Getting serious about coffee

[Zirax]

I'm in the process of redoing the kitchen so I thought I would treat myself to a good coffee machine which will last for years. I mainly drink cappuccino and expresso so something that could do this would be great. I was looking at Gaggia Classics but is there anything else worth considering?

[Jonny69]

I've got a Gaggia Classic and I highly rate it. If you can get one, get one :D

I think it makes such a superb espresso because it's got a decent wide filter cup. A lot of the other machines I've seen have got tiny ones, but the Gaggia one is 58mm. After that, it's just a matter of finding the coffee that you like the best. I'd probably recommend Monmouth espresso blend and the OcUK crowd like Hasbeen coffees. I think Flibster is doing something with coffee now too.

[vix]

Let me know if you find a good place to get one, I'm looking at hinting for my birthday :)

[Joe 90]

I've just got this Dualit system from a friend and it is fantastic.
http://www.dualit.com/products/espressivo-coffee-machine

Admittedly I only paid £40 for it and they retail at around £150 but it is really superb. It's replaced a machine I had which retails at about £60 and you really can tell the difference.

If you're looking to 'get serious' with it I'd also recommend you get some beans and grind them yourself. I've only bought one brand so far but they're great; http://www.farrerscoffee.co.uk/categories/Coffee/

I don't have a 'proper' grinder like serious coffee boffins would specify, only a herb'n'spice grinder which has a cutting blade opposed to a grinding mechanism, but it does the job!

[Zirax]

Well I got one:-

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0000C72XS/ref=oh_details_o01_s01_i00

Its a warehouse outlet one. £115 for a damaged box but the innerds are in excellent condition. Worth a punt.

Now I'll put a burr grinder on the xmas list :)

[leowyatt]

A bit late but we have one of thesehttp://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B005G9GHDE/ref=mp_s_a_2?pi=SL75&qid=1351461829&sr=1-2 at work

[Will]

As long as you don't buy the espresso machines with "capsules" then it's all good! Ground coffee goes stale really quickly.

I've got a lovely little Krups machine, but have no space for it at the moment :(

[Flibster]

How the hell did I miss this thread?

Been drinking too much coffee I suppose. :D

[Joe 90]

Suppose it depends what you want from your buurrrrr grinder but I picked up a Dualit to match my machine and it's perfect. Does a cracking job for the espresso or the cafetiere.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B005VBNSJ8/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00