Nespresso Machine

Solair · 23-05-2011 02:17PM

It's a case of different horses for different courses.

If you make a lot of coffee, or if you are a connoisseur, then you will appreciate a normal coffee machine as it can use any type of coffee from any source.

If you just want the odd cappuccino and don't really care about the price per shot or really hate making coffee in an espresso machine, then a Nespresso machine might be perfect for you.

The big downside I found with a Krups Nespresso we had was:

1) Expense - the pods work out very pricy compared to just buying coffee beans or grounds.

2) Temperature of coffee - I found that particular model of machine, the Citiz produced rather luke warm coffee. The heater just isn't as big as my current espresso machine.

3) The lack of a milk steamer. While the frothing cup with the little electromagnetic stirrer in the bottom does a great job, the froth is not entirely comparable to a properly steamed jug of milk.

4) Environmental impact - I prefer to buy beans in bulk and grind them myself. They keep just as long and you have total control over what you're buying.

Also, you can buy ESE pods, which will work in any espresso machine. They're like a round tea bag. You put them into the filter basket on the espresso machine and it works perfectly if you don't like messy grounds.

For example:

It's an "open source" design, so any coffee producer can use it!

Kazbah · 23-05-2011 05:28PM

I came across these refillable Nespresso pods but I haven't used them myself. http://www.coffeeduck.com/uk_espressomovie.html

easychair · 26-05-2011 12:59PM

While making a coffee this morning, I felt a little cold and thought I'd like to make it a little stronger than usual. It occurred to me this is something which I can do with my machine ( I just put as much or as little coffee into the pot as my mood dictates), but this is not possible with a nespresso as the pods are filled by someone else!

The more I think about nespresso, the more I think they are expensive and not the best option for a variety or reasons. If I buy, for example, a BMW it's expensive and its build quality and engineering design probable makes it heads above most of its competitors. If I buy a nespresso, it's also more expensive to purchase, more expensive to use, and less flexible than other machines which make equally excellent coffee. As far as I can see, nespresso is more a lifestyle statement than the best option for making good coffee.

Kazbah · 26-05-2011 03:58PM

It's convenience for me over a lifestyle choice.
There are a variety of blends and strengths available so you can vary your coffee according to your preference at the time.

Solair · 26-05-2011 04:06PM

easychair wrote: »

While making a coffee this morning, I felt a little cold and thought I'd like to make it a little stronger than usual. It occurred to me this is something which I can do with my machine ( I just put as much or as little coffee into the pot as my mood dictates), but this is not possible with a nespresso as the pods are filled by someone else!

The more I think about nespresso, the more I think they are expensive and not the best option for a variety or reasons. If I buy, for example, a BMW it's expensive and its build quality and engineering design probable makes it heads above most of its competitors. If I buy a nespresso, it's also more expensive to purchase, more expensive to use, and less flexible than other machines which make equally excellent coffee. As far as I can see, nespresso is more a lifestyle statement than the best option for making good coffee.

Not really, to me Nespresso is one step up over Nescafe !

easychair · 28-05-2011 09:14AM

Kazbah wrote: »

It's convenience for me over a lifestyle choice.
There are a variety of blends and strengths available so you can vary your coffee according to your preference at the time.

There are, of course, an infinite number of strengths available with other machines.

maxer68 · 28-05-2011 11:30PM

Even though its made by nestle, nepresso is superb. Each person can choose the strength of flavour, quality is consistent and its just so handy that the 36c cost is very well worth it.

SeaSide · 30-05-2011 09:26AM

maxer68 wrote: »

Even though its made by nestle, nepresso is superb. Each person can choose the strength of flavour, quality is consistent and its just so handy that the 36c cost is very well worth it.

Personally prefer a subtlety of flavour and quality can be poor and still consistent

BengaLover · 30-05-2011 09:29AM

I found that it didnt make a really hot cuppa.

Cork Lass · 06-06-2011 07:05PM

I've been using my Magimix Citiz nespresso machine for about a year now and I love it. I always keep a selection of pods which means that I can have whatever type of coffee I fancy. It's fast, clean and as my hubbie rarely drinks coffee I find it perfect for making just 1 cup. I have also used it for a group without any problems and everyone was able to choose the flavour they wanted. I do run it empty (without a pod) before making the first coffee to make sure I get a really hot coffee. This takes a few seconds and is no bother.

I have used many coffee machines and definitely think this is the best one I've had. I'd say go for it and buy one. BT will let you sample some to give you an idea of what flavours are available.:)

Benbecul97 · 09-06-2011 12:16PM

Has anyone used an espresso pod in a lungo, or a lungo pod in an espresso, or is that just sacrilege? :eek:

Kazbah · 09-06-2011 12:21PM

I don't take any notice of lungo/espressso. I use all pods to make a large mug of coffee. I never drink espressos. I also use any pod to make a latte.

Morgans · 09-06-2011 12:28PM

I thought this Nespresso being one step above Nescafe was dead as an argument four or five years ago.

I cannot see how its as expensive for a regular user as getting an americano/latte/cappachino in a cafe.

If the nespresso criticisms stopped at the reasonable downsides, the opinions of those criticising it would be far more valued.

dvpower · 09-06-2011 12:39PM

BengaLover wrote: »

I found that it didnt make a really hot cuppa.

Solair wrote: »

2) Temperature of coffee - I found that particular model of machine, the Citiz produced rather luke warm coffee. The heater just isn't as big as my current espresso machine.

I've found this too. Simple solution is to first warm the cup by making an 'espresso' with no pod in the chamber, so you just get hot water. After that I find the temperature fine.

Have to say I'm very happy with mine. I wouldn't recommend it if you need to feed a family with coffee; it would start to get very expensive.

I did have a different machine previously, but it was too big to leave out on the counter and too much hassle to clean and just that extra bit of hassle to make coffee with.

As you say, horses for courses.

dvpower · 09-06-2011 12:44PM

Morgans wrote: »

I thought this Nespresso being one step above Nescafe was dead as an argument four or five years ago.

I cannot see how its as expensive for a regular user as getting an americano/latte/cappachino in a cafe.

If the nespresso criticisms stopped at the reasonable downsides, the opinions of those criticising it would be far more valued.

I agree. I find the coffee it makes to compare well with anything I buy in a cafe and, from what I read, this is a fairly general consensus.

D1976 · 09-06-2011 12:45PM

We bought a Nespresso machine but got rid of it, the capsules are far too expensive.
I think you had to buy at least a minimum of €60 worth of coffee at a time :eek::eek::eek: what a rip off

So we picked this up from amazon at a great price.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Delonghi-EC152-Espresso-Coffee-Machine/dp/B003U2SLI8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1307619521&sr=8-1

Kazbah · 09-06-2011 12:48PM

D1976 wrote: »

I think you had to buy at least a minimum of €60 worth of coffee at a time :eek::eek::eek: what a rip off

In BT Cork & Dublin you can buy a single sleeve of 10 capsules for less than €4.
With the online ordering I presume you can buy however much you like buy it probably makes sense to bulkbuy because of postage charges. I don't think there is any onus to spend a minimum of €60.

maxer68 · 09-06-2011 12:56PM

Nespresso is not for everyone. If you like instant coffee, you won't like it. If you don't drink coffeee daily, it probably is not worth the expense. If you're not a fan of coffee and happy with whatever is served up, then its not for you. If you already have a decent coffee maker, nespresso will only be of benefit because of flavour choice and easiness of brew.

Considering some Michelin star restaurants use it and advertise that they use it, I think that say mountains about the quality.

dvpower · 09-06-2011 01:08PM

D1976 wrote: »

We bought a Nespresso machine but got rid of it, the capsules are far too expensive.
I think you had to buy at least a minimum of €60 worth of coffee at a time :eek::eek::eek: what a rip off

I think you can buy refillable capsules. I'm not sure how well they work 'though or if they can potentially damage the machine. Anyone?

maxer68 wrote: »

Considering some Michelin star restaurants use it and advertise that they use it, I think that say mountains about the quality.

Interesting. Link?

Morgans · 09-06-2011 06:53PM

Ive tried the capsule duck with the nespresso. I was disappointed, more in the consistency of it than anything. Got some of the coffee I like most from my favourite cafe, and while every now and again it produced exactly what I was hoping for, there were too many below standard cups to satisfy fully. It may have been the way I was using it. Maybe its why tampers are essential.

I think you'd need to be using it very wrongly for it to damage the machine.

Mr Magnolia · 09-06-2011 07:20PM

maxer68 wrote: »

Considering some Michelin star restaurants use it and advertise that they use it, I think that say mountains about the quality.

I've had coffee in Michelin star restaurants and it's been kack on numerous occasions so I wouldn't lay too much weight (or any) with that fact.

Kazbah · 09-06-2011 08:11PM

dvpower wrote: »

Interesting. Link?

http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/food-and-drink/features/the-cult-of-nespresso-could-it-really-be-the-best-cup-of-coffee-money-can-buy-395944.html

mandarin · 10-06-2011 04:56PM

That Independent article re nespresso and Michelin restaurants made for painful reading - it really is ridiculous that supposedly perfectionist foodie establishments would use pre-ground, stale coffee like Nespresso.
Unfortunately, Nespresso's BS upmarket marketing (boutiques, grand crus, that type of nonsense), allied to its convenience, means that places that ought to know better are choosing to sell the stuff. It's increasingly common to see Nespresso in high-end hotels in Europe, even in cities with a decent coffee culture. The irony is that you'll get a decent crema-rich coffee for a euro or less in many humble coffee kiosks/local bars, and pay 3.50 for an artificial Nespresso in the 4/5 star haunts. Given Europe's long-established coffee culture, that's pretty sad.

I don't hate the stuff - I'd take a 4 ounce Nespresso before the diluted Americanos served up in massive mugs that tend to be the norm in Ireland. If people here genuinely like it, that's fine. If it's a convenience choice, that's fine.

However, it really is stretching things to say that this is high-end coffee. Mark Prince (coffeegeek) sums it up well. "The value here is more akin to $150 machines and perhaps $0.10 capsules, or free machines and $0.20 capsules...Consumers aren't buying a quality product; they're buying into an image...ultimately only good for one thing - convenience. Consumers lose on every other prospect - including value, potential beverage quality, and freedom of choice."
http://coffeegeek.com/forums/espresso/general/409741

easychair · 10-06-2011 05:26PM

Of course. Anyone with a little perspective can see that folks who buy into nespresso are trying to buy into what they perceive to be a lifestyle choice, and are trying to make a statement about themselves, and are not buying into the best tasting coffee. Nespresso is unnecessarily expensive average quality coffee.

Morgans · 10-06-2011 06:19PM

easychair wrote: »

Of course. Anyone with a little perspective can see that folks who buy into nespresso are trying to buy into what they perceive to be a lifestyle choice, and are trying to make a statement about themselves, and are not buying into the best tasting coffee. Nespresso is unnecessarily expensive average quality coffee.

Absolute nonsense. 100% nonsense. I can say so, cos I bought it long before I knew who was advertising it, and have no interest in the image. But continue with the generalisations. Mandarin's post was pretty balanced apart from quoting the image. I wanted a coffee machine that could produce something approaching coffee shop espresso coffee (but more consistency that stove tops)

I came onto this forum and the coffee intelligencia would have you believe that you needed to spend between 600-1000 euro on grinder, tamper, machine etc, even then you needed to tweak the pressure and there is a large learning curve.

So I chose nespresso. Not every person who appreciates coffee is a pretentious knob-head, there are some who are reasonable and not half way up their own fundament. And there are people who bought and are happy with their nespresso machines who arent buying into the celebrity of it and waiting until cocktail hours whiles around. You wouldn't think so from reading this forum.

And just to add. Ive no doubt that there are experts with their own machines who can produce coffee better than nespresso. Im also sure there are those who havent perfected the process that produces worse coffee. I think most nespresso fans know that they are probably sacrificing something quality wise. Be wary of those who say they are making hte best coffee in the world from a nespresso machine. However, I havent seen one post on here where that has been said. The reactions from those criticising nespresso assume it has been said.

mandarin · 10-06-2011 07:15PM

Morgans, I appreciate that many people opt for Nespresso for the reasons you outlined. However, many people do choose it as a lifestyle statement and are, as easychair put it, buying into "unnecessarily expensive average quality coffee."
Nespresso unashamedly advertise it as such. "Coffee Specialists are always on hand to reveal the mysteries of our exceptional coffee", their website says, and goes on to spout meaningless pretentious twaddle. "French architect Francis Krempp designed our Boutique model, combining art deco influences with contemporary shapes and materials.
• An eclectic mix of materials: the warmth of wood, the luxury of leather, the high-tech feel of metal and the purity of glass.
• Two complementary geometric shapes: the square symbolises the brand's values: perfection, pleasure, aestheticism and simplicity. The circle evokes the coffee cup, discovery, tasting and the senses."

Re quality claims - the Independent piece referred to a top Mayfair restaurant charging £7 (!!!) for a Nespresso. It went on -"Tim Kitchener-Smith, Britain's premier coffee sommelier, stands tall in the dining room, exhorting groups of men in Savile Row suits to drink deeply. He is hosting an invitation-only tasting, and the room is soon heaving with laughter. The venue, unashamedly exclusive, was set up to provide "the best of everything"; yet only now, it claims, does it have the kind of coffee that can sate the expensive appetites of such plutocratic punters."
That is sheer BS.

Going down the espresso route via decent grinder/machine etc is v expensive, as you point out. In fairness to many of the coffee geeks on this forum, they advocate sticking to a simpler and cheaper coffee set-up (french press/filter/aeropress, hand grinder etc).
Nespresso is fine as a convenience choice, but it's not nearly the top product it pretends to be and, at 40 cents approx per cup, much more expensive than it should be.

Morgans · 10-06-2011 07:33PM

I think most reasonable people can see through all sorts (including Nespressos) hyperbole in advertising. But there is still a big leap to say that people are buying Nespresso just to be part of that lifestyle. Those charging and paying 7 pounds for a nespresso need to have a good look at themselves. I dare say that those who do that arent the people coming to this forum - who seem to ask the same reasonable questions regarding the nespressos pros and cons. Most are willing to sacrifice in some way the quality of the coffee - the degree of which is open for debate, something that I believe is overstated by coffee aficionados but each to their own of course - and undoubtedly the variety of coffee that can be used. Those who have bought Nespresso seem to be happy with what they get. I can appreciate that my nespresso costing 170 euro at 1/2 price cannot produce the same level as coffee as a 700/800 coffee machine. I wouldnt expect it to. I also have a french press and stove top.

Criticisms in this thread include:
its one step up from nescafe
if you are a regular drinker you might as well go to a cafe as its so expensive

Both complete nonsense.

I dont see why those who are quick to criticise nespresso take such pleasure in looking down their noses on nespresso users. There are valid criticisms to be made for Nespresso machines, why so quick to treat all nespresso users as posers who only like the product cos they wouldnt know the difference between kopi luwak and maxwell house.

dvpower · 11-06-2011 01:03AM

easychair wrote: »

Of course. Anyone with a little perspective can see that folks who buy into nespresso are trying to buy into what they perceive to be a lifestyle choice, and are trying to make a statement about themselves, and are not buying into the best tasting coffee.

That's a pretty sweeping statement. I'm not a coffee aficionado by any means. I wasn't even aware of Nespresso up to a few weeks before I bought the machine (I only bought it a couple of months ago; maybe I'm not in George Clooney's key demographic), so I can say with confidence that I wasn't buying into a 'lifestyle'.

When I bought my machine I had a few simple criteria. I wanted a good quality coffee (the difference between 'good' and 'the best' is marginal for me) and I wanted convenience, and for me it ticks those boxes. I really couldn't be arsed with any of the bullsh1t that goes with making coffee (as much as I couldn't be asred with the Nespresso marketing bullsh1t); I want to press a button and get a reasonably good cup of coffee. The convenience factor is the main thing, for me I want it to be as easy as making a cup of tea (with a teabag).

The cost of the capsules is my only bugbear - they are a tad expensive, but I can live with it.

SeaSide · 11-06-2011 09:40AM

I'm not sure why you are getting upset about getting a slagging about using a nespresso. This is as far as I am aware a forum to celebrate coffee (and tea) and that to my mind at least means celebrating the best and celebrating the journey to get there. Perhaps go onto the Maths forum and tell them that you can add and subtract and thats all you need and anyone who thinks Pythagorus is important has their heads up their arse.

Morgans · 11-06-2011 09:48AM

You are only proving my point, using one of the worst analogies Ive read on boards.

I think the motoring forum should only discuss the best driving experience and celebrate the journey how to get there. Or would that seem a bit pretentious.

Your opinion on what's best of course is only what matters.

Can you point those wishing to discuss Nespresso to the correct forum?

Nespresso Machine

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