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espresso
Sept 28, 2021 15:42:13 GMT
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Post by julesd68 on Sept 28, 2021 15:42:13 GMT
I have a cunning plan to be able to make cappuccino again without buying any new gear ... Watch this space as they say.  Just a shot in the dark, but does it involve a two-stroke lawnmower engine, a bicycle pump, and a small aubergiune? Dammit - you've spoilt my fun!! |
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Post by petea on Sept 28, 2021 15:57:44 GMT
I guess it comes down to budget, Mike.
I don't know much about the DeLonghi coffee makers, but their grinder is the most cost-effective means of grinding espresso from bean without over-heating them (DeLonghi-KG79-Professional-Burr-Grinder) under a hundred quid or more it seems (our old Braun one used to ruin the coffee)! I use one in the UK where I drink less coffee ( as it is usually just me) and so buy Cafe Direct Machu Pichu beans, whereas here we buy ground, fare-trade coffee from El Puento. I have several espresso makers in the UK ranging from classic on-the-hob models to electric moka maker-style units to a nice aluminium mini industrial, 'Vesuviana style' one I bought about 30-odd years ago. The ones I use the most in the UK are a Norwegian electric model that works like the classic (Bialetti) stove-top models and made by Royal I think (it was a chance buy when I was in Oslo at some point 'cos I liked the design). It makes great coffee, but is very fussy about the fineness of the grind. The other is actually an insulated cafetiere, but I use coffee ground a bit coarser than for expresso in it.
Here in Germany we use a Jura Subito machine which is quick and easy. It is long out of production and I have several I bought on eBay that I scavenge for parts as and when something fails (it is 20 years old), but you can buy the original seals etc still. If I was going to change I would buy another machine from Jura I think, but I'm not sure I would buy a bean-to-cup machines they need to be used regularly and / or cleaned out frequently to stop mould growing in the innards. A friends has one of the Smeg manual units and likes it a lot so that might be a possibility too.
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espresso
Sept 28, 2021 16:01:45 GMT
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Post by julesd68 on Sept 28, 2021 16:01:45 GMT
C'mon Mike, spill the beans, what did you decide on?  I have a cunning plan to be able to make cappuccino again without buying any new gear ... Watch this space as they say. Not for the first time I'm still researching as I knew very little about coffee makers The boss tells me cafetierre is not good enough and she must have the steamer bit. Not with it enough on Saturday to quiz the coffee expert stepson, he of the £100s machine Delonghi have about a million different models Is there a stand out make if not Delonghi ? Can it be made simpler ? Is an industrial type a good buy secondhand as can be fixed when breaking ? I think you are making this a bit more complicated than necessary Mike - not sure there is much more to say than hasn't been said already. Cafetiere makes filter coffee, not espresso - nothing to do with one being 'better' than another as they make a totally different style of coffee as mentioned before. In terms of choice you will find that setting a budget narrows the choice down hugely. If you decide you want to spend under £200 on a manual espresso machine with steam wand, John Lewis have De Longhi, Dualit and own brand JL machines. Krups is another one to look at elsewhere. None will be perfect at that kind of price but 'good enough' - I believe JL gives you 2 years guarantee that is worth having. Why not go look at some? If you buy something 'industrial' yes they can be serviced etc but you are looking at a very big and expensive machine. |
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espresso
Sept 28, 2021 16:03:40 GMT
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Post by julesd68 on Sept 28, 2021 16:03:40 GMT
Bean to Cup start at around 300.
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Post by MartinT on Sept 28, 2021 16:38:20 GMT
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Post by julesd68 on Sept 28, 2021 18:11:27 GMT
Pure comedy gold of course! My espresso cappuccino kit, which will be tested when the proper coffee arrives, can be had for around £25. Cheap enough to satisfy the most thrifty ..  |
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Post by petea on Sept 28, 2021 18:47:48 GMT
On the rare occasions that I make a Cappuccino, although our machine has a steam wand, I usually heat some milk in a small pan and use a battery-operated mild whisk / frother. Much less messy I find and quick.
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Post by MikeMusic on Sept 28, 2021 19:12:45 GMT
Not for the first time I'm still researching as I knew very little about coffee makers The boss tells me cafetierre is not good enough and she must have the steamer bit. Not with it enough on Saturday to quiz the coffee expert stepson, he of the £100s machine Delonghi have about a million different models Is there a stand out make if not Delonghi ? Can it be made simpler ? Is an industrial type a good buy secondhand as can be fixed when breaking ? I think you are making this a bit more complicated than necessary Mike - not sure there is much more to say than hasn't been said already. Cafetiere makes filter coffee, not espresso - nothing to do with one being 'better' than another as they make a totally different style of coffee as mentioned before. In terms of choice you will find that setting a budget narrows the choice down hugely. If you decide you want to spend under £200 on a manual espresso machine with steam wand, John Lewis have De Longhi, Dualit and own brand JL machines. Krups is another one to look at elsewhere. None will be perfect at that kind of price but 'good enough' - I believe JL gives you 2 years guarantee that is worth having. Why not go look at some? If you buy something 'industrial' yes they can be serviced etc but you are looking at a very big and expensive machine. Looking for any make or type that stands out, if nothing then Delonghi I guess, or a good make, Gaggia ? in red  Nothing seems to stand out as head and shoulders above the rest |
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espresso
Sept 28, 2021 19:40:45 GMT
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Post by julesd68 on Sept 28, 2021 19:40:45 GMT
Correct they don't! That's because at that price they are all very similar, lots of plastic etc Red Gaggia here if you are serious?? Gaggia RI8425/22 Gran Deluxe Coffee Machine, 950 W, 15 Bar, Red www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00YMWHLMM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apan_glt_fabc_X1R3W0KWAK08SCK05VHVI had something very similar from Gaggia, lasted about 4 years which is ok for the price. Could last longer or shorter, just down to luck. |
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Post by MikeMusic on Sept 29, 2021 11:12:15 GMT
Hoping for equivalent to SMSL Q5 or maybe Belles |
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Post by MartinT on Sept 29, 2021 11:26:20 GMT
Perhaps the latest SMSL DAC (Direct Access Coffee) device?
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Post by Slinger on Sept 30, 2021 14:48:50 GMT
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Post by MartinT on Sept 30, 2021 18:25:14 GMT
Isn't Latte just coffee ruined with milk? |
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espresso
Sept 30, 2021 19:53:54 GMT
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Post by julesd68 on Sept 30, 2021 19:53:54 GMT
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Post by MikeMusic on Sept 30, 2021 20:12:19 GMT
You can bet that's one of very many  |
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Post by MartinT on Oct 1, 2021 5:31:32 GMT
What will we do?
There is a limit, you know.
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Post by MikeMusic on Oct 1, 2021 10:03:41 GMT
Pay up or do without - or mid way, keep it and certain items as a luxury rarely consumed item
I'm quite impressed with the cafetierre.
Noticeably not as good but not that far behind the machine
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Post by MartinT on Oct 1, 2021 11:55:56 GMT
Do without? Are you mad?
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Post by julesd68 on Oct 1, 2021 12:47:21 GMT
So my new toy is a stovetop maker which was a free gift from a coffee supplier I had been using.
I've not mastered it fully yet but am already getting delicious coffee. I'm using an espresso blend which is ground medium fine especially for stovetop - espresso grind is too fine.
This will give you an idea of what to expect -
What you get is a coffee that isn't quite the same as an espresso made through a proper machine in terms of crema and intensity but is an absolute pleasure to drink. Also, the gear is cheap, very cheap - buy a pot for around 25 quid - there are different sizes available.
I like to drink it cappuccino style but what I need to improve most is my milk frothing. I had really mastered it when using my old Gaggia's steam wand but for this I was using a handheld frother I received as a present - it's not really doing the job so have ordered a well reviewed one from Amazon for a tenner. Hopefully better milk foam tomorrow!
Shout out to Roost Coffee - this is my second order from this excellent Yorkshire supplier. Very fresh, flavoursome coffee with super quick delivery. Highly recommended.
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Post by MikeMusic on Oct 1, 2021 15:35:09 GMT
See what it costs and maybe cut down a bit then |
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