Espresso Machine Repair
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Hopefully, after looking over some of these machines, you will come away with the answer to the question, “Which HOME espresso machine should I buy?“. This list is in no particular order and is more of a guide to the different types of home espresso machines that are on the market. If you are an experienced espresso drinker, we will try and highlight a few different features of machines that might help in a future machine purchase if necessary.
After the machine list, there are some common espresso machine tools, accessories and cleaners that we find useful.
All of the links on this page should properly go to a corresponding Amazon product page. We tried to include as many Prime options as possible.
Rancilio Silvia (Semi-Auto)
The Miss Silvia has been around for quite some time. It has gone several small revisions, but remains our favorite entry level machine for home espresso. If you want to step it up a notch look for a Silvia with a PID installed.
This will need an espresso grinder.
Bezzera BZ10 (Semi-Auto)
A base model in the Prosumer price range. This is as real to a home espresso machine as you will find. Also good for very small cafes where espresso is not their main focus.
Not many Prosumer style espresso machines are found on Amazon. Most manufacturers already have seller arrangements from Italy (where most quality home espresso machines are made) to USA.
You will have better luck and plenty of reviews with companies like Espresso Outlet, Whole Latte Love or Seattle Coffee Gear.
Good espresso machines are those that are user friendly, safe design, have quality boilers or heat exchangers, sturdy and replaceable parts, heats up very fast and are easy to clean. -Ben
This will need an espresso grinder.
Quick Mill Anita EVO (Semi-Auto)
Just another quick example of a good quality home espresso machine. đ
This model has the traditional e61 lever group head. It’s design has been around since the 1960’s and still going strong today.
This will need an espresso grinder.
Quick Mill Vetrano (Semi-Auto)
Probably the most expensive on the list. This would be for the home user that drinks espresso all day or for a small cafe.
Also a traditional e61 lever group head.
Espresso machines with e61 lever group heads and that are plumbed in are great because you can open the lever dispense valve just a little bit and let city water pressure pre-infuse your puck for a few seconds before opening the lever all the way and activating the pump to reach the desired 9 bar.
This will also need a quality espresso grinder.
Gaggia Classic (Semi-Auto)
Another machine that has been around for quite some time. We think the best thing about this machine is that the boiler heating elements are on the outside of the boiler housing. Meaning the heating element itself never comes in contact with water.
This will need an espresso grinder.
DeLonghi Magnifica (Fully-Automatic)
The base model of the Magnifica line. It has been around for quite some time and is a soldier in the game of fully automatic home espresso machines. At a lower entry cost this machine is a little larger and little louder than its more expensive relatives.
DeLonghi Magnifca XS (Fully-Auto)
Probably our favorite of the Magnifica line. It has a smaller footprint than the base model and is a little more quiet during operation.
DeLonghi Magnifica S (Fully-Auto)
This is one of our in-house machines. We have a hard time not pushing the go button on this thing. Although we would rather froth milk on a machine worth more than a small sedan, the convenience of a consistently good fully-auto espresso shot is worth its weight in gold.
La Pavoni PC-16 (Manual)
Another oldie, but goodie. La Pavoni has manufactured the lever group Europiccola and Professional models for a long time now, and many changes and upgrades have occurred.
The lever pull machine literally gives you all the control. Lift the lever up to fill the chamber with hot water and then pull the lever down to dispense espresso. Not only is this machine fun, but it is quite stylish on the counter.
This will need and espresso grinder.
Breville Barista Express / Pro
This is a popular home espresso machine line. It seems to have good reviews on Amazon. We have even had good tasting espresso from one.
One problem is we cannot find parts for them.
Also, there are a lot of small plastic components on the inside and after several years of sitting next to a hot boiler things seem to clog, crack, or fail.
As most machines would have pros and cons, we find these to have many CONS and would advise NOT TO BUY.
For a machine with a built-in grinder and small countertop footprint, see the La Pavoni Napolitana below.
La Pavoni Napolitana
With a built-in grinder, this machine has been around for quite some time and our pick over the Breville Barista.
With parts readily available, we have seen these small machines take some wear.
Since there is no circuit board, this espresso machine is less “sophisticated” than the Breville Barista, but it still produces 9 bars of hot water to deliver a quality espresso shot.
We do not consider this espresso machine to be in the prosumer line, so probably not good for a small cafe. Just a good simple home espresso machine.
DeLonghi La Specialista
Wow! What a sharp looking system! This would be a direct competitor to Breville Barista machines. We have yet to have one in for service, but once we do, this post will be updated.
Espresso Tamper
There are all kinds of different tampers available. The most common size is 58mm. Traditionally, tampers have a smooth flat base, but now you can find some that convexed or grooved. This one seems like a nice traditional tamper.
Espresso Distributor / Tamper
After grinding the coffee beans into the portafilter, a espresso distributor helps level and distribute the grinds evenly and tamps at the same time.
Tamper Mat
These are nice because it has a little groove so the portafilter won’t slip.
Tamper Stand
Simple Tamper storage. Keeps the bottom of your tamper smooth and free of scuffs and scratches. There are many variations of a tamper stand. We like this one because it is compact and it serves the purpose for a reasonable price.
Portafilter Stand
Holds your espresso portafilter on a scale so that you can easily weigh the coffee dose. Very nice!
Milk Frother
Some fully-automatic machines require a jug of milk in order to make a latte. It turns out to be a hassle and a waste. This is perfect for the user that likes a little frothed milk. Or a lot of frothed milk. Check out the best milk residue cleaner.
Steaming Pitcher Rinser
Probably more for the cafe setup, but these are great for rinsing your steaming pitchers after you froth milk. If you do not want to cut a hole in your there is a countertop version. There is even one for under the counter.
Descaling Solution
Typically used in fully-automatic machines. A Citric Acid Cleaner That Is Odorless And Safe For the Environment. We also like Puly.
Coffee Cleaner
An industry standard for cleaning coffee residue. Used in machines that utilize a 3-way valve for back flushing and cleaning the group head. We have also had good experience with Puly Caff.
Milk Frother Cleaner
You should always purge and wipe down the steam wand after every use, but in case you forgot. A excellent cleaner for nasty milk residue. We have also had good experience with Urnex Rinza.
Group Head Cleaning Brush
Great for cleaning the group head of a traditional espresso machine that uses a portafilter. Has a pre-measured scoop on the handle for the right amount of cleaner. Not for fully-automatic machines.
X-ACTO Knife
The best way to remove a stuck group head gasket is to slice through it carefully with a sharp x-acto knife and then pry it out with a small-screwdriver or with a hook from the hook and pick set below.
Hook and Pick Set
Do you like to keep up with your own group head maintenance. The hook is nice to get stubborn gaskets out. This set is also nice.
Magnetic Retrieval Tool
Not really necessary on this list, but they come in handy in a lost screw situation from time to time.
Flashlight
We have used this flashlight for quite some time now and it has been quite reliable.
110v to 220v Step-Up Transformer
Good for when you purchased your machine outside the United States and need to go from 110v to 220v.
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Ideal water for espresso has a TDS (total dissolved solids) of 90-150 ppm, with no extraneous odors or flavors that would interfere with taste, but still has enough TDS that the minerals in the coffee are able to help do the work of extraction.
Do not use Reverse Osmosis (RO) water. Water below 50ppm TDS or 1.5 grains hardness for coffee of any form is considered too soft and interferes with the brewing process and distorts the taste.
All espresso machines require some amount of dissolved minerals to function, and to make coffee taste great.
There are 3 main types of water you can buy at the grocery store.
Distilled Water: This is essentially RO water. It has NO minerals in it and is not for espresso machines.
Purified Drinking Water: This is it! This is what you need! This water has been filtered and all the bad stuff removed. If your home machine has a reservoir that needs to be filled….this is the good water to purchase and use.
Already good tasting, St. Louis tap water through a Brita Filter is just fine.
There are even pump options out there if you need a large amount of water and your machine is plumbed in.
Spring Water: This water taste great, but is NOT for espresso machines. The reason this water taste good is that it supposedly comes from the Earth. While this water makes it purification journey through the natural filters in the ground it picks up higher doses of various minerals. These minerals might taste great, but they are way out of range for an espresso machine.
There are other “waters” out there….Seltzer water, Tonic Water, Rain Water, etc., but no.
If your machine is plumbed in, you need a water filter. Here are just a few.
St. Louis Metro has pretty good water!
With the properly sized filter in place and changed out at least once a year, your machine should age nicely without any costly blockage repairs.
Pentair Everpure ESO 6
The
ESO has a fixed blend of about 40% of filtered water. This means that
along with removing the bad chemicals all together it filters 40% of the
mineral content out of the water provided to it.
With
the hardness level that St. Louis Metro has this filter should be
changed out around the 600 gallon usage range or to be safe, at least
once a year for the average home machine. The ESO 6 filter can use the QL2 or the QL3 Filter Head . It is 23.75″ H x 5.6″ W x 4″ D.
Pentair Everpure ESO 7
The bigger version of the ESO 6 filter. Same function just a couple hundred gallon larger usage range and taller dimensions. The ESO 7 filter can use the QL2 or the QL3 Filter Head . It is 27.5″ H x 5.6″ W x 4″ D.
Pentair Everpure Claris S
With the addition of a water softening component, this filter has an adjustable blend feature that allows the customization of how much mineral content you want in the product water. The S has a rated capacity of around 600 gallons. The Claris S filter can use the Gen 2 filter head.
The Everpure Claris system was designed to allow the user to control the relative water softness of his or her water supply by adjusting the level of its exposure to a bed of hydrogenated resin â an alternative to traditional salted resin â effectively putting the user in control of the alkalinity and mineral content of the water.
Pentair Everpure Claris M
There are a total of 6 different Claris sizes that keep going in size and capacity. The M is the next step up with a rated filtering capacity of about 1,000 gallons. The Claris series can use the Gen 2 filter head.
Keep in mind that you should size your filter by the amount of water used within 6 months to 1 year. All filters should be changed at least once a year.
Which espresso machine models do you work on?
Mostly all of them. We have been servicing commercial cafe machines for over 15 years and with the advancing quality of home espresso machines we have started to service many of them as well. The most common brands we service are listed on the home page, but if youâve got a machine that isnât on that list (and isnât on our âbrands we donât work onâ list below), drop us a line and weâll let you know how we can help.
Which models and brands do you not work on?
â Jura. The manufacturer does not provide parts or support to independent service centers. Your only option is to contact Jura directly for service.
â Breville, unfortunately. Although weâd like to service this line at some point, we just haven’t got into them yet.
â The Saeco Odea and Talea series and the nearly identical Gaggia Platinum series. We find them to be extremely fragile machines with a short life expectancy due to insurmountable design flaws. In our long history servicing these machines, weâve found itâs just best to replace them with a more reliable model rather than to spend the money to repair them.
â Krups, Kitchenaid, Mr. Coffee, Melitta, Espressione, Capresso, Cuisinart and Bene, to name but a few. These small, semi-automatic machines usually sell for $75-200 new, so itâs difficult to make a repair cost-effective compared to the cost of replacing the machine. These brands are also difficult, if not impossible, to find parts for, so repair is often not even an option.
Can I talk directly to a technician?
YES, absolutely. Weâre a small shop. Weâve always got time to talk tech with our customers. Let us know the best time to call you.
How long does it take to repair my home espresso machine?This varies widely depending on what exactly your machine needs are, parts availability and shipping options. Average repair time is approx 1 week and 2 weeks if parts need to be ordered.
How much does it cost to repair my machine?
Costs vary widely depending on the the make and model of the machine as well as itâs age and condition. Repair costs for most home super-automatic machines range from $175 â $350. We are always happy to provide a free assessment and quote for repair once weâve taken a good look at your machine.
Is my machine even worth repairing?
Usually, yes. Itâs rare for the repair estimate to come even close to the cost of replacing the machine with a comparable model. Most machines that we see just need a good professional overhaul, and then theyâre ready to provide many more years of service. The exception is entry-level models that cost $50-150 new; these machines often only last a few years and the cost to replace any parts on them is usually close to, if not more than the replacement cost.
What if my machine isnât worth repairing?
Weâll never recommend a repair on a machine that we donât think has plenty of life left in it, and occasionally a repair exceeds the replacement cost of the machine and it makes more sense to just buy a new one. In those cases we can give your machine back to you or recycle it, and you wonât owe us anything.
Do you offer free estimates?
Yes we do. We can usually ballpark a repair cost just from hearing whatâs wrong with the machine, and once we get it on the bench and inspected weâll have an exact quote for you to consider. Itâs rare for a repair to exceed this quoted cost.
I live in St. Louis, do I need to filter my water?
We think St. Louis metro area has pretty good tasting water. Why? Because it has minerals in it that provide good flavor. It also has other stuff in it like Chlorine. Click Here for a longer article about espresso machine water and St. Louis water.
What home machine should I buy?
This is somewhat of a difficult question to answer. A lot depends on your consumption level, but most importantly, how does it look on your counter? Have a look at our lead technicians post on various home espresso machines.