Encore ESP

Replace smart grinder with DF54 or baratza encore esp

Search r/espresso for thousands of similar posts. The cheapest decent set up is probably around $/£/€500 which is a sage/Breville bambino and kingrinder k6 hand grinder or a Baratza encore ESP which is electric. Espresso as a hobby isn’t cheap

Can’t answer your question but I would strongly suggest you getting a Breville bambino and something like a Baratza encore ESP for the grinder. All in one machines , and especially Ninja ones, are not the best (Ninjas known to fail quite a lot). Bambino $299 and Baratza $199. If you get an all in on

Bambino + baratza encore ESP is better for sure

Bambino plus and baratza encore ESP. That will produce much better shots than the ninja

Gaggia Classic Pro is all manual. Reliable and easy to upgrade. Pair it with a Baratza Encore ESP. That’s about $800.

This sub will recommend you don't combine grinder and machine. You're looking for Baratza Encore ESP (or DF54) and a Bambino.

Ignore the rude people here. Welcome to the hobby! You’re in for an incredibly rewarding, albeit sometimes frustrating experience. As others have said - you need a much finer grind. I had a burr grinder at home that was supposedly all purpose, but even at its “espresso” setting it was way too coarse

That's absolutely not true, you can get a used baratza encore esp for like 100. Even the regular encore can grind fine enough for espresso, the increments are just too big. I had the same machine as OP, i just pulled the plastic insert out of the stock portafilter and put a non pressurised basket in

Can suggest the Baratza Encore ESP as an entry level, espresso-capable grinder