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Coffee machines

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  • January 20, 2014 at 12:40 pm #20510
    Old Cranky

    To me, the highlight of a long cycle ride is a stop for a great cup of coffee (and possibly some cake). For the rare occasion I am not out on my bike, I have a cheap filter coffee machine at home and am tempted to buy a Nespresso machine. I don’t know anything about them, what to look for or even if they are any good.

    How can I get something which makes a cup of coffee akin to what I get in my favourite cafes without spending the earth?

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  • January 23, 2014 at 2:17 pm #769321
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    doc_davo

    Hahaha… coffee complete and
    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.

    January 23, 2014 at 11:24 am #769319
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    Goldfever4

    Aeropress:
    -Cheap
    -Easy to
    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.

    January 22, 2014 at 8:57 am #769317
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    fuzzywuzzy

    I never really got on with my
    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…

    January 21, 2014 at 7:40 pm #769315
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    Ghedebrav

    farrell wrote:Ghedebrav

    farrell wrote:
    Ghedebrav wrote:
    I go to Carluccio’s in Piccadilly Station, Manchester (I work next door). Decent double espresso for a mere quid.

    Really? The gaff upstairs? I’ll have to give it a crack next time I’m passing through the station.

    Cheers for the tip.

    Yup, it’s a bit out of the way so must be why they do it. They have the standard price board behind the bar but don’t be fooled – all coffee varieties are a pound.

    It’s still a chain-level espresso but (having tried every outlet in the station, and there are a few) it’s both the best and cheapest in the station.

    January 21, 2014 at 1:30 pm #769313
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    clumsytim

    Bargain alert – gaggia
    Bargain alert – gaggia classic

    January 21, 2014 at 1:16 pm #769311
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    700c

    lolol wrote:Domestic coffee

    lolol wrote:
    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

    Really? I understood that the ideal pressure to extract espresso was 15 bar.. and most of the machines are rated to this level (domestic or commercial..)

    Having said that I’ve just googled the aeropress and it sounds like a good option – gets some very good reviews. Don’t know how you can guarantee the pressure of a manual system though, but that’s more to do me not understanding the technology. Plus I guess there’s scope to get good at it!

    Knowing cyclists and coffee, and the strong opinions lots of us hold on here, I’m sure this one will run and run..!

    January 21, 2014 at 12:49 pm #769309
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    joemmo

    stop frequenting poncey cafes
    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.

    January 21, 2014 at 11:04 am #769307
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    farrell

    Ghedebrav wrote:I go to

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

    Really? The gaff upstairs? I’ll have to give it a crack next time I’m passing through the station.

    Cheers for the tip.

    January 21, 2014 at 10:56 am #769305
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    lolol

    Domestic coffee machines
    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

    January 21, 2014 at 10:25 am #769303
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    KiwiMike

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

    January 21, 2014 at 10:22 am #769301
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    LondonDynaslow

    This is all very well but
    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?

    January 21, 2014 at 6:53 am #769299
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    Low Speed Wobble

    +1 farrell & fringe
    I have a
    +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).

    January 20, 2014 at 11:21 pm #769297
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    VeloPeo

    You tarts put milk in coffee?
    You tarts put milk in coffee?

    Jesus wept 😉

    January 20, 2014 at 10:54 pm #769295
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    Simon_MacMichael

    700c wrote:Using nespresso/

    700c wrote:
    Using nespresso/ cafetierre/ Aeropress etc may give acceptable results, but probably won’t make coffee ‘akin to your favourite café'

    Have to disagree… a Nespresso cappuccino isn’t going to hold a candle to one you can get in Italy… but switching from froth to hot milk mode is the closest I’ve come in the UK to a grand crème like you’d get in France <:P

    January 20, 2014 at 10:50 pm #769293
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    Simon_MacMichael

    Looks like we’ve stumbled
    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…

    😉

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