Espresso machine - any thoughts?

[Claus]

So the wife has finally agreed to retire our Briel Lido (filter pod) machine in favour of a more serious solution. I can see there is a lot of coffee freaks here on the forum so I thought you would have few ideas of what to invest in.

The wife is not too keen on the La Pavoni because of heat and small children, so that kind of rules out that beauty... (no, not the wife... she earns the dough!) :D

I will admit to being very fascinated with the whole idea of grinding (and even roasting) my own beans but also being fundamentally a lazy person, who probably will loose interest and just want coffee after a while so... something (semi) automatic would probably be ideal.

I have only looked briefly at some online shops and seen a few youtube videos of different machines in action. So my experience is really limited.... Any suggestions are greatly appreciated... Even advice of stuff to steer clear of.....
Cheeers and "Skål i kaffe" as we say!

[Ivor]

The gaggia classic is always a good bet. You might consider a gaggia grinder too.

The Boards forum on coffee is pretty good for info and advice http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/forumdisplay.php?f=929 and for a local supplier there's http://www.gaggia.ie/range/home/ but there are bargains to be had online

[tony]

Second the classic available on amazon for £195. I think this is a good price. Basic machine. I also had the baby class D which looks better but has more electronics and costs more. This might not suit you Claus as I think you want bean to cup. But it is hard to beat the classic at that price level. The rancillio rocky grinder is also worth considering. It is more expensive than the gaggia mdf but I think it would be a sturdier model. I got my rocky here ex demo and he was find to deal with http://myworld.ebay.co.uk/cafeaulait-2009
He only seems to sell ex demo and you have to bide your time until the item you want comes up. Rocky came to £180 but it is generally more expensive than that. Approx €280 I think.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Classic-RI8161- ... 433&sr=8-1

The rancilio silva is also regarded as very good machine. A step up from the classic but more expensive.
Really depends on your budget as ideally you need to get stainless steel stand with built in knockbox. Again rancilio do one. It is very nice and holds a coffee machine and a grinder.

If you want to make a lot of cappucinos make sure you do a lot of web searching as some of the machines struggle to do the frothing bit especially at the price level above.

Best of luck. BTW once you go down this route it is a bit like the hifi hobby it can trap you and empty your wallet!

[giant haystacks]

if it is any help if there is something available in the uk -i am in n.ireland it is the same postage to me -if something comes up on e bay or something else suitable i will get it sent on from here
good luck with your searching

[phelixoflaherty]

Have a Rancilio for the past five years. Top notch simple machine.
A bit pricey but if you like your coffee it'll be worth it. A grinder is essential too.
Be warned if you follow this path a life of penury beckons.

http://coffeesnobs.com.au/


http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/forumdisplay.php?f=929

[Claus]

Thank you all for your kind help and suggestions. I have narrowed it down to either the cheapo solution: AeroPress with a grinder. Or this machine with built in grinder Lelit PL 42 EM:

http://www.coffee24.de/maschine/lelit/l ... uehle.html

The benefit being price and compact design along with great reviews on coffeegeek etc. Seems like good compromise?

[tony]

very good claus you have a machine that will do it all for less than the gaggia and a rocky and all at the press of a button. Interesting to see how it works out for you. Best of luck with it.

[Ivor]

Seems like good compromise?

I don't know that machine but it looks to be the business. The aeropress has it's merits too mind you!

[Claus]

Sorry for the noob question: How do you store the beans once you have started using a bag? In the original bag in the fridge like I do for all my coffee? Or can you just leave them in the grinder in small amounts as you use them? My logic tells me "fridge".... Cheers guys!

[Ivor]

Sorry for the noob question: How do you store the beans once you have started using a bag? In the original bag in the fridge like I do for all my coffee? Or can you just leave them in the grinder in small amounts as you use them? My logic tells me "fridge".... Cheers guys!

I never put coffee in the fridge. I do have a few airtight glass jars but usually it's just an open bag. I tend to find Nick's coffee is often roasted just a few days before I buy them so letting some of the gas out is no harm. My grinder takes 250gm so I top it up and leave well enough alone!