Starbucks Barista Home Espresso Machine - Stainless Steel

My family loves its espresso and we've tried around 4-5 espresso machines over the last 20 years. So what makes the Starbucks Barista fabulous? It flat-out works!

Additionally:

* Reasonably priced

* There is no auto-anything. (ie, no frills that'll just break later)

* It's heavy and solid a quality piece of workmanship

* Actually made by Saeco (and just re-branded by Starbucks)

How does it compare to other machines I've used?

We've tried the cheap models (~$100) and they broke or wore out after a year or so. We've tried the really expensive models (~$1000) and with a bunch of internal moving parts and auto-grinder, auto-tamper, auto-cleaner, etc. etc. These often gum up, break, or insist some internal plastic piece is out of place (think "PC LOAD LETTER" for an espresso machine).

I've owned a Starbucks Barista for about ten years now. In fact, I decided to find a second one in case the 1st one decides to give it up. It's a workhorse of a machine, which I use at least five times a day for Americano-style regular cups on-demand and for espresso on occasion. The white version is probably the most practical since it is easiest to keep looking clean, whereas the graphite or stainless versions are somewhat more "perpetual care." The color finishes are extremely durable and made to last for many years. The stainless version case is about 2mm thick nice and strong.

Since these are no longer being made (at least not under the Starbucks name, and I'm not finding them elsewhere) it seems a good idea to locate a little-used one because a comparable machine would be at least twice the price this model sold for when new, and even then, those higher priced ones are not highly rated unless you get to the commercial end of the market, four or more times the price.

It's worth cleaning the upper gasket-seal regularly so it doesn't get worn away by trapped grounds and to check the stainless insert that receives the coffee grounds to ensure that the holes are not being plugged-up with too finely ground coffee. A tiny fishing float added to the tank will aid in monitoring the water level in low-light situations.

The Starbucks Barista can't be beat for good, clean design and functionality.

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We've been using one of these for about six or seven years. Actually my wife uses it every day; I generally use a Keurig, but now and then I make a latte. I was hesitant to spend this much money on an espresso machine, but this model is nothing if not durable. We've never had even a single minor issue with it.

It makes the best espresso because it uses a pump. Cheaper models simply heat the water until it is too hot, and the resulting espresso is not as good. This model heats the water to the exact right pressure and then pumps it through the coffee. The result is espresso that tastes exactly like it does at Starbucks.

My biggest concern was that the pump would give out. But as I said, my wife has used it every single day for at least the past six years. That means more than 2000 times now. And it still works just as well now as it did when it was new. Calculate the cost of buying a coffee from Starbucks every day (which my wife would do if we didn't have this), and the savings per cup by making it at home, and it has paid for itself many times over.

We have broken the glass receptacle more than once, and now we have a metal replacement. Other than that, it's exactly as it was the day we bought it.

Another plus is that it's not made of cheap materials. We can give it a vigorous cleaning and it still looks almost brand new. Virtually no visible signs of wear. Built like a tank!

When this thing does finally break down, I have no doubt we will buy an exact replacement, if it's still available.

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Black & Decker DCM2000W SmartBrew Coffeemaker

We love our coffee and it's not unusual to go through coffee makers quickly. Withen the past 4 months I have bought 2 Black & Decker coffee makers. The first one was a CM100 series. It leaked like a sieve when pouring so I decided to use it as a "back up" and get a new one. I then purchased the DCM2000 series. Quite disappointed to find the same problem. Not only does it also make a mess when pouring but because we weren't diligent wiping off the bottom after every use, the finish is coming off the hot plate.

I won't buy this brand again.

Gotta say that I think B & D have done some re-engineering on this item since these initial reviews were written, based on all the problems which I haven't experienced in the week since I've purchased this. The brew-interrupt works fine, the heating element doesn't keep working after the water has gone through, and the spout on the coffee pot itself works perfectly. Might also note that some of these reviews really refer to another model. This has no timer on it. You turn it on, you turn it off. And, at least for me, everything works perfectly.

Update 10/24/2011 coffeemaker died after only three years...back to Mr. Coffee

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Do not buy this product or any other product with the Perfect Pour Carafe. The brilliant designers at Black & Decker thought that they would improve on a centuries old design by incorporating a plastic spout on the glass carafe. The problem is that the coffee flows in between the two and on to the floor or whatever else you are pouring over. Nice work guys. One call to their Customer Service line was cut off. On the next I chose the option to leave a message and be called back--unfortunately the mailbox was full. I guess the poor product deserves poor customer service.

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Oh my god, what junk. It spits, it sputters, it belches steam like a decrepit clothes iron. The heating element ticks nonstop; I can hear its staccato ticking and clicking all the way in the living room. It's annoying as hell but more than that, it's disconcerting. Is it on the verge of shorting out? Will it catch fire, set the kitchen ablaze? Gives a whole new meaning to the phrase "coffee nerves."

What's more, and this really pissed me off, the Pause-&-Serve feature works ONLY if you remove the carafe (which is supposed to activate the pause but doesn't), stick your finger in the streaming hot coffee, and manually and forcibly depress the pause button. Even then it pauses only a second, IF you're lucky. So to avoid a mess you take hold of that carafe and hurry like a madman to pour--slopping coffee all over the place--but you needn't have bothered because right away coffee's streaming down, bubbling and boiling and cooking on the burner. Without wiping up the spill you jam the carafe back in place (what else are you going to do?--it won't stop) where of course it starts to scorch and smell. Now I ask you: what do you look forward to smelling while your morning coffee is abrew? Brewing coffee by any chance? You'd be out of luck with this machine. Today it produced an odor that was like a mix of burning plastic and cat pee.

Finally, whether you pour hurriedly or with the utmost care, the crummy carafe always makes a mess. It leaked every time I tipped it to a cup. The Black & Decker DCM2000W SmartBrew Coffeemaker is so junky it would be overpriced if they gave them away.

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We chose this make and model mainly for the rating it received in Consumer Reports magazine. When we read the reviews on Amazon, we were a little worried that we made the wrong choice.

We received it and have been using it for about three weeks now and we use it every morning. It's great. It does everything a coffee maker should do and the carafe pours great. One of the best Coffee Makers we have ever purchased.

KitchenAid Blade Coffee Grinder

This is the best coffee grinder I have ever owned. It is powerful...which makes the grinding go quickly. I have always had a mess with grinders as you transfer the grounds to the lid to then put in the coffeemaker. Then, when you put the lid back on, big mess! This one, the grinding "cup" just lifts out...the lid never gets grounds in it. Fantastic! It's also large enough to grind enough beans for a full 12-cup batch of coffee...and I drink strong coffee so I use a lot of beans. Seriously, best ever.

This is the best dry grinder that I've ever owned. It is very attractive, compact, well designed & does the job. The cup can be removed to empty the ground item, and can be put in the dishwasher. This is a big plus. Also, the cup is much larger than the other spice mills that I've had.

I use this grinder to grind spices, flax and black sesame, and it does a great job with each and every one of these. The plastic grinders are unsafe, since over time the plastic is damaged (gets cloudy) by the hard coffee bean and spices, and particles of plastic is getting in your food.

I searched for a stainless steel grinding bowl for safety reasons, and found this. This is a little gem. I only wish that kitchenaid sells extra cups.

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Let me begin with a confession: I'm not a coffee goar-may. I don't ask much of my coffeemaker and grinder beyond a good cuppa in the morning.

Having said that, I do grind my own beans daily. I've owned the Krups unit for several years. It was reliable and easy to use. I was happy with it. It was happy with me. We raised our cups of coffee together. But as we advanced together beyond what could be comfortably called middle age, I got an itch for a nice little grinder with more pizazz. My relationship with the reliable little Krups got stale.

I picked up this little KitchenAid unit up on a website. KitchenAid looked hot, in tune with the times, and built like she could deliver. And boy, can she deliver. One of the things I like about her is she's quiet. If you have company sleeping in, there's no racket to embarrass you and rouse the guests sleepy-eyed and groggy out of the guest bedroom wondering if someone is getting killed. Krups was a screamer.

And trust me, KitchenAid has all the moves down. If you push the right button, she'll grind your beans to a state of perfection.

No, Krups and I are finished. It is so over. She gave me the best years of her life, but all good things must end. I hope she can find a new home. I don't have a single pang of regret that KitchenAid has moved in, and my beans have never been in better shape.

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This grinder had some great features like being able to remve the cup for washing, but I have a laundry list of issues with it. First, the floor model I tinkered with came apart easily and came back together smoothly. Not so with the one that came out of our box. We had to man handle the cup out and the "pegs" didn't line up quite right without some fiddling. Our biggest problem is we need a fine grind, but this grinder did a superficial grind before heaping it all to the edge where the blade would no longer do anything. Even after shaking the grounds back down twice, the grind we were left with had chunks in it. Very disappointing for a KitchenAid product.

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I bought this grinder because I thought it was a worthy successor to the KitchenAid BCG100OB Blade Coffee Grinder. The latter product was outstanding in all respects, except that after five years the coupling gave out and KitchenAid didn't stock replacement parts for it.

This grinder, however, is simply terrible. It performs worse than the cheap Krups Fast Touch Coffee Grinder which can often be found under $15 on sale. The problem is that the blade is simply too high and can't catch items low in the grinding chamber. Consequently, even large spices such as pepper, coriander seeds, allspice, cloves, etc., simply are whipped around without grinding them. Smaller spices such as mustard seeds are left in an even more unchanged state.

This grinder also cannot grind coffee very fine, unlike most other blade grinders.

What is worse, grinding dust enters the cap between the plastic housing and the stainless steel chamber, much like the Cuisinart SG-10 Electric Spice-and-Nut Grinder. (The Cuisinart also cannot grind finely enough.) This makes it hard to clean and is just a pain, period.

It's unfortunate, since the motor is very heavy and the unit appears well built otherwise.

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Primula 4 Cup Classic Coffee Press, Chrome

The definition of 4 cups is simply wrong. I know companies like Bodum Presses define a cup as 4 oz but this company for some unknown reason defines a cup as 3 oz. Bottom line is this is a 14 oz container which will hold 12oz of liquid + coffee grinds so it will make only a single 12oz mug of coffee and not a drop more. If that is what you are after then read on.

Aside from the glass beaker, the materials are on the cheap side compared to a Bodum, but a Bodum will cost about 2x as much for the same size making this a 'relatively' good value for the price.

Bottom line, good relative value as price is low and materials are acceptably cheap and know this will in no way make 4 cups of coffee. I was deceived by the 4 cup description but fortunately 12 ounces was exactly what I needed so it works for me.

For those new to the French Press thing know that many people, myself included, consider this the absolute best way to make coffee. One of the differences is that the coffee oils are not absorbed by a paper filter adding to the taste but it is more than that. Making a great cup of French/Pot Press coffee is simple but really requires knowing what you are doing and that takes practice. 1) It all starts with the beans know that the subtle nuances of flavor are very apparent with this brewing method so it is easy to taste the difference in the beans it's not like Coke vs Pepsi the difference can be extreme between beans. I tested many different types of beans over months to find the ones that I enjoyed most. One of my favorites is Starbucks French Roast which tastes totally different than Peaks French Roast which I don't care for but that is about personal taste, not quality of products. I also prefer Starbucks Sumatra more than Peats but again, just personal preference. Differences are huge to my palette. 2) Beans for this method must be coarse, medium grind is for drip while fine grind is for expresso, and ultra fine is for Turkish. The wrong size bean will change the flavor very noticeably. 3) Ideally it is best to grind your beans just before brewing for the best freshest taste so you will need a Burr grinder, NOT a blade grinder which will not let you control grind size 4) Next is water, you want to use only clean, filtered water same with all brewing methods. Tap water, at least from my kitchen is horrible. 5) Boil the water in a kettle and then let it cool for at least 10-20 seconds. Too hot will burn the coffee and give it a bitter taste. I usually pour some of the boiled water in my mug first as that will warm up the mug while the coffee is brewing, so when your coffee is ready it will stay warm. 6) Steep time. Start with about 4 minutes that what works for me. Too long and bitterness will creep in. Too short and it will taste diluted. Remember you are using a coarse grind so less surface are which is why steep times are longer. Finer grinds extract quicker so brew time and grind size are very much related. 7) Experiment with all the above variables until you find what works for you. Varying any of the above will change the taste. Making the perfect cup of coffee is both an art and a science 8) Enjoy. You may find that with many type of beans that the flavor will change with each sip since as it cools the flavor changes. Anyway, that's my trick!!!

This does the job fine and the price was right. It makes about 13 oz. of coffee. All these presses are described as making x number of "cups" which are presumed to be 4 oz. cups for some incomprehensible reason. However, once you account for the space the grounds take up and a little air space at the top, the capacity is even less than that. Therefore, a 4-cup press is needed to make a largish mug. The 3-cup press I tried first yielded only 10 oz.

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I have been using a French Press for a few years now and it makes as espresso style of coffee which measures smaller than an American cup of coffee. I like my coffee strong and a small container like this makes it just right for my one cup, you can't beat a french press for a wonderful cup of coffee, you adjust the amount of coffee to how strong you like it and if you add milk or not. It's helpful to look up directions for this online before buying, you can better judge if it's for you and how big a pot to get. You get coffee grounds in your drink if you don't grind the coffee course enough or the filter is not kept straightened out allowing grounds to escape the filter. I'm looking for another one since I have worn my first one out after 5 + years.

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Use it everyday, the mesh filter is nice and fine so hardly no grounds come through, as long as you grind your beans using french press mode.

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We bought this for my brother-in-law for Christmas and he uses it all the time! It's the perfect size for one mug of coffee. It says it's 4 cups, but I'm pretty sure that describes the entire volume. You have to account for the space the coffee grounds take up. Like I said, perfect for a single serving in a standard mug!

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6 Cup Espresso Coffeemaker Replacement Gasket

The inside diameter was too large just barely, but too large to brew. So...I bought a new Bialetti with an extra gasket. The Bialetti gasket did fit my old espresso pot, although it is not a Bialetti, it is an import, a rather stylish 6 cup pot I've had for over ten years.

Gaggia 90501 Titanium SS Super Automatic Espresso and Cappuccino Machine, Stainless Steel

I've lusted after a Super Auto for years. When I finally decided to get one, I did a fare amount of investigating. The Gaggia Titanium had the best spec's for the price and good reviews. I decided to spend the extra money for the Stainless unit. I haven't seen the painted plastic model so I can't comment on the appearance. I do think the Stainless looks great! You can find reviews of the non-stainless here on Amazon and other than the outside appearance, the device is the same.

I've only had the unit for a few days but so far, I'm very happy. To the negatives first. The manual is awful! It's not just the Italian to English translation! The text is skimpy and the illustrations not so great. I spent a fair amount of time making sure I understood how to setup and use the unit. I'm pretty technically savvy and in the end, I figured it all out. But don't rush into using this product until you've figured out how to set it up, clean it and adjust all the settings (there are many).

The only issue I've had is whereby the auto bean grinder thinks it's empty when it's not. Open the lid (which could be a bit better designed) and stir and it works. Could be the beans I'm using not sure. It's an intermittent issue.

The good stuff: once you figure out the coffee strength and grind, the Gaggia makes a delicious cup. I wish the brew were a tad hotter (I have it set to max) but using the cup warmer helps. No issues making froth with the wand; much better than the older manual machine I had. You can't put a huge mug under the unit (the max size is 4.5 inches) but its so easy to make a cup you just make fresh when needed. You can set the unit for the amount of brew. However, I found that clicking the "large coffee" button twice, the unit thinks it's making 2 cups and that just about fills a decent size mug. It's much stronger too since the unit grinds two doses of coffee instead of just adding more hot water using the programmable size. You get a nice foam on top and as I said, the coffee is outstanding.

I love the clean up (or lack of) compared to the drip maker I had (a Bodum Vacuum unit). I still have that unit should I need to make a lot of coffee for company. But for the two mugs I drink in the morning, the Gaggia easily replaces this unit. And there's far less cleanup. The grinds sit in a canister and after a few days, you just tap it out into the trash and maybe rinse. So, you can use this Gaggia to replace a conventional coffee machine as long as you're making a cup or two. What I love is just pressing a button twice (for two large coffees) and walking away from the unit. A minute later, a great cup of Joe. It truly is super automatic.

I have the unit set for Energy savor whereby it's in a kind of sleep mode a few hours after I use it. I only drink in the morning. However, if you decide to "wake it up", it heats up in about 2 minutes. It also does a rinse cycle so I keep a small glass under the unit so it can clean itself and rinse out about 3oz of water. There is a little pan under which would catch the water but then you have to toss it out ever few days. There's also a "full Rinse" cycle that thoroughly cleans out the unit and uses about half the water in the reservoir. It's a menu item so don't select it unless you really want to do this (takes about 5 minutes and a lot of water goes into the catch pan or several cups if you so desire).

Yes it cost big bucks but as long as it works well for years and keeps its great looks, I'm very happy.

UPDATE. The issue with the grinder was the beans (too oily). I called the NY office and got someone in "tech support" in minutes. She knew her product. Sure enough, the inside of the grinder area was super oily making it hard for the beans to fall into the grinder area.

UPDATE: Dec 31st 2010. Approaching nearly 5 years with the unit, its preformed nearly perfectly and brewed 6377 cups of coffee! The only tiny issue I've had was the float in the water tank needed to be replaced (easy to do, cost $15). Over time, it gets water logged or something and stops floating, causing the unit to think there is no water in the tank. I was actually able to go quite awhile with a kludge fix using a small plastic tie to keep the float in the up position. Eventually I just ordered the part and replaced it in 5 minutes. Otherwise, the unit has worked preferably.

UPDATE: Dec 19th, 2012. 10377 cups of coffee and still going strong.

Unfortunately, like a 1970's Alpha Romeo, good looks and great performance don't add up to a hill of (coffee) beans over the long run when reliability is taken into account.

My first machine was dead on arrival with the fateful "Ventilate" issues seen by other purchasers. The second machine, which although shipped and sold by Amazon was manufactured 18 months prior to my purchase (Jan 2007). This started to give trouble after about 14 months with the boiler leaking steam and flooding the counter-top which, given the claims of a stainless steal "durable" boiler was risible. This, coupled with the fact that the brewunit has jammed three times (requiring a trip to the local repair shop) means that 18 months in to the purchase I've spent over $650 in maintenance fees. For 2-3 cups of coffee per day, a trip to Starbucks begins to look cheap!

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I bought my Gaggia Titanium about 1 year ago and hated it for the first month. The machine kept showing the "ventilate" sign (apparently a common problem) and I couldn't figure out what to do. (Manual is terrible!) I went to fix it.com and found someone who was able to solve the problem. Go in the menu and get the asterik to show next to factory settings. (Use the arrow buttons to get the asterik on factory settings. Push "yes." That should solve the problem. You will have to reset the cup sizes.

I haven't seen the ventilate sign for a long time now. My family has made over 1,500 cups now and we love our machine. It is very easy to clean too. We use Lavazza Super Crema beans ($27 for 2.2 pounds) It's a smooth, mellow tasting Italian bean that is not bitter or greasy. (Beans never get stuck in the hopper.) It makes a nice, authentic Italian "crema" too. Enjoy!

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I was very leery of spending this kind of money on a product that might or might not work...but I am very very happywe love the Gaggia and totally enjoy it...I have severe RA and cannot manage muchthis item is totally user friendly to anyone with hand strength problemsI have no trouble using it...it is a welcome surprise to a lot of items that are hard to usethe other user friendly products I find are all of kitchenaid....yes we enjoy the gaggia and coffee time is very specialthe frother works perfect i use it daily...anyone looking for the best out there should consider this machine!

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This has been an excellent trouble free product. The Lattes we can now make at home are better than ones bought in Starbucks, etc.. The unit has been flawless and we are very satisfied.

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Neapolitan Coffee Maker 1-2 Cup Size - Stainless Steel - Made in Italy

I have a difficulty in brewing a coffee with this coffee maker. When I turn the coffee maker upside down after boiling, "the filter

group" seems to be slipping inside. 3 minutes later, I found "the filter group" sink inside the spout, and water doesn't go through the filter. So I have to lift up the filter...I tried to ask ILSA about this Coffee Maker, but still I couldn't get answer from ILSA.

When you turn over the pot, the inner container (containing the grounds) should, of course, stop at a certain point, so that the water can drip through and coffee can come out the other side. This inner container simply falls right to the bottom. Either my particular one was flawed, or had some wrong parts, or this machine simply doesn't work.

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This stove-top coffee (or espresso, I used it to make coffee) maker is wonderful. It's a perfect melding of design and function streamlined and efficient, while lovely to look at.

I was so sad when the handle began to come off, requiring soddering, but would most definitely recommend and purchase this product again. Prior to the Ilsa Neapolitan I had the Bialetti which was a BUST replaced twice, plastic parts broke, a poor example of Italian coffee making design, or rather, over-produced and marketed in the U.S., whereas this Ilsa product is singular.

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Sunbeam Hot Shot Hot Water Dispenser

I've used a Hot Shot a whole lot for heating up water for drinking various types of tea and other beverages. If it's right for what you're brewing, it really is a great product--the water is heated within a minute or two, which is way faster than a kettle, and it holds the perfect amount for a large mug.

There are a couple things to note though. Like other reviewers have said, because of the product's design, some taller mugs (especially large vacuum-sealed caddy mugs) won't fit in to receive the water, so you either can't use them or have to dispense the water into another container first and pour it from there. Also, you definitely should empty the excess water after you're done--you might even want to open the lid while it's still warm to let the extra moisture evaporate. This is because the inside is metal, and re-re-reheated water that's been sitting in there gets a bit gross and might not be the healthiest.

The last issue, which affects me more than it may others, is that the Hot Shot heats the water to boiling or very near to boiling. This is great if you're drinking black tea, hot chocolate, or hot cider, but if you're drinking green tea (which takes hot water that is well below boiling), the water from the Hot Shot can be too hot and make the tea bitter. If it's right for the beverage you want to make, though, I can't recommend a more convenient or quick option.

Sunbeam 6131 Hot Shot Hot Water Dispenser, Black

We have used a Hot Shot for many years, replacing the first two because they eventually stopped heating water sufficiently (only up to 160 degrees F). Since they had become a mainstay in our kitchen, used several times a day, we were eager to replace the last one, and ordered the sleek new black model, which is of a somewhat different design than the original.

The first one we received from Amazon leaked considerably if we didn't use up all the water that had been heated, so we sent it back (Amazon paid for the entire return postage and sent us a new one at no extra cost). The second one leaked just like the first one, through the dispenser spout, when water was left to sit in the heating chamber. We never had this problem with the older model.

I am giving it two stars instead of only one, since some people may not mind being sure to empty the heating chamber after each use. (If it didn't leak, I would give it 4 stars -and 5 stars, if it were also tall enough to accomodate taller cups).

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I've used a Hot Shot for at least 20 years and won't go without one. But they are made real cheap now. My son is still using the one he bought over 10 years ago. I had this less than a year when it leaked, and is getting worse. Put water in, press the button. Before you get the water poured in and put the cup under the spout it is dripping, real fast now. By the time the water is heated, if I grab it real quick I lose about 2 tbsp. (in about a minute). If I don't catch it right away it will leak enough so I have to warm up more water to make a full cup. I keep a towel under the spout now. This worked good for a few months. Think about it, if every small appliance in your kitchen had to be replaced within a year......

Also, a tall cup/mug won't fit under the spout. So I pour the water from one cup to another. I do like the old hot shot, saves time and electricity.I gave it one star because I do like the hot shot water heater, I just don't like this one.

UPDATE: A couple months after I wrote this review, there was a burning smell--the cheap thing burned out. Meanwhile it leaked water into the cabinets below and spoiled the food.

I went without one for a while, but eventually bought another one because I like the concept... put in cold water, press a button, come back to boiling water. I bought the cheapest I could find because it won't last. I'm just glad I don't have to replace all my other appliances every year.

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There is an ON button but no OFF button so if you plug it in and press on before filling it with water, the water heating area will singe. Uh oh. This works so much faster than putting a kettle on that it really hits the spot especially in the middle of the night when you just feel like a hot tea.

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This product has been around for over a decade, and for good reason: it works, and works well. My mother bought me one in Fall 1993 when I went off to college and lived in a tiny dorm room. It has served me well ever since. Nearly 12 years later, it still works as well as the day I got it. It really does heat 16 ounces of water to boiling in under 2 minutes. It's insulated so the outside does not get hot. Just remember to only heat water inside of it, not other liquids. It has a nice, clean look and a modern design which I'd even call "cute". The cord stores underneath the base when not in use, for a clutter-free appearance. I'd recommend it to everyone for a wide variety of situations.

Professional Series PS77611 Programmable 12-Cup Coffeemaker

It is difficult to pour the water into, the sides are narrow. The glass does not even have the number of cups on it and for a coffee pot that is suppose to be that much $ should at least have that. Its ok and only worth what I paid so I do not feel as if I received a great deal.

unless you want to taste and smell plastic in your coffee. I bought it as a gift and returned it.

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Melitta Coffee Maker - Ready Set Joe - One Cup Maker with Mug - Black

Used the Melita one cup while visiting my parents in TX. They both drink decaf.....I don't, so it was ideal for my early morning wake-up!

At home we have a 12 cup Farberware that we set up the night before for the morning, but for that quick cup during the day or early evening, I want my own Melita one cup! Can't wait for it to arrive.

Cuissential SlickFroth 2.0 - Electric Milk Frother, Cappuccino Maker

The SlickFroth doesn't cost as much as other milk frothers, but it seems to perform just as well. I have friends who have used the Aerolatte brand and others using the Ikea model, this Cuissential frother seemed like a nice middle ground to try out. The SlickFroth took some getting used to (which is probably true the first time using any frother), but once you get the hang of it, its like riding a bike. I use the frother a few times a week, especially on the weekends, for a fancy start to the day for the family and it has performed admirably every time. I've attached a video of the 2nd or 3rd time using the SlickFroth (I've gotten much better at making froth since then!)

Note: I purchased this unit, unlike other reviews where a sample was provided.

I have owned 3 different frothers prior to this purchase with prices ranging between $17 and $24, they include: Frother Bonjour, aerolatte, and an Italian one. I purchased the Italian one in Europe while on a trip. My prior experience with this type of frother is to assume a life expectancy of 12 to 18 months. I use the device daily and use it as of quick stir for my sugar and cream as part of my personal coffee bar. I do have a machine that makes froth (micro bubbles); however that is the $40 range (and I am on my second unit), which is pricey.

Pros-

Frother is very fast to reach its full speed (1 second), several other brands take a couple of seconds.

Torque is good and strong, better than the others

Makes good froth compared to the competition, slightly warmer milk/cream is best. Note: My experience is the froth does not last the entire duration while drinking your beverage. I put this in the pros category, because when compared to similar devices this one does a great job.

COST, great value

CON

I would like to see a color that fits my kitchen. Black would be nice.

If this Unit last 12 to 18 months like the rest, this is a good deal for a better product at a better price. It works longer, its an awesome deal. Shorter, well, although I will be disappointed, my cost will be more of a break even situation.

Yes, I would recommend this unit and would purchase again.

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This Cuissential Slick Froth milk frother is amazingly easy to use. It's so easy that all you need to do when you get it is wash it and put in two double-A batteries (not included) to have it up and running. The power button is a small silver press-button on the end of the handle, which is easy to reach with your thumb. This makes turning off the frother easy to do with one hand in case you have something like a mug or glass in your other hand.

While each person has their own type of milk or cream they enjoy using with their cappuccinos, for reference, in my video I used cold 2% milk. The wand is long, so even using a tall glass you can reach the milk to make froth. The froth comes out very creamy and decadent. Firm enough that you can spoon it out, but still smooth enough that you can pour it out into your drink.

This frother makes froth just as well as my expensive Capresso frother does, only at a fraction of the price. It's extremely handy in size and doesn't require being plugged into outlets like others do. I love this since in my small kitchen, I only have a limited number of outlets and they are all filled to the max with other kitchen appliances. This small electric frother is perfect when you're limited on space, but want something that works just as well as the more expensive ones. And at such an affordable price, it's hard to beat!

A sample was provided for reviewing purposes.

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I was very excited to get this frother and it worked really well whipping up the skim milk I use in my coffee. Unfortunately, the on/off switch is flimsy and stopped working on the 3rd day. I was very disappointed but happy with my ease in returning the product. Amazon gave me a full refund and the manufacturer sent me a new SlickFroth at no charge. The new one works just fine.

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The SlickFroth 2.0 is very easy to use, and the cleanup is simple as well. It turned about half a cup of milk into two cups of foam. Nice for making coffee or tea lattes.

Capresso 10-Cup Coffee/Cappuccino Makers

After spending a few weeks researching various coffee makers and reading numerous reviews and online user reports, I settled on the Capresso CoffeeTEC due to its features and the theory behind how it brews coffee reduced aeration to hold flavor (vacuum sealed carafe), no burner to bake the bean and increase acidity, and 190+ degree water dispensed into the brewing basket, which is very hot for a coffee maker!

I have to admit, I was nervous. I saw two general complaints that were common from online user reports. 1) The carafe did not maintain the water temperature, and 2) the frother ceased to work. A few comments on these:

Thermal carafe: I have no clue how anyone can be having a problem with this carafe, unless there's a problem with the heat of the water entering the carafe or in how they're storing the coffee after it brews (like, in the refrigerator, perhaps).

I did some tests on the carafe after getting my CoffeeTEC. The carafe was at room temperature (not pre-heated, as some suggest) when doing this test. Immediately after brewing straight water with the carafe in the closed position, I measured the water temperature at 189.3f using a digital thermometer. I closed the carafe and let it sit for exactly one hour then measured the water at 182.1f, a drop of only about 7f, which is fantastic! Now, I also brewed a full pot of straight water on my now-replaced Mr. Coffee, which sat on a hot burner during the brew process. After brewing, the water temperature was exactly 178f. So, after one hour in the thermal carafe with no burner contact, the Capresso water was hotter than the Mr. Coffee immediately after brewing. Very impressive results!

Frothing problem: I have noticed that the plastic pieces that connect the milk container to the frother do have to be sealed properly for frothing to work. Also, it is necessary to clean the items after frothing; a very simple and quick process. Occasionally my unit will not froth immediately even though the steam would blast in an attempt to froth. This has been very easy to solve. After turning the steam on, I simply press the milk container tightly against the plastic piece that connects it to the frothing nipple. Don't worry if you don't understand this description. You have to own the unit to know the pieces I'm discussing. Just understand that with some minor manual jostling, the milk will flow and froth wonderfully!

Now, as for my assessment of this coffee maker... it is the best coffee maker I have ever owned! I'm knocked-out by the quality of brew I'm getting. Just as good if not better than commercial coffee houses, because I can make it to my specifications!

A few comments on this though... it took a few weeks for me to figure out exactly how to use this coffee maker so it brews to my liking. When I brewed my first cup, I didn't care for it. Keep in mind, this unit brews water quickly through the grind. It extracts flavor and aroma through heat, not prolonged water contact with the bean. As a result, you will have to use more coffee than most coffee makers.

As an example, I used to measure one rounded tablespoon of beans (pre-ground) for every two 5oz cups, then I'd add one extra tablespoon for added body. So, for 20oz of coffee, I'd use three tablespoons of beans. With this coffee maker, I've learned I need to use one tablespoon for each 5oz cup plus one extra for added body. So, for the same 20oz pot of coffee, I use five tablespoons of beans.

Also, the other detail I discovered is, it was necessary to grind the beans finer than I had before. I've started grinding the beans on the Espresso setting of my grinder rather than the automatic drip setting. This made a huge difference on the strength and flavor of the coffee.

So, keep in mind you'll want to play with the quantity and fineness of grind. If you use canned grinds, you have much less leeway. You'll just have to add much more grind, but be careful! Don't add too much or it will overflow the basket. Always adhere to the maximum grind amount Capresso recommends in the documentation.

The coffee maker comes with a gold filter. You may or may not like using the filter; I elected not to use it. The gold filter allows more oil and particulates into the coffee. Some like this; others don't. It makes for an oilier, cloudier brew. Using paper filters, more of the fine particles are filtered out and much of the oil is kept from leaching into the carafe. The coffee is cleaner, clearer and not murky. I prefer using paper, but the preference is highly individualistic. I'd suggest running some tests and decide for yourself.

In the end, I find the coffee to be superb! This coffee maker is a fine-tuned piece of equipment that responds to the subtlest of changes you impart on the brewing process. Change the fineness of the grind or the quantity of beans used and you'll experience a noticeable difference in the outcome of the brew. After I determined the right balance that suits my pallet, all I can say is, "Wow!" The flavor and body is nutty, winy and full, the aftertaste smooth and non-acidic, and the aroma outstanding! I highly recommend this coffee maker.

But, plan to make a number of pots when you first get it with the understanding that many of those pots will probably go down the drain. It'll take some test runs to determine the quantity of coffee you'll want to use, the fineness of grind, and which filter to use. With due diligence, you'll have a splendid coffee maker from which you'll enjoy each day's coffee for years to come, custom made specifically towards your taste.

So, read the other reviews for what they are and keep in mind some of my comments. In my experience, many of the complaints reflect a user who hasn't experimented with the grind quantity and fineness, and hasn't been adventurous enough to work the "piping" when frothing.

I've been impressed with the well-thought out products coming from this relatively small company in the small appliance industry. Their Swiss designers have the leading edge technology in coffee makers and the CoffeeTEC is the latest innovation. Coffee is brewed 10 cups in under 8 minutes, and that's fast. The idea is to have the fresh coffee exposed to hot water for the minimum amount of time, so flavor is extracted without extracting the bitter parts of coffee flavor. CoffeeTEC does this really well. A special 3-5 cup brewing selector makes it possible to brew a perfect small pot of coffee. The coffee goes directly into a stainless steel vacuum carafe, and after removing and sealing the pot the coffee stays hot for hours but never gets heated over and over again as in a traditional hot plate coffee maker. The Auto Cappuccino feature is a genuine plus for those of us who want some frothy milk with our coffee, it turns cold milk into hot milk and froth in seconds. Since all the works are outside of the coffee maker, it's easy to clean and to remove the milk container for refrigerator storage. This is a winner in the category of latest coffee technology.

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This is the second review I have written for this product (Please see the review directly below this one by "bookdeep"). I am pleased to report that we now LOVE this machine, ever since we discovered the "trick," and I am writing again to try and rectify the embarrasingly harsh review that I sent before. As I said in the first review, the coffee machine works fine: it makes a great cup of coffee quickly and efficiently, and it is easy to clean. Initially, we had some difficulty with the frothing mechanism; however, the solution turned out to be very simple. In order to start the steaming/frothing mechanism, there is a large dial that must be turned one-quarter turn from "Twelve O'Clock" (Steam Off) to "Three O'Clock" (Steam On). We discovered that when you turn the dial to the Steam On position you have to bear down on the dial a tiny, tiny bit: maybe the dial would actually go to 3:01 on the clock face, maybe even less. When we do that, the frothing starts immediately, every time. It seems that our trouble was that we were a little too delicate turning the dial. Note that this "overturning" is very slight: we wouldn't want anyone to damage the machine. I wish that I could take back the previous review because that low rating will have an affect on the average for this product, but I cannot. I hope that writing to correct our error will help others who may consider this machine. Please note, that in spite of the brand name "Capresso" this is not an Espresso machine; it is a coffee maker with a frothing mechanism, which works amazingly well now that we know the trick. If this is the combination that you are looking for, then we cannot recommend this machine highly enough--it does do both of these jobs very well. And now that you know the trick, maybe there will be fewer frustrated, and more happy, coffee drinkers like us.

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This is a fine, easy to use, machine that I'm really enjoying having in my kitchen. I had never used a milk-steamer before, and found the idea a little intimidating. But the process is really quite painless, and now I'm wondering why I did without it so long (even my java-phobic bride is enjoying homemade hot chocolate thanks to the steamer).

Anyone who enjoys having a pot of coffee on-call throughout a morning should avoid glass pots like a cliché and instead use a thermal carafe like this one. Not only does it keep coffee steaming hot without constant re-heating, but the wide top and easy-off lid make for easy clean up when you're done.

The coffeemaker is elegantly designed, seems relatively sturdy, and looks nice on a countertop. Plus, it's fast, fairly quiet, and -as I said -easy to clean.

For someone like me who just wants to enjoy coffee without trying to become a home barista ('professional maker of complex espresso drinks'), this is as much machine as I think I'll need ... at least until the one with the built-in burr grinder arrives.

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It makes the best coffee I've ever had. The carafe works perfectly and keeps the coffee hot, and at nearly peak flavor, for hours. Those few reviewers who say that it doesn't keep the coffee hot simply have a carafe with a broken vaccuum seal.

I'm bothering to write a review because I had a problem with the machine, as some others have: the steamer stopped working properly, and the water tank was leaking. But at that point my experience was totally different from that of other posters who have complained about problems with the equipment and Capresso customer service. Get this: we had no warranty information on the machine, having received it 2nd-hand. Still, when my wife called their customer service, with no questions asked we were sent a pre-paid UPS label to return the unit. I put it in a UPS box on a Monday morning. On Wednesday afternoon---two days later---I received a new machine via UPS. (I know that they first received the machine I sent before sending the replacement because they replaced exactly what I sent, no more, no less; i.e., I sent the machine with just the water tank, none of the other parts, and I got back just a machine with a water tank.) I'm as pleasantly astonished by UPS getting it back and forth so quickly as am by Capresso simply and immediately fixing the problem at no charge.

Maybe Capresso "got the message" about customer service and made some changes. I could be bothered that the machine developed problems in the first place, but hey, things break. The bottom line for me is that it makes PERFECT coffee and, when there was a problem, Capresso took care of it astonishingly well.

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Saeco Focus Automatic Espresso Machine

This review applies to the steel version as well, except for the aesthetics.

The design and layout of this machine has been well-thought out by Saeco. I had a difficult time choosing between the steel and the black version, and ultimately chose the latter because I preferred the contrast of the black and chrome (and it matches my decor better).

The set-up of the machine is a bit confusing because there is a small insert paper with instructions that slightly conflicts with the full manual. Perhaps the translation from the original Italian is not entirely accurate. The insert indicated that the supplied intenza water filter must be installed but this is optional and is not supplied with the machine. So don't waste your time looking for it. Once it is up & running, familiarizing oneself with the meaning of the icons on the LCD is important.

Thankfully, Saeco designed the machine with access to the water tank in the front. The spent grounds compartment is also in the front and the beans go in the top. This is important for a compact machine as the potential buyer probably has size restrictions. Some superautos, like the Jura Ena 3/5 have the water tank attach to the back and the Gaggia Platinum I considered has side access.

The draw of a superauto is the ability to go from bean to cup with one machine at the push of a button. In this regard, the Syntia performs very well. The bean hopper and water reservoir are small, but if you want any compact machine then this obviously is necessary to retain a small footprint.

The espresso the machine produces is quite nice. I choose the strongest setting (3 bean icon) for a dark espresso. I also prefer to produce a double (click twice) rather than a long coffee for a cappuccino so it is not watered down. The machine grinds & brews twice in quick succession when double clicking.

I would prefer a more solid feeling (seems to be part steel & part plastic at the top) however it does a surprisingly good job at foaming milk for cappuccino. The foam I've produced is slightly too stiff & aery but I think it is more a technique issue at this point. Hopefully with practice I'll get just the right consistency between airy & dense. It is also excellent for steaming hot chocolate, Italian style. Just toss in your preferred hot chocolate mix with some added chocolate and a little milk and steam it until all is melted. Go bitter and serve it with some sugar on the side to taste.

Clean-up is a breeze. The tray pops out easily. The top comes off via a magnet and you can rinse it in the sink. The water & spent grounds reservoirs pop out from the front easily for rinsing. Wiping down the machine is not a problem.

Overall, I've been very pleased with this small machine. It is very easy for anyone to use and you can get great results without much effort.

There are those purists who swear that a super automatic can't produce the same results as a manual machine or even a semi-automatic and then there are those who just enjoy tinkering around with their espresso machines. This might not be the best choice for those people but if you are pressed for time or just want a decent cup of espresso or a quick latte or cappuccino without all the fiddling, the Saeco Syntia Focus more than fills the bill. I've owned a semi-automatic for years and while I can usually produce a decent shot with it, I've never truly become proficient; they can be finicky little devils. The coffee I've gotten from the Saeco is rich in crema and aroma and is at least as good, if not better. It's also a good deal faster with much less work.

The stainless steel Rapid Steam (single) boiler heats up quickly so there's minimal waiting and a very short interval between steaming milk and making coffee. Although the machine is a super-auto, there are some choices that are programmable so you can customize your cup. You can adjust the settings on the grinder if you prefer the grind to be coarser or finer and you can bypass the grinder entirely and use pre-ground coffee if you wish. You can select the strength of your brew from mild to medium to strong. It also allows you to adjust the amount of brewed coffee produced when you press the espresso or the long coffee buttons.

The Focus comes equipped with a Pannarello wand for frothing the milk for cappuccinos. Although some people don't care for them, the Pannarello is reputed to be more user-friendly than a conventional steam wand. Just make sure to run water through it after each use and regularly remove the tip and rinse it under running water. I drink more espressos than anything else but I've been experimenting with the Pannarello and find it easy to use. If you've never used one, with just a little practice you'll be able to produce an acceptable microfoam without spraying milk all over your kitchen.

The Syntia Focus is relatively compact, so it doesn't take up too much valuable counter space. The actual measurements are 10"W x 16.5"D x 12.5"H although they are slightly different in the product description. Maintenance is simple and straightforward. Pretty much everything that you need to access on a regular basis--the water reservoir, the coffee grounds drawer, the bean hopper and the brew group are positioned at or toward the front so the machine doesn't need to be moved for cleaning or replenishing. Saeco recommends that you remove and clean the brew group at least once a week and descale the machine every 3 months. None of this is particularly onerous and is a small price to pay in order to keep it functioning in good condition.

I've really come to appreciate the speed and ease of this small machine and to relish the delicious coffee that it produces on demand.

********************

05/23/2013

Since the machine is almost two years old, I thought it appropriate to update the review.

I still use it every day, making a minimum of two and often many more, cups of espresso and the occasional latte and cappuccino. It has never failed me nor come up short of my expectations.

The maintenance routine is as I expected. It takes but a few minutes each day to complete the routine tasks of washing and filling the water receptacle, emptying the spent grounds and cleaning out the drip tray. Once a week, I clean the brew group and every 500 brews or so, I lubricate it as instructed. Every few months (depending on usage) a light comes on to indicate that the Saeco needs descaling. It takes a few minutes but it's a simple procedure and the manual walks you through it. For a precision machine to function as well as it does day in and day out, I'm more than happy to do my part to keep it going smoothly.

I loved the Saeco Focus when I received it and if anything, I'm more enamored of it now than ever.

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Using a semi-automatic espresso machine (Francis Francis X5), I'm well aware of the craft of grinding the right grind, metering the right dose, tamping with the correct pressure, and using a stop watch and measured shots to fine tune technique. That approach made great coffee, when I invested the time in the process. Sadly that wasn't always what I wanted to do the first thing in the morning. ESE pods sped things up, but really seemed pricey, as does any of the K-Cup systems. Do we have a solution?

Yes!

Do you have to grind coffee--no

Do you have to meter the dose--no

Do you have to tamp the grounds--no

Do you have to stand around and time pulls--no

You really just set it and forget it. Throw some beans up top, add water on the left, and press a button. Afterward, you empty the drip tray and ground canister on occasion. That rocks! Cappuccino and lattes do require manual frothing/steaming, but that's rather easy to do, and the ample boiler makes that a breeze.

Really my only complaints are that the water canister is a bit small (the ability to connect to a water line would rock), the controls, while simple, are far from intuitive, and the machine required a tweak to make a good solid puck (thus affording great espresso). These are rather petty complaints, but at $1000, that's what you get. Bear in mind, the $1000 investment does allow you to use whole beans (preferably top quality ones without too much oil) rather than ridiculously pricey pods of K-Cups. It won't pay for itself anytime soon, but I somehow feel less wasteful. Go figure.

Anyway, this machine makes great espresso without the fuss. That's what a superautomatic machine is all about.

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I have own the machine just for a couple of days now. Easy setup following the written instructions. The machine does need to pour a few shots before in actually pour a resonable coffee. Even at the maximum strongest setting the expresso shot is still fairly weak to my taste. However, once I adjusted the length of the shot (how much water is used with 1 dose of expresso) I got strong enough coffee but not the strongest. There is one more adjustment to improve this further that is I can adjust how fine the coffee is grounded. The machine is sleek and easy to use. So far, I am happy with the buy although I hope I could make stronger coffee still.

Nov 13th A quick update to say that using the finest grind and strongest coffee strength, I was able to pour a strong double expresso. Delicious. Must remember to empty the bottom tray regularly or it overflows with water.

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So, consider, that I'm a coffee addict. And a gadget addict. I started with the cheap Krups espresso, graduated through pod machines Senseo, Keurig, Nespresso then settled on the Breville expensive machine. By chance, I happened on the Talea Giro Plus, because it was on sale at Costco, and I was intrigued by the automation. I currently have the Talea Giro, but when the Syntia went on sale, I figured okay, time to upgrade! But from my perspective, the only plus is that the machine is GORGEOUS. It is just a beautiful sleek compact black shiny machine. But is there such a thing as TOO automated? Maybe, only in the sense that you have ONLY TWO choices of sizes small and large. (The Talea Giro Plus is negotiable, you set the dial anywhere along the spectrum, so it's highly more programmable that way). But that's not my principal objection to the Syntia. The coffee was WEAK. I set it to maximum beans (3 bean display), and set it too finest grind, and made mutiple cups of coffee, both small and large, and not a single cup came out as strong as the Talea Giro, the Breville, or coffeehouse coffee. It was too weak for me. And I will add, in case you're wondering, that I used VERY strong coffee beans dark roasted blend from Costa Rica from Costco, that makes great intense espresso. I don't find the water reservoir that small, though the bean holder was more shallow. So, I'd pass if you like strong coffee, because it's not adjustable."

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0.85 qt. Double Wall Coffee Press

I bought this as a wedding gift, for a couple with 3 young boys and a half dozen broken pyrex presses. I am a professional barista, and bought this in lieu of a pricer Bodum, that is a pretty standard brand. I scoped this one, and it seems to hold up to Bodum's equal, without the premium price tag. Great little press

I purchased this Stainless Steel Double Walled Coffee Press over a year ago...sorry about the long delay in writing a review. I bought the press to use for making hot tea not for making coffee though. I absolutely love it and it works great for making tea with loose leaves. Easy to clean and keeps the tea hot for a long time. The pot is sturdy and does not tip over easily. I do wash it by hand and dry it right away to keep the outside finish nice looking as long as possible.Stainless Steel Double Walled Coffee Press (1.0 Qt Capacity )

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Have used for about a month. Holds heat pretty well, till early afternoon at least. I'm a metal worker (tig/mig/solder) and joints look of nice quality. No corrosion noted anywhere. Have not run through dishwasher, though. Looks well made, no problems, does the job I have for it, and looks like it will last decades. I use it to make 2 med (12oz) cups for myself, Nice product!

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I was looking for a smaller thermal press pot for a couple of mugs of coffee. Could not find the Bodum I had admired, but stumbled on this. Excellent price and the quality is very good.

The delivery was quick and the purchase effortless.

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Whenever I see a company so lacking in creativity and originality that they must copy the designs of others...it makes me fume. This is reprehensible. Cuisinox has lifted the world famous FRIELING shape, proportions, and Frieling's signature handle and only slightly changed it ...shortened it. The lid design and spout have been changed, but the overall look is blatantly Frieling... this is a total ripoff, especially when the Cuisinox is cheap looking, typical of the worst that comes out of China, compared to an elegant, thick-walled, hefty, built-like-a-tank Frieling. You get what you, uh, pay for, so they say.

For just a few bucks more why not buy the REAL Frieling, why buy a rip off? Incidentally, Cuisinox has also ripped off the Bodum Columbia's design look...incorrigible company...have they no pride or originality at all? I would feel the same way if Frieling had knocked off a Cuisinox design.

Also, look on Amazon at the Zukor French Press, another Frieling knockoff! Made in China just as is the Cuisinox, but so are many other products. But why support design rip-offs? To be fair, most buyers of the Cuisinox here were probably not aware of the existence of the real deal, the Frieling French Press, at the time of purchase. Get real, Cuisinox...why be fake? Frieling should sue this company. Also to blame are the seller here on Amazon that sells such weasel dumpster-goods to the public. Of course, I mean this in a nice way. Copied in China.

Beyond Gourmet Unbleached Coffee Filters Basket Style 100 Count Disposable

Good product but I was very surprised to find a similar item for a lot less money in the supermarket!

I always use the brown natural filters for all my filter needs. This is good, you can't get these at just any stores or sometimes even in Whole Foods.

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Ovente MPA Stovetop Espresso Maker - 4 Sizes (3oz, 6oz, 9oz, 12oz)

The coffee maker works fine. However after about 4 weeks of use, the little handle on the lid melted off. Furthermore, it is not dishwasher safe. For the price it is fine, but the quality is lacking.

Product was bent when we received it. Very cheap feeling. Doesn't say "Ovente" anywhere on the box or coffee maker. All the five-star reviews are within a week of each other. This is a scam and needs to be removed, Amazon.

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Braun 7050-798 Tassimo Cleaning Disc

A few things to note. You only need one of these and once you have it you can keep cleaning your machine over and over again. So, don't order more than one.

If you are cleaning with vinegar make sure to run at least 3 full containers of straight water through after. The vinegar seems to take a long time to leave this system.

This disc is put into the slot in the back of the coffee maker for storage when not being used. To clean water deposits from the "innerds" just this cleaning disc in place of the T disc that usually provides coffee,tea or hot chocolate.

I removed the water filter and ran water through the cleaning disc 4 times, then let it dry well and stored it in the back until next time. It is very easy to use.

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the cleaning disk for the Tassimo works great. No problem. Also promt service.

Maggie

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This is a very simple piece of plastic. Your Tassimo should have included one and you only need to purchase this if looking for a replacement. You can use this over and over. Essentially it is a place holder for where a T-Disc would go and it has a barcode that instructs your Tassimo on what to do...pump hot water through the system. Again, once you have this disk, it can be used over and over.

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my original disc disappered.... i bought this one and it works as well as the original one. the color of the disc is yellow, which makes no difference

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Hamilton Beach SILX1 Espresso/Cappucino Machine

An inexpensive way to have coffeehouse-quality beverages at home. Unit is largely plastic, so it may not last forever like the $300+ models, but with proper care should last for years. Frother is easy to use, loud, and effective-just like the sound you hear at every corner coffee bar. Makes one or two cups at a time, and makes them fast and consistently good. Will accept ground espresso, or the individual 1-cup "pods". Comes with an instructional DVD that is 10 minutes well spent. Watched it once, and had my first cinnamon cappucino 10 minutes later! Really produces terrific quality, and makes this an excellent value. One warning: For some reason, this unit requires a manual shut-off to stop the brewing. So, you need to watch the output and hit a button when you think the espresso is as you like it-so no walking away during brewing!

This is the second machine I have purchased. The first one lasted about a year at which point it began leaking. Not so bad I thought because I had used the machine for a year and it worked great. It has a great price tag also. Then I purchase another and within two days it is leaking......so I get a replacement.......turn it on and it leaks also. I am going to have to find a better machine. This machine is great when it works and the price is great but I will not be buying another one.

Buy Hamilton Beach SILX1 Espresso/Cappucino Machine Now

I was tired of paying $10+ a week for a good latte in the mornings, and decided to purchase this machine. With a little practice, it wasn't hard to create Starbucks-worthy beverages with this machine.

This machine is pretty simple to figure out, and the instructions that come with it are very straight forward. I have no experience making espresso drinks and it didn't take me very long to catch on. I have owned the machine for about 6 months, and I only spend about 5-10 minutes in the morning to make a drink and clean up the machine.

All the parts come apart easily and it is very easy to clean. One tip I would have is to remove the nozzle on the milk frother (it twists off easily) and clean it out under the sink (or dishwasher, if you want) to make sure you get all of the milk out of it.

There are very few negatives I have for this product. This frother is pretty noisy, but that's certainly manageable. Also, the brew button doesn't turn off automatically, so you have to be standing by to make sure it doesn't overflow and it brews the amount of espresso you want.

It would have been nice if this machine came with a few espresso mugs and a milk frothing cup, but for the price you can't really complain.

Overall, I would highly suggest purchasing this machine. I make hot and iced beverages quickly and easily. If you use the pricier espresso (from a starbucks/barnies/etc) it will taste just like the real thing!

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I had on like this for a little over a year,loved it,then it stopped!I got this a few dollars cheaper,said it was improved,so far so good!Makes coffee great and steams the milk great! Makes hot-chocolate even.If it works for more than a year,great! If not,it'll be my last hamilton beach purchase.

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We purchased this espresso maker a few months ago but wanted to use it for a while before rating it.

All in all, we are well-pleased with the product. It makes espresso quickly and produces a good

cup of espresso. We use it almost every morning. There are a couple drawbacks to this machine:

It is noisy, perhaps because it is sitting on a tile counter, and it vibrates so you need to watch

while it is running so that the carafe or cup doesn't move from beneath the spouts. It also does

not have an automatice shut off, so it will run over if you don't pay attention. All in all we

are pretty pleased with this espresso machine.

FrancisFrancis! X5

This machine makes a good cup of espresso, particularly from the Illy ground coffee (not the pods, in my opinion). But I have had inconsistent performance from the machine itself. It is temperamental, and after about five months of average use, it began to take 40 seconds to make a cup of espresso instead of 20-25, as it did in the beginning. The non ESE handle also got a little warped (no clue why; I did not drop it). And, and this is perhaps a big one, that cheap crappy clock on the front that looks so cool fell out. Kept falling out. There is nothing that secures that clock in there, and it is horribly made. I really wish they had left that thing out.

So it was under warranty and I sent it back to Francis Francis. 3 weeks later, I got it back and it doesn't appear that they changed ANYTHING about my machine. The work order claims they fixed gaskets, but I don't see a difference. They didn't even unpack the handles that they requested I send (they were still taped as I had taped them), and even though I wrote (and phoned in) a detailed description of the things I needed fixed (the clock; the warped handle; and whatever was causing the machine to take so long), they did not replace the handle OR the clock.

I called FF and they initially claimed that they DID fix these things. I insisted they did not. Then they told me that the clock and handle were "on backorder." I have been waiting over a month for them to go off of backorder, but I do not quite understand how such a widely-produced machine could have basic parts on backorder. I have been trying to reach them by phone for the last three days, and their message consistently says "due to unusual high call volume, we cannot answer your call. Please leave a message and we will get back to you." No one gets back to me.

Horrible customer service. Some very major problems with the machine itself. Nice design, decent coffee, good frothing. I probably would choose a different brand if I were to purchase again.

Update: FF did, eventually, send me my new handle and clock. The clock they sent was ALSO broken (sigh), so I just gave up on that issue. I taped the old one in there, so there wasn't a huge hole in the front of the machine. Performance, 2 years after purchase, is about the same as it was a couple months after: inconsistent, but I can still get a great cup of espresso. I just wish it were consistent.

I was initially reluctant to get this model (through Illy's offer), and thought I had just been seduced by it's cool looks. I've had it for 4 years now, and I'm only now finally happy with it because I've finally learned that the mixed quality shots was my own fault, not the machine's.

It's a steep learning curve to make a good espresso, and I'm probably the worst espresso snob you can imagine. I wouldn't dream of drinking the stuff from the big well known chain. But once you've learned the tricks, this machine does a good job. I strongly recommend that you read up on wholelattelove's website and elsewhere for tips.

Here are some of mine:

-use bottled water!

-get your own burr grinder! It makes a world of a difference. I got the Baratza Maestro Plus. My shots were hit or miss for the longest time, but since I got my own grinder they are consitantly great. And grind just before each shot. I put it at the finest setting.

-experiment with the beans. I've finally settled on Barrington Gold Reserve from barringtoncoffee, which makes a really thick crema and tastes almost like chocolate. I found the espresso grind from illy not fine enough for this machine, and coffee goes stale so quickly, that I wouldn't recommend the automatic delivery from them, except for the pods that are OK if you are in a hurry or making for many people at a time. My favorite coffee shop is Joe's Art of Coffee in NYC, and I bought the beans from them the first time, now I order directly from Barrington.

A couple of tips related to this particular machine:

-take the filter basket out of the portafilter and rinse it every day.

-run an empty shot of just hot water through the machine to warm up both the filter and the cup.

-learn how to tamper correctly, with 30 pounds pressure, and give the tamper a little twist to smoothen the surface. Remove the tamper handle from the disk (I like this disk, how it helps prevent sneeze and also makes it easier to see if you have the right amount of grinds in the filter)

-Turn the handle as tight as possible. The tricky thing is to get just the right amount of grinds in. If too little, the water flows through too quickly and the espresso gets watery. If too much, you have a hard time attaching the handle without extreme force. Also, if you put too much in and your grind is fine, it might leak out of the top of the filter.

-When the lights show the temperature is ready, I give it another 10-15 sec boost by pressing the steam button. Not more, or it will burn the coffee and possibly damage the machine.

-I'm saving the best for last:

Once you press the start button, wait exactly 3 seconds and then turn the handle even further to the right. I assure you, if you follow these tips and use the above combination of equipment and supplies, you'll never want to drink espresso again from anywhere else than your home, or perhaps in Sicily, and Joe's Art of Coffee shop in NYC.

(oh, one little gripe I have about this model is that the water reservoir warps if put in the dishwasher, but I still wash it every time or every other time it's empty, because slime builds up if standing too long. Now the reservoir has found it's final warped shape and is still useable)

Buy FrancisFrancis! X5 Now

I am extremely pleased with this machine thus far. It came with the illy E.S.E. pods, as well as illy ground espresso and a different filter kit to use with ground coffee. I found the instructions easy to understand; set-up was very easy and quick. I had never made a cup of espresso in my life, and within 15 minutes I had a cup of espresso normal and had even steamed some milk to make a fabulous latte. I have the red machine, and it looks so sharp on my kitchen counter. The machine feels very solid, very well-made, and is designed to look good and work well (how Italian!). I read up a lot on this machine at wholelattelove.com, before choosing this particular one. Slate.com also gave it an excellent review.

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I bought this machine not even two years ago through the Illy a Casa program for my husband's 40th birthday. For about a year and a half, it worked well (and looked great too, except for the clock, which popped off and broke almost immediately). My husband loved it and I congratulated myself on getting him such a great gift. But one day the boiler overheated and that was it for the machine. When I tried to contact Francis Francis, I was only able to reach Illy. The machine was out of warranty, so it cost $10 for them to ship a box to me to have it FedEx'd to the service center. Before sending it in, I tried to find out how much I would be charged for the repair, but Illy could not provide an estimate; they did say it could be as much as $150. Not only that, they couldn't give me a number for Francis Francis customer service at all. So after just two years I am stuck with a very expensive and very broken machine. : (

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I absolutely love this machine! I upgraded my previous espresso machine, an overpriced model unwisely purchased from THE largest coffee retailer in the United States (if you don't have one in your neighborhood yet, look out it won't be long), and was that ever a huge waste of money totally kaput after only three years. I've since stopped buying their products and learned a great deal more about coffee. I was NEVER able to get such good results from that machine as I get from the solid high-performance Italian dream that is the X5. Beautifully designed by Luca Trazzi, the gorgeous sleek eye-popping yellow was the one for me; it really warms up all the cold stainless-steel in my kitchen. The unit's inner workings are most definitely top quality! Believe the other comments about the post-shot drip -it's only a minor annoyance, but very noticeable. It certainly doesn't interfere with the quality of the espresso you'll produce with the X5, though what a perfect shot of espresso all three layers plainly visible, and the Supercrema system definitely delivers! The steaming wand fits comfortably into my tilted larger milk-steaming pitcher, and produces fluffy, dense foam like I've only had in restaurants before. If daily espresso intake is vital to your happiness, like it is to mine, do yourself a favor and take the plunge -it's most definitely not the cadillac of machines when compared to those automated jobs that do everything but wipe your ... nose for you and take all the fun and romance out of pulling your own espresso shots, but it delivers superior and as close as you can get to professional quality espresso and steamed milk as possible without the hefty price tag attached to machines of that calibur. Thank you, FrancisFrancis!!

PS spring for the Illy coffee, too it's simply the best!