Saeco Royal Coffee Bar Automatic Espresso Machine, Silver and Graphite Review

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(More customer reviews)This is a great coffee machine provided you can comprehend the instructions, which is why it did not get 5 stars.
The user instructions are, by the 800 help line guy I had to call to get mine going's own description, difficult to follow.
We just ran enough through it to get the automated message to run the de-calcification process on it. Again, the instruction manual is lacking. You must have patience.Beyond that it is a great product and I do recommend it.
Whole bean grind or pre-ground coffee is unparalleled.
Rich flavor of fresh ground is unbeatable.

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Durgol 2-bottle Swiss Espresso Decalcifier Review

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(More customer reviews)I bought a De Longhi Magnifica Super Automatic espresso machine from Starbucks about 2 years ago. I use it almost everyday and since buying it, I have descaled it usually once a month, even though the automatic descaler indicator did not warn me to do so. I was using the descaler that was sold at Starbucks not knowing that the powder was actually not good for the internal components of the machine. Eventually, the steam wand would not work and I would constantly get a message that the beans were too fine and to adjust the grinder. When I called CS, they told me to use the Durgol. Thank goodness they did! After 1 cycle of descaling and dark, dirty deposits, the steam wand was back to normal. Yeah!!!

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Rancilio Silvia Espresso Machine - New 2009 Model V3 Review

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(More customer reviews)This is a beautiful machine! I started learning about brewing espresso at home with a Gaggia Coffee. I've since stepped up to the Silvia and I wish I had bought it right away. The espresso I produce with it is far superior, never sour or bitter if I use the right amount and tamp it properly, and I can make microfoam. I also appreciate its heaviness, good looks, quiet operation and metal steam wand.
Many say - and it bears repeating - that you will only get the results you are looking for at home if you invest in a burr grinder of at least Rancilio Rocky or Gaggia MDF quality, grind right before brewing and use beans roasted within weeks, not months! I have had disappointing results with other grinders and all preground espresso including expensive Illy, etc.
Shop around and be sure to get free shipping, because this thing weighs a ton. I have seen good package deals where you can get the Silvia and Rocky together; with no tax and free shipping plus some free goodies such as a stainless steel tamper, you will be in business and might have some cash left over for the beans. Of course the instruction booklet is nearly worthless, but you can find some great videos on YouTube to show you what to do with all that stuff once you get it home.
If you have better things to spend your money on, like mortgage and groceries, or if you aren't too picky, look elsewhere; maybe try a stovetop moka pot. If you think you will be making espresso for years to come get this machine, a good grinder and a water filter, and some freshly roasted beans from Intelligentsia; then you will want a collection of little cups for serving your creations, and your friends might begin to think you are an insufferable coffee snob... and at that point, you will be. Trust me, your buddies most likely do not want to hear about your machine's brass portafilter and temperature stability.
This is NOT a cheap hobby. Maybe you should consider supporting your local coffee shop instead! As for me, I'm in too deep. Let me know if someone starts a twelve step program for espresso addicts. Enjoy!

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DeLonghi ESAM6620 Gran Dama Super Automatic Beverage Center with Automatic Cappuccino Review

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(More customer reviews)Makes the worst lattes. I describe this as the "neediest" automatic espresso machine I've ever owned. It constantly needs something (refill tank, empty grounds, fill beans due to small hoppers, bins and tanks). Highly suggest not buying this model.

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Expobar Lever Semi-Auto Espresso Machine Review

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(More customer reviews)This is a really nice machine for the price point. I've been using mine for about a month and I'm just starting to dail it in. The case comes off pretty easily (5 screws) so you can access to OPV for group pressure adjustment and boiler pressure. Mine came with the boiler set at .8 bar, I upped it to the green zone of the gauge about .9 bar. I also turned down the group pressure to 9 bar (it came set a 10). I have about a 2 minute recovery time and consistent shots. The biggest downside is the heat exchanger and group need pretty large flushes +-8 oz before pulling a shot. Get Eric's thermometer ($100) plugged into the group and flush to about 207 degrees. After 10 seconds, you can pull a shot at 200 degrees at the puck.
The machine is pretty big - it looks large on my counter and I have a very big, modern kitchen. My wife made me move it to a less obvious location because it seemed a little oversized for the spot my Gaggia Classic used to reside. The design is nice - completely stainless. The lever seems so much better that pushing a button to pull a shot. You'll get the same results, but it feels more "classic". The hot-water wand competes with the lever for space so you'll neet to orient it out to the side when pulling shots, but it doesn't drip so no worries. The drip tray is very large - it'll take the entire water resevoir. BTW, the resevoir has no indicator when it is low, and you have to take the cup warmer off to fill it. Get a funnel.
I'd prefer to have a group pressure gauge, easy access to OPV and boiler pressure controls. But you'd pay an additional $300 for a machine with those features.
Note, the boiler is 1.8 liters (60 oz), not 12 oz as the description says.

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Mr. Coffee BVMC-ECM22 Combination Steam Espresso and 10-Cup Coffeemaker Review

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(More customer reviews)I was so excited about this machine... On paper it has everything I wanted:
1. Coffee and espresso in one small machine (just slightly larger than a regular coffee maker)
2. Cone-style basket for the regular coffee
3. Made of BPA free plastic (recycling code 1)
4. Everything the espresso touches is stainless steel (SEE UPDATE! Found out this isn't true!)
5. And it looks very nice on my counter
But I've been spoiled by my Cuisinart espresso maker, which makes excellent, rich, creamy espresso (and which also has BPA in the water tank even though it was advertised as BPA free!). This machine makes decent espresso with absolutely no crema at all. The espresso tastes pretty good, but it doesn't have that creamy texture I've grown to love.
Bottom line, if you're used to good espresso you'll be disappointed. If you're new to espresso, or if you plan on mixing it with a bunch of milk or something, you'll probably like it. If I wasn't already spoiled I'd be tickled with this machine instead of disappointed.
UPDATE: Noticed the interior tank, which I had been told by a lady from Mr. Coffee's 800-number was stainless steel, looked like it had a non-stick coating, which as many people know, is toxic. So I called to ask and spoke with a different person who informed me that he didn't know if it had a non-stick coating, but that the tank was aluminum, not stainless steel. Well, that's no good because aluminum isn't good for you either. I don't know why someone can't make a coffee maker with non-toxic parts! Stainless steel and BPA-free plastic, that's all I ask. I don't know why that is impossible to find--It seems so simple. Anyway, so I'm lowering my rating to 2 stars, and I'm returning this piece of junk. I could live with crappy espresso if it was free of toxins, but toxin-filled crappy espresso? I don't think so. I think I'm going to give up and get a Chemex.

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Espressione 1329 Cafe Roma Deluxe Espresso Machine with Built-in Grinder, Anthracite Grey Review

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(More customer reviews)I have purposely waited for more than 3 months since my purchase to write a review, as I wanted to make sure the satisfaction lasted. I chose this model for the features, and for the appearance of being more substantially made than some similarly priced competitor models. It was easy to set up and get started. I do agree that the directions could be more helpful in the "how-to" department for novice espresso makers like me. I put this in my office for the purpose of replacing my daily mid-afternoon Starbucks latte purchase habit. After some experimentation with various beans, tamping pressure, and degrees of grinding, I was able to produce a product that easily rivals what I had been buying over the counter....And for probably .45 - .50 per cup! I have found that the temperature varies somewhat from one cup to another, probably depending on my performance as a barista. Since there is not a cup warmer included, I learned to microwave a cup of water in my latte cup while I'm grinding and frothing. I like my coffee very hot, so on the occasion that drink is still not hot enough, I simply stick the finished product into the microwave for 30 seconds (although I'm sure this probably horrifies espresso purists). All in all, a very good machine for the money. Everything continues to work as designed, and clean-up is very simple.

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Make cafe-quality coffee drinks from the comfort of home with this easy-to-use espresso machine. The unit features a built-in grinder for producing coarse to espresso-fine grinds from whole coffee beans, plus its brass filter holder works with ground coffee. To ensure a professional brew, the appliance comes equipped with a boiler-temperature thermometer, a 15-bar boiler system pump, a coffee tamper, and an anti-drip valve with a self primer. The unit's powerful Maxi Cappuccino milk-frothing device helps produce perfect cappuccinos and lattes, and its hot-water function allows for quickly making instant soup, tea, or hot cocoa. Thoughtfully designed, the machine offers helpful indicator lights, a high-pressure safety valve, adjustable automatic shut-off, and a large 5-cup removable water tank with a visible water level for convenient filling. Other highlights include simple push-button controls, an interchangeable single or double dispenser, a cup warmer, and a removable drip tray for easy cleanup. The 1150-watt espresso machine measures 13 by 14 by 14-1/2 inches.

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