Automatic Espresso machines....which one??

[thisislife]

Hi all,
I currently have a Gaggia Baby espresso machine. I've had it about 2 years now and it makes good coffee. I have been looking at automatic machines as I like the idea of bean to cup at the press of a button as opposed to the rigmarole of making coffee manually with my current machine.

Looking at the Gaggia range the Brera has had some glowing reviews on Amazon but its £600. I have noticed some other manufacturers such as Delonghi have auto espresso machines on the market for around £350.

My question is can anyone recommend one to me? I feel with an espresso machine i would much rather buy one on personal recommendation than have a sales person tell me.

Thanks in advance.

Edited by thisislife on Tuesday 4th January 19:05

[hondafanatic]

Do you mean this kind of thing being discussed a few lines down from this topic? http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

[thisislife]

no i dont want a pod machine i want an automatic bean to cup machine.

[oldcynic]

I've got a Delonghi espresso machine at work (though not fully automated) and I wouldn't buy another - it's OK but the Krups I use at home makes much better coffee - I'm guessing my home one has a bigger thermal block or something because the temperature amd quality of the results are much better, it also warms up quicker from cold.

The Delonghi I own was budget for good reason, but I don't know if this will apply higher up their range.

[Flying machine]

Jura ena5?

[mr_tony]

Right - I might be able to help.

I've had several 'cheap' automatic bean to cup machines - possibly delonghis. My wife and I drink a fair amount of coffee, the machines get used, looked after and regularly cleaned. However in my experience I have found that a 'cheap' all in one machine is a false economy if you're using it daily as they don't seem to last too long - components just aren't built to last or stand up to regular use in these machines at low price levels, they seem to be more for the 'occasional' coffee drinker who likes a gadget.

As a result of being pissed off with yet another broken cheap machine (not to mention the poor standard of the coffee it made) I invested in a Jura J7 which works extremly well. I was persuaded down this route by the fact that my offices worldwide use these in their kitchen areas. They work all day every day very hard, and are incredibly reliable. They also provide a pretty good espresso with a good crema.

http://www.uk.jura.com/home_uk_x/products_home_use...

sure if you're the ultimate coffee gourmet, then nothing is going to beat a proper lever arm machine, but if you want a bean to cup machine that is reliable, looks good in your kitchen and is well built then I'd seriously consider one. Sure they are expensive, but I think you get what you pay for..