Coffee Machine for student DD

[LadyMacbethWasMisunderstood]

DD2 is in first year of uni. She loves coffee but usually drinks instant. I don’t drink coffee and know nothing about it. I’d like to get her a compact, very easy to use coffee machine as a surprise Christmas present. She has a studio flat with her own kitchen so no risk of others breaking it. It needs to be very very easy to use (she is neurodivergent and finds uni life a bit overwhelming at times and having quick and easy access to a cup of coffee would, I think, be really comforting to her). I’d prefer to spend under £100 as she has other things too that she needs. But could go more if necessary.

The OP wants something quick and foolproof for her student daughter who lives in a studio room. I doubt she has a stove and ok, once you get the hang of it they are fine, but it's not exactly press a button and here's your drink.

why do people insist on making recommendations which are contrary to the OPs criteria ?

I’d go dolce gusto, Starbucks pods are lovely and the costa a good runner up, almost always on offer somewhere too! Last box I bought were £3.50 so a good price and easy to use. Work has a Tassimo which is great but not as easy to use as the dolce gusto

I have coffee machines but DD still prefers a quick and easy cup of instant coffee

I'd probably leave it

I have a stove top espresso coffee maker and it makes the most delicious strong syrupy thick coffee

I only have time for it at the weekends and days off but it is truly delicious coffee

I grind my own beans and put it on med low 6 on my hob takes about 8 mins

The coffee needs to be ground finer than ground coffee you'd buy for it to work best

I also recommend an Aeropress for its compact size & easiness to clean. You can also buy a reusable steel mesh filter to save them having to buy more filter papers.

I've been through a number of machines over the years and now just used a cone and filter papers. This is quick and simple.MELITTA Filter Funnel TZ4-3132 Kitchen item : Amazon.co.uk: Home & Kitchen Buy something like this, some filter papers and some ground coffee.

why do people insist on making recommendations which are contrary to the OPs criteria ?

Why do people throw themselves into finding fault - before taking the trouble to comprehend the OP? @StiffyByngsDogBartholomew the OP’s daughter has her own kitchen - I highly doubt it lacks even a single electric ring for cooking …

As a coffee addict - I’d say the method of making is less important than a secure supply of freshly roasted coffee beans.

If I were in the student daughter’s position I’d absolutely love a weekly coffee subscription. Plus a grinder - either manual (most fun) or electric. And then a paperless single cup filter for one or two breakfast cups. With maybe a simple filter machine for entertaining more people.

I have an older version of this Mellitta filter coffee machine. It has a timer so makes my coffee in the morning whilst I get ready for work

You need mellitta filters 1x4 cost about £1.20 for 39

I use this Krupps grinder to grind my coffee beans for about 25 seconds. I do it in a batch so I have enough for 3 days or so

I am mid 60s and must have tried every coffee machine over the years but I faithfully stick to a Melita cone & filter papers ... simple, easy to use, portable (take it camping!) and not expensive.