Bean to coffee machine?

PhoenixParker

Hubby is a coffee drinker.
Hates insomnia and Starbucks, likes butlers.

Right now at home we have a Nespresso which is mostly used with Aldi capsules.

We'd like to make the switch to a bean to coffee machine.
Priorities are: good coffee, fairly quick, easy to use, low & quick maintenance, small footprint, quiet.

It's for espresso only. Milk features aren't important or relevant really. Budget isn't that much of an issue, it's more about value for money.

Recommended machines to look at?

I've done some reading but it's hard to know who and what to trust in terms of reviews and recommendations.

uck51js9zml2yt

Check the delonghi thread in bargain alerts.

Great machine. Got from Amazon

quiet? might struggle with that tbh, they are reasonably noisy things by their nature

(important edit: get the delonghi above anyway- silence is overrated)

Planet X

True.
Grinding beans cannot? be quiet.
Pump won't be quiet either.

jam_mac_jam

I bought the delonghi machine mentioned above. I love it. Coffee is really nice. It makes noise though, you can't grind quietly

The Nal

Delonghi every time - something like this or this and an electric grinder. Lavazza beans are €5 a bag in Tesco and far nicer than any of your Starbucks shíte.

Can also recommend Kaph on Drury St in Dublin for beans.

murphyebass

PhoenixParker wrote: »

Hubby is a coffee drinker.
Hates insomnia and Starbucks, likes butlers.

Right now at home we have a Nespresso which is mostly used with Aldi capsules.
.

The machine isn’t the problem here. The coffee is.

Spending €200 or more changing to a bean to cup machine isn’t going to automatically give you nice coffee.

Nespresso isn’t my machine of choice at home but work have one and to be fair it gives good consistent coffee.

The aldi pods are ****in woeful.

L’or are on sale a lot and are pretty decent. And currently Starbucks pods are €3 a box made in conjunction with nespresso themselves and are also quite decent.

There’s enough different flavours etc there that you have to find one that would suit.

We’re talking about someone who likes butlers coffee here not exactly a connoisseur. No offense.

Your priorities listed all point to nespresso or a pod machine of some sort.

Fantacoffee

jam_mac_jam wrote: »

I bought the delonghi machine mentioned above. I love it. Coffee is really nice. It makes noise though, you can't grind quietly

I second all of this. Good but noisy I am afraid! I can never deceide if Delonghi are top quality, or just affordable quality

Zimmerframe

murphyebass wrote: »

The machine isn’t the problem here. The coffee is.

Spending €200 or more changing to a bean to cup machine isn’t going to automatically give you nice coffee.

Nespresso isn’t my machine of choice at home but work have one and to be fair it gives good consistent coffee.

The aldi pods are ****in woeful.

Yes agree 100%.

I have the deLonghi bean to cup, love it too. I also have a Nespresso at work and it makes very decent coffee. I can't understand the logic of buying a Nespresso machine and then looking for the cheapest coffee to put in it.

PhoenixParker wrote: »

Priorities are: good coffee, fairly quick, easy to use, low & quick maintenance, small footprint, quiet.

Go online, buy a variety pack of Nespresso, find which pod you like best, order same from then on. Job done.



.

allthatkatydid

Is 384 euro a good price to pay for the Delonghi Magnifica bean to cup coffee machine? That's the black Friday price at Harvey Norman.

Sheedy234

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B001EOMZ5E/ref=asc_df_B001EOMZ5E1573916400000/?tag=pjuk-amazon.co.uk-21&creative=22374&creativeASIN=B001EOMZ5E&linkCode=df0&smid=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE

Good price on amazon

comerla

Had a Delonghi Magnifica for more than 5 years..it made at least 6 cups a day and is still going - we gave it to a friend.

All Delonghi bean to cup have the same 15 bar pump.

I went through Hario V60, Aeropress phases but bean to cup is the way to go imo. dead handy. Only switched as we upgraded to an integrated Neff machine with a new kitchen.

Apollinaris

If you have cash to spend and want to impress at dinner parties buy a Jura. Otherwise buy the DeLonghi as mentioned above, very good machine! On the other hand as it was brought up also you need great quality beans for the machine. I’d recommend Illy, Kimbo they are phenomenal.

allthatkatydid

allthatkatydid wrote: »

Is 384 euro a good price to pay for the Delonghi Magnifica bean to cup coffee machine? That's the black Friday price at Harvey Norman.

thats not a good price imo. be surprised if it didnt show up under £250 on amazon between now and christmas

allthatkatydid

Apollinaris wrote: »

If you have cash to spend and want to impress at dinner parties buy a Jura. Otherwise buy the DeLonghi as mentioned above, very good machine! On the other hand as it was brought up also you need great quality beans for the machine. I’d recommend Illy, Kimbo they are phenomenal.

I bought a £1 one months subscription to Which magazine trying to wade through all the choices in coffee machines and they didn't rate the Jura very highly. But I also found conflicting reviews on Amazon about the Magnifica. I think I've settled on the Delonghi Magnifica, but hoping to find it cheaper than Harvey Normans. I might also try some coffee beans from the roasters in Cork mentioned previously. My only experience of making good coffee at home is with Lavassa ground coffee in a french press so hoping to improve somewhat on that. Thank you for your help.

allthatkatydid

Thank you that is a better price. I just noticed that Amazon add VAT after you put an item in your basket, hadnt noticed that before.

Glebee

My vote is for the Delonghi Magnifica as well. Great machine. Although it does the wifes head in as it is loud. Try to compare the different amazon region sites (german, italien, spanish). Prices vary from country to country and if your spending that money shipping is usually free. Also sign up to amazon prime for a months free trial, might get you free shipping if its not included.

I've a Krups (ea8298) one I'd really recommend. Never had a minutes bother with it and still makes the same as it did years ago. Not sure if they still make it.

Glebee

Sheedy234 wrote: »

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B001EOMZ5E/ref=asc_df_B001EOMZ5E1573916400000/?tag=pjuk-amazon.co.uk-21&creative=22374&creativeASIN=B001EOMZ5E&linkCode=df0&smid=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE

Good price on amazon

https://www.amazon.de/dp/B001EOMZ5E?tag=haggle-web-de-21&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1&language=en_GB
25 euro cheaper on amazon.de

allthatkatydid

I'm already a prime member for Ireland and the UK. Looks like I need to take out another prime membership for amazon.de. Do you think I could take the free month then cancel? I know this is a bit off topic but being a prime member in Ireland I cant use the music part because of licensing law and they wouldn't accept payment from an Irish bank to rent a movie on Amazon Prime video. They do however take my monthly subscription from that very same Irish bank account! A bit frustrating.

Blueshoe

Sage barista express has a built in grinder. Easy to use and easy to clean.Makes decent coffee most importantly.

De'Longhi Magnifica, Automatic Bean to Cup Coffee Machine, Espresso, Cappuccino, ESAM 4200.S, Silver https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B001EOMZ5E/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_R.R2DbYXNQWKQ

there you are now

Sheedy234

https://www.amazon.co.uk/DeLonghi-Magnifica-ESAM-4200-S-Silver/dp/B001EOMZ5E/ref=sr_1_5?crid=3LAHTNDBA2V61&keywords=delonghi+bean+to+cup&qid=1575011555&smid=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&sprefix=Delogh%2Caps%2C197&sr=8-5

Fantacoffee

murphyebass wrote: »

The machine isn’t the problem here. The coffee is.

Spending €200 or more changing to a bean to cup machine isn’t going to automatically give you nice coffee.

Nespresso isn’t my machine of choice at home but work have one and to be fair it gives good consistent coffee.

The aldi pods are ****in woeful.

L’or are on sale a lot and are pretty decent. And currently Starbucks pods are €3 a box made in conjunction with nespresso themselves and are also quite decent.

There’s enough different flavours etc there that you have to find one that would suit.

We’re talking about someone who likes butlers coffee here not exactly a connoisseur. No offense.

Your priorities listed all point to nespresso or a pod machine of some sort.

I heard Sage and their £800+ ones are the real deal, best of the best, but I quite agree, the beans is probably the main difference.

Did you just say that Starbucks are decent? The jury is out

murphyebass

Fantacoffee wrote: »

I heard Sage and their £800+ ones are the real deal, best of the best, but I quite agree, the beans is probably the main difference.

Did you just say that Starbucks are decent? The jury is out

Spending £800 on a machine for home use is just unnecessary. That said if love a rancilio silva but again there’s no justifying it.

A gaggia classic second hand for about a hundred and the a couple of hundred on a good grinder would do just as good a job.

As nespresso capsules look again they’re not perfect but when you’re in work and there’s no space to be messing around with an aeropress it’s the next best thing.

I’ve tried lots of capsules. The real nespresso ones, followed by Starbucks (made in conjunction with nespresso) followed by the l’or ones are the only ones worth buying. All the other imitations I’ve tried don’t flow through the machines correctly either underextracting or overextracting.

F34

Sorry to jump in on your thread OP I'm trying to decide between the two machines below both seem to get really good reviews.

Melitta F85/0-102 Barista TS Smart Coffee Machine:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B077ZK2K9D/ref=ox_sc_saved_title_1?smid=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&psc=1

Sage SES880BSS the Barista Touch Semi Automatic Espresso Machine:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B079GV6RX7/ref=ox_sc_saved_title_5?smid=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&psc=1

Any and all advice greatly appriciated.

ballyharpat

I’ve a mate who is after buying a rocket espresso apartments and Faustino grinder - the same pair as my own, - he had the semi touch and really liked it- He has progressed he said, he enjoys adjusting it more often for different beans etc

F34 wrote: »

Sorry to jump in on your thread OP I'm trying to decide between the two machines below both seem to get really good reviews.

Melitta F85/0-102 Barista TS Smart Coffee Machine:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B077ZK2K9D/ref=ox_sc_saved_title_1?smid=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&psc=1

Sage SES880BSS the Barista Touch Semi Automatic Espresso Machine:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B079GV6RX7/ref=ox_sc_saved_title_5?smid=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&psc=1

Any and all advice greatly appriciated.

wexfordman2

murphyebass wrote: »

Spending £800 on a machine for home use is just unnecessary. That said if love a rancilio silva but again there’s no justifying it.

A gaggia classic second hand for about a hundred and the a couple of hundred on a good grinder would do just as good a job.

Spending 10 euro on a coffee machine is also unnecessary, whatever that means!

I have the sage now nearly five years, trouble free, and it's a fantastic machine. I bought it as a replacement for a 300 euro delonghi machine that lasted just over 12 months.

mvl

wexfordman2 wrote: »

I have the sage now nearly five years, trouble free, and it's a fantastic machine. I bought it as a replacement for a 300 euro delonghi machine that lasted just over 12 months.

same, kinda (while I had to replace a gaggia classic which broke after 3 years of use) - yet, there is something something not there for me: I know I would not buy the sage a second time (for me buying seconds can be a measure of how much I like something).

how about you, have you any idea what you might replace your sage with, should there be a need ?

wexfordman2

mvl wrote: »

same, kinda (while I had to replace a gaggia classic which broke after 3 years of use) - yet, there is something something not there for me: I know I would not buy the sage a second time (for me buying seconds can be a measure of how much I like something).

how about you, have you any idea what you might replace your sage with, should there be a need ?

Definately another sage, no question about it.

F34

I got the sage Barista touch just before Christmas and absolutely love it. I’ve had one takeaway coffee form the place I used to like before getting the machine and it tasted like muck. While it was expensive I’m absolutely thrilled with it.

wexfordman2

F34 wrote: »

I got the sage Barista touch just before Christmas and absolutely love it. I’ve had one takeaway coffee form the place I used to like before getting the machine and it tasted like muck. While it was expensive I’m absolutely thrilled with it.

Many many happy cups ahead of you ,

Klopp

I started drinking coffee the last year and love it. I always choose either a flat white or latte. There is so much choice now of days for a coffee machine, i don't know where to start, have been looking for a while. Is there anyone who recently bought a Deloghi for their first? I looked at Nespresso milk frother as option, i would need a bean to coffee maker, not sure on this option though.

dball

spent the last +10 years being a latte/milky coffee drinker, always loved it, never thought of anything else .

recently (see all my recent posts in these coffee forums) bought the entry level Delongi B2C machine and have not stopped drinking americanos - go figure - i could have told you 6 months ago - this would never happen, but here i am loving the coffees, of all varieties. In saying that i do still make the odd latte - but only once a week at most.
Absolutely go for it
see bargain alerts thread for the right machine

Klopp

dball wrote: »

spent the last +10 years being a latte/milky coffee drinker, always loved it, never thought of anything else .

recently (see all my recent posts in these coffee forums) bought the entry level Delongi B2C machine and have not stopped drinking americanos - go figure - i could have told you 6 months ago - this would never happen, but here i am loving the coffees, of all varieties. In saying that i do still make the odd latte - but only once a week at most.
Absolutely go for it
see bargain alerts thread for the right machine

I'll have a look in bargain alerts at the thread, most of the recommendations i have come across here all seem to choose De'Loghni automatic bean, i am not sure about this, seems a little expensive for home use, i was more looking at De'Longhi EC685.

dball

that doesn't have a grinder

Klopp

Thanks, I knew it had no grinder, I had read reviews and all seem to be good for a beginner. Ideally, I would like one with a grinder at a reasonable price

The Nal

Klopp wrote: »

Thanks, I knew it had no grinder, I had read reviews and all seem to be good for a beginner. Ideally, I would like one with a grinder at a reasonable price

Just buy a grinder separately. Theyre only 15 quid.

whomitconcerns

You won't get a burr grinder for that price. And yes that's what you want of your getting a separate grinder, not a blade one

Blueshoe

Sage barista express is the way to go imo. Built in grinder and easy cleaning.
Makes great espresso for the machine price

Klopp

I went for Sage Bambino in the end, it was on offer and got good reviews. This is my first step into the world of coffee. I placed an order with Roasted Brown, just waiting on delivery.

Klopp

Klopp wrote: »

I went for Sage Bambino in the end, it was on offer and got good reviews. This is my first step into the world of coffee. I placed an order with Roasted Brown, just waiting on delivery.

After almost a week of use, the portafilter from day one which I expected is very stiff when you insert and try lock to position. I thought this would loosen over the days, but still just as tough today. I almost have the machine in a headlock to put it in the lock position. I tried a few options i came across online, a few others reporting same issue. I tried contacting their customer care by phone and email, no joy. When they reopen, i will look to return and spend the extra on Barista and purchase the Sage Barista.

Damo 2k9

Blueshoe wrote: »

Sage barista express is the way to go imo. Built in grinder and easy cleaning.
Makes great espresso for the machine price

Couple good options of used/refurbed over on HUKD, comes missing a few bits depending on what you get but if looking to save a few quid, could be worth a punt.

I think im going to go for Barista Express from NorthxSouth, decisions decisions.

Limpy

I have the Delonghi ECP 31.21, great machine for the price. There's 3 similar models between €90 to €150. It uses ground coffee so I use a grinder separately and sometimes the odd pre ground stuff.

It’s gone very hard to go in to a supermarket (normally I mean, not because of the current meltdown) and be able to pick up a bag of beans. The range does be tiny compared to bags of ground.

Klopp

Damo 2k9 wrote: »

I think im going to go for Barista Express from NorthxSouth, decisions decisions.

Any sign of your delivery this week?

Damo 2k9

Klopp wrote: »

Any sign of your delivery this week?

Just arrived today, delighted with it. Was sent out yesterday at 11am after me ordering at 8PM Friday, very happy with that all things considered.

Hodors Appletart

ah she's a damn beaut!

Damo 2k9

Hodors Appletart wrote: »

ah she's a damn beaut!

Delighted with the colour, I got the second last one on the site!

But my god, this milk lark is hard to get right. Espresso itself is tasting ok, no doubt still a lot of work to do but I'm more than happy to do so.

Hodors Appletart

does the milk jug have an inbuilt thermostat?

Damo 2k9

Hodors Appletart wrote: »

does the milk jug have an inbuilt thermostat?

Yeh its the temperature control jug that Sage do, havent even tried using that ability yet!!