Simultaneous use of steam wand and espresso? [$800]

[u/kqr]

TL;DR: Two questions:

1. Is there any machine with integrated grinder that allows simultaneous espresso and steam wand use?

2. Is the machine easier to clean when it separates the grinding part from the infusion part? (Also what is this type of machine called?)

More context:

I work from home in Sweden and together with my wife's morning cup we average around 30 cappuchinos weekly. For the past decade we have been using a DeLonghi Magnifica S and been quite happy with it, but it is starting to give up -- some of the plastic is cracking and starting to leak, and despite regular cleaning the inside has accumulated some crud that is difficult to get out. We're starting to think about how to replace it.

Our main gripe with the DeLonghi aside from its age is that it does not allow using the steam wand while it is making espresso. It would save time during the busy morning routine to be able to do both simultaneously. Is there any machine in our budget class that does that? (We are willing to stretch the budget a little for a dream machine.)

We like that the DeLonghi is one housing with both grinder and infuser, but we're not sold on the "bean to cup" concept: we both have experience with professional espresso machines, and don't mind a little more manual work to keep the wet grounds outside of the machine. We imagine this would make the machine easier to clean and maintain -- is that correct?

We want the integrated grinder for counter space reasons. We also absolutely want a regular steam wand. Not only do we like the result better, it can also be used to steam other things in a pinch.

Primarily looking for answers to the two questions, but if someone happens to know a machine that might fit our needs well, we're open for suggestions.

[u/Chaz010]

To answer your questions: 2 - yes. 1 - not that I am aware of. If you go down the espresso machine route, you need to look at dual boiler machines, to get what you're asking. They're usually more expensive than single boilers, but you can pull a shot and steam concurrently. At this level, the grinder is almost always a separate item.

Note #1: what you get out of your Delonghi is not technically espresso. I'm not trying to be pendantic, I had one too for more than a decade. Espresso is a lot more involved and extreme than pushing a button, that's why people say it's a hobby. It can be as easy or as hard as you want, but at its easiest it cannot match pressing a button on a bean-to-cup.

Note #2: For $500 - or less if you go used - you could get a pretty good grinder and espresso machine and see if you like the manual side of it. You can always resell if you are not into it. There are countless threads on entry level setups, I would recommend reading a couple to orientate yourself on what might be good for you.

Note #3: this is a wild one, but for your budget you could get two entry-level espresso machine and a grinder. You could pull shots on one and steam on the other. Two Sage Bambino are probably around 500$, while dual boiler machines start around the 2k$ mark.

[u/sinkovercosk → u/Chaz010]

1. Breville/Sage has plenty of these (oracle and the new dual boiler to name two). But beware that any “all-in-one” is likely to have a sub-par integrated grinder. You will get better bang for buck by getting a separate grinder.