“But these machines cost about ten thousand dollars apiece compared to about three thousand for a quality manual commercial grade espresso machine. That’s a lot of money to recoup at about two dollars for a double shot.”

A quality manual (aka “semiautomatic”) is much, much more than three grand. About the only commercially suitable machine for that price is a one group Cimbali Jr. And no busy cafe would be able to operate with just that. Two-group Marzoccos start at eight, Simonellis and Faemas around seven. So unless you’re shopping on NexTag for used equipment, there’s nothing available for a mere three bills – or even twice that much – that could run a busy cafe trying for a remotely consistent shot.

Otherwise, nice job on the post.