Buying an espresso maker for the office

[eg1]

I am looking into buying an espresso maker for the office. I am thinking about: http://www.creativecookware.com/incanto.htm

I would appreciate any insight as to opinions about this model as well as any suggestions for alternatives.

 

[gdl203]

Get a Nespresso machine. That will simplify your life, give you an excellent espresso each cup, have the easiest maintenance and virtually no cleaning, allow you to switch to different types of coffees (decaf or not) with each cup, and can be used by colleagues - they just need to buy their own capsules (I do just that with one of my colleague's Nespresso machine). Only caveat is that capsules are a little pricey. Quality and convenience are definitely worth it for me though

 

[deputamadre]

I'd vote for Nespresso. When I was working for the America's Cup one of the sponsors was Nespresso, so we had boxes full of those capsules. They're easy to make, tastes great and there's no mess.

 

[Gus]

+1 for Nespresso. The quality and convenience for an office can't be beat.

 

[GQ Lawyer]

I can't imagine getting through a morning without my Nespresso machine.

 

[Englandmj7]

I suggest Nespresso as well. Have one at home.

I can't imagine that in an office, however, you would want anything else. Simple, clean capsules, no mess. Price is the only drawback (a little over $0.50 per capsule), but I think it's still worth it.

That Incanto is going to take more time to make a cup of espresso, make more of a mess (when used dozens of times a day), costs significantly more, and your average office coffee-drinker isn't going to be able to taste the difference from a $400 Nespresso machine.

Get a nice non-capsule machine for your home if you're a connoisseur.

 

[itsstillmatt]

Nespresso is the best. The happiest morning of my life was when we changed out our Capresso for a Nespresso. Less than half the price, better coffee and no hassles.

 

[totally epic]

Mine is sitting 3 feet away from me.

 

[tattersall]

Eight replies now - all for Nespresso. Go on, drink the koolaid.

 

[Duveen]

Which Nespresso model would people recommend for home use?

 

[gdl203]

Originally Posted by Duveen

Which Nespresso model would people recommend for home use?
I have the red cube and I'm happy with it. I had a less sturdy one before and it lasted 2.5 years of daily use

 

[Englandmj7]

Originally Posted by Duveen

Which Nespresso model would people recommend for home use?

Originally Posted by gdl203

I have the red cube and I'm happy with it. I had a less sturdy one before and it lasted 2.5 years of daily use

I have the D150, but I don't know if they make the model anymore. Found it on Craigslist (only used once or twice - in box) for $65. Hell yeah. Retail was only $200 though.

It's nice because it has a milk frother/steamer.....

Either way, it depends what you want out of a machine. They make the basic one (D100 - $160 on Ebay) without a frothing/steaming nozzle, or a lavish $800 one with digital display and milk tank (Lattissima), etc. The espresso itself is pretty much going to taste the same through any of the machines (I think they all use 19 bars of pressure).

Use the Nespresso site 'machine selector' feature to find out what might suit you:

http://www.nespresso.com/

 

[eg1]

Originally Posted by tattersall

Eight replies now - all for Nespresso. Go on, drink the koolaid.

I take it you disapprove -- care to elaborate? I suspect that if I were to get this system for the office, my Italian friends will wrinkle their noses at it. Are there other, perhaps more valid reasons to avoid that particular brand of "kool-aid"?

 

[gdl203]

Originally Posted by eg1

I suspect that if I were to get this system for the office, my Italian friends will wrinkle their noses at it.
Not after they taste it. I bet good virtual money that they'll want espresso from your machine

 

[itsstillmatt]

Originally Posted by eg1

I take it you disapprove -- care to elaborate? I suspect that if I were to get this system for the office, my Italian friends will wrinkle their noses at it. Are there other, perhaps more valid reasons to avoid that particular brand of "kool-aid"?

Originally Posted by gdl203

Not after they taste it. I bet good virtual money that they'll want espresso from your machine

It is my understanding, and experience, that Nespresso is much more appreciated in Italy and France than in the US. Since these two countries are on the very short list of places where you can find a good espresso, I wouldn't worry about what the CanadItalians think.