Primula Stove-Top Espresso Maker, Aluminum, 3-Cup

This worked great and I was very very happy until someone accidently ran it through the dishwasher. It came with instructions not to do this, but not everyone read them. Unfortunately, the finish was greatly diminished by dishwashing. Otherwise, a great product.

I spent hours researching espresso machines online the other day and ventured out to the store to play with some of the ones I found at a local high-end cooking store. While I was there I came across the Primula stove-top 3-cup. At under $20, I figured I should give it a shot in light of the multi-hundred-dollar machines I was considering.

It took a few sessions to really figure this thing out, but I'm now very pleased with it. I don't think I'll be looking for a espresso "machine" anytime soon--this thing makes a very passable shot of espresso, better than any cheap espresso machine I've encountered.

Some tips/observations:

* Like all espresso makers, fresh ground coffee is better. Way better. You may save a bunch on this cheap espresso maker but don't skimp on the grinder.

* Like all espresso makers, the grind is key. If you don't have great results on your first try, try varying the grind a few more times.

* Tamping is a little tricky because the filter has a slight curve to it, and you need to tamp the coffee all the way up to the top of the filter in order for it to be pressed by the top of the unit. I found I have to do about 3 cycles of "add more" / "tamp" before I fully top the thing off.

* You'll want to remove it from the heat pretty soon after the espresso starts to rise to the top. If you let it go for too long without paying attention you'll boil/burn the espresso. I've been leaving the lid open and keeping an eye on it, then once the espresso starts i close the lid, take it off the heat and then let it sit for a minute.

* Cleaning is a slight chore because you have to clean it by hand, but I actually don't mind cleaning it. I like that you can take the whole thing apart and thoroughly clean it, unlike most espresso machines.

* The biggest downside to this thing is you really only get to us it once, then you have to wait for it to cool. You also have to wait for it to cool to clean it.

Time: Figure 10 minutes to make your espresso, 5 minutes to drink it, 5 more minutes to wait for it to cool, then 2 minutes to clean it.

Buy Primula Stove-Top Espresso Maker, Aluminum, 3-Cup Now

I love this product. Unfortunately the one I got from Specialty Gourmet Goodies was not a "Primula". Apparently the American importer of Primula products has decided to sell cheap Chinese knock offs under the primula name. Specialty claims said importer assured them that it was the same product but in different packaging. All "primula" products are made in their Venezuelan factory, are of very high quality, and bear several identifying marks. The one I received said Made in China on the box, was of low quality, and bore no marks. I'm not sure if it is a supply problem, ex.trade sanctions on leftist Venezuela; or more demand than supply, or if it is a money thing, cheap labor=larger profit margin. Be careful when buying this product. If you don't know any better, well then you probably won't tell the difference. But if your serious about your coffee, Demand that the "Primula" name is on the aluminum!!!

Read Best Reviews of Primula Stove-Top Espresso Maker, Aluminum, 3-Cup Here

I have one and I bought this for my daughter. It makes wonderful espresso and is very affordable.

Want Primula Stove-Top Espresso Maker, Aluminum, 3-Cup Discount?

I've purchased two of these at my local kitchen shop in the last two weeks, and each has failed for different reasons. The first worked for a week, then stopped channeling hot water through the filter--you'd open the top, and there'd be nothing there. The store owner couldn't have been nicer, and gave me another, thinking there was probably something wrong with the seal. This morning's attempt yielded a melted handle--and this was over a low flame. I'm off to buy a Moka via Amazon this time.

Illy espresso pods, REGULAR roast.

I am an espresso fan. I usually order my beans online and grind my own. The coffee at work is fair at best, but becomes a much better morning treat when I add a shot of espresso to it. I have a small machine and the Illy pods fit it best with a good smooth taste.

Capresso 13204-RB Jura Impressa E9 Automatic Coffee Center - REFURBISHED

My wife and I purchased this for each other approximately 2 years ago for ~ $1200. We named it "ChrisAnnie" as it cost enough to be another child, and it combined as a Christmas and Anniversary gift.

From the start, the coffee was a little bit off, with temperatures not quite getting high enough resulting in slightly bitter coffee. They get to about 190 (should be closer to 200-205), but Jura tech said that was 'normal' for their machines. This was a little disappointing for coffee affectionados and home-roasters.

Despite meticulously reading and re-reading the manual and watching the video and paying attention to cleaning schedules, etc. this thing started breaking down and popping up with unsolvable error codes after about 6 months. We had to do several procedures (wasting expensive cleaning tablets and filters, at our expense) in following tech support's directions. Finally they agreed to replace it since the issues could not be solved. I don't know if we got the same unit back or a refurbished job, but it started having the problems again after about 6 months. This time it was out of warrantee.

You should know this: THEY CHARGE OVER $200 PLUS SHIPPING JUST TO TAKE IT BACK FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST after your warrantee expires! Then repairs (they ran >$100 for us) and our shipping to them increased the costs to over $400. We fell for this once. Then the machine died again. It sat on our counter for several months while we agonized over going through the same thing again.

Rather than acting like the Proverbial "dog that returns to his own vomit", we decided discretion is the better part of valor, and we boxed it, threw it up in the attic, and bought a $160 Cuisinart with a burr grinder.

My wife still misses the lattes every now and then but it is not worth the thousands of bucks to get them. It just seems it should work better and not be so expensive to maintain after you pay so much for the initial purchase.

The machine came as promised. It was in

prefect condition and easy to set up. It

tell everything to do and when to do it.

It makes a great cup of cup! My husband

did not want to get it, but I know now

after a few cups of coffee he is sold on it.

The only thing, it is abit noisy

Buy Capresso 13204-RB Jura Impressa E9 Automatic Coffee Center - REFURBISHED Now

Bialetti 39522 "Caffe Concerto" Electric Espresso Maker

As an avid cappuccino drinker I have had many of my own machines. This one has by far been the best! Well worth the price! Simply amazing!

I was quite surprised to discover, upon receipt of my espresso maker, that it was not stainless steel at all, as it appeared to be in the picture, but completely plastic. That said, it was easy to set up and use, in spite of a manual that made it look extremely complicated. I have been a bit disappointed in the espresso-making part (not very good crema) but the milk frother is totally amazing. Very easy to clean.

Buy Bialetti 39522 "Caffe Concerto" Electric Espresso Maker Now

Bought the Espresso Machine in town, not off of amazon, but couldn't be happier with the performance for the price. Would recommend.

Read Best Reviews of Bialetti 39522 "Caffe Concerto" Electric Espresso Maker Here

Disappointed with the quality. The button that is used to start the espresso drip won't stay on, after 6 months. The on button won't stay down without numerous attempts. The machine is only a year old is being replaced today.

Want Bialetti 39522 "Caffe Concerto" Electric Espresso Maker Discount?

Neapolitan Coffee Maker

I've had one of these elegant Alessi coffee makers, called a macchinetta napoletana, since the late 1980s. Beautiful to behold, and makes the loveliest coffee. As described in Alberto Alessi's book "The Dream Factory": "His [architect Riccardo Dalisi's] research into the Neapolitan Coffee Maker (1979-87, winning the 12th Compasso D'Oro) was the longest in our history: over the years it led to one book and over 200 prototypes in tin. Wearing a beret and and clothes straight out of a neo-realist film, continuously turning over new ideas and trying out new ways of making things work, Dalisi has not been an easy person to manage, but this was a very important project for us indeed. It enabled us to open up our manufacturing world even more to the conceptual experience of the artisan, it taught us to dilute our certainties in a fragile and poetic light, which is so necessary when working on extremely deep-rooted household rituals." Put that in your pot and brew it!

Hamilton Beach Espresso Maker

This machine, with the proper grind of espresso (in other words not Folger's drip or something!) produces as good a cup as I have ever used. And I've had some fairly impressive Italian units. I especially like that the clearance from the portafilter to the base is longer and allows the use of a slightly taller cup for those times when I let it run longer for more of a cafe Americano. The pump inside is Italian, so that may be the reason for the better than average performance in this price range. Again, this is NOT a drip maker, and is NOT designed to make an 8 ounce cup of black coffee...it makes espresso!

I received this as a Christmas gift from my wife and kids. I will be the first to admit that I love a good cup of coffee and a good cappuccino, but as for the technical aspects of the art of being a barista, I am a complete novice. I knew nothing about expresso's or crema. I spent the next few days on Youtube looking at espressos being made and reading up on the subject. Afterwards, I figured I was ready to give it a try. My first attempt was embarrassing. It made a great cup of coffee but I couldn't pull an espresso for anything. I finally realized that I couldn't use my regular ground Maxwell House. I had some whole beans that were given to me so I ground them up into a very, very fine powder, like powdered sugar. Voila! I pulled 2 espressos with beautiful crema. I then steamed some milk and had one of the best cappuccinos I have ever had. This baby steams like all get out. There is a trick to pullling espressos though. The light will come on indicating that the water is hot enough, but it isn't. What I do is turn on the indicator for the steam wand. When the water is hot enough for that, I steam the milk first. Then I switch the mode to cup and wait about 30 seconds. Once I hit brew, a beautiful shot of espresso comes out with a nice head of crema. This machine is pretty good if you follow the instructions. The coffee needs to be ground to a very fine powder in order to work. One might want to get a better tamper and it would have been nice if they included a milk steaming container. For the beginner, this is a good machine to learn on. The key is that the water MUST be hot enough to build up enough pressure, don't rely on the light.

Buy Hamilton Beach Espresso Maker Now

I did not buy this from Amazon. It was cheaper at Wal Mart. It made a good brew after experimenting with the grind (The instructions say "grainy, like salt or sand"). It was too watery. A fine powder worked better.

I made a couple cappuccinos, cleaned the machine like recommended and retired for the evening. I had watched all the tutorial videos on Hamilton's website and noticed that they did a lot of "plugging in the machine" in each one. For some reason, I unplugged the machine and went to bed. Lucky for me because water leaked inside the machine overnight and ruined a cutting board and flooded my countertop. Had I left the machine plugged in, there certainly would have been an electrical short and a fire that may not have wakened me up!

I returned it the next day. I gave it three stars for the brew and the steam wand was very good. But the inherent danger was not worth any price.

Perhaps you will have better luck with this machine. If so, give it a good rating.

Read Best Reviews of Hamilton Beach Espresso Maker Here

Like the the person mentioned above my unit came from Walmart at a great price! It was gift from my girl friend. Excellent machine for the price. It replaced a Krups XP4025 which only lasted 2 years and cost $150 from Amazon of all places. That machine was o.k. but this machine produces a better shot with better crema. I've not experience the aforementioned leak but I will keep an eye out for that.

It should be noted that I generally only make cold drinks and use E.S.E Pods for the ease of use so I can't attest how well it steams milk or how well it froths milk.

*****UPDATE 27 August 2010*****

Still a decent machine but it's really picky about ESE Pods and the brew gasket is fragile and has had to be replaced. Hamilton Beach customer service is surprisingly prompt.

Looses one star for durability.

*****UPDATE 5 Sept 2010*****

Don't waste your money. The head group gasket blew after six weeks of use and its non-repairable. Thankfully it was gift or I would've really lost it.

Want Hamilton Beach Espresso Maker Discount?

First, I work as a barista with a really good machine (rancilio). This is far from it. But it does the job as describe. You have to wait a bit for the steam and you have to wait for the machine to warm up between the shots a lot especially if you are doing a long espresso. But I've seen worse. I've had the machine for a couple of years but I don't use it much.

What I really don't like is the strong plastic smell from the reservoir! I don't trust it and it obliges me to change the water all the time and flush the machine before I use it. Lts say, i never let water over night in it.... I'll be looking for a better machine soon. But as I said, for the price, it works if you don't have high expectations.

Save 21% Off

High temperture silicone tubing .312 ID X .472, per foot.

What can I say it was the correct hose to repair the leaking hoses on the Mr Coffee coffee maker. Shipping was fast .

After my noticing a leak from under my Mr. Coffee I inspected it. I found a small split in one of the tubes that goes from the water tank through the heat element. After many calls around my city, no one had the tube to replace it. This product worked.

Buy High temperture silicone tubing .312 ID X .472, per foot. Now

High-temperature tolerance makes this ideal for replacing worn-out hoses which connect the heating element to other portions of the coffee maker. It's also EXACTLY the same size as what was in there. Can't say it makes the coffee taste any better, but hey, the thing doesn't leak anymore, and it cost way less to fix than it would to buy a new one!

Read Best Reviews of High temperture silicone tubing .312 ID X .472, per foot. Here

This hose works great for my solar stove/boiler. It withstands the heat of the concentrator and is flexable allowing movement. Great poduct for a water boiler.

Want High temperture silicone tubing .312 ID X .472, per foot. Discount?

Stovetop Espresso Maker - Vev Vigano Kontessa Gold 6 cup size

After years of messy stove overflows and sloppy pouring, finally a stovetop espresso maker worth its price! The Vev-Vigano Kontessa Gold 12-cup size is perfect for two people who love espresso to have coffee together in the morning... Superb machining and design eliminate problems associated with cheapo aluminum pots--worth its somewhat steep pricetag. I bought a second one for my daughter, who works police dispatch in 12-hour nocturnal shifts. Recommended--best ever!

This makes a great couple of servings of espresso. It's just enough for me and my husband to split in the morning.

Buy Stovetop Espresso Maker - Vev Vigano Kontessa Gold 6 cup size Now

I've been using this for a year now, great product. Very well made, easy to use and clean. Now I'm hooked on espresso like coffee. Highly recommended.

Read Best Reviews of Stovetop Espresso Maker - Vev Vigano Kontessa Gold 6 cup size Here

I've been using this stovetop espresso maker for a few years, unfortunately...The water chamber appear to be coated with some teflon-like substance when I first purchased it, and soon became discolored in a multi-colored metallic way....I called espressozone.com who i had bought it from, and they said it was normal...packaging states that it's all stainless steel, but it isn't, for sure....I use filtered PUR water only, so it's not a water issue....I really dismissed it could be the cause of some of my health issues because it seemed so minor...but then I came across other review today that corroborate what I've thought all along...it's not normal and could cause health problems. I'm officially recycling it and getting a different one. I do use it 1-2 times a day, and yes it has some corrosion in the water chamber that is unexplainable, given that stainless steel is not supposed to be able to rust or corrode...I'd avoid this entire company's product line if I were you.

Want Stovetop Espresso Maker - Vev Vigano Kontessa Gold 6 cup size Discount?

BUYER BEWARE.

I was extremely disappointed in this pot. The plating on the horizontal bar which attaches the handle to the pot started to peel at the edges after a couple of uses. The handle is not parallel to the pot but on an angle. The edges inside the lid and the base are sharp. After cutting myself while washing the base, I learned to be more careful so now go through lots of sponges instead. I bought this as a gift and returned the first one. The seller authorization came along with a note saying they would want the other one back. Since it was a defective product I requested they pay for postage. Never received the return instructions. The second one had the same problem. Since I still had the first including the box, I noticed both had a slash on the boxes as if nicked with a box cutter. Since some suppliers mark boxes in this way when they are seconds, I wonder if these are seconds.

Black & Decker Single Serve Coffee Maker, Black

Needed a small footprint coffee maker so this seemed to fit the bill. Yes, it is small and the fact it came with a reusable filter WAS a plus. It is very cheap...and that is to be expected from a $20 machine built in China. So basically the PROS are: Small and reusable filter. CONS: Coffee doesn't come out HOT. It is nearly hot but I like my coffee hot. The biggest issue is now, after 3 months it shuts off before it is done brewing! I have to hit the little button sometimes 3 times for it to finish. If it didn't break I might give it another star but really, it is a VERY cheaply made unit. The travel mug is not for travel and doesn't insulate well.

I'd pass on this one.

I bought this coffee maker at Fred Meyer for half the price (can't remember if it was on sale or just THAT much cheaper). I'm on here looking it up because my husband has taken up drinking coffee after I bought this and was looking to buy a second mug!

Any way, the negative reviews, I just wanted to clear up that the coffee maker DOES turn off in what you would think is during the brewing process but that is not true. What it does is kind of sucks up the water and once it has sucked up all of the water into the filter (don't ask me the technical terms for this process, lol) it will turn off and just drip the rest of the coffee out. So basically, it's SUPPOSED to do that. Turn it on, once, let it go, when you hear the gurgling sound it's about to shut off, let it shut off, let the rest of it drip into your cup. Takes about 3-5 minutes after that process for it to be completely done. If you turn it on again you're burning your coffee! And total, it takes less than 10 minutes to get all 16 oz made.

The design of it IS cheap, I'll agree with that, however I knocked it off my counter once (it's very light weight so I barely bumped it and off it flew) and it didn't get damaged so I would have to say it's at least durable. The silver face plate has also popped off on me but it just snaps back on. I'm VERY accident prone and rough with electronics and the like, so if it can survive me, it can survive anything, hehehe.

But yeah, $45 is definitely too much for this brewer and I'm not sure why I was able to get it so cheap. Look in the stores first!

Buy Black & Decker Single Serve Coffee Maker, Black Now

I use this everyday. In the morning for work with "one to go" for driving. I use it to make hot water for tea instead of the microwave. I use it to make hot water for instant oatmeal. It does make hot water. Don't believe the reviews about it does not. It is very fast and easy to clean. I figured out to add one extra small spoon of coffee to make it a bit stronger. I add the hazelnut creamer and sweetener packs to the cup. I like it. It's simple and fast. I haven't tried the pods. They defeat the purpose of a good cup of coffee at a lower price. I did notice on Amazon there are make your own pods kits. I might try this for travel.

Read Best Reviews of Black & Decker Single Serve Coffee Maker, Black Here

Good machine. Bought it for my husband and he really likes it. It makes his coffee that he takes to work quickly and quietly. I have never heard it in the morning. It works with many different travel containers, takes little space on our counter, and looks ice. He has been using it every day for 2-3 months now and we have no complaints.

Want Black & Decker Single Serve Coffee Maker, Black Discount?

We are snowbirds and this little coffee maker works great in our motorhome.....The small kitchen counter got a whole lot bigger with it on it.

Save 18% Off

Remanufactured Jura-Capresso 13187 Impressa E8 Automatic Coffee and Espresso Center, Black

I ordered this remanufactured machine thinking that I would buy a brand-new one after I determined that I would use a home espresso coffee maker often and this machine would break down. I use it daily and I love it! It's is so easy to use and the coffee tastes just like Starbuck's coffee,which I used to buy daily. It has saved me tons of $$$ and I would recommend the remanufactured machines. When I got mine it looked absolutely BRAND NEW. No scratches, dents, or dings anywhere on it and it works fabulously.

This compact attractive machine is an excellent choice for use at home or perhaps a small office environment. The E8 makes creating expresso drinks easy and mess-free. It provides full control over the size and strength of each cup or shot you make.

Pros of this machine:

The machine and milk steamer both heat up quickly.

The water and bean containers are large enough that they do not require constant filling.

The machine is automatic. Press a button or two and the machine grinds beans, produces coffee, then discards used beans and self-cleans.

There is an available addon which converts the E8 to a super-automatic. This attachment will store milk in a refrigerated container and then auto-froth milk for cappucinos etc.

The machine can use both whole beans or pre-ground coffee.

The cleaning cycles are easy to perform and overall the machine is not difficult to maintain.

Most importantly, this machine makes an excellent cup of coffee or expresso drink. Other reviewers said "good as Starbucks," I say "better than Starbucks" if you use the right coffee beans.

NOTE: The milk steaming wand that comes standard with this machine is all most people would need. It works well for creating a couple of lattes or cappucinos. The Dual Frother Plus might be worth buying if you do a lot of entertaining and need to make a lot of drinks in a hurry.

Cons of this machine:

After making coffee the machine disposes of used coffee grounds in small internal container. This container fills up fast and needs to be emptied often.

The Clearyl water filters can be hard to find (but they are optional and only need to be changed every few months).

Each time the machine cleans itself, water pours from the spouts and collects in a shallow tray. The tray fills up quickly and becomes a gross mess of coffee residue, water and even mold (if you don't clean it often enough). I recommend that you keep a plastic cup near the machine and use it capture the water as it comes out. If you prevent the water from collecting in the tray it makes keeping the machine clean much easier.

In summary, I have never once regretted buying this machine. I have had one for almost two years with no significant problems. My machine paid for itself in less that a year in what I saved not going to Starbucks and other cafes.

Buy Remanufactured Jura-Capresso 13187 Impressa E8 Automatic Coffee and Espresso Center, Black Now

I bought the remanufactured machine. I honestly cannot tell that it isn't new. There was nothing to indicate that it was a remanufactured unit.

The coffee the machine makes is creamy. Literally. I used to put a fair amount of sugar and milk in my drip coffee which always tasted bitter to me. I put just a dash of sugar and no milk in this coffee. It's that much better.

I'm using french roast beans and the mild setting to make an americano coffee. I haven't used the machine to make expresso. Not sure when I'll get around to that.

You do not have to clean this machine very often. I refill the water daily, clean out the grinds and tray about one a week and have not yet had to do the cleaning routine (suggested every 200 cups). This machine is very easy to use and doesn't require a lot of maintenance (like the weekly cleaning other machines require).

Overall, highly recommended and worth the money if you like to drink lots of coffee.

Read Best Reviews of Remanufactured Jura-Capresso 13187 Impressa E8 Automatic Coffee and Espresso Center, Black Here

I bought this machine for my husband for Christmas. He's hard to please when it comes to coffee and nothing less than Starbuck's will do. He absolutely loves this machine. It's easy to use, lets you choose your coffee strength and even cleans itself! It tells you when it's low on coffee beans or water. Now he can have his Starbuck's quality coffee at home.

Want Remanufactured Jura-Capresso 13187 Impressa E8 Automatic Coffee and Espresso Center, Black Discount?

First, I want to point out that the seller (JL HUfford Coffee & Tea) was very slow and lacked communication. The item did not even ship until after 8 days of ordering it. When I tried to contact the seller they were very slow to respond.

As far as the unit itself goes, I am very pleased with the quality of coffee it makes. When using beans it works really well and is worth the money! However, if you plan on using pre-ground coffee you should know that it wastes a lot of coffee. Although the part you put the grounds into says 2 scoop max, it usually takes me 3-4 scoops just to get one decent sized cup of coffee! Maybe the machine has a defect and that is why it was initially refurbished, but if this is how it is supposed to work then it is pretty bad. However, with the great price I got on this since it is a refurb, I find it well worth the price. As long as you can ignore the issue with the pre-ground coffee, the machine is great.

Cleaning is very easy you just slide a tray out and dump it in the trash. As others have suggested here, it is a good idea to let the draining be done into a cup that you dump instead of into the tray. This makes it much easier to clean when you just need to dump the grounds in the trash.

UPDATE: I would now give this item 5 stars if it would let me... The grains issue was actually not with the machine at all. We were under the impression that you put a scoop or two in there and it should make coffee for a few cups. But the way it actually seems to work is you put the amount of coffee you want it to use for ONE cup of coffee. So if you put two scoops in, it is going to make a really strong cup of coffee because it will use all the grounds. If you only put one scoop it will still make one cup of coffee.

IMUSA B120-43V Aluminum Espresso Stovetop Coffeemaker 6-cup, Silver

The instructions do not tell you exactly when the coffee is done and when to turn off the heat. The plastic parts melted the first time I used it. I am a do-it-yourself type, so I bought a metal knob and some flat aluminum to fashion a new handle. Now it is better than new. It makes great espresso, but the instructions are little help. What the instructions should say is when the top fills with espresso and steam stops coming out of the spout, it's time to turn off the heat. It was well worth the discount price I paid. However, in hindsight, I would not buy one with plastic parts.

Imusa Espresso Coffeemaker, 6 cup

My sister-in-law lives in Austria and is always talking about how weak American coffee tastes to her. I tend to prefer a European-style coffee myself, so did some checking to find out what kind of coffeemaker is most commonly used there. This style seemed to be the one that came up most often.

I ordered this coffeemaker wondering how I'd feel about aluminum once I got it. I had my doubts but went ahead based on the strength of the reviews.

The first 3 pots weren't horrible, but I was glad I'd been warned (through the reviews) that the first few pots wouldn't taste the greatest. Pot #4, and following, have been delicious!

My favorite way to drink this type of espresso is Americano-style. It makes a very robust, yet smooth, cup of coffee this way. I'm able to pour the contents of the coffeemaker into a thermal carafe, add hot water to fill and serve full-flavored coffee to my husband and myself.

Sometimes I do choose to make cappuccino or a macchiato with the full-strength coffee I get from this pot. While it doesn't taste quite as "nutty" as the espresso I used to make with my electric espresso machine, it's still a good cup.

For BEST results, I would recommend that one use a good, dark, espresso-roast coffee, but I've also gotten good results with well-roasted flavored coffees if I'm making Americano-style. The flavored coffees come out with more of the flavor noticeable than when I use other methods of brewing them.

A drawback, which is true of all "mochi-style" coffeemakers is that you can't vary the amount of coffee you make... unless you have more than one of these coffeemakers in different sizes. Thanks to other reviews here at Amazon, I knew that going in so I haven't been disappointed.

I have no problem recommending this coffeemaker to anyone who simply wants a good every-day way to make full-flavored coffee with little or no bitterness. If you're looking for espresso that tastes exactly like what you get in a coffee-bar, you may be disappointed. It's good espresso, but it doesn't taste exactly like what you get from a machine. Again, I already knew that from the reviews so I wasn't disappointed.

Buy IMUSA B120-43V Aluminum Espresso Stovetop Coffeemaker 6-cup, Silver Now

I received this item as a gift and I am extremely pleased with it. Some other reviewers complained of poor instructions or melted handles. Perhaps the manufacturer has made some changes as my espresso maker did come with instructions that made it very simple to use. They specifically state that one should keep the handle positioned so that it is not directly over the burner. I have had many, many cups of espresso in the last week without any problems. The size is perfect for two people to enjoy some delicious espresso and cleaning is so easy. I think this product is fantastic for the price, especially if you are mindful of the plastic handle and keep it away from the direct flame.

Read Best Reviews of IMUSA B120-43V Aluminum Espresso Stovetop Coffeemaker 6-cup, Silver Here

i received my espresso maker yesterday and right out of the box it had large cracks in the aluminum on the inside tube on the top half. i guess the quality control is non existing. sending it back today...not gonna order another.

Want IMUSA B120-43V Aluminum Espresso Stovetop Coffeemaker 6-cup, Silver Discount?

Ordered this item twice. First time, it arrived with the handle broken off. Second time, it melted after about 2 minutes on the stove. Definitely not satisfactory, even considering the very low price.

3 Liter Digital Water Heater

Many Asian households have this appliance but non-Asians seem to not know about it. This is a convenient way to always have boiling hot water at hand for making tea or instant ramen and instant soups. While the typical "American" electric tea kettle requires you to plug in and boil water each time it is turned on (thereby necessitating a wait of at least 3-5 minutes), this water heater boils water and keeps it boiling hot for days until you dispense all of it and have to refill/reboil it. I have found it very useful to have a personal water heater at my office desk (where it is the envy of all my colleagues yet somehow they are resistant to buying one themselves due to cultural suspicion), and also one at home. One caveat is that since it is constantly plugged in, it may use up a lot of electricity. Also you have to be careful of children accidentally dispensing it and scalding themselves (this model has a "lock" button). Lastly, you should never immerse the appliance in water and it is certainly not dishwashable. The Tiger model is not cheap but it is a high quality, well-made appliance that will last for years.

I got this one to replace a Tiger water heater I got over 16 years ago. That one has to be pumped manually. This one is much better since it pumps the water out automatically.

I like the 6-hr timer (only single setting, single push to activate) that shuts the heater down for six hours then restarts it. This save energy since my house is 50 degree at night and I don't drink in these 6-hr time period. It also heats up the water before I get up. The 3-liter capacity is more than sufficient for my consumption rate of 1.2 L each time. My previous unit was 5-liter, which is too much to heat up.

The lid takes about 2 seconds to get use to. If you use the left hand to open it, you'd need to use your thumb to push down on the front-end which pivots the back end of the retangular latch upward, then use your pointing finger and/or the middle finger to lift the lid up. The lid is removeable for cleaning which is nice.

The insulation is quite good. I set the temperature at 208 deg F and my ambient temperature is 50 deg F constant so the water reheated about 3 hours each time for about 20 seconds. This is not bad at all. Even my bottled hot water heater reheat much often than this, about 20 minutes each time based on the same constant 50 deg F ambient temp.

I bought this unit after reading others' review and they were pretty accurate. I enjoy my coffee at 208 deg F instead of either not hot enough (bottled hot water heater) or too hot using microwave oven.

This unit has a lazy susan which make it very easy to rotate. The negative this is that the power cord is held onto the unit by two rather weak magnets so if you rotate the unit too quick or to much ( greater than 60 degrees), the power cord can detach from the unit easily. Be careful when washing the unit. Read and follow the instruction and the warning label on the unit.

The bottom line: a strong recommendation to buy.

Buy 3 Liter Digital Water Heater Now

I bought my Tiger water heater in Korea in the mid 90s while working there. I keep it plugged in all day and love this. I was worried I'd not be able to replace this if mine ever quit on me so I just looked it up and so glad I will be able to get another one if mine ever dies. I have this instead of a coffee pot and really love it. Ever so often, I put a cup or so of vinegar into the hot water (fill to the line), unplug it and let it set overnight to clean all the minerals from my water. The next morning, I just wipe with dish rag inside and then I rinse well and fill up again. This keeps any build-up from inside the kettle. I'm just thrilled I was able to find this online to order when I need one. I might even order one soon as a "back-up" just in case. Yes, it's funny when my friends visit, they have never seen anything like this and act like it's an "Asian" thing. Now I can tell them they can get one, too.

Read Best Reviews of 3 Liter Digital Water Heater Here

I have always found the Tiger brand very reliable and this hot water dispenser is no different. I purchased one for my son 5 years ago It is still in good working order although his had a mechanical pump. This one is all eletronics so when it is not plugged in you cannot dispense any water.

Want 3 Liter Digital Water Heater Discount?

This hot water dispenser is just great. The price is so reasonable for the good quality. It has a good capacity and very simple to use. My parents have the same exact product and they are happy with it as well.

Save 18% Off

No. 6 Cone Coffee Filter in Natural Brown (Set of 40)

I have been pleased with Melita coffee filters for years and even more so with the Natural Brown Cone Coffee Filters. I have had trouble getting the 6-Cup size at local stores and appreciate being able to get them through Amazon as a decent price.

Our area suddenly suffered a shortage of the 6 cup size of Melitta Coffee filters. No matter where I searched the shelves we're empty. I found these, ordered them and was relieved when they arrived!

Buy No. 6 Cone Coffee Filter in Natural Brown (Set of 40) Now

The #6 filters are becoming difficult to find but, you may buy them at Market Basket for $1.29, or Melitta's website for $1.99.

Read Best Reviews of No. 6 Cone Coffee Filter in Natural Brown (Set of 40) Here

Like everyone else, I have discovered that it is no longer possible to find the number 6 filters in local stores. I do not understand this. I live forty miles from New York City, hardly a wilderness area. However, I was happy to find the filters on Amazon. By combining the filters with another order, I was able to get free shipping.

Is brown better than white? Many people believe that since the brown filters require less processing than the white filters, i.e., white filters are bleached, the brown filters are better environmentally. I will go with that. My experience has been that the brown filters tend to break through more often than the white ones. These seem to be ok, but I do give them an extra fold where they are joined on the side and the bottom.

Want No. 6 Cone Coffee Filter in Natural Brown (Set of 40) Discount?

These are the same and as good as #4 filters, they are just larger. Perfect for my #6 plastic cone-drip coffee maker. Makes enough coffee to fill a quart Thermos.

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

This machine was a wedding present. The espresso machine wouldn't stop steaming, the knob didn't work. I turned off and unplugged it and then it exploded in a pressurized, steam bomb full of espresso and GLASS! I have first and second degree burns and lacerations from broken glass. It was a BOMB literally. DO NOT BUY THIS PRODUCT EVER

I bought it and actually had descent cappuccino for just over a month and a half. The frother loses it's power or pressure capacity and cannot generate enough steam. I bought it specifically for cappuccino and feel I got robbed. I do use the regular coffee side more but would like a good cup of cappuccino every once and a while and this product has proven to me that it will not deliver that over any time longer than 45-60 days. Not a smart investment!

Buy Mr. Coffee BVMC-ECM22 Combination Steam Espresso and 10-Cup Coffeemaker, Black Now

I got this for Christmas to replace a wonderful coffee-cappucino maker that finally died. We loved it. So I bought this and couldn't make a capucinno if my life depended on it. Now I'm stuck with it and can't decide whether to through money down the tube and buy another unit or just suffer with regular coffee. I'm very upset about this. Theere is not enough steam availble to froth the milk. PLease if you are buying this for cappucino, please don't b uy it, IF you want just coffee and espresso, then this is fine. I didn't have the dripping carafe problem of others.

Read Best Reviews of Mr. Coffee BVMC-ECM22 Combination Steam Espresso and 10-Cup Coffeemaker, Black Here

I bought this coffee maker over a month ago. I am very happy with it. I am Cuban and expresso coffee is part of my heritage. I am 70 years old and I have drank expresso all my life. This machine makes the BEST expresso I have ever had AT HOME. It is dark and rich. Those that are not getting good expresso from this machine should try Bustelo or Pilon coffee because it has to be the coffee you are using that does not give you good coffee. If you cannot find it where you live, try to order some.

Want Mr. Coffee BVMC-ECM22 Combination Steam Espresso and 10-Cup Coffeemaker, Black Discount?

Love the fact that you can have a choice of making a simple cup of coffee, espresso, cappucino etc all in one machine. The side frother must be used right away when the espresso is being made. If you don't use it right away, the pressure of the heat won't be as strong to foam up your milk. The entire unit is not too big where it takes up a huge portion of the countertop. With the cheap price and multiple usage, it's your money's worth! Definetly recommend to the coffee lovers out there!

Alessi 9090/6 Stovetop Espresso Coffee Maker 6 Cup

I don't even drink coffee, but I got a similar-looking one for my wife a couple of years ago looks the same except it doesn't have the black stripes around it. It's high-priced and I don't know why but it's stainless steel, not aluminum, takes a high polish, nice looking. But the main thing is, my wife loves it she has espresso twice a day, and for awhile she kept trying to use her Saeco machine, but it always needed expensive repairs and was kind of a hassle to use. For the last few months she's been using just this little pot, twice daily, it's fast and simple and works perfectly. There's no big production number required to get espresso into her system (that's good for me, too!). She can do without the crema, and she finds it makes as good or better espresso than she can buy anywhere. I could have gotten her a cheaper one that works just as well, probably, but this was a special gift so I didn't mind the extra cost. She loved that it's in MoMA. It's that kind of thing that makes a gift out of the ordinary.

Best stove top coffee top pot that I have used. I have tried 7-8 over the past 10 years. The end product may not be be an expresso by some standards, but it it will make 2 cups of hardy French or Italian roast. Compared to the competition, they last forever!! Most of the competition require parts replacement or use too much aluminum in their construction (shortens top top life). Pricey BUT, the Alessi folk's have figured it out.

Buy Alessi 9090/6 Stovetop Espresso Coffee Maker 6 Cup Now

Delonghi Ec220cd

I bought one from macys, I got it home and someone had already bought this particular unit because, the plastic had been opened etc. Anyways I continued to set it up and clean it out. I had everything setup and ready to go and no water would come out of the unit. I made sure the water container was seatted in place properly by removing and putting back in place several times. It would not deliver the water no matter what I tried. So I figured that is why it had been returned. So I went back to Macys and got another one this time making sure it was new. I got it home same stinking problem!!!!! NO WATER DELIVERY!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Why would it be so difficult to operate? Is there some wierd strange trick you have to perform over the unit before it will deliver water hmmmmmmmm, I dont know, like the song and saying goes... Aint nobody got time for that! Aint nobody got time for that! JUNK AND I WILL BE RETURNING THIS!!!! WHAT A WASTE OF TIME, AND STARBUCKS COFFEE!

Bennoti N-1001 Espresso and Cappuccino Maker

The first couple of machines we got did not work properly or leaked. We finally got the machine sorted out, but now cannot find the pods anywhere, not even on Amazon. I can only order them direct from Bennoti whose prices are almost double what I used to be able to get them at drugstore.com. I called drugstore.com who said that the manufacturer (Bennoti) stopped making the pods. I refuse to pay $25 for 30 pods. I cannot find any cheaper pods that fit the Bennoti machine, although there are a lot of cheaper pods out there that fit other machines.

The Bennoti is a very nice, easy-to-use espresso capsule machine. It's quick and offers nice crema. Prime each new cup for about five seconds to warm the outer hardware. (Leave your old capsule in for the prime.) Also warm your cup with water to boiling in the microwave. Use heat-retaining cups to keep the espresso warmer longer. Double up each cup by inserting a new cap half-way through for ultra-rich espresso with very nice crema for a machine of this price. Doubling up also helps the quality because the Bennoti caps themselves aren't the best. (Hence the four-stars.) The customer service is laughable, and they're still sending me dual orders of the wrong coffee. Oh well, I'll just keep drinking it.

Buy Bennoti N-1001 Espresso and Cappuccino Maker Now

I cannot give a review on how this machine works since I have been waiting almost 3 months for the coffee to arrive. Despite many phone calls with varying excuses ranging from your order was back ordered to your order was never processed I am no closer receiving the coffee for this machine. I would suggest if your looking for a espresso machine that will actually make espresso you stay away from Bennoti, as they don't seem to know what the hell they are doing.

Read Best Reviews of Bennoti N-1001 Espresso and Cappuccino Maker Here

We have used a Bennoti machine for at least two years with no problems. It is extremely simple to use. Two suggestions: do not run machine when water has run out; prime the cup by using the previous capsule to half fill with warmed watery coffee-then change capsule, throw out the watery coffee and fill for real.

As for the company, there has been too much posted on various websites to ignore. We bought directly from Bennnoti with no trouble, but others have reported problems. We buy capsules from Amazon or Richardsolo. I imagine that buying machine via Amazon would be best because you would have access to their customer service which has always impressed us.

Want Bennoti N-1001 Espresso and Cappuccino Maker Discount?

I BOUGHT THIS PRODUCT BECAUSE IT SAID IT HAD A BUILD IN GRINDER WELL NO BUILT IN GRINDER AND IT USES PODS WHICH CAN BE FOUND NO WHERE. This product sucks.

50 Nespresso Capsules Decaffeinato Lungo

Nespresso makes GREAT coffee and GREAT machines. I switched over to a Nespresso machine 7 years ago and have never looked back. I save a small fortune every year by making my lattes at home.

That being said, the Nespresso capsule offers posted here are from a third party who is putting a large additional margin on their price.

You can order the same products online from Nespresso for approx $0.55 each (half the price here).

CDN IRB220-F-6.5 ProAccurate Insta-Read NSF Beverage & Frothing Thermometer

Pros:

Reads temperature rapidly

Has correct temperature marking for frothing milk and beverages.

Adjustable clip

Cons:

Tall, it sticks way out of my frothing pitcher.

Who should buy this? Someone looking for more consistency to their steamed milk in their coffee beverages.

My only complaint with it is the size, it is rather tall and sticks out the top of my pitcher. The sensor is also located about 2" from the end (there is a little dimple in the shaft), so it is actually outside of the cold milk (when I used 8 oz in my frothing pitcher). However, it still works well, as the temperature transmits up the metal shaft rapidly, but it would be more accurate if the sensor portion were immersed in the milk.

I would still buy this thermometer again, but I might look for a shorter version of it.

Love this thermometer. I use it for making lattes, getting milk the right temperature for yogurt, to testing meat for proper internal temps. However pay attention to the length of this thermometer. It's quite long and can be awkward at times trying to keep it in the right place, as it often hits the bottom of the container making it hard to keep clipped in the desired place.

Buy CDN IRB220-F-6.5 ProAccurate Insta-Read NSF Beverage & Frothing Thermometer Now

A must have for cappuccino/latte drinkers. The thermometer is durable and the clip can be adjusted to the proper height to fit in your stainless steel frothing pitcher. Just squeeze the clip together and it slides to proper height (so the tip of the thermometer doesn't rest on the bottom of the pitcher). Stays in place nicely during the frothing process. The red zone lets you know when the milk is the perfect temp. So easy!

Read Best Reviews of CDN IRB220-F-6.5 ProAccurate Insta-Read NSF Beverage & Frothing Thermometer Here

This thermometer is the worst product that I have purchased in a long time. Lets see where to begin. The sheath supplied with the thermometer does not fit it. It is impossible to insert the thermometer into the sheath as the sheath is too tight. As the sheath is also the tool to recalibrate the thermometer this renders recalibration impossible. More importantly, the instrument is not well made to begin with. As you are frothing milk, the thermometer sticks or hangs. The needle will lodge for a period of time and then jump instead of exhibiting a smooth rate of climb as would be expected with an analog instrument. Don't waste your money on this cheezy offering. It is one thing to buy an inexpensive quality product. It is quite another to buy a cheaply made inferior product. This is an inferior product.

Want CDN IRB220-F-6.5 ProAccurate Insta-Read NSF Beverage & Frothing Thermometer Discount?

I use my beverage thermometer daily... actually 2X per day. I love my thermometer!

I could live with the dial steaming up and having to wait till it 'un-steamed' to be able to read. I could live with the small dial. I could live with having to recalibrate every other week.

What I could NOT live with was it deciding to no longer register temperatures acurately AT ALL. After 3 months, suddenly it now spikes and pegs the dial on LESS THAN BOILING WATER. no temperatures are accurate any longer.

**TOSS**

Save 8% Off

Aroma AWK-115S Hot H20 X-Press 1-1/2-Liter Cordless Water Kettle

[Originally review January 2009 (3 stars), Updated July 2010]

We bought one of these for our home and liked it so much I got another for my office. It is a quick safe way to boil water. It works much better than our teapot on our conventional stove and you can leave the room without worry about all the water boiling out and a possible fire.

It is so efficient that we often use it to heat up water before putting it in a pan on the stove. It is much faster. When we are making pasta we will put a small amount of water in a large pan and fill the teapot. The water in the pot is boiling before the water on the stove. The pot is light, even when full, and has no aftertaste like I have read some of the plastic ones do.

HOWEVER, we had owned our home pot for less than six months when the 'on' switch broke off. The pot was still usable, but you have to reach in and activate it with a fingernail. It was under limited warranty, but that involved mailing it to San Diego at our own cost and sending them a check for $8 to have it returned. Including the time and materials to package it up and then drive to the post office and have it gone for 2-4 weeks wasn't worth the effort.

I have concluded we just got a lemon. Because this happened and the warranty policy was so cumbersome, I originally gave this 3 stars. But our other one is working fine and the broken piece has turned out to be a small inconvenience, so I have revised my rating to 4.6, rounding up to 5.

It's not often that one finds a product that's both visually attractive AND functionally satisfying. This kettle is one of those rare items: the shiny stainless steel body is beautiful to look at, and it boils water very very quickly! It features a nice big and sturdy handle which is very comfortable, and the spout is perfectly designed so that you'd have to be a real klutz to spill things. The cordless feature is wonderful, I tried a cheap ten dollar "Hot Pot" for a day or two and hated having to deal with the cord, plus that model doesn't have automatic shutoff despite what it says on the box---huge fire hazard! There is also a power-indicator light and water-level indicator gauge which are both handy, and I like that there is no exposed heating element inside which would be a pain to clean. Instead it's all smooth clean lines, inside and out!

Sure the outside of the kettle does get a little hot so you probably don't want to have this within reach of toddlers or anything, but if your toddlers can get up on your kitchen countertop then you have a LOT of other problems as well! I appreciated not having to deal with how plastic inevitably gets dirty-looking and sometimes leaves a funny taste in the water.

My only slight concern is that the lid needs a little bit of force to shut completely...probably some kind of insulating seal that shortens the time needed to bring water to a boil, but makes me wonder how durable that part of this kettle is going to be. Oh well, will find out in a few months or (hopefully) years, I suppose!

*UPDATED 2/14/2011: Still going strong, no complaints at all. I use it at least twice a day, most days. The lid has held up well. Highly recommend!

Buy Aroma AWK-115S Hot H20 X-Press 1-1/2-Liter Cordless Water Kettle Now

I bought this after I was so disappointed with a Breville one. The pot does get hot but I don't have any children or pets to worry about. The boil time is very fast and there is no coil on the inside so I do not have to worry about the build-up or rust I have experienced with other kettles. The water tastes good and clean. For this price it is very affordable! I do have to admit that the pot seems a little cheaply made, but I didn't expect much since it seems to be less than half the price of others of the same volume and style. I am very happy with this!!

Update (more than a month later): this is still working so quick and perfectly! I couldn't be happier!

Read Best Reviews of Aroma AWK-115S Hot H20 X-Press 1-1/2-Liter Cordless Water Kettle Here

I bought it last month and used it over one month now. Heat quickly, looks good on the counter, easy to use and cheap.

The big problem for me is it failed to shut itself off about 10% of times, with the lid closed completely, even minutes after water boiled and the plastic handle became too hot to hold. I have to stay nearby when I using it, otherwise it could be dangerous. I contacted Aroma service people today, they told me that I can send back to repair, but I need to pay the shipping cost by myself. For a 30 dollar stuff, it is not worth it. Kind of disappointed.

New update in 1/12/2012.

I use it over two years now, almost every day. I feel good about this product now. It did fail to shut itself off around 10% of times in the first month. But it is OK after that. I guess it maybe caused by the built up water stain near the edge of cover. It made the cover close tighter to trigger the detector. I change the rate to 4 stars from 1 star. Feel surprised that this kettle last pretty long.

Want Aroma AWK-115S Hot H20 X-Press 1-1/2-Liter Cordless Water Kettle Discount?

Whether for tea or or hot oatmeal, this water kettle has performed perfectly. Before I purchased this I tended to use the microwave to heat water. Can't believe what a waste of time and energy that was, not to mention possibly unhealthy. This kettle is even faster than your stove top.

The interior is about 98% metal except for a very tiny amount of plastic. I didn't taste anything bad regardless and my sense of smell/taste is fairly strong.

My only concern is that the instructions clearly say to unplug the kettle when not in use. There's an auto shut-off after the water is boiled so either the manufacturer is being extra extra cautious or they believe there could be a problem. Would prefer to just leave it plugged in and not worry about it, but I follow the directions.

A great buy overall have owned it for months now without a problem.

Save 6% Off