Nespresso machine?

[theironduke]

Recently had a coffee from one at a customers and it was lush. What's the crack with them? good bits of kit? best place to buy?

[AJS-]

Nice but a bit of a waste of money imo. You can get just as good a coffee from any decent espresso machine and it will be a fraction of the cost per cup, and you won't be left with a useless machine once they change the capsule design or something.

[Podie]

Machines can be picked up for circa £120 - John Lewis, Amazon or Nespresso directly.

Capsule design hasn't changed since they came out, as far as I am aware. In fact, they've just added a 17th coffee to the permanent range.

They're also pushing their usual range with quite a few limited editions - the last of which was Hawaii Kona which worked out at £1 a capsule, rather than the usual 29-35p range.

We've had ours for several years, and we like it. Previously had other espresso makers (Gaggia mainly) and whilst the capsule format doesn't necessarily give THE best coffee, it's pretty good - in the same way I love music and I'd rather listen to vinyl, but day-to-day it makes more sense to have it on MP3.

As ever, I look forward to this thread descending into coffee snobbery.




ETA - £40 Nespresso gift card at the moment... http://www.nespresso.com/promo_spring_2013/UK_en/y...

[Arun_D]

I've had my Magimix 'CitiZ + Milk' Nespresso machine for about 18-months now, and really can't complain. Of course, better results and increased flexibility can be had with more manual alternatives, but I like the convenience and the quality is good enough for me.

[Mr Scruff]

I'm with the posters above, perhaps not the greatest coffee in the world but a great taste/convenience ratio. Wouldn't be without mine now (bought from John Lewis)

[vixen1700]

Yep, as above really.

Had a Krups machine for about three years now and really can't fault it for taste and convenience.

[DoctorX]

Yep, my view too. Whichever manufacturer you choose for the model you want, I believe they're all from the same factory so buy the cheapest. I have the Magimix Citiz + Milk and can't fault it.

[AJS-]

Ha.
Maybe I'm just a bit down on them then as I can't really justify the price at the moment.

[Podie]

AJS- said:

Ha.
Maybe I'm just a bit down on them then as I can't really justify the price at the moment.

The equivalent of two tanks of fuel gets you a coffee machine, and with that offer, £40 worth of coffee.

[AJS-]

Podie said:

The equivalent of two tanks of fuel gets you a coffee machine, and with that offer, £40 worth of coffee.

Looking at the prices it seems they're a good deal cheaper in the UK than Thailand, where I live. Especially the capsules relative to fresh coffee. But fuel is cheaper here.

[Mobile Chicane]

theironduke said:

Recently had a coffee from one at a customers and it was lush. What's the crack with them? good bits of kit? best place to buy?

I was pleasantly surprised by nespresso having tried it at a friend's holiday villa, and immediately rushed out and bought a machine when I got home.

I've since given up coffee, but I've kept the machine to make coffee for visitors, since the pods don't go stale.

[Boo152]

Best coffee IMHO is made in a simple traditional stove top coffee pot such as the Moka. Very popular in italy.

We picked up our first one for about 17quid from Sainsburys, and brought another larger one back from a spanish supermarket last year (11euros). Loads of instructions on tinternet on how to make perfect coffee with this simple device.

[Podie]

Boo152 said:

Best coffee IMHO is made in a simple traditional stove top coffee pot such as the Moka. Very popular in italy.

We picked up our first one for about 17quid from Sainsburys, and brought another larger one back from a spanish supermarket last year (11euros). Loads of instructions on tinternet on how to make perfect coffee with this simple device.

Agreed, but at 5:30am wheni want a coffee before work, and have 5 minutes I simply can't be arsed. With the Nespresso I drop a capsule in, press a button and get coffee 30 seconds later.

As I said, I like music on vinyl when I have time to listen, but most of the time MP3 is far more convenient.

[Zigster]

Podie said:

Boo152 said:

Best coffee IMHO is made in a simple traditional stove top coffee pot such as the Moka. Very popular in italy.

We picked up our first one for about 17quid from Sainsburys, and brought another larger one back from a spanish supermarket last year (11euros). Loads of instructions on tinternet on how to make perfect coffee with this simple device.

Agreed, but at 5:30am wheni want a coffee before work, and have 5 minutes I simply can't be arsed. With the Nespresso I drop a capsule in, press a button and get coffee 30 seconds later.

As I said, I like music on vinyl when I have time to listen, but most of the time MP3 is far more convenient.

This is what sold it to me too.

I've had a Nespresso machine for about 5 years now. I was quite anti the idea at first - I wanted a "proper" machine using coffee you grind yourself, etc. But I would have used one of those machines for 3 months until the novelty wore off then it would have gathered dust. The Nespresso is so quick and easy with minimal cleaning - perfect for that early morning espresso to wake you up.

I like the vinyl/mp3 argument. All my vinyl is in the loft ...

[hollydog]

You can buy reuseable capsules from eBay . Brings the price of the coffee a little.

[DoctorX]

Don't be tempted to buy those Nespresso-compatable Cafe Pod capsules from the supermarket though. They cost the same as the real ones but the 'intense' pods produce a cup of Mellow Birds.

[Podie]

hollydog said:

You can buy reuseable capsules from eBay . Brings the price of the coffee a little.

Personally, I wouldn't touch them.

Do people really find £3.30 for 10 pods expensive?

[paultownsend]

I got mine 3 years ago from John Lewis. Got £50 cash back and got the bulk capsule pack from the club.
It took me ages to get through them. I just wasn't fussed.

I took a punt on these

http://item.mobileweb.ebay.co.uk/viewitem?itemId=1...

They are great!

I now have one most mornings and as previously said, it's quick. Then a decafe at night.
If not drunk black, I fill a large espresso cup half with milk. 40 seconds in the microwave, dribble of maple syrup and top up with the coffee. Lush

I save the espresso Moka pot for weekends, and Bodum French press for when the neighbours pops over.

If you like milky coffee an aerochino type machine is a must

[paultownsend]

I got mine 3 years ago from John Lewis. Got £50 cash back and got the bulk capsule pack from the club.
It took me ages to get through them. I just wasn't fussed.

I took a punt on these

http://item.mobileweb.ebay.co.uk/viewitem?itemId=1...

They are great!

I now have one most mornings and as previously said, it's quick. Then a decafe at night.
If not drunk black, I fill a large espresso cup half with milk. 40 seconds in the microwave, dribble of maple syrup and top up with the coffee. Lush

I save the espresso Moka pot for weekends, and Bodum French press for when the neighbours pops over.

If you like milky coffee an aerochino type machine is a must

[paultownsend]

I got mine 3 years ago from John Lewis. Got £50 cash back and got the bulk capsule pack from the club.
It took me ages to get through them. I just wasn't fussed.

I took a punt on these

http://item.mobileweb.ebay.co.uk/viewitem?itemId=1...

They are great!

I now have one most mornings and as previously said, it's quick. Then a decafe at night.
If not drunk black, I fill a large espresso cup half with milk. 40 seconds in the microwave, dribble of maple syrup and top up with the coffee. Lush

I save the espresso Moka pot for weekends, and Bodum French press for when the neighbours pops over.

If you like milky coffee an aerochino type machine is a must