Espresso machines?

**Ratti** · 16th August 2011, 18:58

I picked up a Krups for next to nothing at a second hand place. turned out a couple of parts needed replacing, fortunatly I have a son who fixes these things so it cost me just parts. Well worth it. Son says some brands are not worth getting as replacement bits are over priced. Among the ones he said to stay away from was deLonghi. Krups is a good make. the steamer on mine is great. Steam the milk first, then do the coffee part. Can't do both at the same time, but there is only me so I dont mind.

**Geeen** · 16th August 2011, 19:32

Whats wrong with the traditional way?? No milk or sugar either

**Urano** · 16th August 2011, 19:49

Originally Posted by zeocen

Thanks man but for a steamer I meant a steam wand directly into the milk, stretching it and changing its flavour by breaking down the sugar inside the milk. Frothers like that don't really stretch the milk, they just kinda heat it and froth it.

sorry if i come again on the point, prolly my crappy english doesn't permit me to understand properly...
but...

this has a frother: http://www.nespresso.com/uk/en/produ...-silver-chrome

which is called "aeroccino" (and to be true work pretty well...).

on the contrary the first one i've linked has a steam wand, which is what i understand you are lookin for.

if i'm wrong i sincerely apologize, and i'd remain on a little gaggia if you are looking for suggestions about something more "classical"...
this has an integrated grinder http://www.gaggia.com/macchine-da-ca...2_Gaggia-Brera

**far queue** · 16th August 2011, 20:50

Originally Posted by Geeen

Whats wrong with the traditional way?? No milk or sugar either

Yep, they work really well too, I take one to rallies with me.

**pete376403** · 16th August 2011, 22:02

Bosch Benvenuto B20, using "La Bomb" beans from Coffee LaLa.
Guaranteed perfect expresso every time, has the steam wand for those who must have milk.
Have had this machine for about 5 years now, conservative estimate would be near 11000 cups of coffee so far (about 6 per day, every day)
Kilo of beans every three weeks - no wonder I have no money

**SPman** · 16th August 2011, 22:14

has the steam wand for those who must have milk

That'd be for soft cocks like me, then.
Love a well frothed milk - got an old Saeco machine that stuffed up the grinder/brew mechanism, but had a near new boiler- does milk brilliantly!
Have to keep it in the barn, though - the Missus won't have it inside......

**Naki Rat** · 16th August 2011, 22:37

Our Saeco Via Venezia Combi was purchased 6 years ago on TM secondhand for about $350 from memory. Does 4-6 mugs per day, never misses a beat and has a steam wand and inbuilt burr grinder. I think they sell for about $700 - $800 these days.

Makes great coffee

Edit: This is the standard (no grinder) version.

**Drunken Monkey** · 16th August 2011, 22:46

I spent some of my younger years working a few different commercial machines (back in the day when a flat white was a flat white, not this frothy shit you get served now). Unfortunately this has made me picky about my coffee and my coffee machines.
So now I use two machines, neither which does everything well.
My DeLonghi does the coffee just right (not too hot), but only the first one. After that it kinda gets its knickers in a twist. The steam jet on it is shit.
The Russell Hobbs has a much better steam jet, but it's group head irritates me.
The best bet is to get a refurbed, small scale commercial unit - probably from some poor shop owner who under estimated how much coffee they were going to sell and needed to upgrade. Otherwise some of the commercial machine service places may be willing to help you out.
The problem then is, the machines still aren't cheap. Not to buy, nor to run.

Nespressos are fine if:
a) you don't mind getting extorted by the supplier because your machine accepts OEM only coffee
b) you don't mind your servings to be poofy small european sized servings
c) you don't want to experiment with a large range of recipes
and
d) you don't want to try your hand at making silver fern or heart shaped figures in milk froth

You might get away with finding a good coffee maker; one that can handle multiple coffees without needing too much re-heat time OR tries to compensate by being too hot (which will tend to burn the bean on the first one) and a separate good quality milk frother.

As for any actual make/model recommendations - well, if you find something that matches those requirements, tell me!

TBH a good filter machine, good bean and the correct grind can make a pretty darn good coffee (filter coffee is fine when it's the fresh/first batch and made properly, it's only when you chuck the pot back in and try to brew more that you start getting evil muck). Then all you need is a good steam jet.

Me, I don't usually bother with milk any more. Good coffee is best black. I only get milk when I don't trust the place and think their coffee is going to be shit, milk helps hide the burnt taste or the bitter taste (either too hot or haven't cleaned the machine properly).

Urgh, hope that makes sense. Seemed more like a rant...

**Drunken Monkey** · 16th August 2011, 22:51

Here, I reckon this is the one. It's only six grand...

http://www.cafeexpress.co.nz/product...penCategory=37

**george formby** · 17th August 2011, 09:58

Originally Posted by Drunken Monkey

So now I use two machines, neither which does everything well.

[B]Nespressos are fine if:
a) you don't mind getting extorted by the supplier because your machine accepts OEM only coffee

Me, I don't usually bother with milk any more. Good coffee is best black. I only get milk when I don't trust the place and think their coffee is going to be shit, milk helps hide the burnt taste or the bitter taste (either too hot or haven't cleaned the machine properly).

Urgh, hope that makes sense. Seemed more like a rant...

All very pertinent.
My GF came home with a Phillips machine which uses those little coffee sachet things, ugh, muck ( & freakin expensive). It heats & froths milk but will not stretch it properly. It now lives in the back of the cupboard next to the waffle maker & magic bullet, all hiding from my scorn.

A good second hand machine will beat a cheap new one every time.

**bungbung** · 17th August 2011, 12:22

Can you stretch it a bit?

This link below includes a grinder too:

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Home-living...-398583628.htm

I've the same set up at home, it's fantastic.
Drawbacks: drip tray doesn't hold enough. Like any single boiler machine you need to be patient between making coffee and steaming milk for the heating/cooling cycle.

For budget conscious coffee, at work I have an old krups like this:

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Home-living...-398786505.htm

The krups won't be any good for your milk frothing requirement though.

and a grinder like this:

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Home-living...-399497425.htm

The De Longhi grinders need a tweak to make them grind fine enough, 5min with a screwdriver for that.

**slofox** · 17th August 2011, 17:01

Originally Posted by bungbung

The De Longhi grinders need a tweak to make them grind fine enough, 5min with a screwdriver for that.

So what do you do with that screwdriver during those five minutes to make the difference?

The reason I ask is that I have a De Longhi grinder that doesn't grind quite as finely as I would like. (Not the model you have pictured though). Maybe I could "fix" it as well...

**slofox** · 17th August 2011, 17:02

Originally Posted by Geeen

Whats wrong with the traditional way?? No milk or sugar either

I have one of the stove tops at work but it sure doesn't make coffee like the domestic espresso machine at home...

Coming back to machines, I'd never buy anything that was either a) automatic or b) had to use one brand of pod or whatever those sachet things are called. I like the manual machine and I like to vary the beans I use from week to week.

**Drunken Monkey** · 17th August 2011, 17:59

Originally Posted by slofox

... I'd never buy anything that was either a) automatic or b) had to use one brand of pod or whatever those sachet things are called. I like the manual machine and I like to vary the beans I use from week to week.

Ditto. Although automatics are getting better, the cheap ones leak steam which can ruin the circuit boards in only a few years (compared to a good manual machine which will last the rest of your life). The automatic one at work and I have a mutual distrust of each other, I usually just make tea instead. I can imagine people who haven't spent a lot of time with a manual machine or are really averse to cleaning up after themselves probably would do better with some sort of auto.

My mate got wind of my rant, now he's trying to flick off his Isomac Tea on to me. Must...resist...