Aldi Espresso Coffee Machine (Thurs 22nd Oct) €79.99

This'll most likely go on deaf ears but seriously this machine will be awful like any other budget espresso maker.

It won't be able to produce the correct and consistent pressure and temperature to brew a shot of espresso.

Google Gaggia Classic. This is the entry level for proper espresso.

If you can't afford this but an aeropress. Not espresso but damn good coffee.

But a hand grinder to accompany it and a milk frothed if you fancy milky drinks.

A Mazda may not go as fast as a Porsche but it'll get the job done a to b.

This machine won't get you a to b. It won't be capable of making a consistant shot of espresso as it will not have the parts necessary to achieve it.

I'm not going to argue. I'm saying this as someone who has down the years owned these kind of machines and now owns a Gaggia classic along with a Gaggia mdf grinder

... which btw is what you will need to grind beans fine enough to go into any espresso machine as the grinder that is listed here will not grind a bean fine enough to give you espresso.

Anyway that's the last I'll say on it. Just trying to give a bit of advice on a subject I know a bit about.

Again my advice is if you can't afford a proper espresso machine save up longer or buy an aeropress.

I have both an aeropress and a Gaggia classic.

I use the aeropress every single day for a morning coffee as I like a full mug of coffee in the morning.

Today when I had a bit more time I drank espresso.

Aeropress seriously though makes a save cup of coffee and it's only about €30 or so if you look on Amazon.

JohnDaniels wrote: »

Pretty much everything posted on this forum someone could suggest something at five times the price that does a better job. All you are doing is thread spoiling so It would be nice if that was your last post.

Thread spoiling by telling someone the options they have?

Believe it or not some folk will see €70 or whatever it is and espresso machine and think great!

Then they get it home and realise it ain't what's it's cracked up to be.

Personally if there was an item on bargain alerts that I knew very little about I'd hope that someone who does would give me other options available and the differences so I could make an informed decision.

I hope your last comment was the last one you make.

murphyebass wrote: »

Thread spoiling by telling someone the options they have?

Believe it or not some folk will see €70 or whatever it is and espresso machine and think great!

Then they get it home and realise it ain't what's it's cracked up to be.

Personally if there was an item on bargain alerts that I knew very little about I'd hope that someone who does would give me other options available and the differences so I could make an informed decision.

I hope your last comment was the last one you make.

Thanks for the tip..
I also have an aeropress and I love it I am interested in getting an espresso machine but would rather get a decent one. I'll pass on this aldi one and wait till I can afford a better one or until the technology of the cheap machines improves

I bought one last year. It was awful. machine was so light that the whole unit moved when removing the coffee holder. it was super light, I was replacing a francis francis machine. I tried a couple coffees through it and they were so bad I returned it the same day.

JohnDaniels wrote: »

Once again you completely ignore my questions

Were the people on last years thread lying? Do they just not have your refined palate?

Your solution is buying a machine at five times the price. Aeropress is not an Espresso maker!

Do you have any actual knowledge of the product in this thread? Have you used this machine? Do you know someone who has? Have you seen online review for it? This could be the best Espresso machine ever built for all you know about it.

I am angry because I put this thread up because I am thinking of buying THIS machine. I don't want one at five times the price. I want one at this price and want to know if this one is any good. Thanks a million though for nothing.

You buy it so. Enjoy.

And nope I haven't tried it and really don't want to.

I know, yes know, it's crap because unlike you I have a pretty good knowledge of coffee, coffee machines, etc.. which is why I've given people info and options around this matter.

Now that is the last thing I will say so you can have the final say as I know you won't quit.

If anyone has a question I recommend the very helpful and incredibly knowledgable lads over on the coffee forum section of boards.

And remember life's too short for terrible coffee. :-)

murphyebass wrote: »

I haven't tried it

Why are you posting here so?

micks wrote: »

I am still trying to understand this part? were you supposed to delete will or wont depending on your choice of argument?

This coming from someone who has managed to make three grammatical errors in just two sentences.

That really is quite the achievment.

murphyebass wrote: »

And remember life's too short for terrible coffee. :-)

I think you may have just convinced me to buy a fancy espresso maker, #I just need to figure out where I can put it in my apartment eek!
cheers for your advice and I am sorry you got the reaction you did here.

murphyebass wrote: »

This machine won't get you a to b. It won't be capable of making a consistant shot of espresso as it will not have the parts necessary to achieve it.

What parts, precisely, are required for the pressure and temperature requirements that are unavailable in a cheaper machine?

Vague answers from marketing material won't be sufficient.

I've no particular interest in buying this, or a €250 machine, but I see absolutely no engineering reason that could possibly back up your statements.

If you aren't a coffee connoisseur but like a couple of decent brews during the day this'll do the job for a reasonable price. A wine buff wouldn't send you to Tesco for a Pinot Noir but you can get a nice bottle for around a tenner when they're doing specials. I have friends who love coffee and are prepared to spend a lot for the perfect cuppa, and in fairness if you invest and put the time and effort in you'll end up with great tasting coffee. However, it'll cost you and I reckon life's too short for coffee obsession. I'd recommend this machine.

@quarryman - I've deleted your post. No need for that style of posting.

dudara

murphyebass wrote: »

if someone knows something about the subject and can add value like I have done I think it's an important part of boards. Opinion from experience to help others.

That would be fine if you did actually add value, however all you have done is make statements, and provide no substantive evidence for your claims.
I am all for spending money on quality kit, but you have given me no reason to believe what you are saying, apart from that you 'know something ahout the subject'.

From my POV, I have bought a number of kitchen applicances and power tools from Aldi and Lidl, and have found that in many cases they are at least as good as their 'branded' counterparts. I know each situation has to be treated independently, but based on track-record, I would expect this unit to be good-to-excellent in performance.

There is not a lot of complexity in these devices... they have a heating chamber and a pump... usually a little ceramic piston/OHV unit which can generate fairly high pressure.

The spec on the Aldi unit state 15bar, and the Gaggia classic also states 15bar. Water can only be heated to 100C (and in fact a little less is better for coffee), so the deficiency can't be there.

Look, if I spend over €250 on an a coffee machine, I would so a lot to justify my outlay in the face of cheaper competition. That's what it sounds like you are doing at any rate... if you can give me some other justification, and I hope you do, because it will save me spending €80.

I bought the Aldi version of this about 15 months ago iirc. I wanted it for all coffees, espresso, americano, lattes, cappuccinos. It made very decent espresso but in the end I returned it because it just didn't have the ability to steam/froth the milk into the microfoam that is essential for making a proper latte. I then bought a 2nd hand Gaggia Classic for €120 and have been delighted with it ever since.

For some these budget machines might be all you ever need. For others they just wont do everything you want and you'll end up replacing them like I did. Its horses for courses really.