Philips Saeco Vienna Plus Automatic Espresso Machine

I recently purchased a Vienna Superautomatica as an inexpensive second espresso maker. The first thing I noticed is that it is Italian made like many of the great espresso machines. The body of the Vienna is "graphite" plastic, and while it does not feel first class, it somehow has a pretty sturdy feel to it. I also like that the footprint is pretty small thus taking up little counter space.

I opened the manual, which is not particularly clear, but need not be on account of very simple operation. The Vienna has three buttons--on/off, coffee, and steam. It also has a steamer control knob and a water volume knob.

I turned on the machine after filling the coffee and water tanks. The buttons feel Italian--you'll know what I mean if you've owned an Alfa Romeo. They are a bit clunky next to my old Capresso C1000, but they work well (for now).

The Vienna takes a couple of minutes to warm up--I don't mind this for reasons I'll reveal in a minute. The coffee spout is adjustable up and down to accommodate a large variety of cups and mugs. Once it's ready, the coffee light stops blinking. I push the button and it begins to grind the coffee. The noise level of the machine is louder than my Capresso, but not too bad. You might wake up the house with it in the morning, but my child stayed asleep. Once the coffee finishes the grind, the Vienna immediately begins making espresso.

My first impression was that I saw a lot more steam coming from the coffee than my Capresso. I am hopeful. The coffee also looked a bit thicker than the Capresso. After the Vienna finished I observed the cup: nice crema, plenty hot, and smells like the genuine article. I gave it a taste--wow, step aside Capresso, this espresso is richer, hotter, and a lot closer to coffee bar espresso. Next I took a sip. Ah yes, the cup holds rich chocolatey espresso. If you are sort of a coffee snob, you'll like what you taste. The coffee is much richer than the Capresso, which I attribute to hotter water and fuller extraction.

I'm sure that the Vienna will not make good enough espresso for some folks, but to me, it still tastes better than Starbucks. It was more than $100 cheaper than my Capresso and frankly makes better espresso. I cannot yet speak to the durability of the machine, but the Vienna is now my favorite inexpensive espresso maker.

Vienna Plus is my third fully automatic machine. I loved my first, Saeco original Vienna, hated the second, Saeco Incanto classic. The original Vienna worked for 3 years every day, making consistently good espresso before the pump gave. I should have paid for repair, but I succumbed to that stainless steel twinkle and went for Saeco Incanto classic. More expensive for sure. Worse, better said inconsistent, coffee quality, constant small problems relating to built quality concerning the brew group, the grinder and the steamer wand. After a year of irritation a pump seal has failed while making espresso, nothing like a small explosion in the kitchen in the morning, I tell ya. Well, gone back to the trusted Vienna, now with the plus in the name. Good old days are here again .... Compared to previousit is a lot quieter, when both grinding and steaming, it is also a lot quicker to warm up then before, steam is ready a mere 15 seconds after pushing the button. Espresso has a beautiful rich crema right out of the box, I didn't have to experiment with grind setting at all. The steaming wand (Panarello) has been redesigned and is now foolproof maker of perfect frothed foam. For the newbie I would like to add that I spent a lot of effort to find the right roast tasted more than a few before I settled on one (Peerless Coffee Espressp Perfection) that I buy now in 5 lb. bags and keep in the freezer. I should for fairness add that I never want any other coffee through the machine like some decaf or flavored stuff, so I don't miss the alternate ground coffee option that Incanto had. My priority has always been flavor and consistency and that the Vienna Plus delivers. My friends drive miles to "see me" and, by the way, get a cup of espresso, praising each one as "this is the best espresso in the world". If that is what you desire, don't get mesmerized by stainless steel shine or computerized display magic and save yourself some money by getting this machine. You won't regret it. And I am unanimous in that. ;)

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We owned a Saeco Vienna Deluxe since January 2004, but decided to purchase a newer model in September 2010. The Vienna Deluxe served us well for six and a half years, but was beginning to show its age. The Saeco Vienna Plus is the updated version of the Vienna Deluxe.

Saeco's Vienna Plus super-automatic espresso machine is simple to use. Add up to 57 oz filtered cold water to the reservoir, up to 12 oz beans in the hopper, and then turn the machine on. While warming up, adjust the volume dial for a 1 to 6 oz pour. Once ready, press the coffee button once to make an espresso or twice for a double shot or two espressos. If a latte is desired, press the steam button after the espresso has finished brewing and turn the steam knob to activate the pannarello to steam the milk. Turning the steam knob without pressing the steam button will produce hot water from the pannarello instead.

The perfect espresso may require adjusting a couple dials in the hopper. A strength dial controls the amount of grounds used per cup. A second knob controls the grind's coarseness. These settings are typically adjusted once then left alone if you chose to alter the factory setting. The factory settings work well for us, so we didn't adjust these controls.

Maintaining and cleaning the Vienna Plus espresso machine is just as simple. Cleaning consists of a weekly (or after every 15 pucks) wipe down of the machine, rinsing off the brew group with warm water, and emptying and washing the drip tray and grounds drawer. Incidentally, the used coffee grounds are beneficial to soil when spread out in the gardens or lawn. Once every three months, running descaler through the boiler keeps the inner workings in good condition.

A common complaint about Saeco Vienna espresso machines is the outer plastic cabinet. The durable plastic cabinet was not a problem for us on the old machine, as it didn't chip, crack, or break with normal use. The Veinna Plus uses the same plastic material for the outer cabinet, and is probably used to keep the cost down. The internal workings, like the stainless steel boiler, are hidden from view and use more expensive materials.

Another complaint I've read about is the grinder getting clogged. Our local coffee shop advised us not to purchase oily beans like many flavored coffees. If you enjoy flavored coffee, add syrup to the cup instead. Choosing the right beans, and regular cleanings has kept us from experiencing this problem.

Compared to the Vienna Deluxe, the Vienna Plus super-automatic espresso machine has an updated look, but operates the same and is similarly sized. However the Vienna plus is quieter, and the pannarello has been improved for easier and more consistent frothing.

Ultimately, the Vienna Plus super-automatic espresso machine is simple to use and maintain; plus produces a great tasting espresso and Americano. If you're looking for a fully automatic espresso machine, this one is definitely worth considering.

PROS:

Fresh quality coffee made at the press of a button

Makes consistently great tasting coffee/espresso

Simple to use

Easy to clean/maintain

Biodegradable waste is great for the garden

CONS:

This espresso machine is sure to spoil its owners

Cannot handle large quantities quickly

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Overall, I cannot recommend this machine.

The machine made excellent espresso for the first few weeks we had it. Once it was broken in, the espresso was average, and the crema was more of a large-bubbled foam. The grinder is able to create a fine grind, but unfortunately the machine can't pass any water through it, so you have to use a mid-level fine grind. The machine is able to adjust the amount of water used per shot, but anything more than the smallest available setting creates, well, coffee. Not even an Americano, just coffee.

After three months the grinder broke. When I opened up the machine's door a broken part flew out. Amazon sent me a new one. One month in on the new one, the brewgroup jammed. I thought it was broken, but after four days, the machine was able to pry itself loose. Ground coffee was all over the brewgroup, as if it had exploded. We'll see how it works out.

A bright spot--Amazon was astoundingly helpful and gracious. They replaced the first one, postage payed, express delivery, with no questions at all. They offered to refund the original purchase price on the second one, until it broke loose and started working again. I cannot complement them highly enough!

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We had a Saeco Vienna Deluxe for several years. The machine finally died on us. In searching for a new machine, I saw the Saeco Vienna Plus and knew this would be the next machine. It is very similar to our previous model. It is much cheaper than when we had purchased our first unit. I feel there is value in what we are getting. It saves us a fortune from having to run to the more expensive coffee shop chains to pick up a mocha when it can easily made at home. At the touch of a button or two, the coffee is ready to go. The ease of use is amazing. Clean up is easy. I would definitely recommend this machine for those who want to be able to make espresso with ease.

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Hario Coffee Dripper V60 Size 02 Black Glass

Sometimes I'll wake up in the morning and the coffee in the auto pot has turned off after 2 hours and I'm really wanting a fresh cup of joe, so I'll whip out my glass dripper. Placed on top of my mug with a #2 cone paper filter in it, I pour some hot water on the filter first; it helps heat your mug initially and the purists say it facilitates the brewing process when wet first. Slowly "circle" your hot water pouring only "in" the coffee grounds, not up the paper filter sides. Also, by circling you don't create a hole in the grounds going straight through the center of the bottom that clears a path. Take a couple minutes to pour. With the notched sides on the black plastic of the dripper I can see the level of the rising coffee without removing the dripper. Sure you can get a plastic dripper (got one too), but I love how glass is inert and doesn't transfer plastic odors. The inside swirls in the glass are supposed to help the downward liquid flow. It will fit on top of a mug up to 4 inches across. You don't get sludge in the bottom of your cup with this method like you do with the french press. Love this dripper.

I'll be taking for a test try tomorrow--but it looks like Pyrex quality (which was what I was hoping for).

Also, it looks like it will take other sized filters (other than Hario ones, which are expensive).

Will revise review soon after I give it a go. It was ridiculously hard to find a coffee drip that was made of glass, and this is one of the few out there. (yes, the black portions are plastic but are also removable and do not touch the liquid).

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It was a present for my husband. He is very particular when it comes to good coffee and is very happy with it. It channels the water slowly through and being that it is made of glass there is no plastic residue.

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After having another pour over for a few months I upgraded to the Hario V60 and there is no comparison. It is made well and provides a great extraction for your favorite coffee.

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This is made of some thick, durable glass. I've dropped it on the counter a few times, and it did not crack. Try doing that with a Chemex, and you're going to be cleaning shards out of your hands. With that said, Chemex does give you a better brew, but that is because the Chemex filter paper is better than Hario filter paper. Don't get me wrong... I prefer this over the Chemex because I can actually fit it away in a drawer. I plan on buying some Chemex filters to see if they will fit in the Hario. Stay away from the Hario V60 plastic version.... unless you want some cancer with your coffee.... While I'm at it, stay away from the porcelain versions as well. Although this isn't made in China, I'm still weary about the leaching of lead.

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DeLonghi Accessory Kit for Esclusivo Alicia Electric Espresso Maker

I purchased this accessory kit after getting my electric moka pot. It has some useful items, but others have limited value. What you get is as follows:

>> replacement gasket and screen. These are probably the most useful items since both (especially the gasket) will wear out and need replacing.

>>replacement full-size basket. This is also useful since it's nice to have an extra basket for when you want to do back-to-back brews, and don't want to deal with cleaning out the old grinds when they are still very hot. Plus, this replacement is made better than the one that comes with the pot (heavier gauge metal).

>> single cup basket. While you can brew a single cup using the full basket with the insert that comes with the machine, this is a bit easier to use. Handy only if you brew single cups.

>> splash guard. This is a metal screen that goes over the top of the dispensing pole (that's probably not the right term it's the thing that the brewed coffee comes out of in the top half of the machine). It prevents the coffee from splashing should it come out with some force, or if you have the lid open during brewing. Looks nice, but has limited value. Seems to address a "problem" that does not exist (I've never experienced any coffee splashing during brewing).

>>frother. While a milk frother can be handy, this is a very light duty device that runs on batteries. It works, but don't expect much from it.

>>scoop. Cheap plastic coffee scoop. Probably the least useful item in the kit.

If you're only interested in a replacement gasket, this kit is overkill. You can pick up a gasket on auction sites for a very small amount. But, if you need/want additional baskets, this is worth getting. I happened to find it on sale on another site for eight bucks, so at that price, it was a no-brainer. At full price it's not that great of a value, but worthwhile.

I have had my Alicia espresso maker for at least eight years. Love it! Makes great coffee and is very easy to use. I agree with other reviewer who mentioned that it is ideal for travel; just plug it in, and it is ready to go! The accesory kit is perfect..so cute..My machine is now like new...Looking forward to another eight years of use...

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Review of the DeLonghi accessory Kit...

This kit is great for the replacement baskets and o-ring seals. They have given a second life to my broken down Alicia moka pot.

The other stuff in the box is unnecessary, but fun to play with.

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If you enjoy expresso then you will definitely enjoy the use of this machine, not only does it make excellent coffee but one of the key factors for buying it is the capability of taking it wherever you want to go, vacation or otherwise and not have to worry about a stove. Highly recommend it.

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I was looking for a smaller (more shallow) filter for my 6-cup Bialetti moka pot but couldn't find it, so I took a gamble on ordering a kit of spare parts for DeLonghi Alicia. First, ALL parts fit my Bialetti unit perfectly. Not only did I find a smaller filter to make fewer cups or weaker coffee as desired, but now I have all spare parts I will ever need. Second, this kit has excellent value for your money: the replacement parts bought separately would cost much more. In addition to spare parts you get a sprinkle guard, a scoop, and a milk frother w/batteries. All components are packaged nicely in a box and come with instructions how to froth milk. Excellent value!

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Custom Grind Deluxe Coffee Grinder

The product looked very nice when I received it and then I used it. I used it three times and the motor bagan to smoke. I unplugged the machine and let it cool off and it would not work after that. I messed up and threw the box away after the coffee grinder worked so nicely the first time so I just pitched it in the trash.

Nespresso C100T Essenza Single-Serve Automatic Espresso Machine, Titan Grey

After a few days of use here are my comments for the C100T and Aerocinno. I am using the combo in a small office setting. The no mess of the espresso machine is great. The shots are really good and consistently good. The machine is very simple to use. Fill w/ water, turn on drop in espresso capsule, push button, and you are done. The only drawback I can mentinon is the capsules must be ordered from nespresso directly. In terms of cost they are significanlty more expensive than premium whole bean or ground espresso roast coffe (lavazza, petes, starbucks, etc.). So with regards to the espresso machine it is perfect for my office due to the no mess and no fuss cup of esspresso. Honestly, I love it. But in my home I will be keeping my Starbucks barista espresso machine due to the fact that it will take any espresso and at home it is easy to clean. The aerocinno is ingenious. It is the perfect compliment for any espresso machine with one caveat, the servings that it can make are only for one so if you are preparing multiple beverages are large single servings it must filled multiple times. If you overfill it, it will make a mess spilling over the sides. I am considering getting one of these for the home too due to the ease of use in comparison to the steamer attached to my espresso machine. In conclusion, I do reccomend this combo highly with the points mentioned above in mind.

I must first disclose that I am not an espresso connoisseur; I drink lattes and cafes-au-lait, and until the time my husband (a quad-espresso per day drinker) purchased the Nespresso C100, I had been a loyal Starbucks patron for at least 9 years. We've had the C100 now for over a month and since firing it up the first time, neither he nor I have stepped foot in a Starbucks. If you're not an espresso drinker and are afraid of the C100 PLUS a regular coffeemaker taking up counter space, fear no more. The C100 has two default settings -one pulls an espresso, and the other, a 4-ounce "lungo" -*and* its volume, unlike the C90, is also programmable. I've heard some people complaining about the noise Nespresso machines make, but really, have you ever listened to the noise -and I'm not talking about the deafening and/or obnoxious music -coming out of Starbucks?? As far as the quality goes, I haven't had coffee this good since my trip to Europe. It is consistent, never burnt-smelling/tasting (especially since the coffee doesn't sit around after being made), and does not require extensive doctoring to make it palatable. I now drink a plain ol' lungo, not a drink whose desciption requires a memory capable of beating the upper levels of "Simon Says." The only drawbacks, which are not enough to demote this rating to 4 stars, are the mandatory pod-ordering (and waiting), and the cost of accessories. If you don't believe me, go to Nespresso's website and see what a podholder costs.

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I bought this machine after reading the reviews here and elsewhere on the Web. I agree with the good reviews. What people didn't mention, however, are:

(a) it makes a loud rattly whirring noise when you push the button to make coffee. I thought at first that I bought a dud machine, but apparently it's normal. It's not a pleasant noise but I got used to it.

(b) the instructions aren't really in English, they are multi-lingual and rely more on pictures. So it felt like rocket science for the first few minutes as I tried to decode what it meant. Eventually I gave up reading the instructions and figured it out myself.

(c) the espresso can come out quite cold. It's not super boiling hot when it shoots out, so unless you warm your cup in advance with some hot water, if you don't drink your espresso right away, that small amount of liquid gets cold quickly.

(d) the salespeople who say, "Each capsule only costs $0.49. Now, when was the last time you spent $0.49 on a cup of coffee?" are making a facetious argument. You are spending $0.49 for a tablespoon of very good espresso. If you tried to make a full cup of coffee (which you shouldn't, since this is an espresso machine), you will end up spending $2.00 or something like that. So, don't buy it thinking you will save money. Because if you are a coffee addict, chances are you will spend money on Nespresso AND still go to Peets and Starbucks anyway. So you are not "saving" anything. On a typical day, we go through about 3-4 capsules. So it can become a noneconomical way of enjoying espresso compared to making it the old way with beans.

(e) the capsules come in a variety of blends, but reading between the lines, the beans all seem to come from just 1-2 countries. It's not as wide or exotic of a geographic range as Peets or Starbucks. So the difference between the capsule colors/flavors is probably illusory. They all taste the same to me (then again I am not an aficionado).

(f) the capsules must be ordered in min. order of 50 (x$0.49 = $25). There is a mandatatory $5.95 shipping and handling. So re-ordering is going to be $30+ a pop.

(g) the machines must be routinely de-scaled and cleaned with fresh water. This maintenance bit annoys me.

Otherwise, it delivers what it promises. I bought it at Williams Sonoma to take advantage of its liberal return policy (apparently, lifetime warranty).

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-C100T vs. Citiz-

We deliberated over 2 machines: the C100T and the new Citiz. After doing some research, we found some interesting facts.

The initial advantages the Citiz had over the C100 were:

1) Slightly smaller counter top footprint

2) Flip-up tray for tall Latte glass option

3) Auto shut-off feature

4) Styling, (although only slightly less ugly)

However after a bit more investigation we found some not so obvious advantages the C100 has over the new Citiz.

Firstly the Citiz although priced the same as the C100, does not come bundled with the Aeroccino like C100 does.

Secondly, based on reading other reviewers, some have noted the Citiz have a tendency to jam. After further follow up, some said only when the pod basket is full, yet others have noted this not the case, it jammed even when the pod waste basket was empty. Further follow up showed the Citiz waste pod basket holds 8 used pods where the C100 as many as 12 or more before removal.

Additionally others have brought up the possible detrimental fact that its tall slim design can make the Citiz a bit tippy when loading the pod and not as stable to work with as the C100. After now using the machine I can see where that could be an issue as a bit of force is necessary to lock the lever down.

Yet another reviewer and owner of both machines said he purchased the new Citiz primarily for the optional tall glass feature then found the Citiz was more hassle to clean up because of its 2 or 3 additional parts; the C100 only has 3 parts to clean and clean up is a snap. As mentioned above we too consider the Citiz for its fold up tall glass Latte tray holder, however having now used the C100 with both short and tall glasses, it is really no big deal to hold the tall glass in place during the coffee extraction process.

With respect to counter top space, although only slightly wider in its stance to the Citiz, the C100 is not really large at all. Certainly much smaller than a stand alone drip machine and far smaller than a traditional espresso makerabout the size of a 2 slice toaster.

-The Aeroccino-

Personally I think this part of the system makes the entire coffee come togetherfor me without the Aeroccino, this is just a decent espresso machine.

First of all it is super easy to use, fill to the level, press the button and go. I noted during demos the Nespresso cafe folks would put the lid on downside upat first perplexed later realize it is easier to clean upclever. The other cool feature of the Aeroccino is if you do not want heated milk, hold the button for 3 seconds and the light will go blue instead of redcold whipped milk for ice cafeclever again!

Cooler yet Nespresso designed the little Latte whip and Cappuccino whisk to be held in place by magnets and there is a magnet in the lid to hold one tool when the other is in usethose Swiss are ingenious! In my opinion the Aeroccino does a better job than the integrated Latisima machine.

-Milk Types-

We were recommended to use higher protein milk as it will provide better results and based on some tests, the whole milk higher protein products do produce a really nice froth over slim milk. The machine produces Cappuccino froth amazingly fluffy while the Latte milk the Aeroccino produces is very rich and creamy. The C100 we have is made in Switzerland!

Highly recommended system!!

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I walked into Williams-Sonoma for a wok and walked out with an Essenza from Nespresso, and it's worth every penny of the $229.99. The ease of use is unparalleled, esp for making a quality espresso. It's a no-hassle experience all around, and the Nestle coffee from Switzerland which is used with this machine is very good. I initially didn't want to buy this because you can only use the machine with the replaceable Nestle products, but then realized the flavor, ease-of-use, and quality of the product makes it worth it. If you want a cafe-style espresso, with quality crema, in just 15 seconds or less, give this one a try. I'm thoroughly enjoying the machine each day, in just my first week of using it. It's so easy!! How much is a real cafe experience at home, with Williams-Sonoma lifetime guarantee, worth to you? Kudo's for Nespresso Essenza and Williams-Sonoma. Cheers.

Keurig V500 Vue Brewer

There is no shortage of Keurig reviews online so I will use this one to address a lack of information on the V500.

First, the Vue V500 is functionally the same as the top of the line Vue V700. I recently went to Bed, Bath and Beyond to purchase a Keurig coffee maker as a surprise for my wife while she was out of town. She had expressed an interest in getting one and was dropping hints more and more frequently.

After a little research and armed with a 20% off coupon, I hit the store with the intention of purchasing the Vue V700. When I got to the end cap where the Vue was set up, I saw a Vue I wasn't familiar with and that was the V500. It isn't even listed on the Keurig website yet. We aren't huge coffee people so I thought maybe this would be a better fit at a cheaper price than the V700. Cell phone reception was weak and it was taking forever to look up information so I resorted to asking a BBB employee what the difference was and he was actually very knowledgeable.

Functionally they work exactly the same. The differences are: The size of the water reservoir, the V700 holds 74 ounces while the V500 holds 60 ounces. The touch screen on the V700 is color while the V500's is black and white. The V500 offers all the same cup sizes as the V700 except one, it doesn't do the 18 ounce travel mug size. The V700 has storage for the power cord, the V500 does not. Aesthetically, the V700 has more silver accents on it while the V500 is mainly black. Last, the V700 comes with a free 10 Vue cup variety pack and the V500 comes with an 8 pack.

My wife doesn't care about any of those things so I decided to save $30 and get the V500. She absolutely loves it so far. As I said, we are not coffee people but so far so good. This thing makes a fantastic cup of coffee. If you don't need anything listed in the differences, save yourself some money and a little space on your counter top and get the V500.

Have a Keurig K-cup machine in the office and wanted one for my home. Could not decide on k-cup or v-cup machine. Love strong coffee and even though always buy the dark blends the coffee never seemed as strong as I would like it. After a lot of research I saw that Keurig was releasiing a new smaller Vue machine the V500. Bought it March 17 (at BB&B with 20% off coupon). Have used the machine for three days and simply love the machine. Coffee was stronger (used the strong setting) and hotter (197 degree setting). First cup takes a little time but subsequent cups ready almost immediately. Noise? No more so than any other brewer. Will keep updating as I use it.

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I first found out about the Vue on houseparty.com and applied hoping I would get selected to receive a free one but unfortunately I didn't:( but since I have wanted a new Keurig for a while I decided to buy the Vue v500 anyways. I'm glad I got the machine. It is slightly different from the V700 but the major difference is the black and white screen instead of the color screen and having a max brew size of 16oz instead of 18oz. Not having a color screen isn't that big of a deal to me and the black and white touch screen works fast and is still easy to read. I've used a original K-cup before and I noticed that this one does take slightly longer to brew but it also brews a better cup of coffee! I like having the option to customize what drink I'm making (ex. coffee, iced drinks, and cafe drinks); select which temperature(I prefer to make it colder when I'm going to drink it right away and hotter if I'm taking my drink on the go); whether or not I want my coffee stronger; as well as being able to use the normal sized pods or travel size. These features set it apart from the original k-cup brewer. One downside is that the pods are slightly more expensive, currently there is less variety, and its not as widely available for purchase. There is a reusable vcup on the market made by solofill but as of yet keurig has not put their own out. I've tried out the "Solofill Cup V1" and I like it. I've read some reviews on the Solofill where people say it leaves grounds in the cup and this is not true. The solofill reusable cup does leave some sediment that will rest on the very bottom of your cup similar to if your coffee had been made in a french press and to me it tastes almost exactly like french press coffee (if ground right and using the right amount of coffee). I also noticed other reviews where people said the brewer is noisy, this is true but it's not so noisy it will wake everyone up in the morning, rather it's just that you can hear the pump as opposed to complete silence. The only major complaint I have is that the machine is NOT high enough for taller sized To Go mugs or even most averaged sized travel mugs. I think keurig should have included an additional base to put under the machine to prop it up higher or at least make an optional base for purchase to raise the machine up more otherwise you'll have to find something to put under it if you want to use taller travel mugs.

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I've used Regular Coffee, Decaf Coffee & My Refillable Decaf Coffee several times and I have been disappointed with every brewed cup of coffee!

The Solofill Gold Filter leaves excessive coffee mud in the bottom of the cup.

There is a limited variety of Regular & Decaf coffee Vue cups available.

I like my coffee to taste like coffee or if flavored to taste like the flavor.

Too bad a costly adventure!

Sorry!!

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I have read just about every review out there and really was not sure about actually buying it because of some of them. But I am so glad I did. I love it! I bought the smaller size.

Here are the complaints I saw pretty regularly.

Too loud. No it really is not and I can not figure out where that idea came from. It sounds just like your average coffee pot as it just gets done with its brewing. It is a little louder I did notice when I used the frother. I wonder if that is because it is working a little harder to froth the milk mixture? Either way that is not even that loud.

Heat. Personally I used to be a gas station coffee and Scooter's coffee junkie. The Vue brews just as hot as they do. I did not expect it to be that hot and burned the hell out of my mouth on my first cup. It is set at 195 degrees and I know you can change that if you so choose.

Strength of the coffee. This one humors me because I have to wonder if these people actually tried the strong coffee blends before saying that. Personally I like coffee average strength and the Vue borderlines on a little too strong for me. But its okay I can handle that.

Height. Yes this is an issue that was npoorly designed. I found an old cookbook I do not use much and sat the vue on top of that and just remove the drip tray when I use it. My 16oz coffee cup fits perfectly now. I have to wonder if their idea behind that was most people do not typically order 16oz plus cafe drinks so they decided to make it shorter? Just my thought on that.

I saw someone review the Vanilla Latte horribly saying it was disgusting. I love it and it turns out so much better than coffee shop lattes in my opinion. However it does seem to have a slightly caramel after taste to me. I would love to know if they will come out with a special cup that lets us use our own milk though, that would be perfect!

I love the fact you can choose how many ounces you want to brew. That is an awesome feature. The only sad part is you can only brew an 8 oz latte, thats kind of a bummer but again I think its because your average person does not usually order more than that at a coffee shop.

The touch screen is a bit small and sometimes kind of hard to touch the right buttons at times but its managable. Someone was talking on their review about smiling every time it is done brewing and says "enjoy!", I had to laugh when I caught myself doing it too.

One major draw back is the only place I can seem to find the vue cups is target abd here. But I think it took awhile for the K cups to become so widespread so maybe it will just take some time.

It took me nearly a month to decide to buy this thing and now I am wondering what took me so long to do it! Do not keep considering just go get one :)

DeLonghi Nescafe Dolce Gusto Piccolo Plus Coffeemaker, Produces Gourmet Coffees, Lattes, Cappuccino

I love this little machine. It is very fast and brews rich, dark coffee, espresso, and fancier coffee house drinks. I would definitely recommend it if you are looking for something that is quick, convenient, and goes beyond just black coffee options. I was looking for a single brew system, because even a small pot of coffee can go wasted in our household. This system lets you brew one (small) cup at a time so you have fresh coffee when you want it. As a super-bonus, this one cup system allows you to make lattes, caramel macchiato, mochas, hot chocolate, and tea as well. This has virtually eliminated my daily Starbucks run. Here are a few things I think you should know before you make a decision to buy...

1. Brewing an 8oz cup of coffee takes only one capsule, and will cost you around 0.50 to 0.60 per cup.

2. Brewing a 7 to 8 oz coffee house drink takes two capsules, so it costs double. This is also true for the hot chocolate and chai tea latte.

3. The espresso from this machine forms a really nice crema and is truly a treat.

4. Although the boxes of capsules tell you how many ounces of each capsule to brew for a perfect cup, this machine requires you to manually estimate the ounces. To get around that issue, you can do a couple of things. The coffee and latte cups that are sold by Nestle and come with some machines are proportioned to help you estimate accurately, with the bottom of the handle indicating one measurement, the top indicating another, etc. Another option is to measure out the cups you have and find out which of your cups are 8oz and where the 4, 5, 6 and 7 ounce points are. Alternatively, you could opt for one of the more expensive dolce gusto machines which have indicators built into them and avoid estimating all together.

5. There is one variety of the capsules that I won't buy again the skinny cappuccino. At 50 calories and 0 grams of fat, versus 85 calories and 4g of fat in the normal cappuccino, I just don't think there is enough of a difference in nutritional value to justify the watering down of an otherwise satisfying drink.

6. I have a hard time finding the capsules in stores. However, it is easy to order them from Amazon or www. dolce-gusto.us.

7. Make sure to register for the rewards program at the the dolce-gusto site, as you can get a free box of capsules for every 10 boxes you buy (regardless of where you bought them).

I hope this is useful.

This little machine spits out a nice cup of coffee. A nice small cup of coffee. If you look at the instructions for each variety it reads that they all are under 8 ounces. Some are closer to the 6 ounce mark. If you go over that then you're just brewing water because the capsules run out of coffee and milk after a certain amount of water flows through them. You'll actually see it flow clear. The machine itself brews quickly and hot. It does make fancy coffee drinks (mocha, latte, cappuccino, chai, etc), but these drinks can be very expensive. A single box of capsules for a latte drink is $9.99 and only brews 8 cups (8 milk capsules, 8 coffee capsules) and these are small cups. If you want a larger mug you're going to have to use two of each. It would be fun for an office or for a dorm if you have the money to keep buying the capsules. I'd think of it as more of a once in a while thing and not something to use daily.

Buy DeLonghi Nescafe Dolce Gusto Piccolo Plus Coffeemaker, Produces Gourmet Coffees, Lattes, Cappuccino Now

I bought the Piccolo in black, which came with a box of assorted pods to get me started. It makes a very good espresso for a little, automatic maker. I still go to Starbucks when I want the best, but this funny looking contraption is my everyday espresso machine, and it keeps me satisfied.

I have used every pod they offer and made every drink possible, and they are all very good. I like that I can control the coffee to milk ratio, which lets me customize my drinks according to my mood. I use only water from my reverse osmosis system, which enables me to not have to use the descaling solution, and I am sure the coffee tastes better that way. The quality of the coffee and milk in the pods is very good.

One of my favorite drinks is the dark roast espresso. I make a dopio with a single pod, and the crema is wonderful. I can't say it is as good as Starbucks, but I also can't say that many other coffee house coffees are as good as the Dolce Gusto coffee. We have a nice coffee house in town, and they charge $185 for a dopio espresso, and it is not as good as the espresso from my little machine.

This is an espresso machine, not a regular coffee pod machine. I have tried other regular coffee pod machines, and some are good, but I like espresso drinks the best because I think espresso is the best way to do coffee.

The espressos I had when I was in Italy were to die for, and my machine cannot be compared with those; but, I can say with confidence that my machine does espresso better than most that I have had in America, except Starbucks, but they charge $195 for a dopio. The cost to make a dopio in my machine is about 60 cents.

Read Best Reviews of DeLonghi Nescafe Dolce Gusto Piccolo Plus Coffeemaker, Produces Gourmet Coffees, Lattes, Cappuccino Here

I bought Nescafe Dolce Gusto Piccolo (black) by DeLonghi when there was some sort of a promotion sale going on, I figured since it was so cheap, I thought I'd give it a try.

Making all different various of coffee (fx.espresso, latte, cappuccino, and more) has never been this much quick & easy. Dolce gusto also has a lot of different flavors to choose from, even hot chocolates for you and your kids like chococcino & nesquik.

Only issue I have with this machine is that it doesn't automatically control the amount of water in the coffee, so you have to stand there and take a guess and stop the machine, and if you don't stop the machine at right amount, you'll end up drinking watered down coffee. If you don't want all that hassle, I think it's better to get DeLonghi Nescafe Dolce Gusto Genio Coffeemaker, since you can set the water level and machine will stop automatically, and there's not much of price differences.

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Great little compact coffee maker. Makes expresso, cafe lattes, cappucinos, and regular coffees. Highly recommend this little coffee maker. Have tried various different coffees and impressed with all. Only draw back is that you can't find the pods easily -you either have to order on line or shop at high end stores.

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Mr. Coffee ECM20 Steam Espresso Maker, Black

I must confess that I spent a lot of time trying to get a good coffee maker, I had a Krups Single Serve My Cafe for about a year, I was never happy with it anyway. I am the only coffee drinker in my family, so I do not want to shop for a drip 10 cup type of coffee machine, so I bought this one.

Here is my review of this machine:

1. Build quality Yes, the knob and top cover is a bit of hard to turn, build quality is so so, but I think the inards of this machine is ok, it generate steam quickly and appear to be built with no better or worse quality than many of the steam type espresso machines.

2. Coffee Here is something that I am really surprise of, I think it makes great coffee, I run through it with three different kind of Ethiopian coffee, to my surprise, I can tell the subtle different among them, this machine produce very good coffee. Coffee is also hot enough contrary to some of the reviews mentioned.

3. Cost I think this is a very good deal considering I spent more than $100 for a single serve machine but I do not get the enjoyment of coffee from that, I do now.

4. Design it looks ok and do not occupy a lot of counter space. I actually think it has appeal of its own.

Be aware of the amount of water you pour in, I usually turn off the machine before the last drop get vaporized, otherwise, your coffee will taste a little bit overdone.

I think this is a good machine as long as you treat it gently, it may not have the best build quality but it gets the job done. I am happy.

I picked this product up at a local store for mid $20's after getting sick of making my coffee with a stove top espresso machine. I couldn't see spending $100+ for something conceptually as simple as an espresso machine. I know someone who got a simple Krupps machine for about $40 years ago and it still works just great. But since I couldn't find anything else in the sub $40 range, I settled on this one.

It makes a fine cup of coffee if you just want to use prepackaged coffee grinds or you use a basic coarse to medium grind. BUT, when I tried to use a very fine grained "espresso" grind on my beans, almost nothing came out. It seems that too fine a grind stops up the filter holes and the machine just doesn't have the oomph to force the water/steam through.

Also, it does suffer from

a very difficult to turn knob (don't get this product if you have arthritis)

a caraf lid that won't stay on let alone stay properly oriented

So basically, it's good for making a medium to fairly strong cup of coffee (by my subjective measure), but if you really want something strong and sludgy, this machine won't do the trick unless you want to wait for an hour for it to eventually push enough liquid through.

I guess now I understand why espresso machines aren't cheap. Years of using a really simple stovetop espresso maker led me to believe that they're really simple machines. But perhaps when you try to package it up as an appliance it isn't so straight forward.

Buy Mr. Coffee ECM20 Steam Espresso Maker, Black Now

I have read so many negative reviews of this wonderful little moka machine, I must put in my 2 cents. First, this is a stream machine, meaning it makes moka not espresso. If you like Bialetti but want cappuccino instead of cafe latte, then this is perfect. The grind must be close to espresso, finer than for Bialetti, and you must tamp it down, but no tamper included. There is only 1 knob, yes it is stiff, but i don't have arthritis. The round design makes it easy to handle even though it is very light. It descales with...vinegar! How about that, actually a traditional machine. The panarello works, just put in extra "cup" of water for steaming. Make 2 "cups", not 1 or 4, and always start with cold machine, or use very, very cold water. Stop the brewing as soon as moka hits 2 "cups" or it starts to steam instead of brew, then switch the knob to steam for the milk. If you don't, coffee will taste slightly burned. I have owned espresso and moka machines from USD5 to USD1,000 over a period of 40 years. If you like moka, don't waste money on anything more expensive. But, like any machine, read the manual, and experiment if things don't work the way you want. Finally, garbage in garbage out. If you want great cappuccino, use good organic coffee and organic milk.

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One of the biggest complaints with this machine is that the reservoir lid is difficult to open. The manual tells you to release the remaining pressure by turning to either coffee or steamer. Then it opens easily. The knob to select steamer, off, coffee gets easier to use once it is broken in, but I agree, if your hands are not dry, it is a bit slippery.

The manual also gives clear details how to make different types of coffees and a troubleshooter. The frother makes long-lasting tasty foam, and I found the coffee to be plenty hot. I cools quickly because there is no hot plate to keep it warm, but you are only making one cup at a time--why wouldn't you drink it right away?

The coffee I liked in my previous coffee maker didn't taste the same in this machine. I had to experiment with a variety of brands and finally decided on Bustello. Someone else I talked to raved about LaVazza, but I didn't share her enthusiasm for the taste. It's all about individual preference.

I like that with one machine, My husband can make his espresso, and I can have my weaker American style coffee by simply adjusting the amount of coffee vs the water.

I have had my machine almost 6 months and my handles have not broken. Perhaps the other folks contributed to theirs breaking by banging the coffee basket against something to release the grounds. This may have weakened the handle? The glass is thin and you do need to take reasonable care not to break it. The metal parts are not Stainless Steel (except the inner grounds basket)and I found the finish on the frothing tube began wearing off (to what looks like brass or copper? )when I used a scrubby to clean off the dried milk. I have since steamed water with it right after use, use only a sponge and finger nail to clean and have not noticed more wear.

This machine is the same one sold at Walmart as Mr. Coffee (same model #)for $25 and at Walgreen as Signature Gourmet for $20 (the one I bought). It is not going to be made with the finest materials, Folks!

It does make very good coffee, is extremely affordable, simple to use, takes up minimal space on your counter and has held up almost 6 months so far. That's why I gave it 5 stars

EDIT It is now November 2008 and My coffee maker is still going strong! The knob is easy to turn but the white lettering has worn off. I broke the carafe by throwing groceries against it in a rush. The carafe can be replaced for about $10 but I am using a regular coffee mug. It works fine and the coffee is just as great!. Best $20 I ever spent.

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o.k. let's all get a grip concerning this product.

it cost me twenty-five dollars at walmart three years ago and i and a co-worker draw about twenty shots a day, every day at work (backstage at a theater) and it makes a perfectly fine, strong coffee... not bitter... but no crema... it's not espresso.

it's not supposed to be.

tastes fine black... i use milk and sugar sometimes... sometimes i froth the milk... sometimes i heat it in the microwave... sometimes i pour it over ice and add cold milk... it all tastes fine.

if i want a real double shot of espresso i go to the locally owned coffee house and splurge every week or two.

so i know what really good espresso tastes like... as many of you do.

if you want strong, cheap, good coffee... brew it with this thing using a good quality course grind or a good espresso grind (fair trade would be nice)... don't tamp it down (too tight for the pressure it delivers)... and it you want it to heat up water quickly turn it on before you filter your water and set the grounds into the coffee filter (a couple of taps on a table after you fill it will get the grounds to settle in).

oh yeh, and the carafe will break apart almost immediately, so i've used a big, low profile mug to catch the coffee for all three years... man, what a chore. ha.

as a perpetually starving actor of twenty five years this is a tasty way to get your caffeine cheaply without injecting it directly into your bloodstream.

and to all you espresso fanatics... welcome to the new economic depression...i hope you have already purchased your several thousand dollar machine, time to brew the best cup of coffee you can for the least amount of money at home or at the office for your economically deprived friends ... and let starbucks sink under it's own expensive weight.

if not, get this one and go socialize at a locally owned coffee house when you get an extra dollar or two.

whoohooooo! i'm buzzed already!

Update:

i've used the thing backstage for over six years now and it is performs exactly as described above... never cleaned it... still twenty shots a day... still using the same low profile mug as a substitute for the piece of junk carafe.

i'm trying to kill the poor little thing, but it just won't die.

oh, and welcome to the double did depression.

aren't you glad that you are buying a home espresso machine to save cash?

shots at the coffee house add up quickly.

Alessi Miniture La Conica Espresso Maker H.3.75"

This mighty mite makes a powerful yet tiny cup of brew. Its 0.95oz output is miniscule, but with great patience, I am able to make enough coffee to stay awake long enough to make enough coffee to stay awake to make enough coffee. About 40 pots a day is all it takes.

Best of all, I can brew with a lighter! Yet another addicting pastime brought to you by Bic.

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Starbucks Barista Home Espresso Machine - Stainless Steel

My family loves its espresso and we've tried around 4-5 espresso machines over the last 20 years. So what makes the Starbucks Barista fabulous? It flat-out works!

Additionally:

* Reasonably priced

* There is no auto-anything. (ie, no frills that'll just break later)

* It's heavy and solid a quality piece of workmanship

* Actually made by Saeco (and just re-branded by Starbucks)

How does it compare to other machines I've used?

We've tried the cheap models (~$100) and they broke or wore out after a year or so. We've tried the really expensive models (~$1000) and with a bunch of internal moving parts and auto-grinder, auto-tamper, auto-cleaner, etc. etc. These often gum up, break, or insist some internal plastic piece is out of place (think "PC LOAD LETTER" for an espresso machine).

I've owned a Starbucks Barista for about ten years now. In fact, I decided to find a second one in case the 1st one decides to give it up. It's a workhorse of a machine, which I use at least five times a day for Americano-style regular cups on-demand and for espresso on occasion. The white version is probably the most practical since it is easiest to keep looking clean, whereas the graphite or stainless versions are somewhat more "perpetual care." The color finishes are extremely durable and made to last for many years. The stainless version case is about 2mm thick nice and strong.

Since these are no longer being made (at least not under the Starbucks name, and I'm not finding them elsewhere) it seems a good idea to locate a little-used one because a comparable machine would be at least twice the price this model sold for when new, and even then, those higher priced ones are not highly rated unless you get to the commercial end of the market, four or more times the price.

It's worth cleaning the upper gasket-seal regularly so it doesn't get worn away by trapped grounds and to check the stainless insert that receives the coffee grounds to ensure that the holes are not being plugged-up with too finely ground coffee. A tiny fishing float added to the tank will aid in monitoring the water level in low-light situations.

The Starbucks Barista can't be beat for good, clean design and functionality.

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We've been using one of these for about six or seven years. Actually my wife uses it every day; I generally use a Keurig, but now and then I make a latte. I was hesitant to spend this much money on an espresso machine, but this model is nothing if not durable. We've never had even a single minor issue with it.

It makes the best espresso because it uses a pump. Cheaper models simply heat the water until it is too hot, and the resulting espresso is not as good. This model heats the water to the exact right pressure and then pumps it through the coffee. The result is espresso that tastes exactly like it does at Starbucks.

My biggest concern was that the pump would give out. But as I said, my wife has used it every single day for at least the past six years. That means more than 2000 times now. And it still works just as well now as it did when it was new. Calculate the cost of buying a coffee from Starbucks every day (which my wife would do if we didn't have this), and the savings per cup by making it at home, and it has paid for itself many times over.

We have broken the glass receptacle more than once, and now we have a metal replacement. Other than that, it's exactly as it was the day we bought it.

Another plus is that it's not made of cheap materials. We can give it a vigorous cleaning and it still looks almost brand new. Virtually no visible signs of wear. Built like a tank!

When this thing does finally break down, I have no doubt we will buy an exact replacement, if it's still available.

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