Advice on Espresso or Nespresso machine??

mprop

Hi,

Looking for a little advice please! I would love a decent coffee machine but I dont know what to get. I have had filter coffee machines in the past and I have never been happy with them. I recently had a Nespresso coffee at a business meeting and thought it was pretty good (compared to filter stuff).

I have been reading through this forum and people are knocking Nespresso machines, are Espresso better? I got a €100 voucher for DID this week and I was thinking about buying this Espresso machine in the sales, is it worth the money?

http://www.did.ie/Product/PUMP-ESPRESSO-COFFEE-MACHINE-EC750/18525/404

Machine would be for home use, I love Espresso's and Cappuccinos.... I spend a fortune on them during the week!

Many thanks and happy christmas

HappyHarry

There are plenty of threads on here asking the same, so I'll keep this brief ; search for other threads for more info.

If you really like a decent coffee, the advice is generally get a French Press (Bodum) or Stovetop Moka (Bialetti). They are fairly cheap and make a very good cup if you use them properly and use decent coffee in them. Otherwise you are talking quite expensive machines and quite a bit of effort.

The Nespresso type machine are quick and OK but nothing great (they don't create enough pressure). If you have the space for it, and don't mind buying the pods or filling your own pods then go ahead. For the other machines, I hear you need to spend quite a lot more €350 - €1,500 to get a decent machine but I don't know much about them I don't have the space or budget.

It depends what you are after, as you said decent and weren't happy with your previous filter coffee.
For regular coffee:
I'd say get yourself a 1 liter Bodum French Press from Amazon / TK Max for about €20 and buy proper coffee for it. Java Republic is decent and available in most supermarkets just make sure you get the one for "plunger coffee" not for the filter machine. There are plenty of other much better coffee's out there but that's for another thread/poster.

coffeenuts

HappyHarry wrote: »

There are plenty of threads on here asking the same, so I'll keep this brief ; search for other threads for more info.

If you really like a decent coffee, the advice is generally get a French Press (Bodum) or Stovetop Moka (Bialetti). They are fairly cheap and make a very good cup if you use them properly and use decent coffee in them. Otherwise you are talking quite expensive machines and quite a bit of effort.

The Nespresso type machine are quick and OK but nothing great (they don't create enough pressure). If you have the space for it, and don't mind buying the pods or filling your own pods then go ahead. For the other machines, I hear you need to spend quite a lot more €350 - €1,500 to get a decent machine but I don't know much about them I don't have the space or budget.

It depends what you are after, as you said decent and weren't happy with your previous filter coffee.
For regular coffee:
I'd say get yourself a 1 liter Bodum French Press from Amazon / TK Max for about €20 and buy proper coffee for it. Java Republic is decent and available in most supermarkets just make sure you get the one for "plunger coffee" not for the filter machine. There are plenty of other much better coffee's out there but that's for another thread/poster.

ok op first off here isnt the place to talk nespresso as theres a lot of coffee snobbery that gets in the way of factual info.

For example some of the info above.

The nespresso machines have 19bar pressure so they have plenty of it.
They are not huge machines. This particular machine http://powercity.ie/?par=60-10-XN2120&brands=KRUPS is nice and tidy and is not 300+ euro. Its 169euro if you buy online and pick up instore. So its cheap oh and it comes with a milk frother/warmer.
The pods cost around 35cent to 41cent depending on the pod. Your best bet is buying them in bulk ie 200 capsules works out about 70euro with packaging. And that lasts a long time.
They are incredibly easy, quick and handy machines to use.
The coffee is good quality no matter what anyone else tries to tell you here. Try one and you'll see.
They are not as good as buying a Gaggia machine for example but they dont cost anywhere near as much and you dont need a burr grinder.

Which brings me to the next point if you are going down the line of a french press for example you need a good quality burr grinder and fresh beans from the likes of hasbean.co.uk not stuff you pick up in dunnes preground.

So my advice is if you want a machine that you can learn more about coffee and take your time with it etc.. http://www.coffeegod.ie/set_of_gaggia_classic_gaggia_grinder_mdf_black_and_universale_base.html?category_id=30&manf=20 is what you should buy. Alternatively a french press and a good burr grinder.

IF you want something handy which gives a consistantly decent espresso every time I'd go with the nespresso.

Just for the record the nespresso machines are everywhere in mainstream europe and are only really starting to show up here on a more frequent basis.

Many restaurants and hotels use these. Italians use them for christ sake.

So take that onboard and take your time with your decision but dont be put off by the people on here or elsewhere who have a chip on their shoulder about this issue.

Ps I have both. Gaggia machine for the "snob" in me and I have a nespresso machine for when I have guests over and want to make say 6 quick espressos or in the morning when I cant wake up quick enough to mess around with the Gaggia! lol

Black Dog

For many years, Waterford had a shop which roasted and ground its own selection and blends of coffee and they were lovely. Our first coffee pot was one of those with the bubble on top that you put on the top of the cooker. It burned out eventually and was followed by a succession of electric coffee pots which all burned out in time. We then changed to using a Bodum and have been using them happily for many years and find them perfectly fine for everyday coffee; a big pot is handy when you have a few people. We got a Nespresso for Christmas and it makes a lovely espresso and is very good for cappucinos.

santiago

Personally I will recomand any mid size Gaggia expresso machine (http://www.coffeeitalia.ie/proddetail.php?prod=fff-gaggia) .
On the same website you will find the DeLonghi one for 50 quid less than DID.
However you want to use the voucher so I say go ahead with DeLonghi.
Buy a coffee grinder and italian coffee beans (little italy in smithfield are selling nice coffee beans (1kg for 11-13 euros) and enjoy your capuccino!

Darkginger

I've got a DeLonghi Treviso, which cost well under €100 and makes great coffee. I don't think you can ever get the same intensity of coffee taste from a filter machine. OK, mine was cheap, and it has some drawbacks, like not being able to fit a tall cup under the coffee spout - but for the money it was well worth it.

santiago

Darkginger wrote: »

I've got a DeLonghi Treviso, which cost well under €100 and makes great coffee.. OK, mine was cheap, and it has some drawbacks, like not being able to fit a tall cup under the coffee spout - but for the money it was well worth it.

No offence but they dont drink espresso /cappucino in tall cups in Italy
I still have my DeLonghi Treviso (keep it as spare just in case) .Very good for home use.

Darkginger

I do realise that about tall cups (no offence taken!) - but I was really excited when I bought the machine - got it home and found I didn't own a single cup that would fit under the spout! Thought it might be worth mentioning to potential purchasers, is all. I'm now the proud owner of a set of cappuccino cups and espresso cups - in fact I've started collecting espresso cup 'n saucer sets, 'cos they're so pretty!

ViDuchie

Got one of these for Christmas:

Nespresso Magimix Citiz


Surprised with the quality of the coffee that comes from this small machine.

I'm no coffee connoisseur but I do drink a lot of coffee out and about and I have to say what I'm getting so far from this machine beats the quality I get in a lot of places. Now even I can tell that a really decent coffee shop has superior coffee than this machine can make but as a compromise it's a great, no hassle machine to have.

Dead easy to use. Heats up in 30 secs to 1 minute from first switching it on.

Takes about 30 seconds to clean everything, including a first quick run of water through the system without a capsule.


I got a 50Euro voucher to pick up nespresso capsules with it also

santiago

Darkginger wrote: »

I do realise that about tall cups (no offence taken!) - . I'm now the proud owner of a set of cappuccino cups and espresso cups - in fact I've started collecting espresso cup 'n saucer sets, 'cos they're so pretty!

Soon you will be a coffee connoisseur
I have got some free cups n saucers last time from www.segafredo.it but I had to order 12 kg of beans (not only for me)

cantalach

ViDuchie wrote: »

Got one of these for Christmas:

Nespresso Magimix Citiz
Surprised with the quality of the coffee that comes from this small machine.

Me too and I'm absolutely delighted with it. I had a home Gaggia with a birr grinder 10+ years ago when I had time for these things (i.e. before I had kids) and I'd have to say that the considerable extra hassle isn't worth it at all. Not by a mile. I'm a Nespresso convert.

That said, I haven't hit upon exactly the right blend yet. I like 'full spectrum' espressos with plenty of earthiness and most of the more intense Nespresso blends I've tried in the last few days have been too bitter when milk isn't being added. Put another way, my ideal coffee is like a cross between espresso and Greek/Turkish coffee.

ch2008

Decent burr grinder and a French press or drip filter. I'd only ever recommend an espresso machine at home to someone who wants a new hobby. It's expensive, time consuming and difficult to get any decent consistency unless you have the time/money to throw at it.

Pod machines are consistent but give you nothing but stale, bland coffee.

coffeenuts

ch2008 wrote: »

Decent burr grinder and a French press or drip filter. I'd only ever recommend an espresso machine at home to someone who wants a new hobby. It's expensive, time consuming and difficult to get any decent consistency unless you have the time/money to throw at it.

Pod machines are consistent but give you nothing but stale, bland coffee.

Theres the crap I was talkin about. Was only a matter of time. :rolleyes:

Mr Magnolia

coffeenuts wrote: »

Theres the crap I was talkin about. Was only a matter of time. :rolleyes:

This is an internet forum, everyone is entitled to an opinion.

mprop

mprop wrote: »

Hi,

http://www.did.ie/Product/PUMP-ESPRESSO-COFFEE-MACHINE-EC750/18525/404

Thanks everyone, I bought the above along with a grinder for €270 as it was the last remaining machine! I love having it but I am finding it hard to use it!

ch2008

coffeenuts wrote: »

Theres the crap I was talkin about. Was only a matter of time. :rolleyes:

Crap you say? jays you've changed your tune...

http://boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=68399254&postcount=1

Seriously though, you're entitled to your opinion as much as I'm entitled to mine and most people on here respect that idea. There's no reason why you shouldn't too.

Good luck to OP with the purchase. If you need any help with the new machine I'd be more than happy to help

coffeenuts

ch2008 wrote: »

Crap you say? jays you've changed your tune...

http://boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=68399254&postcount=1

Seriously though, you're entitled to your opinion as much as I'm entitled to mine and most people on here respect that idea. There's no reason why you shouldn't too.

Good luck to OP with the purchase. If you need any help with the new machine I'd be more than happy to help

yes i can appreciate damn good coffee but also see reason for nespresso machines.

I dont think its as good as espresso from 3FE for example but its not bland.

Plus use your own pods from nexpod or any number of these types of sites so you can use your own coffee if you find it so bland (which its not)

Your answers are just typical of the coffee snob.

Theres no reason why both dont have their place.

olaola

I got a Nespresso for myself at a great price. For me, it's perfect. I had a Moka Express - but tbh, I never really bothered with it. I'm the only one in the house who drinks coffee, so making pots is a bit of a waste. I've had a decent coffee every day since I've bought the Nespresso, it's quick, small, clean and handy. And it works out cheaper for me, as I'm not constantly chucking out half used packs of coffee. My countertop space is limited, so I don't have room for much else. All in all, I'm delighted. I can have a sneaky quick shot before I trot into work. In my 10 years of employment, I've NEVER made myself coffee before work until I got this!

donnacha

Congrats on the purchase OP - what do you mean when you say you are having difficulty using it? It would be good to know what grinder you got as it could be contributing to the issues. You should now definitely invest in some freshly roasted coffee which will improve the experience of the new machine

ch2008

coffeenuts wrote: »

yes i can appreciate damn good coffee but also see reason for nespresso machines.

I dont think its as good as espresso from 3FE for example but its not bland.

Plus use your own pods from nexpod or any number of these types of sites so you can use your own coffee if you find it so bland (which its not)

Your answers are just typical of the coffee snob.

Theres no reason why both dont have their place.

I wish you'd stop calling me a snob!
Me and you should have
a coffee throwdown, settle this once and for all!

SeaSide

ch2008 wrote: »

I wish you'd stop calling me a snob!
Me and you should have
a coffee throwdown, settle this once and for all!

Take him to the knockbox Col

MaureenMac

In the end it all comes down to what taste experience you are after. If you like Nespresso then you like Nespresso. Personally, I would rather have tea:D but that is my taste preference.
The best thing IMHO is to buy decent beans, a decent grinder and a french press. Otherwise, save Eur2000 plus for HX or Double Boiler espresso machine and high end grinder.
Taste is very subjective but I believe that nothing beats fresh quality beans, preferably home roasted!

La Haine

ViDuchie wrote: »

Got one of these for Christmas:

Nespresso Magimix Citiz


Surprised with the quality of the coffee that comes from this small machine.

I'm no coffee connoisseur but I do drink a lot of coffee out and about and I have to say what I'm getting so far from this machine beats the quality I get in a lot of places. Now even I can tell that a really decent coffee shop has superior coffee than this machine can make but as a compromise it's a great, no hassle machine to have.

Dead easy to use. Heats up in 30 secs to 1 minute from first switching it on.

Takes about 30 seconds to clean everything, including a first quick run of water through the system without a capsule.


I got a 50Euro voucher to pick up nespresso capsules with it also

Got one of these beauts as a Crimbo pressie as well - got the €50 voucher too, and nearly bought a range of coffee on the Nespresso website, but saw it was €10 for delivery - so just walked up to BT's and used the voucher there instead.
:O)

Bigcheeze

What do people think of the Aeropress ? I use it in work and think it's great. Seems to have the advantages of a French press without getting debris in your coffee. Only downside is having to buy the small filters but they're dirt cheap.

cantalach

MaureenMac wrote: »

Taste is very subjective but I believe that nothing beats fresh quality beans, preferably home roasted!

You're quite wrong there I'm afraid. Home roasted can be beaten...by home grown. Yep, In the quest for the ultimate freshness, I've decided to uproot my family and move to a small village in the mountains of Columbia. There, I will lovingly tend my own personal coffee plantation and enjoy proper coffee while the rest of you drink stale, tasteless muck.

donnacha

cantalach wrote: »

You're quite wrong there I'm afraid. Home roasted can be beaten...by home grown. Yep, In the quest for the ultimate freshness, I've decided to uproot my family and move to a small village in the mountains of Columbia. There, I will lovingly tend my own personal coffee plantation and enjoy proper coffee while the rest of you drink stale, tasteless muck.

Is this a boards coffee forum first? Having a member that is actually going to set off and grow coffee. :cool:

Padraig Mor

La Haine wrote: »

Got one of these beauts as a Crimbo pressie as well - got the €50 voucher too, and nearly bought a range of coffee on the Nespresso website, but saw it was €10 for delivery - so just walked up to BT's and used the voucher there instead.
:O)

Is that definite that you can use the voucher instore? I thought it was only online.

nesbitt

Bigcheeze wrote: »

What do people think of the Aeropress ? I use it in work and think it's great. Seems to have the advantages of a French press without getting debris in your coffee. Only downside is having to buy the small filters but they're dirt cheap.

Aeropress, wha dat?:

I found the Aeropress in coffeeangel.com shop. Looks interesting...

Doodee

The Aeropress is a great piece of coffee equipment.

I would consider it a mix between Espresso and Filter. When I started getting into coffee the Aeropress was the first tool that I got (along with a Kyocera hand mill for grinding). It is easy to use and very quick to clean, even handier than a nespresso I'd imagine. It produces a clean cup that you can very the strength of by using more or less water.
If you are curious about proper coffee then it is well worth the investment as you will experience the subtleness you often hear about when talking about freshly ground coffee.

MaureenMac

cantalach wrote: »

You're quite wrong there I'm afraid. Home roasted can be beaten...by home grown. Yep, In the quest for the ultimate freshness, I've decided to uproot my family and move to a small village in the mountains of Columbia. There, I will lovingly tend my own personal coffee plantation and enjoy proper coffee while the rest of you drink stale, tasteless muck.

Woopee Doo!!!! All depends on how good your beans are and how good a roaster you are mate! I roast my own quality beans and never ever drink stale, tasteless muck. Of course, the coffee culture in Australia is very different to that in Ireland - at the moment............

Mr Magnolia

MaureenMac wrote: »

Of course, the coffee culture in Australia is very different to that in Ireland - at the moment............

How so?

SeaSide

Waiting for someone to announce they are making their own kopi luwak

cantalach

MaureenMac wrote: »

Of course, the coffee culture in Australia is very different to that in Ireland - at the moment............

I dunno about that, though the term 'coffee culture' is vague so you could mean anything by that I lived in Perth for three years from mid-'04 to mid-'07 and I don't think coffee drinkers there are any more discerning than here, or that the standard of coffee is any better generally speaking. The large number of people of Italian descent living in and around Freo probably gives the cafes in that part of the city a certain authenticity (though how many of them are actually still run by Italian families is very debatable). But the standard of coffee served in some very famous Perth establishments in Cottesloe and Subi is actually quite disappointing. And most of the coffee outlets in the big suburban shopping centres (Whitford City, Karrinyup, Joondalup) serve truly nasty stuff.

What is undeniably true is that Perth has a much more vibrant breakfast scene than Ireland. And given that coffee and breakfast go hand in hand, then maybe that's what you mean. By 7:30AM on a weekend morning, your local suburban cafe will be doing a roaring trade. That was one of the things I really missed when we moved back here and I still do three years on. My local cafe was Voyage on West Coast Dr in Sorrento (run by Mickey from Tipp and his Aussie wife Barbara). They served fantastic coffee that they 'imported' from a roaster in NSW whose name escapes me right now. For a post-bike ride coffee with the lads, it was often Cimbalino on Warratah Av in Dalkeith - another place that served sublime coffee.

MaureenMac

Mr Magnolia wrote: »

How so?

Have a look at coffeesnobs.com.au which will give an indication.

MaureenMac

Cantalach
Have not tried nor heard of the places at which you used to imbide. Some of the best coffee places in Perth roast in house or use local roasters such as Five Senses, Dimattina or Fiori and will generally have a couple of SO coffees on offer. Alternate brewing methods to espresso also very popular in eg syphon, cold drip. There are also a number of courses across Australia for people wishing to learn/improve their coffee making and roasting skills and a large number home roast. Have a look at coffeesnobs.com.au and check out the GreenBeans section, great range. Doubt I will get the same choice at the same price in Ireland.
Melbourne offers a huge number of places for fantastic coffee.

cantalach

MaureenMac wrote: »

Have a look at coffeesnobs.com.au and check out the GreenBeans section, great range.

There's a very West Aussie irony in that. One of the whole joys of online shopping (in the wider World, that is) is that you're not restricted to the town or even country in which you live. So when I'm shopping online here in Ireland, I don't just restrict myself to Irish websites. In theory at least, I could even buy from an Australian website! The problem in Perth, however, is that WA has some of the strictest quarantine restrictions known to man (frequently based on a very dodgy scientific case and really just a convenient excuse for trade protectionism) and this frequently makes trying to buy food or drink products online a bit of a minefield. Whether it's a good thing or not, Ireland has bought into globalisation 10x more than Australia has. So, trust me, there's no problem with the range of coffee beans of any colour that can be ordered online here.

MaureenMac

Cantalach,you must be an insomniac!!
Thanks for the info on greens or another colour of beans but, other than Sweet Marias I have not found a site with the range that I can get from CoffeeSnobs and with freight charges of approx 74cent (euro) per kilo. BUT, I await to be enlightened.
I am considering returning to Ireland at the end of 2012 and will hopefully be able to ship my stock of greens. Trying to get information online or from Irish Embassy is so far an exercise in frustration. Area to which we will be moving is not overrun with great coffee outlets. Maybe I will have to fill the gap........;)

cantalach

MaureenMac wrote: »

I am considering returning to Ireland at the end of 2012

Are you mad!?

and will hopefully be able to ship my stock of greens. Trying to get information online or from Irish Embassy is so far an exercise in frustration.

I can't imagine you'll have any problem. Remember that quarantine restrictions are almost non-existent here. Also, in contrast to arriving in Australia where most passengers have to go through the red channel, almost nobody here goes through the red channel. In other words, your bags are highly unlikely to be searched.

MaureenMac

cantalach wrote: »

Are you mad!?



I can't imagine you'll have any problem. Remember that quarantine restrictions are almost non-existent here. Also, in contrast to arriving in Australia where most passengers have to go through the red channel, almost nobody here goes through the red channel. In other words, your bags are highly unlikely to be searched.

Ah! but the sea container will probably come under review. Been here long enough and need to spend some time with family and introduce the inhabitants of Carlingford to good coffee

Doodee

Skybar?

donnacha

MaureenMac wrote: »

Cantalach,you must be an insomniac!!
Thanks for the info on greens or another colour of beans but, other than Sweet Marias I have not found a site with the range that I can get from CoffeeSnobs and with freight charges of approx 74cent (euro) per kilo. BUT, I await to be enlightened.

Hasbean.co.uk ship their whole range of coffees to Ireland in green. Had a quick look at your current supplier for a comparison and hasbean currently have a much greaterselection. Hard to make a direct comparison but the following are both Brazilian Pulped Naturals:
http://beanbay.coffeesnobs.com.au/ViewProduct.aspx/361-brazil-pulped-natural
http://www.hasbean.co.uk/products/Brazil-Fazenda-Sol-Nascente-Pulped-Natural.html

Of course Steve gets his coffee shipped to the UK so you are going to have to pay for fedex to get it to Ireland. 12kg will cost you £17stg. If you are returning to Ireland then there is no way you'll avoid higher shipping costs. You'll probably end up paying higher electricity and taxes too :rolleyes:

MaureenMac

Thanks Donnacha for the info re Hasbean. Note that price per kg considerably more in the UK but nothing much I can do about that other than stop drinking coffee and that is not going to happen.

MaureenMac

Forgot to add...........doubt that electricity is more expensive in Ireland, has gone crazy here as will the price of fresh food and veg in the coming weeks and months.

alastair

MaureenMac wrote: »

Thanks Donnacha for the info re Hasbean. Note that price per kg considerably more in the UK but nothing much I can do about that other than stop drinking coffee and that is not going to happen.

Doesn't seem to be wildly out of whack, price-wise. Has Bean price per kilo on those particular greens is £8.60 compared to the Oz price of £5.50. If you opt for their competing Nicaraguan Cup of Excellence offerings however, the UK price is £17.60 a kilo v £25 a kilo for the Oz option. Unless you can compare an exact like with like though - who can be sure where the best value lies.

adrian522

cantalach wrote: »

You're quite wrong there I'm afraid. Home roasted can be beaten...by home grown. Yep, In the quest for the ultimate freshness, I've decided to uproot my family and move to a small village in the mountains of Columbia. There, I will lovingly tend my own personal coffee plantation and enjoy proper coffee while the rest of you drink stale, tasteless muck.

Maybe you could learn to spell Colombia before you arrive...

cantalach

adrian522 wrote: »

Maybe you could learn to spell Colombia before you arrive...

Maybe you could learn to punctuate properly and put single quotes around a word when you are referring to the word itself rather than the concept or thing to which the word refers...

adrian522

Eh?

Mr Magnolia

Give it a rest or take it to PM but don't continue it here please.