Dixons are doing the Gaggia Cubika Plus RI8151/60 for 89 quid – this strikes me as a bit of a bargain? Can the hive mind confirm or deny?

Meh, coffee’s not that good from them.

Cuisinart is way better imo.

Gaggia Classic is the smallest I would go for decent coffee.

Hello group, My name is Chojin and I’m addicted to buying useless crap.

😉

Ha! This isn’t for me mr millhouse! (for once) tis a present

I was told that the Dose and the other cheaper ones had the same internals as the Classic, except for the Cubika. Worth noting that the Cuisinart beats the pants of my Gaggia.

However, don’t listen to the snobs really – any espresso can be good espresso.

Then it doesn’t matter if it’s any use for not as it will end up in the back of a cupboard or at a carboot in 3 months!

Worth noting that the Cuisinart beats the pants of my Gaggia.

Isn’t your Gaggia knackered though?

It is now, cos I’ve been trying to mod it. I always thought it was a bit sub-par compared to my previous one (Mont Blanc something, cheap) and when my parents got their Cuisinart I was amazed.

What Cuisinart is it?

EM200U I think. £114 on Amazon

I have a Magimix Nespresso
The total system and blends of real coffee are really good
and surprisingly cheap.

What made it better, was it easier to use, or did it just make a better coffee?

I’ve had machines in the past but some of the nicest coffee comes from our £10 Moka pot.

Innes – Member
What made it better, was it easier to use, or did it just make a better coffee?

Very well built machines and very easy to use and also instant hot coffee at a press
of a button and no mess.
Several blends of coffee in simple capsules so you don’t have wasted coffee on a warmed plate

Nespresso Coffee and Machines

Several blends of coffee in simple capsules so you don’t have wasted coffee on a warmed plate

are tied in to their standard, can’t use anything else, generate more waste and pay even more per cup.

Yup – cheap and better in oh so many ways.

If you were talking to me re Cuisinart:

Their machine:

Is quieter
Is better looking (metal body)
Doesn’t need priming (mine does)
The dosing system works
Frother is better
Gives much better crema even with mediocre coffee
And most importantly, gives better tasting coffee. More body, sweeter, less acrid.

And it was cheaper. Seriously considering flogging mine on ebay, should get decent coin cos it’s got that name on it, and getting a Cuisinart.

Sounds good, I’ll keep a note of the name for the future.