you're looking for a well-received and reliable one, consider the normcore wdt distribution tool v2.
espresso tamper
priority:
⦿⦾⦾
most machines come with a decent tamper
average price: $30
this little tool's all about giving those coffee grounds a firm but friendly pat-down in the portafilter. it's like the bouncer at the coffee party, making sure everything's packed in just right for a tasty shot.
prices? you can grab a basic one for about $15, but if you want something fancy, check out the luxhaus calibrated espresso tamper for around $50.
coffee scale
priority:
⦿⦾⦾
ratios are just a general guideline, go off taste!
average price: $25
your trusty sidekick for getting that coffee-to-water ratio just right. it helps you measure those coffee grounds and water down to the gram, so every shot's a winner—bonus points if it has a built-in timer!
you can snag a decent digital one for around $20 to $30, but if you want top-notch accuracy, check out the hario v60 drip coffee scale for around $70.