Coffee Machines

[qkslvr]

I first had an espresso maker and yes, the cleaning was a pain in the behind. I got my Nespresso Maestro machine 2 years ago and I love it. Well I miss it actually, been living in London for a year now and it's back in Sydney waiting quietly for my return.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

OK so my first basic questions are:
1. There are a number of various manufacturers - what degree of universality is there with pods?
2. Are some machines totally 'own specific' in terms of pod usage?
3. I understand how the pod is ejected post usage into an enclosed receptacle - do ALL brands have same degree of ease of cleaning or are some harder?
4. Do all brands have 'dishwasher' safe components?
5. Do learned AFF member users of pod machines consider a milk frother a MUST addition?
6. If you have had your machine longer than 1 year and needed to replace it would you re-purchase same brand?
Clearly I understand there will be widely held views on this topic - feel free to supply all and any info you might have.

 

[LadyC]

I have a Delonghi fully automatic coffee machine. Similar to the silver compact model RRP $1499. My model is 4 years old so no longer available. My machine is for home use. Used mainly by me for espressos but also for guests and the gentleman, using the milk frothing function.

Considered getting a pod machine but have never been that happy with the output. Too lazy to use a manual machine. This is my second Delonghi after the first one died after about 6 years. Really happy with it. I appreciate it is pretty expensive for home use but I know I get value from it.

 

[Limewood]

We've had SAECO Xelsis for about 4 years or so, its makes all sorts of Coffee's and has been very reliable, its best if your a pilot to work it cause it has a plethora of settings to choose from, I can make black or white coffee but Mrs lime mastered it quickly and she can made any coffee one wants

 

[Princess Fiona]

OK so my first basic questions are:
1. There are a number of various manufacturers - what degree of universality is there with pods?
2. Are some machines totally 'own specific' in terms of pod usage?
3. I understand how the pod is ejected post usage into an enclosed receptacle - do ALL brands have same degree of ease of cleaning or are some harder?
4. Do all brands have 'dishwasher' safe components?
5. Do learned AFF member users of pod machines consider a milk frother a MUST addition?
6. If you have had your machine longer than 1 year and needed to replace it would you re-purchase same brand?
Clearly I understand there will be widely held views on this topic - feel free to supply all and any info you might have.

Get a Delonghi Nespresso
They have an online store with Factory seconds at amazingly good prices.
1. Little universality. Some pods said to work with nespresso don't
2. Yes see above
3. Not sure
4. Delonghi does
5. Yes, self contained and automatic milk dispenser/ frothed is a must
6. Yes my Delonghi from Amazon IT is still going strong, used every day multiple times. The only hassle is the descaling. We need to do it three times a year.

 

[Steady]

OK so my first basic questions are:
1. There are a number of various manufacturers - what degree of universality is there with pods?
2. Are some machines totally 'own specific' in terms of pod usage?
3. I understand how the pod is ejected post usage into an enclosed receptacle - do ALL brands have same degree of ease of cleaning or are some harder?
4. Do all brands have 'dishwasher' safe components?
5. Do learned AFF member users of pod machines consider a milk frother a MUST addition?
6. If you have had your machine longer than 1 year and needed to replace it would you re-purchase same brand?
Clearly I understand there will be widely held views on this topic - feel free to supply all and any info you might have.

There is a lot of info on coffee machines and everything coffee HERE, its an Australian forum somewhat similar to AFF

PS - I think life is too short to drink instant or pod coffee :shock: I recall someone saying a similar thing about sparkling wine

 

[JessicaTam]

OK so my first basic questions are:
1. There are a number of various manufacturers - what degree of universality is there with pods?
2. Are some machines totally 'own specific' in terms of pod usage?
3. I understand how the pod is ejected post usage into an enclosed receptacle - do ALL brands have same degree of ease of cleaning or are some harder?
4. Do all brands have 'dishwasher' safe components?
5. Do learned AFF member users of pod machines consider a milk frother a MUST addition?
6. If you have had your machine longer than 1 year and needed to replace it would you re-purchase same brand?
Clearly I understand there will be widely held views on this topic - feel free to supply all and any info you might have.

3. A machine with a milk frother will require more cleaning than one without. The amount of cleaning will depend on the amount of 'plumbing' after the pod that the coffee passes through. We have an ALDI machine at work that needs a cleaning cycle run each day when it is turned on. I have a Lavazza machine that has the pod sitting above the outlet, so only needs a quick rinse.

4. The Lavazza and ALDI models do.

5. I rarely drink coffee at home (hence the cheaper Lavazza machine) so I zap the milk in the microwave to save the hassle of cleaning.

 

[prozac]

There is a lot of info on coffee machines and everything coffee HERE, its an Australian forum somewhat similar to AFF

PS - I think life is too short to drink instant or pod coffee :shock: I recall someone saying a similar thing about sparkling wine

Funny, you just beat me to it Steady. I just stumbled across this thread 10 minutes ago.
There is a lot of basic knowledge to learn about real coffee machines and the other forum is a great tool for learning.
On Pod machines I recall reading somewhere about a small company in Adelaide that manufactures pods for many types of machine, just cheaper. Can't recall anything else but maybe a search will locate it for you.

edit: A couple of links here to Adelaide pod makers;
http://indaily.com.au/business/2015/05/28/taking-coffee-pods-to-the-world-from-adelaide/
I think this is th one I roiginally read about - http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/busin...mpany-bestpresso/story-e6fredel-1226519835265
http://bestpressostore.com/

 

[moa999]

Most machine pods aren't compatible.. Also some refillable pods mostly for Nespresso.

I recently bought a Vittoria esspressotoria Capino system which often has the cheapest pods (at $5/12) at Woolworths.

Bought at cotd.com.au - they had a sale of machine+144 pods for about $60 which was a steal. 30 pods in its good value - not as much coffee choice as Nespresso, but supporting a decent Australian brand.

Most Woolworths also sell the machines for $50 on special. No frother (but $30 if you want one at wow or aldi).

I typically put a splash of milk in then a long pour - close enough to a flat white

 

[Cruiser Elite]

PS - I think life is too short to drink instant or pod coffee :shock: I recall someone saying a similar thing about sparkling wine

Damn right - and I have posted many times - life is too short to drink white wine unless it is French with lots of bubbles in it!

And indeed I am still conflicted as to whether to buy or not - we live within 200mtrs of 2 specialist coffee outlets - hrs of operation 6am til 6pm - I hate plunger / drip / brewed coffee - we are trying to convince ourselves it is worthwhile - hence the questions.

Thanks to everyone for their contributions this far.

 

[serfty]

Nespresso increased matrimonial harmony significantly.

Before that I was a grinder and brewer - it's amazing where those little black/brown specs can get too ... :shock:

 

[marki]

lovely topic, I basically hate pods, because control is lost over the coffee brewing process. Unknown coffee quality and unknown age of the beans etc ,,,etc... I do however love machines like the sunbeam expresso machines with dual boilers so one can do milk frothing and coffee at the same time. One is more in control, the beans can be inspected, sniffed, felt and ground according to your own specifications. IE very fine or very course depending on the coffee. (this is a whole other world). One can then percolate the coffee according to the coffee's specifications and correct pressure. Yes you control the pressure the thickness and crema. (again this a whole another world in brewing coffee.
But I agree Pod coffees are easy to use and hassle free in the most and belong in hotels. (mostly)

Nespresso increased matrimonial harmony significantly.

Before that I was a grinder and brewer - it's amazing where those little black/brown specs can get too ... :shock:

 

[lovetravellingoz]

Nespresso increased matrimonial harmony significantly.

Before that I was a grinder and brewer - it's amazing where those little black/brown specs can get to ... :shock:

Fortunately my MH did not need tweaking and I remain a "grinder & brewer" as my other half loves the hot chocolates she can enjoy from a twin boiler including the milk froth.

 

[medhead]

OK so my first basic questions are:
1. There are a number of various manufacturers - what degree of universality is there with pods?
2. Are some machines totally 'own specific' in terms of pod usage?
3. I understand how the pod is ejected post usage into an enclosed receptacle - do ALL brands have same degree of ease of cleaning or are some harder?
4. Do all brands have 'dishwasher' safe components?
5. Do learned AFF member users of pod machines consider a milk frother a MUST addition?
6. If you have had your machine longer than 1 year and needed to replace it would you re-purchase same brand?
Clearly I understand there will be widely held views on this topic - feel free to supply all and any info you might have.

We got a nespresso machine last christmas. Love it. I was flat sitting in Sydney for a few months last year. The guy had a nespresso machine and recommended pods from Woolies that were compatible. But I didn't think the price was that much cheaper, maybe 5 cents a pod. He didn't have a milk attachment part, so I was heating milk on the stove - no nuclear heater either. At home we got the aerocino version of the nespresso machine. Brother in law has a machine with the fully automatic milk thingy. To me that would be a pain to clean, even if you wouldn't need to clean it between every coffee.

Haven't seen the need to dishwasher the parts, our machine has the used pod draw and a drip tray. Empty both about once per week. Every few months wash out the drip trip completely. no mould to be seen. The hardest bit is returned the used pods to nespresso for recycling, and that isn't hard. At home we just use the nespresso pods, the price isn't that much (60 to 80 cents a pod) and they recycle the pods.

In terms of quality I've had plenty of coffee shop coffee that is worst that the nespresso coffee I make at home.

 

[Princess Fiona]

3. A machine with a milk frother will require more cleaning than one without. The amount of cleaning will depend on the amount of 'plumbing' after the pod that the coffee passes through. We have an ALDI machine at work that needs a cleaning cycle run each day when it is turned on. I have a Lavazza machine that has the pod sitting above the outlet, so only needs a quick rinse.

4. The Lavazza and ALDI models do.

5. I rarely drink coffee at home (hence the cheaper Lavazza machine) so I zap the milk in the microwave to save the hassle of cleaning.

The milk container on the Delonghi machines pulls apart and goes through the dishwasher. The milk and coffee dispensers are completely separate.

 

[Renato1]

We have two MAP Luna Pod machines, three Delonghi Nespresso pod machines (including a Latissima for automatic cappuccinos), two Aldis Espressi machines and a`Lavaza Maxipoint one as well.

I find Nespresso is good at the high strengths, but that the coffee can be too watery and lacking in body at the low strengths. One always gets excellent crema from most everyone's Nespresso Pods

We had a MAP Perfecto machine, which I didn't like as it didn't have the grunt of the Nespresso machines, and delivered barely any crema. When it broke I threw it in the bin and bought a MAP Luna.

The MAP Luna machine that I subsequently bought easily rivalled our Nespresso machines in terms of grunt, but because the Caffitaly pods that it takes hold 8 grams of coffee instead of the Nespresso pods' 5 grams of coffee, I think it the superior machine. Weak capsules still have body in their coffee, and if one is into very strong coffee, it beats the Nespresso machine hands down. That said, most Australians don't really want very strong coffee, so that the MAP Luna may be overkill for them.

The Lavaza Maxipoint is junk, putting out the same type of limpid coffee as the MAP Perfecto did.

The Aldi's machines are very good, and great value for the price. They deliver strong rich coffee. But one doesn't get the exquisitely rich crema that one gets out of Nespresso and MAP Luna machines.

We also have two Delonghi automatic coffee machines (a Magnifica and a Perfecta) that one puts beans into to make coffee and cuppuccinos. Entertainment-wise, they are excellent when one has a large number of guests awaiting their coffee. But coffee-wise, I think they are poor producing weak coffee. However, some Australian friends actually think that those machines put out very strong coffee - something which I and other friends from an Italian background would consider laughable. It took me seven years of experimenting before I finally got what I considered a somewhat decent cup of coffee out of them (using a blend of half Vittoria Espresso beans, and half Aldi's Lazio Dark Roast beans).

I also use a Saeco Minuto automatic machine which I think puts out reasonably strong decent coffee from its beans - though not on par with the Nespresso and MAP Luna machines, but much better than from the Delonghi machines.
Regards,
Renato

 

[Cruiser Elite]

We have ..................Regards,
Renato

Holy be-jeevus Renato



That is a seriously good post - and it only took you 427 tries to get a good one!!!

 

[prozac]

We have two MAP Luna Pod machines, ...

Great overview Renato1.
I make judgements...I know, but I cannot help it...of others who drink dishwater instead of coffee, might as well be drinking herbal tea for the taste.

 

[serfty]

I think is was samh004 who first posted here about "Triple Nespresso" shots ... :shock:

 

[Steady]

I think is was samh004 who first posted here about "Triple Nespresso" shots ... :shock:

Sounds more like Nespresso is only one third of a shot...