Espresso Machines

[Alfahorn]

I'm thinking of buying one of these.

With a budget of £200 does anyone have any recommendations?

[AngryS3Owner]

I'd spend more and get one of these

http://www.lapavoni.com/

[GolfGT]

We have one of these - £100.00 Krups Essenza Nespresso Coffee Maker

[Alfahorn]

Someone mentioned to me a Gaggia Classic.

[devdog]

If you have a bit more than that then how about one of these beauties
....mine is currently being serviced ... can't wait for it to come back.

Edited by devdog on Tuesday 6th November 19:41

[gopher]

Alfahorn said:

Someone mentioned to me a Gaggia Classic.

It is the classic espresso machine although you may struggle to get one new for £200, but it shouldn't be much more.

However any espresso machine is only trying to reproduce the result of using a stove top machine which can be had for £10 and there is not a lot of skill involved to make perfect espresso with one of those.

[Jem0911]

With out advertising toooooo much,
If you mail me I might be able to point you in a certain direction

[jmorgan]

I use a stainless stove top one. Tar or slightly brown water with ease.

[xrv]

Alfahorn said:

Someone mentioned to me a Gaggia Classic.

Definatly the one to go for.

Just bought a Gaggia Evolution XE3 myself.

http://www.thediningstore.co.uk/product_details.as...


My flatmate thinks it's a bit big for the kitchen but there you go.

[RobDickinson]

Do you want just espresso? If so a stove top is as good as anything.

If you want to do fancy milk frothing stuff easily then you'll need something better...

There's a bit of a knack to making a good latte or cappuccino but its not that hard.

[BOR]

AngryS3Owner said:

I'd spend more and get one of these

http://www.lapavoni.com/

I've had one for the last ten years. It's great, but a little labour intensive. It is not suitable for everyone.

[Evil Jack]

Yes Gaggia Classic + a tin of Illy/Lavazza (then later on get a proper burr coffee grinder)

Get yourself a decent milk jug then spend a few months learning how to make a decent cappuccino.

[uberscruff]

gopher said:

However any espresso machine is only trying to reproduce the result of using a stove top machine which can be had for £10 and there is not a lot of skill involved to make perfect espresso with one of those.

Those stovetop things and espresso machines are very different beasts. The machines have a pump to deliver the 9 bar of water pressure needed to make "true" espresso. The stovetop ones use steam at 1 bar which gives a different (although in the right hands, still quite pleasing) result.

For the OP - check out http://www.coffeegeek.com/guides/howtobuyanespress...

Lots of good advice there, as well as reviews of machines at all price levels.

[cavie]

Briel Versatile Due. Which! rated it top a year or 2 ago - not in the budget section but against £400+ machines. Good pressure, takes pods as well as grounds. definitely recommended.

[Vesuvius 996]

Nespresso.


Winner.

[blueyes]

Pods and beans-to-cup (fully auto) are shite compared to the real thing.

Get yourself a decent manual espresso machine but the MOST IMPORTANT THING is to get a decent adjustable grinder.

A perfect espresso (7g of coffee grounds) will take between 19 and 23 seconds to make a 1oz shot. Adjust your grind to make this happen.

Water temp and pressure will have an effect but most home machines aren't set up to be adjusted so it's not worth going on about that.

How do I know all this?

I've made coffee for a living for 27 years.

[cazzer]

Could you not just use four spoonfuls of Nescafe?

[jamiebae]

I have a Nespresso machine in Oxford and a Gaggia Coffee DeLuxe in France and both are very good. The Nespresso one is easier to use and less messy so good for making coffee bleary eyed at 6am before heading out to a meeting oop north but if you've just opened a fresh can of Illy coffee the Gaggia makes better coffee.

[Alfahorn]

blueyes said:

Get yourself a decent manual espresso machine but the MOST IMPORTANT THING is to get a decent adjustable grinder.

Could you recommend some specific products?

[PGM]

A year ago I bought the gaggia cubika with a load of coffee to start with for £99 it was recon, but was brand new really. The offer is still on there.

Excellent machine, great price. I used up all the coffee which wasn't bad but use freshly ground stuff now I get locally which is superb.

www.gaggia.co.uk