The Beko CEG5311X Bean to Cup Coffee Machine is one of the most affordable bean-to-cup coffee machines on the market. With 19 bars of pressure, it grinds and brews either espressos or lungos with the touch of a button. It’s powered by touch controls at the top of the machines, and there is only one physical button, which keeps it sleek and very easy to clean. Other design features which really elevate the design include the light-up dispenser, which illuminates the glass as your coffee pours. There is also a red light that shows when your milk steaming wand is in use.

I’ve reviewed dozens of coffee machines, and I’m confident that the Beko CEG5311X Bean to Cup Coffee Machine is one of best coffee machines on the market when it comes to value-for-money. Its slimline design is perfect for sitting in the corner of any kitchen, and it’s refreshingly minimalist in how it looks. It’s not perfect though. I used to work in a coffee shop and am confident in my milk steaming skills, but the steam wand with the Beko CEG5311X goes to the side and not towards you, which made it awkward to achieve the perfect micro-foam I look for when making lattes or flat whites.

Ideal Home rated: 4 out of 5 stars

Reasons to buy:

• Great value
• Sleek and minimalist design
• Very good pressure
• Adjustable grind settings
• Light-up dispenser

Reasons to avoid: 

• The milk wand could be better
• Coffee comes out quite hot

Beko CEG5311X Bean to Cup Coffee Machine

Specs:

• Coffee type:bean-to-cup
• Control type: automatic
• Water tank capacity: 1.6 litres
• Pressure: 19 bar
• Dimensions: H38cm x W23.6cm x D43.6cm
• Weight: 8.8kg

Unboxing the Beko CEG5311X

The Beko CEG5311X comes in a somewhat small but quite heavy box. It’s a hefty machine, at nearly 9kg, and I was disappointed as I removed it from the box to find just how much plastic and polystyrene packaging it came with. It would be really great to see some more sustainable packaging with this machine going forwards.

The buttons include a physical ‘on’ button and four light-up touch buttons that power the two coffee sizes, espresso and lungo, and steam and hot water. The hot water button is great for topping up an espresso to pour an americano. You can hold down the coffee presets to customise your own ideal drink length, which is also useful for those who drink long coffee.

There are also a selection of icons behind the main row that illuminate when there’s an error with your machine. It shows when you need to top up on beans, which is a really nice touch that I’ve not seen on some more expensive machines, and it means you won’t waste coffee by pouring a shot only to run out of beans halfway through grinding. The same applies to the water level sensor, and the machine will also alert you when the grounds container is full of used coffee.

To get started with the Beko CEG5311X you need to plug it in using a removable power cord. It’s quite short, so you might struggle to reach if you plan on placing your machine far away from the power socket.

There is also a removable drip tray which needs to slide into place. Once there it moves around quite easily because there’s nothing holding it into place. It has slats to catch any drips of coffee and a hole underneath the water dispenser which comes in useful once you flush the wand.

Other bean-to-cup coffee machines come with dispensers that you can slide up and down to fit a selection of mugs, but the Beko CEG5311X’s dipenser sits quite low and can’t be moved. I didn’t find a mug that wouldn’t fit under it, but if you’re using a travel mug it could be an issue.

Getting started

Once plugged in I had to put beans into the machine and press the lid into place. There is a dial that you can turn to adjust theh grind level, from fine to more coarse. I went for the middle level to start, and this did a good job throughout in creating mellow coffee with low acidity and bitterness. From there I was ready to go.

I did wish that I could flush out the machine more thoroughly before I started brewing, but because you can’t run the cycle without coffee beans, I let the pre-cycle run and got started with a lungo.

The coffee looked promising, with a consistent foamy stream of coffee that formed a layer of crema at the top of the cup. I like that the machine only pours one stream at a time, because I rarely make two coffees at the same time, but if you want to do this then the single dispenser could be a downside.

Unfortunately, as soon as I took a sip, I knew that the inner workings of the machine needed to be properly flushed out before I made a brew. It tasted very chemical and I had to pour it straight out and run the cycle a few more times (aware of the beans I was wasting) before I started drinking.

Making espresso in the Beko CEG5311X Bean to Cup Coffee Machine

With 19 bars of pressure, the Beko CEG5311X Bean to Cup Coffee Machine certainly isn’t lacking in power. I was keen to see how well it would make espresso. I turned the machine on and let the system flush itself out before pressing the first touch button to begin pouring my shot. The buttons work well, but be aware that you don’t need to press hard. They actually work best with a light touch.

The coffee came out strong and hot. If I had one complaint, it might have been a little too hot, but not to the point of bitterness. The crema was very thick, and there were only a couple of drips once it had finished brewing, so I wasn’t concerned that the drip tray would fill up too fast.

Making long coffees

The lungo is typically twice the size as an espresso, but I held down this button to try and customize the length of my coffee shot. My partner likes long coffees so I thought it would work if we could have an espresso mode for my lattes, and an americano button for his morning coffee. This worked very well, and it was simple to set up.

You can also turn on the hot water button to top up your espresso once it’s poured. It only takes a second or two to head up.

Using the milk wand with the Beko CEG5311X

I have a lot of experience steaming milk, so a quality milk wand is very important to me. The Beko CEG5311X Bean to Cup Coffee Machine’s wand looks well made, and it automatically comes right to pressure with one touch, and then beeps and stops to let you know it’s ready to start steaming. The top of the wand also turns red. You need to then take your milk jug (not included, which is a real shame) and place it at an angle so the spout is just under the top layer of the milk.

However, the steam wand goes out to the right side of the Beko CEG5311X Bean to Cup Coffee Machine, and it doesn’t pull out towards you like with many of the best bean-to-cup coffee machines. I prefer when steam wands pull out towards you, because it makes it a lot easier to get the right angle when steaming your milk. With the sideways angle I found that it was hard to achieve the micro-foam I was looking for, and had to tap the milk a lot to get out some of the larger bubbles before I poured.

The milk was also a little on the hot side when I poured it, and it definitely heated a lot quicker than in my Sage Bambino. This might have also been down to my technique because I spent a while waiting for the texture I was looking for before I realised it wasn’t going to get there. After I was done steaming I would press the water button to flush out the machine, and it was very easy to keep it clean.

After some repeated use I was able to get a little better at working with this steam wand. It’s more than adequate for those who aren’t fussy about their latte art, but the sideways design does make it tricky.

Cleaning

The Beko CEG5311X Bean to Cup Coffee Machine is very easy to clean. It flushes itself out before and after every drink you make, and the stainless steel front panel also wipes clean easily. The warning light will show when the machine needs deep cleaning, but it takes you through the process to make it easy and straightforward.

Should you buy the Beko CEG5311X Bean to Cup Coffee Machine?

The Beko CEG5311X Bean to Cup Coffee Machine is a really great value coffee machine. Machines with this set of specs can typically cost up to £500, but at just over £250, this might be the best option for those who want a machine that can grind, brew, and steam all in one. It’s also got some excellent features that really elevate the design and make it look expensive (after all, while it’s good value it’s not cheap) and the machine keeps itself in clean condition throughout day-to-day use.

If you want something a little more advanced, I’d recommend taking a look at the De’Longhi Dinamica Plus ECAM370 review to find something with automatic milk steaming and a lot more smart functions. If you’re willing to skip out the in-built coffee grinder, take a look at my Breville Bijou Espresso Machine review for a capable espresso machine with a slightly better steam wand, that costs a lot less.

About this review, and the reviewer

Millie Fender is small appliances editor at Ideal Home. She reviews everything from coffee machines to air fryers from her own kitchen, meaning these tests have been carried out in the same conditions that you’ll be using the machine.

The Beko CEG5311X Bean to Cup Coffee Machine was kindly sent to Millie by Beko, and she tested it for a month before returning it. This gave her the chance to test all of its functions as well as cleaning and check for any troubleshooting. While she prefers a frothy latte or an iced cappuccino, her partner is never running on less than three americanos, so the Beko CEG5311X Bean to Cup Coffee Machine was very thoroughly tested.

The post Beko CEG5311X Bean to Cup Coffee Machine review appeared first on Ideal Home.

With the weather improving we turn our attention to our outdoor space, and with some clever patio lighting ideas extend its use for longer. Whether your patio is next to the house, positioned in a sunny spot half way down the lawn, or tucked in the corner underneath a pergola, you can really transform the space with new patio lighting – creating the perfect spot for relaxing, entertaining and dining.

There are so many patio ideas that you can try to improve your outdoor space, including a whole host of patio lighting ideas for different effects.

Lighting, just like inside your home, is really important for creating a certain mood or ambience in the garden, and should be given the same kind of dedication to achieve the style you want. Get it right and you can really transform the space, and not just from the patio itself, but by also creating a visual illumination that can be viewed from the house.

Patio lighting ideas

The first step to improving the lighting in your garden and on your patio, is to establish the type of ambience you want to create, and to have a think about the sorts of activities you’re going to be using the space for. Overhead, brighter festoon lights will give more illumination so would suit a dining area better than smaller stake lights pushed into plant pots.

For some inspiration, we’ve rounded up our pick of the best patio lighting ideas, from festoon lights and candles to solar-powered lanterns, built-in spotlights and more. Read on for the must-have patio lighting ideas that will totally transform your space.

1. Highlight zones: illuminating steps and a path with floor standing lamps

Image credit: Future PLC

If your garden is multi-level with a combination of steps and pathways, then it’s a good idea to light the way with suitable lighting. You could opt for solar-powered lanterns and stake lights pushed into flower beds or have wall lights installed into retaining or boundary walls, as seen here.

But for a more powerful ray of light to highlight patio paving ideas, why not use floor standing lamps that you can move about? Solar powered or battery operated versions will cast enough of a glow to guide the way and can be left in one permanent spot or repositioned as you desire.

2. Hang an overhead pendant to create an outdoor dining room

Image credit: Future PLC/Colin Poole

For the ultimate outdoor dining experience, give some attention to creating a space that feels like a dining room, except that it’s in the garden. An overhead pergola or similar patio cover idea serves as a ceiling from which you can hang all sorts of decorative items – plant pots with trailing foliage, pretty adornments, chimes and lighting.

A single, stand-out pendant lamp positioned centrally over a table will give an immediate zoning effect, creating the feeling of a dining room. Go for a metallic brass finish for an on-trend look.

4. Bring in a freestanding light for a portable glow

Image credit: Lights4fun

Like a pendant light being used above a table isn’t just for the dining room, a floor standing lamp isn’t just for the living room. One of these makes a fabulous patio lighting idea that you can bring in next to a sofa, chair or table. Of course, it can’t be an actual interior lamp, it needs to be one specifically designed for the outside with a weighted base and weather proofing. If you have a power source in the garden then you could use a plug-in version, but there are chargeable and solar options available if you want to avoid trailing cables.

Used alone it will cast a light, gentle glow, creating a wonderfully restful atmosphere for you and your guests, especially when placed next to a cosy sofa. If you want to produce something more impactful, then combine the lamp with other patio lighting ideas, such as floor hurricane lanterns with candles inside and a string of festoon lights.

5. Install outdoor wall lighting to illuminate the back of the house

Image credit: Future PLC

If you have a traditional patio set-up that is next to the house, then you most likely won’t have an overhead structure from which you can hang decorative lights. But perhaps you have a nearby tree with overhanging branches where you could place lanterns? Or another patio lighting idea is to attach a hanging basket bracket to a wall or fence and then hang a solar-powered light from it.

Though the great thing about your patio being next to the house is that you have the option to install permanent light fittings that can be incorporated onto the main electrical circuit of the house. You can control them via a standard switch and they could even have motion sensors, which would help with your home’s security. These industrial wall lights give a modern finish to an otherwise traditional scheme and will cast a beautiful glow on the rear of the house.

5. Go all out and combine a mix of light sources

Image credit: Lights4fun

If you’re hosting a garden soiree and looking for some quick lighting solutions, then take a cue from what’s been done here. Pulling together lots of different patio lighting ideas that include electric, solar-powered and battery-operated lights, as well as real candles, it’s created a beautifully ambient setting for an outdoor party.

Drape festoon lights between permanent structures, such as the rear wall of the house, a hedge or fence, or a shed and summer house – any fixed point you can find. Adorn an umbrella with fairy lights and dot lanterns and open candles around. It will create the most perfectly inviting space. If you don’t want to use real candles due to the risk of fire and mess the wax can make, then go for faux versions – you can get some really good ones where even the flame flickers; your guests won’t even tell they’re not real.

6. Cast a directional glow with wall-hanging spotlights

Image credit: Future PLC/ David Still

Just like inside your home, lighting plays a huge role in setting the tone. People are dedicated to mastering the art of lighting and understanding how it travels and casts – it’s even the career of some. Choose the right method and you will open light up to its full potential in curating the perfect mood in your garden.

A small courtyard like this benefits from directional spot lights as you can use them to control the light in certain areas. Here, positioned near to an oversized mirror in a small garden, the light can be directed onto either the table, or the bench, or onto the mirror to bounce even more light around. What would otherwise be a gloomy area becomes a bright and welcoming space. It’s about being creative with patio lighting ideas to ensure you get what works best for your patio.

7. Install permanent downlights on a retaining wall

Image credit: Nedgis

You’ll need to recruit the help of a qualified electrician for this one, but permanent light fittings added in various parts of the garden will give you an all-year glow. When you can use mains electricity and you don’t have to rely on the rays of the sun, of which there is very little in the winter months here in the UK, you can still create a warm ambient mood out of season.

For practical reasons, downlighters are especially useful next to pathways and steps, making moving around the garden in low light safe and easy, but they also look appealing. Use warm bulbs and the light they will cast downwards will be soft and attractive, which will really amp up the style stakes in any outdoor space.

8. Hang playful festoon lights overhead for a cheerful effect

Image credit: Future PLC

It’s an easy one but a goody. If you have a pergola then grab yourself a box of festoon lights – the kind that look like proper light bulbs – and string them just about anywhere you can get them.

If you don’t have a pergola, then hang them from anything fixed in the garden – a tree, fence, wall, or shed. Put small hooks at various points and use these to drape the lights from. You’ll create a wonderful cascading effect wherever you put them which will also look lovely viewed from the house.

If you don’t have anywhere fixed in your garden then don’t worry. Get yourself a few heavy plant pots (planted up, of course) and hammer in a long cane or branch, from which you can then hang your festoon lights. Be mindful of its height as people need to be able to walk underneath comfortably without getting tangled. Plus, don’t forget that you’ll need more length of festoon lights than you think you will – you’ll be going back and forth across a pergola or draping them loosely along a fence.

9. String pendant lights from a garden brolly

Image credit: Ella James

You can find patio lighting ideas in unexpected places, so look beyond the usual spots for positioning lights. Perhaps you don’t have a pergola but want to try the trend for hanging lanterns and pendant lights overhead. If you have a sun-shade brolly then make good use of that instead, and hang solar-powered lanterns from the ribs and stretchers of its canopy. You could also entwine battery operated fairy lights up its shaft for an inviting table glow.

The great thing about an umbrella is that it can be moved about – you could use it to hang lights for an al fresco dining set-up, or stand it next to an outdoor sofa to create a cosy atmosphere for snuggling up in the evening.

10. Illuminate a small patio with sleek downlighters

image credit: Future PLC

If you only have a small patio adjacent to the house then you don’t want to clutter it up with lots of light, lamps and candles. Instead, choose simpler lighting options that can be installed onto the rear wall of the house. Stainless steel up-down light fittings like these will cast just enough light onto the patio below, whilst also throwing light onto the wall above, and in this case, the lean-to type glass ceiling fixture.

Being creative with lighting and nearby reflective surfaces, such as glass and mirror, is a brilliant way to make your patio lighting ideas work harder. It will push the light around the space more to make it feel bigger and more open, which is great for courtyards, balconies and a small patio like this.

11. Position oversized lanterns for a colourful scheme

Image credit: Sparkle Lighting

Dining areas in the garden are a bit of a thing now – everyone wants a pergola with trailing foliage and pretty lighting to create an outdoor room. If you’re fortunate enough to have the space for one, then consider oversized colourful lanterns and make a feature of it. Seen from the house, it’ll look pleasing to the eye when not in use, whilst of course serve a practical purpose for al fresco dining.

Paper lanterns such as this will cast an ambient, subtle glow and even cast delicate patterns in their shadows. Go for a combination of sizes, shapes and colours for the full effect.

What is the best way to light a patio?

‘When it comes to planning your garden lighting, you can illuminate virtually anything from architectural features to the decking, trees and planting, ponds or fountains, pergolas, patios or paths,’ says Kate Barker, light and wellness advisor at 4lite.com.

‘However, just because you can illuminate virtually anything doesn’t mean you should. Paint a picture in your mind of the lighting proposal you wish to install by viewing the garden environment in its entirety, rather than just considering individual or local features on a one-by-one basis.’

What’s important is that you create the mood and ambience for the area that matches the functionality and need required. First think about what you’re planning on doing on the patio. If it’s lots of entertaining then you’ll want to enjoy the outdoor space for longer into the evening, so you’ll need brighter lighting options – festoon lights give an immediate party feel and will cast plenty of light. Take advice from yours truly here who, for a garden birthday party, only dotted a few jam jars around the flowerbeds with faux candles inside. It definitely didn’t cast enough light to keep guests feeling comfortable past dusk and ended up being a bit of a party snuffer.

Secondly, you need to think about where you need the light. If you’re going to be barbecuing around dinner time in the early evening light, then you’ll need to set up some brighter task lighting which you can switch off when it comes to sitting down to eat. And low lighting is always sensible around paths and steps, too. In short, it’s important to consider what it is you need the light for and where, before you embark on dotting about lights or enlisting your local electrician.

How can I light my garden without electricity?

There are so many ways to light a garden without electricity. In fact, you don’t really even need electrical points in your garden at all. If you’re able to have electricity routed down to the bottom of the garden with outdoor sockets installed by a qualified electrician then that’s a bonus and it will open you up to more patio lighting ideas, but it’s not essential. If you do go for permanent electrical outlets then be sure they’re installed in accordance with regulations and by a qualified technician.

Electrical lighting aside, there are so many modern solar-powered, chargeable and battery-operated lights and lamps available that you can use instead. Not to mention the warming glow that a fire pit, chiminea or candles would cast on the patio as well. It’s all about finding the right level of glow for the activity or area you need it.

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A DIYer has shared her dramatic pink and black kitchen makeover – and it cost less than £400. Tora started out with a generous space, but one that was lacking in any personality whatsoever.

She has breathed new life and joy into the dated kitchen in her 1930s home with some bold pink kitchen ideas, and the results are stunning.

Before

Image credit: @chez_tora

Before the pink and black kitchen makeover, the kitchen was ticking a lot of boxes. Ample storage and plenty of worktop space, a lovely big window and enough room for a dining table.

‘The kitchen was the first room we decorated when we moved in over two years ago,’ says Tora (follower her on Instagram @chez_tora). ‘We knew we would eventually get a new kitchen, so decided to give it a paint makeover.

After

Image credit: @chez_tora

‘I doubt I would ever buy a new kitchen in dusky pink, but I think knowing that we’ll only have the kitchen like this for a few years made us brave, and I love the colour combination,’ Tora says. The combo of black and pink is a fab example of two-tone kitchen cabinets, and we’re loving how the black paint around the window frames the view outside.

Feeling inspired? Read up on how to paint kitchen cabinets so you can approach the task with confidence.

A fan of geometric art deco design, Tora had been lusting after some art deco tiles for a long time. She used cut-out shapes to create a striking art deco pattern on the tiles, which we’re a little bit obsessed with.

Image credit: @chez_tora

‘I’m very inspired by a few fave Instagram accounts who use a lot of black and dusty pink – @andthentheywentwild stands out in particular!’ says Tora. The entire project cost under £400.

This takes into account paint for the kitchen cabinets, walls, tiles, uPVC door, window frames, and even the kitchen counter. Tora says the budget also includes the cost of replacing all the handles on the cabinets and the blinds.

They also bought some blackboard vinyl to cover up the dishwasher, helping it blend in with the black lower kitchen cabinets. The storage rails with hooks free up space on the worktops and in cupboards – the Ikea HULTARP rail is a great option if you like the look.

What a transformation! We’re loving the bold colour choice and the addition of a kitchen rug, which really softens the space. And how the light plays on the metallic surface of the table. Nice.

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