Which coffee machine?
Discussion
My Hinari cafe continental has decided that it's for the off and is blowing steam out of its middle instread of through the coffee (not out of the top where the water goes in). I can't really see what the problem is and, not being the type to take this to bits, I can conclude that it's knackered.
I need a replacement - not want, need - I've got a cafetiere on loan (long story) and it's just not the same. However, I can't afford to spend hundreds on a machine, so can the PH masses advise as to what to look for/at in a coffee maker please?
Thanks
JTW
I need a replacement - not want, need - I've got a cafetiere on loan (long story) and it's just not the same. However, I can't afford to spend hundreds on a machine, so can the PH masses advise as to what to look for/at in a coffee maker please?
Thanks
JTW
Thanks all - I suspect that I may have to accept that my coffee maker is knackered and not repalce it just yet as I can't justify £150 on a decent coffee maker 
(Not least of all as I have my eye on a £200 lens...)
I'll have to either try a hob espresso jug temporarily and see if my OH will buy me a decent coffee maker for my birthday next month. I'll start dropping hints
(Not least of all as I have my eye on a £200 lens...)I'll have to either try a hob espresso jug temporarily and see if my OH will buy me a decent coffee maker for my birthday next month. I'll start dropping hints
Half price gaggia? http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/GAGGIA-RI8151-60-MANUAL-...
For real espresso you need a genuine min (some say max) 9 Bar of pressure in the portafilter of 92deg C water (both give or take depending on taste preference and grind etc)
Most budget domestic machines (including Gaggia sadly) now spec pressurised filter baskets which 'enhance' crema production, even on stale or wrongly ground beans. They do nothing for taste however, so a traditional basket - where the fineness of the grind and compacting of the coffee provide the extraction pressure - may need to be acquired too (and a decent tamper), then it's down to the skill of the driver and the freshness/roast of the bean.
Gaggias can and do make great coffee (just acquired my second, and had a Francis Francis before that) but perhaps should be considered entry level if you are serious about coffee, and take a while to learn their foibles so as to give their best. I'd always look for a three way solenoid valve now (to facilitate back flushing) and copper boilers will apparently tolerate more aggressive descaling than aluminium. Gaggias are ali.
Temperature stability is important so heavy portafilters and groupheads (ie plated brass) are a better bet than cast ali (also feel way nicer, which counts for loads).
The Classic and Cubika are both reasonably built (if you go Gaggia); I wasn't impressed with the build on the Baby Class I had however but am open to the idea I may just have had a duff one as it never performed like my new Classic does despite their obvious design/spec similarities (theres a recent thread about modding bits off the Baby to try on the Classic).
As ever, it doesn't stop with the machine. The grind is all important too and a decent burr grinder can cost as much as the maker (avoid blades, too random and too dusty).
Most budget domestic machines (including Gaggia sadly) now spec pressurised filter baskets which 'enhance' crema production, even on stale or wrongly ground beans. They do nothing for taste however, so a traditional basket - where the fineness of the grind and compacting of the coffee provide the extraction pressure - may need to be acquired too (and a decent tamper), then it's down to the skill of the driver and the freshness/roast of the bean.
Gaggias can and do make great coffee (just acquired my second, and had a Francis Francis before that) but perhaps should be considered entry level if you are serious about coffee, and take a while to learn their foibles so as to give their best. I'd always look for a three way solenoid valve now (to facilitate back flushing) and copper boilers will apparently tolerate more aggressive descaling than aluminium. Gaggias are ali.
Temperature stability is important so heavy portafilters and groupheads (ie plated brass) are a better bet than cast ali (also feel way nicer, which counts for loads).
The Classic and Cubika are both reasonably built (if you go Gaggia); I wasn't impressed with the build on the Baby Class I had however but am open to the idea I may just have had a duff one as it never performed like my new Classic does despite their obvious design/spec similarities (theres a recent thread about modding bits off the Baby to try on the Classic).
As ever, it doesn't stop with the machine. The grind is all important too and a decent burr grinder can cost as much as the maker (avoid blades, too random and too dusty).
Dualit Espressivo. John Lewis have been selling it for £139. Does ground coffee or capsules. Got one and very good. Which? best buy.
If you have a smaller budget then Delonghi coffee maker:
http://www.google.co.uk/products/catalog?q=delongh...
Had one of these for a couple of years and it was brilliant. Cheapest Which? best buy.
If you have a smaller budget then Delonghi coffee maker:
http://www.google.co.uk/products/catalog?q=delongh...
Had one of these for a couple of years and it was brilliant. Cheapest Which? best buy.
james_tigerwoods said:
So - are those hob coffee makers worth bothering with?
I have stainless one. Cracking coffee maker, gave up on the gadgets years ago. I did have an aluminium one but the residue in the bottom started to look a bit chemical factory, hence the stainless. The bestest best (in my opinion of course so will bound to be wrong here......) is a stainless Lacafetiere filter. Only cos its got a double wall and keeps it warmer for longer. :ink Never see George Cloony with one of these.
I use a Bialetti 6 pot stove top espresso. It only reaches about 2 bars of pressure so you dont get a lot of crema, but you do get nice tasting coffee. I was tempted with one of the Delonghi's as they seem to get good reviews. Something like this: http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B000C3MLJS/ref=...
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