# Looking for input on Super Automatic Espresso Machines **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** coffee\ **Created:** [October 1, 2025, 12:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-input-on-super-automatic-espresso-machines/1023560 "2025-10-01T12:34:12Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 15\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Ike\_Witt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ike_witt/32/283_2.png) [@Ike\_Witt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ike_Witt)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2025, 9:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-input-on-super-automatic-espresso-machines/1023560/21 "2025-10-10T21:30:07Z")
So, this must be home espresso in its final form. Anyone want to hazard a guess as to the cost of the equipment? [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/lkTFL4AGiBA/maxresdefault.jpg "The MOST Satisfying Espresso Video") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lkTFL4AGiBA) ---
**Author:** ![Ike\_Witt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ike_witt/32/283_2.png) [@Ike\_Witt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ike_Witt)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2025, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-input-on-super-automatic-espresso-machines/1023560/22 "2025-10-17T21:11:19Z")
Well, I just got myself a [Lelit Bianca](https://thekitchenbarista.com/products/lelit-bianca-v3-semi-automatic-espresso-machine-pl162t?_pos=5&_fid=d73216b59&_ss=c) and a [DF64 Grinder](https://thekitchenbarista.com/products/df64-gen-2-single-dose-coffee-grinder-black?variant=51765957132588). I’m probably not going to be sleeping much for the next few days ☕ 😬 ---
**Author:** ![Reply](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/reply/32/15952_2.png) [@Reply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reply)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2025, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-input-on-super-automatic-espresso-machines/1023560/23 "2025-10-17T21:57:34Z")
Grats! That’s a beautiful machine. What made you choose that in the end? ---
**Author:** ![Kropotkin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kropotkin/32/18045_2.png) [@Kropotkin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kropotkin)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2025, 10:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-input-on-super-automatic-espresso-machines/1023560/24 "2025-10-17T22:09:25Z")
I’m really glad I didn’t chime in to suggest my $300 Breville Cafe Roma machine and Braun grinder as the epitome of coffee extravagance. Yikes! The video and the links are…impressive. ---
**Author:** ![Ike\_Witt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ike_witt/32/283_2.png) [@Ike\_Witt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ike_Witt)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2025, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-input-on-super-automatic-espresso-machines/1023560/25 "2025-10-17T22:22:01Z")
I had been looking at a Rocket Apartmento because it would have been a color match for my kitchen. However, the Lelit is a better quality machine with a bit more control out of the box. ---
**Author:** ![DPRK](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4491bb/32.png) [@DPRK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DPRK)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2025, 10:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-input-on-super-automatic-espresso-machines/1023560/26 "2025-10-17T22:55:39Z")
> [@Reply](#): > > That’s a good way to look at it (that fancy coffee is a hobby, not merely a means to an end). > > I think the superautomatics take the exact opposite approach: They’re perfect for when you just need that “good enough” cup in the morning, as soon as possible and with minimum fuss. Right. I do know a couple of people who are super obsessed with fiddling with the temperature, pressure, grind, roast, etc. to get that ultimate cup of coffee; if you are like that then you obviously need everything to be manual. ---
**Author:** ![Die\_Capacitrix](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/die_capacitrix/32/9_2.png) [@Die\_Capacitrix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Die_Capacitrix)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2025, 6:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-input-on-super-automatic-espresso-machines/1023560/27 "2025-10-18T06:08:45Z")
Beautiful! Reminds me of our ECM Tecnika IV, which is the older version of the [Technika V](https://thekitchenbarista.com/products/ecm-technika-v-espresso-machine-with-pid-stainless-steel?_pos=1&_psq=technik&_ss=e&_v=1.0). We chose ours for the double boiler and it had the best foam texture. Did they offer you a course for how to get the best performance out of your new toys? ---
**Author:** ![Ike\_Witt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ike_witt/32/283_2.png) [@Ike\_Witt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ike_Witt)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2025, 6:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-input-on-super-automatic-espresso-machines/1023560/28 "2025-10-18T06:14:08Z")
I was given a brief demo. Right now I’ve been watching videos. I do know that there is a place near me that does offer a course on espresso in general. At the very least, I plan on reading the manual twice before plugging it in. ---
**Author:** ![Maserschmidt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/maserschmidt/32/18829_2.png) [@Maserschmidt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maserschmidt)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2026, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-input-on-super-automatic-espresso-machines/1023560/29 "2026-01-20T20:19:14Z")
I received an espresso machine for Christmas and have been enjoying it, how’s it going for you so far, @Ike_Witt? What sorts of coffees are you buying, and what sorts of espresso drinks are you making? Mine is a lower-end model, the Casabrews CM5418…I’m not even sure I could tell the difference (yet). ---
**Author:** ![Ike\_Witt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ike_witt/32/283_2.png) [@Ike\_Witt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ike_Witt)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2026, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-input-on-super-automatic-espresso-machines/1023560/30 "2026-01-22T18:50:29Z")
It has been a bigger challenge than I expected to get consistent results. I think a small part of the issue is the machine and a large part of the issue is user error. I get beans from a local roaster. I get this [Heritage blend](https://pilotcoffeeroasters.com/products/heritage-blend). I am considering trying different roasts to see if I can get more reliable consistency. I generally make cappuccinos or lattes. ---
**Author:** ![Al128](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/al128/32/16541_2.png) [@Al128](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Al128)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2026, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-input-on-super-automatic-espresso-machines/1023560/31 "2026-01-26T00:24:49Z")
You need to make sure your coffee roast is not older than 5 or 6 weeks. What kind of coffee grinder do you have and how fast does the espresso brew? . ---
**Author:** ![Ike\_Witt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ike_witt/32/283_2.png) [@Ike\_Witt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ike_Witt)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2026, 12:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-input-on-super-automatic-espresso-machines/1023560/32 "2026-01-26T00:41:00Z")
My grinder is a DF64 gen 2. Brew times is usually between 26 and 30 seconds and I sometimes have soggy pucks. I usually get the coffee 2 days after it was roasted and it is usually done between 2 and 3 weeks depending on how much I am drinking. Having an Airscape container also helps. ---
**Author:** ![Al128](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/al128/32/16541_2.png) [@Al128](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Al128)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2026, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-input-on-super-automatic-espresso-machines/1023560/33 "2026-01-26T21:47:23Z")
If you get a lot of variance, double check your puck preparation… Are you using a WRT tool? Are you happy with the taste or do you get sour/bitter espresso.? ---
**Author:** ![Ike\_Witt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ike_witt/32/283_2.png) [@Ike\_Witt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ike_Witt)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2026, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-input-on-super-automatic-espresso-machines/1023560/34 "2026-01-26T22:07:48Z")
I do use a WRT however I am not sure if I am tamping with too much pressure. Also, despite my best efforts the puck is not always even. Sometimes the coffee is a little bitter and sometimes it is a bit sour. I have only had one cup that I considered undrinkable. ---
**Author:** ![FinsToTheLeft](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/finstotheleft/32/2930_2.png) [@FinsToTheLeft](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FinsToTheLeft)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2026, 11:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-input-on-super-automatic-espresso-machines/1023560/35 "2026-01-26T23:27:43Z")
> [@Ike\_Witt](#): > > I do use a WRT however I am not sure if I am tamping with too much pressure. I was told you can’t really use too much pressure. You are trying to eliminate voids in the puck, but unless you are using a hydraulic press it’s not like you can crush the grounds further by hand. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-input-on-super-automatic-espresso-machines/1023560.md?page=1)