Announcement

Collapse
No announcement yet.

What if you just want a great tasting coffee without too much hassle?

Collapse
X
 
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts

  • What if you just want a great tasting coffee without too much hassle?

    Hi everyone, I’m a new member and would like to ask about coffee machines.

    I love coffee and I usually drink a strong latte.
    I’ve been looking at getting a coffee machine but after reading the posts on here I’m a bit overwhelmed!

    It seems that pod coffee machines and anything completely automatic isn’t popular here.

    I think I’d like a manual machine but after speaking to a friend that has one, she doesn’t think it’s worth the effort and the mess and is going back to a pod machine as she’s time poor like me.

    I’m a nurse and do shift work so I’d like to make one in the morning but there’s no way I want to fluff around for 20 minutes when I start work at 7am navigating a coffee machine.

    Does anyone one have any suggestions for machines that don’t make burnt and bitter tasting coffee but also don’t require a bachelor degree?!!
    Are automatic ones really that bad?

    I’ve has many horrific coffees at cafes with professional machines.

    Thanks!

  • #2
    A coffee shop at $4 a day is probably unbeatable for one a day, a certain commitment to make your own great coffee at home is required. You will always have to clean the equipment daily whether it is manual, lower cost appliance grade or upmarket hobbyist. Even pod machines have to be cleaned daily. Coffee beans deteriorate if not used in a couple of weeks.

    Different matter if you are making say 5 a day. The extra effort may be worthwhile.

    Repetition and experience will speed up the process. I believe there are manual equipment which will be quicker than your 20 minutes estimate, no one stands by the kettle waiting for it to boil while making a cup of tea.

    And if you are served burnt and bitter tasting coffee use your consumer rights, protest and or go elsewhere.

    Have fun and good luck.

    Comment


    • #3
      Originally posted by WarrenK View Post
      A coffee shop at $4 a day is probably unbeatable for one a day, a certain commitment to make your own great coffee at home is required. You will always have to clean the equipment daily whether it is manual, lower cost appliance grade or upmarket hobbyist. Even pod machines have to be cleaned daily. Coffee beans deteriorate if not used in a couple of weeks.

      Different matter if you are making say 5 a day. The extra effort may be worthwhile.

      Repetition and experience will speed up the process. I believe there are manual equipment which will be quicker than your 20 minutes estimate, no one stands by the kettle waiting for it to boil while making a cup of tea.

      And if you are served burnt and bitter tasting coffee use your consumer rights, protest and or go elsewhere.

      Have fun and good luck.
      Thanks!
      I’ll usually take it back. I don’t understand when sometimes the same cafe and same barista can produce the most delicious coffee one day and the worst dishwasher burnt coffee another day.

      I said 20 minutes as I read somewhere that many machines take that long to warm up and be ready.
      I’ll be making more than one coffee. I normally drink about 3 per day. Some days of course I’ll buy one.

      I understand that the machine needs cleaning of course but I thought there were lots of other things too

      Comment


      • #4
        Like many others here, I'd say a grinder would be recommended, because that's how you'll get as good/ better than coffee you'd pay for. The grinds can make a bit of a mess.

        But hey, you're a nurse. You would not be a stranger to mess!

        Comment


        • #5
          Do I only grind what I need for each cup?
          I assume I can’t pre grind a few coffees worth?

          Comment


          • #6
            Originally posted by Carmen00 View Post
            Do I only grind what I need for each cup?
            I assume I can’t pre grind a few coffees worth?
            Yeh, it's best to grind just before you make a coffee. In terms of the start up time...you can use a timer switch to start the machine before you get up.

            Do you have an idea what you budget might be (for machine and grinder)?

            Comment


            • #7
              Originally posted by Barry O'Speedwagon View Post
              Yeh, it's best to grind just before you make a coffee. In terms of the start up time...you can use a timer switch to start the machine before you get up.

              Do you have an idea what you budget might be (for machine and grinder)?
              I’m thinking no more than $500.
              I’m open to second hand as well and have checked out FB market place.

              I was was really hoping I could pre grind maybe 3 cups worth at a time!

              I quite like the breville ones. They seem to have good reviews.

              Comment


              • #8
                Yes best per cup. Bulk grindimg may be part of the reason your cafe can give such hit and miss results.

                But grinding a days worth is still a long way better than supermarket preground 12 months ago!

                Comment


                • #9
                  What if you just want a great tasting coffee without too much hassle?

                  Definitely need a grinder - the common cheap stating point seems to be the breville smart grinder (around $180 on sale), often paired with one of the entry breville/sunbeam machines or something better like the dual boiler (BES920)

                  If you want an all-in-one, there’s a breville with grinder built in for $620ish, or up to $1800+ for the Oracle - these are all “appliances” though and probably last 5-6 years before needing a decent repair.

                  The other good starting point for a “proper” machine would be a Gaggic Classic, Rancilio Silvia or Lelit PL41TEMD - the Lelit has a version with grinder too (PL42TEMD).

                  Beyond that... starts to get into serious business!


                  EDIT: Just saw your budget - probably a Breville Barista Express (BES870) for around $500 new, otherwise a Breville smart grinder and maybe a 2nd hand gaggia classic or similar. I think there was someone selling a 2nd hand Rancilio Silvia & Grinder here for under $400?

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Originally posted by shauno View Post
                    Definitely need a grinder - the common cheap stating point seems to be the breville smart grinder (around $180 on sale), often paired with one of the entry breville/sunbeam machines or something better like the dual boiler (BES920)

                    If you want an all-in-one, there’s a breville with grinder built in for $620ish, or up to $1800+ for the Oracle - these are all “appliances” though and probably last 5-6 years before needing a decent repair.

                    The other good starting point for a “proper” machine would be a Gaggic Classic, Rancilio Silvia or Lelit PL41TEMD - the Lelit has a version with grinder too (PL42TEMD).

                    Beyond that... starts to get into serious business!
                    I’ve read that it’s best not to use a grinder that’s on the machine as it can affect the beans. So I’d rather buy a machine without a grinder if that really is the case and buy a separate grinder.

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Yes there’s a Silvia & grinder for sale here for $300 - that’s a great deal, the Silvia just needs to be looked after & learn how to use it...

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Agree with shauno. Silvia at $300 + a new breville SG will do well for $500

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          Originally posted by shauno View Post
                          Yes there’s a Silvia & grinder for sale here for $300 - that’s a great deal, the Silvia just needs to be looked after & learn how to use it...
                          Never heard of Silvia. I’ll google.

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Whoa just saw both for $300 (as shauno mentioned ).
                            Hope you're in Sydney. That's a fine deal.

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              Originally posted by shortblackman View Post
                              Whoa just saw both for $300 (as shauno mentioned ).
                              Hope you're in Sydney. That's a fine deal.
                              In Melbourne.

                              Comment

                              Working...
                              X