Coffee Appreciation

Putting the kettle “back” in the fridge

Yes, have done this.

this has probably been asked 1000 times but if i were to spend £500-£600 on a coffee machine, would I just buy a sage barista express? I like drinking coffee but i am definitely more of a civilian when it comes to making it (been an aeropress only guy for the past 15 years given lack of space...)

Probably that or a Bambino [Plus] and DF54 grinder.

Black drinks or you want to do milk as well?

i am a macchiato guy :-)

Looks like it's hard to beat when it comes to value, especially considering it includes a grinder.

Not that I'm biased or anything, but I still maintain that for long-term value (including servicing & repairs), it's hard to beat a Europiccola. Which is in budget, but not including a grinder.

I was an aeropress guy for 15 years too and got a Sage Barista Pro. I learned just enough about coffee and the machine (specifically adjusting the internals of the grinder) to get a banging shot out of it every day and have deliberately changed or learned nothing more ever since and I am happy with the same banging shot every single day

Sage Barista Express owner here - love it, fits your use case almost exactly and definitely a strong recommend from me. However I think the Bambino plus and DF54/Sage Smartgrinder combo gets you the same benefits of the BE (usability, reliability, good value) with added benefits of the ability to switch up grinds if you also want to do aeropress/pour over etc, and if something goes wrong or want to upgrade you can replace the individual parts as needed. The combo would be my top choice at your price bracket.

thanks guys - really appreciate the input. the breville certainly looks interesting and the reviews are great. just wonder if mrs swede will struggle with the 'separate grinder' concept - leaving me to make all the coffees.....

it's apt to check back in after a few days of being a Bambino Plus owner.

I am La Pavoni through and through and have dabbled in Barista Express machines over the last few months and I think they are great at what they do, robust and for the price point (second hand) then infinitely better than a Gaggia Classic when it comes to the outputs.

I have no need for a Barista Express as I have a Mazzer Major so needed a standalone machine - enter the Bambino Plus. I like the fairly instant heat up time - definite game changer. Also fairly energy efficient as a result. Takes a good couple of mugs of water to thoruoughly heat the portafiter up though. Shots are great and the auto milk steamer has surpassed my expectations of it being a gimmick. My other half is able to use it and she's never made coffee at home before.

It does feel flimsy, being plastic but the features it packs makes up for it. Having been inside a Bambino I can tell from experience that these need to be ran on soft water as if the thermojet blocks you're fucked without spending out about £80 for a new one and getting someone to fit it if you're not competent.

For me there were two options, sage offers performance out the box but it’s not easily modifiable or repairable, something like a gaggia classic/rancillio silvia is infinitely repairable and upgradable if the mood takes you…

Honestly, though if you are a happy aeropress user I’d be just looking at a great grinder to improve the enjoyment of it… and maybe a glass/metal aeropress…

Bambino and Niche could be a good value option that also doesn't take too much space and allows you to grind for filter

If you go down the Sage route it's worth signing up for Coffee Kev's email list as it offers access to Sage discount codes (along with Gaggia and others). Sage regularly do discounts, so don't buy at rrp.

I'm in the old country visiting the fam, I travelled with beans and my Porlex but left the Aeropress Go at home, the Clever Dripper has killed my love for it.

Anyways, I've been using a generic stainless steel moka pot at mum and dad's, the coffee has been great! I think it's time to bring my trusty 35+ year old Bialetti 6-cup out of retirement.

It seems I'm right back where I started.

Has anyone heard any feedback on the Lelit Anita?

I’d go second hand Gaggia and DF54, can hardly beat the combo! Both built like tanks and just work with little faff and good ease of use/workflow. Bonus points if you’re lucky enough to find a pre modded one, though I feel prices might have gone up to the point that might hardly leave the £230 allowance for the DF?

Barista express look neat as all in ones but ultimately you’re getting a fairly mediocre grinder within a plastic-heavy appliance, so if you have any issue with either or wanted to upgrade to a better grinder that will do other types of brewing (like the DF) you’re stuck with a larger than needed machine.

I think suggesting a used coffee machine and a niche (no pun intended) espresso enthusiast DF54 to Swedee is not the move. Swe get the Breville 100% for sure.

All this talk about La Pavoni got me interested. Does it steam milk okay though?

I still have a niche zero up for grabs if anyone fancies - bandwagoned into a Philos.

Is this the right place to ask where to drink coffee, for when in London? A rare visit is on the cards and I'll need quality caffeine. West/Central/North. Ta

That’s quite a big area! Whereabouts exactly are you going to be?

DF54s are on sale currently. Picked mine up for £179.

Yeah, that's how I got mine. Then signed up for a beanz.com subscription, which gives you £50 cashback every 20 bags you buy. After my next delivery, I've worked out Sage have paid me to buy their Bambino.

Yes, to a certain extent the coffee can be a destination in itself. Paddington, Southbank, Soho, Tufnell Park are likely to feature.

my wife bought me this

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