Coffee Machines - advice

Horlock

OK so its sort of techie, and most certainly techies will give the best advice on coffee!

Confession #1 I don't drink coffee - nor like it!

But I'm now tasked with the task of buying a decent coffee machine for someone else - who sadly knows little more about coffee than I do - but they do like drinking it - and they like proper coffee!

Now I know nothing. I've heard bits and pieces about pressure, about different types of machine etc etc and a quick bit of research shows I can buy something for peanuts and I can buy something else for a mortgage. I'm also aware that having forked out for a machine there will be running costs which will vary considerably depending on what type of coffee the machine is fuelled by. I've heard speak of each coffee costing between 5p and £1 depending on the machine you own.

So the question is what is the money saving way of getting decent coffee? (obviously not a £5 kettle and jar of Aldi instant)

Now I'm not expecting anyone here to give me a full explanation - though I'll be thankful for all helpful pointers - but if anyone knows of a source of useful comparisons that would be really helpful too. The sort of thing which may have done - but possibly not?

Thanks in advance to all helpful people.

closed

http://direct.asda.com/ASDA-3-Cup-Cafetiere/001429429,default,pd.html

mum2one

What type of budget do you have.

Very basic - cafetiere - then buy some coffee

Filter Coffee (next level) can start at £10 - there perfect as there starter machine, put fresh or packet ground coffee in and have up to 10 cups (5 mugs)

http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/9098271.htm
(link to £10 one in Argos)

then next level - pod coffee machines
these are single make drink, from latte, hot choc, expresso, - whislt the achines retail from £50 upwards, - you have to buy the refill pods - if you brought a set of costa pods say pack of 8 - these are nearly £10.

So personally i would stick with the middle range - the filter coffee maker - I would spend anything from £10 to £30.

Hope that helps a bit x

p00hsticks

We've got a Nespresso machine which cost about £100 and uses pods that are about 29-30p each, so its not particularly cheap but it produces a great cup of coffee really simply.
http://www.nespresso.com/uk/en/home

There are about two dozen different coffee varieties you can get for it, with occasional limited edition flavours (e.g. mint, cardomon). There is a starter pack with one pod of each for you to try (I can't remember if it comes with the machine or if you pay extra for it).

Capsules can be bought online or in a few outlets.
http://www.nespresso.com/uk/en/pages/coffee?s_kwcid=TC|14510|nespresso||S|e|15585222327

We originally were looking for something that would allow us to select and use our own ground coffee blends, but went into a John Lewis where the sales woman talked us through the different types and demonstrated the Nespresso. Looking back, I suspect that anything more complicated would have ended up in the back of a cupboard.

With the Nespresso you simply load the jug at the back with water, pop in a complete pod (no need to undo it or empty the coffee out) and hey presto! a beautiful espresso. We got a milk frother with the machine but never use it, as we prefer black coffee.

I'd recommend it, but it's not particularly money saving though, unless you currently spend several quid a day in Starbucks ......

k12479

I think you need to be a bit more specific about what they want and need.

What kind of coffee do they want to drink - a 'cup', an espresso or some frothy milk concoctions?

Mind spending some time making it and cleaning up or want push button convenience?

Mr_Toad

I love my coffee!

I use a cafetiere occasionally but I have a bean to cup machine. It grinds the beans for each cup.

Mine is one of these.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/DeLonghi-Perfecta-ESAM5400-Espresso-Cappuccino/dp/B0016NJ8T4/ref=sr_1_10?s=kitchen&ie=UTF8&qid=1383475068&sr=1-10

A friend has a similar thing that cost £300 and that does a decent job too.

Remember that it's the coffee that matters, not the machine.

JJ_Egan

Bean machine don't find them worth the money for straightforward fresh coffee .
Bean drinking fresh coffee since it was unfashionable bought the beans ground them fresh used a tea strainer as nothing else .
Fresh and easy a cafeteria a bag of your favourite ground coffee ( you can try and decide ) .

Best would be Wallenford Estate at a price followed by Illy or Lavaza or current best but Lidl have three or four types .
We all like different types of coffee mine as above but others prefer a stronger brew a more burn bean etc .
Massive choice available i usually have three or four variety's on the go .

Mr_Toad

JJ_Egan wrote: »

Bean machine don't find them worth the money for straightforward fresh coffee .
Bean drinking fresh coffee since it was unfashionable bought the beans ground them fresh used a tea strainer as nothing else .
Fresh and easy a cafeteria a bag of your favourite ground coffee ( you can try and decide ) .

Best would be Wallenford Estate at a price followed by Illy or Lavaza or current best but Lidl have three or four types .
We all like different types of coffee mine as above but others prefer a stronger brew a more burn bean etc .
Massive choice available i usually have three or four variety's on the go .

Have you tried roasting your own?

It's dead easy to do but not something I'd want to do every week

JJ_Egan

Mr_Toad wrote: »

Have you tried roasting your own?

It's dead easy to do but not something I'd want to do every week

Again not something i can be bothered with .

harleq1962

bought own brand coffee machine from tesco was on sale for £10 ( originally £15) one of the better ones ive owned, put the water in, coffee in, switch it on, had several with timers on etc no better if not worse, been using coffee out of aldi, great for everyday.

Raksha

I've had numerous different types of coffee machine. For family use we have an LG filter coffe maker, but my personal favourite is my Senseo with a Duck adaptor for use with ordinary ground coffee (about 1.5 scoops) added to a good portion of hot milk done in the microwave. Lush, and equal to anything from Starbucks or Costa