Advice for first coffee machine.

[Simon G]

Nespresso all the way!

[Emaresee]

I like the idea of being able to fill pods with coffee of choice but once you've going to the effort of grinding and filling pods then the 'conveniene' aspect of Nespresso is removed and may as well use a regular machine.

I've used several Nespresso machines and always found the coffee produced by them lacking in body and any real distinctive flavour- I believe there's 5grams of coffee in a pod compared to typically 11-18grams that a portafilter basket will take, which may have something to do with it.
I understand the convenience aspect but the price per cup is ridiculously high compared to other methods/sources.

Edit:

I'm taking this at face value but a quick comparison of price per kilo shows an astonishing difference! (From 2014 and take into account the commercial aspect of the blog)

http://blog.honestcoffees.com/blog/how-does-our-coffee-compare

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fascinating link... makes v. interesting reading.

I am an unabashed nespresso fan. BUT..it'sa mix of convenience, ease, quality. particularly now there are so many people offering other coffees in compatible pods. I happen to think that their own blends are okbut I could do with being able to get them a touch more easily...

I wont for a moment pretend they are the best... and I agree if you've prepared your own grinds, put them in a machine built to get the best out of them. Putting a heavier dose in a nespresso capsule will not end well. The weaker pumps probably will not push water through at a compelling pressure to produce the best coffee. The older machines were in the twenties of llbs of pressure, the present are sub twenty by a good chalk...

I am a rank amateur and am happy paying per capsule, per cup as it were. I've never thought of buying a kilo of coffee or doing the maths...

If someone were to invest in the gear to grind and produce top end product all of the time, then I would say its worth buying a solid machine. I've owned Gaggia, Krups and Dualit (not nespresso) machines in the past... but never managed to get the best out of them. I seemed to be short of the barista skills to get the best from them. the pod option is easy for me.... that said I can still be lured in with fresh ground filter or caffetiere coffee... !

[Johnny Thunder]

fascinating link... makes v. interesting reading.

I am an unabashed nespresso fan. BUT..it'sa mix of convenience, ease, quality. particularly now there are so many people offering other coffees in compatible pods. I happen to think that their own blends are okbut I could do with being able to get them a touch more easily...

I wont for a moment pretend they are the best... and I agree if you've prepared your own grinds, put them in a machine built to get the best out of them. Putting a heavier dose in a nespresso capsule will not end well. The weaker pumps probably will not push water through at a compelling pressure to produce the best coffee. The older machines were in the twenties of llbs of pressure, the present are sub twenty by a good chalk...

I am a rank amateur and am happy paying per capsule, per cup as it were. I've never thought of buying a kilo of coffee or doing the maths...

If someone were to invest in the gear to grind and produce top end product all of the time, then I would say its worth buying a solid machine. I've owned Gaggia, Krups and Dualit (not nespresso) machines in the past... but never managed to get the best out of them. I seemed to be short of the barista skills to get the best from them. the pod option is easy for me.... that said I can still be lured in with fresh ground filter or caffetiere coffee... !

This pretty much covers everything for me. When taking everything into account, including the wife and children, I think the Nespresso
option is going to be the best one for me to take. I am, however, still going ahead with the plan to buy a burr grinder. I can then start
to sample the many different beans that are out there.

[Sligub]

As someone who has spent far too much on espresso equipment over the years the two most important purchases are the grinder and fresh roasted beans. Nespresso gives you a reasonably good and consistent result for minimal initial outlay but a higher running cost. Full espresso gives you a fantastic result but for more effort and initial outlay but cheaper running cost.

[Sligub]

what are you planning to use the burr for?

for espresso only try

http://www.amazon.de/gp/product/B00CS2DAEG?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00

http://www.hasbean.co.uk/collections/grinders/products/baratza-encore

http://www.hasbean.co.uk/collections/grinders/products/baratza-virtuoso

For multiple brew methods

http://www.hasbean.co.uk/collections/grinders/products/mahlkonig-vario

http://www.johnlewis.com/sage-by-heston-blumenthal-the-smart-grinder-pro-coffee-grinder/p1591194?sku=233712794&kpid=233712794&s_kenid=9fdfeeb2-1772-41f5-8647-c456e91c4f2f&s_kwcid=402x364315&tmad=c&tmcampid=73

[Johnny Thunder]

what are you planning to use the burr for?

for espresso only try

http://www.amazon.de/gp/product/B00CS2DAEG?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00

http://www.hasbean.co.uk/collections/grinders/products/baratza-encore

http://www.hasbean.co.uk/collections/grinders/products/baratza-virtuoso

For multiple brew methods

http://www.hasbean.co.uk/collections/grinders/products/mahlkonig-vario

http://www.johnlewis.com/sage-by-hes...=c&tmcampid=73

I'm not sure if the budget will stretch to some of those yet. I may have to start cheaper and upgrade.

[Sligub]

I'm not sure if the budget will stretch to some of those yet. I may have to start cheaper and upgrade.

Don't waste your money, cheap grinders won't grind fine and/or consistently enough to get good results. try to find second hand ones on ebay etc would be my recomendation

[Johnny Thunder]

Great idea. I will do that.

[Sligub]

another option if not using a lot would be a hand grinder http://www.amazon.co.uk/Hario-Medium.../dp/B001802PIQ will give good results.


Also try to find a local roastery for your beans or use someone like rave.

I warn you that I find coffee as addictive as cigars, started off with skario and a gagia classic and now have rocket duel boiler, la pavoni leaver and a mazzer mini grinder

[Johnny Thunder]

another option if not using a lot would be a hand grinder http://www.amazon.co.uk/Hario-Medium.../dp/B001802PIQ will give good results.


Also try to find a local roastery for your beans or use someone like rave.

I warn you that I find coffee as addictive as cigars, started off with skario and a gagia classic and now have rocket duel boiler, la pavoni leaver and a mazzer mini grinder

That is better kit than a lot of coffee shops. Very nice.

[SHAMZ84]

Don't waste your money, cheap grinders won't grind fine and/or consistently enough to get good results. try to find second hand ones on ebay etc would be my recomendation

If there is something you like on ebay...check out a site called goofbid...its a great way to help win your item..basically snipes the item at the last few second.

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[Johnny Thunder]

I was installing cameras and security lighting on a garage, and preparing the the inside for a man cave conversion, for
a customer yesterday and was given this before it was binned as the garage was being cleared out.
Some parts are missing, and I have ordered a replacement milk frother, but it will do for a freebie.

[oskihen]

I was installing cameras and security lighting on a garage, and preparing the the inside for a man cave conversion, for
a customer yesterday and was given this before it was binned as the garage was being cleared out.
Some parts are missing, and I have ordered a replacement milk frother, but it will do for a freebie.

Result jt


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[PeeJay]

Only women and ponces want frothy milk anyway John

[Johnny Thunder]

Only women and ponces want frothy milk anyway John

Totally for my daughter. Honest.