Should You Spend More on Grinder or Machine?
Your grinder matters more than your machine. Split 40-50% on grinder. $200 grinder + $300 machine beats $400 machine + budget grinder.
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Should I spend more on grinder or espresso machine?
Spend more on the grinder. Budget 40-50% of your total setup on the grinder. A $200 grinder with $300 machine beats a $400 machine with budget grinder.
Why does grinder matter more than machine?
Espresso is about extraction. Inconsistent grind = inconsistent extraction = bad shots. Even expensive machines can't fix a bad grind.
What's the minimum to spend on an espresso grinder?
Around $150 for manual (1Zpresso JX-Pro) or $200 for electric (Baratza Encore ESP). Below this, grind quality limits your espresso.
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