Coffee maker

[pigletwillie]

I have a budget of up to £160 to buy a coffee maker, one of the ones with pods look good but can anybody recommend a good make and model.

[Jeanied]

What kind of coffee are you after, PW? I was hunting after the unobtainable a couple of years ago - a way of making good espresso at home - and discovered that it would take a big budget to get a machine which came even close -so I didn't bother in the end. The nearest I get is to use my old cafetiere.

[RedThorn]

DON'T get a Dulce Gusto! made less than 200 cups and packed up.

[smallblueplanet]

If you want advice on an espresso machine check on here - although there's lots of 'high end' talk they're very friendly.

View Forum - Espresso :: Too Much Coffee :: The European Coffee Resource

You used to be able to get a reasonable Gaggia for about £170 but they were taken over recently and I'm not sure of the prices of refurb stuff now...

http://www.caffeshop.co.uk/ - menu on top rhs. Some of them will do pods as well as proper coffee.

This link lists the Gaggia machines & whether they do pods - http://www.gaggia.uk.com/

Why bother with pods btw?

[ginger ninger]

I use a DeLongi combi machine, it makes real espresso & filter coffee and there less than £100, it's the second DeLongi I've had, my other one had all the gadgets but I never used them all, it was expensive and with there only being me that drinks coffee I want for the cheaper model this time.

[Rhona]

The Braun Tassimo is good. I also like DeLonghi and I know the Gaggia Classic has a lot of fans. It does depend what type you want as there's so much variety and gadgety ones out there - I've been looking at grind and brew models for Mr R's Christmas pressie, but not convinced by any.

I'm going to stick to a decent burr-grinder I think.

[Nicos]

The best espresso comes from coffee machines with a pump- the hot water is forced through the ground coffee and extracts more flavour.
Depends if you want a one cup- two cup or larger amount. Do you need steam to heat milk? ...a few things to consider

[Bigmallly]

I don't drink it myself but is this any good. I know some people don't like Netto so not sure if it's good value or not.


Mon, Dec 7th

[Capsid]

I find freshly ground beans and a cafetiere work well. Much cheaper too.

[Two_Sheds]

DON'T get a Dulce Gusto! made less than 200 cups and packed up.

I got one 2 years ago (gift). I don't like the plastic pods, the drink costs about 40p a cup, it's too sweet and weak.

I'd love a Gaggia.

If I want real, strong coffee I make a cafetiere

[smallblueplanet]

Get a Gaggia Classic 2-sheds, we've one and they're pretty good - but it does mean you'll have to pimp it, cos the steam wand isn't as good as it should be. Childs play though!

[pigletwillie]

I am looking at the Gaggia classic, there are quite a few on fleabay.

[smallblueplanet]

If you want to know how to mod it's steam wand, there's lots of info about (see 'too much coffee' forum). Its also fairly straightforward - to someone of your technical calibre - to sort out problems/tweek.

[Alison]

I have a budget of up to £160 to buy a coffee maker, one of the ones with pods look good but can anybody recommend a good make and model.

Thank goodness I don't drink coffee - is that seriously the sort of money you need to pay to get a good one?!?!?!?!? Don't need to spend out for tea which is my drink of choice

[lynda66]

bloody hell PW .... you're far too posh .... us common peeps use kettles ..... could buy a whole kitchen for that much