Coffee Machines

spo2

Hi, I was wondering if anyone could give me any advice or pointers

I am thinking of buying a coffee machine but I don’t know what to go for! Does anyone have one that they can recommend, or any advice on choosing one? I would like one that takes pods or discs, and makes ‘long’ drinks (ie not just espressos).

I’ve been looking at a Bosch one on Currys (BOSCH Tassimo Suny TAS3202GB), but with that one would I be limited to one brand of pod/disc?

Would I be better getting a Nespresso one which can take cheaper pods (eg Lidl ones), as I think Nespresso can use a number of different makes so long as they are the same size?

I would rather spend a bit more on the machine and be able to use cheaper pods than buy a cheaper machine and have to use more expensive pods. It will only be two of us using it, and the occasional visitor. I would want to spend up to £150, but would pay a bit more if I had to (up to £200).

Thanks

andrewf75

Yes I highly recommend not buying into the coffee machine craze and sticking to a good old fashioned cafetiere or Italian style pot for espresso. Tastes far better.

(appreciate thats probably not the advice you wanted, sorry)

Annie1960

andrewf75 wrote: »

Yes I highly recommend not buying into the coffee machine craze and sticking to a good old fashioned cafetiere or Italian style pot for espresso. Tastes far better.

(appreciate thats probably not the advice you wanted, sorry)

I agree, cafetiere is best. Quick and inexpensive, and you can use whatever brand of coffee you want.

benjus

andrewf75 wrote: »

Yes I highly recommend not buying into the coffee machine craze and sticking to a good old fashioned cafetiere or Italian style pot for espresso. Tastes far better.

(appreciate thats probably not the advice you wanted, sorry)

Depends what you want to drink. Stove top pots do not make proper espresso - they make strong coffee. If you want espresso you need a machine with a pump. I wouldn't recommend a pod machine though - get a proper espresso machine and a grinder if you want to drink espresso.

I also enjoy cafetiere and stovetop pot coffee and agree that they are both good ways to brew coffee.

Paully232000

I wanted a pod machine a year last christmas. In the end I went with a coffee maker, that takes ground coffee, not pods.

Cant fault it, and you get to choose whatever coffee you want for it, and not limited to a specific range of coffee pods or discs.

Very happy with the machine and has been used every day nearly since i bought it over 12 months ago. Doesnt need a filter, so all it costs is the coffee on top of the machine itself. Has a timer on it so it is made just before i come downstairs for breakfast. Very good all in all.

Voyager2002

benjus wrote: »

Depends what you want to drink. Stove top pots do not make proper espresso - they make strong coffee. If you want espresso you need a machine with a pump. I wouldn't recommend a pod machine though - get a proper espresso machine and a grinder if you want to drink espresso.

I also enjoy cafetiere and stovetop pot coffee and agree that they are both good ways to brew coffee.

Italians use stove-top espresso machines at home, so they can't be bad!

I currently use such a machine and the coffee it produces tastes like espresso to me: in fact it gives better results than the relatively cheap electric espresso machine that I used to use.

Apart from that, I agree completely with your post.

benjus

Voyager2002 wrote: »

Italians use stove-top espresso machines at home, so they can't be bad!

I currently use such a machine and the coffee it produces tastes like espresso to me: in fact it gives better results than the relatively cheap electric espresso machine that I used to use.

Apart from that, I agree completely with your post.

I didn't say they were bad . I suspect they became popular in Italy before having a pumped espresso machine at home was feasible and people wanted something close to what they could get in cafes. Now people are used to them and happy with them, and many don't think it's worthwhile investing in a good home espresso machine.

But to get a good thick crema on the top of an espresso shot does require the kind of pressure that you can only get with a pump or manual lever. I don't know what you mean by relatively cheap, but I paid £100 for my Gaggia Baby which does a great job.

System

Aeropress and proper coffee is better than nespresso imo - and a lot cheaper

daveyjp

I've about 5 different types over the years. Filter, stove top, full blown Gaggia, hand espresso. All of them require faffing with coffee grinds, cleaning etc etc.

Nespresso. Turn it on, place pod in holder, press button. 15 -30seconds, a fresh coffee and no cleaning. Ideal for me.

benjus

daveyjp wrote: »

I've about 5 different types over the years. Filter, stove top, full blown Gaggia, hand espresso. All of them require faffing with coffee grinds, cleaning etc etc.

Nespresso. Turn it on, place pod in holder, press button. 15 -30seconds, a fresh coffee and no cleaning. Ideal for me.

I can't argue with the convenience of Nespresso, but IMO you're still trading off quality to get the convenience. I've never had an espresso from a pod machine that is better than an average shot from my Gaggia. You're also limited to the Nespresso range of coffees; while I understand it's reasonably extensive, it's dwarfed by the options available if you use beans.

ccjane

Nespresso all the way for me, you can also get the bit to make the frothy milk which is on the side, you just have to let it rest for a few seconds, so you do the milk first then do your coffee, so you can make your cappuccino's, latte's.. You have long or short expresso's.. You also have so many to choose from and they also do chocolate, vanilla and caramel.... If you have a John lewis, go in there and they will show you and make you one, so you can try it.... I always get the pods online as Ristretto is my fav