Hario MSS-1B Mini Mill Slim Coffee Grinder

Things you need to know before buying:

1. This product is small, very small. It is about 7 inches tall and 2 inches wide at the base. I knew it was small before buying, but cannot say that I wasn't surprised when I opened the box to see just how small it is.

2. The instructions in the package come in Japanese (no English translation). Be ready to figure things out for yourself, most notably, how to adjust the grind (it's at the bottom of the grinder, you have to manually turn a nut to adjust the grind from finer to coarser and vice versa).

3. It gives you up to 2 cups worth of grind space. Perfect if you grind you coffee just before drinking (like me), but not so if you want to grind large quantities at a time. This is very much a grind-as-you-go grinder.

4. As someone mentioned before, the finest grind takes a while to get all the beans grinded. Keep at it.

5. The grinding handle detaches and reattaches, it's not one whole product. You'll just need to store the handle near the grinder.

6. It's a great budget grinder. It grinds the beans at a consistent grind. That's what you're looking for. But, you're going to have to work for it. Be sure you don't mind the work before buying this product.

Overall, I'm a satisfied customer. I've used this grinder religiously every morning for about 4 months now.

Update (11/21/12): Over 2 1/2 years later and an additional 200+ reviews since I wrote this one, I'm still using this grinder every morning to grind my coffee.

Now this grinder's greatest asset is becoming my biggest downfall: I'm officially getting tired of manually grinding my coffee. I have lost all hope that it's going to break: the only chance I have of convincing my wife to let me buy a $200 electric grinder that can equal its quality. Such is life.

'Hope you found this helpful!

I researched for a while before settling on this product. There are alot of people reviewing it that say it is too much work and it takes too long. First of all, that is not the case. It might take 1-2 minutes for enough coffee for 2 people and it is not difficult by any means. Second, if you are looking at getting a MANUAL coffee grinder then you have to expect it to take a little bit of MANUAL labor, that's kind of the idea. I guess people are too used to their automatic, electronic kitchen devices that don't require anything more than the press of a button. On that note, electric coffee grinders have a high rate of failure, something they call planned obsolescence. With a manual one there really isn't anything to have go wrong.

If you understand what you are getting then this is a great little product. The reason I decided on this one is because it has a lid to keep the beans from bouncing out which means you can hold the grinder in your hands and at an angle while grinding, as opposed to having to keep the device planted on a counter top or table while grinding. With this one you can walk around or go sit down or whatever you want while grinding. It also has a very easy adjustment mechanism to change the coarseness of the grind and the whole thing is very compact. The burs are ceramic so they will never wear down. To me, for the money this is the best one out there.

***UPDATE*** March 2012

I've had this grinder and have been using it for about 18 months. I have had no problems and am still very happy with my purchase. The ability to change the coarseness of the grind is one of my favorite features. If I want my coffee to be REALLY strong I can grind the beans into a fine powder (which takes a little longer) or if I want it to be regular strength I can set it to a more coarse grind (which takes less time). With a little experimentation you can find the setting that works best for you. This is a solid little contraption and I would still highly recommend it.

Buy Hario MSS-1B Mini Mill Slim Coffee Grinder Now

I bought this item because it wasn't possible to properly clean my electric burr grinder and my wife kept yelling about the noise and coffee dust. The HARIO does a good job of grinding the coffee and is pretty simple to operate but it's slow and takes effort. The directions are in Japanese but all you really need to know is pop off the handle and clear top, pour in the beans, put it back together and grind, grind, grind. My only grumble is that the HARIO is so small and slick that you have to death-grip the thing while you're cranking. I haven't experimented much with adjusting the coffee grind but that's accomplished by turning the little wing-nut thing on the bottom of the grind section. Screw it tighter for finer coffee or loosen it for a coarser grind. If you unscrew it all the way you can disassemble the device for cleaning. The bottom line...if you need a small, portable grinder for about one cup of coffee, it's worth the money. If you need quantity, speed and complete ease of use...look elsewhere. Thanks for reading my review.

Read Best Reviews of Hario MSS-1B Mini Mill Slim Coffee Grinder Here

I don't need to add to the overwhelmingly positive reviews that already exist. This mill is fairly simple to use even without English instruction.

In case you're a potential user, but worries about the lack of English instruction, this translation will hopefully remove your concern.

Front Cover page: nothing critical.

Back cover page: Turn the nut at the bottom clockwise to make finer grind, counterclockwise for coarser.

Inside page #1: Top: Cautions

1. Turning the handle when there is nothing inside or turning it counterclockwise will damage the burrs. Don't do it.

2. Turning the nut/dial clockwise too far may damage the burrs.

3. Small piece of coffee bean can get stuck and prevent coffee from falling down. This may result in turning the handle without actually grinding any coffee bean. Tap the coffee mill occasionally to prevent this from happening.

4. Over time, the mill wears down. When the amount of coffee beans you can grind decreases significantly, it's time to buy a new one.

Bottom: Directions

1. Grind a small amount of coffee beans to see how much you need to turn the nut/dial to get the fineness you need.

2. put 1-2 cup worth of bean into the hopper: 1 cup = 10-12 g, 2 cupts = 20-24 g (see marks on the hopper). Don't over-load above the 2-cup mark.

3. Hold the mill firmly in one hand as you turn the handle slowly. Make sure the hopper cover is closed tightly.

Inside Page #2: Top: drawing that shows individual components, pretty self-explanatory.

Bottom: Care instruction

1. You can take apart the mill for cleaning

2. The nut/dial can be removed by turning counterclockwise.

3. After taking the nut off, you'll be able to take out the inner and outer parts of the mill/burrs

4. Oil from the coffee bean will get on the mill. Wash with soap.

5. Do not put the parts in dishwasher. Do not use bleach.

6. Do not lubricate the mill with oil

I hope you'll enjoy your new grinder as much as I do.

Want Hario MSS-1B Mini Mill Slim Coffee Grinder Discount?

I bought this along with an Aeropress coffee maker AeroPress Coffee and Espresso Maker with Bonus 350 Micro Filters specifically for use when traveling. The combination makes the best coffee I've ever made myself (and I've been doing this for over half a century). The combination packs into a very compact space, made it through TSA without a hitch, is apparently almost unbreakable (so I would not have worried had I checked my luggage, but I have learned to pack for up to 3 weeks with a carryon and this combination fit in very well). If this is set on the finest espresso grind it can take over 10 minutes to grind a full load (beans in the top, adjust the grind wheel on the bottom, easily used) but set slightly coarser it took about 2 minutes or less to grind enough to put through the Aeropress. I grind whilst watching TV (public television, of course) so I can take whatever time I need. The espresso grind, by the way, is a hard press with the Aeropress but it works. In short, combining this product with the Aeropress allowed me to buy beans in New Orleans and make coffee the way I like it. One must take along a heating coil if one's hotel does not reliably supply a coffee maker (mine did not); the total package along with a baggy full of coffee beans kept me going in the morning without having to pay for room service or spend time I didn't have during a conference finding a restaurant.

Bottom line: I am overjoyed with this product and with the combination I described above. Highly recommend.

Save 21% Off

DeLonghi ESAM3300 Magnifica Super-Automatic Espresso/Coffee Machine

I have the EAM3200, which is the previous model version. The differences are slight but noticeable to the newer. These machines are the best in class for price and performance, produce a great espresso, and are maintainable in ways that other manufacturers models are not. The coffee from the Delonghi is just as good as from Jura and even some manual models such as Expobar and Rancillo. It is very close to what you find in Italy not quite, but for the price it is worth it. Great crema, hot temperature, rich flavor. And the best part is you can pull out the brew mechanism and clean it VERY key. This will ensure sound operation and function for many years.

In order to keep this machine is fine working order, you need to do a bit of upkeep each week and use the right beans.

1. Only use non-oily, 100% Arabica beans. If you use oily beans it will clog frequently and attract rancid flavors. It will also shorten the life of the machine. I use Illy, but any espresso will do (I actually get the Illy dark roast it has more flavor when brewing a larger "americano" cup).

2. Clean the brew mechanism once a week. Just snap it out and run it under hot water.

3. Use spring water instead of tap water. This will keep any weird flavors from your tap entering the coffee. It may build up minerals, but...

4. De-calcify the machine when it asks for it don't wait.

I, for one, would rather have manual controls over coffee amount, strength, etc. You are not losing out on anything by not having digital controls other than not being able to have the machine automatically on and ready to go when you first wake up. As for the other models ability to do milk-based drinks at the touch of a button how often do you really want a cappuccino? If it is every day, then get the 3500. If you are like me and need real coffee in the morning, then get this model. The milk canister can only sit in the fridge for so long. If you are planning to serve cappuccino at dinner parties, then you are committing Italian heresy cappuccino is only served in the morning.

CONS

1. The cup warmer does not work very well, but get double walled cups and the temperature of the product will not be an issue.

2. You can't have it turn on automatically at a certain time. But it only takes a few minutes to get up to temperature.

3. It is NOISY.

My espresso settings coffee amount at 10 o'clock, strength at 3 o'clock, single cup dispense. Super double espresso in an espresso cup. I may have 2 of these on a saturday.

My wife's "americano" settings coffee amount at 3 o'clock, strength at 3 o'clock, double cup dispense. Full cup of rich coffee in a normal cup.

Bean grind at 5.

Now, after six years...

The machine does develop leaks... I ordered a couple of sizes of silicone O-rings and spring clips from McMaster-Carr and go in a couple of times a year to replace them. I should find a size that works better. We also had to replace the original gear-driven grinder when it wore out completely. The newer design belt driven grinder is SO MUCH quieter!! It's worth repairing this machine is it gets older. It still makes amazing espresso and coffee.

This is an update after three years of using our Magnifica.

We bought our Magnifica after using a similar machine while visiting friends in Germany. We have been using it for over 3 years now, and are still quite happy with it. My wife and I both drink a lot of coffee -tall Americanos most of the day. I am a full time telecommuter, so I will average 3-5 a day in winter, 2-4 in summer. We also love being able to fill a couple of 16 oz. insulated cups before leaving on a road trip. I would say this machine probably gets more use than the manufacturer intended.

The unit has been fairly trouble free. We have noticed a few occasions when water leaked from the tank where it connected to the machine, leaving a puddle on the counter. After a cleaning and more carefully aligning the tank, it ceased being a problem. We have run the de-liming process when the machine asked for it. So far no other problems. I would strongly recommend a complete, thorough cleaning inside and out every month or two, though. Use a brush and a vacuum.

The cup warmer seemed like a great idea; in reality it doesn't do much. I was going to disconnect it to save electricity, but as it turns out it's just a metal plate over the hot water tank -it doesn't use any additional electricity. They just made a feature (cup warmer) out of an area where plastic would have probably warped and cracked by now.

It doesn't get any quieter with age. Once you push the button you can pretty much forget any ideas you had about conversation until your coffee is done (I am always sure to offer a cup to the in-laws when they visit). I finally removed the covers and added some Dynamat left over from my truck stereo installation to the areas that seemed to be vibrating; that helped a little but it's still pretty raucous.

I'm sure the guys who grind, tamp, press and adjust the pumps on the chrome semi-autos will turn up their noses at a machine like this, but it's such a huge step up from the typical drip coffee maker (and ground Folger's). If you're a coffee lover you really do owe it to yourself to try a machine like this. The price tag made the purchase a tough decision -still 5x what we paid for the best drip machine we'd ever had -but we're glad every day that we took the plunge.

Below is my original review, written a couple of months after we got it:

*****************

I wish I could give it a 4.5. As others have noted, it is a bit on the noisy side. We went from a Bunn drip machine (best drip coffee maker by far) to this after being blown away by the one our hosts had in Germany. It's been worth every penny. Speaking of pennies, a 20% off coupon at Bed Bath & Beyond is the ticket for low price and a VERY good return policy.

We have used Starbucks and Pears beans, and will continue to try others probably. Cleaning is a snap, my only real gripes are the water reservoir obviously designed with coffee-sipping Europeans in mind, not us coffee-DRINKING Americans. Still, we haven't used the Bunn since we plugged in the Magnifica.

Likes:

Superb coffee!! Great crema, better than coffee houses

Easily adjusted cup size & coffee strength

FAST warm-up

Easy to clean

Everything works perfectly

Dislikes:

A little noisy.

No automatic timer (not a big deal, since it warms up fast)

Cup warmer not of much use, and no way to shut it off

Buy DeLonghi ESAM3300 Magnifica Super-Automatic Espresso/Coffee Machine Now

[This review applies to the Magnifica 3200, this is the same as the 3300 with slight cosmetic differences.]

I bought this machine in 2006 after an almost-endless trawl through the internet reading owners' reviews after all, we are talking about the search for the perfect espresso here!

The coffee quality is indeed great. The only misgivings I would have about using it are that the knobs have no user markings, which means that if there are several people in the house using the machine, it is impossible to select the previously-selected individual settings. Also, the time before the machine performs an auto-switchoff is fixed at about three hours. I couldn't find the power comsumption in the user manual when in "idle" mode, but I think it must be substantial since it keeps the boiler/cup-preheater hot during this time. Not that the preheater is any use I warm my cups by first wetting them and then putting them in the microwave for 30 seconds.

More seriously, I have had the machine for three years and in this time it has broken down four times the first time after six weeks, the second time after about 18 months, the third time after about 30 months, and again most recently last week. The first two times, the machine was fixed under guarantee, without any quibbles. I think the problem is that the environment these machines have to work under is probably the most severe to be found in the home: high-pressure boiling water, grinding, and the transport of the coffee grains within the machine. Maybe the build quality of the cheaper machines is such that they cannot cope?

While waiting this last time round for it to be picked up and repaired, I decided to open it up to check its build quality (I'm an engineer). De Longhi has used thin plastic wherever possible. The coffee transfer path is not well isolated from the rest of the machine as a result coffee powder had dropped into the moving motorised assembly at the back of the machine (I think this was the reason why the machine ultimately had failed).

Others here have commented on the machine's coffee-making ability. I agree, it makes great coffee. It's a pity that, in my experience at least, it was let down by poor engineering.

Read Best Reviews of DeLonghi ESAM3300 Magnifica Super-Automatic Espresso/Coffee Machine Here

I purchased the Delonghi Magnifica Automatic Espresso Coffee Machine from Amazon in November 2006. It just died one month ago, out of warranty of course. When I called Delonghi to inquire as to how I could get it repaired, they informed me that they have only two places in the US that fix them. One on the east coast, and one on the west coast. So you have to ship it at your expense and insured to the appliance repair shop. I shipped mine the same day it broke to the east coast location; it went to Cross-Bay Appliance in Howard Beach, NY. It took them an entire month to look at the machine and they have a very casual, unconcerned approach. They will say, "I'll try" to look at it for weeks until you start to get a little heated in your tone, then they will take a look at it. Well, after waiting the entire month, they looked at it only to tell me it will cost almost as much as it would to purchase a new one to repair it. I asked them to ship it back and not to bother adding the cost to insure it since, now, it's nothing but piece of junk. Well, they insist on charging over twice as much as it would cost to resend it back to me.

Delonghi apparently does not care in the least about your out of warranty repair needs. Even if you have a small problem, you better give your beloved espresso machine a long kiss goodbye because you won't see if for a while. In my case, it's junk. I've heard of others having mechanical failures with these machines, but if they are out of warranty, which is only one year, you are screwed. I searched and searched for a appliance repair shop locally, there is NO ONE who knows about these machines but Delonghi knows and they will send you to this operation which does not have to try to get business, could care less about the customers and you can tell they know the drill. I'm tempted to let them keep it, but then realized that probably many people do that and they end up probably refurbishing them and then selling them, which I will not allow.

So, as much as I loved the machine, I would never purchase another one from Delonghi simply because there is no way to reasonably get it repaired in a decent amount of time and for a fair cost. So, your machine, once something goes wrong with it, will end up in the garage until you or someone else you know decides to go to the Espresso Machine Repair School for broke down Delonghi Machines.

I was shocked that this was my ONLY option, and the repair shop Delonghi sent me to has unprofessional and callous morons running it. They know you either pay what they ask for or pay whatever they want to ship it back regardless of the actual cost to ship it back to you, which further aggravates you because you have no choice. It's abusive. I will be filing a BBB complaint for this repair shop and giving Delonghi two thumbs down. Your purchase will be short lived. I'm looking into the Pasquini Espresso machine now, but I will find out what process I will have to go through if it needs any type of repairs in the future--post-warranty. These machines are not cheap. At first I loved Delonghi, but now that I know I'm buying their products only to put them in the garbage later because of outrageous repair costs and inconvenience by the morons Delonghi sends you too, I will never buy another one.

Want DeLonghi ESAM3300 Magnifica Super-Automatic Espresso/Coffee Machine Discount?

I ordered this machine for my mother for Christmas. What convinced me to go with the DeLonghi were the overwhelming number of outstanding reviews on Amazon. I will say that for three and one-half weeks, the machine made outstanding coffee. It then broke. The lights would blink on and off over and over and the machine would no longer brew. When my mother called customer care they suggested a possible solution. When that didn't work they said it would need to be sent back for repairs. She asked about a replacement. They told her 'no', that it would have to be repaired. She then asked about an extension on the warranty for the time it was in their shop. They again said 'No'. Having no other option, she sent it back (after waiting two weeks for the shipping box and label to arrive). That was THREE months ago. She has called customer care. They referred her to the appliance repair shop. She attempted to contact the appliance repair shop NEVER receiving an answer. She again called customer care and was told that the shop is in Seattle, WA (we are in Virginia) and that they are only open Monday-Wednesday from 9-5 and Thursday from 9-1. They have no answering machine. You must call during working hours and be lucky enough to get someone on the phone. She found this out last Thursday. She now has to wait until Monday at 11 am to make another attempt.

We estimated that we probably had 40 cups of espresso before the machine broke. When I purchased it it was $799 (say an even 800 for sake of easy math). That means each cup cost us about $20 (not including the cost of the beans). The coffee was good, but it didn't pump out $20 cups. The company may believe that the quality of the machine is 'good enough' for the $800 price point, that a few lemons here and there are to be expected for that price point. Investing $800 in an espresso machine (in anything) is significant and not something I took lightly. It is an expression of trust. I don't mind the fact that we received a lemon, I do mind that the company does not seem to care or respect our investment in them. Beyond the money, it has cost my mother time and frustration. I am embarrassed that our family's gift to her (on my direction and recommendation) has been little more than a source of stress for her.

When (or if at least seemingly) she gets the machine back from being repaired she is seriously considering just returning it to Amazon, even though we cannot get a refund due to the time that has passed.

Like I said, I read ALL the reviews on this before I selected in this particular machine good and bad. I have never before run into a more appropriate application of the saying 'Let the buyer beware!'. If you are still thinking about investing in this Delonghi, we might have a deal for you! That is, if we ever get it back.

Save 48% Off

B31 Mini Plus Coffee Maker in Red

The brewer makes excellent coffee.

I am giving it only 3 stars because there is a maintenance procedure you need to do that is NOT in the user manual.

If the brewer does not drip out all the water you put in, there are TWO needles that need to be unclogged using a paper clip. The user manual describes how to do the lower one, the "exit needle". You also need to clean out THREE holes in the UPPER needle, the "entrance needle".

The procedure is shown in a Keurig-produced Youtube video called "How to Clean the Needles and K-Cup® Portion Pack Holder", steps 5 and 6. The video contains a slight error in that it mentions two holes, when there are actually three. A Keurig customer service rep told me specifically to look for three holes.

I think Keurig should put this procedure in its manual because I think every machine sold will eventually clog up, either under warranty or afterwards.

I've had this Keurig for a week now and for the most part I like it and it's worked well. There are a few drawbacks, which I'll discuss below, but so far it's done exactly what I purchased it for make me a single cup of coffee, quick, easy and with no fuss.

Pros:

* easy to use. Streamlined is the word for this little machine. It isn't fancy: there's no timer, no complicated display it's fill up the water and hit the On button. That's it. But if I had wanted more options, I'd have bought the larger Keurig, or a regular coffee maker.

* easy to clean. Simply by the design of a Keurig, there's not much clean up. The overflow tray that the cup sits on isn't attached, so you can pull it out and give it a quick rinse if you need to.

*fits into small spaces. the diminutive size of this keurig means that it can fit onto an already cramped kitchen cabinet, or under low cabinets where a taller machine wouldn't fit.

*so far it's made good coffee. I read other reviews where they had problems with the needle clogging, etc. Cross my fingers, but I haven't had any mechanical problems.

*amount of water is intuitive. Like other people I find the plastic water level guides pretty much useless and a little cheap looking. But, do you really need them anyway? It won't make more than a cup, so just fill your cup 3/4 of the way full (leaving room for milk) and dump it in. If you can't figure that out, you need to put the K-cup down and back away slowly from the machine.

*automatic shut off. after a certain interval, the machine shuts itself off. Which is good for those of us who like to make their coffee and walk away.

Cons:

* when they say a CUP of coffee, they really mean a cup. You can't fit most mugs under the spout without removing the overflow tray first. And even with the overflow tray out of the way, those people who like to carry around X-tall mugs are going to be out of luck.

*plastic parts. From the overflow tray (which looks metallic but isn't), to the plastic water guides, there are just things about this model that make it seem like a cheap knockoff. I guess Keurig was thinking "you get what you pay for", but hey, the mini Keurig retails for $99.00! That's not cheap! And it's sort of disappointing that Keurig didn't put more quality into this machine.

*You have to follow an exact order of steps when making coffee. 1) turn power on 2) add water 2)open keurig and add K-cup 4) shut Keurig and press the Brew button. Ok, now I'm nit picking, and yes, I realize that I'M the one who can't follow directions. Don't know why but I always pour in the water, insert the K-cup, THEN hit the power button. And if you do that, the machine forces you to re-open and re-close the top of the keurig before it will make the Brew button available. Nitpicky? Yes. But it still annoys me every time.

Conclusion:

The Keurig Mini lacks the better construction of the larger models. And the fact that it won't work with larger mugs is going to be a real drawback for some people. But if you know what you're getting, and, like me, you just wanted a quick way to make a single cup of coffee, with the convenience of a machine that takes up very little space on the counter, then this may be the model for you.

Addendum: I am adding an addendum to my review. After using it for a month, I have noted one other problem with this unit. As mentioned above, unless you remove the overflow tray, you can't fit even a normal sized mug under the spout. But when you do remove the overflow tray, there is a lot of leakage and water runs out of the unit and onto the counter. I don't know where the water comes from, don't know if it's from the water tank or the K cup area. I've started folding a paper towel up and laying it down where the overflow tray would normally go, and this soaks up the water. Sometimes there's less water, sometimes there's quite a lot. Obviously, if you had the overflow tray in place, as the designers intended, this wouldn't be a problem. However, if you want to use a mug (and not a short cup), you have no choice but to remove the tray. It's just a bad design.

I thought of taking away another star...but decided to leave it at 3 stars because even though there are some annoyances with this unit, it still suits my needs better than the full sized Kuerig. The company needs to go back and make the spout just a little higher to accommodate taller mugs WITH the overflow tray in place release a Mini Kuerig 2.0 version, and then they'd really have something.

Buy B31 Mini Plus Coffee Maker in Red Now

Got the mini brewer. Worked like a champ for 3 weeks, then stopped dispensing. Called the support, had me do the whole "paper-clip" thing. Worked once more, then the next day stopped working again....same problem. Told me to pre-puncture the K-cups, especially if they are puffing on the top. Did this, makes no difference. Apparently the top needle cannot be wet at all, or the grounds plug it up (how can you brew more than one cup every couple hours then?) Tech support on the second call, after I told them I did the whole "paper-clip" thing, said they would replace it. The replacement unit arrived, and it did not dispense either, right out of the box! I am not going to blow-dry the nozzle, or paper-clip the nozzle every morning for a cup of coffee. The coffee is delicious, but this design is ABSOLUTE JUNK. Maybe the more expensive systems are better? Mini-Brewer is not worth $9 let alone $99

Read Best Reviews of B31 Mini Plus Coffee Maker in Red Here

When my wife decided to stop drinking coffee, I am now the only coffee drinker in the house.

I like a French Press, but for one to two cups, it is a bother, messy, and hard to get the strength just right.

Like many, I have seen Keurig in businesses, and liked their product. Shopping about, I selected this model as ideal for my use. Shopping around, and combining Kohl's discounts, I got this for 65 dollars, plus tax.

I absolutely love this maker. Fast, easy, no big clean up. A perfect cup of coffee in 2 minutes or so, what is not to like? Plus, if you shop around, you can get K-cups as low as 50 cents each (like I did today though a sale on Amazon).

I like the elegant simplicity, no gimmick approach with this unit.

I highly recommended!

Want B31 Mini Plus Coffee Maker in Red Discount?

I have been wanting one of these forever it seems and finally my husband surprised me with one for my birthday. I love coffee but will only drink one cup so this is perfect for me. It is great !! I was excited to try all of the different kcups that you can get but was disappointed to find out that the cocoa and cider ones have artificial sweetener in them and I hate that stuff so I am just going to stick to coffee and green tea. When I make a cup of coffee I will run a cup of plain water through right after to get the coffee taste out in case I come back later and make a cup of green tea, i dont want my tea to taste like coffee plus it cleans those little holes out so I wont have to do that little paper clip trick. I can see the little flakes in the water after it runs through. I highly recommend this. It is small so it doesnt take up much counter space. And the color goes with my other appliances.

High Quality 6 Pack Descaling Tablets Designed For Use In Miele Coffee Machines & Steam Ovens; Comp

These are not the descaling tablets I thought I was getting. The packaging shows the large round descaling tablets on the front. When this box arrived it would NEVER hold 6 of these. It would hold TWO!!! There are six tablets but they are the size of a piece of bubble gum individually wrapped. I admit I was trying to save a couple of dollars.... These are MORE expensive since they are 1/16th the size!!!!!!!!!

DON'T BOTHER WITH THIS PRODUCT. STICK WITH MIELE ONLY

These tablets are nowhere close to the picture shown on the box! I admit I haven't used them yet but judging from the misleading advertising I'm not holding my breath. They are probably 1/5 the size of the regular Miele tablets! I always read the cutomer reviews before ordering a new product and why I didn't this time is beyond me...I most certainly will in the future! Stick with the regular Miele product.

Buy High Quality 6 Pack Descaling Tablets Designed For Use In Miele Coffee Machines & Steam Ovens; Comp Now

Nespresso U-C50 Espresso Machine in Pure Cream w/ 2 Piece 12 oz. Halo Bistro Wide Body Coffee Cup a

• Nespresso U-C50 Espresso Machine in Pure Cream
• Nifty Nespresso Coffee Carousel
• 2 Piece 12 oz. Halo Bistro Wide Body Coffee Cup

This review is not so much about the product as the seller. I purchased this bundle as a gift for the holiday season, spending around $50.00 in shipping to make sure the product was received with enough time for wrapping. I was very animate on checking the tracking to confirm my one package would be here and it came on the 21st to my great enjoyment. So why the 1 star review? The entire contents of the "package" were missing, only the nespresso machine and 1 cup were in the box. While the gift receiver was still excited for the machine, it was infuriating to know that my entire product was not included.

After contacting Amazon.com, I received a notice that they were shipped separately. Although no second tracking number was provided. Then several weeks later I received a Nespresso Coffee holder, however it is not the one listed on the page...and I am still waiting on that second cup.

All I can say is that the Nespresso Machine is great but the "package" is not.

Save 11% Off

Mr. Coffee ECM250 4-Cup Espresso/Cappuccino Maker

I got this little machine as I'm always in Starbucks. I wanted a nice little alternative for nights and weekends when I felt like having an espresso based drink without having to drive to a coffee shop and shell out cash.

First, the good points of this machine:

-It's small, so you can easily store it inside a cabinet. It's not bad looking, however, so if you can sacrifice a little counter space, that works just as well.

-The machine is very simple to use. I have my own bean grinder, but you can get yours ground at Starbucks if you buy it there. You simply scoop the beans into the holder, screw into the machine, put water in the reservoir, turn on, and there you go.

-It's relatively quick to brew the espresso and it doesn't take too long to clean most of the parts.

Now, the bad:

-The biggest issue I've had with this machine is that it basically brews strong coffee, not espresso. I've tried a variety of ways of packing the beans, etc, but getting a crema with this machine eludes me. If you're a beginner at this stuff, it's not a big deal as the drinks will still taste alright. However, it's not really espresso in the full sense. You may as well just buy a coffee maker.

-The frothing wand is of okay size, but it seems like it takes forever to heat milk up to a desirable temperature for a drink.

Overall, not bad for a starter machine, but it's just that. If you want anything that will give you a crema and legitimate shot of espresso, shell out some more money and get a Delonghi. They're by no means perfect, but it will give you a more legitimate shot of espresso than this machine. However, if you're just starting with all of this and want to make a decent cappuccino occasionally, this isn't a bad machine.

I received the Mr. Coffee Espresso/Cappuccino Maker as a gift. Obviously it's not going to produce the same results as some of the more expensive models but I think it works well enough for personal use. It's very simple to use-it only has two functions: brew or steam.

I noticed that several people commented about leaking and the instructions warn that this can occur if there are grounds around the top of the filter or if you over-fill the filter. The frothing arm is very short but I found a small frothing pitcher at World Market that works well. As far as worrying about aluminum in your espresso, the instructions also warn that you shouldn't leave water in the reservoir when you're not using the machine. The only other thing to remember is that you MUST de-pressurize the system before removing the filter holder or water reservoir cap!! To do this, unplug the machine, wait for it to cool off, then turn the knob to "steam" until you hear the hissing stop.

I think that for the price, this machine produces a nice cup of espresso in a relatively short amount of time.

Buy Mr. Coffee ECM250 4-Cup Espresso/Cappuccino Maker Now

I used this espresso machine a couple times a week for about 3 years and liked it a lot; however, yesterday morning I was frothing the milk and it exploded. I looked at the cap (over the water reservoir) and it was split. Scalding water shot out of that split, luckily it went all over the wall and not toward me. If you have this machine, consider releasing the pressure from the water reservoir after every use and the cap may last longer, but I for one am switching brands. This scared the heck out of me and after looking online, I see that it has happened to others. Be aware.

Read Best Reviews of Mr. Coffee ECM250 4-Cup Espresso/Cappuccino Maker Here

This is my third espresso maker. The other two machines were a different brand and worked well for many years. This Mr. Coffee unit worked well for about 5 months and then started failing. It now makes only about one third of a caraff, and then just spits out weak steam. I will never buy a Mr. Coffee product again. It takes me a while to get used to a new machine, and I find it galling to have the thing fail soon after I get used to it. Better to spend a little more and have a product that lasts. My last K---espresso maker lasted for over 5 years before it developed a pin hole leak in the pressure chamber. UPDATE; I just realized after looking inside the boiler and seeing that it was slightly eaten away that we have been ingesting aluminum over the past few months. When I opened and took apart my my last K---s espresso maker, I noticed that the bottom of the boiler was eaten away to the point that it had developed a pin hole leak. I think most of the less expensive machines use aluminum boilers which slowly dissolve into the water over time and use. Even distilled water is slightly acidic and will cause this to happen. There is NO way that I will ever again buy an espresso maker that has a boiler composed of aluminum!! Stainless steel might cost a little more, but at least you don't wind up eating aluminum while drinking your espresso. It's just one more thing to check when you make your purchase.

Want Mr. Coffee ECM250 4-Cup Espresso/Cappuccino Maker Discount?

This is a great little machine for a great price. I had not had any experience making cappuccino and it took me about 3 tries to master the process of frothing the milk but it was not hard. It is fun! It is a nice treat and something different from ordinary coffee.

Black & Decker DCM600W 5-Cup Drip Coffeemaker with Glass Carafe, White

Black & Decker 5-Cup Coffeemaker is an inexpensive & quick way to a delicious cup of coffee. The size of the pot is perfect for one person or two. So easy to use & easy clean up. Nice, clean lines. Great gift idea.

Note: when filling the water resovoir & pouring the coffee, it's best to use the thumb tab to lift the carafe lid, otherwise the liquid tends to over flow the spout.

This appliance makes just the right amount of coffee for me with all its faults. The water guage is invisible unless you close the lid. If you close the lid how do you pour in the water? The overfill guide is two holes in the water compartment. If by accident, you overfill, you have water all over the counter. After the coffee is made, the entire appliance is dripping with condensation. The price is right but sure has lots of design problems.

Buy Black & Decker DCM600W 5-Cup Drip Coffeemaker with Glass Carafe, White Now

This will be the THIRD one of this particular B&D model that I will be purchasing. OK, call me "insane" but I have liked the way it makes coffee and will just put up with its drawbacks which I wish B&D would fix:

(1) Without a Pause(to stop drips) it still can drip and any water/coffee that falls on the hot plate WILL corrode it over time. On my second one of this model I even covered the hot plate with foil at the outset to prevent the corrosion but over time (a year or little over) the foil corroded and, thus, the hot plate;

(2) On/Off button broke. On this second model, the On/Off button simply cracked and then fell off. I had to discard this coffeemaker due to the danger of electrical shock.

Other than that, I've been pleased with its size and the coffee it brews.

Read Best Reviews of Black & Decker DCM600W 5-Cup Drip Coffeemaker with Glass Carafe, White Here

This is an update for my original review shown below. After having the pot several more months, I have noticed that the hot plate does get corroded from hot coffee dripping on it. Also, one other problem, which has also been mentioned by other reviewers is that pouring out the coffee can get messy it tends to drip and dribble unless you pour slowly and keep the lid raised while pouring. However, considering how much use I get out of it (at least three pots of coffee or hot water a day), I'm still happy with it and my original rating of four stars stands. If B & D can come up with a better, non-drip carafe and a hot plate that doesn't corrode, they'd earn five stars from me.

The Black & Decker 5-cup coffeemaker is a good little basic pot for those times when you only need to make enough coffee for one or two people. I generally use a 16 oz. mug for my coffee and with this pot I get almost two mugs full. One of the other reviewers mentioned that the hot plate portion of their pot had corroded from the coffee dripping onto it. I haven't had that problem but I've only had my pot for about three months. There are no bells and whistles with this machine no timers, automatic shutoff, etc. It's just a good basic coffeemaker for people who don't want to make a big pot of coffee when all they want is a cup or two.

Want Black & Decker DCM600W 5-Cup Drip Coffeemaker with Glass Carafe, White Discount?

Black and Decker DCM600 5 Cup Drip coffeemaker without serve and pause AND I LOVE IT FOR THAT REASON. Old fashion simple design . The serve and pause feature is one feature that breaks easy. The 5 cup capacity is unique . It's not too small and not to big. But the biggest draw for this model is that I don't need to use the carafe if I only need a small 16 oz of coffee , all I need is to put my mug instead of the carafe. Most mug will fit under this model. with pause and serve model , it is not possible . The newest single serve coffee will cost $35$150 dollars like the Kurig but we will have to buy a coffee that will fit in the machine which in the long run could cost more . So overall by price and convenient Black & Decker DCMM600W is the winner. I am ordering my 4th one. I give one as a gift . I put one at work and I gave away one to my daughter so Ineed one at home for myself.Hopefully black and Decker will continue this model. I called this the classic one .Unfortunately they are hard to buy . Not too many are available in store. Specially the Black Model.

M Block & Sons Inc/Nestle 087605 "Nescafe" Vanilla Macchiato Capsule, 8-Pack

i recommeded this item. The cost of the item is high and is not acdeswible to be buying more than one box. Taste ia expensive and must be checked when you put a price alcanseble

Good product, good reseller, I receive on time. I liked and recommend. dd d d d d d d dd

Buy M Block & Sons Inc/Nestle 087605 "Nescafe" Vanilla Macchiato Capsule, 8-Pack Now

Forever Espresso Miss Moka 3 Cup Espresso Maker.

I bought one of these at a market in Naples Italy, for 10 euros (maybe 15 bucks American). But I could have haggled him down if I'd wanted to. This was one of the best investments I've made. Everyone in Italy brews with these little Moka pots more than with espresso machines. To be fair, these "technically" aren't espresso, but to our tastebuds they are the same. The difference is that these moka pots generally do not produce the rich crema on the top--the mark of a true espresso. At a fraction of the price you can approach the quality of countertop espresso machines, and far outclass anything you'd get out of a typical america-style coffee maker. This is a simple machine to use, it brews up a nice strong cup of espresso-type coffee. Its sturdy aluminum. I use mine about every other day or so, and down the whole 3 cups myself in an iced coffee or a big cappuccino. Just know that a 3 cup, means about 5.5-6 ozs. I got a little stirring wand, a frothing pitcher, and this--total of $40--make my own cappuccinos, lattes and machiattos. It does take some practice, especially to make a cappuccino, but here's how to use this machine right on the first try.

1) Unscrew the top (the carafe) from the bottom portion (the basin).

2) Remove the brew basket from between them (its seated in the basin)

3) Fill the basin with water up to the steam nozzle (a tiny pressure release valve on the interior wall of the basin. Its hard to miss)

4) Replace the brew basket in the basin. It should rest just above the water, with none spilling into the basket.

5) Fill the brew basket to slightly overflowing with espresso ground coffee (finer than normal drip or french grind, coarser than Turkish grind). Any kind of coffee bean will do, only use the dark "espresso" beans if you don't mind a mildly burnt flavor to your coffee.

6) Do not tamp down, or just tamp lightly. This is not a full-on espresso machine and it doesn't generate the kind of pressure those do to justify a hard tamp.

7) Screw the top back on. Snug, so no water leaks out, but not so tight that you risk breaking it to open again.

8) Heat on stovetop at Medium (5-7 out of 10)

9) After 3-7 minutes you'll hear the coffee percolate up and dribble down, inside the carafe. This is normal and lets you know that it will be done brewing soon.

10) Promptly remove from burner when the Moka pot gives off steam and starts making gasping/exhaling noises. It has finished percolating (ie: no water left at the bottom).

11) Serve immediately for best flavor.

* You can also seal the espresso in an airtight jar (I use old, washed out, spaghetti sauce jars) and refrigerate (perhaps with 1 : 2.5 coffee to whole milk ratio, and 2-3tbsp sugar, 1tbsp chocolate powder). Shake to stir, refrigerating promptly afterwards. The chilling has a different, pleasant affect on the coffee, just don't let the coffee get luke warm sitting out on the counter, or overcook sitting in the hot brew-basket (even off the burner). Chilling reduces the acidity of the coffee without hurting the caffeine. Net result, a fine iced coffee that is easier on the stomach but still a great perk.

* If you heat the pot too fast, or if you leave the pot on the burner, after the coffee has finished percolating, then it will burn the coffee. Good espresso should taste strong, a little rich, maybe even sweet, but never burnt. If your coffee does taste burnt, but you've tried it my way, then you may want to invest in better (lighter) beans.

* To clean, I usually just run cool water over it to cool it down (if I can't wait), then rinse all three parts individually with warm water, no soap. Sometimes I'll wipe down any oily residue if any remains. But warm water should do the trick.

I am posting this review to balance the incorrect review of "Loki" below, who rated this product a "1" because of her misunderstanding of the product rather than the product itself. Her reason for rating it a "1" is that it is "too small." Having lived in Italy for 3 years, I can say with certainty that it is the correct size to make 3 cups of Italian coffee/espresso. One can always add hot water to make an "Americano" and fill a larger cup/mug.

Buy Forever Espresso Miss Moka 3 Cup Espresso Maker. Now

I got this as a replacement for a similar pot made by another company, that I wore out. I found the old one difficult to clean thoroughly. This one has a smoother finish, and cleans up well. It works great, is simple to use, and fits the bill for a quick morning cup of espresso

Read Best Reviews of Forever Espresso Miss Moka 3 Cup Espresso Maker. Here

Love, love, love this little pot. I was going to the coffee shop every morning and waiting 15-20 minutes for my latte. Now I have my latte in about 5 minutes. I won't even go into the savings. I now know what I will be giving for my espresso loving friends for Christmas. I'm glad I trusted the reviews on Amazon regardng this product.

Want Forever Espresso Miss Moka 3 Cup Espresso Maker. Discount?

1 Take off heat straightaway. Yup gotta do that.

2 It leaks. You are overfilling the coffee holder.

3 Cleaning. Only ever rinse out with warm water. Scrub with your finger tips only. Let an oxide layer build up (patina).

Best tip brew and throw away three pots of coffee before drinking your first cup.

KRUPS XS6000 Auto Cappuccino Milk Frothing System in Stainless Steel for?Krups?Espressaria Full Aut

I love the cappuccino foam that this little gadget makes. It is a good complement for my espresso machine. But the words labels wore off of the nob to turn from cappuccino to latte foam within the first couple of times I washed it. Also, it is not dishwasher safe, and somewhat difficult to properly clean (which needs to be done every time, since it is milk running through the tubing). I would have given it 5 stars if it didn't have those issues, as well as if there was some way to change the temp of the steamed milk coming out of the nozzle, since not everyone likes their milk a medium hot temperature like I do.

I bought this to go with my Krups coffee center and was very happy with the frothed milk for cappucino. It was creamy and thicker than what I could make with a pitcher. The only drawback was that it wasn't very hot. I also find it very convenient to be able to put the milk container right back in the refrigerator.

Buy KRUPS XS6000 Auto Cappuccino Milk Frothing System in Stainless Steel for?Krups?Espressaria Full Aut Now

I have been using this for 2 months or so now, and it works great. I use it everyday to make my morning Latte. It does a decent job of heating up the milk (it could be warmer) and a better job creating foam.

It is easy to clean and even though the markings come off that indicate Latte or Cappuccino you can still identify which side by looking at the slot (when it points up, its for cappuccino.)

Another note: when I had fresh raw milk or soy milk in it, it curdled...reaction to steel?

Read Best Reviews of KRUPS XS6000 Auto Cappuccino Milk Frothing System in Stainless Steel for?Krups?Espressaria Full Aut Here

For some reason, this attachment works great the first 5 or 6 times, than sputters and splashs milk everywhere instead of in my cup. Have cleaned the steam outlet properly, cleaned the parts thoroughly, made sure all the connections are tight... Sometimes it works perfectly but more often than not, I'm cleaning up milk splatters all over the place. Might just go back to using the steam outlet on the machine.

Want KRUPS XS6000 Auto Cappuccino Milk Frothing System in Stainless Steel for?Krups?Espressaria Full Aut Discount?

It Did every thing it supose to and lfet my desktop counter clean and gave longer life for the milk

Pallo Espresso Machine Steam Wand Brush "Steamy Wanda" - 7.5mm

Great little tool. Works for straws, steam wands, etc. Perfect size. Love the handle.

I bought this product initially to clean the inside of my steam wand for an espresso machine, but the hole in the wand is still too small for this brush. That said, it works great as a grouphead cleaner, so I just use it for that. If I were to do it over again, I'd just buy a grouphead brush instead. Check out the Pallo coffee tool, which is awesome.

Buy Pallo Espresso Machine Steam Wand Brush "Steamy Wanda" - 7.5mm Now