Coffee Machines - advice

espresso

brewboy wrote: »

I like coffee and was also thinking of getting a machine for a Christmas present for the house lol or me really. I like espresso also but it's nice to have a cappuccino at times too, can anyone recommend a good machine, I can't really justify spending more than say £200, or is that un realistic. We have some great local tea and coffee merchant shops in Belfast and they can supply whatever type of bean you can think of, only then just sell cafeteria's not machines.

Very few real coffee lovers have posted in this thread.

Based on your requirements, you should buy a proper espresso machine, not a plastic pod machine that gives you have no control over the extraction. I can't recommend this particular machine here (mine is Italian made at least ten years old) but it shows that you can get a real solidly made espresso machine for less money than most of the very expensive to use, pod home vending machines.

There are many more to choose from, so do your research but please don't go for anything less than a real espresso machine, which gives you full control to make proper coffee exactly to your requirements, using the coffee of your choice. The basis for every variety of coffee drink is a shot of espresso, so it is important to get it right.

chorlton

I use one of these

http://www.aeropresscoffee.co.uk/

coffee is extracted under pressure so you get a much more rounded espresso taste - and it's much easier to clean than a cafetiere.

(the other key thing is to use water at 90 ish degrees,boiling water gives a much more bitter taste)

brewboy_2

Espresso, Thanks thats a great help, I'm gonna get to work on comparing a few machines, that link from Currys seems a great deal at the minute

jimi_man

espresso wrote: »

Very few real coffee lovers have posted in this thread.

Based on your requirements, you should buy a proper espresso machine, not a plastic pod machine that gives you have no control over the extraction. I can't recommend this particular machine here (mine is Italian made at least ten years old) but it shows that you can get a real solidly made espresso machine for less money than most of the very expensive to use, pod home vending machines.

There are many more to choose from, so do your research but please don't go for anything less than a real espresso machine, which gives you full control to make proper coffee exactly to your requirements, using the coffee of your choice. The basis for every variety of coffee drink is a shot of espresso, so it is important to get it right.

And don't forget the grinder, if you're serious about coffee then you'll need one.

cookie365

Get a proper espresso machine - you can't really go wrong with the low end Gaggia ones - or if that's too much a good quality cafetiere.

cookie365

Oh and whatever you get, if you have poor quality coffee, you may just as well get a crate of Nescafe.

hebridean

I have had four Gaggia's over that past twelve years making on average eight espresso shots and frothing a couple of times a day. The first couple were cheaper models and each lasted just over two years. The third was the baby twin which was problematic and had to be repaired a couple of times by Phillips who had just bought the company. Eventually this one also died and we have been using the Baby for about the past four years. It's been by far the best of them and we also have a gaggia grinder which was bought ages (6-7 years) ago that is still going strong. I'm touching lots of wood here!
Here's a link to our present machine:

http://www.italy-outlet.com/en-gbp/i/product667211.html?gclid=COu8zpXlzroCFc7JtAodJzUAQg

Have a shop around for deals and you may also be able to get a grinder with a fancy plinth to set them on at a good price.

cookie_monster

Interesting post, I fancy treating myself over xmas to a coffee machine that will also froth the milk up, any suggestions?

jimi_man

Virtually all espresso machines will do this.

Anne_Marie_2

Agree with getting an espresso machine rather than a pod one. It's so much cheaper and you can buy whatever coffee you fancy, and it's cheaper in the long run. A good grinder is essential and I'd recommend a burr one, mine is from Starbucks, and can thoroughly recommend it.
My espresso machine was a gift, and the only problem that I have is that it only has a small water tank, would much rather have a larger one, so you should look out for that. If I need to make a few coffees, I use a cafetiere, and use frother from the espresso for capuccinos.