Recommend me a coffee machine

[rovermorris999]

I've decided I need a decent caffeine hit each morning that only an espresso can deliver so it's time to buy a coffee maker. A bewildering choice out there, all sorts of features but as a complete virgin in this area what should I look for and any recommendations?
I want to be able to use my choice of bean so no machines that use capsules or bags etc. Mrs Rovermorris likes cappuccino so a means of frothing milk is needed as well. I like well-engineered stuff that lasts and I don't mind paying a reasonable amount but nothing silly.
Any ideas? Thanks in advance.

[rovermorris999]

Standalone.

[V8mate]

Budget?







And we're talking £350 minimum, else you may as well get a £20 filter machine and a £20 grinder

[Roop]

4 years ago last xmas I bought SWMBO a Gaggia Titanium which she loves to bits. It's been great but recently the display has packed up making it very difficult to use. I have no idea where to get it fixed.

Recommended, yes, but not sure about the build quality. As it cost a monkey +, I'd have expected it to last a bit longer TBH.

[rovermorris999]

Budget? I was thinking up to £500 but for that I would expect it to be well made and repairable if required. If that's not possible (surely it is? It's only a cup of coffee!) a filter machine as an earlier poster suggested would be the way to go.

[Zaxxon]

I quite like the Tassimo, seems to make a good quick coffee, Would like a decent real coffee maker though.

[crusty]

If you want the best.... rancilio silvia - job done

[uncinqsix]

Split your budget 350 for the machine and 150 for the grinder. Or even 300/200. Not sure if that would get you into Silvia territory, but if it did that would be the one to get.

[davidd]

I bought one of these http://goo.gl/5vWXA (slightly older model) for our office 18 months ago, gets a lot of use (there are 16 of us and most drink at least a couple a day).

I got a more basic version like this http://goo.gl/OGZDT, for home. Very pleased with it.

[rovermorris999]

How the world has changed. I'm contemplating spending more on a coffee maker than I did on my first car.

[vixen1700]

edited, as you want a far more advanced machine than this...

Edited by vixen1700 on Wednesday 18th May 16:42

[Odie]

A standard moka for you and one of these for the missus.


http://www.bialetti.it/uk/catalogue/scheda.asp?id_...

[bennyboydurham]

You might want to at least look at a capsule machine. I have a Nespresso Magimix which can be had with a huge variety of grounds and in terms of convenience can't be bettered. The latte, cappucino and espresso shots I make at home are as good as anything I've ever drank in a cafe or restaurant.

The capsules aren't cheap though.

[vixen1700]

That's what I was going to suggest.

I have one of these Krups machines:



Agreed about the quality and convenience, in fact I wanted to get a ground and filter machine but the bloke in the shop persuaded me to go for the cheaper capsule machine as he thought it was superior.

[Laurel Green]

Am yet to find a better solution to a good cup of coffee.

[IanMorewood]

Gaggia, one with twisty knobs/switches rather than push buttons.

[rovermorris999]

[quote=bennyboydurham.

The capsules aren't cheap though.
[/quote]

This is what puts me off, I don't want to be tied into a manufacturer selling me overpriced coffee and then in a few years bringing out a new machine with capsules that unfortunately don't fit the previous model. I'm not too bothered about convenience as I'm relatively time rich.
I already have a hand grinder and a cafetiere which is fine but it ain't espresso.

[rickybouy]

I had a krups, useless! Got a Gaggia classic after lots of research and it's the best buy ever! Great espresso and great wand also simple as Ian says 3 switches and a knob!

[rovermorris999]

The Gaggia sounds good, an iconic name too. I remember seeing their machines in cafes back in the 1960's sur le continent. The De Longhi machine looks good too.

Edit after reading Amazon reviews! The Gaggia doesn't look so good now. The newest reviews slate the latest incarnation now that Gaggia have been bought out by Philips. Pity, the old one sounded excellent.

Edited by rovermorris999 on Wednesday 18th May 20:23

[VEX]

We've had a Gaggia beans to coffee machine which couldn't hack it, repaired three times in two years.

Now have a Delongie version and this seems far better and makes an awesome coffee, expresso, lattie and even hot chocolate.

V