Coffee machines

I love my coffee as much as any of you, and have no faith in my ability to make it myself. So it's the cafés for me (those too preferably over on the continent).

Came across this short post on how to drink coffee like an Italian, and thought of you bunch http://goo.gl/VNjOEX

AEG Lavazza MIO with wand, great piece of kit.
I have done the full barista bit, problem is mess, and having to use your beans up pretty sharpish as the oils soon degrade which then gives you a crap cup of joe.
I love an espresso sitting in the sun blah blah, but for home, pods are a better choice, being sealed they retain the oils, so every time you make the drink you get a lovely crema and it's all about the crema.

Stove top pot and spend the rest on bikes and decent coffee.

Be civilised and drink tea

I used to have a Rancilio Silvia, Gaggia MM grinder etc, etc, etc.

About two years after we had children I realised I had only used it a dozen times.

There is something immensely satisfying about grinding fresh beans, tamping etc-but meanwhile, back in the (my) real world, I simply didn't have the time anymore.

It all went on Ebay and we got ourselves a Nespresso machine-after a lot of taste testing around friends houses.

For us it was an easy decision. Nespresso gives us a consistently good espresso, really quickly. I can have one every morning before the school run, one before a run, before a ride...

I've only had occasion to use a Nespresso machine at a friends place, who didn't use it much. Seemed pretty versatile but needed an understanding of the different coffee pods and setting up the milk side of things. I just 'bodged' my way through but there were some pretty revolting brews on the way. Struck me as being a mid week machine when time's pressing.
I used to have a Gaggia (ground coffee only) at home but it packed up a few years ago. I bought the replacement, a Magimix machine, based on a Which magazine test report. Very pleased with it and I grind the beans using a small Gaggia grinder. I get my beans from a local shop who get them from a small local roaster. I reckon I mix a good brew but it's definitely a weekend activity as there isn't enough time on a work morning.

This is hilarious

Another Silvia user, loved coffee longer than cycling so I am allowed to have an opinion For a good starter budget machine, a Gaggia classic is a nice recommendation, alternatively a Moka pot does a great job.
Best getting good beans, remember if it doesn't have a roast date leave it alone, grind as needed and enjoy coffee

Got one of these last August, it's pretty good:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/DeLonghi-ESAM6620-Automatic-Espresso-Cappuccino/...

Enjoy.

Oho, coffee on road.cc.

Having already outed myself as a coffee geek in my earlier comment - I have a Bezzera BZ35 at home (single group commercial espresso machine), plus a Bezzera shop grinder, and Iberital MC2 doserless.

But like many others - my advice would be, DON'T do espresso at home, it's too much faff, unless you are really obsessed

Leave espresso to the coffee shop, brew exquisite aeropress coffee at home, what could be simpler?

Hahaha... coffee complete and utter great divider!!!

my persoanl choice above all of the nespresso etc type pod coffee machines is to go with a standard espresso machine such as the gaggia classic as mentioned in the amazon link, however a machine like this with a spring loaded 'group' wont give the same results as a 'proper' espresso machine.

My personal preference is using the 'easy serving espresso' pods these are being used increasing more in italy where although you can buy nespresso they don't have a good reputation, sort of like eating a microwave pasta meal and can get them in the uk - if I am short on time or just need to get my espresso done in 12 seconds and be gone, and when I want to fanny around on a sunday morning with my grinds etc using some fresh beans and having a standard machine gives you the oppurtunity to play with your coffee a bit more, make a 'proper' ristretto/espresso, machiatto or capuccino - which you odn't get with a 'pod' machine

waitrose sell the coffee pods http://www.waitrose.com/shop/DisplayProductFlyout?productId=20896
but illy and other brands do them - it works out similar price or less as bespoke pod prices, and just as convenient, but i also use caffe barbone and get a big box sent

as for coffee machine choice - a small delonghi machine will be pretty good such as the delonghi ec 330 is pretty good and can be picked up at around £70 although only has a small 'group' but for me probably the best priced machine out there is the philips saeco poemia - they had them on sale in tecos for just over £70 though more expensive on line - this is exactly the same machine as the gaggia classic though in a different case - think audi a3 vs golf.

Aeropress:
-Cheap
-Easy to make and clean
-Reliable, good clean coffee
-Easy to use when travelling
-But americanos only.

I also like to use a moka, but I've found manual espresso machines too much work. Nespresso and other pod machines are really easy, reliable and make good milky coffee drinks, but they are expensive and I like the smell and process of making coffee myself.

Personally, I would invest in a good grinder, a kettle with a controllable thermostat (also good for tea drinkers), and an aeropress.

I never really got on with my aeropress and ended up binning it, I could never be arsed with grinding though so bought pre-ground stuff from Hasbean which probably didn't help - still I think anyone imagining they're coffee nirvana is setting themselves up for disappointment...

Bargain alert - gaggia classic

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Gaggia-Classic-RI8161-Machine-Professional/dp/B0...

stop frequenting poncey cafes and acclimatise yourself to drinking Mellow Birds, Spend the change on a fancy mug and no-one will be any the wiser.

Domestic coffee machines rarely produce enough pressure to make a truly good espresso, the Aeropress is probably the best you can do at home, or a classic plunger

Dualit Espressivo. £50 on ebay, great little machines. We make about 5-10 cups a day for last 4 years no problems.

This is all very well but should you drink your espresso, Nespresso, moka, press, instant or drip after riding on:

1. handbuilts; or
2. Kysriums?

+1 farrell & fringe

I have a Nespresso machine, it's fine for consistently 'good' and convenient coffee. But for the real deal I use a traditional Bialetti Stovetop pot and freshly ground beans. It puts the passion back into making a cup. And we're all about passion in everything we do, right? (and the whole house smells fabulous for a long time after too).

You tarts put milk in coffee?

Jesus wept

Looks like we've stumbled across another of those issues that divides cyclists.

Thank heavens Rapha don't sell an espresso machine.

Oh wait, what's that?

http://www.rapha.cc/rocket-espresso-for-rapha?locale=UK

Of course, if you don't want to shell out €1,800 - and it's worth noting that since it's sold out, 200 people did - you can buy a Senseo machine and get change from £30 then pick up compatible pods at Lidl for the equivalent of 9p each...

I go to Carluccio's in Piccadilly Station, Manchester (I work next door). Decent double espresso for a mere quid.

Or if I'm feeling flash, the incomparable Caffiene & Co. - their espresso is in a different league to that of the chains, practically a different drink altogether (back to the point above about the quality of the beans, the grind, and the roast).

The point being here that unless you're willing to splash a LOT of cash and spend time learning to use the machine and seek out the best ingredients, you're better off going to yer favourite coffee joint, have someone else make it for you and relax with a paper. No cleaning up afterward either! Money well spent, if you ask me.

Unless of course you're not after espresso, in which case I cannot help you. As also noted above, Nespresso is not espresso, no matter how dazzlingly handsome George Clooney looks when he's hawking the stuff in them cheesy ads.