Nescafe Dolce Gusto Single Serve Coffee Machines

This is a GREAT coffee machine. I have purchased a Sanso, Tassimo, Keurig and now the Nescafe Dolce Gusto. I threw away the Sanso (lousy coffee), gave away the Tassimo, (lousy coffe..good cocoa), love the Keurig and love this Nescafe Dolce. Here are the differences that I have noticed between the two, in my opinion, best machines on the market. The Nescafe makes great coffee. This machines also allows you to make your coffee any way you want it. You must MANUALLY turn off the water out pour when you feel coffee is done to your liking. It DOES NOT automatically turn off. That is cool. I like my coffee very dark so I turn the water off 3/4 of the cup. My daughter, a little longer for a lighter cup. Still delicious. The Keurig has more variety, but I am sure the Dolce will catch up soon enough. The Keurig also has a K-Cup that allows you to put in your own coffee or tea to use rather than using a purchased k-cup. I love that feature. I also love having tea from the Keurig something the Nescafe Dolce doesn't have. What I love about the Nescafe are the gourmet/specialty coffees. Keurig doesn't have these. The Nescafe coffees are amazingly tasty. Much tastier than I had anticipated and take moments to make. Follow the directions in the pamphlet that comes with the machine for the best tasting coffees you will ever have from a machine. Actually, probably from anywhere. I am keeping the Keurig at my home for my morning green tea and evening mint tea, but bringing the Nescafe Dolce to my office for my afternoon specialty pick me up coffee Best of both worlds all day long!!

I want to love this machine. If you are considering purchasing the Dolce Gusto machine I STRONGLY suggest you sample the coffee first (I think Sur La Table has demo machines). Here's what I like about the machine:

* The design is sleek.

* It's well made and sturdy.

* The machine heats the water up really fastonce you turn it you're ready to make coffee in well under a minute.

* The machine is incredibly easy to use. (see attached video for a demo of a cappuccino)

* No real cleanup required after each use.

Now for the bad...

* The machine comes with a latte macchiato glass, a cappuccino cup and saucer. Unfortunately the packaging was very poor (not enough bubble wrap) and the saucer arrived cracked.

* The coffee is horrible. As good as the physical machine is... it is only as good as the coffee it makes. All the milk based Dolce Gusto drinks are excessively sweet, taste artificial and have a ton of sugar and have anywhere from 3.5g-6g of fat.

*The non-milk drinks are very disappointing as well. Both the espresso and lungo aren't very strong and taste very average.

I have posted video demonstrations for each of the drinks in my reviews of :

* Cappuccino

* Espresso

* Chococino

* Caffe Lungo

* Latte Macchiato

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I've tried everything but the $800+ machines. Nothing gave me real high-pressure brewing and real steamed milk. Until now. The Dolce Gusto's cappuccino, espresso, latte and coffee are among the best I've ever had. The hot chocolate alone would justify buying one. I can literally have a cup of excellent cappuccino within two minutes of walking into the kitchen in the morning. The unit is simple enough to use when half asleep, and is a snap to clean.

The heart of the Dolce Gusto is a 15-bar pressure pump coupled with a flash heater: water is ready for brewing instantly, and at espresso-making pressure. No warmup and no pressure tank to worry about. The pressure is so high that only a needle-sized hole in the top of the cartridge is required for brewing.

The cartridge is shaped such that the beverage never touches the machine.

I rinse the easily removed cartridge holder after every brew, but it's not really necessary--nothing gets on it. Other occasional maintenance includes rinsing the drip tray and water reservoir as necessary, and examining/cleaning the injector needle periodically. The system is so well designed that the cartridges rarely drip after being removed from the holder.

Brewing is simple. For coffee, put the cartridge in the holder, flip the locking lever down, and push the water selector to the hot setting. Stop the water when the coffee is done to your liking. For milk-containing drinks (cappuccino, latte, hot chocolate and iced latte), it's a two step process. The milk cartridge goes in first, the milk is steamed until the proper amount is in the cup, the coffee cartridge goes in, and the appropriate amount of coffee goes into the cup. Done. No preheat time, and no fixed cycle like some other cartridge brewing systems, so you can get the coffee exactly the way you want it.

An undocumented feature is that hot water can be obtained without a cartridge being installed: cups/mugs can be preheated before brewing, ensuring the coffee remains steaming hot, and hot water is instantly available for oatmeal or tea. Beats an expensive hot water dispenser.

The Dolce Gusto makes the best hot chocolate I've ever had. It's rich, dark, not too sweet, and it's frothy, steamy, and completely smooth. My wife was sold by the hot chocolate even before she tasted the coffee. Apparently a mocha flavor is scheduled for 2009: a coffee cartridge and a chocolate cartridge. Yum.

There's one nit, though. The cappuccino and latte drinks don't come as decaf. The drinks are packaged as sets of coffee and milk cartridges together in a single box, so mixing and matching say, decaf espresso with a milk isn't possible. This is a bit of an issue with me, since a late night cappuccino may result in my being wired all night. Not sure why Krups hasn't addressed this, because I suspect it's an issue for a lot of potential buyers.

The out of box experience is great. Krups includes 2 each of all available drinks, along with a latte glass and a cup. Having the latte glass is nice, because you can see that the coffee does indeed form a layer between the hot milk and the froth, just like in the picture. The cup and glass both have handles strategically placed to act as guides for the first few brews, and the brewing instructions are a picture for each type of beverage, showing the cartridges used, the order, and the approximate volume of milk and coffee to brew. No annoying manual to read before using the product. I was brewing coffee within minutes of unpacking.

We're absolutely delighted with the Dolce Gusto. I'd given up on ever having real cappuccinos and lattes at home, and could rarely justify the drive to the local chain and the cost. Kudos to Krups for a breakthrough product.

Read Best Reviews of Nescafe Dolce Gusto Single Serve Coffee Machines Here

This is an excellent coffee maker. I am military stationed in Germany and have owned one of these for about a month now. It is one of the best kitchen items I have ever bought. The variety of coffees that can be made "one" cup at a time is awesome. My family and I have tried the Cafe Lungo (regular coffee), Latte Macchiato, Cappuccino, Mocha, Espresso, and Chococino (hot chocolate). They all came out tasting great. The froth on the cappuccino and latte is perfect. I have always wanted a cappuccino machine and this definitely fits the bill...and then some. It's a lot easier to use than a cappuccino machine and a lot easier to clean and maintain (almost no cleaning involved). Also, once you have water in the big reservoir and flip on the switch, I can have a cup of coffee in about a minute.

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I love my coffee. When I was first given the opportunity a few months ago to try the Dolce Gusto, I thought it was a gimmick that would make gas-station-style, mediocre coffee-like beverages. I am pleasantly surprised by the quality of espresso that this machine makes. I have reviewed all of the varieties elsewhere, so that's all I will say about that.

Espresso & coffee use only a single pod. The custom drinks take two, and therefore are twice as expensive, but still well within budget.

The best thing about the maker is how easy it is to use. My 15-month old can run it. She can open the bin, put the pod in, close it, push the on button, wait til it turns green (meaning the water's heated), flip the lever on, and then flip it off. It is seriously simple and quick.

Finally, I have found a use that I have not heard many talking about: tea maker/water heater. If you take the pod out of the bin and run the Dolce Gusto, you have an automatic water heater. I will often put a tea bag in a cup and run the hot water directly in. Quick cup of tea without having to boil or microwave water.

Saeco Odea Giro Plus Fully Automatic Espresso Machine

After owning the Saeco Giro Plus for about a month, here are my observations

Pros:

Great tasting coffee! Very strong without tasting bitter. Rich creme.

Affordable price. Paid $400 from a "club" store.

Relatively quiet compared to my sister's super-automatic Krups.

Cons:

After installing the water filter, the water storage is pretty low, 3 cups of Americano at most.

Machine is very finicky (will go more in detail later)

The "cup warmer" feature is a joke, only thing it can warm are ice cubes.

Here's a list of stuff that might cause the warning light to go off.

Solid Warning Light:

Steam knob not turned all the way off (need to click in place)

Water is low (20% full is still considered low, sensor goes by weight it seems)

Drip tray is full

Slow Blinking Warning Light:

Brew group not inserted properly (DON'T hold the Push button when inserting, it should click in)

Grounds bin not inserted (the sensor is finicky, sometimes you need to pull out and push in again)

Fast Blinking Warning Light (hot water dispensing light will also be on):

Machine needs to be primed (while the hot water dispensing light is on turn the steam knob on till the red light goes away)

Don't forget to rinse the brew unit in hot water (no soap) once a week. This will prevent build up of oils and sludge.

I purchased this machine on the "whole latte love" website. It took a week to arrive via ups ground. Upon arrival it was 100% dead. as soon as you turn it on the alarm light turns on and the machine does not do anything. also the optional filter was missing as well. I called the seller that told me to call Saeco, this is their agreement. I called Saeco (Philips) that issued me a promise for replacement

I received this replacement within less then a week, which is great. Initially they "promised" 10-14 days, but changed that after long phone discussions. the second machine arrived and turned on as promised. It made 5 great espresso shots and after the 5th shot the alarm light turned on (again). Nothing helped besides resetting the machine. Every 3-5 cups I need to reset it for the same reasons. The resetting itself takes about 30-40 seconds, but it is pretty unpleasant to need to do this all the time.

In summary, although it makes a good espresso shot and despite good foaming, I would not buy this one again. I think a machine that needs to be re-set every few cups is pretty unreliable.

Also I tried to publish a negative review about it on the wholelatte art website but they did not publish it. i think they filter negative feedbacks so whatever you read there is most likely unreliable as well.

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This is a review by a Coffee Fanatic who has owned several machines, including the $8000 industrial version. I had the Vienna Plus for 8 months and decided to give that away to get the Odea Go. It does not matter which model you get, all the Odeas have the same BMW mechanics and design. All work the same way. So I'll give a comparison for your own judgement.

The Vienna Plus had more water in the dredge drawer.. so much that I first thought the machine was leaking!! Found out that IS the way the machine works.. But the machine was bigger than the Odea, so it had room. I had to clean it out every 6-8 cups made.

The Vienna also allowed me to see the water level, so it was easy to refill.

Now for the ODEA:

Doesn't matter which model Odea you get, they're the same build. I was impressed by the BMW-designed mechanics, so I bought it for the sleeker look. Smaller unti fitted well on the small kitchen counter I have.

MAKES STRONGER COFFEE than other models of Saeco that I've tried/borrowed/owned/tasted. It's able to extract more flavor.

PROBLEMS:

1. The water container is smaller than the Vienna. And the tank is hidden, so you can NOT see when it's time to refill. YOU MUST refill before it's down to 2 cups left, because the light weight will make the sensor stop working. The sensor is not by water, but by weight of water!

2. The coffee lid can't be opened while the machine is ON. The other models can. This is weird.. because I used to be able to refill the Vienna while it's brewing.

3. The dredge drawer needs to be emptied for every 3-4 cups of coffee brewed!! Though it's not really full, the sensor will not let you brew coffee with water in this drawer!! So you will end up cleaning this every 4 cups max.

4. The drawer can't be seen, the spills can't be seen, because of the sleek design, everything is covered. And everything is BLACK, so you can't see whether you've cleaned it very well. Coffee grinds may be hidden in places you can't see... all gray and black plastic!!

WHEN MY NEW MACHINE WAS 5 WEEKS OLD, THE 3 RED LIGHTS FLASHED QUICKLY which means electrical problems. Turning it off and on did not help. Calling the manufacturer, diagnosed over the phone, and ended up to have to replace it with a new one. IT SIMPLY STOPPED WORKING.

Making the story short: I am now on my third Odea -only because they won't let me get a different one even if I offered additional money to upgrade. And I'm not about to waste over $600 for a couple of months' use.

Read Best Reviews of Saeco Odea Giro Plus Fully Automatic Espresso Machine Here

Let me just start by saying I managed coffee bars for many years. I not only used commercial machines but maintained them as well. I have now owned three different Saeco machines. First was a hand me down. It would leak water all over the counter and had been repaired multiple times. Second I owned was an Incanto, and it was great. I had no problems with this machine at all. Sadly it is only made in Europe, so I could not bring it back to the states with me because of the voltage. Now I own this pile of garbage. First of all it does not have a bypass, so you cannot use any other coffee without digging out all of the beans from the hopper. Sometimes I would like some decaf later in the day, so this is annoying. Unless you managed to use every last bean in the grinder, you might have some caffeinated ones left behind. If you don't have enough beans in the hopper, it will just dump whatever amount into the waste. This machine is very fickle about the beans it likes. When you switch over beans, it will dump that first round of beans. Sometimes it will just waste beans for no reason at all even when you're using the same beans you always use. I like expensive coffee, and for $14.50 for 8 ounces this makes me want to throw this thing out into the street. I will say these machines do give a good shot. This machine has two boilers so you always have enough pressure. Other than that, I wish I could have a different machine.

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I have tried quite a few machines. This is by far my favorite. Every shot is perfect and the crema is gorgeous too. The panarella wand makes perfect froth of microscopic bubbles. I am a latte fanatic and my lattes are gorgeous. When I was researching this machine, I came across a youtube video of a woman that was comparing frothing and showing how to do it on this machine, and basically saying that this machine sucks. She is an idiot. She seriously does not know how to froth milk with a home machine. Maybe her method (no skill whatsoever) works on an industrial machine. Anyway, don't pay attention to her if you come across that video. The reason I didn't give her or any of the negative reviews too much credit is because my sister, who is a personal chef, swears by her Saeco, so I just trusted her. I am really glad I did. A couple of my friends have also bought Saeco machines after using mine. I so prefer my Saeco to the high-end machine we have at work. The shot the other one produces is just as good, but the frothing on the Saeco is substantially superior.

So, a few notes: Yes, the machine is a bit finicky. You do learn quickly what the lights mean when they blink or hold solid or whatever. It takes a bit of just looking up the error message and fixing the issue. The issue is never a big deal. Just clean the dreg container or provide more water (it has a kind of small receptacle). Or, fill up the coffee bean container. But, you have to do stuff like that with every machine, unless you spend $$s to hook one up to a water line or whatever.

Anyway, I have had really good luck with my machine and I would buy another one. And, if it does break down, I would take the effort to find a shop to repair it. I did accidentally drop my panarella wand into the disposal and wrecked it. I called the company and they worked with me to get me the right part for a decent price. Good luck with your decision!!

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Capresso 303.01 4-Cup Espresso and Cappuccino Machine

For the money this is an excellent machine for non-commericial use. My spouse is totally hooked on lattes. We usually make 2-20 ounce lattes at one time; although, we have made 3 sets of 2-20 ounce lattes back to back. The Capresso is fast. The espresso is flavorful and hot. The steamer quickly heats the milk to perfection and creates as little or as much froth as you prefer.

During the last 20 years, we have had 6 or 7 different espresso machines ranging from $40.00 to $180.00 in price. This one which retails for $105.00 (we paid less on Amazon)is the best. It is easy to use and creates exceptionally good coffee drinks.

A word of caution for any machine you purchase: READ the INSTRUCTIONS. The directions for each machine differ slighty. My caffeine addicted hubby overfilled the water chamber on a very expensive espresso/cappuccino machine and broke it.

The Capresso 303.01 is the machine I would recommend to friends and family. We are extremely happy with this machine.

UPDATE January 2012: We are still loving this machine. After at least twice a daily use (sometimes abuse), it is just starting to act a little tired. The carafe was replaced due to human error. Apparently glass breaks when dropped into a sink. (Amazon had the least expensive replacement.) The steamer is still going strong. Recently I have noticed that the espresso is not brewing quite as hot as it had been for the first 2+ years. Other than that our espresso machine is functioning well. When this machine finally dies, I plan to replace it with another 303.01. The price is currently at an all time low.

I waited a few months before I submitted my review on this machine. The last machine I bought (a Mr. Coffee steam espresso machine) lasted only 3 months before it quit working. I'm happy to say that this machine makes perfect espresso every time. The steam wand works well for frothing and heating the milk, and you can also vary the strength of the espresso. To top it off, the whole unit is easy to clean. You can pop out the bottom shelf where the carafe sits and put it in the dishwasher.

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So I bought this machine because of the price, expecting it to be a piece of junk or perhaps a surprise. As the directions in the box say, this is an entry level machine. After using it, I think they are correct, although that is not a bad thing at all.

The espresso is very good, although it does not create much crema. I have had better espresso in Italy, but I really bought this to make cappuccinos with and $59.99 is cheaper than a flight to Florence. It is also very dependent on the type of coffee you use (I purchased Illy's espresso ground in decaf amazing! I was very, very surprised with the quality of the coffee yum!).

I became very, very frustrated with the frother, even purchasing an aerolatte frother to see if I could live with that type of froth (btw I can't. There's nothing like steamed froth). The frother seemed inconsistent at first. Most of that is my lack of experience frothing, which after reading online the various debates and instructions, perhaps the best advise was to buy a gallon of milk and get started because it does take some practice. BUT I had an amazing discovery, and perhaps this will help you too:

1. I took off the plastic attachment and am just now only using the metal wand, and am having very few problems. I just couldn't seem to get the hang of the plastic gizmo which is supposed to make it easier. But the metal wand by itself works great!

2. Start with cold milk and froth first (Don't follow the company's directions of heating the milk first and then frothing. Perhaps this is correct, but I couldn't get a consistent froth either me or the machine, can't say.). The milk will heat naturally with creating the froth, and as soon as you are done with your froth, you can finish it off by putting the wand deeper in the milk and completing the steaming.

3. When frothing, hold the container by it's body, not by a handle, and don't let it get any hotter than you can comfortably hold. If the milk gets too hot, the froth will start to disappear. It's got something to do with chemistry if you're interested, there are lots of sites online that go into excrutiating detail.

4. Directions say that nonfat or 1% are the best choices of milk. Online, they say 2% or whole milk. I would say, go with the higher fat content. They do in Italy, and look at you funny if you ask for nonfat. The frothing seems to work better with a little fat and the cappuccino tastes really wonderful this way.

5. Making these things take a little time. Not something you want to do if you're in a hurry to get to work.

6. Also, you need to stay and watch the thing get involved. Frothing is quick (about 30 seconds), but you have to concentrate and not get distracted with other things. You have to pay attention or you will ruin your froth.

7. The process of making the espresso requires that you watch it. Sorry, but you can't go and do something else.

In answer to the irritable person that said it took a lifetime to drain the steam out of the machine to make more cappuccinos, here is my response to that:

1. It does NOT take a lifetime about 5 minutes total. Put a tall glass underneath the steaming wand, turn the steam up all the way, and leave it alone. You can make more cappuccinos after that.

In answer to the other irritable person who said their coffee tasted burnt, here is my response:

1. What the heck are you doing? Perhaps not reading the directions? If you let all the water filter through like you would a coffee pot, it will taste burnt (and the instructions tell you that clearly). You have to follow the directions, perhaps read them a few times, and wait for the pot to either fill to 2 or 4 cups (making sure you put in the right amount of coffee).

Anyhow, I am keeping the machine. I am THRILLED to be able to make cappuccino's at home. It was really fun to be able to offer fresh cappuccinos for desert on New Year's Day dinner, that was truly delicious and an appropriate ending to a gourmet meal. They really are delicious.

I can see how eventually, I will want a more expensive machine that is perhaps more sophisticated, but for the time being, it serves the purpose just fine, making a delicious cup, giving great pleasure and relaxation, and letting me learn how to properly froth milk.

UPDATE Jan 5, 2010: My husband mentioned that the metal which holds the coffee was kind of funky looking. I started getting nervous, thinking that perhaps it might be aluminum, so I called the company. The company informed me that both the water boiler and the thing that holds the coffee ARE aluminum (not true for all the capresso products, but true for this lower end model). They come in direct contact with your water, get heated, and therefore, your coffee. I was trying to avoid aluminum products due to the uncertainty of the metal (there seems to be links to alzheimers and aluminum although not conclusive, FDA is ok with it, but probably not worth the risk). I'm probably going to return the machine as I am just too paranoid to take chances. Thought you all should know BUT it does not change my opinion of the quality of the cappucinos should you choose to buy it. I may purchase a Capresso steam frother instead (which is mostly plastic), and a stovetop unit made of stainless.

Read Best Reviews of Capresso 303.01 4-Cup Espresso and Cappuccino Machine Here

I bought this machine and actually like it though I realize it is an entry level appliance. It is a little messy at times before one gets used to its quirks. It does make very good expresso. Follow directions completely and then adjust as you get to know it. After about 10 trys I do very well with it and no longer spray milk around the kitchen. I would actually buy it again because of the great price and it seems sturdy enough to last.

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I just made my first cup of cafe mocha with this new machine and it was almost perfect. Yes I frothed the milk (I left it too cold and too much milk left, but more on that later). Just follow the instructions and it's almost impossible to mess up. I also made it at my office early in the morning and I can do it quietly (I couldn't believe it, just a couple whistles from the steamer during frothing and that was it until I had to vent at the end).

Here are some tips to those negative aspects I have seen reviewed to date here:

The double lock cap is not a problem it is intuitively obvious how to use it. It is placed on in one spot, pushed down (it just sets down really) and then just tightened???

The too cold problem may be that during the milk frothing you don't get the milk warm enough (160+ degrees). Also, it may help to let the espresso start just until it covers the bottom of the carafe then swith to steam for frothing, then switch back to fill carafe to your level. Also clean-up at the end while my almost perfect cafe mcoha sat in my perfect large cup helps cool it off.

To froth go here . I removed the tip from the steamer like one person suggested (it is a rubbery thing that just pulls off) and I made perfect "microfoam", just not enough of it because like an idiot I used a 12 ounce coffee mug instead of a good cheap 20 oz. milk pitcher. I made good foam almost overflowing, but not hot enough. I'll get the thermometer for the next cup.

Also the espresso holder (basket and filter holder) are aluminum. If you don't like aluminum, the basket from a Krups 963/A fits perfectly (a magnet sticks to it, but I don't know what it is made of?).

I use starbucks mocha mix (2 heaping teaspoons seem just about right for 4 cups espresso) for cafe mocha. I may try skinny Caramel Macchiato someday. I'll add updates after I have used it for a while, but initial indications are all positive.

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Porlex JP-30 Stainless Steel Coffee Grinder

I used to own a german made wooden box grinder of similar price that I used for a little over 6 years, but the main problem with that grinder was that the grind was not consistent because the screw adjustment for the burr would keep moving. This was a big problem while trying to grind for my espresso machine, since inconsistent grind changes the quality of the pull in a big way.

I've been using the Porlex JP-30 every day for about two months now, and these are my impressions and comparisons with my former box grinder. First off, the locking mechanism used to adjust the grind is as advertised, it locks and doesn't change the grind on the fly. I did have to search on the web to find that the best grind position for espresso, and how to adjust the grind position (the adjustment mechanism is on the bottom of the grinder, and is the nut that "clicks" when you move it), because my Japanese isn't as great as it used to be (the manual is indeed only in Japanese). Espresso grind according to the web is two stops from the finest position. The grind has been very consistent, hasn't changed at all through use.

A few observations that might be helpful for anyone else thinking of buying this. The grinder is long and narrow, very similar ergonomically and aesthetically to a medium sized high-end pepper mill. I've had to adopt a different "technique" for grinding than my old box grinder. Essentially I use it just like a pepper mill, with both hands going in opposite directions while grinding, in order to generate enough force. This may seem like a small and insignificant thing, but for the people who want to grind directly into the portafilter or into an aeropress, and to keep the bottom of the mill stable in one place, I can imagine that it would be harder than first thought. The burrs are about half way up the side of the mill, and the bottom half of the mill separates from the top half and is the holder. I grind into the bottom of the mill.

At full capacity, the grinder will grind 4 tablespoons of espresso ground coffee. Grinding feels relatively fast or comparable with other grinders I've used.

Build quality is excellent, can't imagine that the ceramic burrs will become dull in my lifetime.

Very happy with the product in the end, would recommend it.

I can't attest to the longevity of this product as I've only had it 6 weeks. I usually wait longer before reviewing something, but I felt compelled to offer you more info. There are too few reviews available for this product.

First of all, don't be foolish like me and start cranking it seconds after unboxing. Mine came with the ceramic grinding elements closely adjusted and touching. I probably grinded a little life off of them whilst I chased the wifey around the house with it. I don't see the damage done, but something had to of been worn away. Open the grinder and back off the adjustment nut before cranking.

To adjust for a percolator grind I turn the nut back really far. The nut clicks as it is turned. It takes 8 clicks to turn the nut one revolution. Each click separates the grinding elements very little. This minute adjustability allows for fine tuning. The results are not perfect, but they are perfectly acceptable.

The ease/difficulty of cranking is determined by the coarseness of the grind and the hardness of the bean. The bean becomes more brittle as it loses moister. I roasted one batch to a black, oily, almost charcoal state. Those beans grinded very easily. A fine espresso grind is tougher to crank than a courser percolator grind because the grinding elements are closer together.

During grinding, coffee beans channel into the grinding elements well. If there is a coffee bean out there that is too large to effectively feed well, I haven't experienced it. The Kona, Guatemalan, Columbian, Ecuadorian, and Jamaican Blue Mountain beans I grinded work well.

Tidbits:

*One ceramic grinding element is fixed. The other is moveable and pushed by a spring. Time will tell if the spring can withstand the stresses put on it.

*One ceramic grinder has a plastic insert. Time will tell if the plastic can withstand the stresses put on it.

* Little plastic ridges are the source of the clicks when nut turning. Don't make a game of turning the nut and making the clicking sound. This will force undue wear on the plastics ridges.

*One US Dolllar buys about 79 Yen. The Dollar is wimpy. In 1998 a buck bought 144 Yen. Weak buck means costlier grinder.

*The grinder's top half will hold enough beans to make our (his and hers) morning coffee, and a little more. We each drink a big cup (about 12 ounces each) of liquid coffee. I grind coffee almost daily.

*The whole grinder is about 7" tall and about 1 ¾" diameter. It has a very smooth finish, making it a little difficult to hold on to. Also, the bottom half doesn't mate as securely as I would like. I find myself having to keep an eye on it and my hand placement as I'm grinding. I guess I can wear an anti-slip glove on that hand.

*Grinding manually can be too much effort for a busy person to do daily. It takes about 150-200 turns/cranks/revolutions to grind one batch. Most people will be happier purchasing a good electric grinder. As nutty as it sounds, I find the experience very rewarding. I want to be part of every coffee making step I can. I buy green and roast it myself. I'm even thinking of raising one measly, low producing coffee plant. Yes, my relationship with coffee has become very involved, almost intimate.

*This thing would be great for camping.

The Japanese Instructions claim:

*Ceramic grinders won't affect flavor of coffee, as could metal.

*Ceramic grinders won't rust, as can metal.

*Max capacity is 30 grams.

*Ceramic grinders wear very slowly.

*Easy to disassemble for cleaning.

*Can grind roasted soybeans to make kinako powder.

*Will grind espresso, fine, and coarse.

* www.porlex.co.jp

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Pro's: The grinder grinds really well.

Cons: The grinder body is really hard to hold.

You have keep the grinder upright or contents fall out.

After only a month of use there is wear between the handle, which doesn't stay on very well, and the head of the grinder shaft, handle does not appear to be stainless steel (advertised as stainless) like the rest of the grinder.

Almost criminal: is the really sharp edge on the underside of the crank handle.

Quality control was asleep that day.

I will probably have to return components or unit for replacement.

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I'd return this item but I'm deployed overseas where I can only receive mail but can't send any packages out.

This coffee grinder lasted exactly four cups of coffee when a bean somehow squeezed itself under the lip at the hopper bottom and dislodged the ceramic outer ring. The ring, which isn't secured in place was moved to an angle and started grinding agains the cermamic millstone. Within a few strokes of wondering what kind of super-bean I was grinding, I've chipped the serrations.

Anyways, after some messy poking and pulling, I've got the ring sitting properly again but can see this will likely be a recurring problem.

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I just pulled the best shot of my life! I have been chasing a cost-effective, authentic espresso solution since returning from Italy 10 years or so ago. I invested in a Gaggia classic many years ago, but never got a good grinder. Man, I had no idea what I was missing and how much grief my grinders have caused me over the years! The first grinder was a Gaggia piece of junk, the next a well-built but not adjustable enough Kitchen Aid.

The Gaggia Classic has a reputation for being finicky about grind, but if my understanding of espresso is correct, grind is kind of all-important. On the machine side you need 9 bars of pressure and properly heated water. Pressure is pressure, however you deliver it to the grinds.

All I can say is wow. My wife immediately commented on the night-and-day difference, and she couldn't care less about how I geek out trying to get a good cup. It's so good that it will change how often we drink espresso. I guess this means that eventually I'll get tired of hand-grinding and will have to spend into the $500 range for a good motor-driven ceramic burr grinder. But until then this is absolutely wonderful. Seriously. I have to crank for a while, but it's not hard to do. I think if I loaded it up all of the way I could get enough for 2 double shots. This would mean cranking/grinding for at least a minute. But it's worth it!

I'll update this if anything eventful happens. But for now I gotta go pull another shot! Zing!

[Update] A month later I'm still grinding away and as happy as I was when I first posted this. Maybe happier because I've made shots for friends who know the difference and they raved about it. Yes, we have coffee OCD. You must have it too, or you probably wouldn't be reading this ;) The only "problem" is that the espresso is so much better than ever that now I get up early every weekday and spend 20 minutes making the four shots required to kick-start my day. Before, when I used a lousy grinder, I couldn't justify getting up early for what was coming out of my machine. Now things have flipped. The shots are so good that only a jerk would pass them over for a measly few extra minutes in bed.

If the 20 minute idea startles you, rest assured that's not because of the hand-grinder. It takes 7 or 8 minutes for the group head to warm up and that's way more than enough time to grind enough beans for four shots. It takes about two minutes to grind that much at a *leisurely* pace. I find that four shots is the capacity of this little grinder. You'll have to refill if you want more. But again, as far as I can see, if you want to move up to large capacity and an electric motor you'll need to spend $500+ to get these results.

In case you're wondering I've been using bags of Lavazza Espresso Super Crema that I got here on Amazon. I also went through a can of Illy beans with excellent results.

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I've been using this product for about 6 months and I have to say it's wonderful. My bulky machine is collecting dust...this is all you need to make great coffee in about 60 seconds. No mess, heats and mixes the milk perfectly everytime and the taste is awesome! I strongly recommend this product if you don't like waiting in long lines and paying too much for your favorite morning, afternoon and evening treat. Great as a holiday gift!

I love my Lifstyl coffee house solution. I'd been looking for a reasonably priced milk frother for ages and finally found the perfect one! It frothes up milk to the perfect consistency for lattes and cappuccinos and warms at the same time. So easy to use and even looks nice sitting on my counter. No more expensive coffee shop lattes or cappuccinos for me. Also, my kids love frothed hot chocolate on cold mornings. Works great with almond and soy milk too. Just gave one to my sister so she can make her favorite, chai lattes, at home.

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For someone who loves frothed milk drinks this has been a dream come true for me. No thought involved! No more messes to clean up. The to go cup has even taken my latte to a new level as I can take it anywhere now! Not just for home enjoyment.

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This frother is great, and easy to clean, perfect size! Just love it and makes my coffee, hot chocolate and lattes taste great. I'm going to get my sister's one for gifts. You can't go wrong buy one!

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Omg, love this machine. It makes the best froth ever. So quiet, so fast, worth every penny! Cathy, March 2013