NOW CLOSED Tassimo T20 coffee machine reviewer feedback thread.

[KatieBMumsnet]

This thread is for the 16 Mumsnetters who have been trying out the Tassimo T20 coffee machine. Below are a few questions for you to answer, but please also add any other comments you may have.

Questions:

• What were your overall impressions of the Tassimo T20?
  

• How easy or difficult did you find the setting up process?
  

• How easy or difficult did you find the machine to use?
  

• What did you think of the drinks produced?
  

• What TDISCs did you try? What TDISCs do you think you'll look to buy in the future?
  

• Do you think you'll continue to use the Tassimo T20 in the future?
  

• If it came up in conversation, would you recommend the Tassimo T20 to a friend or relative? If so why? If not, why not?
  

Thanks,

MNHQ

[ImTooHecsyForYourParty]

THERE WAS A TASIMO TESTER OPPORTUNITY?
waaaaaa

[VeganCow]

• What were your overall impressions of the Tassimo T20? - Thought it looked classy, small enough in size to just fit in nicely on the worktop. Did not look as expensive as it is though!
  

• How easy or difficult did you find the setting up process?- Really easy. After the initial clean, its so simple anyone could do it, without instructions.
  

• How easy or difficult did you find the machine to use? - Again, really simple. I especially like the fact that there is no cleaning to be done between drinks. The whole system is definitely user-friendly.
  

• What did you think of the drinks produced? - hmm, here is where things go downhill. I really did not like them! The coffee was really really strong. And bitter. And small! I also dont like the fact that the milk pods are needed to make up some of the drinks. What about vegans and dairy free diets? - Why cant we buy soya milk pods, or what about giving us a refillable pod so we can use soya milk? I think this fact that has been overlooked, is really important. I even rang them up and was told there are no plans to do this.
  

• What TDISCs did you try? What TDISCs do you think you'll look to buy in the future? I tried espresso, and cappucino but I didnt use the milk pod, I added my own soya milk. I would like to try the forest fruit herbal tea.
  

• Do you think you'll continue to use the Tassimo T20 in the future? I wouldn't use it for cappucino or latte due to the milk issue, but would use if for herbal teas and normal breakfast tea. Oh, and visitors

[VeganCow]

Last question, sorry I missed it out - If it came up in conversation, would you recommend the Tassimo T20 to a friend or relative? If so why? If not, why not?

yes I would recommend to people, I think most people would use this machine daily.

[QOD]

• What were your overall impressions of the Tassimo T20? I thought it would have more shiney metal bits! It's quite discrete and nice that it juts blends in to corner
  

• How easy or difficult did you find the setting up process? Easy peasy!
  

• How easy or difficult did you find the machine to use? Pretty easy. Have only had 2 disasters. 1)the first day I drank 3 coffees and couldn't sleep - my fault! 2) I forgot to turn the machine on before I out a pod in, had to open then re close ad must have put a second hole in. There's an awful lot of coffee grains in one of those discs ......
  

• What did you think of the drinks produced? Absolutely hated the lemongrass chai latte. I mean just why? Sent that on to another tester.
  

We also got carte noir cafe creama intenso which I added the latte pods to and it was delicious! We've purchased 9 boxes of costa latte and a costa Americano and they are coffee shoplicious

• What TDISCs did you try? What TDISCs do you think you'll look to buy in the future?
  

Oops see above

• Do you think you'll continue to use the Tassimo T20 in the future? Good friend told me we will use it daily for weeks, then weekly forever when the novelty wears off

[QOD]

Oops last question

Recommend?

Yes, in a heartbeat

[MyDaydream]

- What were your overall impressions of the Tassimo T20?
I thought it looked good and fitted in well with the other appliances in my kitchen, I was a little surprised with how deep it was, for some reason I thought it would have been a little slimmer in that respect. I am a little put off by how much waste is produced with some drinks taking 2 pods, but I do like there isn't as much product waste as with a regular machine where I often make far too much coffee and end up pouring a lot away.

- How easy or difficult did you find the setting up process?
It was super easy to set up, had no problems at all.

- How easy or difficult did you find the machine to use?
Again really easy to do, love the display letting you know when everything is ready to go, or when more water is needed. It does look like a faff if you make drinks for a lot of people but really takes no longer than waiting for the kettle to boil and making all the drinks that way. I've made 4-5 drinks in one go several times this week in no time at all, in fact it takes longer for people to decide what they want to drink than it takes to make!

- What did you think of the drinks produced?
I found some of the coffees a bit strong and had to add extra water and milk to weaken it. I've also tried some of the teas and hot chocolates and they're lovely. I've bought a couple of other brands of coffee to try so hopefully I'll find one that suits me more.

- What TDISCs did you try? What TDISCs do you think you'll look to buy in the future?
I was sent the Costa cappuccino and Carte Noire crema intenso to try, I did like the cappuccino with sugar but the crema intenso was too strong for me.
I bought lots of varieties since I especially like the caramel macchiato and the Milka hot chocolates, the Cote d'or hot chocolate had a lovely dark taste to it. I found the fruits of the forest Twinnings and really enjoy it, it has a very strong flavor without the need to brew for ages like you'd have to if you made it with a kettle and teabag. We also got the Apres-midi d'Orient tea and although it smells wonderful I don't think the flavor is quite as good. I made the most of the £20 voucher offer to get a broad range of things to try.
I'm looking forward to the creme brulee being back in stock so I can try that, and will give a few more of the teas a whirl. I wish there were more coffees on the weaker end of the spectrum, it seems strong coffee lovers have much more choice.

- Do you think you'll continue to use the Tassimo T20 in the future?
I think I'll keep using it in the future, although probably not as often once the novelty has worn off. Since getting the machine we're drinking more hot drinks, and I imagine we'll revert back to our usual ways soon. I'll probably drink out a lot less now, because why would I spend £5+ in a coffee shop when I can have the same at home?

- If it came up in conversation, would you recommend the Tassimo T20 to a friend or relative? If so why? If not, why not?
I have told my friends how great I think the machine is and if someone was looking for a coffee machine I would point them in the direction of the Tassimo for range of coffees available and how quick and easy they are to use.

[Nerfmother]

• What were your overall impressions of the Tassimo T20?
  

Very simple looking and easy to fit onto work surface

• How easy or difficult did you find the setting up process?
  

Really confused by the yellow disc at first but eventually got the hang of it.

• How easy or difficult did you find the machine to use?
  

Slightly fiddly to get the discs in, now it's easy, but I worry about breaking the opening bit for the discs. Very irritating to put a disc in, realise its not on, tale it out, turn it on, put disc in!

• What did you think of the drinks produced?
  

Hated the Kenco Colombian, loved the costa Americano. Tea okay but not strong enough. Hot chocolate (milka) amazing. Disappointed not to have any decaf versions except one espresso.

• What TDISCs did you try? What TDISCs do you think you'll look to buy in the future?
  

I have already bought hot chocolate and the discovery pack and some coffee. I may try different hot chocolates as the milka is very child flavoured.

• Do you think you'll continue to use the Tassimo T20 in the future?
  

Yes. It is fab for less mess and boiling kettles. It is used every day and even my husband deigns to drink the crema intensa instead of his messy grindy stuff.

• If it came up in conversation, would you recommend the Tassimo T20 to a friend or relative? If so why? If not, why not?
  

Yes definitely. Simple, time saving, good for neatness.

[CrackedNipplesSuchFun]

• What were your overall impressions of the Tassimo T20?
  

My impression prior to taking it out of the packaging was sheer excitement and not just because I didn't have to pay for it!

The packaging I thought was simple, modern and tasteful, which made me feel the product contained within would be just that. I was not let down. Considering its price, especially within the coffee maker market, it is very smart looking, not as bulky as I would have expected, and didn't look overly complicated or fussy.

• How easy or difficult did you find the setting up process?
  

Once out of the packaging and various bits of protective cardboard removed from the product, it was simply a case of plugging it in, giving the tank that holds the water a clean, and running a few after cycles through the machine to give its internal workings a clean. All very easy and vey well documented in the main handbook and also in a little short hand version printed on part of the protective packaging.

After running the it 5 times it was ready to go. Tis sounds a lot but considering it only takes roughly a minute for this to happen it was very quick!

• How easy or difficult did you find the machine to use?
  

Really easy. Put a TDISC in and press a button to start. You have a another button to add addition water, this does only become available towards the end of the cycle. It allows you to adjust the strength of the drink, which I thought was very good, as the coffee TDICS I had were very strong, so it was great to add a little bit more water to softener it down a bit.

• What did you think of the drinks produced?
  

Absolutely beautiful. But, I didn't not expect the coffee to be so strong. I foolishly had three in a row, treating it much like I would instant, and felt very sick and needless to say I was still sat up at 3am reading my book. This is my fault though and now I treat them as a special brew, like I would a coffee shop.

• What TDISCs did you try? What TDISCs do you think you'll look to buy in the future?
  

I had the Kenco 100% Colombian - which was really beautiful, but strong. However, as the Tassimo allows you to add more water than the prescribed amount you can dilute it down to your taste.

I also had the Chai Latte Lemongrass.... Umm how can I put this politely, it was vile! But then anything with the words Twinnings on it normally makes me run a mile, so I applaud myself for even trying it. I have made my husband and guests try it and out of 5 of us only one liked.

We have already ordered the Costa Latte discs online and await the chocolate discs to come back into stock as well.

• Do you think you'll continue to use the Tassimo T20 in the future?
  

Oh yes, but it will be for occasional use. A 'special' coffee as we have said to each other in the house! "Do you fancy a instant or a special coffee?"

• If it came up in conversation, would you recommend the Tassimo T20 to a friend or relative? If so why? If not, why not?
  

Yes, and already have. Its small(ish), simple to use, easy to clean and produces good quality drinks. I can't wait to try out other discs now.

Oh and my husband said that I must say that he feels "proper posh". He's so fickle.

[TimeForMeAndDD]

• What were your overall impressions of the Tassimo T20?
  

I think it's lovely. It's a nice looking, neat little machine that fits in well in my kitchen.

• How easy or difficult did you find the setting up process?
  

Very easy, had it up and running in no time at all.

• How easy or difficult did you find the machine to use?
  

Not at all difficult, very easy, my 11 year old DD uses it lots!

• What did you think of the drinks produced?
  

Mmm. I love how the drinks are produced but I would prefer a more full cup. Having said that I could not drink a full cup of the Kenco coffee that came with the machine as it is far far far too strong for me. It smells great though.

• What TDISCs did you try? What TDISCs do you think you'll look to buy in the future? The Kenco 100% Columbian and Chai Latte Lemongrass. The Chai Latte Lemongrass, well, that is just vile, I'm sorry, I don't mean to sound ungrateful but it just is, no getting away from the fact. I have already bought the Cadburys hot chocolate Tdiscs which as another poster has said, you have to use 2 pods. I found it a bit too sweet for me but DD loves it. I fully intend to use the £20 to try a variety of TDiscs.
  

• Do you think you'll continue to use the Tassimo T20 in the future?
  

Yes, I will! It makes me feel posh Seriously, I will use it as it is quick to use, easy and no mess involved. Next week I am taking it into work for a bit of usage as my colleagues have expressed an interest.

• If it came up in conversation, would you recommend the Tassimo T20 to a friend or relative? If so why? If not, why not?
  

Yes, I would have no problem recommending the Tassimo T20, it's a delightful addition to my kitchen.

Thank you for the opportunity to test

[Nerfmother]

Wait!!!! How do you adjust the strength of the drink????

[peachypips]

What were your overall impressions of the Tassimo T20?
I was extremely excited to be selected as I love coffee and could never justify spending that kind of money on a luxury. It was a mega-treat. It is very small and compact, making it ideal for a small kitchen. I love the look of it. I also like the idea of being able to try numerous different drinks.

How easy or difficult did you find the setting up process?
Extremely easy to set up. Initial clean, then plug in and go.

How easy or difficult did you find the machine to use?
It's brilliant. You fill up the water tank which only need to be filled every four drinks or so, then put your mug in. Click in the pod, press a button, then you have a drink! Really, really easy to use and only looked at instructions the first time.

What did you think of the drinks produced?
I loved the drinks. The Carte Noire Crema Intense was lovely coffee and I added more water with the button to make it bigger and weaker. The chai lemongrass latte was delicious- negated my need for a sweet treat in the evening!

What TDISCs did you try? What TDISCs do you think you'll look to buy in the future?
As stated above I tried Carte noire Crema Intense and Twinings Chai Lemongrass Latte. I have just registered with Tassimo as you get 20 squid to spend when you do so, and I have ordered several coffees, some herbal tea, milka hot chocolate and chai latte.

Do you think you'll continue to use the Tassimo T20 in the future?
Most definitely. I will use it daily I imagine. I love it!! Such a treat. However, some discs are better value than others. When you buy them they either come as 8 drink packs with the addition of 8 creamers, or 16 drink packs. These are a similar price, for example and 8 drink pack of chai with creamer is over 4 quid wheras a 16 disc pack with no creamer is just under £4. If you wanted to use it long-term and you were not mega rich the cheapest way to do it is to by 16 drink pods and use normal milk. Then it is affordable. I will still by the eight packs for occasional treats.

If it came up in conversation, would you recommend the Tassimo T20 to a friend or relative? If so why? If not, why not?
I would definitely recommend it, but also explain that there is an ongoing expense with the discs. They are not cheap as explained above.

Just a couple of things for those who have commented above to help:
If the coffee is too strong and small: you know there are two green cup picture lights next to each other? When the right hand one goes a steady green, press and hold it until more water comes out. This then tops it up and makes it weaker. So it can be adjusted to taste/size.
If you want to use a bigger cup take out the drip tray completely.

[peachypips]

Oh- just one more thing. Because I have never used a coffee machine before I felt there were some missing elements to the instructions. I couldn't understand initially how you made a drink with two pods- yes, I am stupid, but it would have been good to have a sentence telling you to use one after the other- I was looking for a place for two pods at once!!

[FrootLoops]

• What were your overall impressions of the Tassimo T20?
  

I really liked it. It is quite compact which is great because I don't have a lot of space in my kitchen. The only slight downside is that it's a bit noisy while in use BUT it works very quickly so that's not a big issue (and DH never noticed it anyway).

• How easy or difficult did you find the setting up process?
  

I found this really easy, I was a little apprehensive before I opened the box because I am not the most technologically minded of people but it was really simple and quick; just a case of filling the tank and running the cleaning disc a few times.

• How easy or difficult did you find the machine to use?
  

It's really easy just put in the pod and push the button really. If you want to add more water just press and hold the manual button when the light comes on.

• What did you think of the drinks produced?
  

I really liked them and didn't drink any instant coffee until I had run out of TDiscs. My husband who won't drink instant coffee loved them too and used more than his share of TDiscs . The drinks come out at drinking temperature which was nice too.

• What TDISCs did you try? What TDISCs do you think you'll look to buy in the future?
  

Two coffees were provided with the machine; Costa cappuccino and Carte Noir espresso. I found the cappuccino was a little bland but I don't tend to drink either cappuccino or Costa coffee usually, however my MIL really enjoyed it. I liked the espresso it was a nice strong but smooth taste and I have already ordered more. I have used the £20 discount that comes with the machine to order a variety of coffees, mostly the espresso and cafe crema types and also some hot chocolate TDiscs as a treat for the children.

• Do you think you'll continue to use the Tassimo T20 in the future?
  

I will most definitely keep using the machine, I really love it.

• If it came up in conversation, would you recommend the Tassimo T20 to a friend or relative? If so why? If not, why not?
  

Yes I would and have already recommended it. It makes a variety of good quality drinks and fits nicely in my kitchen. It is really simple to use and maintain.

[Ruprekt]

What were your overall impressions of the Tassimo T20?

Good product, compact, did not take up too much room.

• How easy or difficult did you find the setting up process?
  

Very easy. Dh did the doing and I read out the instructions to him.

• How easy or difficult did you find the machine to use?
  

Extremely easy. My 8 yr old makes his own hot chocolate with it now.

• What did you think of the drinks produced?
  

I tested Breakfast Tea and Expresso. Both were excellent and I would buy them again.

• What TDISCs did you try? What TDISCs do you think you'll look to buy in the future?
  

QOD sent me some Chai Latte Lemongrass which were truly vile!! I can drink the lemongrass tea black but it was vile as a product. DH hated it too.

We went out and bought Costa Americano and Costa Cappuccino and Cadbury hot chocolate. Boys loved the hot choc, Americano was great with my own real milk. However, DH did not like the cappuccino as he could taste the fake milk. Not impressed. Said it was thin and not like a good Costa cafe coffee.

• Do you think you'll continue to use the Tassimo T20 in the future?
  

We are going to limit it to weekends as the pods are very expensive and added a lot of money to my weekly shop. I would only buy coffee and occasionally hot choc as the boys liked it. Too expensive to drink every day.

• If it came up in conversation, would you recommend the Tassimo T20 to a friend or relative? If so why? If not, why not?
  

Yes I would as it is an inexpensive product though the pods are expensive. Tis a nice way to drink proper coffee and thanks for letting us try out such a lovely product.

[QOD]

Cracked nipples! I'm an idiot too, I had 3 coffees first evening and was awake all night hahaha, I couldn't keep my eyes shut, I think my eyes where spinning round and round ..... Jitter twitch.

[CrackedNipplesSuchFun]

QOD I'm glad I'm not the only one! I thought I was a harden coffee drinker but my goodness the coffee was strong!

[peachypips]

Can I have any spare chai lemongrass? I love them!!

[QOD]

I should have sent the all individually so we could have shared the horror enjoyment

[Ruprekt]

Pm me peachy and I will pass them to you!!

[peachypips]

Thanks R - looking forward to my chai...

[QOD]

No peachy, you might THINK you are, but really, you're not. Evil ...

[peachypips]

Oh but I am! I have already sampled the reviled chai and I love it!

[QOD]

Are you crackers?

[roselover]

• What were your overall impressions of the Tassimo T20?
  

Its really stylish and by far the best looking coffee machine I've seen - and I have been looking to buy.

• How easy or difficult did you find the setting up process?
  

Really difficult....but then I am dense.....there was plastic disc that I was supposed to insert...for the initial run...and I put coffee discs straight in there....then it was blind panic for a bit .....think its ok now.

• How easy or difficult did you find the machine to use?
  

Still not 100% sure what to do when it says you can brew your coffee now ...how? what do I press? - have had quite a few coffees and they dont seem fully brewed ....I have visitors staying tonight (french people who have coffee in their very souls ) and we are all going to have a go with the handbook tomorrow....

• What did you think of the drinks produced?
  

Looks good and smells divine....coffee a bit strong for me - and cant work out the adjustment settings...again - working on it - its all a bit too strong and I end up putting too much milk in and then its too cold - we will buy some lattes - (and some expressos for the french obviously - they always bring their own coffee machine with them ...can you imagine?) Produced good amount - so my adjustment is good in that respect (I like a mug full)

• What TDISCs did you try? What TDISCs do you think you'll look to buy in the future? Costa americano - and hot chocolate - been too hot for hot chocolate - but the coffee was okish - looking forward to trying the latte
  

• Do you think you'll continue to use the Tassimo T20 in the future?
  

Yes, I will! Its clean and easy to use ...and I am sick of buying coffees in cafes - its too expensive for me now....(have not worked for four years....twins 3 and a half!!!!and I am really out of cash now....) my independent posh cafe near here is now charging £2.50 for coffee..... its the coffee machine for me!!!!

• If it came up in conversation, would you recommend the Tassimo T20 to a friend or relative? If so why? If not, why not?
  

Yes, I would have no problem recommending the Tassimo T20, it's a really stylish.....I am very shallow, like to show off and this is a very classy machine ....now if only I can get it to make coffee how I like it!!!! Will persevere ...I am 100% certain its me doing something wrong and not the machine ..but a word of warning ....if they want to sell loads of these they need to make sure its very simple and styled for people who have never ever had a coffee machine........
Thank you mumsnet.....Christmas in May/JUne - fab!!!!

[HandMini]

• What were your overall impressions of the Tassimo T20?
  

Unimpressed. It's a neat little machine, but it doesn't look particularly premium and the drinks are not nice. See more below.

• How easy or difficult did you find the setting up process?
  

Very easy.

• How easy or difficult did you find the machine to use?
  

Very easy.

• What did you think of the drinks produced?
  

Really not good at all. The Costa Americano was bitter, weak and had none of the richness, aroma or lovely beaniness one expects from a fresh coffee. The Suchard chocolate tasted awful and plasticy, also too weak. When I looked in the used Suchard chocolate discs, quite a lot of the chocolate had been left behind in the disc.

• What TDISCs did you try? What TDISCs do you think you'll look to buy in the future?
  

I tried the Costa Americano and the Suchard hot chocolate.

• Do you think you'll continue to use the Tassimo T20 in the future?
  

No, I'm going to give it away.

• If it came up in conversation, would you recommend the Tassimo T20 to a friend or relative? If so why? If not, why not?
  

No, I would not recommend it. The drinks are much less nice than ones I can make myself with a saucepan, kettle and cafetiere.