Suggest espresso machine

gerryR

Hi All

At the min I use a stove top pot to make my coffee (illy or lavazza) and it makes a large mug of very hot coffee. 2 things I don't like about it is the cleaning of the pot after every cup and the total time it takes to make a cup. Also while the coffee is nice it still doesn't taste the same as the coffee you get in the likes of costa, insomnia or butlers etc, maybe that's just down to the brand I'm using?

Just wondering if anyone can recommend a machine that would do the same all be it quicker! Price range of around 200 maybe 250 at a strech?

Many thanks for any pointers
gR

donnacha

Sounds like you are using a Moka Pot.

A few important instructions if followed that can greatly help the quality of the brew (the resulting beverage should be streets ahead of the drinks you are buying in coffee shops)
1. Buy freshy roasted coffee and get it ground for a Moka Pot - try www.hasbean.co.uk
2. Put hot water in the base of the unit - never use cold water
3. Turn off/Remove from the heat source when the upper part of the moka pot is half full, and let it complete the brewing finish with the pressure/steam that has already built up.

Hopefully the use of hot water instead of cold will speed up the process for you, and improve the resulting brew. In terms of your budget I'd suggest investing in a good grinder rather than buy a cheap espresso machine. You'll find a wealth of threads and recommendations in forums here.

The following are some useful links to moka brew guides:
http://stumptowncoffee.com/guides/3#
http://vimeo.com/2905947

gerryR

Thanks for the info donnacha, I'll look into getting some fresh ground coffee and see if that makes the difference. Will use hot water in the base too.

Rgds
gR

rymus

not to derail the thread any, but what's your suggestion for the ideal grind coarseness for a moka pot? Haven't taken mine out of the cupboard in a while. Eager to have a shot of it again.