I'm after recommendations for a new coffee machine. We currently have an old nespresso machine (must 5-10 years old).
We use a moka pot, a french press and an aeropress as well.
Truth be told I've never been bowled over by the nespresso machine, it's just easy for me to use first thing in the morning.
My friend has a fancy bean to cup machine. We were looking at a sage nespresso machine to replace our knackered old one. I dont really want to spend more than £300. Have nespresso machines improved, I know some come packed with bluetooth technology (not sure why). After suggestions, ideally something with a milk frother as well.
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I would say only worth buying if you intend to buy the actual pods.
My in laws have a new one with different sized pods, all tastes fairly similar to me.
Come's in at under £200 allowing you to buy lots of delicious beans or some nice cups to use, I like the Le Creuset stuff personally and you can get three different sizes.
The environment impact for a cup of coffee!
We've used Moka types for years. Our current one is at least 5 years old. Just replace the gasket when it cracks (recycle) and you're away.
Sorry to be a downer but I just don't understand why people buy the flashy complicated machines. All that material, plastic, energy, everything to replicate a moka pot.
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I would definitely look into eco pods and we recycle the ones we currently use.
But I guess I bought it when the pound was much stronger against the Yen ... given the price of that Krups recommended by @King85. But at least I now have forearms of steel.
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I ordered a delonghi eletta machine (mainly to cheer my partner up, some family stuff was getting her down).
We have had it for about a month so far and wow it is incredible, granted I'm using it a lot more than her. We picked up a pack of sf bay coffee beans from Costco, and they appear to be a very ethical family run business so that's nice to know.
I need to google some coffee based cocktails. I'm donating the old (still working) nespresso machine to my artist friend. She has a couple of kids and was curious about the nespresso, so rather than dump a working machine I've said she can have it.
Supportact said: [my style is] probably more an accumulation of limitations and bad habits than a 'style'.
It'll last if you take care of it and make barista quality coffee. If a nespresso machine (which is coarsely ground coffee in a pressurised basket with no control over extraction) is as good as a local coffee shop, buy coffee somewhere else!
Pressurised baskets are fine to start, but if you want a good coffee, get a good grinder and a non pressurised basket.
If that sounds like a lot of work, it is - espresso is a hobby, not a quick, convenient way to get a drink.
If you want quick and convenient, spent 50 quid on a decent hand grinder and use the French press and high quality beans.
My feedback thread is here.
That's worse than I'd expect, but not by much.
They simply don't output espresso. They're very poorly made, too, tiny boilers that won't maintain a good temperature through the shot, tiny pumps that will fail, no milk steaming facility usually.
Espresso is a pain in the arse, and I honestly can't recommend it for home use unless you're into coffee - the whole process. The most important part by far is the grinder, and not many people are ready to stump up £500-£1000 to get a half decent grinder, or £150 on a huge, ex-commercial one that needs new burrs and aligning.
French press and filter coffee is much, much more doable. It is much easier to extract excellent tasting notes from unique origins, and you don't need such a fancy grinder - if you are flush, a 1zpresso jx or a wilfa svart will do it great, but otherwise a small steel burr or even ceramic burr will do.
There is a sage filter machine that's very highly regarded by coffee snobs like me who want to wake up and have a very good coffee without loads of fuss.
I use my espresso machine daily. I also need to crack the thing open to clean the solenoid and 3 way valve, check the pump, check for leaks and ensure the steam valve is seated properly. It needs descaling monthly on a blend of tap water and bottled water - I now just use tap, but it needs descaling every 2 weeks. I need to backflush weekly to remove coffee oils, and the shower screen and dispersion plate come off every couple of months for a full clean.
My French press goes in the dishwasher and let's me use lighter roasted beans, and is easier to grind for. I don't have a great grinder for espresso, so I'm limited to dark roast and medium-dark beans in order to get a good extraction. I prefer light roasts in general, but I adore a milky drink first thing, to wake my taste buds up, ready for a more refined coffee in early afternoon.
I barely have time in the mornings to swig a mouthful of tea my wife made let's pfaff around cleaning, grinding, steaming coffee from a £500 machine.
Probably should get up earlier.
It's 10.20am and I'm still in bed. Hmmm... need a coffee...
Like I said, it's a hobby, and something I enjoy. The sooner consumers reject wank like cheap plastic nespresso machines, and instead realise there is a world of more affordable, wonderful quality coffee available that isn't a concentrate, the better.
My favourite method is espresso purely for the involvement and challenge. The best tasting for me, every time, is pourover, but that somehow seems like more work...
Maintenance is limited to cleaning the grinder once a week, and putting the cafetière innards through the dishwasher.
The advice from my coffee supplier, who is sitting next to me, is that Nespresso machines are OK, but never use the Long button because it over extracts. Instead use Short, and add water from the kettle.
Exactly this.
Although I hate nespresso machines on principle - delivering sub-par espresso-like drinks with a disposable machine.
Your brew method is absolutely on point. Unless you're really into coffee, it simply isn't worth the hassle of a machine.
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