Coffee Machine (for latte's especially)

Skint_Catt

My DH wants a coffee machine for Christmas - he likes latte the best so I'm guessing I need one with a foamer arm thingy or a 'pod' machine? Do 'espresso machines' make latte? Is there one that'd make a cracking hot chocloate for me?

I just don't know where to start looking!

Thanks, C xx

Edinburghlass_2

Boss just bought this one...

http://direct.tesco.com/q/R.213-7553.aspx

does latte and hot chocolate pods

Skint_Catt

Thanks - looks good and the pods don't seem that expensive Reviews are good too.
C xx

russ331

Skint_Catt wrote: »

Thanks - looks good and the pods don't seem that expensive Reviews are good too.
C xx

Dulce Gusto Pods are about 25p each. Say 2 cups a day x 365 = £182 a year. If you're comfortable with that level of expense then fine. If not then click here. The deal is still available, but stocks are limited so check your local Argos branches.

Click here for 3 minute video on using the machine.

NeverEnough

If you really enjoy coffee shop coffee, depending on your budget, you might want to consider a "commercial" type machine like one of the older Flavias - say the s350, which can be bought for £50 - £90 depending on how lucky you are on ebay.....some of these machines cost over £1000 (!) new and are small enough to be sited in a normal home - the machine itself has quite a small footprint and can be filled manually, does not need to be plumbed in. Supplies readily available on ebay, they make fantastic lattes / cappuchino's / mochachinos and many other coffees and teas, depending on what you want - there is a smaller model called an SB100 which can sometimes be had for £30-£50, although it doesn't do the "two stage" drinks like cappuchino's. We love ours - its a bit of an indulgence as the coffee bags cost around 25p each, but the coffee is the same as that served at numerous commercial outlets, so we save on not paying £1.80 - £2.50 for a fancy coffee as often as we might have been tempted to do so!!!

speedfreek1000

Get a bialette stove top Moka pot and a separate milk frother.

Cost you about £35 for the pair off amazon.

The other option would be an aeropress for around £20

Have a look on youtube/google for how to use em.

I'm a Bialette man personally although the aero is highly recommended by others. They're the cheapest set ups that will make really excellent coffee.

For storage (never in the fridge) you want those 750ml french/jam/preserving jars with the rubber ring and metal clip. They're perfect for holding 250g of coffee which you then keep in a dark cupboard

Forget pods and ground coffee in packets. They are basically stale coffee and although ok once you try beans there's no turning back.

If he wants to go the bean route most food processors have a grinder attachment or you can pick up a cheap grinder off amazon for £10. The expensive ones are for espresso machines as they require a very fine specific grind! The Bailette and aero prefer a more rough n ready thicker one so a normal grinder is perfect.

I have a 52 week In My Mug subscription for freshly roasted from hasbean. It's very good value @ just over £4 a week. For that I get a 250g packet of that weeks coffee beans (no weeks the same) that drops through my letter box every Sat.

I drink a lot of coffee :rotfl:

mightyroyals

russ331 wrote: »

Dulce Gusto Pods are about 25p each. Say 2 cups a day x 365 = £182 a year. If you're comfortable with that level of expense then fine. If not then click here. The deal is still available, but stocks are limited so check your local Argos branches.

Click here for 3 minute video on using the machine.

I have the machine you have in the link and must say its great for the price. you can use normal coffee from a jar or the ground coffee.
The milk frother is good and works well too

Skint_Catt

Thanks all - some things to consider! DH would only drink on average one per day I suppose - and I don't drink coffee so wouldn't use the 'non-pod' machines. We're also very basic (although DH does buy Costa/McDonalds coffee's) and not sure the bean route is right for us right now, though somehing to consider for the future maybe.

Many thanks for all your replies.

C xx