Hi all,
Looking for an automatic coffee machine.
I really liked the Breville Oracle Touch ($3,000 on sale now), but I think I’ll get annoyed with the manual side of it (even though it’s quite automatic anyway, but who can be bothered cleaning the filter holder thing)
What does everyone recommend?
Ideally it’s a single click for latte/cappuccino etc (I.e milk is just filled into a canister and produces froth straight into a cup)
Budget probably $2.5-$3k
Thanks
We had to keep the milk part in the fridge and just attach it when needed.
Happy to do this
I have a Breville Barista Pro that I really like, but it is obviously manual. I considered upgrading to the Oracle but I didn't like how it has a 10-20 minute warm-up time before you can make a coffee. I want coffee, now :P
(Barista Pro has instant warm-up)
If I were going automatic, I'd look at the Philips 4300 LatteGo, or similar. Reviews well, and also relatively cheap - punches above it's weight, often competing with much more expensive units.
100% get the Breville Oracle (you don't need to pay the extra for the touch. Its pretty much completely automatic but you can get involved and do some of it when you want.
I've owned one 6 years (since they came out new) had one service and due for another but our machine gets hammered as I work from home and my son uses it as well. About to get a new unit only because the son is moving out and whats to take it with him.
You tip out the tray of water as often as needed and clean it once a week. All machines end up with coffee oils and milk residue and should be cleaned. Nothing is going to be 100% maintenance free.
Milk goes into a jug and you pop it under the steamer attachment. Never liked the ones that pump milk through tubes - way too much waste and more to clean - Hope that advice helps
(even though it’s quite automatic anyway, but who can be bothered cleaning the filter holder thing)
(I.e milk is just filled into a canister and produces froth straight into a cup)
cleaning and maintaining these milk canisters/lines is way more trouble and effort than rinsing the portafilter. I feel like a lot of people neglect cleaning them on those super auto machines because they have the idea that there should be minimal work before/after making the coffee.
Some great points.
I’m not oblivious to the fact that even automatic machines need regular cleaning (sometimes taking longer than more manual machines).
But if I make around 5 coffees a day, then I am happy to clean lines etc after 2 days. Whereas a more manual machine I am cleaning the various utensils 10 times in the same time frame
Ultimately you want to go with what you like. (and feel free to totally ignore me but everyone loves our coffee machine that comes over.)
note the oracle has a 21gram shot. Typical nespresso's are a 7gram shot so if you are having 3-5 oracle coffees you will be totally wired (like 9-15 nespressos wired :D) each day
Im not sure how much work you think you are avoiding will a full auto. I rinse the portafilter and basket (but you should clean the portafilter ensure the coffee doesn't channel and force all the coffee one way) and I rinse the mil container I've steamed the mil in. Thats it. If I do a bunch of coffees then I wipe out the portafilter between shots. Clean gear helps make great coffee. The rinsing process for the oracle (and I'd guess most machines is pretty auto - you pop a special plug in the portafilter, pop in special detergent and hit go on the clean cycle then rinse the things that are wet. I do that weekly, perhaps every 3-4 day with 5 coffees.
I wouldn't want to leave 2 day old milk in lines on a full auto - I think that's a daily task.
Good luck with your choice!
Just pick up an all in one unit.
I've grabbed a couple off Marketplace for around $300 and they've gone great.
Also worth considering the Gaggia at Costco which is fully automated…
Which model is this? And do you remember the price?
I recommended this to a friend who now swears by it. There are some other ones available for cheaper there also. $1400 but they did have it on discount when he bought this.
I have Philips 4300 LatteGo and it makes pretty great lattes and cappuccinos. Bought in August for $900.
but who can be bothered cleaning the filter holder thing
Your local cafe can make coffee 'automatically' for you without you needing to clean 'the filter holder thing'..
Insightful as always
thank you.
The totally automated types seem to be more hassle than they are worth, what with the milk, water, cleaning, etc. - negating the benefit …. and they break more readily.
Maybe look at something like the https://www.jbhifi.com.au/products/delonghi-magnifica-s-full… which is (relatively) cheap, does most of the automation, and survived being hammered at work for a long while.
What did you go with @popcornready? I'm in the same boat as you
Only started the search 2 days ago :)
At this point haven’t decided
Well?
I always wondered about these, do you need to keep the milk jug in the fridge and attach it every time you make a coffee, or do they keep the milk chilled somehow?