Choice of two machines

wannabecraig

I'm looking to get a new machine for my house.
I've looked about a bit not not a massive amount of research.

Got it down to these two. They both fit the price range and size I want.
Both seem to get decent reviews too. Can anybody with see anything with
either of them that I should avoid? Are there any other machines in that price range that I should consider?

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Gaggia-74820-Coffee-Maker-Black/dp/B001442BF8/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Gaggia-74841-Espresso-Coffee-Maker/dp/B000YLZW3A/ref=cm_cr_pr_sims_t

thanks.

adrian522

What kind of Grinder have you got?

I've never used either of those, but the Gaggia Classic consistently gets good reviews, but is probably not as pretty as the 2 you mention.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Classic-RI8161-Machine-Professional-Stainless/dp/B0000C72XS/ref=sr_1_1?s=kitchen&ie=UTF8&qid=1363700761&sr=1-1

Eiother way you'll need a good grinder if you plan on having good espresso.

wannabecraig

I have this grinder:
http://www.cubascoffee.com/cart/viewprod.asp?ID=52

donnacha

wannabecraig wrote: »

I'm looking to get a new machine for my house.
I've looked about a bit not not a massive amount of research.

Got it down to these two. They both fit the price range and size I want.
Both seem to get decent reviews too. Can anybody with see anything with
either of them that I should avoid? Are there any other machines in that price range that I should consider?

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Gaggia-74820-Coffee-Maker-Black/dp/B001442BF8/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Gaggia-74841-Espresso-Coffee-Maker/dp/B000YLZW3A/ref=cm_cr_pr_sims_t

thanks.

adrian522 wrote: »

What kind of Grinder have you got?

I've never used either of those, but the Gaggia Classic consistently gets good reviews, but is probably not as pretty as the 2 you mention.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Classic-RI8161-Machine-Professional-Stainless/dp/B0000C72XS/ref=sr_1_1?s=kitchen&ie=UTF8&qid=1363700761&sr=1-1

Eiother way you'll need a good grinder if you plan on having good espresso.

I'll second adrian522's recommendation ... get a classic. If you hang in there you'll get a better price as it fluctuates constantly on amazon. It was as low as £150stg recently: http://uk.camelcamelcamel.com/Classic-RI8161-Machine-Professional-Stainless/product/B0000C72XS

You can set a price watch using the camelcamelcamel website and will get an email once it hits your price point.

You should also research burr grinders and seriously consider investing in one before you invest in the espresso machine.

wannabecraig

Thanks, am looking at a better grinder but the burr ones seem a little bit for the kitchen counter?
They also look quite expensive no?

I'm also throwing this machine into the mix due to look which I like.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/DeLonghi-ECO310-R-Espresso-Machine-Scarlet/dp/B0029NZW4A/ref=sr_1_3?s=kitchen&ie=UTF8&qid=1363717419&sr=1-3

adrian522

If you are in Dublin drop into Coffee Angel on South Anne Street, they have some there on display to give an idea of size. I've an espresso machine and a grinder on the kitchen counter, not taking up too much space to be honest.

They are more expensive but if you want to make good espresso they are a must. You could even go with a hand grinder for the time being, if you are prepared to spend the time hand grinding beans.

PPC

I bought one of those Bodum grinders are my first grinder and regretted it. It will in no way do close to an espresso grind, you'd be better using a hammer.
I completely regret not buying a decent grinder when I first got my machine as I thought a cheap one would suffice, if I was doing it all over again I'd buy a decent grinder straight away.

I'd third the Gaggia Classic, but if you don't like the look of it, the Gaggia Baby is similar apart from lacking some of the ease of upgrading the steam wand to froth better and lacks a changeable valve (OPV) which allows you to produce a better espresso.
If these things don't bother you then it should be fine.
I've owned a Gaggia Baby Class for a few years and recently upgraded to the Classic, which has definitely been a step up.

I'd avoid the Gaggia Espresso and De Longhi as they don't compare to the Gaggia Classic and Baby.

Skill Magill

I was faced with a similar choice 7 months ago. I went for the Gaggia Classic and haven't looked back. I use it at least 3 times a day and it gives consistently good coffee.
Oh and plus 1 on getting a decent grinder :cool:

wannabecraig

Yeah, fairly sold on the Classic at this point, so I think that's sorted.

Any pointers on a decent grinder? I have my current one over 10 years and it owes me nothing at this point.
I can always use it as a spice grinder. I'm looking for a decent entry level one but not totaly bottom of the market.

wannabecraig

Soooooo anybody suggest a decent burr grinder?

adrian522

What sort of budget were you thinking?

Couple of hand grinders here

http://coffeeangel.com/product-category/grinders/

If you drop into the shop Karl will give you a rundown of whats available and what would suit best..

Hasbean have one too

http://www.hasbean.co.uk/collections/grinders/products/porlex-ceramic-burr-coffee-grinder

For electric burr grinders, they are a little more expensive

phelixoflaherty

Got the blade grinder too when starting, was usless.
Use it now for grinding spices.

got this then
http://www.happydonkey.co.uk/hd0866-iberital-mc2-auto.html

Good price and still working after 5 years. Only thing is adjustment is very fine so it takes ages to change grind size.i.e espresso, filter etc

SuperGrover

I've had Gaggia Evolution, Baby Twin and Classic.

Classic is a winner.

Bohrio

phelixoflaherty wrote: »

Got the blade grinder too when starting, was usless.
Use it now for grinding spices.

got this then
http://www.happydonkey.co.uk/hd0866-iberital-mc2-auto.html

Good price and still working after 5 years. Only thing is adjustment is very fine so it takes ages to change grind size.i.e espresso, filter etc

I second this grinder! I used it for a couple of years and it was fantastic. I still have it although dont really use it anymore since I upgraded last year to the Mazzer but still a great grinder, you can't get anything better for that price.

I also got it from happydonkey, excellent service, although I thought they stopped shipping to ireland

Gran Hermano

You wont go wrong with a Classics and MC2 combo, its what a lot of us started with.
Not sure if he'll ship the grinders here still, if he's shipping to NI, try parcel motel.

wannabecraig

Would this be complete crap?
http://www.amazon.co.uk/DeLonghi-KG79-Professional-Burr-Grinder/dp/B002OHDBQC/ref=sr_1_fkmr1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1364205389&sr=8-1-fkmr1

Gran Hermano

I dont think it'll grind fine enough for espresso
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2056840582

murphyebass

Go to gaggia.ie and there's a burr grinder for 175euri. I've had it now over 6 months and im delighted with its performance so far. Grinds perfectly for espresso imo. Im sure if you spend 300euro or more you'd get a better grinder but I couldn't afford one at the time so grabbed this one. Can't go too wrong with it if your on a budget. Don't buy the delongi "burr" grinder. Think it goes for about 40quid on amazon. Its useless. Lastly spend your money on the grinder not the machine. I got a second hand gaggia evolution on adverts for 50quid yet spent 175 on the grinder! Lol

Bawnmore

Bohrio wrote: »

I second this grinder! I used it for a couple of years and it was fantastic. I still have it although dont really use it anymore since I upgraded last year to the Mazzer but still a great grinder, you can't get anything better for that price.

I also got it from happydonkey, excellent service, although I thought they stopped shipping to ireland

Not looking to offload that grinder are you? I made coffee for 6 with a Hario manual grinder not long ago and needed to take a day off coffee to recover :P

Bohrio

Bawnmore wrote: »

Not looking to offload that grinder are you? I made coffee for 6 with a Hario manual grinder not long ago and needed to take a day off coffee to recover :P

Some days I think to put it up for sale but I quickly I change my mind, as if my current one breaks i wouldnt be able to find anything similar to replace it for that price... it makes a perfect back up

also, I would have to sell it for very little money which is not worth it....

wannabecraig

Got the classic today, made first coffee with it and was unimpressed due to no crema.
I expect this is down to the quality of the grinder and the coffee isn't ground enough.

Am picking up burr grinder in a few days, hope for better results.

llatsni

Good job with the classic!

You know you need a good grinder and you should already be using quality beans (roasted no longer than 2 weeks ago).

In terms of the next steps: you will definitely need a better tamper than the plastic yoke that comes with the machine, but you'll manage if the grinder is top notch. I found my old gaggia came with a weird sized portafilter and basket. One of the best "upgrades" I did was buy a naked portafilter and decent guaranteed sized basket with a matching sized tamper. I sill have and use this combo every day, even though the gaggia is a few machines gone.

wannabecraig

LL,

Yeah, the coffee is Illy in a sealed tin from the supermarket, no good? Suggestions on where to get good coffee
would be very welcome. Have the burr coming soon so hopefully will improve. I have a decent tamper (from Stock on the Green) already but with curved edge, which is prob not the best, like this one, decent enough?

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Wooden-Handled-Coffee-Tamper-58mm/dp/B000VJ8J8K/ref=pd_sim_kh_9

PPC

You should pop into Coffee Angel or 3FE and pickup some fresh beans, 99% of supermarket coffee is muck apart from Fallon & Byrne who stock Hasbean coffee.

That tamper looks fine, should do the job fine.

Bohrio

wannabecraig wrote: »

LL,

Yeah, the coffee is Illy in a sealed tin from the supermarket, no good? Suggestions on where to get good coffee
would be very welcome.

I wouldnt worry about that. You will need time, practice and a bit of tweaking before you can get proper crema.

The thickness of the grounded coffee, a good tampering technique, the right pressure (around 0.85 bars) and then of course, good fresh coffee.

I get my coffee from coffeemojo.ie, I wouldnt waste money on Illy, its too expensive and you hardly ever are going to get any crema at all, nor with any of the other supermarket coffee's

There are other shops in dublin that sell fresh coffee but I have very little experience with any of them

wannabecraig

Jumped the gun a little last night obv cause made some coffee this morning and have lovely crema on it.
Not perfect obv but better than I've had at home before ever!

Need to get hooked up with some proper beans now I guess and wait for the grinder, then sh*t is getting serious.