[Closed] *hangs head in shame* Which sub £100 espresso maker?

sub £100 and burly are likely to be mutually exclusive, I'd imagine 🙁

sub £100 and burly are likely to be mutually exclusive, I'd imagine

*checks down back of sofa

OK, sub £200 then 👿

Handpresso?

have you considered a Nespresso machine? We've had ours for nearly 3 years and it's not put a foot wrong.

I'd recommend a Nespresso also. Fresh coffee with a good crema everytime. Spend more on coffee than I previously, but the coffee is much better than a stove top. Not as good as a proper espresso machine with some one who knows how to use it, but you're looking at a grand for that. I haven't tried it yet, but I've just purchased some refillable capsules, so you can use your own coffee if you like.

have you considered a Nespresso machine?

Sort of, but I thought the capsules were very expensive. Is that the case?

interested to see where this goes, currently surviving with a 1mug sized cafitiere and some lavazza espresso coffee

Between 28 and 33p each.

[url= http://www.home-barista.com/reviews/mypressi-twist-second-look-t12595.html ]Mypressi Twist review[/url]

with a good handgrinder will give excellent espresso for less than £200

Between 28 and 33p each.

Where from Simon?

as above, about 30p a cup.

I'm not sure how that compares to a decent 'proper' coffee but you get consistent results, can have a variety of blends on the go and and not worry about the coffee going 'off' before you get around to drinking it.

We managed to get a Gaggia classic for a little over £200 - shop around.

No stovetops please, already got one and the process wastes too much leccy.

The laws of physics clearly state that spending £200 on a coffee machine will take the same ammount of energy to boil the water as a stove top (assuming minimal heat loss to the air from the stove top is aproximately what your machine will use up running pumps, on standby etc).

Nespresso convert here too. Had several German and Italian 'proper' coffee machines over the years and had issues with all of them. Now have an Nespresso machine at home and at the office and love it. Bought the new Delonghi Latissima as I like a frothy one every now and then but even the cheapy ones make good espressos. The capsules are 29-35p each depending on the blend online or from certain shops (the queue at the Nespress concession in Selfridges is always mind boggling!). Heats up in 45 seconds and switches itself off after a few minutes of inactivity.

If it's good enough for Heston at his £250 a head restaurant, it's good enough for me and just no hassle at all which can't be said for all the machines I have had the past. The milk-less ones have literally nothing to clean.

Come on then, where's the burr grinder contigent to make the case for the defence?

but the coffee is much better than a stove top

I hate to say it, but you're doing it wrong then... Probably on too hot or for too long.

I have a Handpresso, much better than a Stovetop and portable. 😉

Where from Simon?

I just mail order direct. Free delivery if you order 200 or more at once. They take away the used capsules for recycling too.

queue at the concession in harrods is much smaller, and you get to gawp at the hideous stuff on offer in the home furnishings department too. Plus they'll make you a coffee to try while you're there, and if you take the kids they'll load your bag up with biscuits for them as well.

I hate to say it, but you're doing it wrong then... Probably on too hot or for too long.

Have you tried the nespresso coffee? In my opinion it is better than a stove top, pressure is at 9 bar which is ideal for a good crema, and higher than a stove top (2-3 bar at a guess). The coffee is always fresh too. A packet of coffee is off in 10 days, grinding beans counters this but adds a bit more faff.

Stove top coffee is good and I made it like that for years, but with the nespresso machine you do get good consistent coffee quickly.

I'm starting to sound like a salesman so I'll stop here, but the consistency of good cups of coffee is it's main selling point.

Well, I have a burr grinder so my coffee's always fresh too. I just know how easy it is to make a bad coffee with the stove top, but with a little effort, it can be very good. I have tried nespresso a couple of times, but found the coffee itself lacking - certainly compared to the hundreds of varieties available to me here. The guy who runs the coffee shop I frequent also uses a stove-top at home, which has stopped me looking further afield for a Gaggia etc.

I was given [url= http://www.bialettishop.com/MukkaMain.htm ]this[/url] for xmas, which makes some of the smoothest cap's I've had - very gentle too for roasts that are particularly sensitive to scalding.

We have had a nespresso for years and really love it. I am constantly dissapointed with coffee bought out.

This shop in Carlise [url= http://www.cookwarecompany.co.uk/ ]The Cookware Company[/url] had an end of line M200 automatic machine for £100, it is the one that has a milk frother built in for capucino & latte etc. It was a couple of months ago but if they still have it I am sure they would deliver.

Nespresso machines are 19 bar someone said 9 above

I see John Lewis are still offering the £40 coffee credit on some Nespresso machines

[url= http://www.johnlewis.com/231041345/Product.aspx ]Free coffee[/url]

I might have to pull mine out again Zokes and give it a whirl, probably didn't help mine was leaking last time I used it. I do miss the little ritual of grinding the beans and setting it up to be fair.

Mukka express looks nice

Bah! I got my nespresso just before this offer came out. I went to the lady demonstrating the machines and she gave me some free pods though, so can't complain too much.

I also got an Outpresso which was pretty expensive what it is, but it means I can recycle the grinds into the compost and the pods into normal recycling. I get the pods delivered to work so recycling is a bit of a pain.

I have the coffeeduck pods too. They do work, sort of, but never as good a cup as the sealed ones.

I have a Handpresso, much better than a Stovetop and portable.

I got one of these for Christmas, it is brilliant. I have started to taste all the flavours in the espresso, and only need to boil the kettle to make it, which is good cause the wifey only drinks tea...

www.hasbean.co.uk/products/Presso-Coffee-Maker.html

For me I couldn't care if a Nespresso made the world's sexiest coffee, I like the 'faff' that goes with grinding my own beans, the gorgeous smell they give off when I tip them into the hopper, the satisfaction of seeing that crema pour out of the Gaggia Classic and then making the frothy milk for my favoured cappuccinos.

And now my little girls sit and watch me and I usually make them a 'babylatte' with some little espresso cups I have.

I also love making my own bread with my new bread making machine 🙂

those coffeeducks are quite tempting.

Can anyone tell me how much a cups worth of proper espresso ground coffee is normally so I can work out the savings per cup?

[i]bread making machine[/i]

the nespresso of bread making 😉

bread making machine

the nespresso of bread making

EDIT: I can remember the faff my mum used to have making her own bread and I don't think I have that sort of time to dedicate to it.

A 250g bag of good roasted beans costs around £5.00. I use 18g for a double espresso so that's 36p

[i]so that's 36p [/i]

mmm, so a few pennies more per cup and a lot more faff.

Might give it a go but it's not a money saver 🙁

I have a Handpresso, much better than a Stovetop and portable.

Indeed and pods give consistent results

I don't have pods, I use proper coffee.. Still get consistent results tho!

Bread makers are the work of the devil, I tell thee!

I make my own bread by hand. I have a nice granite table which is great for kneading and also pastry-making.

Yesterday made 20% wholemeal/white mix. Nom, and added 'nom nom's. 😀

Bread makers are the work of the devil, I tell thee!

Nespresso convert here. The Krups Essensa automatic is £90 at John Lewis and comes with £40 of free coffee. Mine sits next to a Gaggia Classic (for milk-based drinks).

Variety and consistency are the key. Plus they recycle the pods.

Nespresso here too, on my 2nd machine now-bit pricey for capsules but no wasted coffee & plenty of blends to choose from. Quick, tasty,fresh,clean,convenient-most boxes ticked there I think. The secret is to wait until an offer is on-you can often get the Aerocchino frother free which makes luvverly frothy milk at the touch of a button.

A 250g bag of good roasted beans costs around £5.00

Need to change your supplier,I can get a 500g bag from local coffee shop that roasts on the premise for under £5

FWIW I use a Jura machine

AdamW > when did you buy it? They keep sending me offers that I can give to friends for £x of club credit when they buy a machine between certain dates. You just need to send off your receipt to them with a form. I'll see if I have any knocking about.

A second hand gaggia classic is burly, good quality and easily sub £100. Jobs a good'un. You won't lose much on the resale either, of you get bored of it or want to upgrade.

[url= http://coffeegeek.com/reviews ]Coffeegeek reviews[/url]

Scroll down for reviews by price/rating/make etc.

Dunno what's happening in other parts of the world but Aldi Australia was recently selling Nespresso [s]imitators[/s] similar machines for peanuts and my friend that bought one gave it good reviews. Don't know if she knows much about coffee, though, and didn't try it myself.

Gaggia classic for me.
We got ours for £169 in Comet a few weeks ago. Very happy with it.

Still trying to decide which one myself! Leaning towards Nespresso Pixie at the moment though...

I see John Lewis are still offering the £40 coffee credit on some Nespresso machines

Dunno what's happening in other parts of the world but Aldi Australia was recently selling Nespresso imitators similar machines for peanuts and my friend that bought one gave it good reviews. Don't know if she knows much about coffee, though, and didn't try it myself.

Nespresso have just released a strength 12 blend for those difficult mornings 🙂

I've got a Krups Dolce Gusto which I like very much. Quick and convenient when I don't have time for the Bialleti and tastes good too.

bruneep - Member
A 250g bag of good roasted beans costs around £5.00
Need to change your supplier,I can get a 500g bag from local coffee shop that roasts on the premise for under £5

FWIW I use a Jura machine

Where is that, bargain 🙂

As has been said a secondhand Gaggia Classic would be a good move.

Unlikely to be available over here due to the patents on Nespresso machines/capsules.

The machine and associated capsules seem to be made by a German company: http://www.expressi.com.au/expressi-machines
http://www.k-fee-system.com/startseite/

Some fantastically smug reviews/thoughts over here:

http://coffeesnobs.com.au/YaBB.pl?num=1322406344
http://coffeesnobs.com.au/YaBB.pl?num=1321617158/0

(I realise an STWer calling another forum smug is pot/black, and they do admit it in the name, but come on, really:

A woman whose other half was loading three machines into a trolley, looked at her snobbishly and said:
"Don't you like coffee? This makes coffee way better than instant, and as good as our local cafe!"
My wife replied "I love good coffee. Enjoy your coffee journey, we passed this step over a decade ago".
Plastic woman looks back with a sneer and asks "Well what stage are you at?"
To which my wife looked her in the eye and replied:
"The pinnacle. My husband sources and roasts his own high quality beans. Every morning, using fresh beans he makes me a delightful coffee on our commercial espresso machine and serves it to me on our deck, overlooking the water. Why would I bother with a machine when I have him?"

Patents do, in fact, exist in Australia and it's been literally months since we stopped wearing hats with corks attached.

Managed to bag one of these:

http://www.johnlewis.com/231041345/Product.aspx#BVRRWidgetID

comes with the milk frother and £40's worth of pods - just tried it out and I have to say i'm rather impressed with the results.
It probably helps that my expectations were set quite low, but it certainly makes a tasty beverage.

I bought a SilverCrest espresso machine in Lidl just before Christmas. It was £39.99 and is works perfectly. I have a Dualit at home and I hate to say it but the SilverCrest is quicker, quieter and makes equally good coffee.

Dogsby

lol, sorry!

You can buy quite a lot of 'leccy for £100.

http://www.sunbeam.com.au/products/kitchen/em3600/

I've been nailing one of these daily for two years. an italian was so impressed she bought one as well.

I struggle by with my [url= http://www.therocket.co.nz/ ]Rocket[/url] which makes quite reasonable coffee 😆

Think I'm gong to go for this [i]De'Longhi Magnifica ESAM4200 15-Bar Bean To Cup Espresso/Cappuccino Maker, Silver[/i]

http://www.amazon.co.uk/DeLonghi-Magnifica-ESAM4200-Espresso-Cappuccino/dp/B001EOMZ5E

The budget is already borked, so what the hell 🙂

Bruneep where you getting your beans?