Coffee machine buying advice needed

regprentice

I bought a refurbed gaggia classic for about £130. Excellent machine no regrets.

Had been keeping my eyes open on sites like hot deals UK for a few weeks looking for something suitable. Had also looked up several models on you tube...plenty of videos off people reviewing their own machines on there. You get to see what the process is like for each machine and get a bit of confidence around the process. You read about some people having machines 'explode' coffee everywhere when they don't read the instructions the first time they tried to use the machine.

Like you it was a bit more than I hoped to pay... I'm now having the same struggle with myself over buying a grinder... currently looking at an iberital ic2.

bitemebankers

penrhyn wrote: »

What the OP is looking for is a Nespresso machine with an Aeroccino 3.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DPhXUZ7vjxo

The Aeroccino is excellent and is on my wish list. I've used one a few times and they work brilliantly. Best of all, the cup part is removable and dishwasher-proof.

The Nespresso machines are very limited though. A bit like buying a Polaroid camera, back in the day. Low up-front cost but you're tied to expensive consumables with little or no choice.

penrhyn

CafePod Nespresso compatible capsules are available at Sainsburys etc.
Nespresso machines do one thing very well, that is make an espresso, ristretto or lungo, what more would you want?
No idea what they are like as I stick to the official grand crus, of which there are 16 to choose from.
http://www.cafepod.com/

real1314

bitemebankers wrote: »

The Aeroccino is excellent and is on my wish list. I've used one a few times and they work brilliantly. Best of all, the cup part is removable and dishwasher-proof.

The Nespresso machines are very limited though. A bit like buying a Polaroid camera, back in the day. Low up-front cost but you're tied to expensive consumables with little or no choice.

The aeroccino is NOT dishwasher proof:-

https://www.nespresso.com/assistance/uploads/fichiers/mode-emploi/aeroccino.pdf

(not the current model at any rate!)

bitemebankers

penrhyn wrote: »

CafePod Nespresso compatible capsules are available at Sainsburys etc.
Nespresso machines do one thing very well, that is make an espresso, ristretto or lungo, what more would you want?

I'm glad you're pleased with it and, to be fair, the machine isn't bad. The problem is the coffee. It's okay, but it's not brilliant.

Real1314 - I stand corrected. I think it must be an earlier model that my friends have got. It's a shame the current one isn't dishwasher safe - it's an excellent gadget.

billywhizz

I bought a proper Delonghi Coffe machine a few years ago, made great coffee but sat in the cupboard after a while as it is a right faff cleaning it, and steaming the milk is for coffee shops only, takes forever.

Then we got a Tassimo, dreadful coffee, waste of time and money (sorry to the person above who said they liked it )

This Christmas we got a Nesspresso, with the Aeroccino, Blimey Charlie, should have bought this ages ago. I've used it every day since.

Good coffee, easy to clean, the Aeroccino is great (but a microwave and a frother would suffice for the milk instead) and the pods are simple. Cannot recommend it enough, and I bought on the word of mouth of 4 or 5 people who had tried various methods of machine too.

If you do get one, make sure you buy one that allows for different sized mugs (front folds up), I bought my mum one for her Birthday last week in Jon Lewis (the Pixie with Aeroccino) and it was price matched to £135 which is a bargain, can't see it online but ring Bluewater and see if they are still doing it that price.

A_Couple_In_Love

My opinion is to stay away from a Tassimo, I think they are a little flimsy, plasticy cheap looking. I won one in a competition but definitely wouldn't pay for one.

My other fault is that all your hot drinks come though the same pipe, tea, coffee, hot chocolate etc it can be a difficult to clean.

If your having coffee, then a tea as your next drink, you will get coffee in your drink as its still lingering in the pipes!

With me being a clean freak, it doesn't go down well but may not bother some people .

I think a hot water dispenser or kettle is more convenient.

elisebutt65

A_Couple_In_Love wrote: »

My opinion is to stay away from a Tassimo, I think they are a little flimsy, plasticy cheap looking. I won one in a competition but definitely wouldn't pay for one.

My other fault is that all your hot drinks come though the same pipe, tea, coffee, hot chocolate etc it can be a difficult to clean.

If your having coffee, then a tea as your next drink, you will get coffee in your drink as its still lingering in the pipes!

With me being a clean freak, it doesn't go down well but may not bother some people .

I think a hot water dispenser or kettle is more convenient.

I use the cleaning disc between tea/coffee/chocolate. Well I did until I donated it to the oh and use my nespresso machine now.