Aldi Espresso Coffee Machine 08/05/2014

mrcheez

Ok tried it with a few Vivalto Lungo Nespresso capsules there.

The capsules fit in perfectly so no problems there. The rate that the water goes through the capsule seems to be perhaps 20% faster than the official nespresso machine we have in work, so I found the final pouring "seems" a little more watered down and not quite as thick, but then again the full flavour/strength/creaminess of a signature nespresso is all here. For a standalone espresso I give it 8/10 for authenticity.

Then I tried the milk steamer...

Holy christ this thing rocks. Simple to use, i poured a small amount of cold milk into a cup, dipped the steamer into the cup and switched the dial. In 20 seconds or less it was all steamed up.
Poured it over a fresh new batch of Vivalto Lungo and it's beyond superb. Best nespresso i've ever had.

The fact that normal nespresso machines don't have this steamer makes this the best nespresso machine i've tried so far. This cappucino beat any I've had in a restaurant for a long time. There's a reason they serve nespresso in michellin star restaurants

Ok I've had too much coffee for one day

psugrue

picked one up myself earlier but no spoon came with it, and as far as i can see you need the tamper thing on the spoon to compress the coffee into the pods. don't suppose anyone knows where to get one for cheap?

dmc17

psugrue wrote: »

picked one up myself earlier but no spoon came with it, and as far as i can see you need the tamper thing on the spoon to compress the coffee into the pods. don't suppose anyone knows where to get one for cheap?

€10.25 delivered for a stainless one. You'd need to be sure the diameter is correct though. Alternatively...

psugrue

dmc17 wrote: »

€10.25 delivered for a stainless one. You'd need to be sure the diameter is correct though. Alternatively...

nice one! ended up using the head of a wine stopper tonight, bit messy but worked out well in the end!

mickydcork

I got one of these yesterday.

Seems decent, but I haven't experimented with it yet.

Does anyone know, what's the optimal time for flowing water through the coffee is to get a nice strong shot? (as it's manual turn off)

mrcheez

mickydcork wrote: »

Does anyone know, what's the optimal time for flowing water through the coffee is to get a nice strong shot? (as it's manual turn off)

You can judge it by observing when the water starts becoming clearer that it's usually past the optimal amount, but if you want to be accurate pre-measure out 40ml of water in the cup (for espresso .. a lungo would be 110ml, plus you'd need more coffee in the filter) and take note of where the top line of water ends, then repeat to the same level when in the machine.

There's an art to getting it right, so I guess it takes practice.

mickydcork

mrcheez wrote: »

You can judge it by observing when the water starts becoming clearer that it's usually past the optimal amount, but if you want to be accurate pre-measure out 40ml of water in the cup (for espresso .. a lungo would be 110ml, plus you'd need more coffee in the filter) and take note of where the top line of water ends, then repeat to the same level when in the machine.

There's an art to getting it right, so I guess it takes practice.

~ 40ml.

Thanks, I'll try that out.

Stella11

I got one there in nutgrove an hour ago. About two left. Looking forward to trying it.

mrcheez

This being Bargain Alerts n all, where can I pick up some cheap cappuccino mugs? (Bricks and mortar in Dublin pls)

murphyebass

mrcheez wrote: »

There's a reason they serve nespresso in michellin star restaurants

Ok now I know you like your new machine and thats great but the reason michellin star restaurants use nespresso is not because its the best (if that is what your insinuating) The reason they use it I can only is assume is because it is a consistant coffee. It will be the same amount of decentish/average every time, is impossible for a staff member to get it wrong. I would also imagine there is a payment of some sort, be it official or brown enveloped by nespresso to said restaraunts. Advertising etc..

I have nothing against nespresso btw before I get the coffee snob remarks, nespresso definately has its place for someone in a hurry or someone who doesnt want to the hassle of a real coffee machine but its by no mean what so ever the best out there and a michillen star restaraunt using it does not mean its any good.

I bought my folks a nespresso machine not so long ago, suits them perfectly. No hassle, decentish coffee.

If nespresso does one thing in this country by replacing instant rubbish it'll have done us a great service.

OldRio

Thanks to the OP. Great alert.
Lovely coffee from some ground Java.

SeanyMc22

Still none delivered to the Santry store

mrcheez

murphyebass wrote: »

Ok now I know you like your new machine and thats great but the reason michellin star restaurants use nespresso is not because its the best (if that is what your insinuating)

Nope it's not what I'm "insinuating". I'm saying it's very good and better than most coffees you get in restaurants in Dublin. Also I'm sure the cleanliness factor plays a big part in their choice to use it :pac:

murphyebass wrote: »

The reason they use it I can only is assume is because it is a consistant coffee. It will be the same amount of decentish/average every time, is impossible for a staff member to get it wrong.

Well actually you can easily reset the amount of water that goes through a capsule and overdo it if not used to the system, giving a very acidic cup of coffee, but yeah if the timing on the presets isn't changed it's pretty consistent.

Arciphel

For anyone who missed out on this, they have an identical model for sale on Amazon at the same price (€60) it's branded as "Jack Stonehouse". Average of customer reviews of 4.6/5 stars :pac:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Jack-Stonehouse-Espresso-Cappuccino-Machine/dp/B00DJ3Z3MA/ref=sr_1_6?s=kitchen&ie=UTF8&qid=1399669266&sr=1-6&tag=fczbkkcom04-21

gerrykiddy

Good alernative, although there is still stock in Drogheda tonight. The Amazon does not come with the adaptor for Nespresso. I put a espresso pod in today and it worked fine. Great machine.

Benjy

gerrykiddy wrote: »

there is still stock in Drogheda tonight

Which store in Drogheda? Mell or Donore?

Muahahaha

Any availability around Dublin at all ? preferably north side but anywhere, or even Clonee if there's any left there

plasmin

Bought one in Naas Aldi last night. There were few left around 20:00

plasmin

Bought one in Naas Aldi last night. There were few left around 20:00

gerrykiddy

Benjy wrote: »

Which store in Drogheda? Mell or Donore?

Mell, last evening about 5.30. Fingers crossed

logically

Picked on up in nutgrove just now. 8 remaining in stock .

pampootie

Anyone seen any left in Cork? Stopped in Ballyphehane this morning but none there

shinny

3 left in Greystones as of 10 mins ago.

mrcheez

I tried this out with some Costa roasted ground coffee and it was yummy, although a lot of crema from the 2-cup filter when I poured 80ml.

Any recommendations on other ground coffee to try? Not bothered about grinding beans myself just yet.

Muahahaha

Any reports on stock in north side Dublin locations ? I was just down in the finglas branch on St Margaret's Road and none left there. Anyone know did Santry Avenue get any stock ? Or any in Clonee ? I think I'll drive over the other side of the city to Nutgrove to get one there but would prefer something near me if anyone's seen any ?

seanman is me

Hey, so is the machine supposed to make noise when making the coffee?

I read it should disappear after 20 seconds?

Opened yesterday but makes noise every time.

Using Fixx coffee, finding it hard to get strength right, but starting to get better.

Tastes great, and the steamer is easy use too!

Practice makes perfect I guess...........

dmc17

seanman is me wrote: »

Hey, so is the machine supposed to make noise when making the coffee?

I read it should disappear after 20 seconds?

Opened yesterday but makes noise every time.

Yeah, that'll be the pump. Most machines seem to do it

mrcheez

seanman is me wrote: »

Hey, so is the machine supposed to make noise when making the coffee?

A little motor sound? Yes that's normal.

OldVickers

shinny wrote: »

3 left in Greystones as of 10 mins ago.

Got the last in Greystones an hour ago. Box had been opened but I think that the instructions are all that is missing.

Tony H

The quick start guide for anyone that needs it .