Coffee Machines (again) - definitive thread time??
Discussion
I know there are lots of coffee machine threads on here, but it's a bit of a ballache trying to wade through them finding something you want/need. Is it time for a definitive thread? Perhaps with a Wiki in a number of sections, such as:
- I want the best, money no object
- I want a proper decent coffee machine sub (say) £300
- I just want a pod machine
- I want a grinder
In any case, can someone help me out with my current conundrum please! I have in the past had 2 Kenwood Retro machine which made passable espresso. At the death of the last one, I ran out and bought a DeLonghi (not sure of model) but I've never been happy with the espresso it makes. Too thin, too weedy. I regularly use Lavazza Qualita Rossa, and have done since forever, with the occasional flutter on a tin of Illy. So, whilst I'm not grinding my own beans, I think the coffee I use is fairly consistent in standard. I have tried more coffee in the pod, and tamping more heavily, but the machine just says No if you're too heavy-handed.
What's brought this to a head is that I went to someone's house last week who made me an espresso from a small Gaggia machine, and it was excellent. Didn't know the people well-enough to ask chapter & verse on the model number, but it has convinced me that I need a new, better machine. Guidance please! I want principally espresso (don't think I have ever used the frother on this DeLonghi machine), I don't want/won't spend out on a bean-to-cup machine, and I probably cba to grind my own. Fire away!
And do we need the Wiki?
- I want the best, money no object
- I want a proper decent coffee machine sub (say) £300
- I just want a pod machine
- I want a grinder
In any case, can someone help me out with my current conundrum please! I have in the past had 2 Kenwood Retro machine which made passable espresso. At the death of the last one, I ran out and bought a DeLonghi (not sure of model) but I've never been happy with the espresso it makes. Too thin, too weedy. I regularly use Lavazza Qualita Rossa, and have done since forever, with the occasional flutter on a tin of Illy. So, whilst I'm not grinding my own beans, I think the coffee I use is fairly consistent in standard. I have tried more coffee in the pod, and tamping more heavily, but the machine just says No if you're too heavy-handed.
What's brought this to a head is that I went to someone's house last week who made me an espresso from a small Gaggia machine, and it was excellent. Didn't know the people well-enough to ask chapter & verse on the model number, but it has convinced me that I need a new, better machine. Guidance please! I want principally espresso (don't think I have ever used the frother on this DeLonghi machine), I don't want/won't spend out on a bean-to-cup machine, and I probably cba to grind my own. Fire away!
And do we need the Wiki?
Edited by CAPP0 on Monday 12th May 09:53
G600 said:
It was probably a gaggia classic, stick on a rancilio steam wand and it's a great machine.
Can anyone tell me the differences between the small Gaggias - Classic, Baby, Cubika, etc?Further to that, given these three:
http://www.johnlewis.com/search/gaggia?_requestid=...
the only key difference I can see is a larger reservoir and that the dearest one as a much bigger heater - but presumably that's just about how many cups it can make at the same time without re-heating?
Edited by CAPP0 on Thursday 15th May 09:47
Dave200 said:
CAPP0 said:
I'm definitely looking for an espresso machine.
The Bialetti Moka is the best "machine" I've used this side of £800.CAPP0 said:
Dave200 said:
CAPP0 said:
I'm definitely looking for an espresso machine.
The Bialetti Moka is the best "machine" I've used this side of £800.Oh and every time I've tried an alternative I've ended up going back to a moka pot, then treated myself to a Bialetti one.
I bought a "broken" Gaggia classic off ebay for £50 (water wasn't coming out when coffee in the basket).
Stripped it down then stuck a load of de-calc through it. Worked fine ever since - did bin the pressurised portafilter baskets and bought some normal ones for it.
After realising I needed a decent grinder I bought one of these: https://www.happydonkey.co.uk/hd0866-iberital-mc2-...
With a tamper and few other bits (replacement shower screen etc...) it came in at < £200, has been used 3 - 4 times a day every day for almost 2 years, can't fault it. If you keep an eye on ebay the classics are often sold as not working for not much and pretty much all the parts are available for them - dead easy to repair too
Stripped it down then stuck a load of de-calc through it. Worked fine ever since - did bin the pressurised portafilter baskets and bought some normal ones for it.
After realising I needed a decent grinder I bought one of these: https://www.happydonkey.co.uk/hd0866-iberital-mc2-...
With a tamper and few other bits (replacement shower screen etc...) it came in at < £200, has been used 3 - 4 times a day every day for almost 2 years, can't fault it. If you keep an eye on ebay the classics are often sold as not working for not much and pretty much all the parts are available for them - dead easy to repair too
CAPP0 said:
Haven't used those for years but I always seemed to "burn" the coffee - at least that's what it tastes like (speaking as someone who pretty much only ever drinks espresso).
A moka pot will, by it's very nature, feed water through the coffee at too high a temperature - it will always be 100 degrees+, and there is nothing that can be done about that (unless perhaps you went on top of a tall mountain and tried there). An espresso machine will pump water through at around 90-92 degrees. That's why moka pots tend to produce coffee that is more burnt tasting than espresso machine Over the years I've gone from Tassimo -> Gaggia Baby -> Rancilio Silvia
I've had the Rancilio for about 3 years with no problems (touchwood), and general opinion when I researched it was it seemed to be about the best home espresso machine available at the time.
I'm more than happy with it, it makes good and consistent coffee. I rarely use the steam wand though so can't really comment on that.
I always use the 'Temperature Surfing' method: https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embed...
I've had the Rancilio for about 3 years with no problems (touchwood), and general opinion when I researched it was it seemed to be about the best home espresso machine available at the time.
I'm more than happy with it, it makes good and consistent coffee. I rarely use the steam wand though so can't really comment on that.
I always use the 'Temperature Surfing' method: https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embed...
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