Espresso machines, especially top quality ones, may hurt your bank account a bit. This is not at all impractical since cheap espresso machines won’t quite give you the coffee experience you desire and this truly is a disservice to you.
If you do not want to compromise the quality, you may want to consider purchasing a used coffee machine. It’s the same high quality machine without the sky high price tag. To learn more, check this article out!
Espresso
There are a lot of other brewing methods out there, but coffee aficionados agree that espresso remains the king of all brews.
To enjoy your favorite cup of coffee from your favorite coffee shop in the comfort of your homes, there are a lot to consider: fresh and top quality beans, accurate grind, the coffee machine, and the skills behind the brewing.
If you can make a great espresso, the possibilities of what you can do is endless. You can enjoy some ristrettos, iced coffee, americano, long blacks, and cappuccinos, and it’s only possible with a great espresso machine.
Why should you get a used espresso machine?
Savings
Of course the main reason to consider this option is because it saves money. If you look hard enough, there are lower price machines that are almost brand new. If they are refurbished, even better! This way, you’ll be assured that performance will be no different than when it was new.
Quality
With the amount you’re willing to spend, you can either buy a brand new but a low quality machine and buy a used one that’s top quality. For me, the choice is incredibly easy. Go for the used one that performs better!
Sustainability
Buying a used espresso machine is great for the environment since the machine won’t go to waste.
What is the difference between used vs. refurbished espresso machine
There will be different meanings of used depending on where you buy the item from. It is described by eBay as “[an] item [which] may have some signs of cosmetic wear, but is fully operational and functions as intended.” By that description, the item should operate as expected but may be scratched or have a damaged knob.
Although places like Craigslist are a great way to buy and sell used stuff online, there is no control on how things are represented. Any sale is between you and the seller, making complaints impossible to handle.
Some people are willing to embrace the risks of purchasing a used product, particularly when they give much more significant discounts than pre-owned or refurbished devices. However, if you don’t want the hassle of trying to repair a broken item or being out of pocket, you may want to go over the used items.
Approximately 60% off independent coffee shops actually fail within their first year, thus, there are perfectly functioning commercial espresso machines you can find.
Refurbished machine
If you’re purchasing a used machine, a refurbished one is definitely the way to go. These types of machines are technically almost new but issues such as their length of display duration or missing some items such as its box makes them not sellable as brand new. Some scratches may be present here and there so make sure to assess properly.
What does refurbished mean?
Refurbished espresso makers are gently used by espresso makers that have either been returned to the vendor (usually within the time period of the return policy) or have been demo models. They were cleaned, descaled, and checked to ensure that nothing was damaged and that the unit was still in working order.
From there, even if they’re going from a legitimate reseller, they’re being carefully repackaged.
Typically the only thing lacking is non-essential products, such as special package packaging that may be on a brand new version of the product.
Little consumable items, such as hardness test strips and water filters, can also be left out, but the omission is negligible when it comes to the total cost of the espresso machine.
Finally, there might be slight cosmetic blemishes that may make it not as flawless as… well, a new one. But, in truth, those blemishes are part of why you save hundreds of dollars.
How to avoid issues?
The key here is do not rush! This is an investment and add to that the fact that you’re purchasing something that’s not brand new. Take time doing your research to ensure that you’re getting a good buy!
First thing to do is check the age of the machine. Obviously, the older the machine, the more issues you may encounter later. Also, consider the servicing that was done. Again, if you buy from reputable sites, you’ll have the assurance that your machine is properly serviced.
Shop carefully
If you look up “used home espresso machines” on Craigslist, you don’t know what you’re really going to get, unless you know how to check it yourself.
You’ll probably need to ask about backflushing, descaling. Ask for a test shot, test steaming. Check machine cleanliness (eg milk crud on the wand), if you are looking for buy one from Craiglist, maybe even physically test it yourself before buying.
One of the ways to have a stress-free purchase is to shop from reputable platforms. Buying from independent sellers, especially from those that you don’t know personally.
There are sites out there that offer properly serviced second hand machines that even have some warranty. That way you know you’re getting a real, working, quality product that comes from a company that knows what they’re doing.
Here’s a list of places you can check:
The right one for you
As you choose your machine, you will have to decide whether you want a semi-automatic, automatic, or super-automatic espresso machine. Also, you will need to assess if you have some barista skills to know the type of machine you need.
For utmost convenience, you may want to opt for automatic espresso machines. Now if you want some control over your brewing process, a semi-automatic one will work just fine.
Final say
Purchasing a refurbished or used espresso machine is not bad at all. It will save you money without sacrificing the performance as long as you buy from reputable platforms and take your time in assessing the machine. Good luck with finding your espresso machine!
Editorial Staff
The editorial staff at Crazy Coffee Crave is a team of coffee enthusiasts & Baristas who enjoy the one thing we all think about as soon as we get up in the morning. Trusted by thousands of readers worldwide.
