Coffee. Grinder and Cafetiere or Pods in a machine
Discussion
Hi coffee experts!
Fairly new to this thread, so apologies if it's been discussed before, and reading a bit of the posts, my coffee requirements are probably WELL below most people's standards on here. But.......here goes.
I have a petrol station opposite me and for the past 12 months, I must have spent a small fortune on their Costa Express machine. I know you'll laugh but I actually enjoy this coffee (no sugar just a cappuccino - is their milk sweetened - it kind of tastes a little sweeter).
Soooooooo...........I'm probably going to be shot down here, but what machine can I buy which will give me an equivalent cappuccino? I have no requirements other than IT MUST BE SIMPLE AND QUICK. I cannot be bothered with grinding my own beans, or steaming my own milk............I just want to press a button and walk away.
Given that I must have spent over £1,000 over the past year, my budget is £1,000. What do people recommend?
Fairly new to this thread, so apologies if it's been discussed before, and reading a bit of the posts, my coffee requirements are probably WELL below most people's standards on here. But.......here goes.
I have a petrol station opposite me and for the past 12 months, I must have spent a small fortune on their Costa Express machine. I know you'll laugh but I actually enjoy this coffee (no sugar just a cappuccino - is their milk sweetened - it kind of tastes a little sweeter).
Soooooooo...........I'm probably going to be shot down here, but what machine can I buy which will give me an equivalent cappuccino? I have no requirements other than IT MUST BE SIMPLE AND QUICK. I cannot be bothered with grinding my own beans, or steaming my own milk............I just want to press a button and walk away.
Given that I must have spent over £1,000 over the past year, my budget is £1,000. What do people recommend?
Edited by audi321 on Tuesday 30th April 12:40
No it's not, it will easily replicate what you've been used to (Siemens machine allows you to tailor to your preference & save settings - as do many machines) - but it will also give you access to an endless number of other beans with their own distinct flavours so most people do a bit of exploration when they get their machine.
C G said:
Has anyone got any experience with the Kingrinder K6?
I'm thinking of investing in a decent hand grinder as my current AliExpress one takes around 2 mins to grind fine enough for an Aero press flat white replica. That gets quite tedious.
I'd want something that ideally grinds in under a minute if possible and will be okay if I decide to get an espresso machine in future
I have a knock hand grinder that I use with my Areopress a s a portable set up. The grinder seems as good as my home grinder, but is a bit slower obvs. I'm thinking of investing in a decent hand grinder as my current AliExpress one takes around 2 mins to grind fine enough for an Aero press flat white replica. That gets quite tedious.
I'd want something that ideally grinds in under a minute if possible and will be okay if I decide to get an espresso machine in future
The knock fits in the areopress so it makes a nice compact unit for camping / hotels.
madbadger said:
You can easily improve on Costa with some better beans. Their coffee is quite bitter. Better beans in a reasonable machine should do you well. I find lighter beans taste sweeter (and definitely don't need added sugar).
On a partially related note, do you know that high street coffee chains vary hugely in their caffeine content? madbadger said:
You can easily improve on Costa with some better beans. Their coffee is quite bitter. Better beans in a reasonable machine should do you well. I find lighter beans taste sweeter (and definitely don't need added sugar).
Thanks. So do we think that these costa express machines just use regular milk then? Not sweetened in any way?audi321 said:
madbadger said:
You can easily improve on Costa with some better beans. Their coffee is quite bitter. Better beans in a reasonable machine should do you well. I find lighter beans taste sweeter (and definitely don't need added sugar).
Thanks. So do we think that these costa express machines just use regular milk then? Not sweetened in any way?https://www.worldcoffeeportal.com/Latest/News/2022...
You're best bet is to ask them when you buy your next one - they shouldn't have anything to hide:
PS. I went full out and bought a Jura Z10 BTC and it's superb in every respect
Jura BTC here as SWMBO wanted something she’d be able to use, whereas I’d happily have had something a bit more ‘hands on’. Needless to say I still have to make all her drinks anyway…
I always order flat white when buying a coffee, but at home just drink regular coffee as without spending more than £25-30 a kilo, I’ve found a few really good options.
I always order flat white when buying a coffee, but at home just drink regular coffee as without spending more than £25-30 a kilo, I’ve found a few really good options.
RichFN2 said:
My Timemore C3s MAX will grind a cup worth in around 15 seconds with minimal effort, and 3 cups in around 30 seconds.
I suspect similar quality hand grinders are the same.
Is that grinding for espresso?I suspect similar quality hand grinders are the same.
I have a cheapo Amazon hand grinder and it seems to take about a few minutes for 18g of beans - it more or less does the job for my 9Barista, but it's hard work. Are proper, quality, hand grinders much faster?
s2kjock said:
RichFN2 said:
My Timemore C3s MAX will grind a cup worth in around 15 seconds with minimal effort, and 3 cups in around 30 seconds.
I suspect similar quality hand grinders are the same.
Is that grinding for espresso?I suspect similar quality hand grinders are the same.
I have a cheapo Amazon hand grinder and it seems to take about a few minutes for 18g of beans - it more or less does the job for my 9Barista, but it's hard work. Are proper, quality, hand grinders much faster?
I did try it on espresso grind a few times and it does take longer (probably 1 minute, maybe just over for 18g). However due to the design the handle just spins with minimal effort, dual bearing design that decent manual grinders use from what I understand.
Espresso grind is like powder, and very consistent. More details here:
https://www.timemore.com/products/timemore-chestnu...
RichFN2 said:
I have mine set to about halfway on the dial which some would argue is too fine for a French press but that is how I prefer it.
I did try it on espresso grind a few times and it does take longer (probably 1 minute, maybe just over for 18g). However due to the design the handle just spins with minimal effort, dual bearing design that decent manual grinders use from what I understand.
Espresso grind is like powder, and very consistent. More details here:
https://www.timemore.com/products/timemore-chestnu...
Just timed my grind on my cheapo Amazon cylindrical hand grinder this morning and it was actually was almost 5 mins for 18g fine enough for espresso (about as fine as the grinder will go). That's a huge difference in time.I did try it on espresso grind a few times and it does take longer (probably 1 minute, maybe just over for 18g). However due to the design the handle just spins with minimal effort, dual bearing design that decent manual grinders use from what I understand.
Espresso grind is like powder, and very consistent. More details here:
https://www.timemore.com/products/timemore-chestnu...
Knock are relatively local to me so I may have a look at their grinders as they have been recommended on here before IIRC. It's either that or man maths re cost and argument with OH about an electric single dose grinder which I think would do the same job in 15-20 seconds...............
s2kjock said:
Just timed my grind on my cheapo Amazon cylindrical hand grinder this morning and it was actually was almost 5 mins for 18g fine enough for espresso (about as fine as the grinder will go). That's a huge difference in time.
Knock are relatively local to me so I may have a look at their grinders as they have been recommended on here before IIRC. It's either that or man maths re cost and argument with OH about an electric single dose grinder which I think would do the same job in 15-20 seconds...............
The Knock was not great at espresso for me. 45s - 1 minute and sometimes it was hard going. Handle started to slip off after months of use and I had to get it fixed under warranty.Knock are relatively local to me so I may have a look at their grinders as they have been recommended on here before IIRC. It's either that or man maths re cost and argument with OH about an electric single dose grinder which I think would do the same job in 15-20 seconds...............
Swapping to a Niche was a blessed relief.
s2kjock said:
Just timed my grind on my cheapo Amazon cylindrical hand grinder this morning and it was actually was almost 5 mins for 18g fine enough for espresso (about as fine as the grinder will go). That's a huge difference in time.
Knock are relatively local to me so I may have a look at their grinders as they have been recommended on here before IIRC. It's either that or man maths re cost and argument with OH about an electric single dose grinder which I think would do the same job in 15-20 seconds...............
5mins!!!!!! Knock are relatively local to me so I may have a look at their grinders as they have been recommended on here before IIRC. It's either that or man maths re cost and argument with OH about an electric single dose grinder which I think would do the same job in 15-20 seconds...............
I love the routine and relaxed nature of making a coffee, sometimes more than the coffee, but think I’d baulk at 5mins!
You definitely need to do some man maths today
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