Gourmia 6500 reviewed

"Chariotoflove" (chariotoflove) 02/20/2018 at 22:54 • Filed to: Oppo after hours

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Looks good on my counter. The chromed plastic assembly is the milk frothing device.

I like me a nice cappuccino once in a while, but I rarely get one because reasons. So, my wife surprised me with this little gem at Christmas, and I’ve been using it since.

What is it?

It’s a consumer grade espresso/cappuccino machine that uses the small size Nespresso pods to make your choice of: 1) an espresso (single or double), 2) cappuccino, or 3) latte. You fill the reservoir in back with water, and the milk container on the side, pop in a capsule, and press one of the buttons. It takes a minute to warm up when you turn it on, then it brews your coffee and steams and froths your milk right into the cup. The milk is a neat trick that even my parents’ fancy Saeco machine doesn’t do.

My evening cappuccino

The Good

The coffee tastes good. I’ve never had Nespresso before, but I’m impressed as compared to most beans I would buy and grind. The milk is nicely steamed, and the froth on top is a good microfoam. Interestingly, when you make a cappuccino, the machine puts in the steamed milk and froth first, and then the coffee, which sinks to the bottom, macchiato style, but when it makes a latte, it reverses the order.

The Bad

My biggest gripe is that it doesn’t warm the milk very much. So, the final cup you get is warm but not hot, and it doesn’t take long for it to cool down. I’d like it to be quite a bit warmer, not so much that I have to wait for it to drink, but enough that it stays warm to the last sip. The second thing, for me anyway, is that it only makes a few millimeters of foam. I think there should be more like a cm on top, but that’s a small gripe considering I get some in every sip. One thing I found out is that I must remove and rinse out the milk apparatus and its incorporated Nalgene tubing after each time I use it or the next cup will not foam. This is not a big deal, since one shouldn’t leave milk sitting in the tubing at room temp for a long time anyway. Still, the assembly is made of plastic, and I’m sure it will be the eventual point of failure with all this handling.

The Verdict

I like it. I get to have my coffee every morning and sometimes in the evening, which I never got to do before. It’s usually once a year or so I’ll get one at a coffee shop. So, I’d say it’s worth the $130 it cost. The Nespresso pods aren’t cheap, but I see that there are well-rated copies available in bulk on Amazon that I’ll buy when these run out. It doesn’t have any way to pack a pod with free grounds, so there will be no grinding my own blends, but then who am I kidding? This is for convenience. I may have to get some nice special cups to really feel my Italian roots, though.

Spanfeller is a twat > Chariotoflove 02/20/2018 at 22:57

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I miss read Global 650. Expected planes, saw coffee.
Not disappointing though

Chariotoflove > Spanfeller is a twat 02/20/2018 at 22:59

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Because both are among our species’ important creations.

victor > Chariotoflove 02/20/2018 at 23:04

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I have a nespresso for work in my office and I would actually advise you to stay away from third-party pods, as my experience with them have been all pretty poor. I would also suggest getting a separate milk frother if that one doesn’t work well just because you have to constantly clean it and you want to have one that you can easily disassemble. the stock Nestle frothers are actually pretty decent.

As far as Nespresso pods are concerned, I feel like they are more than worth their cost. If you purchase from Nespresso directly, there are quite often promotions or discounts

Spanfeller is a twat > Chariotoflove 02/20/2018 at 23:12

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exactly that!

*Sipps coffee despite it being 10:15PM here*

Chariotoflove > victor 02/20/2018 at 23:14

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Thanks for that. I saw on Amazon that there are these Bestpresso pods that people seem to like, but you’re right about not messing with a good thing. Nespresso can be had for down to $0.40 each if you look.

I could end up getting a separate frother eventually if the integrated one breaks but the coffee brewer still works. They don’t cost much. Right now, I just pop the assembly off and run water through it. A separate one I could keep in the fridge.

smobgirl > Chariotoflove 02/20/2018 at 23:20

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I usually make regular drip coffee in the morning but I got a Nespresso (vertuo) and a random milk steamer for my birthday last year. I love it. I usually end up going to the nespresso store at the mall when I’m there (couple times a year) and they’ll make cups there for you to try different flavors for free.

victor > Chariotoflove 02/20/2018 at 23:25

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I could mail you all my left over bestpresso pods, but then you would think I’m trying to kill you with bitter bad coffee flavored water

Svend > Chariotoflove 02/20/2018 at 23:31

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I’ve a Tassimo myself in between my computer and my TV in my bedroom.

I don’t use it so much now but I’ve got a beer fridge under the TV in my bedroom.

It makes cappucinos and lattes but doesn’t really froth the milk but does make it hot.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > Chariotoflove 02/21/2018 at 00:25

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I have a Gaggia and it uses a wand to froth milk. I preheat the milk in the microwave for 45s so I’m not frothing for days and days to warm up the milk.

Tapas > Chariotoflove 02/21/2018 at 01:10

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Maybe you could solve that gripe by microwaving the milk till hot before you put it in the machine?

Chariotoflove > smobgirl 02/21/2018 at 10:47

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Oh, that’s cool. Free trials would be nice I’ve been trying to decide which flavors I like best   

I don’t even have a regular drip machine since my last one broke. No one but me drinks coffee in the house. I had become a tea person in the morning and at work.

Chariotoflove > victor 02/21/2018 at 10:48

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Point taken.

Chariotoflove > Svend 02/21/2018 at 10:49

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Looks good to me. Beer or coffee is a tough choice though.

Chariotoflove > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever 02/21/2018 at 10:51

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I thought about that too, but the manual says to put cold milk in the machine. Plus, the more steps I have to do, the less I’ll use it. I did pop the finished cup in the microwave for a few seconds this morning, and that helped.

Chariotoflove > Tapas 02/21/2018 at 10:53

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Yes, or I could pop the end product in for a few seconds. That helped this morning and didn’t destroy the froth like I feared it would.