I am a TOTAL novice. If I buy this to make lattes, what else do I have to buy? Just a frothing picture? How do you know if beans are "oily"?
1572223
Same here. I would not worry too much about the beans. Never had a problem with the coffee but make sure you alway clean the sprout on the steamer.
1572224
Dont waste your money. This machine is cheaply made. Go and look at a store that carrys espresso machines to touch andcompare each one.
1572225
For lattes just a pitcher to hold the milk. as far as "oily beans, most fresh ones are, usually the darker the roast the more oily
1572226
We have not paid much attention to the oily beans situation...we did at first but if you clean it out really good a couple times a week you'll have no problem. We have a frothing pitcher and that's it. We love this machine - can be a bit loud but puts out some really good coffee.
2269870
hi. the beans are not oily at all. they are perfectly roasted. oily is a misconception that oily is the freshest bean, but it can be quite the opposite. depending on what type of machine you have the Lavazza beans are the best. We have a Gaggia Titanium and all other beans get stuck/clogged. hope this helps.
1071810
Though this machine has a "special adaptor" for oily beans, it can still clog up the works (like with most auto machines). I typically go to the local coffee shop and get a 50/50 blend of their house expresso (oily) and mix it with a full taste drier bean. Also, you can set the grind to a more courser grind (opens up the grinding head a little bit more). Finally, you can take the drip tray cover with a torx screw driver and, carefully, loosen older stuck ground coffee using a bamboo stick.
233480
Too fine of grind would be my guess. I use Gevalia espresso roast (ground) which is fine for my unrefined taste. Alesso is another good pre ground. I've used Starbucks whole bean ground by their grinder and for the money I'll use Gevalia and get better espresso.
1221984
I haven't had any issues. But I do make sure that I do not use "oily" beans. I had a Krups machine prior to this one and I was told by Krups that oily beans can clog the machine. What kind of issues are you having?
2182278
It can be a bit of a jolt to learn that espresso machines are about half the cost of great espresso. I use this Gaggia Classic. My Rancillio grinder cost more. Think it through, there are many bean types and freshness varies. Both effect grind. If you buy truely fresh roasted beans they should be ground slightly coarser, still quite fine, for first 4 or 5 days. Then less fresh they dry out a little and need slightly finer grind to control 22sec brew time. Store whole beans in really air tight containers, non refrigerated. The "art" of great espresso is how you grind it. That takes long experience. If you get a truely fresh roast and grind just right you cup will fill with 50% golden foam and it will taste a little sweeter. I still need a little sugar but never milk or foam. Starbucks has an advantage with their always fresh roasts. By the time you can "pull" a good single shot 2oz espresso you might agree with me, LOL. They still give me trouble........... Happy Trails
1296791
Hello BSJAAJK - it's really subjective ie... Size /volume of cup, beans used , grind, etc... Ex: I use 28g ground with a ceramic burr grinder to slightly coarser then sand and that yields aprox. 11 oz of coffee which fills my insulated travel mug. So experiment and see what suits you. Do yourself a favor a buy the Hario V60 Buono kettle and download the Intelligentsia Coffee brewing app too! Good Luck!
362606
These beans are very oily. We grind them pretty fine and use them in a Mr Coffee machine.
420127
First ensure you are using the insert with the spring. The other one is for cold milk and won't froth as much (It is fine though for cold milk). Second you do need fresh milk. I use regular milk, but if it older than a week, it won't froth properly. It also needs to be real milk. I have tried coconut milk, chocolate milk, eggnog and others. They do not froth as well or at all. (They will all warm up and so not cool your coffee when added, which is good!) Lastly, make sure you keep your Aeroccino clean. During daily use, a quick wipe with a rag is good enough. But you will want to put in some soap every morning or so to keep the fat and proteins from building up, which will also inhibit your frothiness. I hate to add it, but do remember to put the insert in. I washed it one day and forgot it, and got warm but froth-less milk!
1221983
I've had it for about 1 year and I never use oily beans. I haven't had a problem with the grinder.
1094449
Not at all. This machine makes great froth. It will explain it all in the instructions. I love this machine and it just took me less than four minutes to make myself a latte, after work. I do use the Starbucks Via coffee thought and find it really easy to use. Even connoisseurs of a good latte, cannot tell the difference. Do use skim milk though, for the best froth.Good luck with giving your gift. They are lucky people.Regards, Dale.
1265937
I use a coffee grinder to grind whole espresso beans for this machine. Doesn't have to be super fine but I think you get better espresso that way. Great machine especially for the price. My local Peet's coffee recommended this machine to me - it's been a great little machine. Good milk foaming too. Hope that helps.
1094337
Well I am not sure what your machine requires. Some machines do not recommend using oily beans. That is all I can think of. Besides that, it is all about your taste.
1956088
We only very recently bought this machine and have only used one brand of beans. So far it has been working well. The beans we use are a Cuban blend called Hialeah from a company named Kana Coffee Roasters. We order them online. They were recommended because sometimes there are small pebbles in beans and Kana's beans don't have them. Those pebbles can mess up the machine pretty badly. So whatever beans you decide to get make sure you check them before you put them in your machine. I hope this is of help to you.
200557
I just buy espresso grind coffee, making sure that arabica beans are used 100%. But, I am not a coffee connoisseur by any means. You will have to wait for the machine to cool almost completely before you use it again. My biggest reason for having at least two of these.
2233529
You have to be happy with your purchase. Your coffee and the process have to be enjoyable. Good luck...
2173436
I have never had a problem with dark and oily beans. We often use Starbucks darkest - the french roast, and never had a problem.