A home espresso machine can be a good investment for both the wallet and the environment for several reasons:
- Cost-effective: While a home espresso machine may be a significant upfront investment, it can save money in the long run by eliminating the need for expensive trips to coffee shops. Additionally, buying whole bean coffee and grinding it at home can be cheaper than buying pre-ground coffee or coffee capsules.
- Better quality: A home espresso machine allows you to control the brewing process and make adjustments to the grind, temperature, and pressure to achieve a higher-quality and better-tasting espresso than what is typically available in coffee shops.
- Sustainability: A home espresso machine can be more environmentally friendly than buying coffee from coffee shops, as it eliminates the need for disposable cups, lids, and sleeves. Additionally, using a reusable portafilter and paper or metal filters instead of disposable capsules can reduce waste.
- Convenience: Having a home espresso machine means you can enjoy a delicious espresso anytime without having to leave your home. This can be particularly useful for people who are busy or who live in areas where good coffee shops are not easily accessible. Driving to a coffee shop incurs car and fuel costs!
- Ritualistic: Preparing coffee at home can be a relaxing and ritualistic experience. With a home espresso machine, you can take your time to grind and brew the coffee, savoring the aroma and flavors.
The savings from having a home espresso machine will depend on how frequently you purchase coffee at a coffee shop and the amount of coffee you consume at home.
For example, if you purchase a $5 coffee at a coffee shop 5 times a week, you would spend $25 per week, or $100 per month. If you instead make coffee at home using your own espresso machine, and a bag of coffee beans cost $15 and last for a month (assuming you use the equivalent of one bag a month), your monthly cost would be $15. Note a bag of coffee makes about 42 espressos. This means you would save $85 per month by making coffee at home, minus the cost of some milk. This is go up quickly for folks who drink multiple cups a day, or have a partner/spouse that also drink coffee. My wife and I were typically getting 2 coffees a day at the local cafe, so our home espresso machine is paying off quickly. And honestly, the coffee is better and more consistent once you have some experience as a home barista.
We do note this does not consider the value of the convenience of buying a coffee at a coffee shop and the social interactions that can happen there. I miss those some.
It is important to consider all the costs and benefits before making a decision, but owning an espresso machine can definitely help to save money on the long run if you are a regular coffee drinker.
What machine do I have?
WELL, since you asked, my wife and I have a Spaziale Lucca A53 we got from Clive Coffee. It’s beyond fabulous. We have maple cabinets so we paid a bit extra for a custom trim to have it match exactly. I’d say the biggest differentiator versus some of the mid-end units friends and family have are that once it’s hot, you’re never short on steam or have to wait for an extra pull of espresso.
