Best home coffee maker?

Stove top Bialetti all the way! Pods aren't great for the environment but you could go all out and get a bean to pump coffee maker with a milk frother! I find pouring the stovetop espresso onto warmed milk in my mug makes a great cup.

If you are happy to invest - I would absolutely recommend a Sage.

Certainly not cheap but built to last. We paid £500 for ours 5 years ago and it's used daily, still good as new and has saved us an absolute fortune in take away coffees.

Italian stovetop definitely the best coffee

I have a Bialetti but I prefer using my Nespresso and topping up with hot water tbh! DP is obsessed with the moka pot though and raves about it. He prefers the stronger Italian style coffee though and I like a longer, smoother drink.

Bialetti is great. I have a 4-cup stainless steel one which makes enough for 1 mug when hot milk is added. You might need a 10 or 12 cup if you want to make enough for your visitors. There is also a choice to make between stainless and aluminium.

You can get aluminium pods that are reusable and fit the bespresso. I saw a DeLonghi for around 200 that looked good!

I wouldn't rule out a plain cafetière. There's an enormous variety of ground coffee suitable for it without having to fart around with pods, it's cheap and simple, easy to use and clean, and a large one can be used for small or large amounts, strong or weak. Just make sure the water comes off the boil before you pour it on.

You put an entire 4 cup into one mug?? So 4 espressos worth?

We have a Sage espresso machine too and love it! Works perfectly two years down the line so far.

For occasional use get a mock (Bialetti /Italian stove top). Easy to use and doesn't take up much space.
I always find it amazing how the water in the bottom ends up at the top.

I was just about to charity shop mine (I have a ceramic 1 cup drip) but going to pull it out of the bag.... I don't have coffee frequently either.

Kittybo, this is what I do. I'm trying to make a mug of coffee of similar strength to instant. Into the bottom section 1 cup, about 1/2 pt of water. This is the maximum, up to the safety valve. Into the holder, 1 tbs ground coffee, Lavazza. (There is room for much more coffee). When the water is boiling, heat 1/4 mug of milk in microwave. Pour coffee into the mug. Result: one mugful of coffee. You could make four tiny cups of espresso instead using more coffee.

I have a Sage machine. It cost about £350 years ago. I love it, makes great coffee and it's easy to keep clean.

I had a Bialetti stove top coffee pot. It exploded spraying boiling water round the kitchen.
I'm now terrified of them (and pressure cookers)!

Can you use a Bialetti on a ceramic hob?

Bore, if your ceramic hob is induction, only a stainless steel one will work. Many Bialettis are aluminium which is not magnetic. My Bialetti is called Aeternum and is stainless.

Bombay, did you overfill the base and cover the safety valve? If you dare to try pressure cooking an Instant Pot is very safe and incredibly useful.

I love my Bialetti. Or the old fashioned Neopolitana.