[Closed] Coffee maker

Aeropress.

Eot

Nespresso with decent pods for that output.

I've got an aeropress but it's more faff than a Nespresso and still dependent on buying decent coffee. If you're only having a few cups a week it'll have gone stale before you finish it.
I mainly use a delonghi bean to cup but I drink a lot of coffee.

If you’re only having a few cups a week it’ll have gone stale before you finish it.

Yep, thats why I was looking at the pod route.

Excuse my ignorance but do those Nespresso machine make a full mug of coffee or do they just do espresso-size shots?

If you’re only having a few cups a week it’ll have gone stale before you finish it.

Yep, thats why I was looking at the pod route.

Excuse my ignorance but do those Nespresso machine make a full mug of coffee or do they just do espresso-size shots?

They can make longer drinks - called a lungo. The only decent pods available at the moment are Colonna - the long versions of these make a decent coffee.

(Full disclosure - my business sells these, but if there were any other roasters doing decent pods we'd sell them too - we just haven't found any yet).

JP

We're using the re-usable pods mainly now with our dolce gusto - that way you can chose the coffee, and it's loads cheaper, if a little messy (drips more). We still use the 'one use' pods for a very quick brew (i.e. just before you fly out of the house).

I know there’s a lot of snobbery about Nespresso, and given those dumbass adverts featuring GeorgeyPorgy, who can blame it?

However, having said that, it IS very nice coffee... 🤔😳

Moka Pot, eg Bialetti. Stove top and it’ll gurgle too, although that does burn the coffee.

Staresso out performs the aeropress.

I've got a Smeg espresso maker that makes a decent espresso with a milk foamer built in. Next best upgrade from a pod machine IMO without the expense of a bean to cup job.

To be fair, I've used a fair amount of espresso machines, and I wouldn't sniff my nose at a cheap Delonghi like this: https://www.amazon.co.uk/DeLonghi-EC685BK-Traditional-Espresso-Machine/dp/B06X3Z9MF3/ref=sr_1_5?s=kitchen&ie=UTF8&qid=1549212762&sr=1-5&keywords=espresso+machine

It makes better espresso than more expensive machines I've used, or tasted from, and if you search around on eBay, you'll likely find a refub one for good money.

If you want to get into the level of decent espresso, a secondhand Gaggia Classic, pre-Phillips taking them over (~2012) with a Rancillio Silvia wand upgrade is the way to go. Entry level, and not *too* spendy.

Get yourself some decent beans - a good machine is pointless if you fill it with old supermarket beans - I buy from The Bean Shop in Perth - cause they're nice people, and make lovely dark roasts. www.thebeanshop.co.uk. Their Blend47 is gorgeous, it's like if Starbucks spent an extra 50% on their bean processing. If you have a local bean shop, use them - it's nice to support local businesses - and they'll be able to recommend a blend or bean you'll like.

Then, you're into the world of coffee beans, and grinding your own. That's probably another thread!

As a side note - Aeropress and Moka Pots don't make true espresso, but do make nice strong coffee. It sounds snobby, but this is STW, and this is coffee we're talking about 😉

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B06XGZLQFL/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o05__o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Get yourself some decent beans – a good machine is pointless if you fill it with old supermarket beans

Indeed.

Aeropress, Knock aergrind and Macbeans (ABZ based rather than Perth, Peruvian organic fairtrade Cafe Femenino my current favourite). Served up in a Snow Peak titanium flask.... Just saved starting a new thread.... 😉

Lavazza Mio is by far the best budget home coffee maker I've tried

Drac

Subscriber

Staresso out performs the aeropress.

To be honest all filter methods are much of a muchness, apart from the stove top pot, which tends to make quite bad, over extracted coffee due to the fact that it applies too much heat for too long to the grounds. What is more important than method is the quality of your coffee, the grinder and your recipe.

JP

I know I'll be shot down in flames for this but I have a Nespresso pod machine and can't fault it. Good range of coffee, either Nespresso or other brands. Machine is neat, sits nicely in the corner, works flawlessly and coffee tastes good.

Excuse my ignorance but do those Nespresso machine make a full mug of coffee or do they just do espresso-size shots?

Every type of coffee starts off as an espresso, with extra water or milk or froth to turn it into a fancy coffee. On the basic Nespresso machine you have two buttons. One measures a espresso size shot, the other one carries on dispensing hot water to make an mug size drink. Both buttons are customisable to change the measure to suit you (or your mugs)

(Full disclosure – my business sells these, but if there were any other roasters doing decent pods we’d sell them too – we just haven’t found any yet).

Rave started selling some fairly recently.

Bialetti brikka might be worth a look. I got one recently and am enjoying experimenting with it.

Stovetop or Aeropress. Best coffee ever.

Just to stick my oar in I’ve got a Gaggia Classic that doesn’t see enough use so if someone wants to make me an offer then do.
I end up making coffee in an MSR filter or in a jug and pouring through a strainer. I drink most of my coffee in work so the machine doesn’t see much use.

Aeropress, beans from Pact or a local roaster and a Krups grinder which was too cheap to impress coffee snobs but has ceramic cutters, variable grind size and works really well. A budget set up but makes fantastic coffee.

If you are going for a pod machine then please consider getting re-usable pods, as the normal pods are an enormous waste of plastic.

I've never had coffee I've liked from a pod machine, but I've only really tried the Nespresso ones. They tasted a bit like nescafe to me.

I've tried about a zillion different methods at home (I use the same shop a Rickon for beans). I'd probably say the best faff/quality ratio is from an aeropress.

(Full disclosure – my business sells these, but if there were any other roasters doing decent pods we’d sell them too – we just haven’t found any yet).

Rave started selling some fairly recently.

I know that Rave is popular on some of the home barista sites, but I don't really rate their coffee. It's OK, but just not very exciting.

JP

Aeropress.

If you are not after espresso specifically then it's the way to go. You can brew a nice deeply rich coffee, that's not over drawn. And, you don't have to have yet another piece of kit cluttering up the kitchen.

For the full STW coffee making experience you need a Hario Technica. Bit of a faff but makes the best coffee and looks scientifically awesome.

I have an Aeropress and hand grinder, plus cafetieres, v60 filter, moka pot.... I've started looking into Nespresso

https://singletrackmag.com/forum/topic/nespresso-and-artisan-compostable-pods/

Yeah. For a few coffees a week. Aeropress and a wee ceramic hand grinder.

If you must buy a pod based machine, as others have said, get a reusable pod please.

I've just had one of those Colonna pods and it wasn't too bad at all. However with my DeLonghi b2c machine I really like the variety from different suppliers and different growers. My machine doesn't get turned on for half the week but I haven't noticed any deterioration in flavour and I only drink espressos.

If you like long coffee and don't want to go for the expense and complexity of any of the above then how about an Ikea coffee maker this is the fancy pants glass double walled job but they also do a 400ml personal one without the double wall niceness for £5. It's alright

If you like long coffee and don’t want to go for the expense and complexity of any of the above then how about an Ikea coffee maker this is the fancy pants glass double walled job but they also do a 400ml personal one without the double wall niceness for £5

Just to add, a grinder is a must for a cafetiere. Most, if not all, of pre-ground stuff is far too fine.

Most, if not all, of pre-ground stuff is far too fine.

What difference does it make? I have an Espresso machine but use one of these when I fancy "different" coffee have used Lavazza Black, Gold and Red in the linked maker - seemed to work fine. I've also used some beans roughly ground in a food processor - not much/any difference?

Most, if not all, of pre-ground stuff is far too fine.

Back when I was picking beans in Guatemala, we used to make fresh coffee, right off the trees I mean. That was good.

Bialetti stovetop. It just works and is fine on most heat sources from induction to Jetboil.

Just to add, a grinder is a must for a cafetiere. Most, if not all, of pre-ground stuff is far too fine.

OP said it's only a cup or two a day so I'd say a grinder was a must for the sake of freshness as much as anything else

Back when I was studying Asian Palm Civets  in Sumatra, we used to make fresh coffee, right off the arsehole I mean. That was good.

Perchy - I think you're talking sh*te 🙂

It’s a bit nutty.

I use a Stove top Percolator or if I'm making for several people I've a big cafetiere at home.

we've several of aeropress users at work, but I just use another big cafetiere, its about as much faff as an aeropress but you get two and a half mugs worth out of it rather than just one...

Plus there's a bit less risk of destroying your favourite mug and drenching your nuts in boiling coffee...

I'd Never pay more than about a tenner for a home/work coffee making device, better to spend your money on the actual coffee than a toy...

Most, if not all, of pre-ground stuff is far too fine.

What difference does it make? I have an Espresso machine but use one of these when I fancy “different” coffee have used Lavazza Black, Gold and Red in the linked maker – seemed to work fine. I’ve also used some beans roughly ground in a food processor – not much/any difference?

The difference? Not having a cup of sludgy, over-extracted coffee. A coarser grind for a cafetiere means the mesh actually stands a chance of separating the coffee and the grinds when plunged. A cafetiere with the right grind can make a really great coffee.

The "suitable for coffee makers" tag on packs of pre-ground coffee is a marketing and profit-maximising con. Generally the coffee is too fine for a cafetiere and too coarse for an espresso. Elsewhere in the world* (and outside of supermarkets here), pre-ground coffee is sold in differing grind coarseness. I'd recommend buying a hand grinder, some beans and giving it a go. Lavazza Rosso beans would be fine, I always tend to have a bag of these on the go.

EDIT: Experimentation is fun too though, I used a too fine grind in a cafetiere with some Lavazza Rosso beans, so I ran the coffee through a v60 filter after brewing/plunging. It was probably one of the nicest coffees I have ever had, almost like a dark chocolate hot chocolate

EDIT2: *Supermarket pre-ground coffee is sold in two coarsenesses in New Zealand for example

we’ve several of aeropress users at work, but I just use another big cafetiere, its about as much faff as an aeropress but you get two and a half mugs worth out of it rather than just one…

An Aeropress will do 4 mugs if done properly.
Those are some fragile mugs you have!

I find that for a big mug of coffee a filter cone is the easiest way. Filter paper and grinds go straight in the compost too

If coffee going stale is the concern then a solution may be to keep beans in the freezer. You can grind them straight out of the freezer with excellent results. With that in mind consider a hand grinder and aeropress or V60, if you're not specifically looking to make espressos.

Nespresso is like the McDonald's of coffee. A completely shameless synthetic imitation. But just like McDonald's it's not too offensive on the old taste buds, and it makes a pretty decent drink.

Aeropress makes a decent filter coffee. I'm not one for setting strict parameters into my coffee making schedule, checking the temperature of the water, or inspecting the grind. But I do find freshly ground beans make a better coffee. If you buy ready ground, at the very least keep it in a sealed container.