Coffee machines- I'm at the start gate

[crankedup]

Very very late to the coffee party I know, decided now is the time to invest, but which machine. Please tell me about the good,bad and downright ugly.
Budget, well I don't really want to spend over 150 pounds.

[Fotic]

Gaggia classic.

Had mine 10 years and it's not missed a beat. Great

[w00tman]

Second hand gaggia and a second hand rancilio rocky - might need closer to £200

[cqueen]

crankedup said:

Very very late to the coffee party I know, decided now is the time to invest, but which machine. Please tell me about the good,bad and downright ugly.
Budget, well I don't really want to spend over 150 pounds.

Espresso or brewed (filter) coffee?

[crankedup]

Thanks for replies, looking to buy a coffee maker for brewing.

[cqueen]

crankedup said:

Thanks for replies, looking to buy a coffee maker for brewing.

If you want quality brewed coffee, forget buying a machine. Get yourself a hand grinder (£35), Hario V60 (£6) & a goose neck pouring kettle (£25-£60). Then get your coffee beans fresh roasted from a proper roaster (not mass produced). Sorted.

[crankedup]

cqueen said:

crankedup said:

Thanks for replies, looking to buy a coffee maker for brewing.

If you want quality brewed coffee, forget buying a machine. Get yourself a hand grinder (£35), Hario V60 (£6) & a goose neck pouring kettle (£25-£60). Then get your coffee beans fresh roasted from a proper roaster (not mass produced). Sorted.

Sounds like a good sensible option but I don't want to be grinding beans while friends are having fun. TBH if I can put good ingredients into a machine and come back to it in half hour for 6 coffee's I will be happy. Perhaps I am asking too much for my budget, but cheers for your comments.

[w00tman]

crankedup said:

Sounds like a good sensible option but I don't want to be grinding beans while friends are having fun. TBH if I can put good ingredients into a machine and come back to it in half hour for 6 coffee's I will be happy. Perhaps I am asking too much for my budget, but cheers for your comments.

Get an electric grinder then - for brewed you won't need to spend a fortune - a second hand Baratza will do. That plus filter plus kettle = win. Takes seconds to fresh grind and, if you're using fresh beans, is as good as it gets. Don't use stty beans from tesco or something.

[uncinqsix]

A Chemex is regarded as being a very good way of making filter coffee, and a few cafes around here are starting to use them. Combine that with a half-decent burr grinder and some good fresh beans and you're on to a winner.

[crankedup]

Sounds like good advise that I will give it a try. Reading through a previous thread it looks like I am lucky in having a good bean supplier in Norfolk - perfect. Thanks again.

[Truckosaurus]

An Aeropress is another good option if you are making single cups.

[CRB14]

I've got a gaggia classic which I combine with a Kyocera hand grinder (as there's only me that drinks it) but I have to say that I find it extremely temperamental and a lengthy process which I often don't have time for. Maybe on the weekends but I often can't be bothered with the messing about. Plus it takes up a fair amount of space in my small kitchen.

I've just received as a gift a Nespresso machine. I know they're probably seen as the devil by many enthusiasts but I find it brilliant for the mornings when I'm pushed for time and racing to get ready and out of the door.

[uncinqsix]

CRB14 said:

I've got a gaggia classic which I combine with a Kyocera hand grinder (as there's only me that drinks it) but I have to say that I find it extremely temperamental and a lengthy process which I often don't have time for. Maybe on the weekends but I often can't be bothered with the messing about. Plus it takes up a fair amount of space in my small kitchen.

I've just received as a gift a Nespresso machine. I know they're probably seen as the devil by many enthusiasts but I find it brilliant for the mornings when I'm pushed for time and racing to get ready and out of the door.

Making consistently good espresso does take a reasonable degree of effort and skill, so I'm not surprised that many find it too much of a faff. Worth it if you're getting the results though.

[CRB14]

uncinqsix said:

Making consistently good espresso does take a reasonable degree of effort and skill, so I'm not surprised that many find it too much of a faff. Worth it if you're getting the results though.

My white kitchen walls know only too well.