Help me find a coffee machine so that I am not embarrassed when I have guests!!!

[MsFogi]

We drink a LOT of tea but not coffee. I am becoming increasingly embarrassed when people come over to only offer them instant (or, at a push, cafetière coffee) so I'm going to get a coffee machine. I'm happy to spend a up to about £250 (obviously less would be better ), I want something that is pretty easy to use and not a massive faff to clean. So wise coffee-drinking-MNers can anyone suggest what I should get to be able to offer visitors a decent cup of coffee?

[Cookerhood]

You can't get better than a cafetiere in my opinion as long as you have decent coffee. Maybe buy a milk frothing jug to go with it.
I honestly would rather a cafetiere and a £30 frothing jug than a fancy machine. And as for Nespresso type machines - yuk.

[Cookerhood]

Oops sorry for insulting Nespresso owners!

[SockFluffInTheBath]

We have an aero press. I got one for DH for work and it’s really good so we got another for home. It’s not a fancy looking gadget for your kitchen counter though.

[FlutterShite]

Nowt wrong with a cafetière. All coffee in this house comes from a cafetière. Tradespeople always express delight with the coffee we serve, so any guests who don't like it can stop off at a Costa on the way to our house.

[EskSmith]

I love coffee and would be very happy with cafetiere coffee. Keep your ground coffee airtight and in the freezer if possible so that it stays fresh.
If you really must buy something a frother would upgrade it.
My go to daily kit is a Moka pot and frother. Better coffee than my brother's all singing and dancing machine.

[EskSmith]

My recommendation for a milk frother is a bodum latteo. Simple to use, effective and easy to clean.

[Paddingtonsmarmlade]

Aeropress and decent ground coffee. Add a milk frother (nespresso one is good) if your guests prefer milky coffee

[Talipesmum]

I prefer a cafetière too, as I’m not fussed about drinking espressos. And we have this v cheap and effective milk frother: www.amazon.co.uk/KitchenCraft-KCFRX-Cappuccinos-Chocolates-Milkshakes/dp/B000NPF3JU?tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-21

[gogohm]

Cafetière makes the best coffee. Just make sure you use enough. Lidl French toast is typically what I use and it's far better than coffee shop espresso drinks

[MsFogi]

Thanks for the replies so far. No one has every been sniffy about the coffee it's more a self-imposed embarrassment !

So can anyone help me understand - Nespresso seems to be "not good"? Can anyone who drinks coffee tell me a bit more about why a Nespresso wouldn't (or would) be a good move?

And any views on good ground coffee to use in a cafetière (I've just grabbed Carte Noire in the supermarket but suspect this is not much better than instant!)?

Any more advice/views welcome...

[teezletangler]

Nespresso makes espresso, so for black coffee it makes an Americano rather than filter coffee. A lot of people just want a filter coffee! I know I do. A cafetière is totally fine.

[Thesunrising]

Aeropress makes great coffee (if you put good quality stuff into it), is lo-tech so nothing can go wrong or break and is small into to put in a drawer as it sounds like you only need it for occasional use. £20 all in with filters - there is no need to spend more to get great coffee that guests will enjoy.

[Libertaire]

There’s nothing wrong with a cafetière. I like my coffee and I use one all the time. Make sure the coffee is fresh and leave the water in the kettle for a few minutes after it has boiled, though.

If you want a machine I would get a basic pod machine. You can pick one up for around £30 & buy supermarket own brand pods for it.

[Donotgogentle]

www.johnlewis.com/john-lewis-partners-3-cup-espresso-maker-silver/p3967437

You could save yourself £237.50 and get a stovetop espresso maker or as pp have said use a cafetière.

My go to ground coffee is Lavazza or Illy. DH grinds beans but i find it too much faffing.

[EskSmith]

My favourite coffee is Lavazza Oro (gold packet) I try all sorts of fancy ones and always come back to it.
With Nespresso you pay slot for the pods and it's sold as convenient. But the machine still needs cleaning and will need descaling too.

[onepieceoflollipop]

Some people avoid Nestle who make the Nespresso
I have a bean to cup - Krups.
My dh doesn’t get on with it as he cba with the emptying grounds, topping up, cleaning it.
He has recently got a tassimo and it’s ok. I only drink black coffee and the Americano or espresso pods are fine, the pods can be sent off to recycle.

[Bontanics]

Cafetiere or aeropress is fine. I can't believe you'd even consider spending that kind of money on a big machine just to save face when guests come over.

[onepieceoflollipop]

I think the tassimo only takes official pods.
With the Nespresso several other supermarkets etc make compatible pods.

[Trixiefirecracker]

We use a stovetop expresso machine ( obviously add water if you want an Americano) it’s much better than a cafetière in my opinion. Lots of people comment on how good it tastes.

[onepieceoflollipop]

How often do you have visitors? You could just get these I find they are ok in the fridge for a couple of weeks once opened.

[5zeds]

Illy is lovely coffee but I’d just get a stovetop espresso maker if it’s just for the odd cup.

[ScribblingPixie]

Another vote for a stovetop espresso maker. The 'hardcore' cafes near us sell their own house blend, so maybe that's an option if you've people coming over.

[Movinghouseatlast]

Smugglers ese machine. Beautiful and makes the best coffee.

[Movinghouseatlast]

Smeg not fucking Smugglers. Jesus.