Coffee machines (sage barrista)

[Middo]

Enjoy the new machine. The big plus is trying different coffees. I can recommend https://www.neighbourhoodcoffee.co.uk

To add to your list

[Wolfie]

The undamaged replacement arrived

That looks great…. A beast of a machine…. Makes my Delonghi B2C look puny!

[Bigstam]

My go to for beans is Rave coffee, Pact coffee and Rounton Coffee, although Rountons don’t seem to have had much that takes my interest at the moment.

I would suggest going for a darker roast with the machine you have. Getting good extraction from a light bean will prove very difficult.

Ross

[RustyBin5]

My go to for beans is Rave coffee, Pact coffee and Rounton Coffee, although Rountons don’t seem to have had much that takes my interest at the moment.

I would suggest going for a darker roast with the machine you have. Getting good extraction from a light bean will prove very difficult.

Ross

What makes you think extraction from a light bean would be difficult? It has variable grind settings and variable temperature control as well as infusion so I can do finer grind and higher temperature. Unless I’m missing something?

Appreciate the bean suggestions- the list to try is getting long

[Bigstam]

What makes you think extraction from a light bean would be difficult? It has variable grind settings and variable temperature control as well as infusion so I can do finer grind and higher temperature. Unless I’m missing something?

Appreciate the bean suggestions- the list to try is getting long

It was my experience with a Sage Oracle, which is a similar machine. Generally the grinders are the weak link in terms of consistency and clumping, plus light roast are less forgiving to dial in regardless, in my experience. That being said it is a different machine and with good puck preparation you can overcome this.

Buying a dark roast from a decent roaster shouldn’t be an oily, bitter bean. It can still have those fruity flavours and if you are having milk based drinks a darker roast works well.

It’s a beaut of a machine and I’m sure you will be knocking out delicious flat whites that put the local coffee shops to shame!

Ross

[RustyBin5]

It was my experience with a Sage Oracle, which is a similar machine. Generally the grinders are the weak link in terms of consistency and clumping, plus light roast are less forgiving to dial in regardless, in my experience. That being said it is a different machine and with good puck preparation you can overcome this.

Buying a dark roast from a decent roaster shouldn’t be an oily, bitter bean. It can still have those fruity flavours and if you are having milk based drinks a darker roast works well.

It’s a beaut of a machine and I’m sure you will be knocking out delicious flat whites that put the local coffee shops to shame!

Ross

Good advice re the oilyness Ross. First attempts were mixed but getting more tuned into the settings now. Great fun experimenting

[skmark]

Advice required - I've been gradually progressing along the better coffee route coming from Aeropress, to Alessi 9090 Moka pot. I've always fancied a coffee machine but as the only person in the house who drinks coffee it's never been a particularly popular discussion with the missus. However, of late that has been changing.

Now realistically I'm never going to be weighing my specially imported beans, selecting the best grind of the day on my expensive grinder before embarking on setting up my huge barista style machine for a short science experiment to get myself a cup of coffee. If I was single I might actually go down this particular path but I know that if I did so now then I would probably end up single anyway.

I had therefore always thought that at some point a Sage Barista Bean to Cup machine might grace our worktops. However, recent discussions have suggested that my wife would like to be able to make her friends a cup of nice coffee.......that's not going to happen with any Sage type machine trust me. Now my fall-back thoughts had always gone down the Sage Bambino Plus type route as an acceptably 'small' machine that would still produce the goods. I've never been much of a fan of 'pod' type machines, but.......

If I was to consider a 'pod' type machine..........what would the TZ collective recommend as being able to give me a lovely brew and yet be simplistic enough for my wife to operate???

[wileeeeeey]

I had Nespresso for 8 years and still have one for decaf and milk frothing. You cannot compare a pod machine to something like a real bean to cup.

I have a Jura ENA 8 Which I got in Costco one day by luck for about £450 and wouldn’t go back. They are still selling them on the Jura refurb site

https://juraoutlet.uk/products/ena-8-nordic-white

For milk I would recommend a Nespresso Aerofbino 4 (not the 3).

[UMBROSUS]

We have the sage barista pro and its decent apart from the grinder very hard to dial it as it's a bit crap but does make very good coffee.

My wife is not keen on it so we have just bought a small Nespresso machine which makes a very nice coffee.

The biggest thing before buying for me is the price of the pod and if they make a coffee that you really like.

A couple of friends have a gussto thing and have a few coffees that I really like so that also might away me if I was buying one for a odd coffee


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[RustyBin5]

We have the sage barista pro and its decent apart from the grinder very hard to dial it as it's a bit crap but does make very good coffee.

My wife is not keen on it so we have just bought a small Nespresso machine which makes a very nice coffee.

The biggest thing before buying for me is the price of the pod and if they make a coffee that you really like.

A couple of friends have a gussto thing and have a few coffees that I really like so that also might away me if I was buying one for a odd coffee


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When you change the grind settings only do it WHILE it’s grinding - stops machine damage I believe

[UMBROSUS]

When you change the grind settings only do it WHILE it’s grinding - stops machine damage I believe

Thanks for that.

I find the settings a pain in the bum and often if I can be bothered there are also money manual settings if you remove the burrs but can be a pain to reseat.

Sometimes you just want a coffee no measuring timing etc.

A decent bean to cup the non porta filter kind might be the way to go.

Do you have one and did you buy a 'triple' porta filter is still use the double provided? I struggle to get over 17g in there with consistant results was really just wondering.


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[gorrie]

recent discussions have suggested that my wife would like to be able to make her friends a cup of nice coffee.......that's not going to happen with any Sage type machine trust me. Now my fall-back thoughts had always gone down the Sage Bambino Plus type route as an acceptably 'small' machine that would still produce the goods. I've never been much of a fan of 'pod' type machines, but.......

If I was to consider a 'pod' type machine..........what would the TZ collective recommend as being able to give me a lovely brew and yet be simplistic enough for my wife to operate???

Take a look at some of the Melitta Perfect Milk machines. I owned one before moving to Sage. Bit of a middle ground between pod machine and a manual machine.
You’ll still be able to use beans, you get the bean to cup and frothy milk… even my Mrs was able to use it.
Don’t expect microfoam from the steamer though. Yeah it’ll do latte and cappuccino.. but you’ll not be doing artwork.

[dustybottoms]

Advice required - I've been gradually progressing along the better coffee route coming from Aeropress, to Alessi 9090 Moka pot. I've always fancied a coffee machine but as the only person in the house who drinks coffee it's never been a particularly popular discussion with the missus. However, of late that has been changing.

Now realistically I'm never going to be weighing my specially imported beans, selecting the best grind of the day on my expensive grinder before embarking on setting up my huge barista style machine for a short science experiment to get myself a cup of coffee. If I was single I might actually go down this particular path but I know that if I did so now then I would probably end up single anyway.

I had therefore always thought that at some point a Sage Barista Bean to Cup machine might grace our worktops. However, recent discussions have suggested that my wife would like to be able to make her friends a cup of nice coffee.......that's not going to happen with any Sage type machine trust me. Now my fall-back thoughts had always gone down the Sage Bambino Plus type route as an acceptably 'small' machine that would still produce the goods. I've never been much of a fan of 'pod' type machines, but.......

If I was to consider a 'pod' type machine..........what would the TZ collective recommend as being able to give me a lovely brew and yet be simplistic enough for my wife to operate???

I had a Sage Nespresso Creatista Plus machine for a number of years which I loved, it has choice and simplicity within it's menu functions, and is very easy to operate once you have stored your preferences.
I have now replaced it with a Grind One machine and Milk Frother, which I think is an even better machine (reviews confirm it is a highly rated machine in tests) and is as simple as a pod coffee machine can be. The Grind One has a very small footprint and is a very good looking machine, so your wife will likely approve. https://grind.co.uk/products/grind-machine


These would be my two recommendations for a good quality and simple to use pod machine, both produce very good results, Grind just edging it to the top spot for me based on pressure, consistency, simplicity and looks.

[Griswold]

I had a Sage Nespresso Creatista Plus machine for a number of years which I loved, it has choice and simplicity within it's menu functions, and is very easy to operate once you have stored your preferences.
I have now replaced it with a Grind One machine and Milk Frother, which I think is an even better machine (reviews confirm it is a highly rated machine in tests) and is as simple as a pod coffee machine can be. The Grind One has a very small footprint and is a very good looking machine, so your wife will likely approve. https://grind.co.uk/products/grind-machine


These would be my two recommendations for a good quality and simple to use pod machine, both produce very good results, Grind just edging it to the top spot for me based on pressure, consistency, simplicity and looks.

Have you tried their coffee pods? Very good blends indeed, and they're the only pods that are compostable.

As you say, great machine, (all metal), and the milk frother is the best around. Currently available at a 25% discount so even better value.

[dustybottoms]

Have you tried their coffee pods? Very good blends indeed, and they're the only pods that are compostable.

As you say, great machine, (all metal), and the milk frother is the best around. Currently available at a 25% discount so even better value.

Agreed, their pods are very good indeed, they are now the only ones I buy. The current 25% off site wide makes their machines and coffee good value. I took advantage of that yesterday to purchase more pods.

[cman]

Next coffee machine will be a Jura but I might keep a tiny Nespresso for the occasional decaffe.

As previously mentioned, for ease and convenience Nespresso are very good. I now have a Delonghi Magnifica bean to cup machine and rate this very highly indeed.

Would it be considered blasphemous to go for a pod type machine?

Of course bean to cup is ideal, however the considerations are:

• space (have enough worktop appliances as it is)
• mess generated (from ground beans, tamping, pressure value, leaks, etc.)
• time to prep, make and clean (have a young child, not practical?)

Ideally I'd go for a Gaggia Classic or DeLonghi La Specialista Arte Compact or Sage the Bambino (this does look decent!).


However, the temptation from a more 'simple' pod type machine remains given the convenience factor (given this would be a gift for the wife).

[UMBROSUS]

We have both and the pod machines are great and offer a decent variety of strengths and decaf if that’s what you fancy.

We bought a cheap one just for convenience and use it often now.


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[gorrie]

If you buy a bambino or similar you can use ESE pods when the mood takes you.. or grind/tamp when you fancy that.

I generally use beans at home.. but I bought a Delonghi Dedica for when I’m down at the mother in laws every month, and either use ground coffee or ESE pods in that (just use the pressurised basket).

[skmark]

Would it be considered blasphemous to go for a pod type machine?

Of course bean to cup is ideal, however the considerations are:

• space (have enough worktop appliances as it is)
• mess generated (from ground beans, tamping, pressure value, leaks, etc.)
• time to prep, make and clean (have a young child, not practical?)

Ideally I'd go for a Gaggia Classic or DeLonghi La Specialista Arte Compact or Sage the Bambino (this does look decent!).


However, the temptation from a more 'simple' pod type machine remains given the convenience factor (given this would be a gift for the wife).

I had a similar dilema about 6 months ago and eventually went for a Nespresso Creatista Plus Coffee Machine by Sage.



Coupled with compostable coffee pods from Grind I'm very happy. Well worth checking out.

[Mj2k]

I had a similar dilema about 6 months ago and eventually went for a Nespresso Creatista Plus Coffee Machine by Sage.



Coupled with compostable coffee pods from Grind I'm very happy. Well worth checking out.

I have this, and also the posh £200 nespresso frother.

Once my credits are used up, I’m wanting a bean to cup solution as the coffee is better imho. My Creatista doesn’t foam milk as good as it used to, been sent back under warranty but still not the same micro foam it used to create unfortunately.


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[wileeeeeey]

Would it be considered blasphemous to go for a pod type machine?

Of course bean to cup is ideal, however the considerations are:

• space (have enough worktop appliances as it is)
• mess generated (from ground beans, tamping, pressure value, leaks, etc.)
• time to prep, make and clean (have a young child, not practical?)

Ideally I'd go for a Gaggia Classic or DeLonghi La Specialista Arte Compact or Sage the Bambino (this does look decent!).


However, the temptation from a more 'simple' pod type machine remains given the convenience factor (given this would be a gift for the wife).

I bought a Jura and kept the Nespresso for decaf and the frother but very rarely have frothed milk or decaf these days.

If you’re interested in a pod machine the Lor offer seems good https://www.lorespresso.com/en_gb/co...sublime-offers

[cman]

Thanks for the tip on Jura. Unfortunately, way (!) out of budget, currently.

If you buy a bambino or similar you can use ESE pods when the mood takes you.. or grind/tamp when you fancy that.

I generally use beans at home.. but I bought a Delonghi Dedica for when I’m down at the mother in laws every month, and either use ground coffee or ESE pods in that (just use the pressurised basket).

Very useful, thank - wasn't aware of the 'ESE pods' and a quick search shows they widen the choices quite a bit.

Is 'ESE' the 'universal' type and then Nespresso more of a 'lock in' to brand?

I had a similar dilema about 6 months ago and eventually went for a Nespresso Creatista Plus Coffee Machine by Sage.



Coupled with compostable coffee pods from Grind I'm very happy. Well worth checking out.

Great shout, thanks! Definitely going to look at this one.
Looking at Grind, it seems to work out to around 43p per pod - is that pretty average? In my eyes the 'pod' solution has always been dear in return for convenience. So just trying to work out what is considered normal for the 'per pod' option.

[wileeeeeey]

Tbh I think Jura was going to be out of the budget too but I stumbled on a great deal in Costco. Something like £380 when it was in John Lewis for £950 or £999. Other than that I’d still be using the Nespresso full time.

[gorrie]

Very useful, thank - wasn't aware of the 'ESE pods' and a quick search shows they widen the choices quite a bit.

Is 'ESE' the 'universal' type and then Nespresso more of a 'lock in' to brand?

You could look at it that way, yeah. ESE pods work across a vast number of regular espresso machines. If you see a machine you like, just have a google to see if there is a portafilter basket included that works with ESE pods. Normally it’s just the pressurised basket (ie, the one you use with pre-ground coffee).

A number of big brands make ESE pods such as Illy or Lavazza.. but plenty of smaller brands out there too you could experiment with. You can easily get 50 pods for under a tenner… which works out somewhat cheaper than most of the alternatives.

Like I say though, I prefer beans at home.. but if I was looking mainly at pods now, then personally I’d be looking for something that supported ESE (having previously owned and getting my rid of the likes of Tassimo and Dolce Gusto).

[cman]

Thanks to your recent posts since the thread bump - very helpful!

Went with the Bambino Plus: https://www.sageappliances.com/uk/en...so/bes500.html

There are many, many, favourable YouTube videos underlining it's value for money.




The RRP has been around £399 however last week Currys had it down to £279 which sold out very quickly.
Amazon followed suit at 279.97 which I managed to secure, there are 14 left in stock at time of posting.

I think the starting point will definitely be ESE Pods until we want to entertain the added mess/time that ground coffee will bring.

Upon initial searching, there doesn't actually seem to be many suppliers/sources of ESE Pods (including on Amazon/eBay) which is probably quite telling...!

[vertex]

Hello.

I buy my Nespresso compatible pods from here.

https://www.kaffekapslen.co.uk

Used them for a couple of years now.

Regards

V


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[gorrie]

Upon initial searching, there doesn't actually seem to be many suppliers/sources of ESE Pods (including on Amazon/eBay) which is probably quite telling...!

You can buy direct from Illy. Dualit also offer 100 pods for 18 on a subscription basis. Or, you could just buy ground. It’s really no hassle to prep a puck and knock it out when done.

Good price for that Bambino plus, nice one.

[cman]

You can buy direct from Illy. Dualit also offer 100 pods for 18 on a subscription basis. Or, you could just buy ground. It’s really no hassle to prep a puck and knock it out when done.

Good price for that Bambino plus, nice one.

Cheers! Whilst I hadn't been tracking prices long term, it was clearly a great deal at £120 off what the main online retailers are listing for. It's going to be given as a gift in a couple weeks' time - though at least Amazon's 30 day return window serves as a safety net if its 'declined'..!

Hello.

I buy my Nespresso compatible pods from here.

https://www.kaffekapslen.co.uk

Used them for a couple of years now.

Regards

V

Thanks, I'm glad you made that suggestion, as I already have a couple items in the basket on that site as one of the shortlisted ones. Nice to know you're a regular customer.

[cman]

A number of big brands make ESE pods such as Illy or Lavazza.. but plenty of smaller brands out there too you could experiment with. You can easily get 50 pods for under a tenner… which works out somewhat cheaper than most of the alternatives.

Like I say though, I prefer beans at home.. but if I was looking mainly at pods now, then personally I’d be looking for something that supported ESE (having previously owned and getting my rid of the likes of Tassimo and Dolce Gusto).

You can buy direct from Illy. Dualit also offer 100 pods for 18 on a subscription basis. Or, you could just buy ground. It’s really no hassle to prep a puck and knock it out when done.

Thanks for your continued help gorrie. Appreciate it.

Great shout on the illy shop, they have a 'BLEND TASTING KIT 4 PACKAGES OF 18 PODS - CLASSICO, INTENSO, DECAFFEINATO AND FORTE' which could be a good introduction.

1) I see the standard for ESE Pods dictates 7 grams of coffee in the pod. Is this far less than one would use for ground coffee? Seems like it (but am no expert!).

2) Regardless of 'grammage' - have you noticed a drop in quality going between the ground coffee at your place and the ESE pods at your Mother's place?

3) Any ESE Pods you'd recommend?

[gorrie]

7g is around about enough to fill the single shot basket. At home, I always use the double shot basket.. so yeah for me.. there’s a difference. You could pull 2 shots though.

[ronnie3585]

Can anyone recommend a good quality grinder for ~£500 or less. Will be used primarily for espresso. My head is spinning reading and watching online reviews. Would be good to hear experiences from people that actually own them.

[wileeeeeey]

Can anyone recommend a good quality grinder for ~£500 or less. Will be used primarily for espresso. My head is spinning reading and watching online reviews. Would be good to hear experiences from people that actually own them.

Might be worth watching this if you haven’t. The guy is meant to be pretty well respected.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3VohJapkObs

This is meant to be very good but I have no experience https://www.nichecoffee.co.uk/products/niche-zero

No doubt there will be great options for less.

[Kingstepper]

I've had a Niche Zero for few years now. Very pleased with performance though might have been overtaken by more recent grinders. Certainly a small and stylish (IMO anyway) piece of kit.

[Mj2k]

Might be worth watching this if you haven’t. The guy is meant to be pretty well respected.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3VohJapkObs

This is meant to be very good but I have no experience https://www.nichecoffee.co.uk/products/niche-zero

No doubt there will be great options for less.

Sometimes I love the world where you experience things outside of your area of expertise or knowledge and best grinders UNDER £500 is an actually legit category!

A rabbit hole I hope I do not go down, and will not even click the link for fear of discovery!


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[Bigstam]

I have had my niche for 2 years now. Great to use and easy to clean. I go between pour over and espresso daily with no issue.

Unless you want a flat burr grinder it ticks all the boxes tor the money imo.

Ross

[wileeeeeey]

Sometimes I love the world where you experience things outside of your area of expertise or knowledge and best grinders UNDER £500 is an actually legit category!

A rabbit hole I hope I do not go down, and will not even click the link for fear of discovery!


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I am very happy with the one button push of the Jura. The coffee machine rabbit hole is tempting but there are only so many you can go down and the Jura just works.

[Mj2k]

I am very happy with the one button push of the Jura. The coffee machine rabbit hole is tempting but there are only so many you can go down and the Jura just works.

I can’t buy the Jura knowing what you paid. It is killing me!!

[wileeeeeey]

I can’t buy the Jura knowing what you paid. It is killing me!!

Best deal I’ve ever had from Costco

[Toshk]

Which Jura was that btw?

[wileeeeeey]

Which Jura was that btw?

Jura ENA 8 £480 inc vat.

[Toshk]

Jura ENA 8 £480 inc vat.

Ah that is cheap!

[Mj2k]

Jura ENA 8 £480 inc vat.

Grrrrrr!


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[lewie]

Not sure if it’s been posted but just had an eBay message for 25% off sage refurbs from idoodirect with the code
SAGEFLASHSALE25
https://www.ebay.co.uk/str/idoodirec...mis&media=COPY

[pete-r]

Not sure if it’s been posted but just had an eBay message for 25% off sage refurbs from idoodirect with the code
SAGEFLASHSALE25
https://www.ebay.co.uk/str/idoodirec...mis&media=COPY

Just beat me to it 🤣

[Rodder]

Sometimes I love the world where you experience things outside of your area of expertise or knowledge and best grinders UNDER £500 is an actually legit category!

A rabbit hole I hope I do not go down, and will not even click the link for fear of discovery!


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And up until recently, this wasn’t even a category. You were looking at well over 1k for a decent grinder.

After much research I decided you need a dual boiler with a rotary pump espresso machine couple with, as a minimum a niche zero type grinder. With a single boiler or vibratory pump shots are inevitably going to be inconsistent.

[Mj2k]

And up until recently, this wasn’t even a category. You were looking at well over 1k for a decent grinder.

After much research I decided you need a dual boiler with a rotary pump espresso machine couple with, as a minimum a niche zero type grinder. With a single boiler or vibratory pump shots are inevitably going to be inconsistent.

The £1k category, wowzer!

As for your second sentence, it may as well be in French lol, I get the pumps, but that is about it! A place I do not need to research, that is for sure!


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[Mj2k]

Jura ENA 8 £480 inc vat.

Digital display model? Trying to work back for my upgrade.


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[wileeeeeey]

Digital display model? Trying to work back for my upgrade.


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Digital display but not touch screen. I think I the new one is touch. It’s by no means amazing and if you like latte/cappuccino you’ll need a separate frother (their one is balls) but for £480 I would buy it twice. I use it for anericano/black coffee and it’s great at that.

[Toshk]

Digital display but not touch screen. I think I the new one is touch. It’s by no means amazing and if you like latte/cappuccino you’ll need a separate frother (their one is balls) but for £480 I would buy it twice. I use it for anericano/black coffee and it’s great at that.

Aaa the old Ena 8. Panic over

[Bigstam]

And up until recently, this wasn’t even a category. You were looking at well over 1k for a decent grinder.

After much research I decided you need a dual boiler with a rotary pump espresso machine couple with, as a minimum a niche zero type grinder. With a single boiler or vibratory pump shots are inevitably going to be inconsistent.

Guilty!