Showing posts with label best home espresso machines. Show all posts
Showing posts with label best home espresso machines. Show all posts

Monday, April 14, 2014

Capresso 153.04 C3000 Automatic Coffee and Espresso Center, with Pump-Auto Cappuccino System

Capresso 153.04 C3000 Automatic Coffee and Espresso Center, with Pump-Auto Cappuccino System[T]he C3000 has the most effective auto-frother I've ever seen. You just fill a detachable plastic container partway with milk, plug it into the milk feed, and press a button for frothed milk. An adjustable plastic valve lets you control the milk/steam ratio to adjust frothiness. Since it's a 2-boiler system, you can run the steamer immediately before or after (but not during, presumably due to power constraints) espresso preparation. My only complaint is that you can't effectively use the steam wand to just steam milk because it is too short and not height-adjustable. With my Magic Deluxe, I can use the steam wand to make hot chocolate, or simply to heat my steamed milk to the temperature I want. With the C3000, if you don't get the milk temperature right the first time, you have to microwave it. Running it through the forthing system again doesn't work because it will scald the milk and also leave a bunch of foam behind in the milk container.

I was also disappointed that the system can't be plumbed in. There are semi-automatic machines ...that can be plumbed in. Also, it has a vibration pump, rather than the rotary pump used in almost all commercial machines and some...semi-commercial machines.

That said, though, the quality of the espresso it produces still compares quite favorably with what I've gotten from commercial equipment. Making espresso is trivial, involving only pressing a button and waiting. Every factor except the water pressure can be controlled to your liking, and the automatic cleaning and descaling cycles are easy to use, once you figure out how to read the manual.

If you want a machine that every coffee drinker in the house can use to get top quality espresso, and aren't too picky about price, this is the machine for you. If you want to economize a bit (and don't mind learning frothing techniques), get the Saeco Magic DeLuxe. Don't buy the Capresso C1000, though. Despite the similar name, that machine is far inferior to the C3000, and also inferior to the Saeco Magic DeLuxe, in my opinion.

As advertised, this machine is a marvel of automation, with coffee and espresso available at the touch of a button. The unit cleans and monitors itself. It's really quite easy to use; there is a helpful video included with it. The coffee is "crema coffee" which is very flavorful; devotees of drip coffee may find it a bit stronger than what they're used to. Everything is customizable and programmable.

If you've had espresso/cappucino machines before, you know that the milk frothing is a total inconvenience. Not so with the c3000; just hook up the included milk container to the steam arm and you have LIMITLESS steamed milk. Great for hot chocolate (or Cafe and Coco)......

The only downside is that there is more plastic used in the construction of the unit than I would expect given the rather staggering price.

Enjoy....you deserve it!

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If you're like me you're probably thinking "HOW MUCH for a *&%$ cappucinno machine???? You've got to be kidding me." The fact of the matter is that it's worth every penny to me. You see, I'm a Starbucks addict, an affliction that I probably figure costs my wife and I upwards of $10/day, or, should I say, used to cost us $10/day.

I'm a little bit of a coffee snob, and have 3 cappuccino machines sitting in my garage gathering dust. The problem was, THEY ALL (...). Really. Way too much time to make a latte, a huge mess, and it NEVER TASTED quite right. If you're reading this, you know what I'm talking about.

This machine does it all. It grinds, it taps, it brews, and it makes PERFECT latte's (yes, just like Starbucks). There's a small canister that holds the milk that you can keep in the fridge. When you want to steam, pull it out of the fridge, plug it into the machine, and that's it. When it's all said and done, I don't think it takes me more than 3 minutes to set up, make 2 lattes, and clean up. Between the time I save schlepping to Starbucks AND the $10/day, I'm way ahead of the game.

Besides, you can knock out cappuccino for yourself and a half dozen of your snobby friends in less than 10 minutes!!!!

If a coffee house quality drink is important to you and you don't want to end up with one more useless machine, bite the bullet and buy something you'll be happy with.

The ONLY negative I can possibly think of to say about this machine is that I figured that for as much as they were charging for this machine, the thing should probably have been in some sort of cool looking brushed metal or copper, not plastic (the picture makes it look like metal, at least I thought it did).

Hope this helps.

Read Best Reviews of Capresso 153.04 C3000 Automatic Coffee and Espresso Center, with Pump-Auto Cappuccino System Here

This machine does it all one team at work invested in one, and they're the caffeinated pride of the office. However, don't compare the coffee as "just as good as Starbucks". Assuming you don't use Starbucks's 30'-overroasted beans, this machine will make coffee that's BETTER than Starbucks. Trust me there are enough coffee choices here in Seattle for me to judge. :)

In short, though, excellent investment.

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I am totally blown away at how great a cup of coffee or cappucino this machine makes! It rivals the best that you have ever had, in either Italy or the best restaurants in the world, it simply doesn't get any better. And it is so cool to use! Just push a button and have a perfect cup! It is so technologicaly cool, it puts a smile on your face. It adds such a sense of enjoyment to mornings and after dinner. I will probably use this device more than any other appliance or gadget I own, which makes the cost look that much more reasonable. Ain't life wonderful!

Thursday, February 27, 2014

AeroPress Coffee and Espresso Maker with Bonus 350 Micro Filters

AeroPress Coffee and Espresso Maker with Bonus 350 Micro FiltersI have had my AeroPress about a year or more now. I bought mine to use at work and bought a second one for home. It is very soundly made, the only thing you need to watch out for is to be sure you use a sturdy, squat cup, not a tall thin cup, or you may tip it when pressing the brew out. It took some experimentation, but I would like to share what I have found.

Temperature, the amount of water, and the brew time all affect the result. Surprisingly, I believe the amount of water is the most critical with temperature being second. I have combined the use of my AeroPress with the idea of the recent popularity of cold brewing by using water that is only warm (about 150 deg F) and not more than about 2 ounces of water per scoop of coffee. (2 oz is about what the AeroPress is marked to allow per cup) I allow it to brew about 40 to 60 seconds, stirring the whole time before pressing out what is left. This may seem like a long time to French press users, but since so little water is used, and the temperature is low, it works perfectly. Some of the brew will drip through the filter during this time, but I have found that if I add more water, it depreciates the flavor significantly. Seems counter-intuitive, but that is what I have seen. You will end up with almost a slurry in the press at the end of this time, and it will have a tan creamy top that must be some kind of oil from the beans. I have tried adding more water just before pressing, but that ruined the flavor. I also tried beginning with more water, but that also ruined the flavor. There seems to be a critical water to grounds ratio that controls the flavor. Using water that is not too hot also prevents some of the acids and other bitterness from coming out. I end up with a very smooth, bold flavored coffee.

Obviously, after brewing the two ounce espresso-like shot, you can top up the cup with hotter water for a hot cup, or even use some ice and cold water for iced coffee. Brewing a cooler, more concentrated cup this way allows ice to not dilute the result so much, and you can have that iced coffee immediately without waiting for the brew to cool.

Apparently, regular drip machines make poor coffee because the distributor runs so much very hot water over the same grounds for some time, over-extracting some chemicals that add to bitterness and acidity. If you read up on the cold brew devices, they also use much less water, and make a concentrate that is later diluted to make a standard cup of coffee. My method is similar, but a little faster since it uses warm water to speed up the process.

Enjoy, hope yours comes out as good as mine.

This product solves all the problems I have with a French Press.

French presses are recommended for full extraction without paper filtration. But I find that once the coffee steeps it's not as hot as I like it. Cleaning a french press leaves grounds all over the sink.

The Aeropress offers full extraction and makes delicious hot coffee. You clean it by shooting the puck of grounds right into the trash. You can also throw it in the suitcase for travel. The paper filter is very thin and doesn't interfere with the flavor.

I find it best for making 1-2 cups. Five stars for coffee taste, convenience, durability, and cleanup.

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This inexpensive coffee maker is great. I first heard about it when it was being touted by a local jazz DJ . For under $, I had to try it. The coffee is easy to make effortless, I'd say. It's easy to clean again, effortless. It makes one or two cups at a time, with consistent taste. Nothing to plug in and nothing to go wrong. I've put my $300.00 espresso maker away and use my AeroPress, even for guests, since it's so fast. The instructions are short and to the point. What more is there to say? If you want clean, smooth coffee, one or two cups at a time, you can't go wrong with this little device.

Read Best Reviews of AeroPress Coffee and Espresso Maker with Bonus 350 Micro Filters Here

When my drip maker died, I went looking for a new coffee maker and came across this device. Every since receiving it, this is the only coffee I drink now. This is a great little coffee maker, and makes a fairly decent espresso as well. I use an electric kettle to heat the water in, and experimented with water amount and time so I know exactly how long to heat the water to get the proper temperture without having to use a thermometer each time. With this device, I can go from start to drinking coffee in well under 3 minutes. I did find that when making my morning "Americano" that the recommended level scoop of finely ground coffee made it too weak for my tastes. I found about a scoop and half works well for me, even though I now go through more coffee than I used to. This device takes an espresso grind, very fine, so either grind your own coffee or have it finely ground. If you try using a normal drip grind, you will probably be dissappointed. Clean up is too easy. Pop the used coffee puck in the trash, a quick rinse, and it is ready for the next cup or storage. I normally don't write reviews on anything, but this device deserves one. Just follow the instruction's (especially the part about stirring before pressing), and experiment a little to find the right combination for your taste. Bottom line, I love this device and won't be going back to drip coffee again.

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It's a terrific morning workout if you're trying to get rid of those bat-wings on the backs of your upper arms! However, my senior citizen mother would not have the strength to brew an entire cup. Suggested for men only, and women who want the workout.

Also, if you're traveling with it, be sure and bring along a sturdy mug, I wouldn't try it on a paper cup.

The coffee is fine, I don't really find it to be much better than from my old electric Krups coffee pot, but it is faster.

I do have one concern, I'd like to be assured that the plastic is BPA-free. If it is, please brag about it in the product description. If it isn't, please make it so, and when the new BPA-free version is for sale, I'll buy another.

I'm disappointed to see Amazon prices climb almost on a daily basis, especially in the current economic climate. I put this in my cart one night, and it was $19.99. The next day I was looking for something else to meet the "free shipping" quota and the price had jumped to $24.99.

A few weeks later it's over $32.

The above is relevant, as I feel the product is well worth $19.99. $24.99 is pushing it, but fine with free shipping.

Over $32 and I might consider buying a nice electric appliance instead.

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Friday, October 18, 2013

Stainless steel stove top Cappuccino steamer

Stainless steel stove top Cappuccino steamerI've used three other types of stove-top steamers before this one. This is clearly the best made of the 4 types. It produces a strong steam jet, without spouting excess steam through a safety vent just as the steam pressure gets up to a usable level as 2 of the others did. It is also better at producing the small bubbles of a professional machine than any of the others I've tried.

Wednesday, September 11, 2013

DeLonghi ESAM6620 Gran Dama Super Automatic Beverage Center with Automatic Cappuccino

DeLonghi ESAM6620 Gran Dama Super Automatic Beverage Center with Automatic CappuccinoThis is our second similar machine...the first one still works fine but the display went out and it was out of warranty, and we loved it so much we replaced it with the next newer version. This coffeemaker makes the best coffee and it is super convenient!

I spent a month trying to figure out which super automatic espresso machine to buy and landed on one of the first items I seriously considered I way over thought this purchase. The Gran Dama makes absolutely perfect espresso really strong with a beautiful crema on top. The micro foam for lattes and cappuccinos is incredible. Do yourself a favor and get some double wall glass cups (i.e. Bodum). The distinct foam and espresso layers are a work of art. To be honest all I was hoping for was drinks that were close to a Starbucks experience didn't expect the drinks would be quite as good but close. But guess what, it's actually better not joking. BTW, it's super cool looking heavy all stainless exterior. I couldn't be happier with the Gran Dama or recommend it any more highly.

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We love this machine! Coffee from a regular drip machine does not taste good anymore. The biggest plus is the milk container that can be put into the refrigerator.

Read Best Reviews of DeLonghi ESAM6620 Gran Dama Super Automatic Beverage Center with Automatic Cappuccino Here

Makes the worst lattes. I describe this as the "neediest" automatic espresso machine I've ever owned. It constantly needs something (refill tank, empty grounds, fill beans due to small hoppers, bins and tanks). Highly suggest not buying this model.

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Friday, July 19, 2013

Expobar Pulser Heat Exchange Espresso Machine

Expobar Pulser Heat Exchange Espresso MachineI have had this unit for 15 months and use it about 8 times per week. It has been rock solid. I rate it five stars. At the time I bought it from Whole Latte Love (a sister company to Aabree Coffee) it was about $700 on sale with free ship. I really like it because it has adjustable brew pressure and steam temperature. That puts it in the same league as the big boys costing $2,000 and up.

It has an E-61 type system, meaning it uses an automatic system to keep a small amount of boiler water recirculating through the brew head to keep it hot between use. Once it warms up, the portafilter and brewhead are hot, no need to flush hot water through them to warm them.

One side effect of the E-61 is "overheating" when left idle over a 1/2 hour or so. The brew water can get too hot for perfect espresso, then you just have to flush 2 or 3 ounces of brew water through the head to get the temps back to normal (approx 205 degrees F, depends on your taste and the coffee bewing extracted)

Performance-wise, there is more than enough steam for steaming milk. The machine came with two identical steam tips of the single hole type, this makes it easy to control the milk temperature. My nephew has a Pasquini Livia 90 machine with a 3-hole tip, it steamed much too fast. He switched to the Expobar tip and is very happy.

Never purchase from Aabree coffee company or whole latta love. they are same company and will send you a refurbished unit instead of new. If you don't like it, they will make you pay 50% restocking fee.

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The other reviewer has the technical info you need. I bought this at Aabre Coffee for about $700, 5 or 6 years ago. It replaced a Francis! Francis! unit that I'd been using for about 8 years. I did my research, and chose this for the 2 boiler (steaming as you brew) feature, in my price range. I have not been disappointed; It's going strong and has more than justified the cost saved on lattes! FYI: I use a KitchenAid grinder, bought from Amazon about 2 yrs ago. The carafe broke, but I just put a small Mason jar in its place and I love it. Again, good quality in my price range. All my friends vie and hint for coffee dates at my house. I am the barista in my circle!

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