MrC Steam Espresso Maker

So I bought this machine like everyone else trying to save a couple bucks instead of going to Starbucks all the time. First time I tried it I had the same problem everyone else did...only 4 seconds of steam for the milk...than I remembered reading somewhere online about adding more water to your machine than the directions say for less bitter tasting espresso and figured that also might work for the steamer. So I added enough water for 4 shots...2 for espresso plus 2 extra for steam, brewed my 2 shots of the Espresso and than turned the machine off. Than I turned on the steamer for my milk OMG!!!I had more steam than I needed to make three Mochas. It took several minutes for all the steam to finally run out! And the actual mocha I've been making taste just as good as Starbucks which shocked me because normally the home brewed stuff tastes really burnt. This doesn't. This steamer with the extra water works better than both the $350+ dollar pump machines my parents have invested in. If you're looking for a machine that will make great mocha's... for 35 bucks at Wally World you can't do better!

I bought this for my parents this past Christmas (2011) and with all of us being avid coffee drinkers, we hooked it right up. My fifteen year old brother was able to set it up without directions; it is just that easy, although the directions are really simple to follownot much handling required. My mother used to be a barista for a local coffee company so we let her have the first go. Our first two espresso's were hot, but not as hot as needed for espresso, but the flavor was great. However, the second round (my mother got the hang of it real quick) was perfect in temp and the flavor was amazing. Then we got funky with it and instead of using skim milk with the frother we used half skim, half french vanilla creamer. Oh my gosh were those amazing! My mother continued to make mochas and cappuccinos throughout the day and even zested some godiva chocolate on the top! Everyone was very pleased with the quality of the coffee that was being brewed. We must have made at least four dozen espresso's that day (big family) and the machine never faulted. Here are some tips when using this machine:

1. Do not expect it to work if you do not know how to make coffee (follow the easy espresso directions or get yourself an in-home barista!)

2. It will 'leak' its a steamer so expect a lot of hot steam and evaporation on the outside (it is built for heat so don't be scared)

3. Experimentour french vanilla lattes were stellar so mix in some chocolate sauce in the milk frother and make yourself a splendid mocha

4. Dont completely fill the frothing cup, about 3/4 of a cup. to 1 cup, otherwise you wont get good crema ( this is very important for the 'quality' to shine)

5. Use a small, metal frothing cup, because metal helps heat the milk.

And as a last note, like I said it was a gift for my parents so I couldn't take it home with me, but after falling in love with this tiny machine, I decided that I would be getting my own at the end of the month! Plus, the price cannot be beat.

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I was ready to give up on this machine, but decided to wait a day and try again. The machine has two separate functions: making espresso and foaming milk. Each require water in the water reservoir. So, if making both espresso AND foaming milk, put extra water into the water reservoir. Use the dial to turn it to the function you want e.g. "brew" to make espresso, and when you have the expected amount of espresso in the carafe, then turn the dial to off, put the froth tip into the pitcher of milk, and turn dial to steam. There should be plenty of water in the reservoir, so there will be plenty of steam to heat the milk. Voile! Then, it's just a matter of learning how to froth correctly. I like the machine now.

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This is a great espresso machine on a budget. The size is right & can make 2 cups of expresso. The stainless steel makes it look sleek & it matches well with my appliances.

I have to buy my own Stainless Steel Frothing Pitcher, since it did not come with the maker. You can get them on line & it comes in many sizes.

You also have to buy your own flavoring syrup, I buy mine at Wal-mart using the Vanilla Flavoring syrup by TORANI, then I buy my expresso coffee beans from Starbucks, you have to tell them that you are going to use it for your own expresso machine then they will grind the beans a little finer for you.

The frothing arm comes with a frothing aid (it's just like a rubber cover for the frother) & I don't particularly like them because that rubber part would be the hardest part to clean if left in place.

When I use my expresso maker, I just use the frother arm by itself without that rubber aid. The frothing arm is a bit high for any frothing pitcher & have to place something underneath the pitcher until 1/4 or 1/2 of the frother arm is covered with milk.

Here's how I do it:

1) Add water to the expresso machine. I fill mine till the top. Make sure the steam cap is tight so steam can't escape.

2) Brew your favorite expresso coffee. Fill your carafate till it's getting close to the number 4. You don't want to overfill your carafate because then you will not have enough water to steam your milk.

3) Milk should already in the Frothing Pitcher, I leave enough space for the froth. Place your pitcher under the frothing arm until the the frothing arm tip is covered with milk. When your milk is getting close to the right temperature, start holding the whole pitcher & move the Frothing Pitcher up & down to make that perfect froth. (Of course you have to take whatever you put under that pitcher off before doing so.) When done, I immediately clean the arm by wrapping a wet dish towel around it & let a few steam come out of the arm then just wipe the rest of the milk off. Be careful when cleaning the frothing arm because the steam is very hot. When letting a steam off the arm, I suggest not to hold the towel underneath the frother arm, but rather make sure your hands are above it.

4) Then I get my favorite drinking cup.

5) Add your favorite flavoring syrup, then the expresso, then the milk. Scoop some froth out of your frothing pitcher then add it to your cup, then you are ready to enjoy your own homemade Vanilla Latte...

ENJOY :-)

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I was in a Big W store and passed down the coffeemaker aisle. I saw this machine and couldn't get over the very low price. I consider myself a coffee snob, and had been looking for a superautomatic espresso machine. Loved my previous machine, but lost it in a fire, and NEEDED a new espresso machine ASAP (Starbucks habit getting out of hand...). The search had become overwhelming, and I wanted to do more research before shelling out $1K+ on a new machine. So when I saw this Mr. Coffee machine, I had to buy it--I always liked my previous Mr Coffee regular coffeemakers in the past. I figured it would make "OK" espresso and "OK" frothy milk for lattes, but I was AMAZED (yes, AMAZED) at the quality of the brew and the froth. And it was so easy to use. I can use espresso machines with my eyes closed, but I always read the manual thoroughly anyway. I questioned the part about only putting in enough water for your shot of espresso, but did it anyway. And just like the others commented, there wasn't enough water for steaming the milk. Should have listened to my initial instinct. I now just fill the carafe all the way, then dump it into the machine. I find the tapered lid design "thoughtless," but I guess nothing is 100% perfect. I don't understand the reviewers who complain that it takes them 20 minutes to make their espressos--maybe because they are newbies?? I wander into the kitchen every morning half-asleep, and the whole process from putting milk in the pitcher for my latte through cleanup takes me 7 minutes MAX. Practice makes perfect. I also don't think this is a noisy machine at all. I love this machine, and am planning to take it with me on vacation, as it is so lightweight. I almost hesitated writing a 5-star review, because I don't want Mr.Coffee to raise their prices on these little workhorses, but wanted others to know that this is an EXCELLENT machine to use.

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