Espress Machines: Any Recommendations

I want to pick up an espresso machine this weekend. There seems to be a bewildering array so anyone got any recommends?

I don't want a pod one, but one that takes ground coffee. I had wanted one with a built in grinder until I saw how much they are Think I'll buy a separate grinder!

[SlackDad]

From BBC2's 'Full on Food' programme:

The Full on Food team put ten coffee machines to the test. Their favourite was the Gaggia Classic, £295. The runner-up was the KRUPS Novo Espresso (FMC3), £129.99.

I don't know if this helps?

The only expresso maker I have had that has lasted more than a couple of months is an old fashioned one that works by putting it on the hob, rather than plugging it in - it makes nice coffee, has never furred up & is easy to clean. The only thing it doesn't do is froth milk - but I only drink black coffee, so that is no problem, and when Mrs Gaz wants a capuccino we have a solar powered 'whizzy' thing that does a good job on milk warmed up in the microwave.

<edit> like this

http://thecookskitchen.com/browse_3275

[danielf]

Originally Posted by homealone

The only expresso maker I have had that has lasted more than a couple of months is an old fashioned one that works by putting it on the hob, rather than plugging it in - it makes nice coffee, has never furred up & is easy to clean. The only thing it doesn't do is froth milk - but I only drink black coffee, so that is no problem, and when Mrs Gaz wants a capuccino we have a solar powered 'whizzy' thing that does a good job on milk warmed up in the microwave.

<edit> like this

http://thecookskitchen.com/browse_3275

Those really make excellent coffee. (The water is actually boiled as well, which is good for the coffee). And the price is very good compared to what you pay for an actual machine which is likely to break down. These are virtually unbreakable.

Originally Posted by SlackDad

From BBC2's 'Full on Food' programme:



I don't know if this helps?

Well I had my eye on a Gaggia, until I saw how much! That Krups looks the part though. looks a decent spec and price.

Will do some digging

Originally Posted by homealone

The only expresso maker I have had that has lasted more than a couple of months is an old fashioned one that works by putting it on the hob, rather than plugging it in - it makes nice coffee, has never furred up & is easy to clean. The only thing it doesn't do is froth milk - but I only drink black coffee, so that is no problem, and when Mrs Gaz wants a capuccino we have a solar powered 'whizzy' thing that does a good job on milk warmed up in the microwave.

<edit> like this

http://thecookskitchen.com/browse_3275

I think you've underestimated how lazy we are in this house Gaz. I'm keen on having a milk frother thing too.

Originally Posted by andyl

I think you've underestimated how lazy we are in this house Gaz. I'm keen on having a milk frother thing too.

lol - wait till your shiny electric one furs up & you have to mess about descaling it, but I take the point about the milk frother

[Saaf_laandon_mo]

I have a coffee machine that froths milk, makes a mean cappacino and a short sharp espresso..... its sitting on top of my worktop, hardly ever used cause i can't be arsed to spend ages cleaning it after. So I'd seriously take on board Gaz's point, as even £129 is a lot of money to spend on a paperweight :-(

[Saaf_laandon_mo]

I have a coffee machine that froths milk, makes a mean cappacino and a short sharp espresso..... its sitting on top of my worktop, hardly ever used cause i can't be arsed to spend ages cleaning it after. So I'd seriously take on board Gaz's point, as even £129 is a lot of money to spend on a paperweight :-(

Actually, I don't doubt we'll get our money's worth out of the beast.

The new challenge is to find somewhere selling the Krups (I think they mean FNC3, not M), preferably a bricks and mortar outlet so I can have a shufty.

Answers on a postcard.....

[Saaf_laandon_mo]

Originally Posted by andyl

........so I can have a shufty.

Ive heard of getting excited when you buy something new, put please, keep talk about having a shufty till after the watershed

[Salu]

make sure it has a minimum of 15bar pressure otherwise there wont be enough pressure to extract the oil from the coffee and you will get a substandard cup of coffee.

When I bought mine the gaggia came top but were expensive. I settled on a Briel Chamonix

http://www.target.com/gp/detail.html...sin=B00004RHQA

Not bought from here but from Whittards

Have a look at the following as it seems the Briel is discontinued or at least that model is....

http://www.whittard.co.uk/ProductLis...language=en-GB

[SlackDad]

Originally Posted by andyl

Actually, I don't doubt we'll get our money's worth out of the beast.

The new challenge is to find somewhere selling the Krups (I think they mean FNC3, not M), preferably a bricks and mortar outlet so I can have a shufty.

Answers on a postcard.....

There's a stockist list on the Krups website. Debenhams and John Lewis are two stores mentioned.

Originally Posted by Salu

make sure it has a minimum of 15bar pressure otherwise there wont be enough pressure to extract the oil from the coffee and you will get a substandard cup of coffee.

When I bought mine the gaggia came top but were expensive. I settled on a Briel Chamonix

http://www.target.com/gp/detail.html...sin=B00004RHQA

Not bought from here but from Whittards

Have a look at the following as it seems the Briel is discontinued or at least that model is....

http://www.whittard.co.uk/ProductLis...language=en-GB

Hmmm, Whittards, never thought. Cheers.

Think a trip to the Trafford (Traffic) Centre is in order. Got a Whittards, Debenhams, Selfridges, John Lewis etc there.

Originally Posted by SlackDad

There's a stockist list on the Krups website. Debenhams and John Lewis are two stores mentioned.

Neither appear to stock that model though Maybe the shops have a bigger range, he said hopefully!