Recommended espresso machine?

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lchiu7

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#955483 20-Dec-2013 13:59

OK this thread hasn't received much attention for a while but I thought I would add my recent experiences.

Up till now I have been using a Delonghi Espresso machine

http://www.delonghi.com/en-NZ/products/coffee/coffee-makers/pump-espresso/icona-eco-310b-0132106055/

It made faux crema using a double basket. I replaced that with a $20 single basket which did a better job but the coffee was never really that nice.

I sold it and picked up one of these

http://www.caffinicoffee.com/?p=1426

It was on a Grabone deal for $199.

Having decided to move to capsules I eschewed the popular Nespresso system, even though a store has opened up just around the corner from my office, and went to the Caffitaly capsules. This is because they hold more coffee and are reusable (albeit unofficially).

Had my first coffee from it and it made a nice crema. Then I did the refilling using my own ground coffee (possibly Caffe L'Affare ground fine in my conical grinder) and the result was excellent.

So I am happy with the purchase and it means everybody can now make decent coffee without the hassle of grinding, tamping and the rest.

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Grant777

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#968025 16-Jan-2014 10:36

OK I've got one for Christmas for my wife & I, upgraded from our 2nd hand $20 one, which was OK but broken and steam was slow.

This new machine great really for the price if you want to make them properly. Consumer recommended one with the best taste. $498 then they took off $13 for cash. http://www.thegoodguys.co.nz/nzonlinestore/Breville_The_Infuser_Espresso_Maker_BES840

Edwood

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#968048 16-Jan-2014 11:10

I've deliberated a long time, but we're trying to sell everything and start a 'mobile life'... i've been trying to make myself love Nespresso for that reason. To be honest, its a struggle, and I go to the local cafe for a Piccolo more often now.

Anyhoo... if shameless self promotion is illegal, delete my post, otherwise, my beloved Rocket setup is for sale on TradeMe here:

I'm off to buy a Piccolo!

freitasm

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#1065449 14-Jun-2014 12:12

This is kind of interesting, for perspective: a coffee expert tries cheap coffee in the USA:

On another note, anyone tried the new supermarket-sourced Or coffee, compatible with Nespresso machines?

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freitasm

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#1094228 23-Jul-2014 14:37

Arghhh.

I know a place where they are running a "blind tasting" to elect which coffee blend/brand will be their choice for the next few months/years. They have a few automatic coffee machines around for office use. One of them is replenished every day with a different blend and people will vote later.

I thought "Ok, let's try it..."

I walked into this machine and pushed the Latte button. I drink a lot of espresso but have a latte every morning so let's see if it tastes different.

To my surprise instead of the machine spewing a shot of espresso and filling the cup with heated milk, it gave a shot of espresso and a few drops of milk - more like a machiatto than a latte.

when I talked to someone about this the person said "It's like that. The experts said if you want to taste the coffee you can't have too much milk in your latte." Obviously no amount of argument would sway this situation...

Now that's just silly. A latte is a latte, a machiatto is a machiatto. And if anyone wants to taste just the coffee then just get a damn shot of espresso instead.

But hey, "experts"...

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davidcole

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#1094243 23-Jul-2014 14:59

freitasm: Arghhh.

I know a place where they are running a "blind tasting" to elect which coffee blend/brand will be their choice for the next few months/years. They have a few automatic coffee machines around for office use. One of them is replenished every day with a different blend and people will vote later.

I thought "Ok, let's try it..."

I walked into this machine and pushed the Latte button. I drink a lot of espresso but have a latte every morning so let's see if it tastes different.

To my surprise instead of the machine spewing a shot of espresso and filling the cup with heated milk, it gave a shot of espresso and a few drops of milk - more like a machiatto than a latte.

when I talked to someone about this the person said "It's like that. The experts said if you want to taste the coffee you can't have too much milk in your latte." Obviously no amount of argument would sway this situation...

Now that's just silly. A latte is a latte, a machiatto is a machiatto. And if anyone wants to taste just the coffee then just get a damn shot of espresso instead.

But hey, "experts"...

Thats ok, they did a similar trial here at work. Two machines, one with real milk the other with powered. But they set the size of the cups to about 400ml, so you need some star bucks sized cup just to hold it all.

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Kingy

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#1094267 23-Jul-2014 15:22

What would be the current recommendation on entry level machines? I'm not really interested (read: not allowed) to go and spend $500+ on one so i'm looking for something that will give me something reasonably decent (I'm really only drinking instant at home right now so anything would probably be better).

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Paul1977

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#1094318 23-Jul-2014 16:26

I don't drink coffee myself, but got my girlfriend one of these on someones recommendation.

Elektra Microcasa a Leva SC1

Doesn't take up to much space and adds a little class to the kitchen.

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NZtechfreak

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#1094561 23-Jul-2014 22:24

freitasm: Arghhh.

I know a place where they are running a "blind tasting" to elect which coffee blend/brand will be their choice for the next few months/years. They have a few automatic coffee machines around for office use. One of them is replenished every day with a different blend and people will vote later.

I thought "Ok, let's try it..."

I walked into this machine and pushed the Latte button. I drink a lot of espresso but have a latte every morning so let's see if it tastes different.

To my surprise instead of the machine spewing a shot of espresso and filling the cup with heated milk, it gave a shot of espresso and a few drops of milk - more like a machiatto than a latte.

when I talked to someone about this the person said "It's like that. The experts said if you want to taste the coffee you can't have too much milk in your latte." Obviously no amount of argument would sway this situation...

Now that's just silly. A latte is a latte, a machiatto is a machiatto. And if anyone wants to taste just the coffee then just get a damn shot of espresso instead.

But hey, "experts"...

Meh, expert idiots (like many of those training baristas and still teaching bad habits like knocking the portafilter with the tamp).

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k1wi

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#1094613 24-Jul-2014 02:13

We got the Gaggia classic for a wedding present a couple of month ago. Hence begins my subsequent ramblings!

I'm really happy with it and the coffee it makes, although I'm not sure how affordable it would be at the New Zealand prices I've seen. Even with the higher upfront cost of the machine c/w nespresso type machines, each coffee that I brew is about half that of pod coffees, so it will break even in that regard within a year. ( $350 + 20c per coffee vs. ~$100 + ~50c per coffee for nespresso [prices in USD])

I also find myself appreciating the little bit of time that it takes to make a cup, as taking my mind off the task at hand can be just what I need.

I drink my coffee black, because I need to minimise my dairy intake, and I have to say it has been an enjoyable 'personal journey'* going from instant through to long blacks and espressos.

I don't consider myself a coffee snob, because I really have no problem with people who drink instant and I appreciate that for most people an espresso machine is probably not the best option for them. If I'm at a friend's place and they only have instant I'm happy to have a cup if I want a coffee, or just say I don't need a cup of coffee. I really do despise people that make a fuss over being offered a type of coffee that they consider to be 'beneath' them!

I don't really buy into that 'my coffee machine is better than yours' pride thing either - whatever method & machine maximises your individual utility!

*Even if the term is an overused cliché

freitasm

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#1109686 16-Aug-2014 21:38

I tried the new L'Or Espresso available in supermarkets here. The brand belongs to D.E. (Douwe Egberts), the same Dutch company that makes Senseo (in partnership with Philips) and Moccona (available in Australia, New Zealand).

They're about $0.15 cheaper per capsule when compared to the original Nespresso. They come in a box that can be resealed, and individually wrapped. This is probably because the capsules have plastic tops with perforations. These capsules and coffee are made in France.

Side-by-side with a Nespresso capsule:

This is a much better than the terrible stuff previously available through Warehouse, and heaps better than the Auckland-made Avalanche capsules. I'd say they are actually almost hard to differentiate from a similar grade Nespresso capsule.

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