Which Coffee Machine?

[expat]

Any good Italian professional make will do. New small one is about £1k (Large about £3k), I got mine for £300 from a closed down coffee shop. Don’t skimp on the bean quality and keep both the frothier jug and milk as cold as possible before use. It took me about 60 coffees to practice to get it right. Now it’s fine first time every time but the problem is when you go out for a coffee and see it being f&^ed up by some nerd at Starbucks or Nero; you feel like telling them their job.


PS: what makes a good coffee is good water quality (filtered) and the high water pressure forced through the beans.

Bean quality, freshness, and correct grind are all vital. ISTM that Gaggias like Illy. (Bean quality no better than the best Lavazza IMHO, but grind better. Cost higher).

Works better if the group is warm (the "group" is what you call the filter + holder), which usually happens nicely if you have it loosely in position while the machime is warming up (which BTW may take longer than it takes for the grren light to go on - 5 mins at least).

Tamp down firmly, and carefully wipe any grounds off filter rim EVERY TIME, or else you are coarse-sanding the seal.

Oh yes, and live somewhere with decent water

[Peoplesoft bloke]

Gaggia Syncrony - after I wore out my baby Gaggia - had this one two and a bit years and it's great.

[Archangel]

My 2nd Gaggia Baby Dose (2nd in 3 months) has just gone in for repair

The first one deposited all its contents out of the bottom of the casing.

The 2nd one has started leaking from above the basket (above where the gasket is).

[wobbegong]

Gaggia Syncrony - after I wore out my baby Gaggia - had this one two and a bit years and it's great.

My 2nd Gaggia Baby Dose (2nd in 3 months) has just gone in for repair

The first one deposited all its contents out of the bottom of the casing.

The 2nd one has started leaking from above the basket (above where the gasket is).

They don't sound that robust.

Kenco Costa Rican, instant and excellent. I can't be bothered faffing with filtering water, grinding beans and percolating, and then there's the washing-up.

After all, it's only a cup of coffee.

[The Lone Gunman]

They don't sound that robust.

Kenco Costa Rican, instant and excellent. I can't be bothered faffing with filtering water, grinding beans and percolating, and then there's the washing-up.

After all, it's only a cup of coffee.

My water filter is built in to my tap. Hot cold and filtered. You can get machines that you put beans in one end, water in the other and press the button. It grinds, doses and pours. Only cups to wash and a little service every so often. Beans delivered from web.

[wobbegong]

My water filter is built in to my tap. Hot cold and filtered. You can get machines that you put beans in one end, water in the other and press the button. It grinds, doses and pours. Only cups to wash and a little service every so often. Beans delivered from web.

I have to admit that sounds a lot less hassle than I thought. But as long as it tastes good, I don't care whether it's instant or fresh (and I've had some excellent, and dire, of both).

[The Lone Gunman]

I have to admit that sounds a lot less hassle than I thought. But as long as it tastes good, I don't care whether it's instant or fresh (and I've had some excellent, and dire, of both).

Once you have your own machine and get it right with favourite beans, the right dose etc. you will never drink instant again. You will probably stop drinking coffee at other peoples houses too.

We got used to having a machine after living on the mainland for years. Everybody has them so the machines are cheaper and beans are easy to get and cheap.

[ratewhore]

After all, it's only a cup of coffee.

I concur. You lot need to get a farking grip of yourselves. 2 hours testing in a shop - fark me. Life's too short!!

[Peoplesoft bloke]

They don't sound that robust.

I wore mine out through extensive use (I drink a huge amount of the stuff) and lack of descaling. Lesson learnt.

Kenco Costa Rican, instant and excellent. I can't be bothered faffing with filtering water, grinding beans and percolating, and then there's the washing-up.

The machine grinds the beans and does much of the rest - washing up done in dishwasher (including machine parts)

After all, it's only a cup of coffee.

True, but it's a sort of hobby for me - sad perhaps but not as anorakky as train spotting.

[Board Game Geek]

2 hours testing in a shop - fark me. Life's too short!!

Some people would spend longer on testing a new car, PC, whatever. There are standards you know !