Gaggia 102532 Espresso-Pure Semi-Automatic Espresso Machine, Black

We purchased this machine just after Christmas, and have fallen in love with it since then. We were looking at another, better-looking espresso machine, but were advised to get the Gaggia by some friends. This is our first REAL espresso machine, I had a Mr. Coffee machine years ago that worked all right, but the Gaggia Pure is head and shoulders above that one. It makes great espresso, although we are still working on getting great crema out of it...sometimes we do, sometimes we don't (this could easily be our fault). The frothing nozzle is also great, and although it's not as fancy looking as the all-stainless model we nearly bought, it is still a nice looking machine.

Negatives: no warming tray, and the first shots take awhile as the machine has to warm up first. This might be true with most machines, and it's not a big deal for us. We start it up, prep the milk and cups for a few minutes, come back and its ready to go. Subsequent shots go much quicker.

We would definitely buy this machine again.

Seemed complicated at first, but is actually quite easy after the first time or two. Yummy espresso. Foaming wand makes thick, delicious foam for cappuccino. Easy to clean. The pump is quite loud when passing water for the espresso, but that's only a minute.

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I am pleased with the Espresso Pure for my entry-level espresso maker purchase. I wish it had a warming plate, but as another reviewer said, the body is all plastic. I also purchased the Baratza (or is it Solis? I'm confused about the relationship of those two companies) Maestro Plus grinder for around $140 and they work well together. You do have to spend some time breaking in the machine and experimenting with grind size and tamping pressure. You also have to let the machine heat up well, at least 8 minutes. But after I turn on and let it heat up, it doesn't take me more than 5 or 6 minutes to make a latte or cappuccino.

I like the size of the water tank because there are only 2 of us. I also like that there is enough clearance for a standard 8 oz mug beneath the portafilter. The steam wand produces great foam with whole milk and there's enough clearance there for a 2 cup Pyrex measuring cup. Yet the machine does not take up a lot of space in fact it's less than the Mr. Coffee machine it replaced.

I think its interesting the Espresso Color got higher reviews than this one, because they are the same machine. The Color is $50 more, but otherwise they are exactly the same. And I read on that the red colored paint starts chipping off after awhile.

For now (1 month after purchase) and for what it is, I think it works great, and at a young, frugal person kind of price.

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Yes, you do need properly ground coffee to make the best of this machine. However the $ Capresso Infinity is fine for the job. This is an impressive machine for the money but it does have a learning curve. Follow the directions in the book, get a tamper that is sized to the portafilter (58mm), use some fresh roasted ESPRESSO beans and you'll be making coffee better than 95% of the shops with a little bit of practice. One added suggestion, a ridgeless portafilter, which allows for better tamping.

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Received the Gaggia Expresso Pure at the end of May 2010 and loved it for 3 months made great coffee. In late August the knob started disfunctioning more and more. Finally figured out the metal it was on was getting so hot it was slowly melting it. Then in early September steam started coming out everywhere and water dripped even when it was turned off, and it always dripped through the coffee filter whether that button was pushed in or not. Called the company they made us go buy their special cleaner that would fix all. It did not. They had us take it apart several times before they finally said to send it in for them to fix. We did hear they received it, but have not gotten it back and it is now January 2011. Do not buy this machine unless you want to throw your money down the drain.

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Brew Rite Coffee Maker Cleaner

I've been using Brew Rite for years, and there was a time when it was hard to find: I'm really glad to see Amazon has it now.

Brew Rite is very simple: it's a chemical, Na2CO3, used in the manufacture of glass so you should follow some basic safety when using it. Do not breathe its dust and wash any of the powder from your skin as soon as possible. Keep it out of your eyes (thanks to Amazon customer doctor__don for this information). Time and again I am amazed at how well it flushes out my coffee maker--I even use it to clean the equipment, too.

Brew Rite is easy to use: you put water in your coffee maker, spoon in one tablespoon per 4 cups of water, then run it through the maker as if you were brewing a pot of coffee (if you have a charcoal filter like my Braun does, I'd suggest taking that out first). Brew Rite washes through your coffee maker and picks up all the built-up gunk that accumulates inside--it's a bit alarming, all that you see coming out into the pot. From there, you just have to flush the coffee-maker clean by running three more pots of fresh water through. I take that initial pot of cleaner-and-water, swish things like the pot lid in it, and use it to wipe out coffee mugs that have stubborn stains in them. Just like the coffee maker, a thorough rinse leaves everything super-clean: my glass coffee pot practically glows.

I make coffee at home about 2-3 times a week, so I only have to use this cleaner once every 6 months or even longer. The jar you see pictured here is good for about 3 full-pot cleanings, so for me that's at least a year and a half's supply.

Even if you use the vinegar-and-water method, you should give Brew-Rite a try. It's safe, it doesn't affect the taste, and it will surprise you how much you didn't know built up in your coffee maker.

Never seen anything clean as well as this. Coffee tasted amazing after using BrewRite, or maybe that's just the leftover chemicals talking!

Make sure you follow the instruction and run a few cycles to clean out...

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I have had four coffee makers "break" in the last five months. We have very hard water here and I would clean them with vinegar, which usually works wonders. But, in all cases, it didn't do anything. I have been searching for something else to use. It had to be cheaper than buying a new coffee maker every month or so. The reviews for this product were very good so I gave it a try. It worked wonders! I had to run it through a couple of times because the coffee maker was so clogged, but it definitely worked. And, the coffee tastes so much better. I will definitely be buying this again.

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I have tried just about every coffer pot cleaner on the market and this does the best job of any. I make my coffee strong so it takes some power to clean my coffee pot.

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If any house is a good testing grounds for a coffee pot cleaner it is mine. I brew at least 40 cups a day, and I love this product! It is certain to extend the life of your coffee pot, It doesn't stink up my house like my former coffee pot cleaner did, which is a definite bonus when you have parrots like I do who are really sensitive to strong smells.

Farberware FES15B 15-Bar Pump-Driven Espresso Machine

I had this machine for about eight months. I drink espresso nearly every day (yes I know...I have a problem). The Farberware machine was great until most recently the handle separated from the metal dish that holds the coffee beans. I called technical support and the lady whom I spoke with informed me that the part was discontinued and that I could not get a replacement part, even if I wanted to purchase it. The only solution offered was that if I had a receipt, she could provide me with a comparable machine. This thing was a gift from my mother... Where o where could that receipt be?

Humorously, I can still use the machine by twisting the metal container into the housing without the wand. It does still work, but talk about shoddy. Great machine...poor ingenuity on the wand.

Light usage over the course of a year. The handle puled a part from the metal cup that holds the espresso beans. I would not recommend this for anyone that wants to get more than say 40 espressos out of their machine. Up until this point, I was relatively happy with it's performance and design.

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Two years ago, I bought this from a local electronics store for $30. It was on sale and I decided to try the machine. Before buying it, I checked reviews and they were unanimously horrible. However, for the low cost, it was worth a try. I am surprised this unit is still being sold. I used this machine once and it was dead the second time I tried to use it. The one time I used it, it produced acceptable froth and a decently tasting cup of coffee. Since this machine broke, I have used and own two Delonghi machines Both are dependable and produce excellent results.

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i thought this was a fantastic machine when i got it for christmas... until 2 months after i got it. the handle broke off the thing that you put the coffee in... and if the handle breaks so does the part that the coffee comes out of... and the pressure is messed up so it leaks everywhere now. and there is no way to geat a replacement. this is not even made by the manufacture anymore, so they cant replace the part. If anyone can help me find a replacement please let me know, because i searched 4 months with no luck.

now i have to go buy another coffee machine because this one had such a short life.

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Quit working after the second cup. Very difficult to steam milk because of the room to place the milk holder. Your are not provided with a cup or receptacle for the milk. It is very procedure oriented to make the espresso and messy after doing so. Forget this machine and look elsewhere. :-{

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