 don't buy a $300 espresso machine, buy this one |
| Review Date: February 27, 2008 |
| Reviewer: Creative Tornado, New England |
I bought this at Targét for $29, and it is freaking awesome. To the two reviewers above... if you actually read the manual you would know that the cord underneath the base can be unraveled to the desired length. This is to eliminate excess cord on your countertop.
Anyway, I discovered I was spending almost $200 at Starbucks... a near crack habit. My previous espresso machine broke over the summer--a $300 Gaggia. Prior to the gaggia I had a krups.
So I plunked down a few bucks for this one knowing I was taking a wee gamble. Usually you get what you pay for.
Let me tell ya, this little machine is great. First, it is super super quiet. My previous machines were deafening especially when frothing. Secondly, it takes up little space. Third, it's fairly nice looking and matches our coffee maker. And of course last, it makes great lattés.
So, don't waste your money on some huge hulking espresso machine that will only last a few years. This one does the job and won't cause ear trauma. |
RECESSION SPECIAL!
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| Review Date: January 4, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Dassit, |
I've had this machine for over a year. I have tried other machines, even a pump. It makes good cappuccinos/lattes when the milk is steamed properly at the right temperature. If your only into espresso shots, I would go with a pump.
PROS
-Inexpensive
-Frother is strong, plastic tip is removable
-Quiet (then a pump machine)
-Small
CONS
-Supplied tamper is just a slightly flattened end of the coffee scooper.
-No frothing pitcher.
-Multiple shots requires de-pressuring the machine.
NOTES
-It is important to have a correct tamp and grind. A weak tamp or a course grind will cause the machine to brew too fast and cause the steamer to become weak because not enough pressure built up, resulting in weak taste. Too hard of a tamp or too fine of a grind will cause the brew to be too slow and build up too much heat, resulting in bitter taste.
-I rarely make a "4cup" with this machine, but when I do, it is somewhat tricky. The machine has a hard time pushing thru a 4 cup filled basket. In this situation, it most often then not brews too slow and too hot and results bitter. You have to compensate by tamping very lightly.
-It is very possible to create thick dense micro foam as well as light fluffy airy foam. It all depends where and how you place the frothing tip near the surface of the milk. Using a thermometer is very useful too. Overheating the milk will make it lose its sweetness.
-Descale it if it becomes slow. I use Durgol.
-Sometimes excess water builds the tank. I believe this causes the machine to become less efficient. Run an empty cycle to remove the water every once in a while.
EDIT
I've had this machine for almost 3 years and the frothing wand tip broke on me while using a wrench to disassemble and clean the wand tip. You're supposed to use the supplied plastic wrench but I used a metal wrench and it tore the tip right off. It is a 7 dollar part on amazon, but I decided to just buy a new one since these are so cheap and it was 3 years old. I still think for what this is, it is a good machine. The new version of this model has a different shaped wand. |
simple & easy to operate and good looking
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| Review Date: December 21, 2007 |
| Reviewer: H. Dao, |
Bought this from Target on sale for $33, and it was worth it. The unit takes up a small footprint on your kitchen counter, is pretty light weight. One thing to note is that the cord to the unit is pretty short -- and this is by design. The cord length is about 6 inches, and it can only be plugged in one way. There are specific instructions on how to use the espresso machine and a lot of warnings, but don't be fearful, the unit is pretty easy to work with only three settings: off, make espresso and steam - so its pretty easy to operate, and surprisingly quiet. Bravo to Mr.Coffee for making an espresso machine for under $40 that holds up well.
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