Hi
Seriously contemplating buying a coffee machine, probably espresso maker.
I'm not worried about frothing the milk, just want a machine that will make a seriously good cup of coffee consistently.
What do you use?
What are good ones?
What should I avoid?
Any help and advice appreciated.
NWR - Coffee in fact
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Gavin Trott
- Posts: 1860
- Joined: Mon Jul 28, 2003 5:01 pm
- Location: Adelaide
- Contact:
NWR - Coffee in fact
regards
Gavin Trott
Gavin Trott
Gavin,
Here's one that is cheap and reliable. We bought a Krups with frequent flyer points that were about to die out before we could gain enough to make them into a flight. If you have a Visa card with points look up your rewards! If not, I think you can get them for around just over $200, and with it came a stainless steel cup and milk frothing set, tray, and two bags of coffee (great deal). It's simple and easy to use, but if you are prepared to spend a lot of money, hey, there are some real monsters out there.
We bought a telescope as well (thinking we should get things we wouldn't ordinarilly spend cash on) but that is another story
good luck,
Here's one that is cheap and reliable. We bought a Krups with frequent flyer points that were about to die out before we could gain enough to make them into a flight. If you have a Visa card with points look up your rewards! If not, I think you can get them for around just over $200, and with it came a stainless steel cup and milk frothing set, tray, and two bags of coffee (great deal). It's simple and easy to use, but if you are prepared to spend a lot of money, hey, there are some real monsters out there.
We bought a telescope as well (thinking we should get things we wouldn't ordinarilly spend cash on) but that is another story
good luck,
simm.
"I ain't drunk! I' still drinkin' !!"
"I ain't drunk! I' still drinkin' !!"
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Gavin Trott
- Posts: 1860
- Joined: Mon Jul 28, 2003 5:01 pm
- Location: Adelaide
- Contact:
simm wrote:Gavin,
Here's one that is cheap and reliable. We bought a Krups with frequent flyer points that were about to die out before we could gain enough to make them into a flight. If you have a Visa card with points look up your rewards! If not, I think you can get them for around just over $200, and with it came a stainless steel cup and milk frothing set, tray, and two bags of coffee (great deal). It's simple and easy to use, but if you are prepared to spend a lot of money, hey, there are some real monsters out there.
We bought a telescope as well (thinking we should get things we wouldn't ordinarilly spend cash on) but that is another story
good luck,
Got loads of points, and have seen the machine in the pamphlets, tell me, does it make good coffee??
regards
Gavin Trott
Gavin Trott
Re: NWR - Coffee in fact
Gavin Trott wrote:Hi
Seriously contemplating buying a coffee machine, probably espresso maker.
I'm not worried about frothing the milk, just want a machine that will make a seriously good cup of coffee consistently.
Gavin,
I've got the Saeco Magic Deluxe. It makes sensational coffee. It can also froth milk, but the espresso shot is excellent. This also depends on the coffee beans and the cleanliness of the machine, but the crema on my short blacks is brilliant.
Mine is almost 18 months old and is going great guns. It would want to for the price of it. It grinds the beans on the fly, brews the coffee then ejects the used grounds into the grounds bin. All at the press of a button.
I'd highly recommend it.
Ciao,
michaelw
You know it makes sense!
michaelw
You know it makes sense!
Gavin,
I'd go with Michael on this one, we've had a Saeco Magic for over 6 years now, had to replace the clogged boiler last year, but otherwise no problems. TORB has one now also and for a dubious recommendation, my white-wine-only friends bought one at Christmas too. On special as low as $999, models from there to $1500, great espresso coffee, don't think we've ever used the frother though.
I'd go with Michael on this one, we've had a Saeco Magic for over 6 years now, had to replace the clogged boiler last year, but otherwise no problems. TORB has one now also and for a dubious recommendation, my white-wine-only friends bought one at Christmas too. On special as low as $999, models from there to $1500, great espresso coffee, don't think we've ever used the frother though.
Cheers
Brian
Life's too short to drink white wine and red wine is better for you too! :-)
Brian
Life's too short to drink white wine and red wine is better for you too! :-)
Gavin,
Basically just back from Italy - home of the bestmade coffee.
My reference is for superstrong ristretto style - so that should be taken into account.
I find that it is very important to be able to vary the degree of compaction as well as the blend and grain of the coffee for different styles - so I would always avoid the styles of machine that use the pre-packaged dollops. Also grinding your own beans makes for better and fresher coffee.
Bear in mind that the more you use your machine the better the coffee tastes (until it requires a regrind of the plates).
I use a 13 year old Gaggia, with which I am very happy.
Advice form various sources may be found at:-
www.coffeeco.com.au and
www.caffebianchi.com
Caffe Bianchi services most brands and also imports a large number: they are at Leichhardt in Sydney, very friendly and fair. A trip to their shop and discussion with the maestro of your needs is likely to prove positive.
I am not a fan of the Krupps, Breville or Sunbeam for serius lovers of coffee.
If money is not an object the top of the range Pavoni is a hell of a machine.
WARNING: do not buy a commercial machine unless your throughput is huge as the coffee will be worse and the capital cost high. However, if the throughput is high enough the coffee from a sweetly running commercial machine is the best....
Remember your choice of coffee and grinder are also important.....
regards,
fred
Basically just back from Italy - home of the bestmade coffee.
My reference is for superstrong ristretto style - so that should be taken into account.
I find that it is very important to be able to vary the degree of compaction as well as the blend and grain of the coffee for different styles - so I would always avoid the styles of machine that use the pre-packaged dollops. Also grinding your own beans makes for better and fresher coffee.
Bear in mind that the more you use your machine the better the coffee tastes (until it requires a regrind of the plates).
I use a 13 year old Gaggia, with which I am very happy.
Advice form various sources may be found at:-
www.coffeeco.com.au and
www.caffebianchi.com
Caffe Bianchi services most brands and also imports a large number: they are at Leichhardt in Sydney, very friendly and fair. A trip to their shop and discussion with the maestro of your needs is likely to prove positive.
I am not a fan of the Krupps, Breville or Sunbeam for serius lovers of coffee.
If money is not an object the top of the range Pavoni is a hell of a machine.
WARNING: do not buy a commercial machine unless your throughput is huge as the coffee will be worse and the capital cost high. However, if the throughput is high enough the coffee from a sweetly running commercial machine is the best....
Remember your choice of coffee and grinder are also important.....
regards,
fred
Coffee Machines.
Hi Gavin,
From a professional point of view, there are only a couple of things you really need to keep in maind as far as the machine goes (the coffee grind, compactness, etc are variables you can play with to suit yourself).
They are Pressure & Tempurature. Without these two remaining correct or consistant, the coffee will not be correct nor consistant.
Therefore, find a machine that has two elements (one for the coffee and one for the steam wand) and as powerfull as you can afford. It's that simple.
Agree with the others that most of the Australian/American brands and the Japanese brands aren't very goog, the Italian brands excellent, and everytone raves about the Gaggia.
Good Luck.
Rory
From a professional point of view, there are only a couple of things you really need to keep in maind as far as the machine goes (the coffee grind, compactness, etc are variables you can play with to suit yourself).
They are Pressure & Tempurature. Without these two remaining correct or consistant, the coffee will not be correct nor consistant.
Therefore, find a machine that has two elements (one for the coffee and one for the steam wand) and as powerfull as you can afford. It's that simple.
Agree with the others that most of the Australian/American brands and the Japanese brands aren't very goog, the Italian brands excellent, and everytone raves about the Gaggia.
Good Luck.
Rory
Think I'm a little out of my league here Gavin. Don't have that sort of money. So far the Krups has been fine for me, doesn't clean itself, or grind, or any of the other biz, but I'm not adverse to the process of making coffee, gives me a bit of time to myself while watching the cup fill (no, it doesn't stop itself either). Pressure is fine (although not variable) and after a few wet runs you get the hang of how to turn it on, much coffee, how compact, how much milk etc, in the time it takes to boil the kettle. Suits us fine. Great crema too 
It is certainly true that the coffee you like (I grind my own, which is another skill you acquire) and how you deal with it will affect the outcome, no matter what you use.
May not be the high end but it ****'s all over the stove-top and the plunger. Not to say I won't move upwards when I sell the ocean liner
Have fun taking too long to decide
regards,
P.S. It's funny how these threads seem to cross fora
It is certainly true that the coffee you like (I grind my own, which is another skill you acquire) and how you deal with it will affect the outcome, no matter what you use.
May not be the high end but it ****'s all over the stove-top and the plunger. Not to say I won't move upwards when I sell the ocean liner
Have fun taking too long to decide
regards,
P.S. It's funny how these threads seem to cross fora
simm.
"I ain't drunk! I' still drinkin' !!"
"I ain't drunk! I' still drinkin' !!"
I love my coffee but have yet to make the "plunge" 
and purchase a machine. Will be getting one once the new house is built. Been doing a small amount of research on http://www.coffeegeek.com/
Lots of reviews on here for all sorts of machines.
I've been eyeing off the Rancilio Silvia.
http://www.coffeegeek.com/reviews/consu ... lio_silvia
Be interested in seeing what others think
and purchase a machine. Will be getting one once the new house is built. Been doing a small amount of research on http://www.coffeegeek.com/
Lots of reviews on here for all sorts of machines.
I've been eyeing off the Rancilio Silvia.
http://www.coffeegeek.com/reviews/consu ... lio_silvia
Be interested in seeing what others think
"............ anything, as long as it's red"
Kevin
Kevin
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TomL
Totally agree with Kevin. I've had the Rancilio Silvia for 18 months now and its great! Its not one of those fully automated numbers so you need to have pre-ground coffee or have your own grinder (I've teamed the Silvia up with the Rancilio Rocky grinder). Once you find a bean that you're happy with, get the grind and tamp right, you'll get some of the best cuppas around - apparently you should be able to float your sugar on top of the espresso crema!
The websites mentioned in previous posts have reviews on both the Silvia and the Rocky. Good hunting.
The websites mentioned in previous posts have reviews on both the Silvia and the Rocky. Good hunting.
KevinT wrote:I love my coffee but have yet to make the "plunge"
Lots of reviews on here for all sorts of machines.
I've been eyeing off the Rancilio Silvia.
http://www.coffeegeek.com/reviews/consu ... lio_silvia
Be interested in seeing what others think
The only other thing I thought worth mentioning is size. I would love to have a self grinder but I doubt I would get it into the 'galley style' kitchen for all the space I like to keep for the cooking, albeit it a big kitchen. I need my space, and at first thought even the Krups was going to cramp it.
best,
simm.
"I ain't drunk! I' still drinkin' !!"
"I ain't drunk! I' still drinkin' !!"
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Guest
If you want the latest technology go for a Nesspresso. No doubt the purists will shoot me down but it makes a great cup. I saw these last year in a friends house in Paris and they are all the rage in Europe.
http://www.wholelattelove.com/brand.cfm?brandID=38&CategoryID=1
I'm not sure who sells them in Aus but would think they are available.
The beauty is that they are so clean and the capsules do not go stale. And as I said before they make fantastic coffee.
http://www.wholelattelove.com/brand.cfm?brandID=38&CategoryID=1
I'm not sure who sells them in Aus but would think they are available.
The beauty is that they are so clean and the capsules do not go stale. And as I said before they make fantastic coffee.
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bacchaebabe
- Posts: 1222
- Joined: Fri Aug 15, 2003 5:04 pm
- Location: Sydney
At work we have a Saeco Incanto. I think it is one model down from the Magic mentioned above. Its automated interms of delivering the coffee and has buttons for a short and long black. It has a large water holder too.
I love this machine. Occasionally it has to be serviced and the entire office mopes around. It's like we've lost a friend. I live in Newtown and can buy seriously good coffee and this machine makes as good as any I can buy. I will be buying one myself when I finally get around to doing my tax return.
I believe they are in the $1000 range or just under. They grind beans, tamp and empty automatically and the steamer works exceedingly well. I can make a perfect Latte with this every time. It also takes preground coffee through a different entrance to the beans if someone occasionally wants decaffinated or some other hippie coffee for just one cup - very handy. It's easy to keep clean but I would advise using filtered water as this one has to be descaled regularly which is time consuming (and why do people always start it off just when I want a coffee?). This is also a machine with a relatively small footprint. I thing the magic series have a few more features but are also a bit bigger.
The key to a good coffee though is in the beans and being a work machine we go through a lot so they are always fresh. On the subject of being a work machine, this gets a lot of use and it is not a commercial machine but is used almost as much. I'd say at least one coffee is made every ten minutes on average over the day. It's in constant use and is very reliable for a domestic machine. It's required a couple of services in the time I've been here (nearly six months) but considering the use it gets, its nothing. The servicing appears to be quick and good too.
I'd definitely recommend it for household use but spend as much time investigating your beans. We get ours from Caffe Bianchi which is where I think we got the machine as well. Not so handy for you but Fred has given the web address.
A freind has recently got a miele built in one and I helped them to set it up and did the first couple of coffees. It looked (from a mechanical point of view - not a design or stainless steel point of view) and worked very similar to the Incanto but this is a much more expensive machine. Made me realise just how good the Saecos are.
I love this machine. Occasionally it has to be serviced and the entire office mopes around. It's like we've lost a friend. I live in Newtown and can buy seriously good coffee and this machine makes as good as any I can buy. I will be buying one myself when I finally get around to doing my tax return.
I believe they are in the $1000 range or just under. They grind beans, tamp and empty automatically and the steamer works exceedingly well. I can make a perfect Latte with this every time. It also takes preground coffee through a different entrance to the beans if someone occasionally wants decaffinated or some other hippie coffee for just one cup - very handy. It's easy to keep clean but I would advise using filtered water as this one has to be descaled regularly which is time consuming (and why do people always start it off just when I want a coffee?). This is also a machine with a relatively small footprint. I thing the magic series have a few more features but are also a bit bigger.
The key to a good coffee though is in the beans and being a work machine we go through a lot so they are always fresh. On the subject of being a work machine, this gets a lot of use and it is not a commercial machine but is used almost as much. I'd say at least one coffee is made every ten minutes on average over the day. It's in constant use and is very reliable for a domestic machine. It's required a couple of services in the time I've been here (nearly six months) but considering the use it gets, its nothing. The servicing appears to be quick and good too.
I'd definitely recommend it for household use but spend as much time investigating your beans. We get ours from Caffe Bianchi which is where I think we got the machine as well. Not so handy for you but Fred has given the web address.
A freind has recently got a miele built in one and I helped them to set it up and did the first couple of coffees. It looked (from a mechanical point of view - not a design or stainless steel point of view) and worked very similar to the Incanto but this is a much more expensive machine. Made me realise just how good the Saecos are.
Cheers,
Kris
There's a fine wine between pleasure and pain
(Stolen from the graffiti in the ladies loos at Pegasus Bay winery)
Kris
There's a fine wine between pleasure and pain
(Stolen from the graffiti in the ladies loos at Pegasus Bay winery)
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bacchaebabe
- Posts: 1222
- Joined: Fri Aug 15, 2003 5:04 pm
- Location: Sydney
All this coffe discussion got me thinking and I checked out a few of the sites.
Primary recommendations seems to be to get a stainless steel boiler. The Incanto has an aluminium one where the Magic and above range for Saeco have Stainless steel boilers. Also, definitely get a unit with a boiler over a thermosomethingorother.
Primary recommendations seems to be to get a stainless steel boiler. The Incanto has an aluminium one where the Magic and above range for Saeco have Stainless steel boilers. Also, definitely get a unit with a boiler over a thermosomethingorother.
Cheers,
Kris
There's a fine wine between pleasure and pain
(Stolen from the graffiti in the ladies loos at Pegasus Bay winery)
Kris
There's a fine wine between pleasure and pain
(Stolen from the graffiti in the ladies loos at Pegasus Bay winery)
Espresso machines
Hi Gavin
I have been asked this many times and have actually borrowed info from most of the sites mentioned plus my own experiences and have written up a comparison type doc that you are more than welcome to if you wish.
I have a Saeco Royal Proffessional - twin boiler fully automatic. I also have a Nespresso as the "portable" machine which goes away with us.
If you are going to have a cup of coffee make sure its a good one. Hey I even blend and roast my own coffee at home (gotta be a sickness )
I am very happy with the Saeco as it is so simple and consistent, plus my wife can easily use it. The advantage of twin boilers is you can make coffee whilst steaming milk. When you get to make coffees for 12-16 people plus hot chocolates it really shines (especially after lots of red wine). you just production line it and it is all over and done with in short order.
I really considered the Silvia and Rocky combo as it would make the best coffee but there would have been to many compromises for home use compared to the Saeco. Plus two Barista's gave me a good indication in that they owned the same Saeco machine for home use. I have had it for 3.5 years and would replace it in an instant if anything went wrong.
Cheers
Mark
I have been asked this many times and have actually borrowed info from most of the sites mentioned plus my own experiences and have written up a comparison type doc that you are more than welcome to if you wish.
I have a Saeco Royal Proffessional - twin boiler fully automatic. I also have a Nespresso as the "portable" machine which goes away with us.
If you are going to have a cup of coffee make sure its a good one. Hey I even blend and roast my own coffee at home (gotta be a sickness
)
I am very happy with the Saeco as it is so simple and consistent, plus my wife can easily use it. The advantage of twin boilers is you can make coffee whilst steaming milk. When you get to make coffees for 12-16 people plus hot chocolates it really shines (especially after lots of red wine). you just production line it and it is all over and done with in short order.
I really considered the Silvia and Rocky combo as it would make the best coffee but there would have been to many compromises for home use compared to the Saeco. Plus two Barista's gave me a good indication in that they owned the same Saeco machine for home use. I have had it for 3.5 years and would replace it in an instant if anything went wrong.
Cheers
Mark
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guest -sanjay
Gavin,
If it is for personal use, say 10-12 cups a day, and you want good coffee without too much hassles, I would strongly recommend "Saeco Royal Professional". We had it in the office for more than a year and it delivers consistently good coffee. Cup sizes (mls) can be adjusted. There is an attachment to suck up milk, froth it and pour it into the glass to make a reasonable latte.
Sanjay
If it is for personal use, say 10-12 cups a day, and you want good coffee without too much hassles, I would strongly recommend "Saeco Royal Professional". We had it in the office for more than a year and it delivers consistently good coffee. Cup sizes (mls) can be adjusted. There is an attachment to suck up milk, froth it and pour it into the glass to make a reasonable latte.
Sanjay
About twelve months ago after a lot of research I bought a machine for the shop that cost me $750 that makes a reasonable drop and the machine is very solid, well made and should last for many years.
Then I decided I wanted a machine for home and bought a Saceo Royal Digital. One of the best investments I have ever made and the result is that you can now tell when I have pushed the coffee making button prior to my first early morning post on the forum.
It has a RRP of about $1500 but I got it on special for $1250 and would happily buy another one if I needed a third machine.
Then I decided I wanted a machine for home and bought a Saceo Royal Digital. One of the best investments I have ever made and the result is that you can now tell when I have pushed the coffee making button prior to my first early morning post on the forum.
It has a RRP of about $1500 but I got it on special for $1250 and would happily buy another one if I needed a third machine.
Re: NWR - Coffee in fact
Gavin Trott wrote:I'm not worried about frothing the milk, just want a machine that will make a seriously good cup of coffee consistently.
The classic Italian-style percolator makes a wonderfully honest and genuine brew. Coffee that actually tastes like coffee. Yours for under $30 for a 6 cup stainless article, provided you have a stove top of course