Coffee machines - whaddaya know?
Discussion
Wifey wants one for Christmas. I've had a cursory look and it seems that you get small ones that can make one cappuccino or two espressos, or bigger ones that start at £100 and go up.
Details and reviews are limited. Any recommendations? It'd be good if a single "boil" could make at least two cups of cappuccino, and the machine didn't break down within a year.
Many thanks.
Details and reviews are limited. Any recommendations? It'd be good if a single "boil" could make at least two cups of cappuccino, and the machine didn't break down within a year.
Many thanks.
I've got one of these
http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B001HZE7VU/ref=asc_df_B...
Makes 2 cups at a time no problem and with a bit of practice is very nice indeed.
Depends on your budget though - you can spend millions!!
http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B001HZE7VU/ref=asc_df_B...
Makes 2 cups at a time no problem and with a bit of practice is very nice indeed.
Depends on your budget though - you can spend millions!!
Roso said:
go bean-to-cup. The pod ones make ok espresso but then you have to buy their pods, and the refillable ones are a nightmare.
My Delonghi Magnifica is still going strong 3 years later
This. I bought the cheapest Delonghi Magnifica 2 years ago and its been great. Machine slightly more to buy, approx £260 from Amazon, but running costs much lower than pod systems.My Delonghi Magnifica is still going strong 3 years later
Ooh I can already see I'm behind with the terminology. Bean-to-cup, or pod... what does this mean? Presumably a bean-to-cup has an inbuilt grinder and a pod is manufacturer's-only sachet or something? That right?
Is there not one where you can simply spoon your own pre-ground coffee into it? Although having said that, pouring beans in sounds pretty simple and would add to the aroma in the kitchen.
... and size-wise if they claim a water tank of 1-litre or more, does that ALL translate into useable hot water. In other words, will that give two full cappuccino cups and not just little espresso cups?
Is there not one where you can simply spoon your own pre-ground coffee into it? Although having said that, pouring beans in sounds pretty simple and would add to the aroma in the kitchen.
... and size-wise if they claim a water tank of 1-litre or more, does that ALL translate into useable hot water. In other words, will that give two full cappuccino cups and not just little espresso cups?
Some other threads for you to browse http://www.google.co.uk/search?q=site:+pistonheads...
Standard reply among the coffee geeks I know...
Cheap
Hario V60 drip / Aeropress (depending if you prefer your coffee short or long) + Porlex hand grinder
All you really need
Rancilio Silva (with a PID mod later if you are really geeky) + Iberital MC2 Auto
Shall we compare god shots
Commercial 2 group head machine + no idea what grinder people use at this level, but I know people with Rancilio Rockys that have moved up to commercial machines.
Cheap
Hario V60 drip / Aeropress (depending if you prefer your coffee short or long) + Porlex hand grinder
All you really need
Rancilio Silva (with a PID mod later if you are really geeky) + Iberital MC2 Auto
Shall we compare god shots
Commercial 2 group head machine + no idea what grinder people use at this level, but I know people with Rancilio Rockys that have moved up to commercial machines.
Watchman said:
Ooh I can already see I'm behind with the terminology. Bean-to-cup, or pod... what does this mean? Presumably a bean-to-cup has an inbuilt grinder and a pod is manufacturer's-only sachet or something? That right?
Is there not one where you can simply spoon your own pre-ground coffee into it? Although having said that, pouring beans in sounds pretty simple and would add to the aroma in the kitchen.
... and size-wise if they claim a water tank of 1-litre or more, does that ALL translate into useable hot water. In other words, will that give two full cappuccino cups and not just little espresso cups?
yeah bean to cup, you just put beans in one bit, water in another bit, then just press buttons. If you go for a filter type thing, you'll just be making filter coffee, not espresso. If you go for a "press" (the metal handle thing you fill with ground coffee) then you are forever cleaning it out I find. plus you need to find a grinder too, or buy espressoo ground which is finer than filter ground.Is there not one where you can simply spoon your own pre-ground coffee into it? Although having said that, pouring beans in sounds pretty simple and would add to the aroma in the kitchen.
... and size-wise if they claim a water tank of 1-litre or more, does that ALL translate into useable hot water. In other words, will that give two full cappuccino cups and not just little espresso cups?
And yeah with most bean to cups you can push another button to fill up the whole cup
LordGrover said:
TheHeretic said:
I use one of these.
For lazy weekend morning espresso Rest of the time a simple cone filter: click.
A spoonful of coffee, hot water, throw away filter and grounds, rinse.
Job-jobbed - enjoy excellent particulate-free filter coffee.
Here's a UK designed, engineered and manufactured alternative:
http://www.fracino4u.co.uk/featured.asp?featured_i...
The Piccino is essentially a scaled down commercial machine, based around two pressurised copper boilers - one for water delivery and one for steam (none of that thermoblock rubbish found in most domestics).
Not the cheapest but should be very good (their commercial machines are).
edit - copper boilers, not brass
http://www.fracino4u.co.uk/featured.asp?featured_i...
The Piccino is essentially a scaled down commercial machine, based around two pressurised copper boilers - one for water delivery and one for steam (none of that thermoblock rubbish found in most domestics).
Not the cheapest but should be very good (their commercial machines are).
edit - copper boilers, not brass
Edited by Insanity Magnet on Tuesday 6th November 13:04
dave_s13 said:
Don't work on induction hobs though which is a shame because they make good coffee, and I have an induction hob!
I use mine on a wood burning stove in the winter, (I only really drink coffee in the winter). Love the thing, really. Very simple, easy, and tastes fantastic.Insanity Magnet said:
Here's a UK designed, engineered and manufactured alternative:
http://www.fracino4u.co.uk/featured.asp?featured_i...
The Piccino is essentially a scaled down commercial machine, based around two pressurised copper boilers - one for water delivery and one for steam (none of that thermoblock rubbish found in most domestics).
Not the cheapest but should be very good (their commercial machines are).
edit - copper boilers, not brass
Wow, that is a really elegant piece of functional furniture. I'll run it past Mrs W but I suspect the £600+ asking price might be a deal-breaker. That said, the engineering inside might sell it to her. We've had a small "one cup" device before which was more trouble that was worth. What we really want is a Costa/Starbucks in our house, with an eye on the cost. This seems to perfectly meet our requirements if I can get past the price.http://www.fracino4u.co.uk/featured.asp?featured_i...
The Piccino is essentially a scaled down commercial machine, based around two pressurised copper boilers - one for water delivery and one for steam (none of that thermoblock rubbish found in most domestics).
Not the cheapest but should be very good (their commercial machines are).
edit - copper boilers, not brass
Thanks for that. Best one yet..!!
We run a Fracino Piccino at home along with a Eureka Mignon grinder. Absolutely love it. We came from a Magimix Robo Cafe R500 bean to cup machine which lasted us a good five years or so, and is now elsewhere in the family.
Very happy with the Piccino, but you'll need to budget for a grinder if you're buying beans.
It's a bit more of an art to making the coffee, so we lost out on the convenience of pressing a button, but it's not too much of a skill to get a decent brew, but you will probably overdose on coffee whilst getting settings to your liking.
Very happy with the Piccino, but you'll need to budget for a grinder if you're buying beans.
It's a bit more of an art to making the coffee, so we lost out on the convenience of pressing a button, but it's not too much of a skill to get a decent brew, but you will probably overdose on coffee whilst getting settings to your liking.
graphene said:
jmorgan said:
Double walled Stainless Cafetière and a kettle. Stove top stainless espresso.
Simples.
I have a two-cup, double-walled cafetiere, but I still have to warm it (or cup, or milk), as once the coffee hits cold milk, it's too cold again.Simples.
I agree - insulated cafetiere, grinder, air-tight container ( kettle, you have anyway ) and you are away. Nevertheless, there are some nice machines around... http://www.fracino4u.co.uk (edit: as already linked)
Edited by graphene on Tuesday 6th November 13:47
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