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Ian Wins a Russell Hobbs Espresso Machine


by Ian Balchin

Ian Wins a Russell Hobbs Espresso Machine

Russell Hobbs espresso machines can be found in South Africa and the UK.

I noticed it on the native grocery store on a stand from native mass-market espresso purveyor ‘Home of Coffees’. It was a prize to be received and I made a decision that I’d win it no matter it took. There was a cardboard post-box for until slips from purchasers of that model of espresso. The field had solely a few slips in and the draw date was left clean. “When the rep comes round subsequent” I used to be informed.

I made a plan to realize my purpose. For practically two months i purchased a lot packeted espresso that I needed to stash it in a field for future use. I dare not say how a lot I purchased! One of many plusses in favout of this technique was that the competitors field was again within the depths of the grocery store, you needed to make a plan to take the slip to the field after you had bought your groceries. Not tough however sufficient of a trouble to discourage most individuals who targeting the ‘win a scooter or large television’ competitors by the exit. Creasing the slip in half stopped it mendacity flat with others.The end result was that when it was drawn means over half of the slips have been mine. The grocery store rang me on a Monday morning and I used to be there to gather it at lunchtime, posing for the compulsory {photograph} for the native newspaper.

Russell Hobbs Espresso Machine
Russell Hobbs Espresso Machine

It stayed in its field for two weeks whereas I made a decision easy methods to prepare my kitchen to put it to greatest benefit. On high of my small fridge was the ultimate answer. Now lets evaluate this merchandise.

Properly it’s an appliance-level gadget, not an expert’s espresso maker, in all probability not price restore until it goes flawed throughout the assure interval. There have been indicators that perhaps this was a reworked guarantee return merchandise, in all probability bought off at discount price to the espresso firm. Not that I’m apprehensive because it was, in any case, FREE.

Back of espresso machine
Again of espresso machine

It sports activities a pleasant enticing chrome steel end, a one-cup and a two-cup basket, a two-cup group head, an on-off change, a hot-water / steam change, power-on and heating-up lights, a steam nozzle, massive major management knob, a 1.5l see-thru water tank, and a warming rack on high. The field says “15 bar stress for wealthy scrumptious espresso” and with no gauge we should consider it.

In use you let it heat up, put the espresso within the basket, set the controls and switch the primary knob to get the espresso going by means of. After that you may steam the milk, drink the espresso, and clear it up or make extra espresso.

Espresso controls
Espresso controls

Plus options: It’s straightforward, makes a pleasant espresso with good crema on the highest, it makes all the proper noises with the water pump, water gurgles, steam hisses, and sizzling water flushing into the drip tray. Sufficient to impress a modest visitor checklist. There’s a detailed instruction and recipe e book with 44 numbered drawings to help the novice. The warming rack will preserve your honey from crystalising too!

Cons: the underside of the plastic tamper is neither fairly flat nor massive sufficient. You must wait a short time for it to warmth as much as steam temperature after making the espresso. I don’t suppose it is going to final without end however if you’re not operating a industrial espresso bar it is going to suffice till you should buy a greater one.

Espresso Shots
Espresso Photographs

Total abstract. I could make a great espresso throughout the limitations of my beans and grinder. In all probability not too costly to buy, I consider round R1000 regionally. In all probability much less at Clicks. Take the electrical drip to the workplace and get one!

R1000 (South African Rand) = $141 (US {Dollars}) in October 2010.

Revealed on


I’ve owned and ran Fables Bookshop in Grahamstown, South Africa, for 20 years now. I do attempt to make sure that now we have cheap espresso for the employees and never simply the bottom grade of on the spot on the grocery store shelf, generally my efforts are even appreciated!

I take pleasure in some pc programming in Perl which continuously causes extreme espresso consumption to pay attention my efforts. I look ahead to bettering my house brew by roasting my very own beans a while.

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