Food, Drink & Dining Out Coffee machines

[rocker_oz33]

Hi guys I thinking about buying a coffee machine/adding it to my xmas list.Which ones are good out of the cheaper variety? Anyone got one of the pod machines? Seems to be quiet afew around these days.Thanks for any help (also sorry if the thread on this).

 

[nicky]

 

[zimma]

My parents bought one of the MAP perfecto or something I think it's called it has a proper steam wand so I don't mind it actually. Coffee itself isn't too bad, better than some of the crappier cafes i've been to.

 

[Mancey]

Have a nespresso pod machine. Easy to use, nice coffee.

If you have hard water they scale up quick however. Then everything tastes burnt. The proper descaler is quite pricey

 

[zimma]

Have a nespresso pod machine. Easy to use, nice coffee.

If you have hard water they scale up quick however. Then everything tastes burnt. The proper descaler is quite pricey

No need for their proper descaler.. Just use a citric acid mix costs a shitload less and does the same thing.

 

[radiojake]

I have always just used a plunger or perculator - My old housemate had a coffee machine, and f*ck me, it wasn't worth the effort - Coffee machines are probably one of the most superflous items that I can think to have in the home - They are for cafes and places that serve coffee on mass -

I guess if you are needing a 'Merry Consumerism' gift and you already have a sh*tload of useless consumer items then a coffee machine is the way to go - Otherwise I just don't see the appeal

 

[Poseidon]

I have always just used a plunger or perculator - My old housemate had a coffee machine, and f*ck me, it wasn't worth the effort - Coffee machines are probably one of the most superflous items that I can think to have in the home - They are for cafes and places that serve coffee on mass -

I guess if you are needing a 'Merry Consumerism' gift and you already have a sh*tload of useless consumer items then a coffee machine is the way to go - Otherwise I just don't see the appeal

Don't listen to this clown. Get a Delonghi nespresso U machine and you won't be disappointed. Plus I think atm they're giving $50 cashback when you buy one.

Superb machine, milk frother is 10/10, nespresso's service is outstanding too.

 

[Patrick Bullet]

I got one of these: http://www.productreview.com.au/p/delonghi-en520.html

and have never looked back! Black capsules (Ristretto) FTW

Not the cheapest option, but if you like frothed milk in your coffee, the time savings are substantial. The two of us have gone through at least 400 pods in six months.

 

[Northworth]

the nespresso is the least used appliance in my home
i knew it would be a waste of money buying it
there it sits - just looking at me

 

[MoscowHawk]

I've got one of these - http://www.allaboutyou.com/ghi/home.../review-of-kenwood-retro-espresso-maker-43379. I picked it up second hand for about $100 5 years ago and had it serviced once since then. I think it's definitely worth the effort. Pretty easy to use, though I tend to only use it on the weekends and if I have guests. Also, I live in Moscow, and good ground coffee is hard to come by here, otherwise I might use it more.

In Australia, I had one of these - http://www.myespresso.co.nz/media/catalog/category/rancilio-silvia.jpg
It was a gift for my 21st bday, and is probably a bit of overkill to have at home. But it made a ****ing amazing coffee and it was quick and easy to use. It might be something you need to add to your list though coz it seems to be pretty costly.

 

[checkraiseulite]

I have always just used a plunger or perculator - My old housemate had a coffee machine, and f*ck me, it wasn't worth the effort - Coffee machines are probably one of the most superflous items that I can think to have in the home - They are for cafes and places that serve coffee on mass -

I guess if you are needing a 'Merry Consumerism' gift and you already have a sh*tload of useless consumer items then a coffee machine is the way to go - Otherwise I just don't see the appeal

lol. most coffee places serve crap, expensive coffee that you have to walk/drive to and wait for (often whilst a nuffie hipster with no idea gives you a spiel on the history of coffee).

if you like coffee and drink quite a bit of it it's perfectly reasonable to buy a coffee machine. just as it's reasonable to buy a wok if you like asian food (or are they the domain of asian takeaway places and that serve stir fry on mass?)

buy a decent machine that'll last for years and look after it well.

 

[radiojake]

Buying a wok is hardly the same as a coffee machine -

I know the coffee machine that was in my house for a while was a shit cheap one, but I just felt that it was way more efficient on every level to just use the perculator on the stove or boil the kettle and fill up the plunger - The coffee machine seemed to take longer to heat up than the kettle, then it would drip out coffee (and I would have to use a small mug to fit under there!) and then there was the bullshit with the milk frothing, which made such a loud noise that I always thought that the whole machine was going to shit itself -

Whatever - You do not need to justify any of your excessive purchases to me - You can over consume to your heart's content - I just think coffee machines in the house are a load of wank -

 

[Poseidon]

Buying a wok is hardly the same as a coffee machine -

I know the coffee machine that was in my house for a while was a shit cheap one, but I just felt that it was way more efficient on every level to just use the perculator on the stove or boil the kettle and fill up the plunger - The coffee machine seemed to take longer to heat up than the kettle, then it would drip out coffee (and I would have to use a small mug to fit under there!) and then there was the bullshit with the milk frothing, which made such a loud noise that I always thought that the whole machine was going to shit itself -

Whatever - You do not need to justify any of your excessive purchases to me - You can over consume to your heart's content - I just think coffee machines in the house are a load of wank -

Why base your opinion on coffee machines based on the piece of scrap metal you bought? It's like basing your opinion on cars on a 1983 Volvo, without wheels. My machine heats up in 25 seconds, smoothly pours the coffee to whatever size you like, and the milk frother makes no noise and makes the most unbelievably light and creamy milk. If you prefer a kettle then that's fine, but don't call others of being consumerist nimrods because you've only ever used a piece of shit.

 

[radiojake]

I never bought the coffee machine - It was my old housemate's -

A coffee machine in the house is the very epitome of being a consumerist nimrod - That's ok, you are entitled to buy whatever rubbish you want, but just don't pretend that it is anything but that -

 

[checkraiseulite]

Buying a wok is hardly the same as a coffee machine -

I know the coffee machine that was in my house for a while was a shit cheap one, but I just felt that it was way more efficient on every level to just use the perculator on the stove or boil the kettle and fill up the plunger - The coffee machine seemed to take longer to heat up than the kettle, then it would drip out coffee (and I would have to use a small mug to fit under there!) and then there was the bullshit with the milk frothing, which made such a loud noise that I always thought that the whole machine was going to shit itself -

Whatever - You do not need to justify any of your excessive purchases to me - You can over consume to your heart's content - I just think coffee machines in the house are a load of wank -

With coffee machines, like pretty much everything else, you get what you pay for. You bought a cheap one, it was shit, that's no surprise.

I like coffee and drink it regularly, so I paid decent money for a decent machine that produces nice coffee. Now I don't need to spend as much time or money buying coffee (with a huge variance in quality) from cafes.

If that's excessive on your scale, so be it. Fact is the machine I have will last a lifetime and retain a huge chunk of its value for resale should I ever decide to sell it. Can't see how that is over consuming (unless you're talking about my caffeine intake haha).

 

[Poseidon]

I never bought the coffee machine - It was my old housemate's -

A coffee machine in the house is the very epitome of being a consumerist nimrod - That's ok, you are entitled to buy whatever rubbish you want, but just don't pretend that it is anything but that -

It cost me $200 for something I use 3-4 times a day, plenty more if we have company. Is that excessive? I'm sorry you are living in poverty.

 

[Caesar]

Opinions seem to vary on the quality - my uncle proclaims anything that doesn't come out of his swish imported Italian benchtop model undrinkable, others are quite happy with their Nespresso or Aldi knockoff. Personally I don't think price has a huge impact. I can't say I have ever had a really good cup of espresso out of anybody's home coffeemaker, but most are fine, and the bad cups don't seem to have much correlation to the price of the machine.

As to whether it's worth it, I guess it depends how much you drink. For me, an espresso is a treat. I go to a cafe that I like that serves a really good cup, and the $3.50 isn't even really paying for the coffee - it's renting a seat to sit and unwind for 20 minutes or half an hour. I'm giving myself a gift, as Dale Cooper would say.

I have a percolator at home that I use if I just really feel like a cup of coffee and I can't be bothered or don't have the time to go out. But overall I don't really need any incentive to drink more coffee.

 

[Doc_]

There is only 2 names in coffee machines.
Gaggia and Saeco. Forget the rest.
I have a Gaggia Syncrony. I cant recommend it highly enough. Its an older model now. I've had at least 5 years and its never missed a beat.
It is used at least half a dozen times everyday. It blitzes the crap they sell in the shops.

 

[checkraiseulite]

There is only 2 names in coffee machines.
Gaggia and Saeco. Forget the rest.

lol. that's like saying there's only two names in cars, mitsubishi and toyota.

 

[checkraiseulite]

I can't say I have ever had a really good cup of espresso out of anybody's home coffeemaker, but most are fine, and the bad cups don't seem to have much correlation to the price of the machine.

To be honest if you're drinking short blacks the beans are going to be a huge determinant on the quality of the coffee.

If you get good beans ground correctly into a decent machine you should get a cafe quality coffee.

 

[PACatter]

To be honest if you're drinking short blacks the beans are going to be a huge determinant on the quality of the coffee.

If you get good beans ground correctly into a decent machine you should get a cafe quality coffee.

You can put good, correctly ground beans into a ten dollar french press and get good quality coffee. As coffee snobs say, it's the bean, not the machine.

Pod machines are quick, and if you're going to pop for your own beans and a reusable pod, not a bad idea. Buying premade pods is a terrible idea.

 

[checkraiseulite]

You can put good, correctly ground beans into a ten dollar french press and get good quality coffee. As coffee snobs say, it's the bean, not the machine.

Pod machines are quick, and if you're going to pop for your own beans and a reusable pod, not a bad idea. Buying premade pods is a terrible idea.

definitely. i would much rather drink coffee from a french press than a pod machine or cheap espresso machine.

a good quality espresso machine with good quality beans though is where it's at for me.

 

[courtjester]

I never bought the coffee machine - It was my old housemate's -

A coffee machine in the house is the very epitome of being a consumerist nimrod - That's ok, you are entitled to buy whatever rubbish you want, but just don't pretend that it is anything but that -

It's ok if you like this stuff better. Some people do. It doesn't make you a bad person. Good quality stuff isn't for everyone.

 

[The Dice Man]

I once worked with a guy whose name was Nimrod. When he introduced himself I said is that a joke. It wasn't.

 

[Ed_Gein]

I'm with nicky.

Just get a $10 kettle from Target.