cappucino makers

[rb]

Any thoughts of good ones for the kitchen ?

[velomane]

The best place to research espresso machines and everything related to them is here (http://www.coffeegeek.com/).

Mike

[flypretty]

Tassimo!

[Nikita]

DiLonghi! But when this one dies I'm thinking of trying a Tassimo...been hearing a lot of good things about them.

[Phr3sh]

Tassimo!

+1...I've had mine for a while and im very happy with it

[pakmode]

It really depends on if you're an Espresso purist or not.

If you are serious about your espresso, then the Keurig, Senseo and Tassimo systems will never do and, as mentioned, www.coffeegeek.com is the place to start.

There's a range of automatic - semi-automatic machine for every budget and mindset, it just depends on what you're comfortable spending and using.

[Bullseye]

If you just want a reasonably priced machine machine that makes decent shots, the Starbucks Barista is worth looking at. For the price, it's the best you're going to get. To do better, you'll need to spend $1k+.

I've had mine for 5+ years now, used nearly every day, and I'm happy with it.

[Pete_Coach]

Tassimo!

+1...I've had mine for a while and im very happy with it
Not exactly a Cappuccino or espresso maker is it? A disc or pod system does not do cappuccino justice. Sometimes I am not sure even what these disc systems are. Liquid concentrate of something or other.

[stealth]

Agree with pakmode, Bullseye and pete_Coach.

True cappuccino, lattes, etc . requires espresso. Espresso requires a pressurized system, not just hot water.
A tassimo type device is fine for flavoured coffee. It is not a device for espresso/cappuccino.

Delonghi makes soome good looking devices, but from my experience the build quality is not high and dont expect more than a couple years service from it (if used regularly) and they're resale value is terrible.

I've had the same Starbucks barista that Bullseye recommends. It is a good entry level machine, IMO the best in the $200-300 price point. It falls short if you are entertaining and making more than 1 or 2 drinks at a time, and I didnt find the temperature adequate for a proper shot. Beyond that you need to step up to something like a Rancilio Silvia (but only if you get a PID kit for it and a good quality burr grinder....If you dont, Silvia is more useful as a boat anchor).
It can be a very expensive and addictive hobby. I started off with a delonghi (had 2 actually), went to a SB Barista, then a Silvia, then a PID'd Silvia, and am now considering upgrading to a Expobar Brewtus (altho this upgrade is harder to make since I have silvia working pretty good now).

IMO, if you arent willing to invest $300+ into this as a hobby, and consider that you may outgrow from there, then you are better served buying a $250 card from Starbucks/Second Cup and leaving it to them to make your drinks for you. The problem is, once you've made/tried a lot of different (good) shots, when you go back to Starbucks, your $4 latte will taste like dishwater to you.

Another warning: unless your wife enjoys lattes/espresso as much as you do, the WAF (wife acceptance factor) for a machine, grinder, knock box, other tools etc taking up counter space....is very low.

www.wholelattelove.com has a forum as well that is pretty good.

[mjl_toronto]

What :arrowu: said.