Recommend a Coffee Machine?

[parapaul]

This is a serious question - so no spam from the tea-drinkers please!

My 30th is fast approaching, and I'd like a proper coffee machine. I've had a Philips Senseo for the last couple of years and I'd like to go the next step towards really good coffee.

Problem is, I have no idea what's good, bad, useful or useless and was hoping for some pointers from anyone who has one, wants one or knows anything about them!

From having a very quick look around t'interweb I know roughly what I want if that's any help...

• Permanent filter - I presume this means not having to buy and change paper filters all the time?
• I don't want it to make 3 pints at a time, it needs to be 1 cup (or preferably a mug!)
• No need whatsoever for cappucino frothers, milk steamers or any other poncey features like that - I just want good coffee.
• Don't necessarily need an integral grinder if that hikes the price - I can either buy ready ground coffee or buy a standalone grinder for not very much money.
• And a lot of the machine's I've seen are labelled Espresso makers - are they all the same or do Espresso makers only make 2 teaspoons of Espresso at a time? Again, I just want a machine that will make a decent mug of coffee.
• Price is fairly flexible - I won't be buying it! Obviously I'd like to stay away from the £800 machines though...

TIA

Edited by parapaul on Tuesday 14th October 07:59

[Plotloss]

I bought a £500 Gaggia job a few years ago.

It now gathers dust but the £15 espresso pot is on its 3rd seal from daily use.

Take from that what you will.

[HundredthIdiot]

I have spent many hundreds of pounds over the years on coffee machines, grinders etc.

I currently use a Nespresso because I spent the money so may as well use it. The Nespresso cost a fraction of my previous efforts but is more consistent.

However, after spending two months in Bologna with only one of these on a gas hob:



...I'm now of the opinion that process is more important than outcome, and technology just gets in the way.

Additionally, someone who knew more than me about coffee once told me that the heat and pressure in the Espresso-making process kills all the flavour in good coffee (think aromatic compounds getting destroyed/released) and that you're best off with a cafetiere.

This is probably not what you want to hear, so feel free to spunk loadsa money on gadgets.

[Hedders]

Plotloss said:

I bought a £500 Gaggia job a few years ago.

It now gathers dust but the £15 espresso pot is on its 3rd seal from daily use.

Take from that what you will.

I always end up trying new coffee gadgets, but reverting back to stove top espresso jugs and caffetiers (sp) .

[Petrolhead747]

Plotloss said:

I bought a £500 Gaggia job a few years ago.

It now gathers dust but the £15 espresso pot is on its 3rd seal from daily use.

Take from that what you will.

That you will swap the Gaggia in exchange for a few espresso pot seals?

[Road2Ruin]

Kettle?

[Sciroccology]

Road2Ruin said:

Kettle?

Kettle.
Jar of Gold Blend.
Milk.
Sugar.


Praise me - I've just saved you about 40 quid.

[Hedders]

Sciroccology said:

Road2Ruin said:

Kettle?

Kettle.
Jar of Gold Blend.
Milk.
Sugar.


Praise me - I've just saved you about 40 quid.

no, you have wasted whatever that crap cost you :P

[chris.mapey]

I'm rather taken with one of these

http://www.cuisinart.co.uk/content_sub.asp?ssID=5&...

I've found it for about £140. I'll report back when it arrives...

I have a Krups espresso machine (cheapo, but it makes a passable mug of coffee, though I wouldn't call it "espresso" )

My beloved Krups filter machine has just died a death (after 4 years of hard daily use!)

My grinder is also suffering as well (that's 7 years old)

I'd be wary of "one cup" machines (unless they are automatic bean to cup ones) and the 'faff' for a second cup can be too great for a lazy git such as myself... hence my love for a decent filter maker that uses a vacuum flask that doesn't "cook" the coffee, as the subsequent cups are easy to pour...

HTH (but your consumption of coffee is probably a lot less than mine!)

Chris

[hondafanatic]

Whatever you go for, remember that what coffee you actually use makes one of the biggest differences..

[Sciroccology]

Hedders said:

Sciroccology said:

Road2Ruin said:

Kettle?

Kettle.
Jar of Gold Blend.
Milk.
Sugar.


Praise me - I've just saved you about 40 quid.

no, you have wasted whatever that crap cost you :P

And herein starts the oh-so-regular "My toaster/coffee machine/smoothie maker is better than yours" thread.

It's a machine that makes coffee. A function that can be more than adequately performed by the constituents I have mentioned.

[rustyspit]

parapaul said:

[*]And a lot of the machine's I've seen are labelled Espresso makers - are they all the same or do Espresso makers only make 2 teaspoons of Espresso at a time? Again, I just want a machine that will make a decent mug of coffee.

Espresso machines make espresso - the really strong, small black coffee (you can then dilute it with hot water if you like).

IMHO, if you just want a decent mug of coffee, don't bother with expensive espresso-making kit, just get:

+ cheap coffee grinder (no need to bother with expensive burr grinders if you're not making espresso)
+ fresh coffee beans

Spend the rest of the money on something fun to play with while you drink your coffee.

ETA - Try to get an insulated cafetiere. I've got a nice one stainless steel one from John Lewis that holds 2 mugs worth of coffee - great for taking out into the garage when it's chilly.

Edited by rustyspit on Monday 13th October 14:20

[HundredthIdiot]

rustyspit said:

Spend the rest of the money on something fun to play with while you drink your coffee.

One of these perhaps?

[Plotloss]

Sciroccology said:

A function that can be more than adequately performed by the constituents I have mentioned.

I drink a lot of instant but its not a comparison to proper coffee. Not even close.

Therefore the kettle cannot be considered a valid alternative to a coffee machine/pot.

[robinhood21]

'Tis all one needs apart from the beans for a good cup of coffee.

[Whoozit]

If you're after a full mug of filter coffee rather than a small cup of espresso, I have one of these

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Kenwood-CM551-Brewmaster-f...

You have to like American-style brewed coffee which is all this makes BUT if you do it i) brews up the full amount in less than 5 minutes ii) water temp is not boiling so you don't lose lots of flavour and it doesn't scald you iii) has a timer for the mornings and keeps it hot for 2 hours

Get some decent beans ground up (Whittards Mocha are rather suitable) and you'll get a nice smooth cup. Cleanup is also dead easy.

[Uncle Fester]

Best value Espresso machine I ever bought was a Hitachi for £50. It replaced one I had spent 10 times that on. For small quantities (two cups) it could match the 'better' machine. It even came with a promotional voucher to claim a grinder.

If you pop into a French supermarket you can buy a glass jug with a filter holder on the top.

Simple use of top quality ingredients is the key.

Always grind immediately before use. Beans can be frozen

[Hedders]

While we are on the subject, can we have some suggestions on coffee's to check out, and where to go for the best beans etc?

I have made a note of 'Whittards Mocha'. Will i find that in all of the supermarkets?

[hondafanatic]

Hedders said:

While we are on the subject, can we have some suggestions on coffee's to check out, and where to go for the best beans etc?

I have made a note of 'Whittards Mocha'. Will i find that in all of the supermarkets?

http://www.atkinsonsteaandcoffee.co.uk/

Obviously the equivilent in your area if you have one. Or Illy/Lavazza which should be on the super market shelf.

All IMO.

[Plotloss]

Hedders said:

While we are on the subject, can we have some suggestions on coffee's to check out, and where to go for the best beans etc?

I have made a note of 'Whittards Mocha'. Will i find that in all of the supermarkets?

Depends on the time of day.

I prefer the full on smack in the face of an after dinner first thing in the morning and a more mellow Jamaican Blue Mountain of an afternoon/evening.