Nespresso Citiz D120 Titanium Grey Espresso + Aeroccino Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)After "doing the math" I was shocked to see that I spend well over $4k/year at Starbucks. I had justified
in my mind (and better yet, my wife's mind) the purchase of a professional grade espresso machine, which
would save money and time over the course of a year. We were prepared to spend $1,800 - 2,400 for the machines
I was looking at. Somehow I just couldn't "pull the trigger" on that purchase, so I just put the thing off.
Lucky us that when I started my search again for a machine that would satisfy my Starbucks addition, I started
here at Amazon. As I usually do, I searched for the product I wanted, then did two sorts (1 - bestselling, 2 -
top reviews) in order to see what would come to the top. I was surprised to see how high the Nespresso Citiz
ranked and the raves from users were compelling.
We received our Citiz about a week ago and I haven't been back to Starbucks since (still have about $40 on my
gold card). This little machine as far exceeded my expectations in both quality of the shots and the
efficiency of it's design. Even the $2k+ machines would have required more cleanup than this little beauty.
It doesn't get any simpler than this... "pop in a capsule, punch the button and it's off and running". You don't
even need to remove the capsule as it drops into a collector bin. The shots are consistently great and
are topped with a thick and aromatic crema.
The milk frother is amazing. I like my foam to be smooth and creamy. Often at the various espresso shops the foam
is too airy. It seems to depend upon which barrista is making the drink as it is so "hit and miss". The milk
frother what I bought with the Citiz consistently produces the best foam I've had. On top of that, you don't
need to hold a cup underneath a pipe which blasts hot air into your milk. With this frother, you just pour in
the milk, press button and it silently does it's thing with no mess. About 45 seconds later it's ready and perfect.
High tech used to mean complexity in use and frailty in engineering. The Nespresso Citiz demonstrates that
technology has evolved to a point where it delivers simplicity and quality. There is an almost "Zen-like"
perfection to this machine in terms of it's user-friendliness and quality of output.
I'm very happy with this purchase and feel that this is one of my best purchases this year. Within about
two months this machine will pay for itself. Not only do I save significant money by making my own cappuccinos
but there are also savings in terms of gas and time. No more standing in line hoping I won't get one
of those new Barristas who have no idea how to make my drink the way I like it ;)cheers


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Krups 030 Perfect Froth Milk Frother Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Krups has been installing a hard plastic cover on the frother wand of their recent models. This technology is neither as effective nor as resilient as the old "perfect froth" attachment. My hard plastic one broke within two weeks, and sending it back to Krups elicited no response at all, so I just bought the "perfect froth" attachment, and it works fine.

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Fits Models: 171, 554, 583, 863, 864, 865, 866, 867, 868, 871, 872, 874, 880, 882, 885, 887, 888, 889, 890, 894, 905, 962, 963, 964, 966, 969, 972, 980, 984, 985 986, 987, 988, 989, 992, 993, 995, 996, FNF2, XP5000, XP5080

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Jura-Capresso 13185 Impressa F7 Espresso Machine, Silver Metallic Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)After 7 years or so of using a bulletproof Starbucks Barista which produced great espresso and copious microfoam, I bought this machine for my wife for Christmas (although she swears it was yet another gift to myself). The build quality and ease of use is great. The espresso is very good (but not up to the standards of a well pulled shot off a semi-auto). Nevertheless, the lack of any mess and pushbutton convenience outweighs any complaints about the quality of the shot - don't get me wrong, it pulls a very nice shot. What it doesnt do well is create the beautiful microfoam an experienced user can get using a traditional steam wand. All of these super-autos have that annoying steam-assist wand which is supposed to require no skill to create foam. Unfortunately all it does it create these large crappy bubbles and very little foam. To make matters worse, the side steam holes get clogged very easily and then the result is NO FOAM. I called wholelattelove and Capresso looking for a solution and they each had no clue either (a) how to solve the problem, or (b) why in the world I didnt like the crappy large soap bubble excuse for microfoam. Well for $8 I found a Krups metal steam tip off the net (go to culinaryparts.com for a $1.99 steam tip plus $6 shipping) and screwed it on to the end of the metal wand after having discarded the useless steaming aid sleeve and old plastic tip, and VOILA! -- awesome foam made in half the time I could do the same thing with my old Starbucks Barista. These machines all have a Thermoblock for steaming unlike the traditional boiler on a better semi-auto. Nevertheless it is enough and the foam is first rate as I said. The only other thing to be aware of is that these machines cant use my beloved Peats coffee beans - too oily and they get stuck in the hopper- so I am still searching for a good dark roast which is not too oily. But for now after a month of use, I am happy with the espresso and the foam and delighted to make my morning cap with a minimum of effort. The F7 in particular is a great machine as against the other Juras. It is more programmible than the E* and much simpler to use (and smaller footprint) than the pricier units. I almost bought the F9 but there is just too much to think about on that machine and the bright chrome is a bit too shiny and pretentious. The F7 is the perfect mix of functionality and understated good looks. It is also the newest technology from Jura so it has some small touches that the F9 doesnt have, such as a 120 second steam timer versus the 60 second timer on the F9.
Update to the above review:
After many more months of use I am loving the Jura F7, and I found the beans to use: Blue Bottle Coffee Hayes Valley Espresso. Not too oily but very flavorful. Perfect for this machine. Better than Peats, and definitely fresher. I am not going to list their website here cause I dont want to look like a shill for them. But you can find them, I am confident. They will mail out to you for no additional cost.
By the way, the review above that says the F7 is a shinier version of the E8 is incorrect. The basic mechanism may be the same, but the programming functions and other nice features are significantly different. If you're already spending this much coin, the F7 is a better deal than the E8. Just my humble opinion.

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Pasquini Livia 90 Semiautomatic Commercial Espresso/Cappuccino Machine Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I bought the Pasquini Livia 90 Automatic in 2002. The version I needed was for 240 volt operation so it was shipped from Italy. At the same time I also ordered the grinder and 2 drawer base. I had spent a lot of time reading reviews and comments on several sites for a wide variety of machines. The number of reviews which compared their brands to the Pasquini Livia machines was what really sold me on the Pasquini. You don't compare your machine(s) to lesser machines, you compare against the best. If so many various reviews used Pasquini as a target then it must be well worth a look. I am glad I did, it is an extremely well built and reliable machine.
I have mine on for 12 to 16 hours per day and make and serve quite a lot of espresso and cappuccino to family and friends. The Pasquini is also used for tea, cocoa, instant soups and anything else that calls for the use of near boiling water. The machine gets it right every time, any variation in quality is due to the coffee, the milk or the user. It took a bit of time to learn how to use it effectively but it has never disappointed me.
The only reason for 4 stars instead of 5 is due to the choice of a plastic water storage reservoir in the machine. I think that a stainless steel tank would be a better choice due to the effects of age, heat and vibrations which caused some cracks in my original tank. Pasquini replaced it free of charge even though the machine was out of warranty! A stainless steel tank would add to the noise level though and it already is not a stealthy machine. The pump is by no means quiet, but it certainly does the job and I'm sure will continue to do so for years to come.
I recommend Pasquini without reservation based on the machine and the service I have had when dealing directly with the company on several occasions.

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Presto 02811 12-Cup Stainless Steel Coffeemaker Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)First of all, the reason we bought this is because, in general, percolators make great tasting coffee. They can turn even the worst quality beans into a good cup of coffee. Initially, the Presto lived up to our expectations. And after doing the following, it is once again making great cups of coffee.
Tip #1 - Grind your coffee using the appropriate setting.
After some usage, we would at times get a mouthful of grinds. We realized it was important to use the percolator setting on the coffee grinder at the supermarket. Since then, an occasional coffee grind finds its way into our cup.
Tip #2 - Clean the filter basket with a brush.
Despite cleaning the pot before each usage, the coffee was gradually getting weaker each day. We then realized that the holes in the bottom of the filter basket were clogged. We could not unclog them using a sponge so I started poking each one individually with a toothpick before deciding there was no way we would have the time or patience to do it every day. So, we tried a brush with plastic bristles and, within seconds, the basket was completely unclogged. So, we bought a small brush with a long handle and use it to clean the filter basket and the bottom of the pot.

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Made from luxurious stainless steel. Makes 4 to 12 cups of rich, flavorful coffee automatically; a cup a minute. Signal light tells when coffee is ready to serve. Attractive, traditional styling - ideal for table service.

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Gaggia Titanium Review

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(More customer reviews)I bought this product and loved it totally...
Appearance: 4/5
Value: 4/5
Performance: 5/5
Functionality: 5/5
Noise: 3/5
Coffee: 4/5
Included Equipment: 5/5
Overall, this was an amazing buy, the steam wand does drip slightly and the descaling program takes a long while when it needs it but its an excellent coffee and all round drinks machine!


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Nescafe Dolce Gusto by Krups Creativa Coffee Machine Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)After being a DAILY Starbucks customer for almost 20 years....yes..daily X 20 years..I don't want to think about it. Anyway...to reward my loyalty, they did away with my 10% gold card discount and raised their prices AGAIN in December and I hear another one is coming in february. I have had a price in my mind for quite awhile that was the limit that I would pay Starbucks to make me a cup of coffee that was worth about $1, and they hit it. So my husband said "pick a machine and I'll get it for your for Christmas". I look at them and I went with this one. I don't drink a complicated drink, I just want it good...and hot..fast would be nice. This machine is fast..real fast. I am impressed at how fast I am walking away from the kitchen with my cup. It is simple enough that my son makes a hot chocolate with ease. There is really nothing to clean..that's good too! I only use bottled water in it because our tap water has alot of minerals and I want to avoid that in this machine. We take water so it is just a matter of walking the tank to the cooler every couple of days. I have tried the latte, the capp, the americano, and the lungo. My husband and the kids like the hot chocolate and the peach tea. The downside to the capps and lattes is that it does take 2 pods.. one milk and one coffee..thus a box of those is really only 8 SMALL/tall servings or 4 grande size servings. At $9-$10 a box at BBB prices(Amazon Sub & Save is about 7.25 a box) it wasn't really beating Starbucks prices by much at almost $2+ a cup. When a cup of coffee is kitchen close.. 2 in the morning and 1 at night is too tempting. So I started thinking about skipping the milk pod...thus getting 16 actual cups from a box.. I have milk sitting in the fridge. I looked around and found the Capresso FrothPro (available on Amazon also). Another $60 and no more need for milk pods. So now I use the Americano pods and the froth pro and make one decent size, nice and hot cup of coffee in just a few minutes..right from my own kitchen. The weakest thing about the Dolce Gusto systems are the limited flavor/variety they put out for now. A few more teas would be GREAT....and a few more coffee choices would help them out ALOT. It was hard to choose this machine over one that has dozens of choices..for now though, I am quite happy with it. The coffee is nice and smooth, hot and very quick. The amount of counter space it takes up is not a bother. Less space than the coffee maker I replaced and a better coffee. With the Creativa and the FrothPro I have my coffee habit back down to less than $1 a cup. Down from $3.75 a day from Starbucks.

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With its take-notice contemporary design, this curvy countertop appliance not only offers a sense of modern art on the kitchen countertop, it also produces excellent-tasting hot and cold drinks quickly and easily. The single-serve beverage machine works with easy-to-use capsules that come sealed with pre-measured ingredients for mess-free brewing and foolproof results. Choose from a variety of hot drinks--espresso, caffe lungo, caffe americano, cappuccino, mocha, and more--as well as cold drinks like cappuccino ice and peach tea.
To use, simply add water to the 51-ounce removable water tank, insert the coffee or tea capsule into the magnetic capsule holder, secure the locking handle, and make a selection from the control panel. Automatic and programmable, the machine's color LCD screen makes it easy to customize beverages (it will even memorize the info for next time) or to program the unit to automatically prepare any type of beverage for later--perfect for having a cup ready and waiting first thing in the morning or for that mid-day break. When finished, discard the used coffee capsule, rinse the capsule holder, and the machine's ready for the next cycle--without any transfer of flavor from one cup to the next (beverages never come in contact with the machine).
The single-serve multi-purpose beverage machine comes equipped with 1500 watts of power, for fast heating in less than a minute, and a 15-bar Thermoblock pump pressure system that helps ensure a foamy froth, rich crema, and full flavor (other single-cup home brewers offer only 1 to 3 bars of pressure). Other highlights include an on/off button, energy-saving auto shut-off after 5 minutes of inactivity, a height-adjustable drip tray with a stainless-steel grid for any size cup or glass, and dishwasher-safe parts for quick cleanup. Accessories include a 12-count variety pack of capsules, quick start guide, step-by-step instructions, and a welcome brochure. The single-serve beverage machine measures 12 by 8-3/7 by 13 inches and carries a one-year limited warranty.
Product Description
I am the ultimate combination of customization and automation. I am technology working for you. So advanced I can almost read your mind.

All Necafe Dolce Gusto machines combine patented technology to create a variety of coffeehouse beverages. Create cappuccinos, foamy lattés and full-bodied espressos using 15 bars of pressure, comparable to professional coffee house machines.

At NESCAFÉ® Dolce Gusto® we set out to create a single-serve coffee system that makes creating delicious coffee as much fun as drinking it

For exclusive use with NESCAFE Dolce Gusto capsules
It's easy. just pop in a capsule, lock it in and use the custom control lever to prepare your beverage just the way you like it
Fifteen bars of pressure in every one means a frothy, coffee-house experience on demand, in a home kitchen. Create the highest-quality coffee drinks for you and all your guests, in less than a minute
It's stylish and designed with something for everyone. Compact, classic, modern and smart - it's a dramatic departure from what's currently in the marketplace

It's nice when somebody listens. Experience it every morning with our technologically advanced NESCAFÉ® Dolce Gusto® Creativa™. It lets you program your cup so it's waiting for you just the for you just the way you like it.
No mess, No fuss. Everything you need to make hot or cold drinks are contained in our easy-to-use capsules
Automatic "on" feature, digital machine with LCD screen
Personalize your cups and it memorizes them – perfect preparationguaranteed
Program automatic preparation of your breakfast, mid-day, dessert or any other cup whenever you like it
Display works in many different languages and pictograms
Our technologically advanced machines and precisely designed flavor capsules combine to give the NESCAFÉ® Dolce Gusto® a professional-level 15-bar pressure system (similar to coffeehouse machines) which helps to ensure that every cup is perfect with a foamy froth, rich crèma and luxurious flavor.
The exclusive Thermoblock technology heats the water fresh every time, in less than one minute
NESCAFÉ® Dolce Gusto® uses only the highest quality ingredients - featuring only 100% Arabica, rich chocolate and foamy milk
Stylish and sleek design that will stand out on any kitchen counter
Energy Saving automatic switch off

Want to see our latest commercial and a comparison of our 4 machines? Learn more about NESCAFE® Dolce Gusto®.

NESCAFÉ® Dolce Gusto® gives you the power to create whatever you crave
One capsule beverages create rich coffee, deep espresso or refreshing iced tea
Two capsule beverages layer frothy milk with rich coffee for latte macchiatos, mochas and more

NESCAFÉ® Dolce Gusto® Creativa™ comes with a sample box of 12 capsules, or 4 beverages: 1 Caffè Lungo (long espresso) 1 Caffè Americano (house blend) 1 Cappuccino 1 Chococino (hot chocolate)

Register your machine for a free carton of coffee online at www.dolce-gusto.us

How It Works
NESCAFÉ® Dolce Gusto® machines heat water, which is passed at high pressure - a maximum of 15 bars -into the coffee cup through a capsule of high-quality NESCAFÉ® roast and ground coffee. The coffee that is used in the capsules is made of premium 100% Arabica beans.

The high pressure and the capsules are designed to deliver an even distribution of water and pressure over the coffee to ensure that flavor is maximized. This system uses pressure similar to that of professional machines.

While drip coffee machines operate at one bar of pressure (normal atmospheric pressure) and a number of competing machines operate at no more than two bars, the NESCAFÉ® Dolce Gusto® system can operate at up to 15 bars of pressure. Each capsule makes one cup of coffee in under a minute.

See our commercial, machines and capsule flavors here.

Product Description

Everyone has their perfect cup of coffee these days: Extra foam. Two shots. Extra milk. Your coffee, after all, is an expression of your individuality. That's why the new Nescafé Dolce Gusto from Krups is the ideal coffee machine for you. Brew your perfectly frothy cappuccino, velvety latte, or dependable cup of black coffee – however you like it. One capsule for coffee, two capsules for cappuccino. Then simply place your favorite mug onto the adjustable tray, and slide the "Custom Control Lever" to fill to your desired coffee strength. In less than one minute, you'll enjoy the delicious aroma from a freshly brewed cup! All our coffees are 100% Arabica fine ground coffee and our cappuccinos and lattes are topped with a delicious and generous froth that lasts to the bottom of the cup. Nescafé Dolce Gusto is designed with a 15 bar pressure system similar to coffee-house machines so your coffee is made with precise pressure and water temperature for the best quality taste. You'll save time with clean up, too. Simply toss out the capsule and immediately go from one coffee to the next. Coffee-house quality drinks are yours to enjoy your way.

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BonJour Mini Frother with Protective Sheath Review

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(More customer reviews)On the first look it looked durable.. sadly it lasted only 2 days..this frother is rubish

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ECM Rocket Giotto Premium Espresso Machine Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)you need it you want it. this was our upgrade to a true professional level. easy to use and to clean, beautiful Italian styling . what's not too like? Expensive? sure but factor in it's reliability and you save in the long run. The drip tray grate at the back where it touches the machine gets wet and I worry about wear and staining there. but no worries yet. It is a beauty and If you need real coffee in the morning like my family does well worth the price .
Its big beautiful and functional, yes you need a good well controlled burr grinder, fresh roasted coffee. but you want great coffee at home do it you won't be disappointed. go on you use it twice a day anyway. so get the nice machine, don' go second best. get something that will last and pass it down to the kids for college you need good coffee to get through school.

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Breville BES820XL Die-Cast 15-Bar Programmable Espresso Machine Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)LOVE this machine! I do not claim to be an espresso junkie or aficionado, but I am addicted to lattes and my morning habit was getting to be expensive so we bought this machine for Christmas. It's AWESOME! One of my main criteria, besides great espresso, was a frothing wand that would really do the job, and this one does. It texturizes the milk beautifully and creates delicious, creamy froth for my lattes and cappuccinos. We're still working to get the right grind and tamp combination, but I love that you can also use pods in the machine, which is fantastic for decaf! We drink regular espresso in the morning or afternoon, but every once in a while I want a cappuccino at night but it's not worth keeping the decaf beans or emptying my grinder to replace with decaf so we keep decaf pods on hand for those rare evening cravings. Perfectly convenient! You have to be willing to experiment to get the right tamp/grind combination or your espresso won't taste too yummy, but if you have some patience and try various combinations it really pays off. And I love the hot water wand - heats very quickly and great for hot tea! Super easy to use, pretty easy to clean and maintain, and entirely worth the cost!
Notable stuff:
- heats up quickly
- advertises that the top of the machine serves as a warming station for your espresso cups, but it doesn't get nearly warm enough to actually warm the cups (warm by filling with hot water from the hot water dispenser instead)
- does not require the use of distilled or filtered water (in fact, the instructions say NOT to use distilled water) - just use tap water and decalcify with vinegar occasionally
- the drip tray is nice and large-was able to make 6 lattes, including rinsing in between each one, and drip tray still wasn't full
- water reserve is very large and holds plenty of water
- "programmable" just means that you can program how large your single shot is and how large your double shot is so that once it's programmed, you just have to push a button to make a shot of espresso - eliminates the guess work that results in inconsistent shots
- the pod attachment only works for single shots, as far as I can tell there are no double pods on the market and even if there were, I don't think they would fit in the pod attachment

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Make any rainy day better by brewing crema-rich espresso drinks from the comfort of home with this programmable espresso machine. Designed to satisfy both novice brewers and experienced baristas, the unit offers manual operation as well as an intelligent programmable function that can be personalized with a favorite espresso setting. Its custom-set programming function extracts the perfect volume of coffee at the touch of a button--choose from Auto Shot, Custom Shot, or Manual Shot. Prior to extraction, the machine's 15-bar Italian-made Triple-Prime pump with a thermoblock heating system delivers three bursts of hot water into the filter head. This increased pressure expands the ground coffee or espresso pod and helps eliminate air pockets, which allows the unit to extract more crema for a rich, smooth-tasting coffee. In addition, the unit's electronic temperature-control system accurately maintains the optimal brewing temperature of the water to ensure the best possible extraction. A pressure gauge on the front of the unit measures the pressure that water gets forced through the coffee in the filter holder. The gauge needle pointing above or below the Optimum Zone indicates over- or under-extracted espresso. The gauge needle positioned in the recommended Optimum Zone during pouring indicates espresso will be produced at the ideal pressure and will have a generous layer of golden crema.
When it's time to produce steam for frothing milk, the espresso machine increases the water temperature and provides a swivel-action steam wand with a stainless-steel frothing attachment, plus a froth enhancer and a stainless-steel frothing pitcher for barista-style results. After frothing, its Auto-Purge function returns the water temperature to the optimal level for brewing. To save on energy the machine will enter Power Save mode if not used for one hour, and will automatically turn off if not used for three hours. Power Save mode uses 45-percent less power than Stand By mode. Other thoughtful details include a 75-ounce water tank, 4-1/2-inch head elevation to accommodate full-size mugs, a 1-liter slide-out drip tray, a dedicated hot-water wand with a 360-degree ball joint, and an extra-large cup-warming plate. Accessories include one- and two-cup dual-wall stainless-steel filters, an espresso-pod filter, a tamping tool/measuring spoon, a cleaning tool, and a user manual with recipes. Housed in die-cast stainless steel, the espresso machine measures 10 by 10-1/2 by 12-1/4 inches and carries a one-year limited warranty.

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Lavazza Blue LB2210 Single-Serve Espresso Machine Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)We have been using for months and love it. Cap of choice has been Dolce 100% Arabica espresso. I do not think I will ever go back to another brand.

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Gaggia Syncrony Compact Digital Super Auto Espresso Machine - 9004 Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I received this espresso machine for Christmas 2007, and have been extremely pleased with its performance. I've had absolutely no problems....once I learned how to use the machine properly. Note, there are a few websites that offer video tutorials on how to use this machine that are very useful. Note, I use this machine every single day...typically going through 14 shots of espresso (at least) since there are several coffee drinker in our home. We have almost entirely abandoned our previous coffee maker...not because we didn't like it, but because this machine is so wonderful. Here are a few insights:
1. This machine typically makes 12-14 individually ground espresso shots before you will need to empty the hopper. It's pretty easy and no big deal to do this. The grinder works flawlessly, and the hopper typically holds about a 1/2 to 2/3 pound of beans.
2. I have tried to use ground coffee with this machine, which doesn't taste anywhere as good as the beans. When I first got the machine, I tried using some "fine ground" espresso in the little door on top to make a cup of coffee. No espresso would come out the machine....it took a long time to figure out that it was clogging up the filter. I used slightly coarser ground beans with excellent results.
3. There are two buttons for making espresso - I refer to them as the regular and large size buttons. You can adjust how much water each button will automatically dispense very easily.
4. The steam attachment on the side of the machine works very well for both steam and dispensing hot water.
5. There is an automatic decalcification light that comes on to let you know to run the appropriate cleanser through the machine. I've figured out this light turns on based upon the number of cycles of espresso that are made versus actual need. No big deal....it's a good reminder light for maintance.
6. The water tank is pretty straight forward and lifts off for filling, although I prefer to lift the top off of it and refilling via a large glass/pitcher.
7. This machine is mostly made of plastic, but it's very solid and well made. The tray beneath the espresso dispenser is made of metal, along with the steamer nozzel.
8. I highly recommend watching one of the instructional videos for this machine. It does require learning very basic steps, which are explained well with the included instructions (they are outright cryptic). This is a very easy machine to use once you understand the controls.
9. If I could add a feature it would be a counter mechanism - because some days I lose track of my caffeine intake and I'm simply curious as to how many shots we've really made in total.
I've made at least 2000 espresso shots with this great machine. Overall, myself, my family, and my friends have all enjoyed it...and everyone wants one. I've converted many diehard regular coffee drinkers to more flavorful espresso. You decide....this machine isn't cheap. But some luxuries are wonderful if you can afford it.

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Gaggia 12500 Baby Twin Espresso Machine with Dual Heating System, Stainless Steel Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Baby Gaggia Twin
I am on my third Baby Gaggia Twin since February and the third one does seem to be the charm. The first machine had an impotent steamer and was sent back, the second, the steam wand came off entirely. I did notice that happened to another reviewer but went with this machine as it was in my price range and I felt lucky.
The first one was purchased through Essential Espresso (avoid at all costs) who when I called to address the problem were very "We don't want to hear it, talk to the manufacturer" even though their site boasts a 30 day no hassle return. I wish I read the reviews on them before purchase. I won't go into every detail but dealing with them was so unpleasant and they took so long to do anything that I decided that I would get my replacement from BBandBeyond, where I learned they would price-match even with a 300 dollar difference and free shipping!!
So, BBandBeyond gave me a truly hassle free exchange for the second machine and it's faulty steam wand and now I am reasonably happy with the machine. The customer service there is among the best I have experienced.
The steamer takes a little getting used to. You need to purge it of water till the lights flash, turn it off and then back on again, keeping the wand out of your milk until it is up to "full steam" then turn it off again and put it in your milk pitcher. It sounds more painful than it is and all happens in about a minute and change.Pros: Looks great, seems sturdy, is easy to use and clean, heats up quickly, makes very good espresso
The steamer takes a little getting used to. You need to purge it of water till the lights flash, turn it off and then back on again, keeping the wand out of your milk until it is up to "full steam" then turn it off again and put it in your milk pitcher. It sounds more painful than it is and all happens in about a minute and change.
Cons: There is a smell from the steam wand, it gets less over time and I am told that running descaler through it will eliminate it. (Why couldn't they do that?) The group head is configured in such a way that you cannot really fill the portafilter full of coffee and have to leave a bit of room at the top. This is a slight bummer for me as I like my morning coffee a nice long pull and with our former machine could get enough coffee for 2 such pulls at one time for both me and the hubby. True, it is no Greek tragedy to pull 2 shots but just not as convenient. If you are pulling for one, there is no problem.
However, Gaggia itself and its U.S. representative,[...]are lacking in customer service in my opinion.
After receiving my third machine, I sent an email asking about a pressurized portafilter for the machine. I also added that it would be nice of them to offer some discount on same taking into to consideration the inconvenience I had been through having 2 defective machines.
Both Importika in the U.S. and Gaggia in Italy totally ignored this. I would not buy from them again for that reason. To me, it would be a no brainer to comp a relatively inexpensive item to compensate for the inconvenience and leave the customer feeling that you value their business and regret the inconvenience. They obviously don't.
It does take away some of the enjoyment of owning it
UPDATE
I no longer own this machine, it started leaking around the grouphead and after replacing the gasket and the filter basket to no avail, I returned it and went with another model. Various forums have given consistently good reviews to the Classic which is not a "snazzy" looking or programmable to your preferred size of shot. So far I am happy with it. You can tell right away that the steamer is better the crema is a litle thicker (probably because whatever was causing the leaking was not providing the proper pressure for "expression" of flavor. We decided to get a grinder also as this machine likes a finer grind than I can get in some places. After a few weeks, I will write a separate review for it but after 3 Baby Twins in 5 months, I can not recommend them from anything but a decorative standpoint.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Gaggia 12500 Baby Twin Espresso Machine with Dual Heating System, Stainless Steel

Equipped with a high-power 15-bar pump and commercial-grade components, this high-end espresso machine makes it easy to enjoy consistent, great-tasting espresso or cappuccino from the comfort of home. The unit provides a chrome-plated brass brew group and portafilter for excellent temperature stability, as well as a dual heating system, one boiler for brewing and a Thermoblock for steaming. Its user-friendly electronic touch-ring control panel with green buttons includes two programmable brewing selections for consistent espresso shots, time after time. The machine also offers a preinfusion function, which allows for adjusting the dosage settings so that the water produced for the coffee dose gets preceded by a pre-infusion step.
For added convenience, the espresso machine accommodates ESE coffee pods, can make two cups simultaneously, and sports a built-to-last three-way solenoid valve that gives the in-house barista a nice, dry espresso puck after brewing--meaning less mess and a quicker, easy clean up. The unit comes with a 60-ounce removable reservoir and a 180-degree swivel steamer that produces hot water for tea, coffee, or soup, and makes quick work of frothing milk, for hassle-free cappuccino and lattes even a novice barista could master. Other highlights include a cup-warming plate; a Rapid Steam function, which eliminates the waiting time between making espresso and producing a thick foamy crema; and brushed stainless-steel housing that will look great on any kitchen counter. Accessories include a single-shot, a double-shot, and an E.S.E. filter basket; a coffee tamper; and a coffee scoop. Designed in Italy by Gaggia, one of the most respected names in the industry, the 1425-watt espresso machine measures 10-2/5 by 9-3/5 by 15-2/3 inches.

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Jura-Capresso 63801 Auto Cappuccino Concentrate, 250 ml Review

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(More customer reviews)This works great for our automatic coffee center, for cleaning parts after frothing. It's fast and easy, and there's no milk residue afterwards.

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Frothing and steaming can leave behind small milk droplets inside the frothXpress Plus or the Dual Frother. With this 250 ml bottle of Capresso auto cappuccino concentrate, there's no need to worry about bad milk smells or clogged frothing parts. At the end of the day, just throw all the parts that come in contact with milk into a cup with 6 ounces of water and a 1/2 ounce of the special concentrate. All milk fat will be removed in less than 10 minutes--or just let it sit overnight. The concentrated solution effectively dissolves milk deposits from all frothing systems.

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La Pavoni ESP-20 Stainless Caffe Mattina Cordless Electric Espress 8-c. Review

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(More customer reviews)This is a countertop friendly, cordless espresso maker that makes great coffee when you use an espresso grind for the coffee. The auto shut-off makes it foolproof, and it is made of stainless steel, so no off tastes. I think it is great!

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FrancisFrancis X-1 Trio Espresso Machine in Brushed Stainless Steel Review

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(More customer reviews)I tried many espresso machines with varying results but this one was the best as far as I am concerned.
Firstly, it uses ILLY ESE pods available as Dark, Medium and Decaf. I usually go for dark but keep a few boxed of medium for guests. The espresso is beatiful with a lovely crema every time - just impossible to make a bad espresso.
Very easy to keep clean as the grinds are in a filtered pod.
Secondly, it looks awesome without being overbearingly garish or over-designed.
So happy - I bought a second one just in case!

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DeLonghi EN670.B Nespresso Lattissima Single-Serve Espresso Maker, Black Review

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(More customer reviews)We just got this machine over the holidays and have been more than impressed. In fact, we're down-right addicted to it. It truly is very easy to use and makes great espressos, lattes and cappuccinos (kudos to Nespresso for excellent pod quality). Has completely replaced Starbucks for us, which has resulted in big savings and convenience. Also perfect for dinner parties, where we can make drink after drink after drink with practically no effort.
The only issues I've found is that it does drip a little after making drinks, which leads to some clean-up, but pretty minor. And, those pod costs do add up, but that's the case with any machine and still a fraction of what you would pay at Starbucks.
Others have complained about the temperature of the drinks, and it is a little cooler than I would like for the first drink. However, I found that running the "clean" mode on the milk container before making the drinks helps heat up the tubes and makes for hotter initial drink. Also, quickly preheating the cup with hot water helps. All this takes about 12 seconds. Once you're past the first, it's fine.
One hint on the milk, we've found that using 2% "pasteurized" instead of "ultra-pasteurized" gives a better, thicker foam.
Only reason why four stars instead of five is the initial machine cost and ongoing pod cost.

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