Presso Mechanical Espresso Maker Nearly Worth Buying

The "Presso" is an elegant, entirely mechanical espresso machine, made from cast aluminum, with a smartly designed piston that draws water through the same same piston through which it presses the coffee from the cylinder. According to coffee geek Jim Schulman, it's almost capable of making pretty decent espresso, especially if you mod the way the seal works like he did. Sadly, even post-mod, it doesn't appear to make coffee as easily as steam-powered units—it's just too difficult to get the temperature of the machine up to proper temperatures.

If Shulman's adventures with the Presso don't dissuade you, the coffee machines can be found online for around $100.

The $109.16 Goshshot Machine [Users.Ameritech.net via Coffeed.com] (Thanks, Anthony and Tonx!)

[#1 posted by gphilip , December 3, 2007 4:02 AM]

Dear Joel!

Please check out my project!
http://som_en.showdown.hu

You may write a post on it! Thanks!

[#2 posted by Anonymous , December 3, 2007 9:15 AM]

I bought one for $10 at TJMaxx several years ago. It makes decent espresso, and it is kinda fun to have the ability to pull a shot on camping trips. I'm stunned that someone would buy this for $100.

I kinda think that guy is full of malarky with all that talk of modding the unit, but then again I still enjoy moka pot espresso, so what do I know.

[#3 posted by Not a Doktor , December 3, 2007 9:52 AM]

so is it good for camping?

[#4 posted by Anonymous , December 3, 2007 2:40 PM]

Why bother with all that when the common Moka (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moka_Express) is such a good home device?

[#5 posted by Scott , December 3, 2007 8:06 PM]

I also got them at TJ Maxx (bought 3). Makes a better brew then a moka machine (which doesn't make actual espresso).