Coffee machine - please help!

hcass

Hi, I am currently researching coffee machines as I would love to buy a good one for my sister and her fiance who are geting married this november. The problem is there is just so much out there. I dont even know where two beging - should i get one with two boilers?? A semi or fully automatic one? Etc etc.. I didn't realise there was so many decisions. Anyway what I think |I really want is a semi automatic but one that doesn't take too long to heat up in the morning. Is the 2 boiler thing important? And is it important what the boiler is made of? I've heard stainless steel is best but.... Now I'm just rabbitting on but I really want someone to help me - just a few ideas on what coffee makers/machines you use and where I can find stockists. Thanks.

Nearly forgot - Also would like a recommendation of a grinder too. My budget for the two together is around 400 -500 euro. Thank you!

RE*AC*TOR

for €400-500 you can forget 2 boilers, and actually you can forget a HX machine as well.

What you are left with is a single boiler machine and grinder.

Not sure of the best prices out there, but for €450ish you'll get a Rancilio Silvia, which is a pretty good single boiler machine. A good grinder will start at €100ish.

I don't like fully auto machines. I don't think they make good coffee. I don't think convenience is worth it, if the end product isn't good enough.

Have your sister and fiance ever used an espresso machine, are they familiar with the principles of its use. Are they likely to want to go through the effort of using it, cleaning it, learning the techniques etc?

If not it would be a bit like buying my parents an slr camera when a point and shoot would suit them better.

hcass

My sister loves her coffee - she also worked as a barista for a few years so none of that should be a priblem. What is a HX machine? I have seen a few machines with 2 boilers for that price already on amazon. The rancilio also takes a long time to heat up or so I've been told.

RE*AC*TOR

Show me a dual boiler machine for that price on amazon.

A HX machine is a single boiler machine where the boiler is always at steam pressure, and to brew the water is cooled on a path to the grouphead. Basically, the benefit is you can steam and brew at the same time, unlike a "normal" consumer single boiler, where you have to wait as the boiler changes from brew to steam temp.

Gran Hermano

hcass wrote: »

The rancilio also takes a long time to heat up or so I've been told.

I have my Silvia on a socket timer so it comes on and heats up while
I'm still in bed hitting snooze or on the M50 driving home. If I'm home for
the day I just leave it switched on. If I need to heat it up quickly I just
wait until it's hot and then flush the hot water through it. Repeat flushing
hot water through and I can have it hot as I need within 10 minutes.

hcass

Never thought of that - thank you Gran Hermano. Where did you get your silvia? Do you have a rocky too? Or can you recommend a cheaper grinder that works as well...

Gran Hermano

hcass wrote: »

Never thought of that - thank you Gran Hermano. Where did you get your silvia? Do you have a rocky too? Or can you recommend a cheaper grinder that works as well...

Several people on here and other coffee fora mentioned the timer and it works a treat. I'm using the Silvia alongside the Iberital MC2 but the Silvia/Rocky combination gets good praise.

I picked mine up from Hasbean and Happydonkey, looks like the Silvia's not showing on Hasbean at the moment . Might be worth dropping them an email to check stock.


I reckon the "in my mug" subscription on hasbean would make a great wedding gift. A fresh and different bag of coffee each week

Doodee

hcass wrote: »

Never thought of that - thank you Gran Hermano. Where did you get your silvia? Do you have a rocky too? Or can you recommend a cheaper grinder that works as well...

I've read that a few people got theirs from the following place:
http://shop.ristrettocoffee.com/index.php?cat=Espresso_Machines

Checking there I noticed they are back in stock having been sold out for the past few months. You can also get the Rocky there. A lot of people seem to combine the MC2 with the Silvia which would be just over the 500 beans (Excuse the pun )

hcass

THank you both for your help!