Price good enough?
If it lasts till we have saved some more for a bigger one, I will be satisfied.
….. I saw this price last year. so just normal price, not a bargain.
Even if this is a good price, you won't be making a good coffee out of it at all….You are better off just some make some instant coffee…
You can still make very good coffee on budget machines - just requires more work. Invest in a good quality grinder and tamper combined with freshly roasted beans and with a bit of practice you will pull of great coffee. Much better than the crap sold in 70% of the coffee shops in your local shopping centre. I don't even buy coffee when im out anymore unless I know they take pride in what they produce. Bad coffee ruins my day!!
Plus 1 - i recommend this grinder - nothing less!
http://www.bigw.com.au/home-garden/small-appliances/coffee-m…
(that IS a bargain at that price)
I buy coffee a few times a week at uni and this cappuccino maker looks like good to make the switch.
Just a few questions regarding making coffee — The grinder posted below seems a little expensive compared to this cappuccino maker. So I was wondering if you could just get ground coffee and it'll work just as well? And are there anything else you need to buy except supplying it with coffee and water?
How long does it take to make a cup of coffee… and finally, how often do you need to clean the machine?
Thanks.
I flush the steam wand and let the water run for 5 secs after I make my coffee to rinse the portafilter.
You are meant to descale every now and again with a tablet that costs about $15.
If you like black coffee it'll take about 30 seconds for the machine to give you a cup. Probably 2 minutes all up by the time you load the coffee in, tamp, etc
If you want milk… well frothing on a machine like this will probably take a minute or two extra.
For the price of that grinder I recommend the sunbeam EM0450. The grinder + quality of the beans are the most important thing for good coffee imo.
thanks for clarifying…
I'm still puzzled why you still need to get the grinder if there is ground coffee available for the same price as normal coffee beans? And finally does it need consumables like filters?
i bought one of these a year ago. it's a rebadged breville.
It's made about 800 or so coffees. and I have never made a bad one with it.
I just had my first self done overhaul where I cleaned it out by running three lots of 2:1 vinegar:water mixes through it. as good as new.
people will whinge and say it doesn't have a pump. ppprrrrphhht. this machine has less stuff in for something to go wrong.
As nuzby says - always buy good coffee.
I have the Breville esp8 and have had it running since 2005 - great machine - i am sure this one is similar
Similar experience with my Breville too (same machine as above), always made good coffee, equal if not better than all coffee shops bar those that actually buy good beans or roast/blend themselves. I've been waiting for mine to wear out so I can get permission from the fun police to buy a more serious one…. 2 years without a hiccup and I'm still waiting.
This one often comes for free if you get a new Amex credit card.
Took me a few weeks to get the best out of it, so don't be disappointed on your first 10-20 coffees.
How does this unit pass the hot water thru the grind if it doesnt have a pump!?
Once the water is hot enough the steam produced forces the hot water through the ground coffee. I have one of these coffemakers from Italy since more than 30 years and it is still going strong and producing perfect coffee. You can control the strength of the end-product by changing the amount of water in the tank.
I always turn the dial to get the steaming hot water to flow through where the coffee holder thingo is sitting.
3 setting dial - off, milk steamer, coffee thingo.
Then once the water has dribbled for 15 seconds then turn the dial back to neutral.
put the filled coffee holder thingo in place and place cup under and turn dial for coffee to go.
I use soy milk so I microwave the milk and then froth it for 30 seconds- I find no difference between nuking+frothing and just only frothing. (I buy woolworths homebrand soy milk. I've tried all others and this is my preference).
If my machine died I would have no hesitation in buying this same machine again.
Sounds like great value for money.
Might get one for Mother's Day.
I wouldn't have thought that there is anything specal in this price. Going rate for a basic machine.