Digsy Posted July 9, 2007 Share Posted July 9, 2007 Slightly oddball question: Does anyone on here really know the ins and outs of espresso machines? I bought a cheapo one ages and and never use it because what it produces tastes like battery acid. The thing is I have no idea why. I've used different beans, cleaned it, cleaned it again (the last time it nearly took my hand off because I opened the pressure cap before the steam had all gone - doh!) No matter what I do it still produces a watery cup of foul tasting, foul smelling liquid with absolutely no crema. I drink gallons of coffee at work - probably far more than is good for me - out of rubbish vnding machines, so one of my small pleasures is to enjoy a pukka espresso whenever I can. Therefore my girlfriend has decided to get me a really nice espresso machine for my birthday. Obviously I want to get one that actually does the business this time, so we did some online research last night to see what is needed. So far we've come up with: Must be pump driven, not steam pressure driven. Minimum 10bar pump pressure. Thermostatically controlled (circa 90degC). …and that's about it. Oh - I don't want one of those "pod system" machines. Just beans and water I already have a bean grinder and a milk frother for when I want to make a longer drink. She is currently looking at a Gaggia Evolution. If anyone on here has ever worked as a barrista and can give any advice on what else I / she might need to consider, that would be great Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tooquicktostop Posted July 9, 2007 Share Posted July 9, 2007 You really do get what you pay for with these, In our operation the best espresso comes from grounding beans to order then using a traditional Gaggia coffee machine you make the coffee, these machines are of course not for home use, the client facing areas became an issue as these need to be quality, self service and at times mobile, to cut a long story short the best coffee we found was Nespresso and we have these machines installed all around the world now, these machines are sold in John Lewis, Waitrose, house of Fraiser etc and the coffee comes in many types depending on taste, the ' crema ' is superb and the quality of the coffee is excellent If it has to be beans then the Gaggia is one of the best IMO Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Digsy Posted July 9, 2007 Author Share Posted July 9, 2007 Hi Dean, Sounds like you have a good deal of experience with these - the "industrial" machines, at any rate. In my ideal dream world I'd have a Gaggia bean-to-cup machine (probably one in every room), so I'd like to get a smaller Gaggia, what with them inventing it and all. On slight fly in the ointment: My girflriend just rang a local supplier (Loose's) who told her that the specific model we were interested in has horrendous quality issues. Balls. I'll try to find some other reviews online... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JustGav Posted July 9, 2007 Share Posted July 9, 2007 The best machines in my experience is a proper unit, the ones you stick on the stove with a bit of water in the bottom. It pushes the steam/hot water through the coffee and into the waiting unit above. With a nice coffee like Lavazza it has a lovely halo on the top (creme) and isn't too bitter either. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tooquicktostop Posted July 9, 2007 Share Posted July 9, 2007 The best machines in my experience is a proper unit, the ones you stick on the stove with a bit of water in the bottom. It pushes the steam/hot water through the coffee and into the waiting unit above. With a nice coffee like Lavazza it has a lovely halo on the top (creme) and isn't too bitter either. We only use Lavazza beans, this quality of the coffee is of upmost importance Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tooquicktostop Posted July 9, 2007 Share Posted July 9, 2007 Hi Dean, Sounds like you have a good deal of experience with these - the "industrial" machines, at any rate. In my ideal dream world I'd have a Gaggia bean-to-cup machine (probably one in every room), so I'd like to get a smaller Gaggia, what with them inventing it and all. On slight fly in the ointment: My girflriend just rang a local supplier (Loose's) who told her that the specific model we were interested in has horrendous quality issues. Balls. I'll try to find some other reviews online... I think that WMF make some of the best bean to cup machines, German engineering with a cast iron warranty and fantastic simple controls, not so cheap but one of the best, we use these in the exec lounges http://www.garraways.co.uk/p424018/WMF-1000-Gastro.html?image_id=189237 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JustGav Posted July 9, 2007 Share Posted July 9, 2007 We only use Lavazza beans, this quality of the coffee is of upmost importance And provided it isn't decaf... I don't drink coffee often but when I do I don't want half-arsed coffee... it is like buying a supra with a turbo *grin*... Just kidding guys, I've got an NA as well remember.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thorin Posted July 9, 2007 Share Posted July 9, 2007 I think that WMF make some of the best bean to cup machines, German engineering with a cast iron warranty and fantastic simple controls, not so cheap but one of the best, we use these in the exec lounges http://www.garraways.co.uk/p424018/WMF-1000-Gastro.html?image_id=189237 £1849.95 + VAT Slightly more than I'd pay for a coffee machine at home! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tooquicktostop Posted July 9, 2007 Share Posted July 9, 2007 £1849.95 + VAT Slightly more than I'd pay for a coffee machine at home! You would be suprised what some poeple have in their homes, this and the Miele machines are very popular in high end kitchen installs http://www.miele.co.uk/Products/Features.aspx?pid=483 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Digsy Posted July 9, 2007 Author Share Posted July 9, 2007 Nice I got stranded in the Gold Lounge at Kuala Lumpur airport for a few hours with a bean-to-cup machine for company. Funnily enough I found it a bit difficult to sleep on the 'plane... So although Gaggia would be the ideal, it looks like their consumer-end stuff might not be up to the job. Any idea how other well known brands like Krups fair? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Supragal Posted July 9, 2007 Share Posted July 9, 2007 You know me, if I buy something I have to buy the silliest one. So when it came to coffee machines I let Jon get it. He got a DeLonghi thing from Whittards I believe so nothing amazing special, couple of hundred quid IIRC. It makes espresso but also has the steamer thing for milk so makes yummy cappicini Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Supragal Posted July 9, 2007 Share Posted July 9, 2007 Oh but I can't seem to use it to save my life, and the underside of the tray is INCREDIBLY sharp, like I'm not sure it should even be on the market kind of sharp. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ECK Posted July 9, 2007 Share Posted July 9, 2007 hey i work with these machines all day have a look at this link http://coffeetech.co.uk/machines.htm the solis master top is really good and dead easy to work alex;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dangerous brain Posted July 9, 2007 Share Posted July 9, 2007 For every day coffee you can't beat a senseo.It makes a damn good cup of coffee faster than boiling the kettle for an instant cup. Its by far the best cup of coffee I have had from a home machine. Its no espresso maker but you stick two pads in and its plenty strong. At about £50 its not gonna break the bank, the pads are easy with no crappy coffee dregs knocking around. Little or no cleaning maintenance required either. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thorin Posted July 10, 2007 Share Posted July 10, 2007 For every day coffee you can't beat a senseo.It makes a damn good cup of coffee faster than boiling the kettle for an instant cup. Its by far the best cup of coffee I have had from a home machine. Its no espresso maker but you stick two pads in and its plenty strong. At about £50 its not gonna break the bank, the pads are easy with no crappy coffee dregs knocking around. Little or no cleaning maintenance required either. £50 now that sounds more like it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dangerous brain Posted July 10, 2007 Share Posted July 10, 2007 The vast array of home coffee machines in the shops here in Holland is unreal. Even the senseo has three or four different types with accessories The nespresso one makes a very very nice cup of nearly espresso coffee from a foil sealed pack but these are significantly more expensive (double the price of the most expensive senseo and the caplets are treble the cost of the senseo patches and not as available). I had to chuckle last time I was in an electrical store, I was looking for a cheapy senseo for my guest room, toasters, toasters, coffee machines, coffee machines, coffee machines, plastic c*cks WTF????? only in Holland would a big name electrical store put a dildo stand right next to the coffee machines and toasters lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Digsy Posted July 10, 2007 Author Share Posted July 10, 2007 Well, we went to one of the local malls last night. Turns out that House of Fraser has a gi-hoosive coffee machine section with everything from those built-in Miele machines right down to the cheapo ones. Ground beans, pods, bean to cup, everything. They even had some machines our on what looked like customer demo but because it was late night opening there wasn't anyone around to play with them. We decided to compromise on a Krups machine. Reason being that although the more expensive Gaggias were lovely, the lower end consumer ones (read: anything under £400) left a lot to be desired build quality wise. One of them even had a bit falling off it on the shelf! Oh - plus most of them had the water tank access round the side or the back which would be a pain in the bum for where I wanted to put the machine. The Krups has a whizz-bang heating system and 15bar pump so it should make a decent brew. Plus I can pour the water in the top. Feels really solid, too. I'm not allowed to use it until Sunday. I even dreamed about it last night Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Need4Speed Posted July 10, 2007 Share Posted July 10, 2007 You really need 15 bar. I had one of those Senseo machines - a very quick cup of coffee but not close to a good espresso... and it died shortly after the guarantee expired! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dangerous brain Posted July 10, 2007 Share Posted July 10, 2007 I'm not allowed to use it until Sunday. I even dreamed about it last night Make the most of your dreams it won't be happening for a week or so after you start over using that machine You really need 15 bar. I had one of those Senseo machines - a very quick cup of coffee but not close to a good espresso... and it died shortly after the guarantee expired! Yeah but you are talking two different machines here, one for every day hassle free coffee and one for proper Italian coffee house coffee. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnA Posted July 10, 2007 Share Posted July 10, 2007 I've got a cappuccino machine, £50 it was (half-price I think) and I use it almost every day. Won't last for ever, but who cares? It does what an espresso machine does, plus the froth. Very noice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveK Posted July 28, 2007 Share Posted July 28, 2007 Well, we went to one of the local malls last night. Turns out that House of Fraser has a gi-hoosive coffee machine section with everything from those built-in Miele machines right down to the cheapo ones. Ground beans, pods, bean to cup, everything. They even had some machines our on what looked like customer demo but because it was late night opening there wasn't anyone around to play with them. We decided to compromise on a Krups machine. Reason being that although the more expensive Gaggias were lovely, the lower end consumer ones (read: anything under £400) left a lot to be desired build quality wise. One of them even had a bit falling off it on the shelf! Oh - plus most of them had the water tank access round the side or the back which would be a pain in the bum for where I wanted to put the machine. The Krups has a whizz-bang heating system and 15bar pump so it should make a decent brew. Plus I can pour the water in the top. Feels really solid, too. I'm not allowed to use it until Sunday. I even dreamed about it last night So - you must have used it by now. What do you think? I've decided I want a coffee machine - fed up of instant stuff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Digsy Posted July 28, 2007 Author Share Posted July 28, 2007 It's lovely I'm gradually getting used to using it without making a massive mess everywhere. Actually my girlfriend has made more coffees for me with it than I have for myself. I've also got a big bottle of caramel syrup, which gets around my healthy "no sugar" diet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MONKEYmark Posted July 28, 2007 Share Posted July 28, 2007 i bought a cheap one in sale from argos for £30 never used it yet lol over 1.5 years.there is a fancy coffee machine shop in pontefract shopping place at J32 on m62 the coffee machine at hollywood bowling makes a nice latte nice and creamy.mielemake some good machines.mum had a washer off them and it was quiet as anything.had it 10 years and was £1800 they now got a cheaper meile washer and at 1500rpm u can hardly hear it u can talk and not have to raise your voice would love a pro coffee maker as center peice in kitchen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.