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.

Keep it simple and buy a mocha pot. You don't need to grind beans, just buy ground coffee. No filters, so easy.

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

Espresso is very strong Italian coffee and is indeed served in tiny cups, it's supposed to be two mouthfuls.

I'm quite fussy about coffee but I got a pod machine to put in my spare bedroom / office thinking it would be used by guests but actually I use it quite a lot.

I would start with what type of coffee he drinks, if it is instant, well there is no hope for him.

If he only drinks black coffee then a filter machine would be fine.

If he buys coffee from a particular place then have a look at a pod machine that makes that coffee eg if he drinks Costa then get a machine costa make coffee for.

How often and where does he go abroad, coffee is different in different places and if he likes Italian, or Turkish coffee then have a look for a machine to do that.

For me the pod machine is useful because the pods include things like milk, something I don't drink so buy in if I know someone is visiting. Now I have pods in. I have also discovered pod hot chocolate is really nice.

As well as a pod machine I have a filter machine, a mokka and a cafetiere.

They all make coffee and all have their own quirks.

The cafetiere is great to make a big pot that is going to be drunk in a short period of time. It looks good on the table too.

The filter machine makes nice coffee and keeps it warm for a few hours so I can make a pot and go back to it.

The mokka I never use because when I got a new cooker it doesn't balance anymore but it did make good Italian style strong coffee.

The pod machine has a wide range of drinks, I bought a pack of samples from ebay.

If he just likes coffee then minimalistic is better. Agree that Nespresso isn’t the answer.

Contrary to other posters, we have a Sage Duo pro and a separate grinder, or should I say my DS has one as I don’t drink coffee although I quite like to make the lattes’s - DS is a barista so he has been teaching me.

But a cafetière is by far your best bet IMO.

We use a Mokka Pot. It's really low fuss. Much easier to clean than a french press. Espresso is the foundation of a lot of coffee. Americano is an espresso with hot water. Latte and cappuccino is espresso with differing amounts of milk. My brother has a pod machine but he wouldn't serve it to me / discerning guests. He favours the Aeropress.

I'd get him a '4 cup' metal cafetiere like this brand. 8 cup would be too big, the two cup ones only do a small mug so get something in the middle and buy some ground coffee for cafetieres to give with it (don't buy beans or the finer ground coffee which is for mokka pots/expresso.
www.vonhaus.com/vh_en/kitchen/tea-coffee-makers/costa-coffee/stainless-steel-6-cup-cafetiere?utm_content=_dm|pcrid|399791700425|pkw||pmt||grp||product|1000115|slid||pgrid|85496854952|ptaid|pla-852568091202&gclid=CjwKCAiA4rGCBhAQEiwAelVtixjj0jeZNdBsHUIkObdqITkLQSKhMabHGP5s_xdq-8PvYadd869whhoC7-IQAvD_BwE

The Pixie Nespresso machine is great , simple to use and clean. But don’t forget that the cost of the pods are high compared to a jar of instant.
In order to get free delivery you need to spend £60 .

I bought DH a nespresso machine but it’s the milk warmer and frother that makes it - we have a cappuccino from it every day. I’m surprised at how much we use and enjoy it. Ours is only the most basic model but still going strong after 3+years of daily use. I’d recommend being a bit more inquiring about his coffee habits and then deciding - if he likes milky coffees like lattes then you would definitely want to invest in the milk frother!

We buy home compostable pods from Halo to avoid the single use/waste element of the aluminum pods - that was my biggest concern.

I agree with some PP a cafeteria is probably the best way to go , they are easy to use and have built in filters that just need a quick rinse .

They keep coffee warm for longer than it would stay in a cup to , I tend to pour half out , drink that then pour the other half out ( I only have a small one ) and it is still quite hot .
Tell him to push the plunger down slowly , and dont pour out the last drop or he will get coffee grounds in his cup

You dont need to spend a fortune on one I think mine was about a fiver from Tescos .
They only take up a very small amount of space , not much more than a large mug so he wont have a hulking machine on his worktop

You then buy him a couple of different types of ground coffee , Whittards do a good selection and I have always found the staff both on line and in the shop very helpful.

If / when he discovers a coffee type he really likes you have got the next few birthdays and christmas presents sorted out

I really rate the breville one Touch. I don't agree that a nespresso is a good idea if he doesn't drink espressos, unless you want to pay more for the machines that make larger coffees. We got sick of using pods. The one touch uses ground coffee and is simple to use, I'm really pleased with it.

A decent cafetière, a grinder and a selection of beans makes sense environmentally and practically if he's not an espresso fan

As well as a cafeteria I also have a small coffee machine that brews one cup at a time and uses ground coffee ,
www.amazon.co.uk/Salter-EK2408-Coffee-Personal-Machine/dp/B07351ZK8B/ref=sr_1_5?hvlocphy=9046634&hvnetw=g&keywords=salter+coffee+maker+to+go&hvadid=259020377022&qid=1615708421&dchild=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI9Myf56av7wIVpu_tCh3rGAIoEAAYASAAEgJKvvD_BwE&hydadcr=18481_1816599&hvdev=c&hvqmt=e&tag=mumsnetforu03-21&hvtargid=kwd-416194966445&adgrpid=53534132296&hvrand=6054095919847933304&sr=8-5
It takes about two minutes to brew a cup and is very easy to use and clean , the travel cup keeps coffee warm but it is not leak proof at all

How about some bags of nice ground coffee, a cafetière and nice mug? If he likes flavoured coffee then some Syrups?

Otherwise, a filter coffee machine or an on the hob espresso maker . If he drinks instant, he's not that into coffee as you think

I've owned a glass cafetiere & a DH had a double walled metal cafetiere - easy to use. Pain in the arse to clean as you have to dig the grounds out with a spoon each time, or rinse them down the sink, which risks blocking it. Metal version keeps it hot longer. Glass version was cool very quickly, too quickly really.

Espresso machine with a milk steamer. Not pods, proper ground coffee. Good coffee, relatively easy to remove grounds. Had to buy specialist cleaning product to remove residue as it built up in the espresso head & blocked it. Otherwise easy to clean. Fairly quick & easy. Noisy.

Basic filter machine with an electric hotplate - have owned 2. Reliable, easy. Better if you use paper filter cones (easier to remove the grounds). Convenient, as they generally keep the coffee hot for a while.

Never owned a pod machine due to expense, plastic waste issues.

Currently using an Aeropress. Best ever. Minimal waste, simple to clean, can do hot or cold coffee in a minute. Paper disc refills can be used a few times over the day then thrown in the compost bin. The used grounds come out as a virtually dry disc. It's small, lightweight, packable for holidays etc. Would buy again if I broke it, definitely recommend. DH wasn't keen before I bought it but he no longer uses the filter machine any more...

My DP is a huge coffee fan, he has a very expensive Gaggia classic at his house. I got him an Aeropress to live at mine and he loves it. My local coffee place will grind their beans specifically for an Aeropress if you ask them, and do lots of different varieties so always make a good present!

Mine wouldn't have been impressed with a Nespresso or similar. He likes the method and execution of making a coffee (with the Gaggia it can take quite a while! ) and being able to customise it to a degree.

Regarding syrups, we've always liked Sweetbird. Their flavours are pretty good, & they seem to be less sweet & more flavourful than many other brands. And they have a really good variety to choose from. Don't forget to buy a pump for each. The only one I can't recommend is the hazelnut flavour, unless you're likely to finish it within a couple of months - we've bought this flavour a couple of times & it doesn't seem to last as well as the others. We've had lots of the others though & they've always been great (even when we've let them accidentally go out of date they were still good).