Can anyone recommend a simple, basic coffee machine?

[midlander79]

I do like filter coffee, but I have never owned a coffee machine and have always just stuck to decent instant.
Always use decaffeinated anyway!

But I would quite like one now. I am baffled looking at the usual, popular machines, I don't know what half of the terms mean.

I don't need one that does all sorts of different things, and I don't want one where it'll cost me a fortune for the beans or extra accessories. I also don't want one that isn't simple to use as I am a bit prone to losing patience with gadgets if they're too fiddly.

I just want a very basic, small one.

Do they exist?

I adore my Bialetti moka pot so much that I take it on holiday with me when I go self catering. Every cup of coffee is a ritual with it, I never have a better coffee anywhere. All the parts are replaceable.

Lavazza from Amazon. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Lavazza-Recycled-Compatible-Removable-Automatic/dp/B0D8LMW1LG?crid=S25VRHP4TBMK&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.FUrIwMxyUyAIRxokJp1c5AS7OgUxpQTMkKif5MmBXjhSIPF9w3Czpr80oPYvVrf_WshrlqWcfTXikktkTc0HbG8HH82vRBZMhAHffRlLMwSO4HE5mWYNv24mAZTLaGmHm9idVRbRwN42uUItm8EqDIzSGZy28qHyxEvFoExBeVec5TIq77kJoCXecIH2fxJCetj5AUk2fBVaae8RRVVYdhw2ABT7TjZn_fCZRCZ6JQhRn1jbbvlAQFgJLWIJqxYbTrqmQGYM-gU9dQTveEx7rokX-BzbdBIiGwD-LRCmPtE.UhyCx3BLOjW7vSKtVxVHDRlLKIj9q_-Z17ph2bI_XVE&dib_tag=se&keywords=lavazza%2Bcoffee%2Bmachine&qid=1777497947&sprefix=lavazza%2Bcoffee%2Bma%2Caps%2C180&sr=8-4&th=1

Basic black coffee from recyclable capsules (also available on subscription from Amazon). I add a bit of milk and microwave for 45 seconds to ensure it's really hot.

@lavendarwillow you have to look around for the cheapest pods. I find that is usually direct from Tassimo, especially since they have the whole variety of pods and I have to have decaff, which can be difficult to find in the supermarkets. I like the Caffe Hag pods.

What sort of coffee do you like? Strong small espressos or a mug full of filter coffee? MokkaMaster is the ultimate filter machine, but they're big and bulky. There are lots of smaller filter machines on the market for not much money that will make you a nice jug of coffee. For espresso machines, it depends on your budget and pickiness! If you're only going to use it once a week, a pod style nespresso type one would probably be the best option for ease and minimum mess. If you're using it multiple times per day, then start to look at ones with grinders

So we have two coffee machines. The Sage one which sounds like what you don’t want.

then a simple filter coffee machine - https://www.amazon.co.uk/DeLonghi-ICMX210-PK-Argento-Machine-Plastic/dp/B07XL98T3Z

I think filter coffee machines are this price point are probably much of a muchness. so you could even go for an entry level John Lewis one https://www.google.com/aclk?sa=L&ai=DChsSEwjzsY7t6pSUAxVxj1AGHdalMewYACICCAEQQhoCZGc&co=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI87GO7eqUlAMVcY9QBh3WpTHsEAQYFCABEgJusfD_BwE&sph=&sig=AOD64_0sfQvGIWOPAkKGPnBlRz1pDu0Rpg&ctype=5&q=&ved=2ahUKEwjr-Yjt6pSUAxXnQkEAHbfDCLEQwg8oAHoFCAsQyQE&nis=8&ch=1&adurl=

What I do like is that the coffee tastes smooth and there is zero mess with filter paper https://www.amazon.co.uk/Melitta-Original-Coffee-Filters-Filter/dp/B000WVZMW8/ref=asc_df_B000WVZMW8?mcid=0b166f9ac20837e3b459e53632bf206a&th=1&psc=1&tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=697283614795&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=17930412705393305813&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1006864&hvtargid=pla-299724229841&psc=1&hvocijid=17930412705393305813-B000WVZMW8-&hvexpln=0&gad_source=1

so you’re probably just looking for longevity. Can I recommend, especially if you are in a hard water area, using descaler tablets regularly/preventatively.

Agree wholeheartedly with this. I’ve had cafe quality full works machines to more basic machines in the past and the moka pot wins always.

I invested in a converting plate thing so I can use it on the halogen electric stoves often in holiday lets

use boiling water in it it take a couple of mins to create a very good cup.

Ah and the MokkaMaster is a thing of beauty

You know what gets the most use here?

A cup-top ceramic drip filter thing.

I wanted a small bean-to-cup machine then we got this as part of a Christmas present and it’s so brilliant I stopped looking!

Don’t know the brand but looks like this one, with the ridges in a sort of swirl pattern:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Ehwisbe-Filters-Adjustable-Dripper-Ceramics/dp/B0GMRL8RW4/ref=asc_df_B0GMRS8GHH?mcid=37bf4c21278b35eb90213c2610ceb3c7&tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=787442888144&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=15960022999303950128&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9212081&hvtargid=pla-2535101565727&psc=1&hvocijid=15960022999303950128-B0GMRS8GHH-&hvexpln=0&gad_source=1&th=1

I haven’t got much worktop space so I use a ceramic dripper with filter paper and a Thermos travel cup which keeps it hot all morning. Very tempted by an Aeropress now though.

Another vote for an aeropress. It’s not a coffee machine, just a very simple hand utensil.

How often are we talking? 3 a week I would get a small nespresso machine - minimal faff but higher running costs per cup. 3 a day is get a bean to cup machine

I hate moka pot coffee - burnt and horrible.

i use a cafetière for a mug of coffee in the mornings -if we drank more I would totally by a Moccamaster filter machine. I like my coffee very hot so prewarm my mug and the cafetière. Later on I drink espresso and we have a built in bean to cup machine that is not as good as our trusty old Nespresso!

My DH is a real coffee snob. Hand grinder for beans, and aero press. Caffitiere if making for more than one person. Simple and cheap.

I have a nespresso machine and a milk frother. I have an original nespresso pod version which means you can buy pods from lots of people rather than being restricted to nespresso. I buy compostable ones from lost sheep and kids the hippo, but there are lots of choices, including for decaf (which is all I buy) and in the supermarket.

I use a Bialetti (or similar make) stovetop coffee maker and I love it so much I take it with me on holidays. It’s about as simple as it gets, you can buy replacement seals, and it’s consistent.

Snap 😂

Agree but a steel one as the glass cafeteria break and it's insulated so keeps the coffee warm.

I use a tea cosy for mine! Bought by a guest who was appalled that we didn’t have one, for his early morning tea in the pot that we never otherwise used.
But it fits the cafetière nicely too.

Agree this is the most simple - you can also get a ceramic one rather than plastic. It’s what they use in some higher end coffee shops.

Stove top is good if you have gas but a bit more cleaning up

Pods are expensive and environmentally unsound.

The husband loves his Moka pot, he grinds his own beans using a Lidl coffee grinder then sticks it on the stove top. Makes very good coffee, so he tells me 😀

Nespresso Citiz machine is my favourite. No clean up required, no surplus coffee. Freshly brewed cup each time. Lots of brands have compatible pods eg Grind, CafePod, Cru Coffee, Lavazza. You can get one on John Lewis for about 130 and there’s a free coffee deal at the moment.