[T]he C3000 has the most effective auto-frother I've ever seen. You just fill a detachable plastic container partway with milk, plug it into the milk feed, and press a button for frothed milk. An adjustable plastic valve lets you control the milk/steam ratio to adjust frothiness. Since it's a 2-boiler system, you can run the steamer immediately before or after (but not during, presumably due to power constraints) espresso preparation. My only complaint is that you can't effectively use the steam wand to just steam milk because it is too short and not height-adjustable. With my Magic Deluxe, I can use the steam wand to make hot chocolate, or simply to heat my steamed milk to the temperature I want. With the C3000, if you don't get the milk temperature right the first time, you have to microwave it. Running it through the forthing system again doesn't work because it will scald the milk and also leave a bunch of foam behind in the milk container.
I was also disappointed that the system can't be plumbed in. There are semi-automatic machines ...that can be plumbed in. Also, it has a vibration pump, rather than the rotary pump used in almost all commercial machines and some...semi-commercial machines.
That said, though, the quality of the espresso it produces still compares quite favorably with what I've gotten from commercial equipment. Making espresso is trivial, involving only pressing a button and waiting. Every factor except the water pressure can be controlled to your liking, and the automatic cleaning and descaling cycles are easy to use, once you figure out how to read the manual.
If you want a machine that every coffee drinker in the house can use to get top quality espresso, and aren't too picky about price, this is the machine for you. If you want to economize a bit (and don't mind learning frothing techniques), get the Saeco Magic DeLuxe. Don't buy the Capresso C1000, though. Despite the similar name, that machine is far inferior to the C3000, and also inferior to the Saeco Magic DeLuxe, in my opinion.
As advertised, this machine is a marvel of automation, with coffee and espresso available at the touch of a button. The unit cleans and monitors itself. It's really quite easy to use; there is a helpful video included with it. The coffee is "crema coffee" which is very flavorful; devotees of drip coffee may find it a bit stronger than what they're used to. Everything is customizable and programmable.
If you've had espresso/cappucino machines before, you know that the milk frothing is a total inconvenience. Not so with the c3000; just hook up the included milk container to the steam arm and you have LIMITLESS steamed milk. Great for hot chocolate (or Cafe and Coco)......
The only downside is that there is more plastic used in the construction of the unit than I would expect given the rather staggering price.
Enjoy....you deserve it!
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If you're like me you're probably thinking "HOW MUCH for a *&%$ cappucinno machine???? You've got to be kidding me." The fact of the matter is that it's worth every penny to me. You see, I'm a Starbucks addict, an affliction that I probably figure costs my wife and I upwards of $10/day, or, should I say, used to cost us $10/day.
I'm a little bit of a coffee snob, and have 3 cappuccino machines sitting in my garage gathering dust. The problem was, THEY ALL (...). Really. Way too much time to make a latte, a huge mess, and it NEVER TASTED quite right. If you're reading this, you know what I'm talking about.
This machine does it all. It grinds, it taps, it brews, and it makes PERFECT latte's (yes, just like Starbucks). There's a small canister that holds the milk that you can keep in the fridge. When you want to steam, pull it out of the fridge, plug it into the machine, and that's it. When it's all said and done, I don't think it takes me more than 3 minutes to set up, make 2 lattes, and clean up. Between the time I save schlepping to Starbucks AND the $10/day, I'm way ahead of the game.
Besides, you can knock out cappuccino for yourself and a half dozen of your snobby friends in less than 10 minutes!!!!
If a coffee house quality drink is important to you and you don't want to end up with one more useless machine, bite the bullet and buy something you'll be happy with.
The ONLY negative I can possibly think of to say about this machine is that I figured that for as much as they were charging for this machine, the thing should probably have been in some sort of cool looking brushed metal or copper, not plastic (the picture makes it look like metal, at least I thought it did).
Hope this helps.
Read Best Reviews of Capresso 153.04 C3000 Automatic Coffee and Espresso Center, with Pump-Auto Cappuccino System Here
This machine does it all one team at work invested in one, and they're the caffeinated pride of the office. However, don't compare the coffee as "just as good as Starbucks". Assuming you don't use Starbucks's 30'-overroasted beans, this machine will make coffee that's BETTER than Starbucks. Trust me there are enough coffee choices here in Seattle for me to judge. :)
In short, though, excellent investment.
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I am totally blown away at how great a cup of coffee or cappucino this machine makes! It rivals the best that you have ever had, in either Italy or the best restaurants in the world, it simply doesn't get any better. And it is so cool to use! Just push a button and have a perfect cup! It is so technologicaly cool, it puts a smile on your face. It adds such a sense of enjoyment to mornings and after dinner. I will probably use this device more than any other appliance or gadget I own, which makes the cost look that much more reasonable. Ain't life wonderful!
Actually I have this machine. I wrote this below review for older model.
