Coffee Machines
Discussion
Help - PH coffee fiends!
Looking for a replacement coffee machine.
We had a DeLonghi Magnifica,
which was capable of producing ok coffee, but after 3 breakdowns in 12 months and 3 new machines all of which died (electrical faults each time), I've given up getting replacements and am looking to get something that will make better coffee, and not break every 3 months.
We ar emoving hosue shortly, so a promised purchase to myself on moving in is a new coffee machine.
Requirements are strong build, metal finish (not plastic), easy to descale (the water in our area has tattooed knuckles and a pitbull on a rope), bean to cup (I'm lazy), and it shouldn't need to be plumbed in. All i drink is espresso, so not worried about fancy frothing options really.
Budget - aiming to pay more than the delonghi to get better quality I hope, so happy to pay 500+, as long as it will last 5+ years.
Anyone got a machine they love / trust / reccommend. If yours is more expensive post a pic anyway, I might get carried away..
Looking for a replacement coffee machine.
We had a DeLonghi Magnifica,
which was capable of producing ok coffee, but after 3 breakdowns in 12 months and 3 new machines all of which died (electrical faults each time), I've given up getting replacements and am looking to get something that will make better coffee, and not break every 3 months.We ar emoving hosue shortly, so a promised purchase to myself on moving in is a new coffee machine.
Requirements are strong build, metal finish (not plastic), easy to descale (the water in our area has tattooed knuckles and a pitbull on a rope), bean to cup (I'm lazy), and it shouldn't need to be plumbed in. All i drink is espresso, so not worried about fancy frothing options really.
Budget - aiming to pay more than the delonghi to get better quality I hope, so happy to pay 500+, as long as it will last 5+ years.
Anyone got a machine they love / trust / reccommend. If yours is more expensive post a pic anyway, I might get carried away..
http://www.amazon.co.uk/KitchenAid-Artisan-5KES100...
Not bean to cup though, you'll need a grinder - the Kitchenaid one is awesome. There's a choice of colours.
Not bean to cup though, you'll need a grinder - the Kitchenaid one is awesome. There's a choice of colours.
We have a Gaggia bean to cup, bought a reconditioned one from their website about 5 years ago, other than a service 2 years ago, which cost just under £100 and included all parts and labour needed, it's been as good as gold, we do filter our water through a Brita water jug first though.
We also have a Nespresso machine, which makes excellent coffee from the pods, but for the amount of coffee we drink, it works out expensive.
Both John Lewis and House of Fraser tend to have demo models which you can play with, John Lewis price match as well.
We also have a Nespresso machine, which makes excellent coffee from the pods, but for the amount of coffee we drink, it works out expensive.
Both John Lewis and House of Fraser tend to have demo models which you can play with, John Lewis price match as well.
Edited by Tumbler on Wednesday 14th July 10:17
I can recommend the Isomac Tea II, had mine for about 3 months and it makes cracking espresso, and produces good steam for Latte\capuchino. It's a heat exchanger machine which means you can froth milk and pull espresso shots at the same time rather than having to wait as you would with a single boiler machine. You will also need a good quality grinder to go with it.
http://www.myespresso.co.uk/product.php/42/isomac-...
jmorgan said:
Got a stainless stove top expresso maker. Never goes wrong. That and a cafetiere. Gave up on the electric gizmos years ago.
You clearly have more time than me. Not denying it makes perfectly good coffee, but it's too much of a faff in the mornings and I hate cleaning them.itsnotarace said:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/KitchenAid-Artisan-5KES100...
Not bean to cup though, you'll need a grinder - the Kitchenaid one is awesome. There's a choice of colours.
Looks fantastic, and well built, will check it out.Not bean to cup though, you'll need a grinder - the Kitchenaid one is awesome. There's a choice of colours.
Not sold on the seperate grinder business though, thats a bit of mucking about isn't it unles you grind loads in advance, in which case it seems a bit pointelss bothering to grind your own beans anyway...
Bluequay said:
I can recommend the Isomac Tea II, had mine for about 3 months and it makes cracking espresso, and produces good steam for Latte\capuchino. It's a heat exchanger machine which means you can froth milk and pull espresso shots at the same time rather than having to wait as you would with a single boiler machine. You will also need a good quality grinder to go with it.
http://www.myespresso.co.uk/product.php/42/isomac-...
Lovely - by you have to grind your own beans. I'm sure it's better, but I'm lazy and just want to press the button...http://www.myespresso.co.uk/product.php/42/isomac-...
mr_tony said:
Bluequay said:
I can recommend the Isomac Tea II, had mine for about 3 months and it makes cracking espresso, and produces good steam for Latte\capuchino. It's a heat exchanger machine which means you can froth milk and pull espresso shots at the same time rather than having to wait as you would with a single boiler machine. You will also need a good quality grinder to go with it.
http://www.myespresso.co.uk/product.php/42/isomac-...
Lovely - by you have to grind your own beans. I'm sure it's better, but I'm lazy and just want to press the button...http://www.myespresso.co.uk/product.php/42/isomac-...
I've also got the KitchenAid Artisan grinder, can't fault it at all (other than it being a bit expensive!)
itsnotarace said:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/KitchenAid-Artisan-5KES100...
Not bean to cup though, you'll need a grinder - the Kitchenaid one is awesome. There's a choice of colours.
£600!!!!!???????????Not bean to cup though, you'll need a grinder - the Kitchenaid one is awesome. There's a choice of colours.
Oh do f
k off! 
mr_tony said:
OK I'm coming round to having a grinder.
It's one less thing to go wrong on the all in one machines, and it does mean that when I'm doing a 'long' coffee I can use the nice beans as well.
Can you grind it in advance ok? Or is that a sin?
You can grind in advance but the beans start to oxidise and lose their flavour as soon as they are ground so it's not advised for the best result. I just grind mine while the machine is warming up, it takes 30 secs tops to grind and tamp.It's one less thing to go wrong on the all in one machines, and it does mean that when I'm doing a 'long' coffee I can use the nice beans as well.
Can you grind it in advance ok? Or is that a sin?
I just gave up and joined the masses, having "run" a francis francis X1
with either ground or coffee pods (basically compacted powder) for the last 8 years, it finally gave up on me on the weekend.
I have a thing about nespresso so wouldnt go down that route so I bought a francis francis x7
uses these new pods and I have to say, zero mess and amongst the best coffee i have ever had for about £170
I used to use the pods on left,. now use the red ones on right.
with either ground or coffee pods (basically compacted powder) for the last 8 years, it finally gave up on me on the weekend.
I have a thing about nespresso so wouldnt go down that route so I bought a francis francis x7
uses these new pods and I have to say, zero mess and amongst the best coffee i have ever had for about £170
I used to use the pods on left,. now use the red ones on right.
Edited by CraigW on Wednesday 14th July 15:35
Edited by CraigW on Wednesday 14th July 15:37
mr_tony said:
OK I'm coming round to having a grinder.
It's one less thing to go wrong on the all in one machines, and it does mean that when I'm doing a 'long' coffee I can use the nice beans as well.
Can you grind it in advance ok? Or is that a sin?
I'm no coffee guru by any means, but personally I don't unless I'm bringing some into work. Beans are stored in air tight containers out of direct light. Guidelines I work to are to try and only order enough for the next 4-5 weeks so that they are as fresh as possible. It's good for 3 months or so though.It's one less thing to go wrong on the all in one machines, and it does mean that when I'm doing a 'long' coffee I can use the nice beans as well.
Can you grind it in advance ok? Or is that a sin?
If I'm making espresso at home then I know how many beans I know to grind (14-16 grams for a double shot) and if I'm making a cafetierre then I do 60 grams of coffee per litre.
Bluequay said:
mr_tony said:
OK I'm coming round to having a grinder.
It's one less thing to go wrong on the all in one machines, and it does mean that when I'm doing a 'long' coffee I can use the nice beans as well.
Can you grind it in advance ok? Or is that a sin?
You can grind in advance but the beans start to oxidise and lose their flavour as soon as they are ground so it's not advised for the best result. I just grind mine while the machine is warming up, it takes 30 secs tops to grind and tamp.It's one less thing to go wrong on the all in one machines, and it does mean that when I'm doing a 'long' coffee I can use the nice beans as well.
Can you grind it in advance ok? Or is that a sin?
I was initially thinking something like this though.. http://www.uk.jura.com/home_uk_x/products_home_use...
But these seem more focussed on making cappuccino or latte which I'm not that bothered about usually, so perhaps money better spent elsewhere. Like on crazy coffee grinders..
I've been buying my coffee from http://www.hasbean.co.uk recently. Very good service and some great coffee.
Always used http://www.monmouthcoffee.co.uk/ before but the mail order process is a pain in the arse so have given up with them. Their Organic Espresso beans are superb though.
Get yourself a proper machien and grinder
Always used http://www.monmouthcoffee.co.uk/ before but the mail order process is a pain in the arse so have given up with them. Their Organic Espresso beans are superb though.
Get yourself a proper machien and grinder
I've been buying my coffee from http://www.hasbean.co.uk recently. Very good service and some great coffee.
Always used http://www.monmouthcoffee.co.uk/ before but the mail order process is a pain in the arse so have given up with them. Their Organic Espresso beans are superb though.
Get yourself a proper machien and grinder
Always used http://www.monmouthcoffee.co.uk/ before but the mail order process is a pain in the arse so have given up with them. Their Organic Espresso beans are superb though.
Get yourself a proper machien and grinder
Bluequay said:
mr_tony said:
OK I'm coming round to having a grinder.
It's one less thing to go wrong on the all in one machines, and it does mean that when I'm doing a 'long' coffee I can use the nice beans as well.
Can you grind it in advance ok? Or is that a sin?
You can grind in advance but the beans start to oxidise and lose their flavour as soon as they are ground so it's not advised for the best result. I just grind mine while the machine is warming up, it takes 30 secs tops to grind and tamp.It's one less thing to go wrong on the all in one machines, and it does mean that when I'm doing a 'long' coffee I can use the nice beans as well.
Can you grind it in advance ok? Or is that a sin?
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