Recommended espresso machine?

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956 posts

Ultimate Geek
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# 816924 13-May-2013 18:23

The Nespresso system eliminates the following variables: coffee quality, grind, humidity, tamping, water pressure and temp. After that, there's not much left that can go wrong!

What was the roast date on the last capsule you used?

NZtechfreak

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# 816954 13-May-2013 18:39

Fred99: I think you're completely dreaming.
Nespresso has it's place, but to compare it with a good cafe or good home brewed coffee (and you don't need an expensive machine - just a little skill) is absolutely ludicrous.

+1

They have their place, but frankly the coffee they produce tastes like you are getting what you paid for. The coffee I have at home is better than many cafes around Auckland and right up there with all but the very best. Not had anything remotely approaching that from any of the several Nespresso type machines I've had occasion to have drinks from before.

Oh, and someone mentioned the Vibieme machines earlier - good machines but for the same kind of money the Expobar Brewtus (also called the Expobar Minore) are better in my opinion. Very similar (E61 etc) but the Brewtus has a much larger drip tray and thermal PID.

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Fred99

9019 posts

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# 816996 13-May-2013 19:51

JamesL:
The Nespresso system eliminates the following variables: coffee quality, grind, humidity, tamping, water pressure and temp. After that, there's not much left that can go wrong!

What was the roast date on the last capsule you used?

There's also nothing special about brew temp and pressure control on the machines. The main advantage (apart from convenience) is consistent grind, the capsules actually do seem to keep reasonably fresh - not sure if they're packed in nitrogen perhaps to reduce oxidation. But it's only 6g of coffee per cap.

Nakedcity

93 posts

Master Geek

# 817298 14-May-2013 11:32

Fred99:

I think you're completely dreaming.
Nespresso has it's place, but to compare it with a good cafe or good home brewed coffee (and you don't need an expensive machine - just a little skill) is absolutely ludicrous.

I don't even know what you mean by this.

I'm comparing espresso to espresso in terms of quality based on my experience. Maybe you like different things? What is a home brewed coffee? Plunger?

Nakedcity

93 posts

Master Geek

# 817299 14-May-2013 11:34

NZtechfreak:
Fred99: I think you're completely dreaming.
Nespresso has it's place, but to compare it with a good cafe or good home brewed coffee (and you don't need an expensive machine - just a little skill) is absolutely ludicrous.

+1

They have their place, but frankly the coffee they produce tastes like you are getting what you paid for. The coffee I have at home is better than many cafes around Auckland and right up there with all but the very best. Not had anything remotely approaching that from any of the several Nespresso type machines I've had occasion to have drinks from before.

Oh, and someone mentioned the Vibieme machines earlier - good machines but for the same kind of money the Expobar Brewtus (also called the Expobar Minore) are better in my opinion. Very similar (E61 etc) but the Brewtus has a much larger drip tray and thermal PID.

Again, I guess you like different things.

Fred99

9019 posts

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# 817384 14-May-2013 13:14

One person supports this post

Nakedcity:
Fred99:

I think you're completely dreaming.
Nespresso has it's place, but to compare it with a good cafe or good home brewed coffee (and you don't need an expensive machine - just a little skill) is absolutely ludicrous.

I don't even know what you mean by this.

I'm comparing espresso to espresso in terms of quality based on my experience. Maybe you like different things? What is a home brewed coffee? Plunger?

You may note that I haven't completely panned nespresso - which is to espresso as Pataks is to curry.
If that's good enough for you, then that's fine with me, but please cut the assumption that because your friends can't make what you consider to be a good coffee with home espresso equipment, that limitation necessarily applies to anybody else.

Your comments about the need for a multi-group commercial machine is needed to make good espresso is nonsense, just demonstrating your lack of understanding of the difference between typical commercial machines and better home machines, why those differences exist (tip - it's not necessarily $$$), and why despite the equipment, some top baristas will operate their commercial equipment in a manner much more consistent with how a home enthusiast operates their equipment, than with what you see at starbucks or wild bean cafe.

You've also tried to take cheap shots at people who do have an interest in making the best home espresso that they can, based on some memory of some espresso you once had in an Italian cafe - which IMO isn't a very good reference point at all. It's also patronising to many of the excellent roasters, baristas, cafes, and home-espresso enthusiasts in NZ - who are arguably second to nobody else in the world.

Nakedcity

93 posts

Master Geek

# 817538 14-May-2013 17:19

Fred99:
Nakedcity:
Fred99:

I think you're completely dreaming.
Nespresso has it's place, but to compare it with a good cafe or good home brewed coffee (and you don't need an expensive machine - just a little skill) is absolutely ludicrous.

I don't even know what you mean by this.

I'm comparing espresso to espresso in terms of quality based on my experience. Maybe you like different things? What is a home brewed coffee? Plunger?

You may note that I haven't completely panned nespresso - which is to espresso as Pataks is to curry.
If that's good enough for you, then that's fine with me, but please cut the assumption that because your friends can't make what you consider to be a good coffee with home espresso equipment, that limitation necessarily applies to anybody else.

Your comments about the need for a multi-group commercial machine is needed to make good espresso is nonsense, just demonstrating your lack of understanding of the difference between typical commercial machines and better home machines, why those differences exist (tip - it's not necessarily $$$), and why despite the equipment, some top baristas will operate their commercial equipment in a manner much more consistent with how a home enthusiast operates their equipment, than with what you see at starbucks or wild bean cafe.

You've also tried to take cheap shots at people who do have an interest in making the best home espresso that they can, based on some memory of some espresso you once had in an Italian cafe - which IMO isn't a very good reference point at all. It's also patronising to many of the excellent roasters, baristas, cafes, and home-espresso enthusiasts in NZ - who are arguably second to nobody else in the world.

No cheap shots here (did you intend the pun? probably not) - I was just stating my opinion. I saw a funny signature on another poster earlier: offence cannot be given, only taken (or something similar). Think about that - it's true! Or perhaps you need to drink less coffee.

1) I lived in Italy for 10 years, and 2) I know what I'm talking about. Why? Because it's my opinion, and there is nobody more qualified to talk about it than I am.

My other opinion, which I just can't seem to keep to myself, is that you need to get out more if you think NZ is top of the pops when it comes to coffee...LOL. Next you'll be telling me that sausage rolls and lamingtons beat Italian cuisine hands down. Sorry mate, but your drivel just made me not want to participate in this discussion any further. Pity, 'cause it's an interesting discussion.

For the rest of you:

If you're an enthusiast like "il mago del caffè" here, then ignore me and listen to him. If you just want a machine that simplifies the equation for you, try Nespresso. If you don't like it, fine..,I won't yell at you.

TheUngeek

924 posts

Ultimate Geek
Inactive user

# 817563 14-May-2013 17:38

I think you all need to remember that taste is subjective. You could serve me what you insist is the best coffee ever. And I might prefer another. No one can be wrong when debating who or what makes the best!

Fred99

9019 posts

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# 817570 14-May-2013 17:55

Nakedcity:

If you're an enthusiast like "il mago del caffè" here,

Wow - what a smug, sanctimonious condescending attitude.
Your claim to having lived in Italy for 10 years makes you no more of an expert in coffee than anybody else.
You are also very wrong about coffee culture in NZ (which is well recognised). You really need to get over yourself.

freitasm

BDFL - Memuneh
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Geekzone

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# 817572 14-May-2013 17:56

I think everyone need to calm down. Go have a coffee.

Fred99

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# 817605 14-May-2013 18:47

freitasm: I think everyone need to calm down. Go have a coffee.

Too late in the day. It would disturb the routine too much - nurse Ratched wouldn't need to wake me up at medication time.

freitasm

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Geekzone

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# 817646 14-May-2013 19:55

I drink coffee before going to bed. And sleep well :)

Regs

Cloud Guru
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Snowflake

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# 817687 14-May-2013 20:26

freitasm: I drink coffee before going to bed. And sleep well :)

ditto :-)

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richms

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# 817689 14-May-2013 20:32

Coffee is fine for me before bed. Redbull not so good.

Richard rich.ms

Fred99

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# 817740 14-May-2013 21:37

Too much gives me the shakes.
"Genuine" Italian espresso is to me the coffee I drank at friends' (from Southern Italy and Sicily) family homes, very dark roasted robusta brewed on a stovetop espresso machine. These people had adjusted to consuming massive levels of caffeine fast. It wrecked me.

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