Coffee Machine Recommendation?

[Digger]

Right. I am off to stare at coffee machines today and tomorrow! Got my eye on those Delonghi 330/700 (from memory) machines. A simple free-standing espresso maker with a milk frother attached to the side. The reviews seem positive enough. I'd love a bean to cup machine but they are getting a bit too bulky for my worktop. Not at all interested in those silly sachet/carton refills. Talking proper coffee here! The ability to pour a tall drink would be nice too.

Budget? Ideally less than £200 but happy to extend if the quality and compactish size is retained.

[hairyben]

We've been using the cuisineart for ~ 6 months now. Very happy with it.

[Digger]

This one?

http://www.cuisinart.co.uk/products-detail.php?Pro...

[scirocco265]

This, a million times over. Bought it for the OH at Christmas, amazing.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B001UE9H6S/ref=...

[pikeyboy]

scirocco265 said:

This, a million times over. Bought it for the OH at Christmas, amazing.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B001UE9H6S/ref=...

He doesnt want a capsule/sachet machine.

I think Gaggia do one that uses real ground coffe, I looked at them in john lewis around new year time.

[Mermaid]

Saeco, huge range of top quality products. Expensive though.

http://www.coffeeitalia.co.uk/products.php?cat=109

[nevgroom]

My Gaggia Titanium has been o/s for a couple of months (finally gone to be repaired). As an interim replacement I got this

http://www.cuisinart.co.uk/products-detail.php?Pro...

Not a bad machine at all and keeps the flask warm for c6 hours so good fo a whole morning's drinking ;-)

[zeb]

scirocco265 said:

This, a million times over. Bought it for the OH at Christmas, amazing.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B001UE9H6S/ref=...

another vote for that, bought it for crimbo and very suited.


mind you i'm still trying to work out which from the nine million pods available I like or dislike !

[zeb]

pikeyboy said:

scirocco265 said:

This, a million times over. Bought it for the OH at Christmas, amazing.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B001UE9H6S/ref=...

He doesnt want a capsule/sachet machine.

I think Gaggia do one that uses real ground coffe, I looked at them in john lewis around new year time.

well he should, were into the realms of coffee snobbery now !

[scirocco265]

Digger said:

Not at all interested in those silly sachet/carton refills. Talking proper coffee here!

Aha! I'll put my reading glass on next time...

[DeadMeat_UK]

zeb said:

well he should, were into the realms of coffee snobbery now !

+1 I've got a beans-to-cup machine at home which I love. But the nespresso at work dispenses damn damn good coffee with an easy choice between smoooooth and rocket fuel depending on mood.

[itsnotarace]

Mermaid said:

Saeco, huge range of top quality products. Expensive though.

http://www.coffeeitalia.co.uk/products.php?cat=109

This^^ Our Saeco one has lasted 10 years now with one service after 5 years due to an electrical fault. We also own a Gaggia Evolution that is a complete pile of poop

[MPoon]

Machines?

Heck, try a Cona vacuum pot! Delicious coffee, very smooth.
I have been using mine for about 3 years, and it is a breeze to clean up and make coffee.

http://www.anothercoffee.co.uk/products/item109802...

[paulmurr]

Digger said:

This one?

http://www.cuisinart.co.uk/products-detail.php?Pro...

My folks have one of these, it's pretty good.

[rsv gone!]

I was all set to spend hundreds on a Gaggia Baby Class but after a bit of practice I can get a damn good latte (my coffee of choice) from a Bialetti stove-top coffee maker, using an aerolatte to froth the milk. A damn sight cheaper and easier to keep clean.

[sneijder]

rsv gone! said:

I was all set to spend hundreds on a Gaggia Baby Class but after a bit of practice I can get a damn good latte (my coffee of choice) from a Bialetti stove-top coffee maker, using an aerolatte to froth the milk. A damn sight cheaper and easier to keep clean.

I was with you until the cleaning bit, leave it skanky and full of coffee grot and it will get better and better.

[hairyben]

Digger said:

This one?

http://www.cuisinart.co.uk/products-detail.php?Pro...

That's the beasty, ours earns it's keep too. I don't normally faff about with anything fancy, just a long coffee (why don't they make those milk frothers detachable for cleaning/dishwasherproof FFS?) and what ours makes with pre-blended coffee is as good as anything I've had out of bean-to-cups (I daresay in back to back testing you'd notice more of a difference, but for general use it's great, and everyone who visits and gets a coffee approves)

[Bonefish Blues]

itsnotarace said:

Mermaid said:

Saeco, huge range of top quality products. Expensive though.

http://www.coffeeitalia.co.uk/products.php?cat=109

This^^ Our Saeco one has lasted 10 years now with one service after 5 years due to an electrical fault. We also own a Gaggia Evolution that is a complete pile of poop

Wasn't really aware of the brand but actually, looking at them, not all that expensive for what's on offer.

[Digger]

Thanks for all the replies chaps. Right down at the bottom of the page linked above I found this little fella.

http://www.coffeeitalia.co.uk/proddetail.php?prod=...

I shall investigate.

Is it true it's better to go for the boiler type rather than the instant hot water type (forgot the name) which are less reliable?

Edited by Digger on Sunday 20th February 14:49