Topic: Espresso Machines

[El Phes]

I've been told to put about a teaspoon of fairy liquid in it and filling it up with hot water up to the first fill line and either let it soak overnight or run it like you're frothing the milk or both. 

Thanks! I'll try that.

[neilers]

oh my god do not even dream of using sainsbury's ground espresso.  Its only 85% arabica and 15% robusta.  My classic which has never let me down could not produce even a hint of crema from it.

Learnt my lesson and ordered a burr grinder and sticking to illy dark roast beans from now on.

[Barneylfc∗]

My birds birthday coming up. Was considering getting her one of these for it. Any recommendations? Nothing to pricey though. I don't drink the shit so haven't a clue what I'd be looking for

[neilers]

whats your budget?  If you can stretch to £120 you can pick up a delonghi icona which is fairly decent.  If you can push to £200 amazon should have the gaggia classic for that sort of price. The classic is unbelievable at producing some excellent coffee,

[Marty 85]

Delonghi are good. I got one a few years back for 50 quid that does the job. Only really use it on my days off as i don't get up early enough for it to heat up. If you can get one with a timer it'd solve that problem.

[Barneylfc∗]

I was hoping around the 50 mark 

[Marty 85]

This an updated version of the one i have http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/4232049/c_1/1|category_root|Kitchen+and+laundry|14418476/c_2/2|14418476|Coffee+machines|16527134/c_3/3|cat_16527134|Espresso+coffee+machines|16528262.htm

[Barneylfc∗]

The link isn't working on my phone but will have a look tomorrow on the computer. Thanks

[۩ Imperator ۩]

IMO, you might as well take £50 out of your wallet and burn it in front of your girlfriend's face, as it'll be about as useful as a £50 espresso machine.

[Barneylfc∗]

IMO, you might as well take £50 out of your wallet and burn it in front of your girlfriend's face, as it'll be about as useful as a £50 espresso machine.

  How much does a decent cheap one cost then? She isnt a connoisseur by any means. Doesnt even have to be an espresso machine. Just some sort of fancy coffee maker

[Marty 85]

IMO, you might as well take £50 out of your wallet and burn it in front of your girlfriend's face, as it'll be about as useful as a £50 espresso machine.

Boils water, steams milk (great for scrambling eggs also), filters coffee. What else do you want?

[۩ Imperator ۩]

Something that lasts more than a few weeks? Components that aren't made of plastic?

If your budget is seriously £50, get a good stovetop espresso pot, not a machine.

[Barneylfc∗]

Something that lasts more than a few weeks? Components that aren't made of plastic?

If your budget is seriously £50, get a good stovetop espresso pot, not a machine.

My budget isnt £50. I have no idea how much they cost. I was just hoping to be able to get one for that price. £120 is too much for a cup of coffee though

[۩ Imperator ۩]

My budget isnt £50. I have no idea how much they cost. I was just hoping to be able to get one for that price. £120 is too much for a cup of coffee though

You won't get a decent machine for less than that, I'm afraid. Cheaper ones are made with plastic components which can't handle the operating temperatures required to make decent coffee, and as a result they struggle to last 12 months.

The cheapest machine I'd recommend is a Cubika at about £120, but if you were going to spend that, the Classic is so much better that you might as well splash £200 on its superior boiler and brass parts.

[Marty 85]

The cheapest machine I'd recommend is a Cubika at about £120, but if you were going to spend that, the Classic is so much better that you might as well splash £200 on its superior boiler and brass parts.

You could get return flights to Italy for that price. 

[Bucke]

I got a reconditioned gaggia evolution for my dad direct from the manufacturer for £99.....

[Ben J]

My budget isnt £50. I have no idea how much they cost. I was just hoping to be able to get one for that price. £120 is too much for a cup of coffee though

Depends what kind of coffee you want to drink, if it's just black or white straight up you can get great results from a cafetiere, filter drip cup or moka pot (stove top).  If you want a straight up espresso you might be able to make do with a cheaper machine but the biggest expense and problem is going to be the grind.  Unless you buy your beans professionally ground (which is a terrible idea with regards to flavour) you'll struggle to find a grinder able to produce a fine enough grind at an affordable price to allow you make consistently excellent shots.  Latte style drinks are even trickier as you need a good quality shot as well as consistently steamed milk.  I've never personally found a home machine with a steam wand that I'm happy with, although I've by no means tried them all.

If you want a nice occasional "frothy coffee" I'd probably say have a look at a Nespresso type machine, as it'll get you the closest to the milk blended drinks you get from coffee shops for the price you'll pay.

If you want to make a substantial improvement to your/you gf's everyday cup of coffee, buy the best conical burr grinder you can afford, and a well made cafetiere, stove top pot or filter cone, then get hold of some well roasted whole bean coffee (I recommend anything from www.hasbean.co.uk, used by Bold St Coffee in town, the shop I work in and also heavily favoured by entrants in the UK barista championship).

Sorry about the wall of text, hope some of that is of any use to you.

Edit - Forgot to mention that, although it may not look as nice in the kitchen, an aeropress is easily the cheapest way to get a decent espresso shot at home, might be worth checking it out.

[conman]

Thanks! I'll try that.

i use Milton to clean my thermal mug every night. I fill it up to the brim with water, add a drop. hey presto, sparkling clean.


On the subject of coffee machines, I'm interested in buying one too. I'd like to get involved in making the coffee, not just pressing a button. We have a Nespresso machine at work, and its all well and good. I'd take no satisfaction from doing that.

I'm just back from a trip to Italy. I bought 1kg of coffee there Omkafe, so i want to put it to good use.
I've been getting more engrossed with coffee over the past 6months or so, there is a top Barrista beside my work place, 3fe is their name. They have some top awards to their credit. All in all, I'm struggling to go back to regular coffee these days. I guess I'd love to make my own and experiment a little.
My friend is a barrista by trade, so ill get some tips and a proper how to guide. I may do one of the 3fe coffee courses, just to fuse my brain with as much knowledge as i can take. Then i'll experiment!

Anyways, onto the subject of the coffee machines. From reading this thread, The Gaggia RI8161/40 does seem like the machine to beat. So I took a wee look about, and The House of Fraiser's sale on this item ended yesterday. That's flippin typical, isn't it!
They are wildy expensive in Treasure Ireland. Mostly about €360. So maybe a trip to Enniskillen is in order. I'll snoop about Dublin first however.

[conman]

btw, my fav coffee house in Dublin is 3fe.

They are beside Grand Canal Dock & also in Twisted Pepper on Abbey Street (until 6pm).

2012 (i added this myself)
3rd World Barista Championships

2010
Irish Barista Champion
4th World Barista Championships

2009
Irish Barista Champion
4th World Barista Championships

They have also the Slovakian Barrista champion & the Irish Barrista champion. probably some more too. Their website could do with an updating!

[Jonathan Hall ☆☆☆☆☆☆]

Right,

Finally going to buy a machine in next few months. Although i'd like a Gaggia Classic don't really have 200 quid to spend and can probably stretch to little over 100 quid (maybe 125 max).

Anyone got any thoughts?

Anyone think getting a used Gaggia Classic via ebay would work (obviously as long as the machine isn't shit)?

[۩ Imperator ۩]

Right,

Finally going to buy a machine in next few months. Although i'd like a Gaggia Classic don't really have 200 quid to spend and can probably stretch to little over 100 quid (maybe 125 max).

Anyone got any thoughts?

Anyone think getting a used Gaggia Classic via ebay would work (obviously as long as the machine isn't shit)?

Yep. If you look after it well, descale it when it arrives, clean it etc, I reckon that would be a decent option.

[Jonathan Hall ☆☆☆☆☆☆]

Yep. If you look after it well, descale it when it arrives, clean it etc, I reckon that would be a decent option.

There's a few on the go now. Also some manufacturer refurbished Cubika's and others as well.

[Mal]

Jon, I've got a Dualit Espressivo, it's decent, my only issue is the non-standard portafilter & portafilter baskets (the bit you put the coffee in).

Other than that it makes some ace coffee. Probably a bit cheaper that the Gaggia classic too. Might be an option if you want a new one.

[Jonathan Hall ☆☆☆☆☆☆]

There's a few a notch down from the Classis that look decent for 60-100.

[Bucke]

I got a refurb gaggia evolution for my dad off the gaggia UK site, came with a 1 year warranty for £99, hasn't missed a beat in 8 years

[Jonathan Hall ☆☆☆☆☆☆]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/GAGGIA-RI8151-60-MANUAL-ESPRESSO-CUBIKA-PLUS-/271040247072?pt=Coffee_Machines_Makers&hash=item3f1b41f520

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/GAGGIA-RI8154-60-ESPRESSO-PURE-COFFEE-MAKER-BLACK-/280810248008?pt=Coffee_Machines_Makers&hash=item4161985748

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/GAGGIA-RI8154-80-ESPRESSO-COFFEE-MAKER-1-25L-FOR-GROUND-COFFEE-CAPSULES-RED-/280839245814?pt=Coffee_Machines_Makers&hash=item416352cff6

Are three possibilities.

[conman]

i was down at my local cafe yesterday and was recommended : Rancilio silvia and Rancilio Rocky.

i havent had the chance to check yet, but i reckon they are rather dear. one thing they mentioned to me aboit most expresso machines is that they dont foam it corectly. so u can get larger bubbles from the milk..

i may have understood that incorrectly.

[Ben J]

i was down at my local cafe yesterday and was recommended : Rancilio silvia and Rancilio Rocky.

i havent had the chance to check yet, but i reckon they are rather dear. one thing they mentioned to me aboit most expresso machines is that they dont foam it corectly. so u can get larger bubbles from the milk..

i may have understood that incorrectly.

Yeah you're looking at at least £600 for a Rancillio machine and grinder, deffo at the higher end of the home setup.  A Gagia Classic makes the best espresso for the money but as you were advised, the boiler is pretty small so it won't really produce enough steam to make a decent latte/capuccino.

[BarryCrocker]

i was down at my local cafe yesterday and was recommended : Rancilio silvia and Rancilio Rocky.

i havent had the chance to check yet, but i reckon they are rather dear. one thing they mentioned to me aboit most expresso machines is that they dont foam it corectly. so u can get larger bubbles from the milk..

i may have understood that incorrectly.

It's the barista that determines the quality of the microfoam. My father has a semi-auto Saeco and I can bang out the milk just the same as a 20k commercial machine. Just takes a bit longer due to pressure.

[buzzing]

I've got a Gaggia baby - When I use the ESE pods the coffee drips very, very slow. If I change cup thing to use gounded coffee it comes out at "normal" speed.

ould it be the the pod cap is not sitting properly? Or are the pods just in there too tight?

[El Phes]

i use Milton to clean my thermal mug every night. I fill it up to the brim with water, add a drop. hey presto, sparkling clean.

I've found the cure!!

I went in for a nose in the bike section of halfords and found myself a cleaning brush for the chain on a bike. Costs £3.50 and it has a 2 inch think/hard bristled brush on the end...just the type of brush I've been looking for, and it works wonders at cleaning the 'burnt' milk in the aerator, once it's done it's job!

[conman]

I've found the cure!!

I went in for a nose in the bike section of halfords and found myself a cleaning brush for the chain on a bike. Costs £3.50 and it has a 2 inch think/hard bristled brush on the end...just the type of brush I've been looking for, and it works wonders at cleaning the 'burnt' milk in the aerator, once it's done it's job!

sounds good.

I bought some beans from "Has Bean Coffee". Kenya Gachirago AA, gonna try these in a few mins in the Gaggia we have at work

[markcd]

Amazon are selling Gaggia Baby for £149 - reduced from £249 (2 week wait) - seems like a pretty good deal.

[Only Me]

Amazon are selling Gaggia Baby for £149 - reduced from £249 (2 week wait) - seems like a pretty good deal.

I have one of these.

Excellent machine, well worth it at that price.

[conman]

much difference in the quality of the gaggia classic and gaggia baby?

[conman]

Amazon are selling Gaggia Baby for £149 - reduced from £249 (2 week wait) - seems like a pretty good deal.

I can't see that price, got a link?

[markcd]

I can't see that price, got a link?

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B001442BF8/ref=nosim/?tag=hotukdeals-21

If you look on the right hand side of the page, it says "More Buying Choices" and the £149 price is fulfilled by Amazon UK

[conman]

thank you Mark

[Mal]

I've got a Gaggia baby - When I use the ESE pods the coffee drips very, very slow. If I change cup thing to use gounded coffee it comes out at "normal" speed.

ould it be the the pod cap is not sitting properly? Or are the pods just in there too tight?

The answer is not to use pods. They're for girls not very good.

[El Phes]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Gaggia-Baby-2-Cups-Espresso-Machine-/261124570021?pt=Coffee_Machines_Makers&hash=item3ccc3cbba5