Coffee machine or OS?

Alison_Funnell

I've been offered one of those pod machines (a tassimo). I love coffee shops but they are really costly. I know a pod is cheaper than a coffee out. But is it really worth it. Are there better OS ways to make a coffee like the coffee shops?

Also do you have to stick to the one make of pods or can you use others?


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Anne_Marie_2

As far as I'm aware, you can only use Tassimo pods. I received one as a gift a good few years ago now, and it was okay, but found the pods expensive. I did have an attempt at saving the pods, filling with coffee, covering with tinfoil, and carefully cutting out the barcodes and positioning them, and using it that way, but it was a bit of a faff to be honest. The Tassimo uses the bar code on the lid of the pod to work.

Then we moved to a country where I couldn't buy the pods, I knew this in advance, so swapped the Tassimo for an unwanted espresso machine. Must admit that I prefer the espresso machine. Can't find anything on line on the one that I have, as it's pretty old, but it looks something like this.
http://www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/household-appliances/small-kitchen-appliances/coffee-machines-and-accessories/espresso-capsule-machines/delonghi-ec155-espresso-machine-black-21485769-pdt.html
You might be able to pick up something cheaper or free on Gumtree/Freecycle/Ebay.

At least with the espresso machine, you can buy coffees of your choice, and not be stuck with the range from Tassimo, and also make coffee to suit you, I tend to like a nice strong coffee. I eventually invested in a burr grinder, and just buy beans and grind whenever I make a cuppa. I would have loved one of those bean to cup machines but really couldn't justify the expense.

Cheaper alternatives are a cafetiere, not so good, but passable.
Moka pot, never had one, but some people swear as the only way to make coffee.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Bialetti-Moka-Express-Espresso-Maker/dp/B00004RFRV/ref=tag_stp_s2_edpp_url

Here's a couple of cheap ones
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Kitchen-Craft-LeXpress-Italian-Espresso/dp/B0001IX00S/ref=sr_1_2?s=kitchen&ie=UTF8&qid=1393307864&sr=1-2&keywords=perculator
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Andrew-James-Espresso-Percolator-Traditional/dp/B00DJ6UGRE/ref=sr_1_6?s=kitchen&ie=UTF8&qid=1393307864&sr=1-6&keywords=perculator

Anne_Marie_2

Forgot to say that the Aeropress gets good reviews too.
http://www.aeropresscoffee.co.uk/

You can read some reviews on Amazon
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Aerobie-AeroPress-80R08-Coffee-Maker/dp/B000GXZ2GS

terra_ferma

I like instant coffee but my OH only drink espresso coffee from a 'proper' espresso machine (and one particular brand of coffee, cheap but very very hard to find). We never got on with a Moka pot, although many people I know love it.
De Longhi all the way, I agree. They don't have to cost a fortune:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Delonghi-EC145-Espresso-Coffee-Machine/dp/B000KPQU7M/ref=sr_1_1?s=kitchen-appliances&ie=UTF8&qid=1393314054&sr=1-1&keywords=delonghi+coffee+machine+treviso
However from having owned several De Longhi machines over the years although they make fantastic espresso coffee, after about two years they start leaking, none has ever lasted a long time (with daily use), maybe up to 3 years with coffee getting gradually worse.

newthrift

Both me and my dad have these http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/s/ref=is_box_kitchen?k=Bialetti+coffee+pot
They are really good, had mine 2 years now and it's fine, use it almost every day. Tried all different coffee machines but this tastes fab and isn't as expensive as a full coffee machine plus easier to put away and not take up space on the side. Depending on what size you want different prices. I have a 3 person which is fab!

lostinrates

newthrift wrote: »

Both me and my dad have these http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/s/ref=is_box_kitchen?k=Bialetti+coffee+pot
They are really good, had mine 2 years now and it's fine, use it almost every day. Tried all different coffee machines but this tastes fab and isn't as expensive as a full coffee machine plus easier to put away and not take up space on the side. Depending on what size you want different prices. I have a 3 person which is fab!

This is what DH and thus I use too, though I am more likely to use our French press style caffetiere tbh.

The espresso from the former can be lengthened with hot water or hot milk , DH makes a sublime cappuccino, or latte.

We have a few sizes.

Saving money on machine means we can enjoy coffee with out it being too much of a forced treat, and the savings? They go into beans and a little grinder. or freshly ground coffee.

AnnieO1234

We have a Dolce Gusto, got it after I became a SAHM, missed lattes, cappucinos and the like. Compared to coffee shops it's much cheaper. There are black coffees available too in varying strengths. The black coffees come in boxes of 16 and are often on 3 boxes for £10. The frustrating part is that some of the flavours are not available in stores and the website shop uses Yodel, the worst courier ever IMHO. Xxx

peachyprice

He have a Tassimo, that is now consigned to a cupboard. The pods are just too expensive to use on a daily basis, between us we would get through 6-7 a day, 40-45 a week, at £4-5 for 10 it was just ridiculous.

We now use a cafetiere or a stove top bialetti, makes good coffee affordable again and you have have it any strength you want, not the strenght the Tassimo pod wants you to have.

Frugalsod

I use a Philips Filter machine with an insulated jug. I had to get it from Amazon Germany as it was £30 more here and it only needed an adaptor to work. I can use any coffee.

Pods are the coffee equivalent of inkjet cartridges. The coffee is way more expensive than any other coffee on a per gram basis, and you are locked in to only getting your coffee from one supplier. If they go bust you have to scrap the machine.

Alison_Funnell

newthrift and lostinrates do either of you have a halogen or ceramic hob? I do and wondered if they work on them?

Anne_Marie_2

Alison_Funnell wrote: »

newthrift and lostinrates do either of you have a halogen or ceramic hob? I do and wondered if they work on them?

Found this review on eBay, seems it works on halogen hob just fine. (Have copied and pasted the review....3rd one down if you go into the link itself).

http://www.ebay.co.uk/ctg/Bialetti-Moka-Express-Coffee-Maker-/78023192

Simply the best.......
Created: 03/09/10by: ianm67 ( 1839Red star icon for Feedback score between 1,000 to 4,999) See all reviews by ianm67
Don't bother with Costalotta Coffee or Starmucks...... This stove top percolator will simply make the best coffee that you have ever tasted. I use it on an elecric halogen hob at home but use it equally easily on a gas stove when camping. Very easy to use, very easy to clean after use and it looks great too (in my opinion). A classic piece of equipment that should be in every kitchen...