Nespresso C60 Pixie Espresso Makers

We have owned the Nespresso CitiZ for a year and have been very happy with it. Recently we also bought the Nespresso Pixie for our vacation place and are slightly disappointed with the operation of the machine. Here are our thoughts (listed in no particular order):

PROS:

Small footprint makes this machine well suited for smaller kitchens that don't have a lot of counter space.

Heats up very quickly, i.e. making coffee is quite fast

Cute design

Coffee is very good and hot, with excellent crema, just like it is with the Citiz.

CONS:

Smaller water reservoir means frequent refilling.

Reservoir is more difficult to remove than on the Citiz. It clicks into the machine at the top via two plastic 'hooks' which only retract when one opens the reservoir's hinged lid. With the lid open, one then lifts the reservoir up and out. We found this a bit tedious, coming from the more straight-forward design of the Citiz where no opening of the lid is required, one lifts it out and is done.

The cup tray folds up for taller cups such as latte macchiato glasses but it does not stay folded up on its own, i.e. one has to hold the tray with one hand and place the cup down with the other. As soon as the cup is removed, the tray falls back into its original position

We found that there is noticeable coffee spray during operation. We had to place the machine on a towel and move it away from anything that could be permanently soiled by that spraying, such as walls.

SUMMARY:

The coffee quality is excellent, absolutely no gripes here. Our problem with the Pixie is with the operating aspect of this machine. We feel that it is too small for its own good. The smaller size apparently required design changes which in turn lead to all those inconveniences listed above. Where space is at an absolute premium, we would probably still recommend this machine but if there is sufficient space (and the Citiz is not THAT much bigger) we think that the Citiz is definitely the better and more thought-out machine. In our opinion the slightly higher price for the Citiz is worth it.

UPDATE 8/16/12:

When ordering Nespresso capsules from the Nespresso website (pretty much the only place where to get these), they have now set a requirement for their customers to order multiples of 50 capsules. Which means you can either buy 50 or 100 or 150 etc. capsules when ordering. This rule of 'multiples of 50' did not exist before. To me this is a very annoying move on part of Nespresso because it doesn't allow the customer to order, let's say, 30 of a decaffeinated variety, 20 of a Lungo and 20 of an espresso variety. Now one must place orders for higher (or lower) quantities in order to reach the 50/100... multiples.

I thought I'd mention this because if you decide on a Nespresso machine you will need to order your capsules from their website exclusively (if you want genuine Nespresso, do not live near one of their boutiques and do not want to shop on eBay). I for one will take a long hard look at this marketing practice and probably scale down my usage of Nespresso considerably because of it.

I have had the Pixie in red for three weeks now. Due to several other reviews I had read on Amazon, I purposely purchased it in a local retail store for the convenience of easy returns in case it suffered from leaks or any other issues.

I am SO glad I gave it a chance. Not only is is minuscule compared to the semi-automatic machine that it is replacing on my kitchen island, but it is very fast, problem free and really a joy to use. It truly does heat up in an instant. I click the power switch and before I've chosen a capsule from the spinner Nifty Nespresso Coffee Carousel and popped it in, the machine is ready to go.

My kitchen is such that I don't have to move the machine one bit to remove and refill the water tank, and the tank fits perfectly in my fridge door water dispenser. It may be that by not moving the machine much, I am not stressing its weak points who knows. All I know is that for ME, it is fantastic and flawless.

One other potential downside, which applies to any pod or capsule machine, is acquiring and disposing of the actual pods. I was concerned about this, as I was in the habit of grabbing a bag of beans at my convenience. The machine came with 16 capsules and I ended up ordering the "welcome kit" of 200 pods directly from Nespresso (by far the best deal on capsules is directly from Nespresso) one day later the box was waiting outside my door. As far as disposing of the pods, they are currently going in my co-mingled recycling bin at the condo. What happens to them from there is anybody's guess. At least they are packed simply bare aluminum pods in a cardboard sleeve, no additional plastics or unnecessary materials.

Also, like many other Nespresso reviewers have complained, I am drinking more coffee (5 capsules), which I'm sure is terrible for me, but I really seem to enjoy their coffee variety and for me, .55 per cup seems reasonable for the quality and is a much better value than several of the big-name coffee bars. Also, I don't get the caffeine jitters from the espresso, like I would from standard brewed coffee.

Again, just my personal experience, but I wanted to share my satisfaction and success with a machine that seems to have been problematic for several others. Perhaps mine is from a newer production run? Whatever the reason, I recommend it whole-heartedly.

Buy Nespresso C60 Pixie Espresso Makers Now

This review will hit upon several issues, especially as they relate to other reviews here: size, heat and speed, efficiency, and satisfaction.

Some of the reviews on this page made me nervous about both the Citiz and the Pixie. I have been using and loving my Nespresso Esenza for 3.5 years, and it has never had a problem--it doesn't leak, it makes perfectly hot espressos, the crema on the espresso is excellent, it has a nice, simple design, and its footprint is perfect for my apartment countertop. A flawless machine in every way. Some of the reviews here for the Pixie and the Citiz worried me that Nespresso had dropped the ball and let their quality slip. This is not at all the case.

My Pixie is a wonderful addition to my small, private office. The water-cooler station in my faculty lounge has a Keurig, and I hate it. The Keurig functions just fine, but the taste (no matter what "k-cup") is horrible, and I really prefer espresso anyway. I was going back and forth between the Pixie and the Citiz, but went with the Pixie for two main reasons: the size, first off; secondly, I visited a Nespresso boutique and they explained to me that the Pixie is the hottest and fastest, as well as the most energy effcient of their machines.

As to the size, it's perfect for sitting on my desk (and L-shape desk). I have plenty of room for the machine, some espresso cups, and all my other stuff, and plenty of workspace left over. The other thing I liked about the size, in contrast to some of the other reviews here, was that I liked the smaller water tank. Since I'm the only one drinking from this machine, I prefer to change the water more frequently because it keeps it fresher. Besides, the 24oz. tank makes at least 12 espressos, so I'm changing the water once a week, maybe twice. This isn't a realistic problem or inconvenience. It takes me longer to pee. If you're putting this in a kitchen where several people will be making drinks, this might be an issue, but it's important to keep in mind how much your use will tax the 24 oz. reservoir. And anyway, it takes only a minute or two to refill the water tank, especially on the Pixie, which is so fast!

In terms of the speed and heat, it is really fast, warming up from being powered off to ready for espresso in about 20 seconds. My Esenza can take a full 1-2 minutes, depending on how long it has been cooling. As far as heat of the coffee is concerned, the reviews about how it doesn't make a hot drink are nuts. The espresso that comes out of this machine is much too hot to drink right away--it's steaming hot. I've made the mistake of taking a sip too fast and it burned my mouth. I can't imagine many people needing to take a shot of piping hot espresso. You should be sipping it and savoring the flavor. If it's too hot, you won't be able to enjoy it. In fact, one of my few complaints with the Pixie might be that it's too hot: the crema on its espressos is not as good as with the Esenza, and I wonder whether that's due to the heat. If it's not due to the heat, it might be to do with the speed. This machine quick, making an espresso in about 10 sec. (starting with my pushing the button to a full cup).

Efficiency: one of the things I liked about the machine was the auto-off function. It automatically shuts itself off after 9 minutes of non-use (again, it only takes about 20 second to heat back up and get ready for your next espresso). I thought this would be perfect for my office, and I like that it's looking to save some power. The more cynical reviewers here would probably say that it doesn't matter that it powers off because the Nespresso system is so wasteful anyway--this is true...if you're lazy. The Pixie's body itself is made of recycled capsules. The capsules are perfectly recyclable. All you have to do is scrape the grounds out of them. Is this a pain in the neck? I little, but I used to just save them up, do about 30 at a time, and it would take me 10 minutes; I use a butter knife. I probably spend as much time in aggregate rinsing all my plastic and glass bottles and jars before they go in the recycling bin. Here's the best part: if you live near a Nespresso boutique, a Sur La Table, or a Williams Sonoma (perhaps other retailers, too), they have recyling stations for the used capsules. You don't need to clean out the grounds; you just take in your spent capsules and they ship them to Nespresso for extraction and recycling. This is a perfectly green enterprise, and certainly more eco-friendly than all the Starbucks cups we all just throw away.

This is my second Nespresso product and I am a most satisfied customer. Everytime I have dealt with Nespresso customer service, either to order capsules (though I mostly do this online or at Bloomingdales, where I have a boutique), or to ask a question, they are friendly, professional, patient, and knowledgable. My original Esenza machine came with the milk frother accessory. After about a year of use, the milk frother (which is a separte unit from the Nespresso machine) stopped working. I called just to order another because I had around that time received an email about how it was time for me to descale my machine, and they had some special going that if I ordered any capsules, they would include the descaling solution for free. So, I called, and ordered some capsule and the descaling solution, then said I also needed to order a new frother. She asked me to hold, came back a couple minutes later and explained that the frother was still under warranty. She overnighted a new (not refurbished--brand new, newst model) frother and included my capsules and solution in the same shipment. For free. All I paid for were the capsules. New frother, descaling solution, overnight shipping...FREE. That is serious customer service, folks. The people in the boutique a very nice and informed, too. What I also like is that Nespresso tracks your capsule ordering, so they know about when it's time to descale. I don't even think about it--they send me an email, I know it's time based on how many capsules I've gone through. Ordering is extremely easy online, and two day shipping is their standard method, so if you're just a little thoughtful, you'll never be without. As for the proprietary capsule, who cares? It's 50 cents per espresso (only 65 cents for their limited edition). Cheaper than any coffee shop, and it's an espresso far superior to, say, Starbucks, Coffee Bean, or Caribou. Unless you demand artisinal espresso everytime, I can't imagine this not being sufficient, even for true espresso lovers.

My satisfaction with the Pixie (and the Esenza and Nespresso generally) are through the roof. The only reason I'm not giving this machine 5 stars is because I think the Esenza might make a better espresso (the crema specifically) and Amazon won't let me give it 4.5 stars. Interestingly, the Esenza has a much lower price-point, but it's slower, not as hot, and not so eco-friendly. The Esenza's design is also not as slick. I love the way my Pixie looks. I get compliments and intrigued oos and ahs from colleagues and students all the time. Too bad for them I won't share. I'm adding a photo of the Pixie in use. It's the one with the pretty blue cup.

Read Best Reviews of Nespresso C60 Pixie Espresso Makers Here

I've had a Nespresso Pixie for a few weeks and love it. The coffee is great and the machine easy to use. I looked at other models, but the Pixie is faster, making a cup of coffee in 20 seconds rather than the 60 seconds required by older models. It has a convenient handle that also serves to enclose and puncture the capsule and is light enough to easily carry to another room by the handle. Also, the cup support folds up so that a large cup can be put under the spout. It holds almost as much water in its container as the much larger Citiz. About the only downside is the small quantity of coffee dispensed. While not a problem for expresso, The lungo is only 3.75 oz and I like to sip a full 12 oz cup in the morning. I don't think I want the expense of three capsules every day. So some days, I drink Nespresso, other days I make a regular cup of coffee with my old Braun. I purchased an aeroccino with the Pixie and this works quite well producing a nice froth and I have been bery happy with the capuccinos I've made.

Want Nespresso C60 Pixie Espresso Makers Discount?

Got the Pixie for my wife's birthday. First use to clean leaked water all over the counter, this was before we had even powered the unit on. checked the reservoir was seated properly. leak coming from the base of the unit not the area where the reservoir sits. Tried to load a capsule and not only does it not puncture the capsule, the water leaks from where the capsule sits too.

How this unit could have gotten through any form of quality test I will never know.

Waiting on a replacement unit, I will revise my review once we have it.

Save 13% Off

Yama Tabletop 5 Cup Vacpot Coffee Siphon & Vacuum Pot

This is a conversation piece. As such, it gets a great rating from me. It works as advertised and is very cool while doing it.

I don't recommend this as a regular coffee maker because it's slow, but I love the way it works and that I don't need electricity to use it.

Disappointed when cotton wick and measuring spoon were missing in the original shipment. Took one phone call and 2 emails to receive a response. Received the missing parts 2 weeks later. Very happy with the lab-type coffee maker.

Buy Yama Tabletop 5 Cup Vacpot Coffee Siphon & Vacuum Pot Now

Single Serve Coffee Maker

This is the perfect solution for anyone who enjoys an occasional cup or who has no counter space for a larger unit. We already owned a 12-cup, much more elaborate electric coffee maker when I started searching for a Father's Day gift for my husband. He really likes coffee but not every day. And, he's the only one in our home who drinks it. Everything comes in a sturdy box suitable for gift wrapping. I gave it to him with various bags of gourmet ground coffee. Had I thought about it, I might have added a personalized cup, just to make the gift more special.

The coffee brews in just a few minutes to the perfect temperature; no waiting for cool down. The white ceramic mug is a nice value-add; now my husband has a mug "just for him." He likes the size of the mug handle lots of room for man-sized fingers. The mug has no markings or label. You can add the amount of water for brew strength and the serving size you prefer. There are level marks inside the water reservoir 8, 10, 12 and 14 ounces. The basket filter is generously sized as well. There is more than enough room for extra grounds.

Even though it comes with a mug, the drip area is spacious; any mug will easily fit. The unit is short enough to store on a shelf inside our kitchen cabinet. There are three rubber feet, each about the size of a pencil eraser. These keep the coffee maker up off the counter a little bit and also deter skidding around. The entire unit is on the light side. The removable drip tray and grate survived our dishwasher. The mug survived our dishwasher and microwave. The coffee maker is black and grey plastic. The black electric cord is 27.5 inches long, including the plug. There is no cord keeper. This unit does not turn itself off. Everything is made in China.

I purchased this particular one for my son. After researching several single cup coffee makers, we chose this one because you can use any coffee you chose -not premeasured, expensive containers. You can make it as weak or strong as you like and use your favorite brand of coffee. It is noisy, but the unit is compact, looks good and clean-up is minimal. Now, he can have his coffee fresh when he wants it and not from a pot sitting around for hours! Perfect!

Buy Single Serve Coffee Maker Now

I don't know what problem the previous reviewer is having. I have this unit and it is wonderful. It makes a single cup or mug of coffee just perfectly. I love it! Also works great if you want just hot water for tea or instant something. Just make sure you turn it off when you're done, does not have automatic turn-off. Great product for the money though!

Read Best Reviews of Single Serve Coffee Maker Here

Wish I would have purchased this sooner! No more wasting coffee with the big machines for just one cup for yourself. Perfect for the single coffee drinker in the house. Takes less than 5 minutes to brew (I timed it). I also have used it for teas and hot chocolate. I love that I don't have to buy filters anymore and the cleanup (if any) is super easy. I also like that there aren't pods that you have to buy either. You can use your regular grounds you are used to. You won't miss your auto-shut off feature. You just get into the habit of flipping the switch to off when you take your cup to drink. It's not any louder than any other coffee maker. The only thing I would recommend is to pour the water into the reservoir using a measuring cup with a spout otherwise you spill water on your counter if you just use the cup. Also, I was having a problem with the machine not brewing all the water I would pour in but I quickly remedied that by running the cleaning cycle that you are supposed to do once a month which is easy to do with vinegar. Problem solved.

Want Single Serve Coffee Maker Discount?

3 and 1/2 minutes. From flip of the switch to the last gurgling slurp!

Cup-o-Soup, Hot Tea, Hot Coffee . . . whatever I've needed Hot water for . . . and Piping HOT every time!

The largest "Cup" on the market; I could find at 12 oz. but could probably do 14 if you had a cup to hold it.

(The brim of the cup it comes with is at 12 oz.)

I love it!

I switch it off AS SOON AS it is done.

i remove the permanent filter and basin immediately, rinse thoroughly and allow to air dry.

I remove the permanent filter except for making coffee.

I love how I can make the cup of coffee as STRONG or weak as I want depending . . .

As well made if not better than any other 'Plastic' small kitchen gadget I've used.

I did pick my unit up locally for $12.00 and after a month sought out

Amazon Review to help shed some light! Good Luck!

Amendment!: 12-7-2012

It has been a little over a year since I purchased this unit. I still follow my aforementioned regimen.

I've made roughly a thousand cups of coffee cups in this span of time.

It now takes a whole 4 minutes to brew a cup. I know; I know . . . I manage though.

Seriously, I wanted to let you guys hear of one which continually performs with no issues.

Happy Holidays!

Save 13% Off

Cuisinart DTC-975BKN Thermal 12-Cup Programmable Coffeemaker, Black

Fussy Lid, but the Best Coffee Maker Ever!, April 23, 2005

Reviewer: R. Wilner (Metro Detroit)

I wish Amazon had 1/2 stars, because I would have given 4 1/2. I almost gave it a 5 star rating, but the lid may bug some people. I will admit that the lid MUST be placed in a perfect position, but how to do it is no mystery. Clearly etched in the top of the lid are the words "Open" "Close" and "Pour." If you put the lid on so that the word "Pour" is directly over the spout, it's no problem. When you go to screw on the lid, just make sure that the word "Pour" starts out over the spout and when it's closed, it will end up there. No big deal. My guess is, the people who have given negative reviews about the lid were impatient with it.

My reason for buying this coffee-maker was the 12-OUNCE thermal carafe. This was one of the only coffee-makers I saw with a 12oz carafe as opposed to an 8 or 10 ounce. This was a huge selling point for me. As someone who nurses a whole pot a coffee a day, I also was attracted to the fact that I read it keeps coffee hot for so long.

I have had the coffee-maker for over a month now, and I am NOT disappointed! I have not had one single overflow incident and I have had no problems. I suspect that those with overflow problems overfilled the reservoir or didn't pay attention to how they put the lid on.

One thing I must share with those of you considering this coffee-maker. One day I made a pot of coffee and I forgot about it. The next day, approximately 36 hours later, I remembered I had made coffee the previous day, so I figured I'd pour a cup and microwave it. Microwaving was unnecessary. The coffee came out STEAMING hot. As if I had just made it! I'm sure the more coffee that is in it the hotter it will keep but this was over a day later!

I HIGHLY recommend this product!

PROS

-No heating mechanism. No burnt tasting coffee!

-Once coffee is brewed, the coffee-maker shuts off.

-Coffee stays warm for much longer than the description states

-The carafe stays cool on the outside. I make a pot and just bring it into the living room with me, or to my desk.

-Very aesthetically pleasing design. Looks great in my kitchen.

-A full 12 cup coffee-maker. A rare thing amoung thermal carafe coffee-makers

-LED Clock/Programmable Timer. Auto Seal. Brew Pause Feature. Automatic Shutoff. Available in different colors

-The water level indicator is easy to see

-The beep letting you know the coffee is done is loud (I like that)

CONS

-You do need to pay attention to how to put the lid on, but it isn't exactly rocket science.

-The digital clock area is tiny. But read the directions and using the timer is a breeze.

-The stainless steel fingerprints easily, but that's not unusual in a stainless steel appliance.

-The beep letting you know the coffee is done is loud (Some may not like that)

My beloved 25 year-old Rowenta finally died, so I started looking for a new pot with a vacuum carafe and a cone filter. That narrowed the prospects quite a bit, and I bought the Cuisinart because it was easily available and (relatively) inexpensive compared to others with the same features. I read the numerous poor reviews but figured it wouldn't take a rocket scientist to make it work, so I pressed on.

Sure enough, the pot was defective in a couple of ways.

1. The instruction booklet says to _fill_ the carafe and pour it into the reservoir. The carafe holds twelve cups and the reservoir holds the same before the small hole in back below the hinge dumps any excess on your counter, so in theory it's impossible to over fill. So far, so good but the guy at Cuisinart who designed this pot apparently skipped his junior high science class the day they described how water expands when it is heated.

Twelve cups of cold tap water expands to about twelve and a half cups when it is raised to boiling. So, if you fill the reservoir according to instructions and heat the water, the carafe will overflow onto your counter every single time. Only fill it to the top of the stainless part.

2. There's another reason that it randomly barfs hot coffee all over your counter that is not related to the problem related above. I spent a few hours testing my pot with just water (no coffee) to figure out what was going on. It worked perfectly twice, and put hot water on the counter about a dozen times, starting anywhere from when the carafe was half full to almost full. Suddenly the water would stop running into the carafe as though it was plugged up and start spilling over the side. I took the (patent pending!) lid completely apart to see if something might be getting jammed. It's pretty clever there are two plastic and one metal ball to act as valves to let the coffee in and out while blocking steam and heat from escaping. Everything's a pretty loose fit and not likely to jam but I finally found the problem (with mine, at least).

When you fill a container with water, you must let the air out as you do it, so there is also a small vent passage without any ball valves that goes from the inside of the lid to the threaded area on the side of the lid that's near the carafe handle when the lid is properly tightened. The vent is quite small and exits the lid in a strange way to create a sort of labyrinth to reduce the amount of heat loss. I blew it out with some compressed air and saw something that was plugging it fly out, likely some plastic that fallen in during manufacturing. The vent also seemed somewhat obstructed where it ended, so I cleaned it up a bit with an Xacto knife.

The coffee maker now works perfectly apparently the vent was not always letting air escape quickly enough to let the coffee flow in.

I'm also going to put a few small self-adhesive cork glides from the hardware store under the carafe to boost it up a little and make sure the valve in the bottom of the filter stays open properly, as it seems a little dicey.

All in all, I like the pot, but for $80, I shouldn't have to do Cuisinart's quality control for them. The problems that so many people are complaining about were easy to recreate and repair it's really inexcusable that Cuisinart hasn't taken care of them by now.

Buy Cuisinart DTC-975BKN Thermal 12-Cup Programmable Coffeemaker, Black Now

Folks, Let me tell you.... I read all the reviews on this coffee maker before my wife and I decided that; Oh, come on! They must be goofy. How hard can it be to set this coffee pot up correctly to work without spillage; we bought it anyway.

It worked for a week or so and then dumped the coffee all over the counter and on the kitchen floor.

"I must have done something wrong", said the lady of the house. Ok, I'll try it, said the man of the house.

It worked... See, all you have to do is.. place the carafe in correctly. Well, I did it for three days and again all over the floor.

I called the company and a sweetie pie with the "Have a nice day" mentality helped me to calm down and told me that perhaps the cover was defective. They will send me another if I would return mine.

Wife said no.... order a whole carafe so we will have two when we get company. So 50 dollars later, I have two carafes.

Wonderful! Now either one will dump the coffee onto the counter after a week or ten days of lulling me into a state of confidence by working fine for 10 days.

We have a great deal of patience, and we also feel that we are smart enough to find the problem. So we stuck with it trying different filter baskets, and soaking the lids before using...

It was many months now, and it decided to dump this morning; all over the counter; all over the floor; grinds and coffee.

The carafe was half filled indicating that it did start out ok and I didn't misalign anything; but with a mind of its own, it decided that it hated us again today.

So folks, we got two green garbage bags, one inside the other, and dumped that 99.00 + 50.00 more coffee pot in the trash.

It isn't worth the aggravation.

I tried to find a website for their corporate office, but they haven't the guts to show any, so this is the only place I could tell you our story.

I kid you not. We should have believed all the negatives in this product review section.

I would have loved to return it to Amazon, but after so much elapsed time, it would not have been fair.

Thank you for listening.

Fred Auerbach

email: fred.auerbach@gmail.com

Read Best Reviews of Cuisinart DTC-975BKN Thermal 12-Cup Programmable Coffeemaker, Black Here

I've owned two of these machines. Here are the details:

First, the carafe is great. I've come home after a 10 hour day to find the morning coffee still warm enough and very drinkable. The cap alignment is a bit awkward, but it keeps the coffee hot and fresh. I now have two of them and have used them for this year's Christmas/New Years gatherings. They kept regular and decaf coffee hot and fresh throughout the evening. I used my replacement "Barista Aroma Grande" machine to brew the coffee then put it into the superior Cuisinart carafes. That is why I gave the product one star.

The downsides include almost everything else:

As a previous reviewer noted, if the carafe is not seated properly, you wake up to a puddle of coffee on your kitchen counter and floor. This happened to me twice.

Consequently, if any of that puddle seeps into the machine from underneath or drips into it from the LED display window, the machine is kaput. This is why out first machine failed.

The water reservoir requires filling the machine from the top. My replacement has a separate container that is easier to manipulate. It is a much neater way to fill the machine.

The red indicator ball on the side of the Cuisinart machine stopped working.

The second machine just stopped working. Like another reviewer noted, when you hit the "on" button, the machine beeped after a minute or so without producing any coffee. This was not a result from an overflow condition, nor a result of a user error it just stopped working.

Bottom line: look elsewhere for a reliable machine.

Want Cuisinart DTC-975BKN Thermal 12-Cup Programmable Coffeemaker, Black Discount?

I have had this coffee maker for about 3 weeks now. I read all these reviews before I purchased, and almost didn't because of some of them, so I thought I'd let you know how it worked out for me since you are probably having the same concerns.

The short version: I am very pleased with this coffee maker and am happy I purchased it. There are a couple of minor concerns, but with a bit of knowledge you can safely purchase this coffee maker.

Pros:

Very solid construction and carafe. Good overall look and feel.

The carafe keeps coffee hot all day. A huge plus. I only get carafe style (no warmer) coffee makers, and this is one of the best I've used.

Simple and easy programmable auto-brew functionality.

The fill container has a very easy to read measuring line, making filling it to a desired level very easy and convenient. A bonus I didn't know I was missing until I got this machine.

Cons:

Pretty slow brewing. Takes 15-20 minutes to brew a full pot.

Does not come with the filter basket. Make sure you purchase one when you order. It is well worth it, and way better than paper filters.

It is a slow pourer. You may think "well come on, how much of a hurry are you in?" But when you fill travel size mugs, you really notice how slow it is. It is not a deal breaker, just letting you know.

The big one: SPILLAGE! Yes, this happened, but it can be avoided.

The Spillage: I'd read all about the complaints "It overflowed all over my counter", "made a huge mess", "worst coffee maker ever", and so I was concerned. At first some people were chalking it up to not putting the lid of the carafe on properly. While this is slightly trickier than it could be, it is still very obvious if you have it threaded wrong and is not the problem. However, I did experience the spill-over, huge mess, grinds and coffee all over my kitchen. But I investigated this thoroughly and found out the problem was due to the very finely ground coffee. When ground to almost a powder texture, the coffee passes through the filter and into the carafe's unique brew-top lid. This lid has a separate compartment with a ball inside that allows it to brew through, and not spill when pouring. However, that area filled with the fine grounds and created a solid barrier that didn't allow coffee to go into the carafe anymore.

IMPORTANT: DO NOT OVER GRIND YOUR BEANS. This brewer seems to brew it at above normal strength anyway, so you do not need to grind your beans too much. Most pre-ground coffees are fine; it's just the custom grinders who can overdo it. Be careful, and you won't have this problem.

So, I set my timer up for 30 minutes before I need it, don't over-grind, and am very happy with this coffee maker. Hope this helps!

Save 46% Off

Cuisinart GTF Gold Tone Filter

I have used this filter with my Grind-n-Brew for 2 years. I put it in the dishwasher at least twice and have never had any problems with it. I have no idea what these other reviewers are doing wrong, but I love this filter. I never have grounds in my coffee. There is always a little darker/thicker coffee in the bottom of a good cup of coffee!

As for price, $20 is NOT the actual price for this filter. $10 is the "real" price, so you are not getting a deal on Amazon especially when you add shipping (unless you are getting free shipping). I have seen the same $10 filter at Wal-Mart, Walgreens, Ace Hardware, and Publix.

Overall, if you enjoy a good cup of coffee and do not want to put the chemicals added to paper filters in your body, buy this coffee filter!

The first one I had I frequently put in the dishwasher and it lasted a little over a year, so I will hand wash this one. The price here is the same as the manufacturer's site, but for now you save on the shipping.

Buy Cuisinart GTF Gold Tone Filter Now

There are pros and cons to this conical, gold-coated filter. I'm still using mine after 7 years, with one replacement, so overall, I prefer this to paper filters with some comments on pros and cons:

Pros:

You can reduce the use of paper products.

You never run out of paper filters

Makes a decent cup of coffee

Fits machine that use number 4 cone filters (I use a DeLonghi drip machine; this will fit a number of coffee machines, not just Cuisinart.)

Cons:

Finer grinds make their way through this filter. So there is more sludge in the bottom of the carafe. The paper filters seem to retain more of the fines, and you get less sludge. The last, let's say, quarter cup of cofee in the bottom of the carafe is not drinkable.

The gold eventually wears off. It is bonded to the mesh, but gold is relatively inert and doesn't bond well to anything. So I have replaced this filter once, when the gold wore off. Once in six years, which isn't bad.

Summary: I like this filter enough to replace my number 4 paper filters and I use it every day.

Read Best Reviews of Cuisinart GTF Gold Tone Filter Here

what can you say about a replacement filter? it works, fits just right and is cheap. kind of like my husband.

Want Cuisinart GTF Gold Tone Filter Discount?

I've had this filter for almost two years now. I usually hand wash it, but it holds up to the dishwasher as well. The only complaint I have is that it has a tendency to get grounds caught in the bottom of the filter, where the plastic joins the screen. Overall, I've been very happy with this filter, and if it wears out, I plan on replacing it with another Cuisinart.

Save 100% Off

Philips Saeco RI9757/47 Odea Cappucino Automatic Espresso Machine, Titanium and Silver

After the initial setup (took like 15 min), tried to brew with a not so good coffee (local coffee "la lucha" in Uruapan, México...SUX! they do not have a standard, and sometimes their coffee tastes excellent, but most of the time it's over toasted), and had an average espresso shot. I imagine that if I use better beans (like illy or lavazza), the results will improve. The crema on this shot was nice, but quickly disappeared (dunno why). Tried to froth milk, but the foam is not consistent and loses height... that's why I'm giving it 4star.

I'm sorry for the colombian guy, that had problems with his saeco. I was worried that could happen to mine too! But so far, soooo good.

***

ADDED APRIL 6, 2012.

The cappucinatore makes IMPRESSIVE frothed milk. It is silky and delicious (used whole, cold milk).

If you are looking for a discret machine (as in no sound), look somewhere else. On start up, this little guy is noisy as a firecraker! I do not know if it is normal to this model, but mine makes a "brrrrrrrrrr" noise on the final part for start up.

I changed the brand for the beans, and now I'm using illy decaf. Great taste!

***

ADDED OCTOBER 9, 2012

Hello all!

I don't know why, but the 2 saeco products I've had so far, both have failed the same: main board malfunction. So it's time to move on to another (more trustable) brand.

It is not nice for a customer to pay the s&h for an item that is under guarantee.

My odea plus II with capuccinatore failed after 7 months and less than 250 coffees. When started to fail, water pump was like not receiving enough power to work. Then failed completely.

The external design is beautiful (by BMW), the brewing system is impressive and easy to clean. But the electronics completely not up to the level.

***

update March 20, 2013

One of the distinctive remarks on Philips-Saeco, is their customer support. Still having issues with my saeco espresso machine, but I'm giving up, after a lot of phone calls and some possible solutions, everything comes down to a pressure valve that is not working properly.

I already purchased "the infuser" by breville. I would recommend, if you are a serious and enthusiastic coffee drinker (a geek) or prosumer, to stay away from superautomatics. There are a lot of things that can go wrong... I understand that grinding, dosing and tamping can be messy at the beginning, but that is how the learning curve progresses. After a week or two of trying, the results get from a semiAutomatic are superb! (aim for a $450 or higher machine).

On the other hand, I you want to avoid that process, enter in superautomatics realm, on your own risk.

See you around!

After receiving this supposedly 'Certified Refurbished' Super Automatic espresso machine, we followed the instructions, and the unit still failed to get past priming the pump. Customer service was no help. Asking us to stick a turkey baster inside a 10 minute old machine is ridiculous! But in hopes of getting it to work, we followed their instructions, Force priming the supposedly 'Certified' refurbished machine. It still refused to work on its own after over an hour of FORCED priming. Clearly Seattle Coffee Gear has no business selling these machines. How can you send out $500+ machines and not even test them? HORRIBLE CUSTOMER SERVICE.

After over an hour of failed priming, we decided to return the unit. Then came our next surprise. $69 to ship it back. Atleast it was FREE SHIPPING to us, right? WRONG. They decided to charge us for shipping after we returned the unit, only giving us a partial refund for this piece of crap that was their mistake to begin with.

THE WORST SHOPPING EXPERIENCE EVER.

STAY AWAY FROM SEATTLE COFFEE GEAR!

Buy Philips Saeco RI9757/47 Odea Cappucino Automatic Espresso Machine, Titanium and Silver Now

I own some high end coffee shops, but I'm not comparing this to the very costly gear we use. The big problem with this is the long, long wait between when you froth and when you pull a shot The temperature can take minutes to adjust, meaning either your espresso or milk is too cold once they unite. Without that problem, it would be a great deal.

Read Best Reviews of Philips Saeco RI9757/47 Odea Cappucino Automatic Espresso Machine, Titanium and Silver Here

The machine sent by you was leaking. I phoned Saeco Customer Service Center on the December 31 and the attendant assured me that I was going to receive an email message by the end of that day. Four days later, no hearing from them. I called them back and they promissed me to send a new one sooner than a week, what did not happen. When the new machine came, it did not work at all. On top of that, they promissed to send me a gift package, which never came. When I called them again in the USA, the man who answered my call, said he was a Saeco Customer Service Center supervisor, who was very unkind, not mentioning his rudeness. I bought a new Breville machine from a local shop here in Orlando, which was $50 more expensive than it was in Amazon, but I preferred buying it this way, so that it would give me less trouble and it would not take as long as it took (over a month) to have my money back in case I needed to get a new one. Therefore, I have no more comments. Furthermore, a part of being a more modern machine, the Breville is much better than the Saeco.

Want Philips Saeco RI9757/47 Odea Cappucino Automatic Espresso Machine, Titanium and Silver Discount?

Terrible: after $200 in taxes and shipping to Bogotá, Colombia (a small country in south america)

I received my new coffee excited and took a horrible surprise when I turned on following the user guide and did not work.

The alarm light never leave flashing and after 10 trials to fix the problem following the troubleshooting in the user guide, I decided return this beautiful but poor quality machine and lost $300 including shipping to Miami to my charge.

I had read somewhere about this same problem, but I ignored it thinking that a manufacturer like Philips would not have the same problem twice

If you like risks, buy it...

Save 25% Off

Pasquini Livia 90 Automatic Espresso Machine. Model: HML90A(Out Of Stock)

When researching a replacement for my original espresso machine, almost every review for other products seemed to make some comment along the lines of "it's nearly as good as a Pasquini Livia 90." I decided that this was probably a telling statement, and indicated that the 90 was likely the best way to go.

I initially planned on getting the semi-automatic as opposed to the automatic, but now am happy that I went to the full automatic. Most of the time I use it in semi mode, but on occasion -when busy and rushed -I will use the full automatic so that I can accomplish a couple of other minor tasks while one shot is being pulled.

This is nice kit; if you like espresso consider indulging in one.

At the time of this writing, I've owned my Livia 90 Semi-Automatic espresso machine for more than 10 years. I've used it pretty much every single day since it first arrived -unless I'm away from home. Today, although my income would allow me to purchase one of the newer, more expensive prosumer machines, I haven't been able to justify doing so because this good ol' work horse just keeps on doing everything I ask of her.

The Livia 90 is attractive, but also extremely sturdy, well-built. Pretty much, I've replaced the group gasket three times and maybe a half dozen pressurestats. Of course, every espresso machine owner replaces group gaskets, and generally also pressurestats. To be honest, the frequency with which I have replaced my Livia 90's pressurestat is mostly a reflection on the inadequacy of my initial water treatment methods. I used to live in an area that had wonderful, very soft water, so I let myself become too lax about checking the hardness of the water supply in this new house. When I finally admitted to being inexcusably inattentive to water quality up to that point, I decided to install a heavy duty water softener on the water line I run to the Livia 90. also, I now monitor water hardness religiously at the start of each month. Since putting in that water treatment system, I haven't had a single stuck pressurestat episode (knock on wood).

About 5 years ago, the Livia "died" -when I flipped the ON switch nothing happened. So after consulting other Livia 90 owner on the Internet, I induced the cause to be the "CPU," so I sent away for a new one -for approximately $150. I figured that the original CPU had probably been allowed to get too hot, because of its enigmatic placement near the boiler. Now, clearly the Livia 90's engineers believed the heat given off by the boiler wouldn't be much of a problem for the CPU or they wouldn't have located it where they did. But I concluded that it couldn't be that much more robust than my notebook computer, which I am constantly protecting from overheating. Anyway, when I installed the new CPU unit I also built a double-wall insulating shield (using high-temp "cardboard" designed for use in engine muffler repairs, plus high-temp heat-reflective aluminum tape), and inserted it between the boiler and the CPU. The result was just what I hoped, viz., that side of the machine is much, much cooler than the other (unprotected) side.

To be sure, the Livia 90's water reservoir holds a really generous 1.5 liters of water, so for most users it wouldn't need to be refilled every day or two. Plus, when you do need to refill the reservoir, a large, stainless steel lid the width of the machine flips back to expose the entire reservoir, making it really easy to pour and also to see what you're doing. Furthermore, with that lid open, it's a simple matter to lift the reservoir all the way out for cleaning -I do this twice a year, generally.

One more thing: everyone who has used a Livia 90 mentions its boundless supply of high-pressure steam. It's true. This thing really kicks out lots of steam through the steam wand (Note: I use a stainless, three-holed tip rather than the stock, 4-holed tip that ships with the Livia 90). With practice, anyone should be able to create beautiful microfoam for your own latte art. Also, because of its heat-exchanger design, you're able to use the steam wand simultaneously with pulling shots -although you wouldn't ever want to do that -without running out of either steam or brewing-temperature water. Yes, you could pull shots one after another for the whole afternoon if, for instance, you were entertaining a group of friends who have discovered that attractive semi-pro espresso machine right there on your counter.

You should, by now, be getting the idea that this machine is really simple to tinker with, if you want or need to. The shiny, stainless cover lifts completely off after loosening just two screws, exposing the elegant and robust interior, where all the *real*work gets done. If you're handy with everyday tools like phillips and slotted screwdrivers, adjustable wrenches, etc., and aren't intimidated by machinery, you'll really like this solidly built, elegantly designed machine. So go for it. Note that this is not the kind of machine that will brew perfect espresso drinks no matter how hard you work at it. It's not foolproof, but it will do just what you expect a serious, prosumer espresso machine to do. While you're practicing, getting ever better at dialing in your coffee grinder, properly dosing and distributing the grinds into the Livia 90's heavy portafilter and tamping it down just right, you'll find that some of your motivation to improve comes from the challenge of having a machine that will make wonderful microfoam and brew excellent espresso once you master all the steps. Meanwhile, you'll be proud of its polished, professional, heavy-duty appearance on your counter (yes, it fits under typical kitchen wall cabinets).

Buy Pasquini Livia 90 Automatic Espresso Machine. Model: HML90A(Out Of Stock) Now

Cuisinart DCC-3000 Coffee-on-Demand 12-Cup Programmable Coffeemaker & Free Mini Tool Box (cog)

• Dispenses one cup at a time with an easy-to-use actuator
• Press the lever to fill your cup
• Removable water reservoir
• Double-wall coffee reservoir holds twelve 5 oz. cups of coffee
• Removable coffee reservoir for easy cleanup

I was pleased with the look of this one. After having to part with my Hamilton beach that quit heating the coffee properly and began leaking.

Well.... spent more money on this and after about a month it quit heating too. Not sure if its probs with on demand styles or what but what a bummer. Now I need to take this one back and I guess Ill have to move backwards to a regular pot brewer.

Jura-Capresso 13289 Impressa S7 Avantgarde Automatic Coffee and Espresso Center

Not sure if the first reviewer is misdirecting his dissatisfaction. Sounds like the spending of the vacation money was the real problem. Because this machine is perfect, and I have nothing bad to say about it. Other than that it does look a little Spartan, but only in a minor way.

It brews an wonderfull espresso, with thick, golden, foamy crema. It brews it absolutely perfectly, and consistently everytime. Overall the functionality of this machine is superb, and very customizable. Each button can be programmed to YOUR specifications, so easily a monkey could do it. The cup warmer is genious, the clean-up is easier than ANY drip maker I have used/owned. Overall the machine is also very quiet.

The 'Foofy' drinks (as I like to call them) are top notch! My wife prefers the lattes, Chai teas,etc. The frother on this machine has it's own dedicated thermoblock boiler, so there is no lag time, and the froth is excellent. Micro-bubbles as good as any Barista. Water filtering system is great, easy to activate, grinds, tamps beans which is excellent. Also has a chute for already ground coffee, good for Decaf, or flavored.

I guess you could complain about the plastic on the outside, but this does not bother me at all. and frankly seems easier to keep clean, which is a concern since milk etc splatters on the machine when you froth. Also keeps the machine lighter and enables you to move it without breaking your neck.

The ONLY difference between this machine and the S9A is the following:

Exterior look, S7A has black accents, S9A has the same plastic accents, but in silver.

S9A comes with the Frother X-Press, which quite honestly is useless unless you are entertaining and brewing several milk drinks at once. Anyway, frothing in the cup is fun.

The cup warmer on the S9A has stainless tray, whereas the S7A is plastic.

Otherwise, the functionality and insides of the machines is the same. And this is where both of these machines shine, on their functionality. They brew excellent, hot, delicious, rich, coffee in less than 60 seconds. They are tried and true, well-reviewed models.

If you are in the market, don't think twice about a Jura, the quality is fantastic, and end result brew is second to only a Semi-Auto.

My wife and I purchased an Jura S7 Avantgarde for each other last Christmas. Due to its high cost, and a few reviews relating faulty machines, we did opt to buy from a company with a lifetime "no questions asked" return policy. Also note that this is the same machine as the S9 for about 300.00 less. We have found the the black color is much easier to keep looking clean.

In the past year, we have used the machine multiple times daily. When we first started using it, I was disappointed in the quality of the coffee it made. I was thinking about returning it because for 2K, I expected excellent taste. However, after reviewing the instructions more throughly, and trying different combinations, I was able to make drinks up to my expectations. If you think that you can buy this machine as a no-brainer expresso maker, you may be disappointed. However, if you are willing to experiment a bit, you will find that this Jura is capable of making excellent expresso, lattes, cafe americano, as well as some of the best pressure brewed coffee you've ever had. If you are a die-hard expresso purist, you probably aren't reading this review, but if you are, I will say that while this machine will come close to the best espresso machines, you will note a difference. For the vast majority of people, the convenience and multiple capabilities of this product are worth it.

Since the machine is completely programmable, you can vary the combinations of water temperature, water quantity, grind setting, powder quantity, expressing time, etc. Once you have discovered the correct combination for your favorite drink, it truly becomes a "one button" machine. (for that drink) I have found that the grind setting has a significant impact on the taste of the coffee, so if you are experiencing problems, start there. Also, while the instructions suggest using a finer grind for ligher beans, I have found that a coarser grind is better. Don't forget that your water will affect the taste of the drink, so try using some R/O water for your experiments.

Pros: Small size fits under cabinets Programmable Easy care Excellent capabilities Simple use after initial set-up

Cons: High cost of maintenence products. Initial Investment Bit noisy during cleaning cycles Learning Curve

Update December 2010:

As much as I hate to say it, we ended up getting rid of our Jura. After sending it back for repair a couple of times, I still could not get the grinder to make a fine grind without which you cannot make espresso. I have replaced it with a Saeco Syntia, and am getting a much better cup of coffee for about 1/2 the price.

Buy Jura-Capresso 13289 Impressa S7 Avantgarde Automatic Coffee and Espresso Center Now

After much research, we purchased this machine as certified pre-brewed. We knew we wanted a Jura, and our budget only went so far. Instead of a new lower end machine we spent our allotted amount on a CPB S7 avantgarde. It arrived in only 48 hours, with Saturday delivery.

We wanted a machine with Xpress froth, and the double boiler so we wouldn't have to wait between frothing and brewing or vice versa. The menu display and buttons are very clear and intuitive, the machine is easy to clean, and best of all, whether it's crema coffee or espresso, all have come out wonderfullly. We are picky about our coffee drinks and this machine has been flawless in executing them. FrothXpress makes excellent steamed milk and creamy fine froth. The siphoning feature is brilliant.

As for being factory reconditioned, the machine was either hardly used or wonderfully refurbished, because it has not a scratch on it and in every detail appreared to be brand new. The included DVD is very clear.

Five stars for the S7a, which seems to be identical to the S9 except for color and one-touch cappucino though the S7 is essentially a 1 touch machine with a separate step for frothed milk.

Read Best Reviews of Jura-Capresso 13289 Impressa S7 Avantgarde Automatic Coffee and Espresso Center Here

I'll keep this review simple... the S7 AG my wife and I got about 3 years ago has worked flawlessly. I clean it on a regular basis, which I have also heard is key not only for the sake of better tasting coffee, but also for the life and performance of the machine.

We make shots almost every day and I guess we've made upwards of 2,000 drinks, and still it runs well. Prior to the Jura, I went through THREE Francis!Francis! machines (even the cool stainless version). In each case, the pump just didn't have the strength to push through proper espresso grounds (pods were OK), and I prefer fresh-ground flavor. Since the Jura has a self-contained, and yet full-automated system it was the only machine on the market at the time that made sense to me.

Apart from the cost, it is a great machine that pulls a perfect shot every time. Until recently, it was the most expensive appliance we had in the kitchen...

Enjoy

Want Jura-Capresso 13289 Impressa S7 Avantgarde Automatic Coffee and Espresso Center Discount?

I've now owned the Jura Capresso S7 superautomatic espresso machine for several years, so I've had plenty of time to get to know the unit. As far as superautos go, it makes excellent espresso. Now do understand that the superautomatics are a compromise. You will likely never pour "The Crema of the Gods" that you *might* see every now and then with a quality manual machine. But this unit will give you very good shots with great consistency.

Frothing milk is also a weak spot of many superautomatics, and the S7 is no exception. It simply doesn't have the horsepower of a quality manual machine to put out that super-dense froth replete with microbubbles. I've tried to froth both manually and also with the optional frother and I get the same so-so results.

On the plus side, there are greater customization options than I've seen on any other superauto that I've used. You can control the temperature of water, the quantity of coffee, the quantity of coffee, the fineness of the grind and so on. The unit is very easy to clean, but be sure to wipe off the shower-like head with a damp paper cloth. There are many machines that are a major pain to clean, and the Jura-Capresso units really stand out as you merely drop in a cleaning tablet and follow the instructions. As a side note, the Jura-Capresso branded tablets are fairly pricey. Instead, I recommend the Ornex Cafiza tablets which are much, much cheaper and seem to do the exact same job.

So it it worth a couple of grand? That's a very subjective question. Frankly, probably not. However, it is a quality machine that will last you a very long time. I do recommend it, despite the high price and a few aforementioned shortcomings.

Bialetti I Caffe D'Italia Mini Express Single Serve Espresso Machine

I have had this espresso machine for just a few days. I chose it in the flat black color. It is a great alternative to what is available on the market. This is a great looking design and the coffee is good, too. The coffee is available in five different blends and they are suppose to be representative of different regions of Italy (Roma, Milano, Napoli, Venezia, and Decaf). The literature says that this machine brews at 20 bar (290 psi). It has a 20 oz. water tank and a simple on off switch (green) and a red light to let you know that the power is on.

It has a capsule collection box that holds 10 used capules, which are aluminum. Pretty simple and it does what it is suppose to do. The water temperature out of the brew group is around 190 degrees and in the cup at about 170. There is about a 5 second pause before any liquid starts flowing after the on button is pushed. I think this might be a pre-infusion cycle. There is also some pressure released (along with some liquid) after the coffee is stopped by pushing the on/off button again. This could be an over-pressure valve or a 3-way solenoid valve.

Bialetti advertises this new machine as being the "only" single-serve espresso with true Italian taste. I am too new to the Espresso coffee market to say whether they have succeeded or not. But, so far I am impressed. My experience to this point has been with a FrancisFrancis Y1 model by iLLY that uses the iPerespresso capsules. So, I have set the bar pretty high for comparison purposes. I chose this machine because of the company behind it.

I live in Canada and had seen this machine on display from time to time when I was in a familiar large retail chain picking up diapers and other essential goods. The machine first appeared on their shelves probably a year ago. I didn't know what to think at the time -I own a Bialetti stovetop moka pot and know the reputation the brand carries, but I was also apprehensive because it was a capsule machine and was being sold at a large retail chain. "How good could it be?" I thought.

I quickly dismissed it as a gimmick product with a good brand name simply slapped on it and went on with my life. I am a bit of a coffee snob I guess you could say. I've been spoiled by a lovely Jura super automatic espresso machine at my office and some excellent beans. At home, I've become quite skilled with my Aeropress but still was craving a proper espresso on occasion -something that the excellent Aeropress cannot deliver.

It just happened that I was in the unnamed retail store just two weeks ago (mid March 2013), and I saw the machine again. This time, it was on an end cap and it was on clearance!

How much you ask? I don't think if I'm allowed to say exactly how much that was here, so I'll just say the price was very, very attractive. So, I did some quick searching online on my mobile and discovered that the system had just been launched in the US this last month. Good news, I thought. It meant that I wouldn't be purchasing an orphaned machine if I did buy it. Capsules would be readily available from the US and Europe should distribution in Canada end.

So, with that knowledge under my belt, I took the chance and brought one home. I also grabbed a 10 capsule variety pack on clearance to test out the roasts.

After I got it home, I again did some online reading to see what others thought of the system. Unfortunately, there aren't many reviews out there due to the system being so new in the US, but those that I did find were positive, so I opened the box.

I set up the machine (very straightforward), ran some water-only shots to clear the lines and then tried my first capsule. The first one I tried was the Venezia roast -and it was lovely. Beautiful crema and lovely flavour. I was impressed.

I have since then tried all the roasts (one of the 5 is decaf) and still prefer the Venezia, but overall they're all nice. I have now visited other locations of the unnamed retailer in my area and have been buying up the capsules because they're on clearance for amazing prices.

The system itself has proven to be ideal for me. I am the only regular espresso drinker in the house and the system is easy to operate and maintain. I really was against pod/capsule systems for the cost and waste concerns -as well as the substandard coffee that most of them produce (Keurig and Tassimo in particular). This Bialetti system is nothing like the Keurig or Tassimo -it's closer to the Nespresso system in my opinion.

The capsules are 100% aluminum (recyclable) according to Bialetti. That's a big deal in my mind. It also apparently is superior to plastic in preserving the coffee and keeping it fresher longer.

There are 7 grams of espresso in each capsule. From what I have read, this is the exact amount required to be properly classified as an espresso by European standards. The machine pumps the espresso at 20 BAR and at a temperature of 190°F, which is comparable to more expensive machines on the market. It certainly produces an espresso that is very good to excellent in my opinion and experience. It certainly won't put professional baristas at true espresso bars and coffee shops out of business, but for a low-cost home unit, you'll be pleasantly surprised.

An interesting thing to note is that the machine does not automatically stop after you start a pull. It is up to you to control the shot. I actually like this feature. I purchased a 2 oz Libbey shot glass with lines at 1, 1.5 and 1.75 oz so I can measure my shots much like a manual espresso machine. It gives you the flexibility to make it a traditional 1 oz shot, a longer or shorter pull, or the North American 1.5 oz shot.

Cost to operate is quite reasonable too. Obviously I've saved a lot by buying up the capsules on clearance, but even at regular price the capsules are cheaper than buying an espresso from the espresso bar. The only other expense is descaler. As the manual states, any coffee descaler (citric acid based) is suitable and it says it only has to be used after every 300 espressos. (I'd probably do it a bit more often than that, but that's only because we have slightly higher mineral content in our water.)

The only concerns I have going forward are availability of the capsules. Part of the reason I wrote this review was to encourage others to give this system a try. If more people buy into the system, then there's a better chance for it to flourish. I encourage you to check one out and see what you think.

Buy Bialetti I Caffe D'Italia Mini Express Single Serve Espresso Machine Now

I bought this machine because it promised true Italian espresso, not the watery North American version. I was not disappointed. The Bialetti, like a Tassimo or Keurig, uses single serve capsules and delivers the coffee with one press of a button. I've had several traditional expresso makers in the past but this beats them all because I get great tasting coffee with a very nice crema without all the grinding and measuring and clean-up. This little thing even stores ten of the used capsules inside the unit so you don't even have to empty every time. I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys an authentic cup of espresso. Truly is excellent value for money.

Read Best Reviews of Bialetti I Caffe D'Italia Mini Express Single Serve Espresso Machine Here