If like me you love coffee and much prefer the real thing to instant then and percolators just aren't for you then you will most probably invest in a coffee maker.

I got bought this as a birthday present so I don't know how much it cost and not wanting to find out for obvious reasons. I would image though being part of the Morphy Richards brand that it would not be that expensive and more likely to be an entry level coffee machine.

The machine itself on the one side has the large coffee jug, which is made of glass with a dark silver plastic handle and a black plastic top for the coffee to drip into. The jug has markings on the one side in white writing with a level to say how much is in the jug up to 10 cups, though this doesn't take it anyway near to the top of the jug.

Above the jug there is the filter compartment. If you lift the silver plastic lid on the top you will see the filter compartment for the coffee and at the back on the left hand side you will see the section to pour the amount of water in that you need for the coffee to brew. Remember to use cold water as the machine will heat this up as part of the process. On the side of this you will see the water level which is clear with black markings on it. On the lid is a twistable button which you can set from strong to weak, there are several marks in between this depending on how you like you coffee so this may take some trial and error to find the right setting for you.

The filter section has a solid plastic funnel with the bottom having the small hole for the coffee to filter through and inside this goes a mesh compartment for you to put your coffee in. I have found this section is easy to clean though does get a little stained if you don't wash it straight away. I don't know what this would be like with the use of filter papers.

The jug itself sits on a hot plate and under this you will find a silver button with a red/orange light. Once you press this button the machine will start to filter and make your coffee. Remember to check if this is pressed in or not before you start adding the water and coffee as if it is it will start to try and brew the coffee before you are ready.

The other side of the machine is your classic espresso maker. The jug again althought smaller, is made of glass with a dark silver plastic handle and the lid is black plastic. You need to remove the jug before you are able to take the holder for the coffee in and out. The holder has an inner metal filter which fits into the inside of the holder and clips in easily, once you get the hang of it, to the coffee maker.

Like the coffee filter this has a sliding scale on how you want the coffee to be made from capuccino at the left end then strong to weak. You put the water in the top of the machine by un-screwing the black plastic top. Beware this is stiff to take off and is not easy to clean for de-scaling. This also works for the steamer on the side of the machine, which is why it has to lock in place. The steamer is easy to use and once it has warmed up the pressure can be controlled easily by turning the knob at the side of the machine. Again to use this side you have a nother silver plastic button with a red/orange light under the jug and you need to make sure that it is not pressed before starting.

Overall this is a good coffee machine, though I am unable to comment on value for money, it does everything that you want it to however, the espresso side is difficult to clean the water dispenser. It does feel a bit plasticy but I have never had any bits break off yet so it is sturdy enough.