Briel ES62AF L'Expresso Automatic Cadiz Espresso Machine

The machine worked great for about 3 months, then it started leaking, we looked inside and a rubber gasket had melted and a silicone stopper had turned to dust. Ok so things happen. After reading the horror stories here about the service center in NJ I called the one in Canada. A very nice man that spoke French and a little broken English tried to help but said he could not honor the warranty because it was purchased in the US. So then the nightmare began. I tried calling the US center 4 days running and kept getting a busy signal.

I had overtime misplaced the 800 number so I used MSN's yellow pages and dialed long distance. I then spent 10 minutes argueing with 2 people that I indeed did not dial the 800 number and would they please give me that number. After being called a liar about that I was told it would cost approximately $60 in handling fees, and if they determined that the damage was my fault I would be paying for the parts and labor as well.

I dont really give a damn how nice the coffe is folks, if that machine breaks down and you live in the US, consider yourself owning a $200 door stop, or a $400 machine after repair. Personally, if Im going to spend $400 its going to be on a different machine and it certainly wont be made by Briel

I was happy with my Briel Cadiz at first. Nevertheless, after 4 months, the unit started excessively leaking steam and water. I sent it in to Briel's service center in New Jersey in May as of today (Sept. 21) I still don't have it back. I have called, been promised that it is shipping in a few days, more times than I can count. So, I've waited 4 months (and counting) for warranty repair of a unit that was only 4 months old. I've sent a letter to Briel's HQ in Portugal requesting that they send me a new unit, but have had no response. I am not going to purchased a Briel product again.

Maybe even more discouraging is that Amazon has been completely unwilling to help in this manner. I am very surprised that Amazon will not hold their vendors to higher standards of customer service.

So, if you buy a Briel product pray that nothing ever goes wrong.

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I have mixed feelings abut my Briel Cadiz. When I first received it, I became more popular than the local Starbucks. Everyone wanted one of my rich, creamy, foamy cappuchinos. A year and a half later, I wish I hadn't purchased this machine. It still makes excellent expresso shots, particularly since I've mastered all the little details that get it to turn out just right. However, the head of the milk foamer broke off, the button that switches the boiler heater to steam is broken, and of course the warranty is expired. I'm reduced to heating milk in the microwave and making lattes...but they still taste great!

The best part about this machine is its ability to turn out excellent expresso shots thanks to a nice little pump unit, perfect temperature regulation, and nicely engineered parts (some, not all!). The worst part is that underneath that gleaming exterior, its nothing more than a collection of rather tiny (and quite fragile) plastic parts, electric connections, a pump, and a brass boiler. Don't open it up it will destroy the illusion that you own a real Italian coffee machine!!!

Buy this if you want to turn out excellent coffees and don't want to spend more than $250...this year. Buy something with a lot more quality engineered inside if you plan on using your machine for more than twelve months.

By the way, I read all of those positive reviews before I bought my Cadiz. A year later I'm seeing a lot of negatives that weren't there a year ago. I say...buyer beware!!!

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I've had my machine for about 5 years now and I'm still getting great espresso. My Briel gets heavy use, but the only thing I've had to replace is the brew screen (and that was $5). My guess is some people don't know what they are doing. Here's a few pointers:

1. Don't leave the basket mounted after you brew.

2. Keep your steam wand clean. Clean it each time you use it!

3. After steaming milk, if you want to brew another batch, turn off the steam button and dispense some water until the temperature light turns off. It's important because if you don't do this, you'll get burnt espresso from your water being to hot.

4. Keep your machine clean. Run a few batches of vinegar/water every once in a while to get rid of any mineral build up.

5. Spend the money on a conical grinder. You won't get consistent espresso if you're using a $20 coffee grinder.

The pump has a 25 year warranty (not that I've needed it). Spend some time on the Internet if you don't know what you're doing.

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