Talk to me about coffee machines

[ThatchersCold]

I’m 40 and have never had a cup of coffee in my entire life so I need help here .

It’s my bf’s bday coming up. We’ve been together for 7 months and I’ve just realised he’s really tricky to buy for. He works crazy long hours, and all he does when he’s not working is go to the pub. He’s abroad atm so the lucky bugger is still able to go to the pub.

He has no hobbies, isn’t really into ‘things’, he lives a very minimalistic life, all of his possessions would probably fit in 2 bin bags! However he has recently bought a house and one thing he really likes is coffee, so I thought maybe a coffee machine would be a good present.

Firstly, do you think this is a good present or a shite present?

Secondly, if i do get him that, any tips on which one to go for? He drinks coffees rather than espressos. As a non coffee drinker I have no idea where to start.

[SidLowe]

How much do you want to spend?

Espressos are a type of coffee btw 😊

[teezletangler]

It's a great present but coffee people are very particular about their coffee, so you need to make sure you're getting the right kind of machine!

What machine if any does he have currently? Does he drink filter coffee when he orders from a cafe?

[teezletangler]

A Moccamaster is a nice machine for filter/drip coffee and very stylish on the worktop too. However it's a higher price point.

[Twickerhun]

It depends on the coffees he likes and your budget and your ethics.

If he drinks milky coffees (lattes etc) a pod machine maybe? I can’t stand waste and non recyclable pods put me off these however.

I have a bean to cup delonghi machine which makes amazing black coffee but it cost £400 so it cheap.

[ThatchersCold]

See now I thought espressos were tiny little coffees that come in cups that look like dolls’ cups, have I got that wrong? See, completely clueless 😂.

Hmm probs don’t want to spend more than £100.

He doesn’t have any kind of coffee machine at present, he just drinks instant coffee from a jar. But when we’re out and about he’ll always get a coffee if we’re somewhere like McDonalds, or from a petrol station, out of the costa machine or whatever. So I guess he does like ‘nicer’ coffee but seemingly happy to drink any old crap too 😂

[SidLowe]

I too have a Delonghi bean to cup machine but they are expensive.

In your position I'd get a decent filter coffee machine but it really depends on exactly what he likes.

[amicissimma]

How about an Aeropress coffee maker?

I got my coffee-drinking DS one for Christmas and he loves it. He can take it into work or just use it at home. Many coffee makers are fiddly to clean but DS says this one is easy.

[AnnaSW1]

Nespresso machine!

Aeropress I didn't rate at all.

[Cuppaza]

I’d recommend a Nespresso machine.

[Housewife2010]

Gaggia coffee machines are excellent and don't restrict you to wasteful pods either.

[ThatchersCold]

Thanks for the replies. Nespresso could be the way forward, looks they’ve got a deal on their website at the moment for £99 with 50 free pods.

Gaggia would be a bit too expensive, I think he’d feel awkward if I spent that much on him. He was abroad on my birthday and sent me a lovely bunch of flowers, I don’t want to spend shitloads on him and make him feel crap that it was a lot more than he spent IYSWIM.

It’s a minefield, he’s never had a girlfriend before and was one of 15 kids so I don’t think anyone has ever really given him much in the way of gifts. And I have a massive anxiety around boyfriends and gift giving since an ex of mine who expected the moon on a stick and then it still wasn’t good enough.

[1sunnyday23]

Lavazza coffee machines are good, they are pods and the joile had a great review on Which

The pods can be recycled too

[teezletangler]

I wouldn't go with a nespresso or pod machine as it sounds like he just likes a filter coffee when out and about. A Nespresso makes an Americano, which is very differentl.

Something like this, plus a nice of ground coffee, would be a nice gift: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Melitta-1023-04-Machine-Brushed-6762889/dp/B07GFQKHBK/ref=mpssa117?dchild=1&keywords=filter+coffee+machine&qid=1615670402&sprefix=filter+coffee+&sr=8-7

It is inexpensive, easy to use and will make a perfectly good cup of coffee.

[BalladOfBarryAndFreda]

I like coffee and also have a delonghi bean to cup. We used to have a pod machine and honestly, the pod coffee tastes absolutely heinous compared to the freshly ground stuff. It’s like a different drink. If he really likes coffee, I’d avoid a gimmicky pod machine. They are about convenience rather than flavour or quality.

[BalladOfBarryAndFreda]

Though obvs I appreciate budget is a major factor and btc isn’t and option in your scenario. I’d get a little stove top coffee maker like a Bialetti Moka, a bean grinder and a few bags of special, freshly roasted beans for him to try. Much nicer coffee and a bit more interesting for a coffee fan.

[Elouera]

I looked into and read up multiple reviews of coffee machines and in the end, I didnt get one!

I normally have 1-2 mugs of instant coffee a day, and the odd flat white or latte when out. I'm far from an expert, but these were my findings:

• A bean to cup system (which grinds the whole beans in the machine) are the best, but £200+
• Pod machines can be cheap (£30), but the pod costs add up and feels a waste to me. You can get cheaper, generic pods for some machines though, but you need to check they will fit. I also found pods you re refill yourself, but no idea if your BF would bother doing this.
• I found the whole pod machines similar to a cheap printer, where the ink cartridges are very expensive and soon cost far more than the actual machine
• Again, I might be wrong, but pods tend to make only smaller cups of coffee, with the largest being a lungo- which is still much smaller than my usual mug!
• In saying that, he might like a pod machine for a treat, but still use the instant on most days.

An alternative might be moka pot or a french press. You still use ground coffee, but can make it for large cups if he prefers.

[VanillaSpiceCandle]

If he only drinks instant at home then perhaps a bean to cup machine isn’t necessarily the right way to go. I think it’s for people who love to try new beans. Until I got my bean to cup machine I used a cafetière and loved it. I’d suggest a cafetière or mokka pot and some bags of ground coffee to try.

[ThatchersCold]

I’d like to avoid anything that’s too fiddly as I just don’t think he’d bother with it if it was too much effort 😂.

[lborgia]

Honestly, a cafetière is the next step up in terms of ease, and makes great coffee.

I have spent years looking at coffee machines, but just can’t justify when I make such good coffee with a press. The important thing is to use lots of coffee. Buy him a cafetière, some freshly ground beans, and a nice mug, and he also won’t feel as if you’ve gone overboard.

1 - boil water
2 - use some of the water to swish around the jug to make it warm.
3 - scoop in 1 tablespoon of coffee per cup (or get a separate little 15ml scoop for the job).
4 - add the water (which has now been off the boil for half a min)
5 - stir and give it 3-4 mins before slowly pressing down the plunger.

Et voila!

Indy’s top ten cafetières

Maybe stick with one of these bags of pre-ground coffee, and then he can upgrade to freshly ground if he feels inspired!

PS I’m not even in UK but I love coffee, and finding all of this made me happy!

[lborgia]

On closer inspection, stick to the metal frame with glass innard-type. None of the ceramic stuff!

[Shopaholic100]

Don’t buy a Nespresso unless he has said he likes the coffee. We bought one 3 months ago which came with lots of free pods, but we don’t really like the coffee too much, they are all quite bitter and if he doesn’t like to spend to much he may find the pods quite expensive. On the plus side it looks good in the kitchen.

[TheSpottedZebra]

I think cafetiere too. If he is quite minimalist then a pod machine is definitely not for him they're a plasticcy lump and they create lots of waste!

I take it he has a kettle and cups/ mugs etc? In which case , a cafetiere and some ground coffee would be lovely. Maybe a couple of bags of coffee so he can play around with flavours.

[TheSpottedZebra]

You can also get coffee 'subscriptions' where they send you different beans each month.

[Fruitbatdancer]

I’d go nespresso. I consider myself a bit of a coffee officionado! I’ve had em all, filters, presse’s, french coffee pots, dolce gusto, nespresso, bean to cup. We currently have a £500 bean to cup machine, I still use the nespresso because I like it more! Creamier IMO. Amazon do a really great dualit milk frothed jug which can be popped into the microwave. A great addition to a nespresso machine for a latte lover, and way cheaper than the matching nespresso ones.

[DeedledeDee]

Had all sorts over the years,filter, cafetiere, etc, but found best is a 15 bar pump coffee machine . I buy them from Amazon, have never spent more than 50 to 60 pounds and use Lavazza red/silver packs ground coffee.
Easy and quick. You can have black or add milk. Most makes are good,read reviews .