Monday, February 3, 2014

Nespresso Maestria Coffee Machine

Nespresso Maestria C500 Espresso Maker, RossoI have had Nespresso machines for over 20 years (yes, that long!). I currently have an Essenza, a Citiz and a Lattissima Premium (in different places) so I have some experience with Nespresso. The Maestria is in a class of its own. There is nothing fancy about it but it is just extremely well designed. It feels rock solid and makes all my other machines feel flimsy. The volume control is extremely precise (contrary to the memory functions on all the other machines where there are variations from one coffee to the next: if you like very short espressos such variations make a huge difference). Because of the new technology involved ('quality seal') the pressure is constantly 19 bars (instead of 'up to' 19 bars) and you can really taste the difference. All coffees have even more flavour and body. The adjustable height for the cup support is fuss free and very practical (similar to the Citiz but with an even better design, and more solid parts), so you can use virtually any recipient under the machine (even -heresy! -a Thermos for travelling!). The water tank is larger than on the other machines (1.4l) and very easy to access, and the used capsules container is also larger (14), which is very handy. The frothing tube works most excellently, much better than on any of my previous Nespresso machines.The pressure is very high so the steam jet is strong and constant so you can perfect foam, finely texture, thick, creamy and very long lasting. It stands by itself on a spoon and looks almost like shaving foam it is so fine. The trick, by the way, is to use cold milk, an appropriate jug (Alessi makes some wonderful ones), start at the bottom to avoid splattering but then move to the surface right away and keep the tube close to the surface so that you hear the typical 'paper ripping' noise of steam being incorporated into the milk. No need to move up and down, nor circularly, the jet will do the work. The important thing is to have the tube at the right height and stop before the milk boils (no need for a thermometer, with a bit of practice you can 'hear" the right moment to stop). Then the milk foam is better than with an Aerocino! This machine is significantly more expensive than the others but it is entirely worth its price. And last but not least, the design is very pleasing to the eye.

NB: to all those who experienced technical issues, in particular the machine making noise but no water coming through the pump. That happened to me too (with the Lattissima Premium, not the Maestria). It's very likely that your machine is not faulty, in most cases it just means that there is an airlock in the system which prevents the water from coming up. There is a very easy fix: you just lift the handle (with no capsule in the machine), leave it up and press the button for a lungo. This manoeuvre is designed by Nespresso to break the airlock and after up to 30s you'll see the water coming through. Then just push down the handle and press the button once more to make sure that the water circulates fine, and then make your coffee as usual. You may have to do that again if you don't use the machine for a very long time, or if you purge it to transport it. It is explained in the instructions manual but admittedly it's not easy to find at all. I had to ring the club when I got the Lattissima as (like the customers who complained of the same 'fault') I was very disappointed and thought I had a faulty machine. But that just wasn't the case and it was sorted out in less than 5mn, so I do sympathise with the new buyers who clearly were not well advised by the Nespresso person they spoke to.

We purchased this machine for our office as a gift to our employees. However, this model has caused nothing but problems. We just received our third replacement machine and it is defective like the first two. We follow the instructions to a T and yet, when we try to test the machine to brew water (the step prior to using a capsule) the machine pump make noise but no water is released. We've called Nespresso numerous times for trouble shooting and they promptly offer a replacement machine. After 3 brand new machines, I have to warn anyone who is interesting in purchasing that these machines have a major design flaw and you may end up in the same RMA, replace, RMA process we are stuck in. Buyer beware!

Buy Nespresso Maestria Coffee Machine Now

This is a beautiful machine, but the one I got doesn't work at all: no water can go through, with or without a capsule. The pump does not work. It's quite ironic that Nespresso includes a note asking customers to call Nespresso before returning the machines (which must happen quite often): at any given time, you can call and wait & wait for an hour or two, and no one will ever answer. I love Nespresso, but the customer service is horrible and the quality of these new beautiful machines is dismal. I know people who had returned Maestria after Maestria up to three or four times, to no avail: apparently only some work, as a mere matter of serendipity. But they are very pretty, so many give it several tries...

INCIDENTALLY, Nespresso censors and bans almost all negative reviews on their own website, so beware of the manipulated feedback the maker of this machine offers. I talked to a representative of the store from which I bought my Maestria, and she told me that as many as half of all Maestrias they sell are eventually returned. Why isn't Nespresso recalling an obviously defective product, instead of engaging in a campaign to supress criticisms?

Read Best Reviews of Nespresso Maestria Coffee Machine Here

Should listened to other review and don't buy it as a gift for my sister, she's troubled by the gift.

Feel bad about this machine

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I normally do not post, however with our experience with this gorgeous (but entirely unreliable machine), felt compelled to share our experience particularly given the price. First the good comments -when it works, it makes beautiful cappuccinos and espressos. Now the not so good stuff.....

We purchased a red Maestria 1 week ago for Xmas at a local retail store. Took it home, opened for use the first time and it didn't work. Went back to the retail store and with the helpful patient folks there opened and tested FIVE more (yes, five) and all did not work straight out of the box new.

On our sixth box we were able to get it to work. With the store we contacted Nespresso who said they've never heard of this issue. Search online and you'll see it is pretty common maybe it is a manufacturing issue with a specific lot? Turns out there is some mechanical issue with the water pump to pump the water from the tank into the machine.

Nespresso offered to send us a temporary one while they repaired our brand new one -we opted to go with the sixth one that worked. All others didnt work.

As if that wasnt enough... today after using for less than 16 times (number of test pods provided in the box), the descaler light came on. Apparently it isnt supposed to come on but every 3 6 months. We are using filtered tap water so this shouldnt be happening. Here we go again...

Again tried to contact Nespresso customer service Nespresso customer service has been unreachable for the last 2 weeks. The sales line (which I have called to order pods) answers quickly but the customer support line (different group) has constant delays (now on hold in excess of 20 minutes). Going back to retailer again to see what options are... may just end up returning it.

Too bad because we love the look and it makes great espresso when it works...

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