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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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Viewing 15 replies - 31 through 45 (of 53 total)
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  • January 20, 2014 at 10:41 pm #769291
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    Ghedebrav

    I go to Carluccio’s in
    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.

    January 20, 2014 at 10:24 pm #769289
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    zzgavin

    Freshness of beans and grind
    Freshness of beans and grind is the most important factor, regardless of method of brewing the coffee. I use an aeropress at work, which makes a decent cup. At home we’ve got a Rancilio Silvia machine and a Rancilio Rocky grinder, they make a very fine espresso. Next step up would be a double boiler, but we’ve not got the space, nor need for that. It’s about the same as a decent crank for the pair, but worth it, I think.
    That said if you drink a few coffees a week using a nespresso machine, then they are a good buy.

    January 20, 2014 at 10:07 pm #769287
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    700c

    To the OP – if your local
    To the OP – if your local café uses an espresso machine, then the only way to properly replicate that at home is by using an espresso machine..

    They don’t have to be *that* expensive, but you will need to spend a bit to fulfil your brief, I’m afraid.. Using nespresso/ cafetierre/ Aeropress etc may give acceptable results, but probably won’t make coffee ‘akin to your favourite café’

    January 20, 2014 at 9:22 pm #769285
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    tomturcan

    Try “La Pavoni” for a true
    Try “La Pavoni” for a true Italian classic.

    January 20, 2014 at 9:06 pm #769283
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    bashthebox

    Nespresso is a weird one –
    Nespresso is a weird one – it’s eay to turn your nose up at it, especially because, well, Nestlé. But a lot of top, top kitchens use them because they can guarantee a good – not the best, but good – coffee, without the need for a good barista to be employed. And it’s quick, doesn’t take up precious room in the kitchen, and it’s easy to clean up.

    Anyway, I use an Aeropress – best coffee this side of using a proper espresso machine, and some may argue that it gives you a better long black/americano anyway.
    The keys to using it well are, as has been mentioned already – good beans, a good burr grinder, and also as Gkam alluded to (but sadly uses the wrong device to make his coffee 😉 ) getting the temperature right.
    You want the water to be between 80 and 90 degrees, and you can argue for an awfully long time about the exact right temperature. After years of burning my hang on my kettle to see if the water was about right, I bought a kettle that has a controllable thermostat. It’s more expensive than a normal kettle, but being able to set the temp is ace.

    January 20, 2014 at 7:44 pm #769281
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    Flying Scot

    Real men don’t use
    Real men don’t use pods……but a small De Longhi with a milk steamer wand, that way you can buy your coffee in bulk, from anywhere and won’t be discarding pods all over the place. Good for 2 cups at once, if you need more, it becomes a massive investment in money and space.

    And you get to be a Junior Barista, as the process is exactly the same.

    January 20, 2014 at 7:39 pm #769279
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    8o8 finch@m

    Go for the nespresso…. And
    Go for the nespresso…. And go for the expensive one…. They are awesome !!!

    January 20, 2014 at 7:19 pm #769277
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    Lungsofa74yearold

    Wow – I had no idea making a
    Wow – I had no idea making a cup of coffee could be so involved (not to mention expensive) 😀

    January 20, 2014 at 7:17 pm #769275
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    Fringe

    Or drink tea.
    Or drink tea.

    January 20, 2014 at 6:57 pm #769273
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    Gkam84

    Coffee
    Coffee machine’s……PFFFFT.

    Get a kettle, a cafetiere, a decent thermometer, a grinder and some nice beans.

    Although, you could just buy that new Azera stuff, its passable

    January 20, 2014 at 6:18 pm #769271
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    glynr36

    I replaced my Nesspresso with
    I replaced my Nesspresso with an Illy Y1, much better coffee and cheaper to buy the pods.

    January 20, 2014 at 6:11 pm #769269
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    700c

    I got a basic Philips auto
    I got a basic Philips auto bean to cup machine last year and it makes very good coffee very quickly and easily..provided the beans are decent and fresh..

    You pay for the convenience, however. You can get can get as good if not better results through an espresso machine plus grinder with practice, but more of a faff..

    Both options will beat nespresso hands down -if you really want something as good as your local café..

    January 20, 2014 at 3:40 pm #769267
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    Roberj4

    Everyone has great points
    Everyone has great points here. Does it come down to how much time you have or how involved you want to be make the ultimate cup of coffee. When it comes down to cost and convenience the pod system works well and at approx 25-30p a pod it certainly beats paying £3+ at Costa for a cup of shitte.

    I’ve also heard the AeroPress gets great reviews to!

    January 20, 2014 at 3:21 pm #769265
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    farrell

    Buy a moka, they’re cheap and
    Buy a moka, they’re cheap and they also look cool too.

    January 20, 2014 at 3:20 pm #769263
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    VeloPeo

    I have a Nespresso Pixie
    I have a Nespresso Pixie bought for me as a birthday present last year. I also have a small Gaggia espresso machine that I’ve had for years

    My main problem with the Gaggia is that I drink coffee at home only at weekends, or when working at home, my wife doesn’t touch coffee. That meant a bag of espresso was going off before I had a chance to use most of it.

    You’ll get 7/10, reliable decent coffee from a Nespresso. It’s ideal for me ‘cos of the pods – the cost per coffee is higher but it’s costing me less as I’m no longer throwing stuff out. I’d get better espresso from the Gaggia but the Nespresso is a very happy compromise.

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