Cheap espresso machines
Discussion
OK, so I like coffee, but have managed to wean myself off it during work, in favour of green tea (yum!). However, I do like the occasional cup of filter coffee from my old-school filter machine (think 'classic' 80s beige) at weekends. Sadly, my fat-fingered flatmate decided to drop and smash the glass jug recently, and finding a replacement it is proving a headache (due to its age).
After a quick perusal of Amazon for a replacement, I came across a couple of espresso machines around the £50 mark, which piqued my interest somewhat. Does anyone have any experiences to share on this end of the market, or either of these models specifically. I'm presuming that they just take bog-standard ground coffee beans?
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Russell-Hobbs-13401-Espres...
http://www.amazon.co.uk/DeLonghi-Treviso-espresso-...
I know that it's entirely possible to spend hundreds of pounds on one of these little blighters (as some previous in-laws did), but I simply can't bring myself to do that for the sake of one/two cups of coffee a week. I like coffee, but I'm certainly no coffee-snob.
I'm also aware that I could replicate the 'experience' with a stove-top pot. But, I like the idea of something which doesn't require a huge amount of 'faffing' (as I've experienced with the pots before), and that will provide steam for the (very) occasional latte.
Can FD&R help me?
After a quick perusal of Amazon for a replacement, I came across a couple of espresso machines around the £50 mark, which piqued my interest somewhat. Does anyone have any experiences to share on this end of the market, or either of these models specifically. I'm presuming that they just take bog-standard ground coffee beans?
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Russell-Hobbs-13401-Espres...
http://www.amazon.co.uk/DeLonghi-Treviso-espresso-...
I know that it's entirely possible to spend hundreds of pounds on one of these little blighters (as some previous in-laws did), but I simply can't bring myself to do that for the sake of one/two cups of coffee a week. I like coffee, but I'm certainly no coffee-snob.
I'm also aware that I could replicate the 'experience' with a stove-top pot. But, I like the idea of something which doesn't require a huge amount of 'faffing' (as I've experienced with the pots before), and that will provide steam for the (very) occasional latte.
Can FD&R help me?
I totally get that £200 buys me a better machine, but I don't want to spend £200. "Spend more" seems to be a common answer to most product-based questions on PH...
£200 for 4-6 coffees a month seems like a complete waste of money to me.
Are you saying that I would be better off taking my £50 and just buying another filter machine? Or can these cheaper machines actually produce a passable espresso (without comparing them to something which is four-times the original budget)?
As I said, I'm certainly no connoisseur of coffee, and found that the ex-in-laws' £800 De'Longhi machine made an 'OK' cup of coffee (ie: acceptable, without blowing me away).
£200 for 4-6 coffees a month seems like a complete waste of money to me.
Are you saying that I would be better off taking my £50 and just buying another filter machine? Or can these cheaper machines actually produce a passable espresso (without comparing them to something which is four-times the original budget)?
As I said, I'm certainly no connoisseur of coffee, and found that the ex-in-laws' £800 De'Longhi machine made an 'OK' cup of coffee (ie: acceptable, without blowing me away).
Edited by Dave200 on Friday 6th August 13:56
If it's just for espresso then buy a stove top espresso maker. With decent coffee it'll be just as good as any espresso machine. Decent enough one will cost from £20, just make sure you get a big enough one for when you have guests. They're quick too and easier to clean than those machines.
The advantage of a moka over drip espresso is a stronger brew and better flavour IMO. The key is to find the right roast level and fineness of grain. For best results you will grind your own to the fineness that works best for you.
Watch out for over heating and boiling the coffee, you should be removing from the heat source before the gurgling starts and letting the steam do the rest.
Only need to wash with boiling water as it keeps a film of coffee to act as a barrier between the aluminiun.
The advantage of a moka over drip espresso is a stronger brew and better flavour IMO. The key is to find the right roast level and fineness of grain. For best results you will grind your own to the fineness that works best for you.
Watch out for over heating and boiling the coffee, you should be removing from the heat source before the gurgling starts and letting the steam do the rest.
Only need to wash with boiling water as it keeps a film of coffee to act as a barrier between the aluminiun.
Edited by dmitsi on Friday 6th August 15:09
dmitsi said:
If it's just for espresso then buy a stove top espresso maker. With decent coffee it'll be just as good as any espresso machine. Decent enough one will cost from £20, just make sure you get a big enough one for when you have guests. They're quick too and easier to clean than those machines.
Do they go in the dishwasher? This might help reduce some of the 'faffage' that concerns me...Dave200 said:
dmitsi said:
If it's just for espresso then buy a stove top espresso maker. With decent coffee it'll be just as good as any espresso machine. Decent enough one will cost from £20, just make sure you get a big enough one for when you have guests. They're quick too and easier to clean than those machines.
Do they go in the dishwasher? This might help reduce some of the 'faffage' that concerns me...Just rinse out with boiling water.
So much less hassle than a machine.
If you want espresso in the literal sense, you want get it froma cheap machine- 200 is cheap, too
Expect to pay 1000 pounds roughly
A bialetti or tassimo gives you a nice mediterranean style coffe, but no espresso on the way pizza express gives you a nice mediterranean style flatbread....
Expect to pay 1000 pounds roughly
A bialetti or tassimo gives you a nice mediterranean style coffe, but no espresso on the way pizza express gives you a nice mediterranean style flatbread....
Dave200 said:
dmitsi said:
If it's just for espresso then buy a stove top espresso maker. With decent coffee it'll be just as good as any espresso machine. Decent enough one will cost from £20, just make sure you get a big enough one for when you have guests. They're quick too and easier to clean than those machines.
Do they go in the dishwasher? This might help reduce some of the 'faffage' that concerns me...you dont really need to do anything other than tip out the used grounds, and rinse it through.
You do need to be careful that you dont leave it unattended though, otherwise it will boil your coffee. The amount of times i put the coffee pot on, click on PH and completely forget about the coffee until met with the unmistakable aroma of burned coffee.....
What sort of coffee do you want?
If you want an expresso, I'd go for a stovetop machine and just rinse it out after use.
If you're happy with filter coffee, I'd go for a cheap plastic one cup filter with papers - you bin the used filter paper with the used coffee, then just swill it out and stick it on the draining board.
If you like stewed coffee (sorry I can't stand it!) then go for a caffetiere, but I hate trying to wash them out, but of course if you had a couple you could bung 'em in the dishwasher.
I'm fond of my Senseo machine but mainly as just generic coffee - if I was only drinking occasional cups I'd want something more special but a nespresso machine might give you decent choice close to your budget?
If you want an expresso, I'd go for a stovetop machine and just rinse it out after use.
If you're happy with filter coffee, I'd go for a cheap plastic one cup filter with papers - you bin the used filter paper with the used coffee, then just swill it out and stick it on the draining board.
If you like stewed coffee (sorry I can't stand it!) then go for a caffetiere, but I hate trying to wash them out, but of course if you had a couple you could bung 'em in the dishwasher.
I'm fond of my Senseo machine but mainly as just generic coffee - if I was only drinking occasional cups I'd want something more special but a nespresso machine might give you decent choice close to your budget?
Bullett said:
that latte jug/frother thing at the bottom of that link are quite good too!cramorra said:
If you want espresso in the literal sense, you want get it froma cheap machine- 200 is cheap, too
Expect to pay 1000 pounds roughly
A bialetti or tassimo gives you a nice mediterranean style coffe, but no espresso on the way pizza express gives you a nice mediterranean style flatbread....
Please see my second post in this thread. I'm not interested in the textbook PH 'lifestyle' response of: "You need to spend at least 20-times your budget to even get something which I would consider drinking".Expect to pay 1000 pounds roughly
A bialetti or tassimo gives you a nice mediterranean style coffe, but no espresso on the way pizza express gives you a nice mediterranean style flatbread....
I asked if it could be done for £50, no more. You could have just given me a straight answer, but took the opportunity for a touch of snobbery.
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