Coffee Machines

[moa999]

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

Combination of a pod espresso machine, some ice, some vodka and a bullet blender can also make for a very satisfactory night result

 

[Ric]

Subscribing too....!!

 

[Deleted member 29185]

I've got an Aldi machine (currently) and I must sheepish admit that I see no problems with it. My way of making my mug of "flat white" is set it to a large cup size and wait for that to finish and then set it to rinse and drop two bursts of hot water in (which rinses the machine and tops up my mug). That then allows enough milk from the frother/heater when filled to the top of the agitator only (with the mini agitator rather than the frother whisk). The machine is already rinsed and ready for next time, I then just wash the heater out under cold water and leave it to dry on it's base with the lid slightly askew and the mug later goes in the (energy and water efficient) dishwasher. Couldn't be easier and not a bad flat white.

Previously, we had a $2.5k in-wall Miele coffee machine and all I can say is what an expensive lesson about expensive things not always being as good as cheapies. It broke down multiple times, it was an absolute PITA to clean (all I can say is that the so-called designers have never cleaned a kitchen appliance in their life), it was slow, it was noisy and now we have a hole in the kitchen where it used to reside as it was given an apt send off by being hurled with as much disdain as I could muster, into the recycle bin at the local tip, where (IMHO) all Miele cough belongs. That machine was only about 4 years old and hurling to the tip should have been the option taken long before I finally bit the bullet.

I do get spoiled though in PNG with my morning coffees being barista made from some really great Goroka highland beans. Now, they can make a really nice coffee.

 

[cove]

Have just started on my 22nd year without coffee nor Diet Coke. I was addicted and I kicked both. Now I drink iced water.
Fortunately this appears to have been the limit of my addictions.

 

[Julesmac]

We have an Aldi pod machine which works fine, though my husband misses mucking about with our retired espresso machine (reckons that counted as 'cooking')

I do feel sorry for him; after medical issues last year he can no longer tolerate caffeine (or chocolate, or alcohol, sadly for him) But spare a thought, as he's experimenting with decaf and our local coffee shop sources an excellent brand. Unfortunately the Aldi decaf pods taste disgusting, he tells me!
Does anyone have a decaf blend they recommend?

I think half the enjoyment of coffee is where you are drinking it and so in Italy I love an espresso standing at the bar - would never drink it here, but it makes you feel part of the 'local' scene!

 

[Limewood]

Our 5 year old Saeco Xelsis coffee machine we paid 2 grand for has sprung a slight leak, contacted the repairer they want $88 just to look at it and quote the repair, Mrs Lime thinks she knows how to fix it with a new gasket seal for water tank about $20 off eBay, will know soon enough, glad she loves fixing things

 

[samh004]

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

Not I.

Recently began using mickeyc747's Aldi machine and haven't had a problem with it. Helps that the coffee is unbelievably cheap from them too!

Not sure I'd switch to a Nespresso machine just for a nicer looking machine, as I'd have to factor in ease of getting the pods, and cost of course, and my nearest store is Robina, a fair drive away. Yes, online ordering is available, but I'm a simple folk

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Yes, online ordering is available, but I'm a simple folk

A skill possessed by ALL mods that I have met!

 

[prozac]

Not I.

Recently began using mickeyc747's Aldi machine and haven't had a problem with it. Helps that the coffee is unbelievably cheap from them too!

Not sure I'd switch to a Nespresso machine just for a nicer looking machine, as I'd have to factor in ease of getting the pods, and cost of course, and my nearest store is Robina, a fair drive away. Yes, online ordering is available, but I'm a simple folk

For Aldi pod users wanting a better or personalised coffee hit this youtube clip shows a modification using another brand of pod as a parts donor. The filter from the donor pod clips straight into the top of the used Aldi pod and that enables it's repeated re-use with your own coffee blend. No need to fashion a foil or plastic cover. Looks like it would work.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G_diRXTQA48&feature=youtu.be

 

[Renato1]

Not sure I'd switch to a Nespresso machine just for a nicer looking machine, as I'd have to factor in ease of getting the pods, and cost of course, and my nearest store is Robina, a fair drive away. Yes, online ordering is available, but I'm a simple folk

Why consider switching instead of considering having both?

For starters you'd have access to lots more types of coffee flavours than you get for the Aldi machine (where you only have about 16 flavours). We have about 50 flavours among the different pods in our house.

My wife uses the Nespresso more than she does the Aldi machine for coffee, but thinks the Aldi Chai Latte pods are better than any other Chai Latte - be it from other pod machines or from packets in the supermarket or from ordering at a cafe. She also really liked using the Aldi pod packets with coffee in one pod and milk in another to make a psuedo-cappuccino (though I wasn't impressed).

As for cost of pods, after going through four trial packs, I find most of the real Nespresso ones too expensive and not worth the money. I prefer the cheaper Grinders and Lor ones, though I haven't been as fond of the Vittoria ones, and didn't like the Kogan ones.
Regards,
Renato

 

[Kaiser]

Ahh, coffee - a pet subject of mine. My thoughts:

Really it depends how high you set your expectations and how much effort you are willing to invest. A few years ago I bought Breville BES900 dual boiler espresso unit. It hasn't skipped a beat and in many ways is superior to something like a Racilio Silvia. It is a proper PID controlled machine, dual boiler letting you pull shots and stretch milk at the same time. It allows full manual control so you can time the shot perfectly. Automatic machines won't do this and will invariable over or underextract the coffee resulting in poor results. We're flat white / cappuccino drinkers and the only way to get proper textured milk is with a steamer wand - those automatic machines and stand alone milk frothers don't do the same thing. A decent grinder is arguably even more important than the machine itself and greatly influences the end result. Thirdly, buy some decent beans and learn how to set your grind properly. I use beanbay.com.au. Forget supermarket beans - which are usually over roasted and stale. A proper shot pour will look like a mouse's tail and should take between 20-25 secs to fill a 30ml shot.

Learning to make it properly is quite satisfying and now takes me about 2 mins to make a coffee in the morning like this and it matches or beats any of the local baristas and cost me about $1.20 per coffee.

If this sounds like too much effort - a pod machine might be for you.

An aeropress is a whole new ball game but is capable of bringing out some fantastic flavours for long blacks.

 

[samh004]

Why consider switching instead of considering having both?

For starters you'd have access to lots more types of coffee flavours than you get for the Aldi machine (where you only have about 16 flavours). We have about 50 flavours among the different pods in our house.

I don't think I need multiple flavours. I use one type of pod for all coffees and another pod for hot chocolates, and froth the milk of course. Having 50 flavours would simply be taking things a step too far. Perhaps why I don't venture to Starbucks or Zarraffa's etc...

 

[ithongy]

When it's time to upgrade get a Breville Oracle BES980, a dual boiler machine that can pull 2 cups of cappuccino in 90 secs...!!! Also you get. White glove service where a Breville barista giving you a home master class.

Ahh, coffee - a pet subject of mine. My thoughts:

Really it depends how high you set your expectations and how much effort you are willing to invest. A few years ago I bought Breville BES900 dual boiler espresso unit. It hasn't skipped a beat and in many ways is superior to something like a Racilio Silvia. It is a proper PID controlled machine, dual boiler letting you pull shots and stretch milk at the same time. It allows full manual control so you can time the shot perfectly. Automatic machines won't do this and will invariable over or underextract the coffee resulting in poor results. We're flat white / cappuccino drinkers and the only way to get proper textured milk is with a steamer wand - those automatic machines and stand alone milk frothers don't do the same thing. A decent grinder is arguably even more important than the machine itself and greatly influences the end result. Thirdly, buy some decent beans and learn how to set your grind properly. I use beanbay.com.au. Forget supermarket beans - which are usually over roasted and stale. A proper shot pour will look like a mouse's tail and should take between 20-25 secs to fill a 30ml shot.

Learning to make it properly is quite satisfying and now takes me about 2 mins to make a coffee in the morning like this and it matches or beats any of the local baristas and cost me about $1.20 per coffee.

If this sounds like too much effort - a pod machine might be for you.

An aeropress is a whole new ball game but is capable of bringing out some fantastic flavours for long blacks.

 

[medhead]

Have just started on my 22nd year without coffee nor Diet Coke. I was addicted and I kicked both. Now I drink iced water.
Fortunately this appears to have been the limit of my addictions.

Someone at work recently told us all about research that found 3 or more coffees per day increased life expectancy. (probably more correct to say there was a negative risk factor). 3 to 5 coffees a day had greatest effect. But all groups greater than 3 coffees a day were better off than those having less than 3 coffees a day.

Around the same time the guy in front of me in the coffee shop line asked for a 6 shot coffee. :shock: Had a good joke with the barista the next day, turns out apparently the guy was a staying in a "Residential Unit" and wasn't allowed to have any coffee or other addictive things.

 

[OATEK]

I've got an Aldi machine (currently) and I must sheepish admit that I see no problems with it....

No need to be sheepish! We have an Aldi model as well. Daughter and son-in-law brought their fancy espresso machine back from Europe, but soon packed it away and are very happy to use the Aldi. I like coffee, but do not apply the same discipline to it that I apply to my red wine consumption, in terms of type/taste etc.

 

[Kaiser]

When it's time to upgrade get a Breville Oracle BES980, a dual boiler machine that can pull 2 cups of cappuccino in 90 secs...!!! Also you get. White glove service where a Breville barista giving you a home master class.

That's $2000 for a machine with less control which IMHO is a bad thing and those inbuilt grinders are average at best - there are too many variables which I'd rather control myself. Having said that the other components of the machine looks similar to the BES900 which are quite solid and trouble free. My only gripe is the steamer is a little underpowered, but it still gets the job done. I'm sure its a great machine, but I'd rather purchase the slightly cheaper manual machine and put the $$ towards a better grinder.

I got the BES900 for $900 which is fantastic value.

 

[Pushka]

No need to be sheepish! We have an Aldi model as well. Daughter and son-in-law brought their fancy espresso machine back from Europe, but soon packed it away and are very happy to use the Aldi. I like coffee, but do not apply the same discipline to it that I apply to my red wine consumption, in terms of type/taste etc.

And one I love cost just $59. Makes a good crema too. Hot chocolate and so on.

 

[Renato1]

I got the BES900 for $900 which is fantastic value.

That isn't fantastic value, that is ultra-fantastic value!
Arguably, it's the best machine around - giving much greater control over the extraction process than that in far more expensive machines.
Regards,
Renato

 

[ithongy]

I've bought 2 X BES 900 from Myer for around $220 and resold them for $600 each...!!!

That isn't fantastic value, that is ultra-fantastic value!
Arguably, it's the best machine around - giving much greater control over the extraction process than that in far more expensive machines.
Regards,
Renato

 

[ithongy]

I've been using the Oracle machine for around 1.5 years, it's a VERY solid machine, the auto frother froths much better than manually doing it your own self. So for he layman who has no barista skills and want a cafe quality coffee in their own home/office. The Oracle is a fantastic machine.

That's $2000 for a machine with less control which IMHO is a bad thing and those inbuilt grinders are average at best - there are too many variables which I'd rather control myself. Having said that the other components of the machine looks similar to the BES900 which are quite solid and trouble free. My only gripe is the steamer is a little underpowered, but it still gets the job done. I'm sure its a great machine, but I'd rather purchase the slightly cheaper manual machine and put the $$ towards a better grinder.

I got the BES900 for $900 which is fantastic value.