Coffee Makers & Gear | Acquired Coffee

Best Espresso Machines Under $200

Getting into home espresso making doesn’t need to require a small fortune. You can find a solid entry-level espresso machine for less than $200, and there are lots of different models available at this price point. Whether you want a convenient fully-automatic experience or something so hands-on that you actually create the brewing pressure, you’re …

Making great espresso at home needn’t cost a fortune. The $500 price point is a sweet spot for home baristas, affording highly capable espresso machines that have everything needed for great-tasting drinks. Here are the best espresso machines under $500 (and some guidance on how to choose one). Our top picks at this price point …

A $1,000 budget gives you access to many great home espresso machines. All types of espresso makers, from manual to fully automatic, are available at this price point, and there are plenty of very good ones. Our top pick is the semi-automatic Rancilio Silvia M for its commercial-grade and long-lasting build.Perfect for someone who isn’t …

Amongst the variety of machines and methods for making filtered coffee, there is also a vast range of models, sizes, and options of paper filters. Apart from specifications regarding formats (flat bottom or conical strainers, for Chemex or Aeropress, or more), there is also the criterion regarding color and chemical processing. Why are there paper …

The La Pavoni Europiccola is the grandfather of home lever espresso machines. It was the basis for the first Olympia Creminas (pre-1967), inspiration for later Elektra models, and a full half-century before modern models from Rok, Flair and others. Over 60 years since the first Europiccola debuted, the model remains one of the preeminent in …

Coffee percolators are one of the most recognized types of coffee makers. The brew method was created by Hanson Goodrich of Illinois in 1889, and became the standard way of brewing coffee for decades. It wasn’t until the automatic drip provided greater convenience that the percolator began to become less common. These days most people …

The Hario V60 and Kalita Wave are two world-class manual pour-overs, and each showcases what the brew method is capable of. There are notable differences between the two, however, and these differences make each particularly well-suited for a given type of home barista. We feel that the Hario V60 is ideal for an experienced (or …

Two Similar Coffee Makers When you look at them, the Kono Coffee Dripper (also called the Meimon) and the Hario V60 appear quite similar. In a broad sense they are. Both coffee makers use the conical form to make great cups of coffee. The Kono has narrow, straight lines in its bottom half that direct …

The Gaggia Classic Pro is a well-made espresso machine, and has developed a large and loyal following. Many of its fans have modified their machines in ways that improve and/or personalize the model.

Some mods can be more complicated than others, without producing much difference to the end result of your espresso. But some upgrades are pretty simple, and don’t require much investment.

Here are the different mods and upgrades that you can make to the Gaggia Classic Pro, listed in order of importance. You’ll find something in our guide to suit your desired level of involvement and complexity when modding your Gaggia Classic Pro.

Matt Perger is an Australian barista and coffee expert known primarily for winning the World Brewers Cup in 2012. He won that title with the Hario V60 method below. He’s also won 2nd and 3rd place in 2 World Barista Championships (2013 and 2011 respectively). Perger’s V60 method is simple and produces fantastic results. It …

Best Espresso Machines Under $200

Best Espresso Machines Under $500

6 Best Espresso Machines Under $1000

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La Pavoni Europiccola Mods and Upgrades

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Hario V60 vs Kalita Wave: Which Belongs in Your Home?

Kono Dripper vs Hario V60

Gaggia Classic Pro Upgrades and Mods

Matt Perger’s Hario V60 Brewing Method