Coffee makers, advice please

do what I do. Sink to this level

It's coffee.

I've also got one of these. But you need a strong right arm to plunge it

Coffee's good though.

Unless you are left handed.

Yes phoenix. You are quite right.

You lot are a fat lot of use!!!!

I didn't realise Tassimos had been around long enough to get elderly! We have a Gaggia which DH bought when he was working away from home and renting a flat, but I have never got beyond the second line of the instructions which seem to be written in Middle High Klingon. I stick to my cafetiere (1 cup size or bigger when friends are round) which means I get to choose the coffee - and the price I pay for it instead of those expensive little pods. DD has the George Clooney machine, but it's not cheap to run.

Six years of constant use.

Our coffee maker is very cheap and very easy to use. The best thing for me is that it uses paper pods, which I can put straight onto the compost. It is a Senseo machine, and they sell their own pods - but there are many otherr brands too, like Carte Noire. We've had our for years, and I descale it about once every two months.

Hate the Nespresso, etc machines, which use aluminium which is a very polluting resource. I also like the ones where you put the coffee in and then twist onto the machine, but as said, very hard if you have arthritis.

Having had a espresso machine for a few years - not the 'pod' variety because it always struck me as silly to be locked into buying those, I have actually gone back to the good old 'French press' . It is so much more flexible, I can buy any sort of coffee and have a really big cup of medium strength at breakfast or a small stronger one after a meal. Its also much easier for a bigger group - I just get the big one out of the back of the cupboard.

I've had all sorts of coffee machines! Started off with a Senseo, changed to Tassimo but I didn't like the thought of all those little plastic pods ending up in a landfill site. I now have a "bean to cup" machine, a DeLongi, which makes lovely coffee and very easy. My niggle with this machine is that the coffee is just not hot enough. Yes, I know, you shouldn't have it too hot but I have to drink it straight away unless I make a cappuccino or have it black. So many different machines now it gets confusing

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...

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 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.......

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

I think Phoenix may have a spare one!

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

Nfk only just seen this!

Me too

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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?

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.