Advice on Espresso or Nespresso machine??

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

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 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.

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:

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.

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