MegaSack DRAW - This year's winner is user - rgwb
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I know this has been done before but a search is throwing up nothing, so excuse me if you think i'm being lazy 😉
After a decent machine using ground coffee (not pods) for espresso and decent 'regular' coffee. Using a Bialetti stove top at the mo' but want something that will make other types too.... Budget up to £150, reviews of gaggia, Dualit etc seem to show plenty of complaints, so anybody got any recommendations based on actual experience?
Are you looking for a Bean to Cup machine? Or an espresso machine?
For that money I doubt you would get a B2C machine. I currently use a Gaggia Evolution and a Gaggia grinder to make espresso and a cafeteria for "regular" coffee.
No help I know and way over your budget but I'm trying to talk myself out of buying a Jura ena5, and failing. 😉
I've used one of these for years- highly recommended
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I will sell you my Ascaro espresso machine and Rancillio Rocky grinder for £150 if you want... got a Jura bean to cup now so they are surplus to requirements 😉
+1 for the gaccia classic!
+2 gaggia classic
+ 3 for the gaggia classic
And the Rancillo rocky is a ace grinder, do not bother with the Gaggia offering it is noisey and charges the grinds with static and the grinds go everywhere
I have a Dualit machine and it is excellent. You can get them for about £159 I beleive and I also bought a milk jug and thermometer. Makes great coffee and has been running for six months without a problem. I would be interested to hear what the bad reviews said.
Dogsby
Good stuff! Dualits and Gaggia's are great, although I only drink espresso - everything else is just wrong in my view - if you do too and want no mess then try these machines:
http://www.craystoneshop.co.uk/acatalog/francisfrancis_x7machines.html
I have an X6 Trio (now discontinued) and the crema is great, flavour is smooth. They take pods (compacted coffee bags, so to speak) so no grind, illy pods are excellent or try waitrose pods for half the price.
Robs
What jura have you got?
It's an Ena 5
One of their "cheaper" offerings 😉 It is damn good though - the coffee may not be quite as top notch as someone would make who knows what they are doing (ie a proper Barrista) with top end equipment... but it is damn close! I may upgrade the steam wand though - the basic item is a bit pants (does the job mind... just not as well as it could). They do an add on one that looks like it is a bit more versatile though.
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Hmmmmmmm
oh and duralit burr grinders are good.
Thanks for the thoughts....