Showing posts with label best cappuccino makers. Show all posts
Showing posts with label best cappuccino makers. Show all posts

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!

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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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Tuesday, January 21, 2014

Cuisinox Roma 10 Cup Stovetop Espresso Coffeemaker

Cuisinox Roma 10 Cup Stovetop Espresso CoffeemakerThis is a fantastic stovetop espresso pot; it's got beautiful lines, it's very well crafted and well designed.

First of all, I appreciate that it's made of stainless steel rather than the more traditional aluminum. There's no pitting of the metal over time (and therefore, no aluminum that winds up in my coffee! In using it on an electric stovetop, there's been no discoloration on the outside surface either.

Another reviewer noted the size of this pot, and I was a bit concerned that it would be larger than I expected, but it seems perfect to me; it's not cumbersome or heavy in the least. It's very well constructed and designed to last. Regarding the lid being 'flimsy', the hinge itself does allow a bit of play, but it doesn't seem to pose any danger of breaking. The handle doesn't become too hot to touch, as with some other moka pots.

For me, the pot makes an excellent brew of coffee (I prefer it to my French press), and just enough coffee to fill my extra large mug (about 20 oz., the size of a Starbucks venti). The great thing about a moka pot is that you can tailor the taste of the coffee in a multitude of ways. It will accept a grind from coarse to fine, thereby changing the amount of surface area of coffee that is exposed to the water. You can play with the water and coffee ratio to find what works best for you. And depending on how high you set your stove, you can affect the brew time, which makes a difference in the taste as well. It really allows you to tweak the variables and find the method that is right for you.

Cleaning doesn't pose any issues, and taking it apart and reassembling it is easy and quick. There's a filter insert that allows you to brew a half pot (about a traditionally sized cup of coffee), and it works well. But I almost always make the full amount, and wouldn't enjoy a smaller pot than this.

I love this pot; it's held up well, and I expect it will continue to for years to come.

I recently received my Roma 10 cup it is quite a bit larger than the 6 cup. Overall the construction seems solid although the lid attachment seems a bit flimsy. Unlike other reviewers mine did discolor slightly at the base after use, but I do not really mind the gold hue (and yes the fire was kept low). Also unlike some other reviewers of the 6 cup, I did not find it that difficult to clean. However I would recommend cleaning it soon after it cools. One advantage of the 10 cup vs the 6 cup is that the larger base protects the handle from heat and I have not found the need to use a towel or hot pad to remove it from the stove and pour it. Also you do have the option to make 5 cups and to be honest I cannot see wanting to make less than that ( such as 3 on the 6 cup). The coffee is rich and strong but I would not quite compare it to espresso, however it does pack more puch than the same coffee in my Cappresso drip machine. I like it, and even though the 6 cup is a little more attractive in size, I think it would be too small to make morning (which means a decent cup size)coffee for more than one person. I would recommend it and my only complaint is the way the lid is attached should be more solid.

Buy Cuisinox Roma 10 Cup Stovetop Espresso Coffeemaker Now

THIS IS JUST WHAT WE EXPECTED. WE USE IT WEN WE HAVE COMPANY.

Price was a bit more steep than we think it should cost.

Read Best Reviews of Cuisinox Roma 10 Cup Stovetop Espresso Coffeemaker Here

Makes a rich cup of coffee for two and looks great on your stove top. The product is well made, heavy and top quality. I look forward to using it everyday.

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Sunday, December 15, 2013

KRUPS EA9000 Barista Full Automatic One Touch Cappuccino Machine with Automatic Rinsing and KRUPS T

KRUPS EA9000 Barista Full Automatic One Touch Cappuccino Machine with Automatic Rinsing and KRUPS Two-Step Frothing Technology, MetallicThis machine is not worth the money. I bought it for home and regretted it.

It takes way too long to heat up and to prepare any milky drink. 1 minute plus for a cup of cuppachino! My old Jura can do it in less than 30 seconds!

The new milk frothing system is quite restrictive, I have to pour the exact amount of milk the machine wants before it does the frothing. If I pour too much or too little, the milk foam and taste became horrible. Ridiculous !

The design of the machine is very erm disproportional. A 1.7L water tank but a pea-sized waste water tank. I have to empty the waste water after every 3 cups of cuppachino because of its automatic washing of the frothing wand which is irritating by itself. It lacks speed in preparing coffee(milky coffee), I have to wait for the wand to move up, move to the front and down to my cup, froth it, AND WAIT for the wand to move up, move back and go down before I get the espresso dispensed. I thought of moving it to my office but its just too slow and too troublesome to clean. Imagine having to pour the goddamn waste water away every 3rd cup.

The much touted self cleaning system does not inspire much confident in me at all. You can't just soak and rinse a milk wand in water and expect it to be clean. Baristas have been scrubbing it with cloth and purging it with hot steam for years, milk residue do not simply just disappear by mere rinsing. And also, its quite disturbing to see those detergent bubbles through the transparent viewing chamber and then making a cup of coffee with it.

Did I mention the heap load of consumables I have to buy just to maintain the machine.

I tried using it without the detergent(I can't find it on sale anywhere) and it refused to make even a cup of espresso(NOTHING TO DO WITH MILK). Bloody hell, I have to pay for 4 consumables month after month. Water filters, Descaling tablets, Cleaning tablets and the Detergent.

Save yourself the trouble and buy others.

Krups, if you are going to plant reviews, take some effort please. They all have nearly identical language, are written in the same span of time, and are the only reviews under those user names. Pathetic.

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Seriously, this might be a good coffee machine, but writing your own reviews is beyond pathetic, and tarnishes your reputation.

Read Best Reviews of KRUPS EA9000 Barista Full Automatic One Touch Cappuccino Machine with Automatic Rinsing and KRUPS T Here

I recently purchased this Espresso Machine (my personal mood generator) and I am absolutely impressed by the technology in that went into manufacturing this fine piece of engineering. As part of my daily ritual I enjoy a nice cappuccino in the morning and a double espresso in the afternoon, I couldn't be happier with it's performance. The operating system that runs the machine is intuitive, accurate and for the most part self operating. The cleaning mechanism is impressive I am having a hard time deciding whether my favorite part is the actual espresso or watching the machine clean itself. IT'S A MUST BUY!!!

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Our office recently brought in the Krups Barista Coffee & Espresso maker as our new work coffee machine. It was the best surprise. The machine is beautiful. We are all fascinated by the technology behind it. My co-workers and I have been able to program our own individual coffee profiles. With the touch of a single button we get our perfect cup brewed; poured, frothed and heated just the way we like it! The Cappuccino machine is so smart, that it even cleans itself! I'm loving our coffee breaks and I'm loving our new Krups machine. I would recommend this item to anyone!

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Tuesday, October 8, 2013

Illy Francis Francis! X7.1 Iperespresso Machines in Red with 4 Free Capsules Boxes and More...

Illy Francis Francis! X7.1 Iperespresso Machines in Red with 4 Free Capsules Boxes and More...This is my third x7, and it makes excellent espresso and cappuccino. However, the machine has a short life for the price. My first one lasted just until the warranty was up and then stopped working. The second one was a gift and died while under warranty, so Illy replaced it. The current one started leaking and having problems just after the warranty expired. I called a repair center for espresso machines, and they told me it wasn't worth fixing . These machines should last a lot longer for the price you pay.

It's really a wonderful machine. It is much cheaper than we buy it in Taiwan. My family love it very much. We use it for our breakfast coffee, and enjoy it. However, if it is made in Itally, would be more trusted than made in China.

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