NespressoC100 PianoBlack/Aerocc Review

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(More customer reviews)The Nespresso system is about as simple as coffee making gets - you turn on the device until it heats up (about 30 seconds), put the pod into the holder, press GO and in 20 seconds or so you have the perfect espresso shot. There are variety of pod blends available, and the machine is capable of producing a shot so smooth it would rival any professional coffee house.
My own real criticism is the price - this machine is expensive for something that essential boils and pumps water. But it is elegantly designed and has a small footprint and is guaranteed to become a conversation piece in your home or workplace. The second problem is that the pods themselves are expensive and can only be ordered directly from Nespresso. It's easy to create a $100-a-month coffee habit that's hard to justify in this economy, so I went back to my Mr Coffee maker after 3 months of Nespresso addiction.
But if you're in the market for pod-based espresso, I'd recommend this machine.

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Incanto Classic Espresso Machine Silver Review

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(More customer reviews)Actually I have this machine. I wrote this below review for older model.I got this machine from ebay because for lower price was available there.
So I have used it already for one month. The espresso is coming out a fabulous, I think better, then Starbucks, even I have used Starbucks beans. I have tried three types of beans (Lavazza, Starbucks, Costco Hawaiian (yellow package) brand), so the best taste and creamy was from Costco Hawaiian brand. Lavazza in other hand was creamy but is not strong enough.
The cleaning is easy and fast. The frothing pitcher is produced good milk for cappuccino. I don't have any problems with this machine.
I have also noticed that me and my family is started consuming more coffee. I last time I have bought Starbucks coffee was just a day before I got this fabulous machine.
Also I will to suggest a follow the user manual and if you don't now something called to CS Saeco[...]
Because remembering, its European product, so it's like a German car- amazing to drive but easy to break, if you're not followed to user manual.
I gave four stars is only because the trash container need to be emptied too often, even the last one was not full and water container I wish will be bigger.

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Nespresso D90 Essenza Single-Serve Manual Espresso Machine Review

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(More customer reviews)This review is based on my experience with the Nespresso Essenza C90, but the Nespresso Essenza D90 is quite similar, and I believe that the espresso making mechanism is exactly the same.
We all have our little passions. Over the years, I have devoted too much time, money, and study to perfecting the art of making the perfect coffee and espresso. I searched the world (and the internet) for the best beans, grinders, equipment, and even tried roasting my own beans and became able to produce better potions that one can ever find in the coffee boutiques. Still, as it turns out, my efforts were in vain. The Nespresso Essenza (and probably the other Nespresso machines similar in design) produces the perfect cup and the ease of doing so, sadly, puts my efforts to shame.
The secret seems to be in the strong pumping mechanism (19 bars of pressure, same as their more expensive machines) and their superb coffee capsules. After being such a stickler for the freshest roasted estate grown beans, I balked at the use of capsules and considered it the coffee for dummies approach. I also thought that they might be kind of similar in quality to the coffee "pods" used in the new single serve coffee machines, which range from bad (for the manufacturer and supermarket brands) to only fairly good (for the best of the gourmet, limited-edition pods at over $1 each).
Against all odds, the Nespresso pods are pure magic. I ordered new pods right away, but even the sampler pods that came with the machine were incredible, despite being past their "best before" expiration date. I'm equally mystified as to how they can have about twelve varieties and almost all be exquisite, despite noticeable differences not only in strength but in flavor. The "lungo"capsules are also fantastic (these produce 4 ounces of coffee-espresso instead of the classic 1 to 2 ounce espresso). Being partial to espresso and very dark coffee, I wasn't so impressed with the two or three pods weakest in strength, but those who like traditional American coffee might prefer them.
The Nespresso capsules completely dispelled my concern that they would be limiting compared to the use of coffee beans. It turns out that the opposite is true. Sure, there may be hundreds of different beans available, with infinite possibilities of blends and roasts, but they rarely reach the superior flavor these capsules achieve. Moreover, ordering coffee beans limits you to only one or two roasts for awhile, unless you buy a variety of green coffee beans (which last much longer than roasted beans) and roast them yourself in small quantities. With the capsules, a nice variety of espresso variations are available instantly.
Having been in the habit of ordering expensive coffee beans, I find the cost of the Nespresso capsules at $.50 each and the two-day shipping charge of only $5.95 (for any quantity) very reasonable. When buying roasted coffee beans, the shipping cost for one or two day air was much higher, and I had to reorder them every few weeks to keep fresh ones on hand. Since the Nespresso capsules stay fresh much longer, I can order a several month supply at one time.
The only criticism of the machine is that the espresso might not be quite hot enough for some aficionados. However, it is just hot enough for me, and the temperature can be raised slightly by heating the cup first.
It is amazing that I can now enjoy the best espresso almost instantly. This is truly the perfect way to enjoy espresso, even if I can no longer take credit for concocting it.


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Developed with a unique extraction system specially designed for coffee-filled capsules, this 1200-watt single-serve manual 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 high-pressure 19-bar pump extracts all the aromas and gives body to the espresso ensuring a smooth crema--the delicious creamy layer on top. In addition, the machine's Thermoblock heating system heats water to 187 degrees and 196 degrees during extraction and empties the remaining water after each use so that the water is fresh for each preparation. Used capsules eject semi-automatically into the used-capsule collection container upon lifting the handle on the top of the unit.
Other highlights include manual control of the amount of coffee in the cup, a backlit control button, electronic temperature regulation, and a removable 34-ounce water container. The espresso machine only uses capsules, not any other ground espresso, but a range of nine premium coffee blends is available, including decaffeinated. The capsules can be purchased from Nespresso, either by phone or at their Web site, and an assortment of 12 capsules comes included. Compactly designed in ABS housing, the strikingly modern espresso machine measures 10 by 6-1/2 by 11-1/2 inches and carries a one-year limited warranty.

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Nespresso CitiZ D110 Espresso Maker Review

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(More customer reviews)After many years of being faithful Tassimo customers, we finally gave up on them: The quality of their products deteriorated until we could take it no more: The machines--we went through three of them; the coffee discs--more Seattle's Best Henry's Blend discs exploded than worked; the Home Delivery Service was extremely unreliable--we ran out of coffee many times because our standing order could not be filled and then we finally went two full months without a shipment because of backorders; and most recently, the varieties of coffee available has diminished and the selection is pitiful. What to do???
After much thought and investigation--because no other machine does exactly what the Tassimo machine did (make coffee and tea and froth milk from the same spout), we decided on the Nesspresso CitiZ.
What a gem of a machine! What wonderful coffee! What wonderful choices! If you read the accompanying literature and get yourself into the whole sensual experience of each small cupful--from choosing your jewel-toned disc from a beautiful, smooth, black box (like opening a box of bon-bons! seriously!)through smelling, tasting and feeling the coffee--well, it's seriously pleasurable.
We were used to drinking large-size cups of coffee or tea before leaving for work (and we still drink our large cups of tea during the day), but realized that we often left coffee in the cup in the sink. So we took a chance on the expresso--didn't know if we'd be able to tolerate the change to a few sips in the morning. But the change has been effortless and so rewarding: Because the coffee is so smooth and rich, it is easier and more satisfying to relish a few sips rather than big gulps of average-tasting coffee. We really didn't know what we were missing.
If you like more mild coffee and think that expresso will be too strong for you--then you think like I did. And I was wrong and there is no reason to be afraid of Nespresso expresso and lungo (long cups--still pretty small): This great coffee is not bitter; it has a variety of fragrances, and feel, and flavors in each sip--and I've found that I am now leaning towards the more "intense" blends. There are two buttons to choose how much water you want to pass through each disc, and they are easily programmable, so the amount of water is up to you. And that is the reason we took a chance on this machine. But now I find that I prefer to go along with the suggested amount of water for each blend. After all, the recommendations come from experts and they know what they're doing!
Regarding where you purchase your machine: We compared prices, cost of shipping, available specials and freebies, and we settled on paying a little more and buying it directly from the company--and bought coffee discs at the same time. Unfortunately, we were unaware that they charge tax--no matter what state you live in. So consider that when you are doing your research.
And regarding the color "Creamy White"--I saw it called "60's White" somewhere, too: We decided on this color hoping it would match with pale yellow appliances, cabinet inserts and some retro white small appliances and kitchen gadgets. It goes very nicely. If you need "white-white", this color will not do. This is creamy, going into very pale yellow. If you have 50's-60's-70's white appliances that have started to age to a creamy yellowish, then this is the color for you.

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Espressione Café Retro Espresso Machines Review

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(More customer reviews)I almost didn't buy this machine because I was worried about some of the negative reveiws I've read about it from users. However, it was the only machine its price range that really caught our eye, so we went ahead and purchased it and have been using it for about six months. It is hands down the best machine I've ever owned. It has great features, and the espresso is the best espresso I've made at home, and better than most espresso I can buy in american coffee shops. A quick rundown of the great features.
1. It looks great. It heats up quickly, and it is very simple to use.
2. The size of the water resevoir is pretty generous. It holds enough water for about 24 shots. You can expect to get a little less if you are steaming a lot of milk, but if you are steaming at the recommended temperature, the machine is very water efficient, and you shouldn't see a dramatic drop. We use it every day to make at least two drinks (at leeast 4 shots), a lot more on the weekends, and we refill only about once a week, roughly. The design also makes it quite easy to refill, I've been in the middle of steaming or pulling a shot when I realized the reservoir was low, and refilled whiled pulling the shot. This is awfully convenient.
3. The machine comes with a disc you can put inside the porta filter to make a sort of fake crema by whipping the coffee, which is popular on upper-end machines these days. However, if you are using good coffee, and grind your beans fresh, and brew the coffee at the recommended temperature, the machine produces a wonderful genuine crema without the disc. I never get an espresso in a coffee house with a crema as good. (crema has more to do with the the quality of the coffee than the machine, but cheaper machines that pull the coffee way too hot never produce good cremas because of the crazy temperatures.)
4. The steam wand does a great job of genlty steaming and frothing without scalding the daylights out of your milk. I've heard a lot of complaints about the steamer, but in my experience it works perfectly, and easily.
5. It does come with an adaption for pods, if you're into pods (blech.)
6, I love that the machine has a temperature gague that allows you to control the temperature of your steam and coffee, and not just indicator lights. It allows you to have a lot more control over the quality of your espresso.
A few things that are so so, the included tamp is flimsy and useless, get yourself a nice heavy one. The drip tray does feel a little light and cheap compared to the rest of the machine, but it is perfectly functional. The Cup warmer isn't very successful at warming cups. But these are minor quibbles I have with it.
I'm sure if I were willing to pay 4 or 5 times as much, I'd get a better espresso, but for the price, I couldn't be happier with this machine. It beats any of the little starter machines you get, and makes better espresso than machines that cost twice the price, in my experience. I'm very happy with this machine.


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Combining old-world design with new-age features, this 1050-watt espresso machine supplies a high-power 18-bar pump for making espressos and cappuccinos at home. To accommodate individual preferences, the unit is ESE adapted for use with ground espresso or espresso serving pods. The machine's precise C/F gauge indicates brewing and frothing temperatures, and its 24-ounce boiler has zero recovery time for continuous brewing. With its sturdy pull-down lever, commercial-quality steam or froth is simple. For added convenience, the unit's water tank with an easy-to-read water-level indicator is removable for quick filling or cleaning. Other useful features include toggle switches with indicator lights, a pull-out knock box, and a cup warmer. Accessories include a chrome-plated brass pod and pod porta filter, a porta filter for ground coffee with double exit, a 1-cup and 2-cup filter, a spoon, tamper, and an instruction manual. Housed in solid steel with a thermo-painted metal finish for long-lasting durability, this espresso machine measures 12 by 12-1/2 by 13-4/5 inches and carries a one-year limited warranty.

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CAPRESSO Automatic Coffee Center, Froths, Grindes, Brews in less than 50 seconds Review

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(More customer reviews)I loved this since my brother first bought it. I have tried many lower priced imitators, but non lived up to the Capresso C3000. Now, several years later, I have inhereted his coffee machine. I still love it. It is demanding, asking you to add water, empty grinds, or even add coffee. But seriously, it is a great machine that custom brews a great cup of coffee and the biggest problem I find is it makes it to easy to drink a lot of coffee. If you take care of it it will take care of your coffee needs.

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Capresso 303.01 4-cup Espresso Cappuccino Machine and Cleaner Bundle Review

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(More customer reviews)We had a bit smaller version of this for years and LOVED it!! This one looks prettier but it is harder to use. We always steamed milk right in our mug before but with this one it is almost impossible to do because it immediately foams over and makes a huge mess. It does not adjust to steam/froth so you just get froth! It drives me crazy! I would rather have the other Capresso that is a bit smaller but worked great. If you never steam milk I suppose the espresso part works fine. I don't like it :(

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Nespresso Citiz D120 Titanium Grey Espresso + Aeroccino Review

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

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

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

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(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.

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

Average Reviews:

(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

Average Reviews:

(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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Saeco A-IC-SS Saeco Incanto Classic Super-Automatic Espresso Machine Stainless Steel Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I read reviews of multiple automatic expresso machines (deLonghi, Saeco, Gaggia, etc) and was concerned that most brands tend to have some negative reviews of their selected expresso machine breaking down after some time. Since there was no single review that reports on the reliability of these machines, I decided to take my chance with this expresso machine.
The manual of this expresso maker lacks sufficient instructions. Mine came with the new series Intenza water filter. The instruction, with the new water filter, instructs that the existing small white filter needs to be removed and does not provide instructions on its removal. It is only upon calling Saeco customer service that I understood how the small white filter can be removed. And when necessary, I sometimes called Seattle Coffee Gear, whom I originally bought mine from, who has excellent product expertise and customer service.
Most automatic expresso machines come with plastic parts from in to out. So this machine stands out in that the main body is still made from steel.

This product comes with an inbuilt grinder, with small to coarse grinder settings, and thus making it super-handy (fully automatic!).
I used this machine to brew some Blue Mountain coffee. It came out so rich in aroma and taste. Previously I was using some traditional filter to brew this coffee and was not able to discern the aroma and taste of this Blue Mountain coffee.

And the frother is able to froth the milk with a consistent quality as well. And it comes with the option of hot water as well.
I bought this during Jan 2010, so I can't comment on the reliability as yet. So far I cleaned this up after each use. In case, this machine starts breaking down, I will update my review so that future buyers can be fore-warned.1.5 mths later:
Upon power on, the 2 top & 1 bottom leftmost LEDs started flashing. I referred to the manual and it indicated loading and to wait. After waiting 10 mins and resetting the machine, I still observed the same phenomenon. After some tests, I found that it needed priming. So far this has happened twice in the last 2 weeks and priming solves the problem. Saeco USA needs to improve on their manual instructions !!!
1.5 yrs later:
Just for clarification, I tend not to use this coffee maker daily, but more on weekend Sat and Sun, when I would brew 3-6 cups. I have come to appreciate this coffee machine. Even with regular coffee beans, you can smell the aroma of the fresh brew. This shows the benefit of the features, high pressure brew maker. Till today, it is still functioning.

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Saeco S-PTP Primea Touch Plus Super-Automatic Espresso Machine Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Not only did this machine break after 2 months (an error message indicated that I had to return the machine to the manufacturer to have the "computer board" fixed), the customer service was awful. I had to call repeatedly to get help, including numerous messages with the Customer Service Supervisor, who never called me back at all. This machine is also very high-maintenance - if you're buying it for milk drinks, be prepared for an extremely rigid cleaning procedure, which is an enormous hassle. I strongly encourage people to avoid this machine. I would suggest the Jura Z5, which does cost about $400 more, but at this price point, save yourself the aggravation.

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Blending simplicity with state-of-the-art technology, this super-automatic espresso machine provides an array of convenient features. Its intuitive color touch-screen display makes it easy to prepare espresso or a favorite coffee drink with only minimal effort in just a few seconds. Brewing two coffee drinks simultaneously is also possible by simply touching an icon, and each of the six drink icons can be programmed for custom milk and coffee dispensing.
Equipped with a stainless-steel heating system, the espresso machine delivers a maximum pressure of 15 bars to pull the most flavor from coffee beans. Its patented brewing system adjusts for different coffee beverages from American coffee to deep espresso, and the adjustable grinder, doser, and pre-brewing cycle allow for coffee to be customized to individual tastes. In addition, the unit's ceramic grinder produces a more even grind, allowing perfect dosing and blending, and offering more control over the density and body of the coffee. The all-in-one machine grinds whole beans, doses the perfect amount of ground coffee, tamps, brews, and discards the used grounds into an internal waste box.
For added convenience, the espresso machine provides readily available "immediate steam" due to its reliable double boiler system, plus a fully integrated milk container and frother. Any milk that may be left in the machine after frothing or steaming is removed with push-button cleaning cycles. The unit's 68-ounce water reservoir can be lifted off the machine for convenient filling and comes fitted for Aqua Prima water filtration, which works to reduce flavor-altering substances and filter micro-particles and impurities. Other highlights include a coffee-bean storage hopper, an adjustable drip tray, a removable brew group for chemical-free cleaning, and a convenient swivel base for countertop use. The espresso machine measures 18 by 14 by 15 inches and carries a one-year limited warranty.

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Starbucks Sirena Espresso Machine, Stainless and Black Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Bottom line up front: I'm happy with the Sirena.
I'm not a coffee snob and don't really care one way or another what name comes on the outside of the machine. I like strong espresso and this machine doesn't disappoint. There are a couple of things that I like and a couple of things that I don't. Here they are:
Like:
- Easy to use
- Can grow with you, i.e. if you want to pull out the Pressurizing disc and start tamping your own shots, you can, and after some practice, will probably get a better quality of crema and espresso. Bean quality, grind, etc... dependent.
- Quick heat up time (less than 2 mins in the morning) and quick steam (less than 10 seconds.
- Good micro-foam on the steamer. My wife likes capuccinos and the good quality foam makes her very happy.
Dislike:
- The water level sensor drives me crazy. It comes on, I refill the container, and it doesn't go off. I have to mess with the container where it attaches to the machine to get it to turn off....eventually. I've read more than a few reviews about this problem. Small overall, but annoying.
- Price. I purchased this machine at the X-mas special (499 w/grinder, barista kit, 1lb coffee with a 30% employee discount ($375 paid in the end). It was an incredible deal...that made it very worth the money. Full price...I don't know. I like this machine, but I'm cheap and I'd rather pay for quality and performance than looks. This machine offers both, but without the discount it would've made my choice more difficult.
There is a great thread on coffeegeek.com about the Sirena. A guy named Wayne, a.k.a. roastaroma, has made it his mission in life to break this machine apart and extract every bit of usefullness out of it. For true coffee lovers looking for a great machine his insights might help make up your mind.
Happy Shopping.
6 month update (1 July 2008).
The steam knob stripped out about 3 weeks ago. One minute I was frothing milk, the next I was trying to get a scalding hot jet of steam to stop...awesome. I contacted SB and they gave me the number to their warranty dept. I called their warranty dept and they told me that SAECO not SB warranted the item. Okay, so I call SAECO and was not exactly pleased with the response. First, they confirmed that the unit was under warranty..good. Second, they sent me a form to fill out detailing the problems with the machine. They had me fax that form back to their warranty dept...okay so far. Third, they informed me that I was responsible for packing and shipping the machine back to them with no reimbursement. Fourth, they told me that if anything other than the previously faxed deficiencies were discovered that it would be repaired at my cost. Bottomline, if something breaks during shipment, you pay for it out of pocket along with the shipping and handling you've already spent sending a defective item back to the manufacturer.
I haven't had a lot of problems getting things serviced in the past. SAECO's warranty repair system seems a little too involved and isn't user friendly in my opinion. I contacted the Starbucks that I purchased the machine from and was able to swap out the machine...but the less than ideal experience with SAECO is important to share.
Other than that the machine is still working well and am still happy that I purchased it. Starbucks customer service made up for the problems with SAECO.


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With this beautiful, simple, and impeccably engineered espresso machine, you'll pull shots so perfect and steam milk so frothy-your passion for superb coffee will only grow deeper. Bring home performance and beauty in every cup.Engineered to be simple.Designed to be timeless. Created to produce the perfect shot of espresso at home. Sirena's Rapid Steam ™ Boiler gives you continuous, powerful steam--and lets you move from frothing directly to brewing without waiting. At just 15 inches tall, Sirena is just the size to fit into any kitchen. Commercial quality portafilter retains heat easily, and features a patented back-pressure adaptor which adjusts automatically to the coffee's grind, for a full, rich crema.

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