Getting a new "thing" that needs instructions to put it together and how to use it is to be avoided at all costs in my home except I really wanted a coffee machine but not one that needed pods.
I was fed up with filling up the rubbish bin with the empty sachets of the now very expensive cappuccino mix and I'm sure even the Nescafe sachets aren't as nice as they once were and the cheaper ones seem to be tasteless. 2024 needed to be the year I changed from drinking just coffee sachets, with their strange ingredients, back to proper coffee and back to tea too after several years of avoiding tea unless there was no choice.
My three children all clubbed together for my Christmas present and thank goodness Youngest Daughter held my hand through getting the machine going. She'd worked in a social club a few years ago so knew about filling the filter thing and loading it up. It is all very exciting for this non-techy and hate-gadgets old woman!
I bought a pack of Columbian ground coffee from Aldi for my first try and it makes a good coffee although smaller than my old mugs, which are bigger than the one in the photo. I've gone back to a mug of tea in the afternoons too. As soon as I've used up my store of the decaf Nescafe sachets I'll be buying some decaf coffee grounds for my evening cuppa.
I'm sure this isn't a big deal for people who enjoy new gadgets but we didn't even own a toaster until about 15 or so years ago - we had an LPG grill, and when I replaced the microwave I bought one the same as before so I didn't have to learn how to use it!
Back Tomorrow
Sue
Well done, hope you master the machine and enjoy your drinks. I don’t own a microwave, air fryer or coffee machine, or tumble dryer, all far to complicated for me. Sarah Browne
ReplyDeleteI've had a microwave ever since they were first around and use it a lot as I batch make meals for one and reheat.
DeleteAlso have a tumble dryer, rescued from my Dad's house after he died. I try not to use it often and it's out in the garage out of the way.
My dishwasher here is the first I've ever had and it saves me money now that I don't have free hot water as we did in the past.
Think I've got a way of making a good bigger cuppa in the machine!
That's a wonderful gift! It's nice that your daughter could walk you through operating it. I wouldn't know how to work one like that either!
ReplyDeleteI read instructions but it's better to actually watch someone using it!
DeleteGood that you have the machine you wanted. For me a cup of instant is fine. I am an occasional coffee drinker only!
ReplyDeleteI just went off ordinary coffee and tea - but it was getting a bit expensive. Pleased with the machine - I can drive it now!
DeleteI have occasionally looked at these coffee machines but it seemed such a faff for just a cup, so have stuck with my Russell Hobbs basic filter machine from more than 20 years ago.
ReplyDeleteNow I've worked it out it takes less time than the piece of toast in the toaster
DeleteA lovely gift, and why not enjoy a good cup of coffee at home? I hope it serves you well and you continue to enjoy it. I have been thinking about one, but do I have the room and is it worth it for just one large mug first thing in the morning?
ReplyDeleteI've examined all the packs of coffee - looks like there are lots to try.
DeleteWhat a nice present. I'm sure you will appreciate the machine the more you use it.
ReplyDeleteThe coffee tastes so good after some of the instants I've tried
DeleteExcellent gift from your children. I use coffee beans, ground up fresh, and then filtered through my old blue coffee pot. I have an uneasy feeling that my intake of caffeine through tea and coffee keeps me alive.
ReplyDeleteThey were so pleased to find something I would like that wasn't books!
DeleteWhat a lovely treat. There's something special about a 'proper' cup of coffee - esp when compared to a teabag in a cup. Once you get used to it, it ceases to feel like "a lot of faffing about". And the grounds can go in the compost. Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteBetter the grounds in the compost than the sachets in the bin
DeleteI'm impressed that you can drive one of these! We love our nespresso machine. I used to recycle the pods by hand; lakeland sell, or used to sell a thingy that got the coffe grounds out so the pod can go in the recycling. But nespresso will recycle the complete pods - much easier.
ReplyDeleteI have a feeling I saw something somewhere about compostable pods
DeleteI'm with you on not using the wasteful pod system, we have a simple coffee filter, neither have milk so we only need the coffee. When you have finished with the coffee, save the grounds for the garden, I also save the filter, and use them in bottom of plant pots, which helps the water to run out but not totally drain and keeps the plant moist for longer.
ReplyDeleteThe frothy milk is my favourite bit!
DeleteI also agree about those pod machines. Not very environmentally friendly.
ReplyDeleteI have a new filter coffee machine with a reusable filter basket. So very easy to just spoon in the amount I need, top up the tank with water and wait a couple of minutes for it to drip through. The used coffee grounds get tipped into my compost waste bin to go out in the garden. Easy peasy.
I really fancied the frothy milk bit of the machine!
DeleteThat’s such a good idea to have had a joint gift if something you really like as a gift. I drink only decaff coffee so just use instant. My husband has a pod machine and it’s a bone of contention about the pod disposal. I agree totally about the sachets-I don’t know what’s happened to them but they are rising in price and decreasing in taste. Enjoy your freshly brewed coffee. Catriona
ReplyDeleteThey had quite a problem getting it as it was out of stock, and then double the price elsewhere but eventually found it cheap enough for them to afford. I'm pleased
DeleteIf you are looking for a good decaffeinated coffee try Lavazza it may not be the cheapest but it is excellent coffee. What a great gift !
ReplyDeleteI'll look out for that, although I know Asda do a couple of decaf coffee grounds.
DeleteYou just can't beat a proper cup of coffee. We have a fancy coffee machine but I justify it by comparing how much a coffee from a cafe costs......as we're always saying ' we don't have many vices 😉 So we're having a decent cup of coffee!' It's a great gift they treated you to.
ReplyDeleteAlison in Wales x
I'm very pleased and they were glad to find something for me that wasn't books!
DeleteThat looks attractive, a lovely present.
ReplyDeleteI use a cone and filter paper over an old Denby coffee jug. I make enough for a second cup and pour it into a flask to keep hot.
My daughter has given me her coffee grinder as beans are supposed to give a better flavour.
It is a comforting ritual, like making a good pot of tea from loose leaf tea.
I think I will enjoy trying different flavours and brands
DeleteI have used a Krups Tassimo machine with decaf Kenco discs for years. I would hate to have to change for my regular two a day. Only the price of the discs has changed - upwards of course! Lesley
ReplyDeleteThe Nescafe sachets have doubled in price in the last two years -
DeleteFor me the first drink of the day has to be decaffinated tea and that is he only one I have, the rest of the day it is instant decaffinated coffee. My husband is the one who likes to try different coffees and has a machine, but I don't know what it is. A nice thoughtful present from your children with the added bonus of personal instructions.
ReplyDeleteI was glad of the help to work it out
DeleteThe coffee machine looks amazing . As a coffee drinker I would recommend buying Lavazza de Caf - most supermarkets have it - the best decaf I have tried
ReplyDeleteSiobhan
Two recommendations for that - I will make a note - thank you
DeleteLife is too short for indifferent coffee. Good on you for going for the 'ceremony' of making good coffee. You are so right about not knowing what strange ingredients go into those pods. Like Nelliegrace, we even grind our coffee beans by hand as part of the ritual and to enjoy the smell even before the coffee is made.
ReplyDeleteOnce upon a time, many years ago I had a coffee grinder as a kitchen ornament - long gone now.
DeleteI'm with you on reading instructions!! Mainly cos I can't read the tiny writing without my reading glasses on. I just stick to my French press cafetiere if I'm making 'proper' coffee but then I'm so anti gadget on most things!!
ReplyDeleteI'm surprising myself. Bread machine, dishwasher and now coffee machine all in the last 10 years!
DeleteI'm sold! That machine sounds like just what I need for a better cup of coffee. I use the Nescafe cappuccino sachets and sometimes (when I'm feeling rich enough) the Nescafe Toffee Nut sachets. But as you say, the prices have shot up and the ingredients have been substitued with cheaper and tasteless ones. Please tell us what make your new machine is. Thank you Sue.
ReplyDeleteIt's a Swan retro - but the children had problems finding this one that does cappuccino too as some just have a milk frother that goes in a separate jug which isn't supplied
DeleteI don't drink coffee so I have no idea how that machine would work. Looks complicated but as long as you enjoy it, that's what counts!
ReplyDeleteA special present
DeleteGreat looking machine. Enjoy your good cup of coffee and of course your tea.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
Getting back to tea drinking is difficult as I don't like it too strong or too weak or too milky!
DeleteHow good a cappuccino does it make? I drink strong cafetière black coffee, no sugar, but do fancy the occasional cappuccino.
ReplyDeleteLike you I went off indifferent instant coffee - for me a long time ago.
It makes a very small cappuccino so I'm using it to make a large expresso and then add frothy milk - delicious
DeleteWhat a lovely present and a great looking machine. I might have been tempted but the milk frother part of it would be a waste for me, I drink my coffee black. We used to have a pod using machine a few years ago, but I hated the waste so it didn't last long. I'm definintely the same as you when it comes to dreading learning about new gadgets, thank goodness your daughter could show you.
ReplyDeleteIt certainly is a lovely present - I was very pleased
DeleteYour new coffee machine is a wonderful gift. I bet it makes excellent coffee. I love coffee, especially on a damp/cool Winter day. Recently, I like cafe mocha for a late afternoon treat. It is dark roast coffee with 1 tablespoon of mocha and milk.
ReplyDeleteI'm looking forward to trying some different sorts of coffee grounds and being adventurous!
DeleteDo you have a Lidl nearby Sue? Their decaf ground coffee is really nice and very reasonable. Tricia
ReplyDeletei avoid gadgets as much as possible x
ReplyDeleteI had a Nespresso machine, but wasn't happy about disposing of pods, and refillable ones were never very successful. I must have 'grizzled' about it a lot, because our son bought me a Melitta Bean-to-Cup machine for my birthday last year.
ReplyDeleteI can't stand tea, even just the smell of black tea turns my stomach, but I love really good coffee.
My husband hates coffee as much as I hate tea, so it's my treat, when he has a pot of horrid tea in the afternoon, I have a glorious cup of coffee.
Whenever possible, I use Jamaican Blue Mountain beans, wonderful flavour, gentle, and not bitter at all, just perfect! I'm not keen on frothy coffee, so just have a drop of hot milk in mine!
Enjoy your new machine, including sitting down comfortably for half an hour or so, savouring your lovely coffee! x
Sounds like we have the same thing. I love Blue Mountain too. It reminds me of a trip to Jamaica many, many years ago.
DeleteWhat a beautiful machine. Enjoy your coffee. I just use a drip Melitta one with hot water from the kettle.
ReplyDeleteOooooooh...veeeeerry fancy. I have one, not so fancy as yours. I have used it for years, and it is making such a strange noise that the cat's begun to come to the counter and stare fixedly at it. I was at a thrift store and saw the same machine for $7.99. Boy, I snapped that bad boy up. The idea of an old dog getting a new machine and not having to learn any new tricks was irresistable!
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure I'd work out how to use it lol, though I am not a coffee drinker at all. I am glad you got some help and managed to work it out!
ReplyDeleteWell done you. Pods are so bad for the environment. We swapped to beans a few years ago and it's so much better. Enjoy your coffee :0)
ReplyDelete