Best coffee maker/espresso machine <R2,000

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PostmanPot

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Hi all

I bought a Russell Hobbs 15 bar espresso machine 2 weeks ago from Makro. R999 with grinder. Don't laugh, Makro had nothing else. :D

http://www.makro.co.za/p/37796/russell-hobbs-coffee-machine-plus-free-bean-grinder/

First one was a dud, must have been a seal broken inside as it leaked everywhere. Got it swapped out and have been really enjoying the new one, up until yesterday where it just seems to have lost pressure.

I can't fill the ground coffee cups as much as I used to, or pack them as I used to. Espresso/cappuccinos are taking much longer to make, resulting in bitter coffee - probably due to the coffee being over filtered. Seems to be a lot of water/steam build up in the machine, and when I take out the arm, it literally pops off and spews coffee and water everywhere.

So while waiting to hear back from RH support (decent support, seems Tedelex/Salton owns RH these days though, hence the quality drop) I am considering other options. Dion Wired have a much bigger selection, any of these good? I know Krups is decent, and Delonghi, also heard about the Nespresso machines but not sure if they only use pods?

http://www.dionwired.co.za/appliances/home-appliances/coffee-makers.html?p=2

Please advise, coffee experts. ;)
 
Generally they're not geared to making long cups of coffee but if you make a normal double expresso and then add hot water to it you shouldn't experience the bitterness you get from pushing too much water through the grounds.

I got lucky last week and picked up one similar to this - http://www.dionwired.co.za/applianc...nghi-fully-automatic-coffee-machine-1798.html - for R1000 when I traded in my broken Delonghi Magnificia. :D
 
Dion Wired popped into my head when I read the title of your thread.
For less than R2k there is really no one else.
 
bwana said:
Generally they're not geared to making long cups of coffee but if you make a normal double expresso and then add hot water to it you shouldn't experience the bitterness you get from pushing too much water through the grounds.
Click to expand...

Understand... In my case there is a noticeable difference from how it used to perform compared to now. User error or crap product? :D
 
DrYes said:
Dion Wired popped into my head when I read the title of your thread.
For less than R2k there is really no one else.
Click to expand...

Alright. I don't want automated. I like the manual/arm ones. Can you recommend one that's R2,500 - R3,000 tops perhaps?
 
PostmanPot said:
Understand... In my case there is a noticeable difference from how it used to perform compared to now. User error or crap product? :D
Click to expand...
You might be grinding your coffee too finely - try a coarser grind. Otherwise yes, it could well be another dud.
 
bwana said:
You might be grinding your coffee too finely - try a coarser grind. Otherwise yes, it could well be another dud.
Click to expand...

That did occur to me... Will test once new beans arrive today. Thanks b.

Yirgacheffe and Mandheling, can't wait. :D
 
PostmanPot said:
Alright. I don't want automated. I like the manual/arm ones. Can you recommend one that's R2,500 - R3,000 tops perhaps?
Click to expand...
Any reason in particular? I love the ease of use of mine.
 
bwana said:
Any reason in particular? I love the ease of use of mine.
Click to expand...

Prefer having more control. Also manual ones are cheaper and more space efficient. Have spent plenty of time with a friend's fancy R10,000+ Sprada machine, apart from not being able to justify that kind of money, to be honest I prefer the coffee from my RH... :p
 
PostmanPot said:
Prefer having more control. Also manual ones are cheaper and more space efficient. Have spent plenty of time with a friend's fancy R10,000+ Sprada machine, apart from not being able to justify that kind of money, to be honest I prefer the coffee from my RH... :p
Click to expand...
Truth be told I am lazy. :D I can adjust the amount of coffee (five settings iirc) and water plus use ground coffee (something I've never done :)) but if I hadn't got it for R1000 I would have probably got one like yours - was the grinder that came with it a burr grinder or one of those cruddy blade ones?

As for the footprint of the machine it's only 23cm wide so space isnt an issue. Compared to my old one it's almost silent so I can actually keep it in the kitchen this time! :D
OMB said:
moka pot :whistle: :D
Click to expand...
I've got one that I use for camping but for day to day use it's a bit of a schlep.
 
bwana said:
Truth be told I am lazy. :D I can adjust the amount of coffee (five settings iirc) and water plus use ground coffee (something I've never done :)) but if I hadn't got it for R1000 I would have probably got one like yours - was the grinder that came with it a burr grinder or one of those cruddy blade ones?

As for the footprint of the machine it's only 23cm wide so space isnt an issue. Compared to my old one it's almost silent so I can actually keep it in the kitchen this time! :DI've got one that I use for camping but for day to day use it's a bit of a schlep.
Click to expand...

Sounds like a steal! I do remember reading about it in the other thread.

Heh, one of the blade ones - looks like a stainless steel cup with grinder at the top - works OK. Space for beans is small compared to the size of the grinder though, only downside for me. I'd say it takes about 70g of beans...
 
PostmanPot said:
Sounds like a steal! I do remember reading about it in the other thread.

Heh, one of the blade ones - looks like a stainless steel cup with grinder at the top - works OK. Space for beans is small compared to the size of the grinder though, only downside for me. I'd say it takes about 70g of beans...
Click to expand...
Problem with the blade ones, and the reason I called it crappy, is that it's difficult to get a consistent grind. If you can get yourself a burr grinder it might help.
 
Nespresso anyone? Love mine but the capsules are a bit pricey if you drink too much coffee. They cost R2000-R6000.
 
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