I don't like Espresso itself as a drink but I'm a huge fan of Cappuccino, I'm looking into the machines at the moment for putting on my list of things that Santa is going to get me at Christmas, so I'd love to hear any good/bad points people have about the home machines and what to look out for when buying one.

Edited to add: At the moment I'm edging towards the 'bean to cup' type of machine instead of the capsule sort, good or bad idea?

I don't like Espresso itself as a drink but I'm a huge fan of Cappuccino, I'm looking into the machines at the moment for putting on my list of things that Santa is going to get me at Christmas, so I'd love to hear any good/bad points people have about the home machines and what to look out for when buying one.

Edited to add: At the moment I'm edging towards the 'bean to cup' type of machine instead of the capsule sort, good or bad idea?

Yeah, I can't say I drink a cup of espresso very often either.  I always mix it with sometime to make a cappuccino or something.

My personal opinion is that if you are going to buy an espresso machine you should buy one that takes grounds (not pods) and additionally there is no point to owning an espresso machine without a grinder.  The grind you need changes from day to day depending on the humity but most of all from the dryness of the beans due to their age (requiring you to adjust the grinder once in a while) - getting the right grind in the store is impossible.  Coffee also looses it's taste as soon as it is ground (it is fresh produce) so having as freshly ground beans as possible to start with is best.

Of course the more expensive the machine the better but to start with I would recommend something that works well so you can have a good experience and later upgrade if you really like it.  If you buy used you shouldn't loose any money in the process.  I purchased an Isomac Venus for $350 with a grinder then a year later sold it for $500 with the grinder and bought the machine I have now, an ECM Giotto for the same $500.

I feel like espresso is about the process, which I like a lot   On the other hand lots of people like the Nespresso machines which are expensive to use and involve no process or personal taste but they are easy and quick.  Patrick also sounded quite happy with his pods machine.

If you are looking for a machine I would recommed the Isomac Venus I had or the Rancilio Silvia.  The Silvia is often considered a better machine and is cheaper so perhaps it is the better buy.

I can't imagine a morning without a double espresso (or two) made from my favorite Lavazza. I even bring a little espresso pot to camping trips

I think getting a beans to coffee machine is a good idea. I have only tried Senseo once in a store that sells espresso machines and it was quite good. However, getting a "real" machine probably provides for more flexibility when it comes to trying different coffee beans. Prepare for the mess though. I'm sure these machines are much more messy than Senseo.

There is a wide range of tasts for the Senseo machines, to name a few : java, arabica, strong, vienna, decaf, milano, rio de janeiro, sydney, kenya blend, sumatra blend, brazil blend, columbia blend, etc....

Patrick H.

I don't have an expresso machine, I make my (almost-)espresso with a moka pot. I usually use milk too, so I'm drinking Capuccinos or Lattes. My next step would be to buy a coffee grinder, I'm thinking that would make a big difference in taste (and could be used for other coffees too, I'm also a big fan of coffee made with a french press)

My Coffee is a 'Vente Latte', my machine is a 'Starbucks Outlet', that what comes with working in the 'City of London'.

David 

My Coffee is a 'Vente Latte', my machine is a 'Starbucks Outlet', that what comes with working in the 'City of London'.

David 

I would suggest trying Monmouth coffee on Monmouth Street or in Borough Market

@Leaf

Thanks for the reply, your comment "I feel like espresso is about the process, which I like a lot" is part of what I'm looking for because -  a. I think I'll enjoy it and b. The convinience of just being able to whack a pod in the machine might turn me into a caffeine addict.

Those machines you've linked to look great but are probably above what I want at present time (fantastic site by the way), I've seen a couple around the �200 mark which have taken my fancy. One thing though which I'm very grateful for is the advice about the grinder, I'd not even thought about that, great I get to get another toy!

Oh and Tyler you're clearly a coffee geek 

I got two devices from DeLonghi: big combo at home and simple small espresso machine at work. When I was living in Europe I was huge fun of Krupps but it seems to be very crappy on American market.

@Leaf

Thanks for the reply, your comment "I feel like espresso is about the process, which I like a lot" is part of what I'm looking for because -  a. I think I'll enjoy it and b. The convinience of just being able to whack a pod in the machine might turn me into a caffeine addict.

Those machines you've linked to look great but are probably above what I want at present time (fantastic site by the way), I've seen a couple around the �200 mark which have taken my fancy. One thing though which I'm very grateful for is the advice about the grinder, I'd not even thought about that, great I get to get another toy!

Oh and Tyler you're clearly a coffee geek 

Yeah, I would recommend buying a cheaper machine if it meant getting a grinder (hopefully a decent one).  Perhaps you are the type who likes new, but if used is OK I would highly recommend it  My first Isomac machine would of cost over $1000 with the grinder, but I got it used (like new) for $350 (after saving birthday and christmas $$ for a while and asking only for $$ from most people .  Espresso machines are things that people think they are going to use very often then many never get around to using them at all.  So there is a surplus of very new machines kicking around Good machines are really made to last so it takes a long time for them to wear out, if ever.  Another bonus for buying used (and good quality), is if you DO decide that you just don't use it as often as you think you should, and want to sell it, you should be able to sell it for what you paid for it (or more if you got a good deal).  Used machines hold their price very well (unlike DSLRs)

Quote from: leaf on October 07, 2009, 16:14

Espresso machines are things that people think they are going to use very often then many never get around to using them at all.  

That's part of the reason why the wife won't let me get a really good one, she reminded me of the bread making machine that I really wanted and hasn't been out of the cupboard in a while, I'll be the one laughing when she wakes to the smell of fresh coffee and home made bread on boxing day.

an espresso machine and bread machine are two totally different things.  I also had a bread machine.  I eventually gave it to my mom because I hadn't used it for a year or so.  Now it sits in her cupboard   The espresso machine I use every day.

Nobody drinks tea anymore? I'm having a very good oolong tea right now.

I like tea   it just isn't as fun to make as espresso.  Chai Latte however at least gives you a little milk to steam.

Otherwise a tasty green tea can be good.

Finally a decent thread. I use one of those stainless Italian single shot makers for brewing. A hand operated foamer for doing up the milk. The whole thing costs less than a $100 and makes a great cappuccino. If my house was on fire I'd grab my harddrives and the coffee maker.