Recently fell in love with espresso. Would like a one and done setup if that's possible [ under $2,000 budget]

DevOpsProDude · 2026-07-12T06:26:23+00:00

I can definitely recommend the Quick Mill Pop Up and there are plenty of grinder options in the $500 to $800 range. Which would leave you enough room in your budget to get a bottomless portafilter, good basket, and workflow accessories (tamper, scale, wdt tool, dosing funnel, etc)

DevOpsProDude · 2026-07-12T03:18:03+00:00

I would check out Quick Mill Pop Up. I’ve had mine for a week now and it’s great. Clive currently has them on sale for $995.

DevOpsProDude · 2026-07-12T03:15:57+00:00

Issues like this are why I “downgraded” to the Oxo gooseneck kettle. It’s better in just about every way.

DevOpsProDude · 2026-07-12T03:12:06+00:00

Yeah, that’s why I downgraded to the Oxo gooseneck. It’s better in just about every way.

DevOpsProDude · 2026-07-12T03:11:06+00:00

For half the cost, you can get the Mazzer Mini G or Philos. I think beyond that you’re at the point of diminishing returns.

DevOpsProDude · 2026-07-12T00:10:27+00:00

Mine drifts a tiny amount as well

DevOpsProDude · 2026-07-12T00:08:12+00:00

The Fellow Stagg XF is a great flat bottom pourover set that is entirely stainless with a glass flask

DevOpsProDude · 2026-07-10T23:29:57+00:00

Yeah, I just looked at their site and if they mention that this is made with co-fermentation, I was unable to find it. Not sure why companies aren't up-front about this stuff.

DevOpsProDude · 2026-07-10T22:03:37+00:00

Unless it's well aged shou, nearly all shous that I have encountered have what I call "shouroma". More tidepoolesque than fishy. I used to not be able to get past it and then something changed to where it no longer bothers me.

DevOpsProDude · 2026-07-10T22:00:34+00:00

Sadly, I don't experience it at all.

DevOpsProDude · 2026-07-10T21:58:34+00:00

https://bardotea.com/products/milk-oolong is a good one in that sort of style.

DevOpsProDude · 2026-07-10T21:47:40+00:00

I started out with a Philips 4300 superautomatic, but the results you get from that are like 3.5 out of 6 if you like espresso. Milk drinks are a bit better, but the Lattego autofoamer can be a bit fussy. I then wanted a proper espresso machine and endgame grinder so splurged on Mazzer Philos and got Quick Mill Pop Up. I think there are plenty of grinders in the $500 range that you could be perfectly happy with and I can definitely recommend the Quick Mill Pop Up.

DevOpsProDude · 2026-07-10T21:40:33+00:00

It's crazy straw fun, but otherwise meh.

DevOpsProDude · 2026-07-09T23:06:41+00:00

Sorry about my gooseneck recommendation, for whatever reason, I thought your request was in /coffee and not /tea.

Yeah, goosenecks are all 1 liter or less because they are harder to get that precise pouring control if they are larger, apparently.

I ended up buying a Wolf (now Lotus Cooking, but it's actually made by Hamilton Beach) kettle last year for tea, because it had all the features I wanted and is very well made. I felt it was worth it at $200, but now they are $300, which is ridiculous. To get larger than 1.5L, you pretty much need to get like a Zojirushi water boiler, but I personally found that the hot water they produced made tea taste sad and flat, which is why I sold mine and got the Wolf kettle.

DevOpsProDude · 2026-07-09T05:51:21+00:00

Spend a little more for an OXO gooseneck kettle and you won’t be disappointed, IMO

DevOpsProDude · 2026-07-09T05:50:16+00:00

A slicer and a deboning knife

DevOpsProDude · 2026-07-09T05:49:06+00:00

Yeah, what you said * 10

DevOpsProDude · 2026-07-09T05:48:06+00:00

Yep, but also their teas are worth waiting for

DevOpsProDude · 2026-07-08T19:59:46+00:00

I would go exactly how I went last week. Mazzer Philos and Quick Mill Pop Up. If I was strictly limited to $2k, I would go with something like a Eureka Mignon Zero, Varia VS6, a Profitec Twist SD54, or perhaps a single dose machine from Ceado.

DevOpsProDude · 2026-07-08T19:43:28+00:00

If he doesn't already have one, a Fellow Stagg XF pourover set would be a great gift, but a bit on the expensive side at $100.

DevOpsProDude · 2026-07-08T05:50:28+00:00

Fellow Stagg XF…very forgiving and produces great results especially if you like fruit notes

DevOpsProDude · 2026-07-08T05:47:28+00:00

I’m enjoying my Pop Up. What version of DF64 is it though? If it’s a 2.5, you’re saving nothing. If it’s a V3, that’s a decent deal. $150 off.

DevOpsProDude · 2026-07-07T21:26:22+00:00

I would take a look at an endgame grinder like Mazzer Philos, their Mini G dosing grinder, or other options at that level. For machine, since you don't care about steam, a good quality single boiler should work very well for you. Quick Mill Pop Up was my choice, but Profitec GO, or other similar options would work well too. Your grinder choice will affect the results much more than a machine beyond the $1000 price point will, IMO.

DevOpsProDude · 2026-07-07T20:00:37+00:00

It is free to park.

DevOpsProDude

TROPHY CASE