[joeld42]

I swear by the Aeropress: http://www.aerobie.com/Products/aeropress_story.htm

I brew it a little differently than the instructions -- I use 2 scoops of coarse espresso, fill the canister, let it drip halfway out (about 2 mins) then top it off, wait another 30 secs, then use the plunger. Makes a perfect 12oz cup of coffee, every time.

I also have a hand-pull Gaggia espresso machine from Italy. So it's not like I'm comparing it to crappy drip. With the same beans, I get equal quality, and the aeropress is faster.

[shmulkey18]

The Aeropress is fantastic: it's cheap, easy to use and clean, and portable. It makes fantastic coffee. I'm not an espresso expert, but I think you would have to spend hundreds more to get an espresso machine which can make as good Americano coffee.

Spend a few bucks on a burr grinder, however. I bought a Saeco Titan from Costco some time ago for $70 and have been very happy with it.

[stcredzero]

I bought a used burr grinder off of Amazon for $40.