Coffee Machine Suggestions Please

[Ginger]

DH has suggested I can get a coffee machine for my birthday gift this year. I have no idea what the good brands are or where to even start looking. Please help!
Give me all your suggestions of what you think is best. TIA for helping me with my research.

ps. it needs to look good next to my candy apple red kitchen aid LOL

[Rivlas]

Will be watching this with you as we have one but we think DH put one of the rubber seals in the compost bin and we are having trouble getting a replacement.

[Glamourcide]

Ooh, sorry hun, no advice, but had to subscribe to this one as I desperately want a coffee machine for my birthday so I can stop buying overpriced lattes at Donut King Hope you can get some tips (and I can steal them!)

[Ginger]

i know exactly what you mean glamourcide i'm up at my local deli everyday buying one...and then i end up buying myself a muffin, and a cheese and bacon roll for the kids etc. etc.

hopefully someone has some suggestions for us rivlas

[allycat06]

We've got a Sunbeam espresso one...the cafe crema model I think it is. Love it! Heats up pretty quick, you can make 2 cups at a time and has nice control with the steamer. Check out the website, I've seen a pretty red one on there which might match your kitchen aid

From what I've heard the DeLonghi and Saeco brand ones are the best if you've got a bit to spend....

[STARRYSKY]

we just bought a new one and im in looove with it.

Its the sunbeam cafe series twin pump and twin thermoblock (TPTT) system.

It comes with a tamper, a scooper and 2 double basket (one is dual floor) 2 single baskets (1 dual floor) a single spout and double spout and milk jug. its great as you can program it to make your coffee as strong or as weak as you like it, also has pre programmed 1 cup or 2 cup buttons.

Being TPTT, you can steam your milk or use the hot water spout at the same time as doing the coffee
also comes with cd and full insrtuctions etc..

eta... Kitchen aid make coffee machines too!

[Nai]

DP is a coffee snob and he did a lot of research before we bought our new one and we got a Lelit Combi - so far it is fantastic!

[~me~]

My SIL has the nespresso one...George Clooney. Uses the pods and also has the milk frother. Think it's around $600-700 mark though. It makes a nice coffee and is easy to use (even I can use it )

[thepixie]

Love my Saeco Talea Touch that the Bear got me last year for Mothers' Day.... and we have a Saeco Royal Cappuccino at work which is awesome too.... if you try ebay you can get them a bit cheaper or try the sales apparently the mid-year sales will be big this year! Good luck and happy caffeine-buzzing!

[jackrose]

It depends really on two things, how much you are willing to spend, and what you want from your machine.

You can buy a really cheap machine and get coffee from it which is fair or jump to the next price bracket [$600+] and go for a machine modeled on an industrial machine (in that it has the TPTT system starrsky mentioned and has the power to pull a decent shot of espresso and froth milk decently) or then you can jump to the next price bracket again [$2000] and get a beauty that needs a bit of knowledge behind it as it is essentially an industrial single group machine.

Then in terms of what you want from your machine, do you want to be in control or do you want it to do every thing for you? I am not a fan of the machines that grind your beans, set the dose and froth your milk automatically. Too much can go wrong, there is little control over the final product and coffee making is all about controlling the elements, and I just can't believe you can get the best of machinery in an all in one. Much better to buy a good machine, invest in a good grinder and get to know your local roaster so you can get fresh beans and tips on how to work your machinery! However, making coffee is a messy business and takes a little bit of know how to get a good end product. If you are not into the mess (I mean grinds every where etc) and haven't got the patience for the nuances of the bean, go for the all auto... but if you want to enjoy the making and the journey, go the manual.

I think the best thing is to go for the middle range machine and I believe the best are the Sunbeam Starrsky mentions or the Ranchilio Silvia. Apparently there is a Breville which is not too bad and may be a little cheaper but it can't really match the other two for power and decent end shot. Check out the "coffeegeek" and "coffeesnobs" forums for many debates over the best home machines!

The other thing to consider is beans! In my opinion, there is no point in investing in such fine machinery and then buying beans from a Supermarket or from one of the major companies that roast beans months in advance and keep them for aaagggeesssss... Coffee goes stale very quickly. You need to make sure you find a local roaster and buy fresh . Luckily you are in Melbourne and there are heaps of little roasters around now which is really exciting. The next step is to invest in a grinder! Coffee that is pre-ground will stale within a few hours and beans are best a few days after roasting and are stale within a week or so - depending on storage etc. Freshly ground coffee really is a whole new world!

It is a very exciting adventure - coffee at home! Starrsky knows me as an out and proud coffee geek, welcome aboard and enjoy the ride!!
[Starrsky, so glad your Sunbeam is living up to your expectations!]

[Phteven]

I've got a breville one. I can't remember the name but it cost about $500 and it's red. It's out of action at the moment because it needs a new seal.

It's not too bad but if I was to buy another one I would save up a bit more because I think with coffee machines you pretty much get what you pay for.

I don't even want to think about coffee. It's so depressing trying to get a decent coffee in Australia - they're just too milky and they make me feel ill.

[Ginger]

thank you so much jackrose. i don't think you can leave rep points atm, but just wanted to let you know how much i appreciate your post. Same to you onyx, starrysky, thepixie, heather, nai and ally

wow! so much info, i'm not really sure where to start. i guess price limit would be around the $900-$1000. i don't want one that is too difficult as i am new to all this. i guess i'm looking for a really good quality beginner's one itms?


ooohhh i just googled the sunbeam one and found a red one- looks awesome. its the Café Series® Espresso Machine Red
EM6910R. is that your model starrysky?

[Nai]

I think the best thing is to go for the middle range machine and I believe the best are the Sunbeam Starrsky mentions or the Ranchilio Silvia. Apparently there is a Breville which is not too bad and may be a little cheaper but it can't really match the other two for power and decent end shot. Check out the "coffeegeek" and "coffeesnobs" forums for many debates over the best home machines!

The Lelit Combi is made in Italy and a similar spec to the Ranchilio Silvia and is about $850. Talk Coffee in Northcote can get them in - google them and have a look at their website.

[Ginger]

just googled them Nai- they actually look fantastic. the website said they were a good starting point. i wonder if they sell them at other retailers like the good guys or myer?
are you really happy with yours? easy to use?

[~Stoked~]

Omg..... Seriously, go for the Delonghi Nespresso with the pods. You get a PERFECT cup of coffee every time, there are no tricks to it and best of all NO MESS!! We got ours for about $450 and it's the best money we've ever spent! I've used normal coffee machines and there are just too many variables to get a good cup, this one, without fail, delivers a perfect cup every time, even the milk is frothed perfectly!
HTH
X

[STARRYSKY]

Yep, thats the one!! OMG!! I didnt know it came in red!!!! doh!! oh well, seriously I love it, and totally agree with all that Jackrose has said, its great to have that control over your "perfect cup".
Like I said it comes with full instructions (quite easy to follow) and a dvd. we got ours for about $600 from the good guys.