Best coffee maker?

amalis

Hi,
I would like to make a Christmas pressent to my hubby who wants a coffe maker. I never had one and dont even know anyone who could recommend me make/model. I would like something that can make latte and capuccino from real coffe (not flavours, like Nespresso) and would coust not more than £150. :A can anyobne share their experience?

seraphina

If you want lattes and cappuchinos, the most important thing you need is the milk frother. You can either get a wand on a stick (like the aerolatte) or an espresso machine with a steam wand, or a standalone milk frother (I think the Nespresso Aeroccino is the one that springs to mind).

Not sure why you think Nespresso does flavoured coffee? I think it's the best capsule coffee maker out there -it's very consistent but it's a pain that you can't get the pods in the shops. I don't like the Senseo pods - a friend has one and it makes nasty insipid coffee.

We have a Gaggia Cubika which makes ok espresso but hasn't been reliable - thankfully my H is handy and has been able to fix it when it goes wrong. TBH if it broke finally and irrepareably I would get a Nespresso machine.

amalis

so sorry, I ment Nescafe dolce gusto http://www.choicebrand.co.uk/p-126-nescafe-dolce-gusto-coffee-machine-krups-kp210040.aspx?shoppingcode=kelkoo&tduid=e87c76df7973b2f015e6442e4ee23b48 the one which I dont like

Norman_Bean

Hi
We've got a Nespresso Krups machine... not sure what the flavoured coffees are but we (used) to buy different types/ strengths. It's fab coffee.
HOWEVER since becoming OS MSE I bought a stove top cafetia (sp!?) from boot fair €1 and espresso coffee from Lidl €1.19 and we now use this every day, is really nice and much cheaper than the €0.35 a pop we were spending on the Nepresso capsules :eek:
Norman x

amalis

Norman_Bean wrote: »

HOWEVER since becoming OS MSE I bought a stove top cafetia (sp!?) from boot fair €1 and espresso coffee from Lidl €1.19 and we now use this every day, is really nice and much cheaper than the €0.35 a pop we were spending on the Nepresso capsules :eek:

my friend has got a similar one, it is really fab for espresso, but you cant make that creamy topping as for capuccino

zara*elise

I'm half Italian so I looooooove my coffee. I have tried pretty much every coffee maker out there.

For variety, I love my Nespresso maker as it can do everything. The pods aren't flavoured, they're different beans from around the world ground down (like the bags bought in supermarkets etc) then individually sealed into the pods. It works on the same principle as the Bialetti espresso makers. The benefit that I've found is that you can easily chop and change your coffee, eg if I want a strong espresso then I put that pod in, if I want a latte it steams the milk for me, very quick and easy and variable. As for cost, it's only around 20p for a pod, so a lot less than a starbucks! The espresso pods really give a great crema too.

If however you're really against them, then a Bialetti coffee maker is an option, though it's a stove top and will only do espresso.

We had a Krups bean to cup machine, but found it hard to store the beans as left for a long time in the machine they lose their flavour.

As for the cheapy £50 morphy richards type machines, steer clear, they're terrible.

tryingtoruletheworld

I don't like the machines with pods either! A milk steamer is most important for a real looking latte/cappucino, and check the pressure of the machine before you buy as this can effect the flavour of the coffee.

amalis

tryingtoruletheworld wrote: »

I don't like the machines with pods either! A milk steamer is most important for a real looking latte/cappucino, and check the pressure of the machine before you buy as this can effect the flavour of the coffee.

thx for that. I've heard that pressure is important, but which pressure should I look for?

seraphina

Look for at least 15 bar pressure

Norman_Bean

amalis wrote: »

my friend has got a similar one, it is really fab for espresso, but you cant make that creamy topping as for capuccino

Oh I thought you could it's got a 'steamy thing' on it so I just assumed that was for lattes and cappuccinos?
We only drink espresso so have never tried it.
Norman x

emay

We have one very similar to this (although ours was only £30 in a sale) and we've had it years, does normal filter one side and esspresso the other with a milk frother in the middle (no steamer but the milk sits on a little hot plate thing)

http://www.morphyrichards.co.uk/ProductDetail.aspx?Product=47010

B/f is the coffee fiend in our house and he loves it. Also got him a coffee grinder a couple of years ago to go with it (after accidently buying him beans instead of ground coffee :rolleyes:)