Re: Budget machine for a friend
Hey Stephen, probably not the answer youre hoping for but if she drinks espresso, anything you can get for $300 would probably disappoint! Your best bet might be to get her a $300 grinder and leave the machine to her, or to team up with some other friends/relatives and get something more substantial.
Having said that, the Ikon seems to have a reputation as a better cheap machine, and $279 with a grinder sounds like a great price!
PS - just noticed this thread: http://coffeesnobs.com.au/YaBB.pl?num=1178803379
Would be well worth a read if youre considering the Ikon!
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Re: Budget machine for a friend
ChrisOriginally posted by Christop link=1193256915/15#22 date=1193364513Drover, I saw the Breville Ikon for $300 in the Good guys pamplet this week, compared to $460 at Myer!!
$300 for the Ikon, is a great buy given all the great feedback 2mcm and others have said.
Does the Breville Ikon for $300 that you bought includes the Breville grinder. I know there was a package deal a month ago from the Good Guys where the grinder and espresso machine were going for $279 package price. A friends birthday is coming up and she said she wants to buy an espresso machine as she loves her double espresso. I am thinking of getting this machine for her birthday present as a surprise. Anyone knows which retailer in Perth has the best deal on this machine?
Alternatively does anyone has any suggestion for a "good" espresso machine for under $300?
Thanks
Stephen
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Re: Budget machine for a friend
If only id known about this place when I was shopping for my machine!
I like my sunbeam, I dont really know any better than it, but the Ikon looks really good from what people have said. And what a great price from the good guys!!!
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Re: Budget machine for a friend
Drover, I saw the Breville Ikon for $300 in the Good guys pamplet this week, compared to $460 at Myer!!
$300 for the Ikon, is a great buy given all the great feedback 2mcm and others have said.
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Re: Budget machine for a friend
Hope she enjoys the coffee
You never know, it just may lead her to spend $1000s on a great setup down the track - but even if not shell soon be enjoying far better coffee than the average punter!
One tip with the single thermoblock sunbeams (actually you probably already know this...) - always pour the espresso first, then steam the milk. If making multiple cups and you need to pour an espresso soon after steaming milk, run a good amount of water through the group head first to cool everything down.
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Re: Budget machine for a friend
Yeah, I dont know what possessed her to get the Crema, I guess the fact that she knew I owned it so could give her some tips. I only found coffee snobs after the fact Id went and got a machine, but if I had known about this place I would have probably reached for something a bit better :s. Anywy, the sunbeam will do, its going well.
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Re: Budget machine for a friend
Originally posted by Mal link=1193256915/15#18 date=1193314904I trust youre not referring to specialist espresso machines and grinders here JB :-?Originally posted by JavaB link=1193256915/15#17 date=1193313821So with coffee machines it should be function over form.... it is an appliance designed to carry out a function.
Mal.
Ehhh.... nope.... talking appliances.... those so called coffee making things sold by chain stores etc..... (well it is in a thread with "Budget machine" in the title)......
But seeing you bought it up - lets face it, many serious coffee machines dont look as "pretty" (or should that be unobtrusive :
) as some of the appliances (especially to she who rules the kitchen
;D).... but they sure work a whole heap better - in fact no comparison on that front..
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Re: Budget machine for a friend
I trust youre not referring to specialist espresso machines and grinders here JB :-?Originally posted by JavaB link=1193256915/15#17 date=1193313821So with coffee machines it should be function over form.... it is an appliance designed to carry out a function.
Mal.
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Re: Budget machine for a friend
Ah, the old form over function choice....
Whilst a "good looking" piece of kit is really attractive in the kitchen (especially important in some peoples eyes)..... as Luca would say it should be "what is in the cup that counts"....
After all we are talking coffee machines, not vases of flowers or paintings....
So with coffee machines it should be function over form.... it is an appliance designed to carry out a function. This becomes increasingly important when cost is a significant factor.... would you rather the manufacturer spend the limited funds on something which looks pretty or something which helps make better coffee?
Would you buy a car with metallic paint and leather trim because it looks good..... if it means they didnt have enough money left in the budget to fit brakes!!
- I very much doubt it....
So if you want a machine to make coffee go for function.... but if you want a piece of decoration which you want people to admire but wont really use :
.... just like the car with no brakes.... go for form!
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Re: Budget machine for a friend
More looks Id say. Theyd all have a plastic chassis underneath, its just a matter of the skin. That being the case Id suspect shes more after something that looks fancy than the best available for the money.
But hey, reason and logic aside, if shes using it and shes happy with it thats the main thing. The grinder will certainly help make the most of it.
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Re: Budget machine for a friend
The plastic was the thing that put her off. She wanted the stainless steel because it would be more sturdy.Originally posted by knaff link=1193256915/0#14 date=1193298453Even at $99, Id take one over any Breville/Sunbeam thermoblock (6910 excluded)
Pros :
Boiler
Steam control knob
"Krups" compatible
1.5L water tank
Small footprint
Price
Cons:
Plastic construction
Small driptray
Steam capacity limited
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Re: Budget machine for a friend
Even at $99, Id take one over any Breville/Sunbeam thermoblock (6910 excluded)
Pros :
Boiler
Steam control knob
"Krups" compatible
1.5L water tank
Small footprint
Price
Cons:
Plastic construction
Small driptray
Steam capacity limited
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Re: Budget machine for a friend
She ended up getting a Cafe Crema and will get a turkish grinder. Thanks everyone for your comments.
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Re: Budget machine for a friend
Kmart had them for $99 two weeks ago - almost got one.
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Re: Budget machine for a friend
Who pays RRP ?? ;D
Kmart had them for $69, 2 weeks ago
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