Anyone have any good tips on a good coffee & cappuccino maker? I prefer something in stainless steel (but an live with black), would like to stay under $500 Guidance is definitely appreciated
This has served me well for a good year now: http://www.brevilleusa.com/products/800esxl/index.jsp?sku=800esxl&cID=108&pID=6&pvID=6 Be sure to pick up a conical burr grinder as well so you can enjoy freshly ground goodness.
What you're looking to do is key. Espresso? Americanos? Lattes? Cappuccinos? We have a machine that grinds whole beans, filters it through water, and gives a measurable shot of espresso on one side. We add a bit of hot water to make Americanos, which is like mana from the heavens in the morning. It also has a steamer to use on milk to make froth for lattes and cappuccinos. We use the first part several times a day daily, but we only froth milk every few years. When our Krups machine (bought 8 years ago) finally dies, we'll just buy a machine that grinds beans. However, if you're looking to steam your milk every day you should look for the whole set up. Or you can get a machine that only grinds beans and buy a separate handheld steamer, which could cost a lot less.
not really the first thing to find out is if he wants espresso or drip brew. If espresso then does he want mostly milk based drinks?
I really want it for regular coffee AND espresso. This is for my wife - I drink coke and don't know anything about coffee. I was most interested in the ones that do both, so that during the week, she can make herself a easy quick cup of coffee, but on the weekend, we can make cappuccino's and lattes.
http://www1.macys.com/catalog/product/index.ognc?ID=279504&CategoryID=26188 Like this one? (thanks all for the help!!)
I highly recommend Capresso. For your needs, I suggest this. I have this Capresso coffee maker (no capps for me). It simply makes the best cup of coffee, and it has a vacuum sealed carafe that stays hot for hours.
Anything that combines drip and espresso will not be quality. This is what I would do: Buy a quality grinder right now. The Solis Maestro is a very nice grinder that will last a lifetime and improve the quality of any type of bean. Then decide if 500 bucks if a good investment for a coffee machine. Frankly a 20 dollar drip machine will do just as good as an expensive one. The more expensive ones just have built in (low quality) grinders or gimmick features. If you want a quality, good value espresso machine that can put out high quality latte and other milk based drinks get a Rancilio Silvia. It is the benchmark for home semi-auto espresso. If you really enjoy coffee then the grinder should be the first tool you buy.
I don't drink much coffee or espresso at all, but the wife does.. We have a Krups espresso maker with a milk steamer built in, when I was doing research the most important thing that everyone recommend was to buy a pump driven espresso maker and not a steam driven one.. We've had the Krups unit for about 2 years and it's never missed a beat from what I've been told.. We also have a 12 cup Cuisinart coffee maker and it works well, but it has it's quirks.. I don't thing we would buy another Cuisinart coffee maker again even though it's been solid, it's just not that refined..
Just out of curiosity, have you used/know anyone who's used this KitchenAid conical burr grinder? I haven't yet but I think I'm getting one for Xmas. I've read some good reviews, but more wouldn't hurt. Right now I just have a fairly cheap Cuisinart that works well for the price but I am definitely looking forward to a more consistent grind.
Another option is to get a $15-25 french press for the coffee that she makes during the week. My wife doesn't drink caffeine so several years ago I was looking for a good single-serve coffee maker (more difficult that I thought it was going to be!) when my wife gave me a french press for Xmas. I got used to it very quickly and now highly recommend that as a convenient single-serve option. It's one of those things that seems snobbish and difficult-to-use (at least that was my perception of it) but is actually crazy easy. Even cleaning the press is easier than cleaning a coffee maker! This way it would be easier for you to purchase a dedicated espresso maker (something I can give no input on since I really only drink coffee).
i am in no way a coffee connoisseur, but some of the best cups of coffee i've had have come from a french press
We actually have a good grinder, and she enjoys that. The problem with having two separate machines is really a counter space issues. We live in a condo, and while it's a big kitchen for a condo, it's still a condo sized kitchen, which means only one coffee maker can be on the counter at a time. And if one is under the cabinet, it won't get used, which ends up defeating the purpose anyway. I'm leaning towards the Capresso, though a french press, and separate cap machine may be a good alternative...
I use a very small 4 cup drip maker because of counter space. It is much faster than a french press and for weekdays it is much better. It also does well if you just want a single (2 cup) serving.
