coffee machines???

Strange question but here goes.

My brother has asked for a coffee machine for his xmas

I know nothing about them, so looking for some advice, wahts good whats not, the pod type or the loose coffee type?? any particular brands etc.

Ideally looking for someone who knows a bit about them rather than

"i've got a xyz and its great" although i realise that i may have to settle for that so all replies welcome

We have a Tassimo and have used it once. It managed to make coffee though so it worked at least.

Any help?

We have Senseo and use it all the time. The coffee pods that you buy for it are really tasty and it makes the coffee faster than boiling the kettle. My only gripe (if I had to) is that the coffee is not hot enough. If the milk out the fridge is pretty cold then we blitz it in the microwave for about 30 secs before hand.

Absolutely recommend it everytime.

[Bluepete]

Ok,

The best way to make coffee is with a hob-top mocha pot like this



However, they are not "plug 'em in and get coffee out" style. I use one every single day though, just because they make the best of any coffee. Plus, you can use your own coffee in them, vary the strength of the coffee and they cannot break down or blow a fuse.

As far as machines go, if you want to get one that heats milk to make cappucino, decent ones are expensive as you need lots of pressure to get that creamy, smooth milk thing going on. Stand alone units, I can't comment on 'cos I dont have one. As for built in, I have a Baumatic in my kitchen, it's not cheap but give professional results.



Try the review sites for stand alone units, some decent kitchen shops will plug them it to try out. I would always go for the loose coffee type, then you are not stuck with a limited varierty and the possibility of buying into a potentially obsolete technology.

Pete

[Bluepete]

Drools



Pete

Originally Posted by Bluepete

Ok,

The best way to make coffee is with a hob-top mocha pot like this



However, they are not "plug 'em in and get coffee out" style.... [B]ecause they make the best of any coffee. Plus, you can use your own coffee in them, vary the strength of the coffee and they cannot break down or blow a fuse.

+1

I'd say go for one of these too and a selection of coffees from a coffee merchants - will also look like you've gone to a lot of trouble if you get stuff you can't get in supermarkets.

We used to use one every day also, until we ended up with an electric hob (hot plates left on and three cats about is not a good combo), now we just use a cafetiere.

We had a Senseo and got rid, as, as Amanda says, the coffee isn't hot enough. Also, they're piddly cup sizes and over priced for what they are imo, and there isn't the control you get with an espresso pot.

[Bluepete]

I can't recommend These guys enough. They are not far from me, we visit often. The boss travels the world, buying raw coffee then brings it home and roasts it in the shop. He will even roast to your own recipe if you want.

His mail order system is super fast and reliable. Ethiopian Yirgacheffe is my fave.

Pete

[Richie]

Originally Posted by Bluepete

I can't recommend These guys enough. They are not far from me, we visit often. The boss travels the world, buying raw coffee then brings it home and roasts it in the shop. He will even roast to your own recipe if you want.

His mail order system is super fast and reliable. Ethiopian Yirgacheffe is my fave.

Pete

Their web site is not working at the mow...


Roberts and Co, Coffee Beans, Coffee Shop.
Coffee beans from Roberts & Co. Roberts Coffee Shop are coffee roasters with a family tradition dating back to 1891.
www.e-coffee.co.uk/ - Cached - Similar -

You've had coffee out of a Senseo, but the Dowe Egberts coffee pods you buy here are awful (and not cheap), so either use the same filters I have with decent ground coffee, or get me to bring decent pods back from France. Nothing wrong with the Senseo IMO, but then I have coffee black, so the temperature means it's just nice & ready to drink. Probably would have bought something better if it had been my own money, but we inherited the Senseo from the in-laws.

Hmm, off to make an Espresso now.

+1 Senseo, relatively cheap too and you can always suggest buying the pods from europe (coffeepodshop.co.uk) where there is a wider selection of flavours and they are much cheaper than here.