coffee maker

hi guys - looking for a cheap coffee maker (to be delivered before xmas)...

seen some in argos here -
http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/4223852/Trail/searchtext>COFFEE.htm

http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/4229588/Trail/searchtext>COFFEE.htm

http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/4229595/Trail/searchtext>COFFEE.htm

http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/4200923/Trail/searchtext>COFFEE.htm

there doesn't seem to be much details - but I'm assuming that I can just add fresh ground coffee beans to any of these..?
any other recomendations around the same pricepoint (i.e. under 50 quid)

cheers

 

mr cat

IMHO these espresso/cappuchino makers are not really worth the dosh. They don't make good coffee and are more hassle than is worth it.

You'd be much better off with a decent french press style ( e,g, bodum) or a filter paper coffee maker.

I can't imagine any of the 50 quid or there about machines produce enough steam to make a decent cappucino or latte.

A decent espresso maker costs some bucks...you are looking at at least £200 for a Gaggia classic or a Rancilio Silva espresso machine. These are considered entry level by coffee geeks for decent espresso.

To answer your original question though, the first three can make coffe from ground beans. The last one appears to make it from instant coffee but I guess ( and cannot be sure) that it can also use ground beans.

When buying ground coffee make sure it is ground fine enough for espresso ( i.e. check that it is suitable for espresso as there are different levels of granularity for differen types of coffee machines - french press, filter etc)

 

We (the bird and I) use the Italian stove top type.

Fill the bottom up with water to the relief valve, put the coffee in the middle part, screw top on.

Water heats up in the bottom, goes up through the middle, through coffee, and comes out in the top.

Makes the best tasting coffee you can have, and it is the cheapes, and easiest to clean !

http://www.italiancoffeemachine.com/espresso_moka_mocha_pot.html

You can find them in most department stores Johnny Lewis etc, or Italian shops.

Lavvazza is about the best of the cheaper end.

 

Yeah most Italians make espresso at home this way.

Bialetti is the leading brand and well worth it. The Tesco version I got for 6 quid broke in a week. My Bialetti at £20 is still going strong.

You are better off buying better coffee and using simple means to make it.

 

I just checked, both ours are Bialetti's !

 

I actually have one of those - only used it once...! will check it out tomorrow morning again...

also, I asked this question on another forum and someone has offered to give me one free of charge (simula to the DeLonghi BAR14)...how nice, he lives locally too...