Beginner advice needed about coffee pod machines

BPCoff

Hi all. Very new to Coffee drinking and learning about the different blends and beans etc. Just need some experienced advice about budget friendly Coffee machines to be used at home but need something fairly professional because my partner and I are intending on learning more about Coffee and want to practice at home and impress our friends and family. I know most of you would advise against department store brand products (which is all we have seen and the sales people tell us they are 'excellent'). Apologies for the amateur question(s) but this is all kinda new to us...much appreciated.

Koffee_Kosmo

on 1361401821:

Hi all. Very new to Coffee drinking and learning about the different blends and beans etc. Just need some experienced advice about budget friendly Coffee machines to be used at home but need something fairly professional because my partner and I are intending on learning more about Coffee and want to practice at home and impress our friends and family. I know most of you would advise against department store brand products (which is all we have seen and the sales people tell us they are 'excellent'). Apologies for the amateur question(s) but this is all kinda new to us...much appreciated.

That depends on the coffee style that you and your wife likes In my case I like Espresso and Greek / Turkish style coffee equally Followed by Syphon and Cold press / drip First determine what you like then make a decision I have sampled pod coffee and its a couple of notches above instant But if that's what you like ? don't let anyone hen peck you to get something you may not like Try and sample first if you can KK

UNM

I shall go out on a limb here and assume you are interested in a pod (or capsule) machine. Capsule machines: Avoid the cheap Aldi ones. For nespresso compatible, De Longhi are reputable, although I have not used them personally. Saeco also  have a few available. Generally cheap machines to buy, but  high ongoing cost and quality of coffee is usually not great. For pods, here is some light reading: http://www.mycuppa.com.au/ESE-Coffee-Pod.html http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/archive/2001048 And if you really want to impress, consider a large coffee  siphon. Looks like a science experiment. Makes coffee of similar style to that which  many people  drink at  home (large amount of coffee, dash of milk and can add sugar.) Edit: oh, some idea of budget would be  useful.  No point recommending something several hundred more than you can afford

BPCoff

Thanks UNM. I have actually been convinced opt against department store machines especially considering we will most likely place the machine in our home office which is visited frequently by clients. So apart from initially impressing them by actually having a machine, it would be great if we know how to use it correctly and make great coffee as well. After I get through some initial video tutorials and some more reading, I can begin training at home. We were looking at these ones: http://www.saecooutletshop.com.au/gaggia.html www.bluepod.com.au But after our short time on this forum and researching, we are actually steering towards roasting our own and committing more time to it all which, unfortunately, means upping our budget 

FreshCoffee2

Hi there. walk before you run ! My opinion: Can I please suggest that if you are interested in coffee and roasting, the last thing you want to start on is a pod machine (except as a spring board to something better in which case go straight to something better and save time and money). Of the two links you have given us, please forget the second one and look at the first. Check the Gaggia Classic. It is a very good starter / beginner machine at the bottom end of good coffee and equipment.  You will need an appropriate grinder. And then you will need an appropriate level of operator understanding and expertise. You can cut to the chase and pay for a lesson, from where you will need to take a certain level of understanding back home and over time develop your skills. Hard to recommend a suitable grinder that will "match" the machine because the bottom end budget priced reasonable grinders have their own set of problems. Probably the simplest and easiest to use and most reliable bottom end reasonable grinders will cost as much as the machine eg Iberital Challenge or Ascaso iMini. They will work straight out of the box with a simple grind adjustment, wont require "shimming" or other stupidites that an end user shouldnt need to do, or jam the adjuster mechanism over time, and will continue to be reliable long term with a good grind result for the money. Its the bottom end......but it will launch you into good commercial quality espresso coffee once you learn how to understand and operate it to best effect. Essentially, you have to "get it". If you dont "get it", espresso will never work for you (unless you take the easier route and use a stove pot moka pot...hard to get wrong once you've been shown). Otherwise as others have stated, you dont have to do espresso. there is absolutely nothing wrong with a good filter or plunger coffee particularly if made with fresh grinds (so still need a good grinder) and good fresh beans.  When I travel, I usually wont touch espresso and will instead make a good filter coffee for myself each morning. Hope that helps. Attilio very first Crema site sponsor.

mycuppa

The most important thing to remember is....... You don't need to impress anyone but yourself. If you make coffee for someone and they provide feedback, there is a >50% chance the feedback may conflict with your own opinions. Be careful not to fall into traps - with equipment, coffee and feedback.

askthecoffeeguy

what's your budget? that will go a long way towards determining whats a good option for you? and remember you'll need a good grinder too! cheers, ACg

Lacehim

BPCoff, also speak to you accountant.  You might be able to claim a portion of the coffee machine as a business expense, especially if you are buying it to provide coffee to clients.

BPCoff

Hi all. yes accountant will definitely be visited  In terms of budget, we're not really sure. We're realising budget for the actual equipment and accessories needs to be increased.

derrilex

Ahhh, upgraditis before purchasing anything. Love it. :D :thumb:

FreshCoffee2

Well, if the budget increases, certainly a nicer/better set up can be considered. For example, around $2500.00 (not exact its a budget) will get you (from me !) a very nice semi commercial machine and a really good matched grinder....the set up will be streets / light years ahead of the previous combo I suggested that came about through the links you gave us. A $2500.00 set up will look like you have small commercial set up in your home/offioce, rather than a domestic appliance....it looks the part. Make no mistake however, the very same rules of engagement will apply in that if you dont "get it" and cant cant make it work, you would be better not switching it on when a client comes through. Note also that use of conventional or "manual" machines in an office environment, before you get the hang of it  ("get it"), is going to cost you money in time spent and mess made getting a not so good result out...in front of a potential client. Get the hang of it and do it proficiently in front of the client, and offer him the result (a great cuppa), and win him over big time. So if you invest the $2500.00, you then have to make a committment to make it work. Eyes wide open before you start !