Nespresso D290 Concept Espresso and Coffeemaker Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I've had 3 of the Nespresso 150 coffee machines for about 5 years divided between my offices and home, which have worked splendidly. Finally the gaskets are starting to harden, and water is starting to leak, and one or two could use cleaning. The 150s are fine and I'll still use one at home, but I just got a fire-truck red D290 for the office. However, after using the 290 for a couple of weeks, I may have to get another for home.
Aside from the shock of paying so much for a coffee machine, I couldn't be more pleased. I rationalize that with three shots of espresso per day, after two years at work (~600 cups), the pod and maker together are just $1 a shot. Similar logic "paid off" for my old 150s, and saved oodles of time in line at coffee shops.
The espresso is very good (at fifty cents per capsule), the capsule delivery is easy and quick ordering from the web page, and the brewing is easy even before I've had my morning caffeine. Plus it looks cool and the lever and buttons all have a solid feel.
My advice - order the special coffees, which show up about twice a year, they taste the best. The spiced flavors are a bit of an acquired taste. Some of the blends are 95% arabica + 5% robusta beans, others are 100% arabica. Look into it if you're a purist who disdains even traces of robusta.
Read the manual, it just takes ten minutes. Put it where it can be admired, and lock it down, and prepare to be asked for an espresso by your friends often.
[7/8/08 - 500 cups of coffee, no problems.]
[9/1/10 - another 1000 or so. No problems yet, still working like a charm.]
[4 year mark - 1/2011 - something is failing. The machine is tossing out less and less espresso, and when I re-press the bottom, the next increment of espresso is not hot. Likely it's fixable, but I replaced it with a Nespresso Essenza C101, rather than mess around. I think I'll use the hulking D290 as a prop, next to the lamp that's not plugged in in my outer office.]

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DeLonghi EN680.M Nespresso Lattissima Single-Serve Espresso Maker, Metal Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I loved this machine from the first time I saw and tried it. However, I started having problems on day 2 - the milk wouldn't froth and it came out in spurts with a lot of water, not even filling 1/8 of the glass with milk. I took it back to Williams Sonoma and they cheerfully replaced it. It happened again to this new machine and, once again, I took it back for a replacement. (I had been in touch with Nespresso at all the junctures along the way and they replaced the milk jug and top twice.) When it happened on the third machine, I called the local Williams-Sonoma and asked if there was someone who could check out my machine. I am in the Danbury, CT area and Bill, at the local Williams-Sonoma, told me to leave it with him while I shopped and he would check it out. When I returned he told me it was frothing perfectly and then showed me how he set it up. It seems that I had not been pushing the jug connection tight enough. It has to click in. The lights had always been on and so I believed that the jug was connected correctly, but I was wrong. Not until I saw it being done and felt the connection, did I understand what I was doing wrong. Without being tightly connected it doesn't work correctly. Now I push until I hear a click and/or push it in a second time holding the back of the machine as I push, and have been making perfect lattes. I recommend this machine highly but think the documentation should be rewritten with this little bit of information in bold letters. I have seen many reviews of this machine from people who have had the same problem and hope that they found the solution as this machine is wonderful.

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Developed with a unique extraction system specially designed for coffee-filled capsules, this single-serve automatic espresso machine deploys technology essential for preparing perfect espresso. A simple system perforates the hermetically sealed capsule and soaks all the ground coffee to optimally filter the coffee, while the unit's 19-bar high-pressure pump extracts all the aromas and gives body to the espresso ensuring a smooth crema--the delicious creamy layer on top. Used capsules eject automatically into the used-capsule collection container after the brewing cycle has completed.
In addition, illuminated controls allow for easily choosing from cappuccino, latte macchiato, espresso coffee, long coffee, or hot water. The unit's patented IFD milk system includes a milk container for cappuccinos and lattes, and the amounts of frothed/steamed milk and coffee can be adjusted to suit individual preferences. The milk container comes with a unique automatic cleaning function at the push of a button, and the entire container detaches for storing in the refrigerator. Other highlights include an adjustable cup-tray height for accommodating large or small cups, a removable drip tray, self-priming operation, and a removable 40-ounce water tank.The welcome kit includes an espresso cup, a latte cup, a saucer, and a sample pack of Nespresso capsules. Durably constructed, the strikingly modern-looking espresso maker measures approximately 10-1/4 by 8 by 13-1/2 inches.

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Nespresso CitiZ Automatic Espresso Maker and Milk Frother Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)With all the new style espresso machines on the market (Tassimo, Keurig, Flavia, etc.) I was convinced that Nespresso was more of the same: a set of stylish gimmicks designed to convince you that this "espresso" (though not real at all) was "the real thing." It never is.
Which is why the Nespresso is so great. It IS the REAL THING. The capsules contain nothing more than espresso coffee grounds. The machine is simply an automated and miniaturized "real" espresso rig. And the results speak for themselves:
-- full bodied crema like you get from the best barista
-- speedy and HOT cups of espresso
-- the espresso produced is crisp and clear, full bodied, and smooth
-- my Sicilian wife and all her relatives (numerous, and mostly named "Maria" "Antonina" and "Dominic") all fully approve of the espresso that comes out. Comparing is to "Nonna's" would be sacrilege, but although those words have not been spoken yet, I am conviced the thought has crossed a couple minds. :-)
-- all this in under 30 seconds and within a square foot of counter space.
The frothing unit that comes with the machine is nothing short of black magic. I have NO IDEA what it does or how it does it, but the results will amaze you. And the best part is it's easy to clean: no sticky milk mess left behind to make you wonder who's gonna get sick first.
Coffee for this machine is 55 cents per cup, and Nespresso delivers online orders with astonishing speed (which is good, because you can't get the coffee from anyone else!). A bit pricey, but in this case you DO get what you pay for... and then some.


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Combining an ultra-urban, retro-modern design with exceptionally practical, user-friendly functionality, this automatic espresso maker not only functions as a beautiful accent piece to any kitchen counter, but it also brews up soothing, cafe-style coffee drinks quickly and easily. The single-serve machine features a unique extraction system designed specifically for coffee-filled capsules, which means perfect espresso every time. The appliance perforates the hermetically sealed capsule and soaks all the ground coffee to optimally filter the coffee, while its high-pressure 19-bar pump extracts all the aromas and gives body to the espresso, ensuring a thick golden crema--the delicious creamy layer on top. Best of all, it comes with an integrated Aeroccino for creating an endless variety of milk-based coffee drinks at the touch of a button. To begin, fill the Aeroccino with the desired amount of milk and press the "start" button, open the lever, insert a capsule and close the lever, fill a glass with the hot milk froth and place the glass under the coffee outlet, then press the Espresso or Lungo button--voila: creamy, delicious coffee drinks. The flow of coffee depends on the coffee variety selected, and up to 11 used capsules collect in the capsule container for later disposal. Other thoughtful design details include automatic and programmable volume control, an energy-saving mode, a 1-liter removable water tank, a removable drip tray, and folding cup support (one position for a cup and one position for a macchiato glass). The 1710-watt espresso maker and milk frother measures 14-3/5 by 9-2/7 by 11 inches.

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