My Budget Espresso Setup for Starting Out

Hey everyone.

I've been lurking around here for a while, picking up tips and admiring everyone’s setups. I thought it was finally time to share my own little coffee (beverage) corner!

Last year, after a trip to Italy, I finally realized I was done with drinking bad coffee. Every morning there felt like a ritual, starting with delicious espresso. Coming back home, and drinking my first coffee at home and in the office, I realized how bad it was.

Since I was just starting out, I went for a budget-friendly setup, and it’s been a great way to learn the craft without going overboard on expenses. Here’s what I’ve got:

Machine: I went with a Dedica, which has been surprisingly good as a beginner machine! I’ve made a few upgrades to get the most out of it. I switched out the steam wand to a better one for more control over frothing, and I installed an IMS shower screen. Plus, I upgraded to a nicer bottomless portafilter for those satisfying extractions.

Grinder: I started off with the C3esp manual grinder. It was great for learning about grind consistency, but I eventually got tired of the hand grinding routine. I recently upgraded to the Hibrew G5 grinder, which I found for a great price (around €110 with discounts on AliExpress). It’s been a game-changer in terms of convenience, and I’m excited to dive deeper into its performance.

I’ll probably post a more detailed review of the Hibrew G5 soon for anyone interested!

I have to admit, this hobby drove me a little crazy in the beginning. I ordered some local beans and some popular online ones, but I kept running into the same issue—there was always too much acidity in the cup. I kept grinding finer and finer (cause that's what seems to be always the answer!), until I eventually clogged the machine trying to dial it in.

Finally, I switched to darker roasts, and it made a world of difference. Right away, I noticed I enjoyed the taste a lot more. Turns out, I’m just not a fan of fruity coffee profiles. Ever since then, my setup has been working pretty well for me. I’ve even experimented with some medium-dark roasts and can now appreciate a bit of fruitiness without confusing it for pure acidity. Still, I definitely prefer my espresso on the darker and more bitter side!

Would love to hear any feedback or recommendations on further upgrades. Thanks for all the inspiration, everyone!