Primula Stove-Top Espresso Maker, Aluminum, 9-Cup

We fell in love with the coffee we hd in Rome, so we learned to make it there and then looked all over for an Expresso make here at home. After much searching we found one on Amazon. We ordered it and it arrrived in two days. We had an unfortunate experience with Williams-Sonoma and their wait list.

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Vev Vigano Carioca Nero 6-Cup Espresso Maker

Is it possible to fall in love with an espresso maker? I seem to have. I'm charmed by the looks of this ingeniously designed little appliance and smile when I see it, but it's not just another pretty face.

I drink strong coffee and will often order a 4 or 5-shot latte or cappuccino, which can be a rather expensive morning beverage. I've used small electric espresso machines and even tried a few more elaborate models, but none of them delivered authentic coffee-house-style espresso, even with the best French Roast or Espresso Grinds. Plus, they all had aluminum parts, which bothered me.

Before I purchased the Vev Vigano, I was boiling my coffee in a mixed cowboy/Turkish style manner that delivered a strong brew but was messy and left sludge in the bottom of my cup.

The Vev Vigano is surprisingly easy to use. Fill the bottom with water, lightly tamp in some espresso-ground coffee and screw on the top. I put mine on a very slow heat setting (the three-setting on an electric stove) and place it on the edge of the burner, so the handle doesn't cook. The low heat can prolong the life of your gasket. I heat up a little full-fat milk in a one-quart saucepan and use a $2 hand-held frothing wand to create a thick and stiff foam. Voila! My 24-ounce-mug is filled with a cappuccino fit for the most devout believer in the goodness of strong espresso topped with clouds of froth.

What you won't miss when you replace your electric espresso maker is the rather fetid, steamy miasma that emanates as the espresso is brewing. There's very little aroma involved when you use this espresso maker, just some cheerful bubbling noises as the brew is finishing. You also probably won't miss de-scaling your machine or wondering what lurked in the water chamber.

Cleanup is a breeze. The steam compresses your grounds into a solid and relatively dry puck that is easily knocked into the waste or compost bin. The Vev Vigano is composed of three parts which clean quickly with a little sudsy water. This stovetop espresso maker will exceed your expectations I know it has exceeded mine.

I did a LOT of research and finally settled on this one. I was not disappointed. One thing to say upfront is that it is a very good quality product and made in Italy (not made in China or India) and this is stainless which is important I gathered versus aluminum.

Coffee choice should be a finely ground espresso or dark roast similar to one for a traditional espresso machineand the quality of the output is top notch.

I would definitely recommend and have even ordered a second one to take to camp with me!

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I too did a lot of research before buying this one. So far I am very satisfied with this product. It is very well built, no problems yet with the handle or cover. The base is very heavy gauge steel suitable for heating water. I have a gas stove range and this sits well on my burners. Depending on the heat (instructions say to use low heat.) I use med. to low.... it takes 7 min or less to completely brew. One quick note regarding the 6 cup model. It brews about 8 0z of espresso which is suitable for two people. If you are one person, you will probably end up throwing a little extra away. You may want the 4-cup model for just one person. If you are preparing espresso for a dinner party then you may want larger than a 6-cup model. Also you can make a regular American cup of coffee by adding hot water to your espresso, at approx. 1:1 ratio depending on your taste. The straight espresso is great as a topping for ice cream, try it.

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This was my second attempt at an upgrade to stainless steel, and I've been using it for about six months. Look no further this is a terrific espresso maker at a very fair price. Nicely designed (none of them have great handles but this one is fine if you keep it out of the flame), easy to clean, doesn't get dingy like the aluminum ones. Makes scrumptious coffee too just the right amount for one addict-sized latte in the morning. Love this pot.

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After a trip to Italy I was very disappointed to come home to American coffee. Have long wanted an espresso maker but don't have the money or space for a professional machine. This model works well and quickly. Stainless steel rather than aluminium is good. As others have stated, because the very high pressures of large machines are not reached, the "crema" normally seen with espresso doesn't form. However, finely ground coffee produces a rich dark cup. I use a hand pump milk frother for cappuccino.

Nespresso CitiZ D120 Automatic and programmable Espresso and Lungo Machine w/Frother, Black

Pros

Great tasting espresso.

Very simple to use (you press a single button).

No cleanup (except for rinsing out the frother after use and emptying the used pod bin once a week).

Cons

The volume of espresso that comes out is surprisingly small, so I have to use two pods in order to get the coffee flavor I desire. So now the cost per cup is over a $1 and getting closer to what I pay at Starbucks.

The volume of the milk is also fairly small. The container looks large enough but you can only fill it about 25% full because it will overflow. And even then it's not enough to fill my grande cup. So I have to froth two loads.

Can't use a coffee of your choice such as locally made, you have to use Nespresso pods. And since I only drink decaf I only have 3 choices, and only 1 of those, the intense (rated 7) is bold enough. The other two decaf pods are too mild. And don't think you can fill an empty pod with your own ground coffee. I thought I could get that to work but there is no way because of the way the pods are sealed and the pressure involved, unlike a simple pod coffee maker like a Keurig.

Someone mentioned the espresso was not hot enough but I'm finding I burn my tongue. I always pre-heat my cup by running a long coffee without a pod inserted. This also heats up all the mechanism and cleans the nozzle too.

I am finding myself using this appliance on the weekends and for my daily coffee I'm still going to Starbucks to get that bold flavor I crave. It's convenient on the weekends because I don't have to leave home to get my espresso. We were using an older model Gaggia and making our espresso old-school way. This certainly tastes much better and is so simple. Hope this helps someone.

I purchased this as a used item and found that it was actually new--a great buy for $100 off the $299 regular retail price. The box had apparently been opened, but the trial capsules were still in the box. I am a coffee geek and also own another superautomatic machine. I purchased this one as a travel machine for trips to see the grandkids, since it is compact, and for its frother. The design is beautiful and seems well constructed, although it has more plastic than I anticipated.

The frother works just as advertised. In a little over a minute you have one large serving of hot milk with foam that requires a spoon! That is a good thing. The frother is also almost silent, another bonus. If you like very warm milk, you may need to nuke it for 15 seconds in the micro.

The espresso machine has one weak point for American "supersize" tastes. I like at least a 12 oz Americano or Latte with a lot of strong coffee flavor. I do not usually drink pure espresso. To get that I need to use 2 capsules. That is expensive. The coffee flavor is good, with a decent crema on top.

Watching You-tube I found a demo on how to re-fill the metal capsules very easily. Simply slice around the thin foil top, empty the capsul, refill and wrap thin foil over the top. You can usually get two more uses from a used capsule. I also purchased the disposable plastic caps, they are only about 2-3 stars in my opinion. So by refilling, the 75 cent new capsules become more affordable. I read that patents on this machine are expiring this year, so maybe other suppliers will get into the capsule business, thus lowering the price.

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Best of the best. Thats all I need to say. And the quality of the coffee and the quick ease of ordering from Nespresso makes it no issue at all.

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A few thoughts about my purchase:

1) Espresso is fantastic: thick crema made possible by a 19 bar pump

2) The milk frother is excellent: very thick and fine. I could not achieve this level of froth with previous machines with steam wands

3) Selection of pods is pretty vast. Limited editions are available ~once a quarter. Quality is excellent this view is confirmed by my brother-in-law, who is a coffee broker

4) Some cities has boutiques where you can purchase pods. If not, online shipping is very quick

5) Both espresso maker and frother are well thought out designs and easy to operate. Materials seem robust.

So far nothing negative to report. Overall, I am very happy with my purchase.

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Received it as a wedding gift. Husband and I drink a lot of coffee. We usually pay anywhere from $3-5 for coffee from coffee shops. With this machine alone, in the past 9 months it has paid for itself.

Pros: So very easy to use. Clean up is also easy. Machine can self-clean after each espresso is made with a single push. End product tastes great!!! Espresso is hot but not burn your mouth hot. I still feel that coffee shop espresso and lattes taste better, however this machine does come pretty close. We add sugar free flavored syrups and chocolate to our lattes and they taste great!

No problems with the machine after 9 months and almost daily use.

Cons: Frother has to be handwashed (I'm lazy). Capsules are about 50-60 cents each online and regular stores (target, walmart, whole foods) do NOT carry them.

Overall: Overall great machine! You can save a lot of money in the long run if you use this machine daily vs going to a coffee shop. Would recommend trying it out first, I think crateandbarrel, williams sonoma and sur la table do have the machine and will let you try the espresso.

Silvia Version 3 Espresso Machine

This is a beautiful machine! I started learning about brewing espresso at home with a Gaggia Coffee. I've since stepped up to the Silvia and I wish I had bought it right away. The espresso I produce with it is far superior, never sour or bitter if I use the right amount and tamp it properly, and I can make microfoam. I also appreciate its heaviness, good looks, quiet operation and metal steam wand.

Many say and it bears repeating that you will only get the results you are looking for at home if you invest in a burr grinder of at least Rancilio Rocky or Gaggia MDF quality, grind right before brewing and use beans roasted within weeks, not months! I have had disappointing results with other grinders and all preground espresso including expensive Illy, etc.

Shop around and be sure to get free shipping, because this thing weighs a ton. I have seen good package deals where you can get the Silvia and Rocky together; with no tax and free shipping plus some free goodies such as a stainless steel tamper, you will be in business and might have some cash left over for the beans. Of course the instruction booklet is nearly worthless, but you can find some great videos on YouTube to show you what to do with all that stuff once you get it home.

If you have better things to spend your money on, like mortgage and groceries, or if you aren't too picky, look elsewhere; maybe try a stovetop moka pot. If you think you will be making espresso for years to come get this machine, a good grinder and a water filter, and some freshly roasted beans from Intelligentsia; then you will want a collection of little cups for serving your creations, and your friends might begin to think you are an insufferable coffee snob... and at that point, you will be. Trust me, your buddies most likely do not want to hear about your machine's brass portafilter and temperature stability.

This is NOT a cheap hobby. Maybe you should consider supporting your local coffee shop instead! As for me, I'm in too deep. Let me know if someone starts a twelve step program for espresso addicts. Enjoy!

If you are anything like myself, you too have probably seen the many reviews and warning online citing how finicky the Rancilio Silvia is with its wild temperature swings and its taste for exact grinds. Like myself, you too are not bothered by any of that and are still considering the Silvia.

So in all fairness, there are plenty of GREAT things about this machine; It is good-looking (but design-wise it fails to make any statement, it is neither modern nor retro, doesn't look commercial but also doesn't look like a home machine). Great construction too (though slightly crude). It has features galore; brass boiler and brew group, large tank, ample steaming pressure etc. It is famously reliable and been made with little change for over a decade. On paper it seems to have it all, and it is the only machine of its class at this price point. The question is however, "can it pull a decent shot of espresso?" The short answer for it is, yes, it certainly can but not straight out of the box on its own. It will require additional equipment, time and investment.

First, spend at least a $350 on a burr grinder. Yes, you've heard this before and refused to believe it. It's true. This machine is so picky about grind that it will change on you with the room temperature and humidity. Be prepared to dump lots of shots to the garbage on a regular basis while re-adjusting. Let's assume your tamping technique is perfect, (and that you are using a good tamper -not the wrong-size plastic joke that comes with this machine, frankly an insult, don't even try it). With that in mind, some of the finest grinds from top-of-the-line grinders will yield extraction faster than the speed of light (double shot in 8 seconds), producing sour shot with poor crema. Grind just 0.1 point too fine and you will get a slow burnt, bitter drizzle from even the sweetest roast. Adding the minimal capable burr grinder realistically means that you should be willing to spend $1000 for the entire experience, so don't let the $650 price tag fool you. There is also $25-$80 you need to spend on a tamper. This is a must. In short, comparison-shop the Silvia against $1000 machines that need no grinder like the Expobar Office Pulser, Pasquini Livietta or La Pavoni PC-16 -not against the Francis-Francis X1 or the Baby Gaggia which may not seem to be at the same class at all but will give you much better shots with far less overall investment.

Secondly, be prepared to learn to temperature-surf. Temperature swings are a major issue with this machine, so even with the perfect grind and tamping; your shot can still easily burn or come out weak and sour. Temperature surfing is acceptable when you try to improve a really great shot to Godliness, but if you can't achieve merely a consistent basic decent shot without surfing, you will quickly find it to be time-consuming and laborious; an annoyance that is not much of a joy as a morning routine.

Now there are hundreds of guides and videos all over the internet on how to temperature surf the Rancilio Silvia online (I especially liked "Cheating Mrs. Silvia"). There is even an entire aftermarket dedicated to digital temperature controllers for this machine. Wait, wait, can someone please stop the madness? Common sense... Doesn't the fact that this machine cannot brew espresso straight out of the box without all this nonsense raise some red flags to you? Shouldn't you expect a $650 machine to -at the very least give you some basic version of espresso without turning you into a hacker?

I can understand Rancilio not wanting to fix the brew group. After all, this grind-fussiness sells them thousands of their Rocky model grinders every year. I do however find it BAFFLING that after 10+ years and 3 versions of this machine, the temperature control issue had not been addressed. Thermocouples and PIDs are cheap and reliable, and so are dial thermometers and pressure gauges -which could be a lifesaver for users of this machine. In fact, these are standard features on far cheaper machines. What gives?

So like you, I too thought I would get over the learning curve and can win this machine over in spite of reviews and warnings. I am an ex-barista who had the pleasure to work on anything from La Pavoni, Gaggia, Expobar, Brasillia, Pasquini and Elektra to Francis-Francis and Ascado, using some of the world's finest beans and pro-grinders like Mazzer. I am embarrassed to admit that I spent the past week tossing about 400 shots to the trash before coming to terms with the fact that this machine is not reasonably designed to deliver a decent shot on a regular basis without extreme fuss and expensive grinder, which I have no space for in my Manhattan kitchen. (I also don't believe that my wife or guests would be able to operate it). At this price point I would take a La Pavoni or Expobar machine any day over this. And if you really only have $650 to spend, then get a Francis-Francis X1 or Gaggia Classic or even the super-automatic Gaggia Brera. You WILL get consistently far better shots and be able to use a wider range of grinds (even ESE pods) and some cash in your pocket too. The Rancilio Silvia has so much potential but I am sadly sending it back and getting a more capable machine. My recommendation: don't be tempted.

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This machine is the perfect blend of quality, durability, and ease of repair for a home machine under $500. It makes espresso that rivals any you can buy at a coffee house.

I've been making home espresso for 25 years and have used many different machines of various prices which all died. I bought one for $250 from Starbucks which died in one year. They told me parts were not available. This machine is practically bullet-proof. I've had it for over 5 years and it is still running like new. Sure it hurts to spend this much on an espresso machine, but how many $250 machines will you go through? Learn from my mistake(s) and get a good one.

All the parts inside are commercial or semi-commercial grade. Anyone who works on commercial espresso machines can work on this one, and the parts are readily available. It's all stainless and cast iron. Very nice.

It has a 3-way solenoid, which you want, trust me. The 3-way solenoid lets pressure escape from the basket when you switch off the pump so that the coffee grounds fall out of the portafilter handle in a solid little disk instead of a soupy mess.

You DO NEED a good grinder made for espresso to use this machine. The pump puts out a solid 9 bar, which means most grinders can't get the coffee fine enough. A burr grinder is the only way to go. This makes the grounds fine enough that a shot will take about 20 seconds to make. Any less time for a shot and it means your coffee is too coarse. If you don't want to buy a grinder right now, there are some good preground espresso coffees in a can (such as Illy), but it will go stale fast. You'll want the grinder.

If you want great espresso, and a reliable machine, you can't go wrong with the Silvia. Take a bit of time to learn proper technique and you'll be happy with this one.

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Miss Silvia is not for everyone, but she can reward a little effort and patience with truly great espresso. If, after reading this, you still think $200 is too much to spend on a grinder, look instead at machines with a pressurized portafilter (Saeco/Starbucks Barista).

Start with the freshest coffee. You might as well discover home roasting. It's very economical, easy, and fun. In fact, you can quickly pay for Miss Silvia with your savings when you pay $3-5/lb for green coffee!

Trust me on this: Your grinder is FAR MORE IMPORTANT than your machine, and few grinders under $200 have a fine enough adjustment mechanism to find the "sweet spot" for the particular bean you're using. Grind controls extraction rate, and you're shooting for 20sec for a double shot. If one click on the grinder throws your extraction 5-6 seconds...you'll quickly become frustrated. Good espresso grinders have at least 40-50 settings. Of course, you need to time your shots to get an idea of what is happening.

Give her time to warm up. Google "silvia temperature surfing" to learn how to manually control the brewing temperature, or "PID Silvia" to give Miss Silvia digital temperature control (you now have a $1000 machine for $550).

Put it all together, and you'll soon see just how good espresso can be. Should you currently be addicted to Starbucks, this will cure you. You might even start looking forward to the morning's first espresso shots around dinner time!

Why Miss Silvia? A reasonably sized brass boiler (thermal mass). Heavy chromed brass portafilter (more thermal mass). Three-way Solenoid valve (depressurizes the group head after pulling a shot). Very well documented on-line. Easily serviceable with widely available parts. Good looking, too!

Final recommendation: If you can't afford BOTH Miss Silvia and the grinder, buy a great grinder and an inexpensive but good Gaggia with lots of brass but no 3-way valve.

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I have owned several different expresso machines in different price ranges. Hands down, this machine is the best I've ever used. The machine works exactly as it is supposed to I use it every day, sometimes a couple times per day and the espresso never changes it's always delicious, and the steamed milk comes out perfectly. I've even left the machine on all day a couple of times, and it still does not affect the machine it keeps working like it's brand new. The only downside is that it takes about 45 minutes for this machine to heat up. HOWEVER, there are websites out there that can tell you how to get around this and have your shot of espresso in about 10 minutes.

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Espresso Supply ErgoServ Coffee/Creamer Carafe, 20-Ounce

We received this product through the US Postal Service well packaged and timely. I have not used this creamer yet, but will do so soon. It is of good quality and will meets our needs.

Breville BES250XL Cafe Venezia 15-Bar Stainless-Steel Espresso Machine

I'm not sure why this espresso machine has such a low rating (note: small sample size), but the Cafe Venezia espresso machine has been magical ever since I bought it in March 2010. Since this machine was a bit more complicated than my previous machine, it took a little while to get everything exactly the way I liked it, but now the machine is pretty much perfect.

My one and only complaint would be that it seems to use a lot of water for non-coffee making/milk frothing activities. I'm assuming it's doing some self cleaning or whatnot, and it's not all that big of a deal since this thing holds a good amount of water, but the trough (as I like to call it) seems to get filled with water pretty quickly. But really, I'm just nitpicking.

I grind my coffee using a burr grinder on the extra fine setting, and the machine has never blown up on me except for the first time I used it (All espresso machines do this to me for some reason). The frothing wand needs to be cleaned regularly, and if not it turns a weird color, but even if I'm now drinking poison, I welcome my delicious, aromatic death.

This machine requires a lot of maintenance to stay functional. Each of the filters needs all the little holes unclogged between almost every use or else it gets clogged a huge time suck. The coffee is luke-warm and although the crema is thick and beautiful, the flavor is mediocre. I wish I still had my simple Kitchen-Aid one that was half the price, reliable & low maintenance.

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We were given this espresso machine as a Christmas present and absolutely LOVED it. We were making our special lattes every morning, the coffee tastes great, everything was working just fine... untillll... water started shooting out of the electronic buttons as tears flowed from my face. It looked like the machine was crying with me. It was a tragic day. We are now debating whether or not we should get the same one and pray for the best or try a different model...

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I agree that I don't know why people don't like this machine. Mine has been going great for several years. Several things to keep in mind: 1) Take off that little black tip on the frothing wand and only use the naked one. Before frothing turn on the steam wand until it steams nicely (no water coming out), turn if off and on quickly and then insert into the milk. This will avoid water going into the milk before the steam comes out. 2) I learned that the coffee tastes a lot better if you use a burr grinder. 3) Regular maintenance is to run the steam wand and wipe with a damp sponge or cloth to prevent clogging after each use. I have never had my filters get clogged. I do agree that the coffee is not as hot as that which you get from Starbucks but from what I understand lattes are not supposed to be drunk really hot. Breville has excellent customer service.

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This machine looks good, thats it. Everytime you use it you have to unblock the tiny holes in the filter with this needle type tool, washing the filter isn't enough! This is a major pain! The espresso is not hot, but is does test nice.

So if you want a machine that looks good but aren't going to use it then this is the one, but if you make espresso everyday like me then buy something else.