Coffee makers, advice please

Since my last post DH has started buying green coffee beans and roasting them. This obviously doesn't work with the Nespresso so it has been replaced by a lovely Francis Francis that I bought on ebay for a bargain price because the owner thought it was broken. It is quite interesting trying different types of bean and different levels of roast - although I do sometimes long to just go out and buy a packet of Lavazza. In case of power cuts I always have a couple of Moka pots on the shelf - you can't be too careful !

I find my Baby Gaggia really good, not cheap though.

Mamie, my DH swears by his oven top espresso pot, says it makes the best coffee ever

DH is a coffee fanatic and must have tried every device known to humankind.
He has gone back to hand pouring through filter into a thermos jug.
I just sit back and drink it - seems to be the best way!! However, I think the type of coffee is the key to it all. X

I have tried various machines, but have gone back to the cafetiere full time; I have a sort of thermos jug to keep it hot. I also have some insulated mugs which are like mini cafetieres, and they are excellent. I do love good coffee - having my first one of the day now. Cheers!

We have a Dulce Gusto a present from one of our sons a while back. When he first bought it I think pod machines might have been quite new now they are everywhere and with it came coffee pods and milk pods. Have to say we weren't mad about the milk pods we wanted something a bit stronger. A couple of months ago we had our kitchen ripped out and a new one fitted. We were without a hob for a while and not liking milk heated in the microwave we bought an electric milk frother and resurrected the Dulce Gusto. Brilliant combination! We now buy their Espresso Intenso, don't like weak coffee and now use these two machines all the time. We don't spend nearly as much on coffees out as we used to.

I like the flat whites, I'm told by New Zealanders we know that these emanate from there, and damn fussy the NZs are about them too, if the shop gets them wrong they are sent back, allegedly.

I think as far as good coffee goes you are pretty safe with the Italians!

Rosiebee your needs similar to mine, strong and black I have the pixie and use the two strongest pods - I have three for my morning mug. You can determine the amount of water that goes through the pod & hence the strength is down to you. I also love the decaf ones which I have in the evening. It is expensive though and I can't believe it's much good for the environment with the waste BUT the coffee is fantastic.

I was in Milan recently and there there was a big area of a department store selling the pods with tasting available. I think Selfridges may be doing that now..I know I've seen it somewhere in London.

We just order a case of pods and they are ringing the bell with the delivery almost before you've closed your laptop (whatever!)

Rosie I love my Pixie - use it every day.

You can get coffee bags here, certainly in Waitrose and no doubt in other supermarkets.

Rosie when you do look at one you may initially think that it feels a bit "flimsy", but I can assure you it's pretty robust, (needs to be with Mr P!)

It has a mesh filter thing, so no need to buy the paper liners. Ours has never spilt onto the worktops, although it's predecessor developed a habit of erupting like a caffeine fuelled Vesuvius, which is why we had it put down.

The main thing I really like about the current one is the fact that it keeps the coffee that much hotter than the previous one. I sometimes like a dash of Amaretto in my coffee (only as a special treat!) and also take milk, but I can't bear lukewarm coffee, so this one is well tested on that front!

One of the reasons I fancied a 'pod' machine, was the lack of mess, also the Pixie looked so neat. We used to have a filter machine many years ago. It was bulky and I always seemed to end up with coffee grounds spilling onto the work surfaces. When we stayed in hotels in America recently, they all seemed to have really compact machines which used ground coffee contained in large 'tea bags'. No mess! Can't get them over here. I've had a look at the Russell Hobbs machine on line and like the compactness. Will try and look at it in a shop. Thanks phoenix.

We have tried all sorts and have ended up back with a stovetop espresso pot. The little one for two of us cost under £10. Best coffee yet we think. Don't like the pods, very expensive way of getting half a cup of cold coffee, imo.

If you just want "ordinary" coffee, then I would say that you probably don't want a "pod" type machine.

I did a lot of coffee machine buying last Christmas in fact there may have been a thread or two about it!

Ended up buying a £20 Russell Hobbs filter machine from Amazon. Brilliant! It keeps the coffee much hotter than the machine it was bought to replace, we choose the coffee we like. Mr P bought a bean grinder so now we can buy different beans and blend and grind them to suit our tastes.

I really like the look of the Nespresso Pixie - ok I like the name as well. But, I'm mesmerised by all the different coffee pods that are available. I just want to be able to enjoy a cup of reasonably strong black coffee. Not interested in lattes or cappuchinos. Which ones do I need? Also, is there anywhere you can go to taste the coffee before you invest in the machine. It's all well and good having George to advertise them but he's not there to hold your hand when you're trying to come to a decision. If I get one, it'll probably be from Amazon, but I'd like to see one in the flesh, so to speak, first. Any ideas where I can find one and possibly sample the coffee?

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Me too

Nfk only just seen this!

I started with a Gaggia we bought in Italy,since then I've had a De Longhi and then another Gaggia but I'm ashamed to say we have now been seduced by Nespresso. As I've already got a Bodum frothing jug we bought a tiny machine which just makes espresso or a caffe lungho. It's a bit of a pain being stuck with their choice of coffee, but I have got some refillable pods that I can use my own coffee in. I also have a couple of moka pots that I can use on the gas in case of power cuts. I make some really good biscotti with almonds and dried apricots Nanadog they keep for ages - if they get the chance . I'm definitely an Italian coffee person, the Italians call everything else Dirty Water

I think Phoenix may have a spare one!

I have a Citiz and milk, which uses Nespresso capsules. Each cup of coffee, capo, latte etc, is absolutely fresh as the capsules are sealed.

Now that sounds interesting maggie. I have cafetieres of various sizes, and a machine that grinds the beans and makes coffee. I do use them as the mood takes me but I love the pods best of all. I think I'm an Italian-type coffee person if I had to give myself a label. I also make a wonderful biscotti.

Thanks for all the help...eventually

I gave DH a Nespresso Pixie for Christmas last year, he loves it and so do I! We have a big choice of different strengths ( de caff also). It's so easy to use and the coffee is delicious.
You buy the pods from Nespresso and they actually work out quite reasonable and usually You're offered a good discount after your first order,
I am only sorry George Clooney didn't come along with the packaging.......

Depends what sort of coffee you like.

I like Italian coffee, so I bought a Gaggia Evolution. It takes up space but to me it looks great, and it makes a punchy, strong espresso. It steams milk, so it makes a real-tasting cappuccino. It's a faff and it takes time but for me, that's not an issue:

www.italy-outlet.com/en-gbp/i/product666748.html

French machines, including cafetieres, produce an entirely different tasting drink. They don't use high-pressure steam. Also you'll not be able to steam the milk to produce a cappuccino. Milk heated in a pan is totally different from steamed milk. It all depends on what you like.

Many times I've joined Which? on their intro offer to get their reviews on something, then I cancel the next day. They are currently pushing their coffee machine edition. It'll way have more detail that you or even your DH will ever want to hear again:

www.which.co.uk/home-and-garden/kitchen/reviews/coffee-machines/best-buy/table/

BUT no-one has mentioned yet that just as important is buying a proper coffee grinder (coffee-mill). Apparently it's important not to have one with blades as it produces an inconsistent, chopped result. The beans need to be ground between steel rollers. I have a Krups coffee mill and I think it's great. This one:

www.hartsofstur.com/acatalog/Krups-Burr-Grinder-GVX231.html

To make espresso, it's essential that it will grind the beans powder fine, ie as fine as face powder (the Krups can do this) also that you buy high-roast beans.

Don't get a coffee maker that uses pods. You're locked into buying the things for ever and you'll never be able to try unusual or different beans.

It's essential you keep the nozzle, basket etc of yr machine immaculately clean. The taste of tainted coffee is horrible.

Having said all the above, for cheapness and an Italian taste, the little Bialetti Moka express is OK for strong coffee. But it's still not as good as a Gaggia, I personally do get concerned about pollution from aluminium and ...... you can't get a cappuccino out of it!

www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0000AN3QI/?tag=hydra0b-21&hvadid=9550933749&ref=asc_df_B0000AN3QI

Good luck. It's a coffee jungle out there. Just look at YouTube (as I've just done) loads of home-made videos on how to make the perfect espresso! All saying different things, most of them with long follow-up postings, again all disagreeing!

I have tried most things, but now am back with cafetieres of various sizes, including (my favourites) insulated mugs which are individual cafetieres. We also have vacuum jugs to keep the excess warm, though I cannot abide "kept" coffee. Not that I'm obsessive or anything...