In short: The starter kit is a burr grinder, a tamper matched to the basket diameter, a milk pitcher and scales. The grinder matters more than the machine: an uneven grind ruins espresso on any equipment.
Why the tools matter
A barista is a craftsman whose technique creates the flavour and aroma in the cup. Reaching that standard needs the right tools, and the order in which you buy them decides how quickly you get there.
1. Grinder
The first piece of equipment any barista needs. Freshly ground coffee is the foundation of everything else, and a burr grinder is what produces a consistent particle size. Blade grinders chop rather than grind and give you fines and boulders in the same dose.
2. Tamper
Used to compress the coffee in the portafilter basket. It must match the basket diameter exactly — usually 58 mm. A smaller tamper leaves an uncompressed rim and the water simply channels through it.
3. Scales
Accurate weighing is an inseparable part of making coffee. Scales let you control the dose going in and the yield coming out; without them, repeatability is guesswork.
4. Milk pitcher
A stainless steel pitcher conducts heat well, which is what lets you feel the milk temperature through the metal and stop at the right moment.
Where not to economise
The grinder. A modest machine with a good grinder outperforms an expensive machine with a poor one, every time.
Frequently asked questions
Grinder or machine — which matters more
The grinder. An uneven grind gives sour or bitter espresso no matter how good the machine is.
Which tamper should I buy
One matching your basket diameter, usually 58 mm. A smaller one leaves an uncompressed rim and the water channels through it.
Do baristas need scales
Yes. Dose and yield are controlled by weight; by eye there is no repeatability.