Buy Francis Francis! 206003 X6 Trio Espresso Machine, Black Now
Showing posts with label combination coffee espresso machine. Show all posts
Showing posts with label combination coffee espresso machine. Show all posts
Sunday, April 13, 2014
Francis Francis! 206003 X6 Trio Espresso Machine, Black
Wednesday, February 19, 2014
Mr. Coffee Coffee Grinders
No bells and whistles, just plug it in, fill it with beans, put on the lid, push down on the button, count to ten, turn upside down filling lid with grounds, dump grounds from lid to coffee maker basket, replace lid, put back in cupboard 'til tomorrow morning.
If you need more from your grinder, don't look here, because that's all there is to it. But if you just need to make great coffee every morning, and need a reliable grinder at a great price, this is the one you are looking for.
Put me down as one fully satisfied customer.It has been about six months since I started grinding my own coffee beans with this Mr. Coffee grinder. I usually use it three times a week. And my Mr. Coffee grinder is still going strong.
Of course, I read all of the instructions before attempting to use. (Like everyone one does right?) The instructions state in big bold letters to use only for grinding coffee beans. This grinder should not be used as a nut grinder or any other food items. There could be some cross contamination of flavors. "Good idea!" I said. But. What if I wanted some nut flavor with my coffee? Hint: If you did grind another food source, put in some bread pieces and grind. The food particles should be picked up with the bread. It is now back to its original state.
The grinders size is perfect for up to a 12-cup coffee maker. I always fill my 12-cup coffee pot, so I wanted to know how much whole beans to use. So once again I found this from the instructions. Six tablespoons. This is the maximum holding capacity for this grinder. Perfect.
Consistency ground size comes next. Yes after nine seconds the size should be perfect for my automatic drip coffee maker. And it was. Any longer than that the grounds would become powder, which is good for espresso and coffee in your cup. Some people like that so that would work for them.
A safety switch will automatically shut off when not in use. That is a nice feature for the safety conscience. When done grinding your beans, turn the unit over, tap a couple times, and "Walla" a pouring device. Pour right into your coffee filter. Turn on coffee machine and now you have time to clean out the grinder.
The grinder needs to be cleaned after each use to keep it in tiptop shape. And have a longer shelf life. One drawback is that some powder sticks to the bottom of the grinder. I just get a paper towel and wipe it out. Presto, cleaned until next time.
Grinding coffee beans at home gives the freshest coffee I can get at home!
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an easy way to clean your coffee/spice grinder: put a small peice of bread in it (about a 1/4 slice) and pulse a few times then dump it out...and you're done:)I purchased this as a replacement for a friend's (which I dropped and broke). It's an adequate grinder, but not top of the line. The ground coffee particles range in size from powder to fairly big chunks. It gets the job done, but I'd consider spending the money for a better one with plate grinders rather than the food-processor-type blades. It's also difficult to clean.I went through my first one in four months. The second one burnt out a motor the very first time I used it. With much better models going for just a couple of dollars more, there's no reason to miss a single morning's cup of coffee because of this product. To it's credit, it worked well during its short life.Sunday, September 8, 2013
Pasquini Livietta T2 Espresso Machine
1. Preheat your machine for 2-5 minutes. Place a couple of demitasse cups on top of the machine to heat them up and make sure you have either filtered or bottled (calcium free) water in your water tank.
2. Send a spurt of hot water through your empty brew group and filter basket to heat it up before loading it up with your grinds.
3. The grind is absolutely imperative!!! You must have the right grind to get the most out of your shot. If you don't have the right grind you'll have a crappy shot and it will be bitter and nasty. I currently have mine set at between 2.5 and 3 and it's perfect. I'm using: Pasquini Lux Coffee Grinder. You need to tamp the grounds into the filter basket with your tamper with firm, even pressure. When you put your brew group onto the machine, don't crank it on too tight, just put it on and pull the handle forward.
4. If your machine is warm (green "coffee" light is on) push the coffee light (make sure you have a warmed cup under the brew group :) and brew your ambrosia of the gods. You should see a chestnut and tan stripey later of crema on top, and your espresso should be smooth, not at all bitter.
If it's too dark and bitter, and there is no crema, your grind is probably too fine. Try making the grind a little less fine (usually you will need to adjust the grind with the machine running, you may need to check your instruction manual depending on what type you have).
I hope this helps! I'm very much enjoying a latte right now and it is VERY smooth. The microfoam is like velvet. No sugar required :) I'm going to be high on caffeine today, woohoo.
EDIT: Just as an FYI, I got some snotty Italian coffee a few days after the coffee machine arrived (it came with the machine as a freebie, but it arrived late). It tasted like it had been roasted in someone's sweaty boot and left to rot for several months. It was truly awful. There was no amount of sugar or chocolate that could cover the flavor of the bitter nastiness. Really, really gross. I highly recommend sticking with freshly roasted coffee from someplace that you really like. My favorite place to get coffee is (their Sally's special blend is amazing!!!), another favorite place is . Both are excellent for very freshly roasted coffees and split bean has the most unbelievable alfajores I have EVER tasted. Just... Wow!!!
Now that I have good coffee back in the grinder, I'm back to very much enjoying my at least twice daily coffee :) Once the grind is just right, and the art of the pull is mastered, you cannot go wrong. This machine makes AMAZING coffee!!!I have had my Livietta T2 for two years and am very happy with my purchase. It's an extremely high quality machine with solid, heavy components and yet a remarkably small footprint (preserving relative marital harmony. It has easy-to-access inside components, so anyone with the desire to do so can easily and intuitively take apart the insides for routine cleaning and maintenance. The machine is made in Italy, near Milan. But unlike many of the Italian machines, Pasquini has a well-established US headquarters, located in Los Angeles. From my experience, they actually pick up the phone, and if you need a part or get technical advise, you will talk with a real person right away. Pasquini Espresso Co. 1501 W Olympic Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90015 (213) 739-0480 By the way, the 57mm portafilter allows you to use a trimmed Red Bull can (also 57mm in diameter) as a chute so that grinds move directly into the portafilter from your grinder, with absolutely no mess. I use a Baratza Virtuoso without the bin. This is by far the neatest system I have found (and I have researched it extensively online).
Here is some information to supplement the Amazon description:
Commercial Portafilter and Brew Group
The Livietta features a 57mm portafilter and rugged brew group to dispense the best tasting espresso without losing heat. Constructed of chrome-plated marine brass, the heavy-duty portafilter and brew group are essential to quality brewing, ensuring that every shot of espresso will be delivered to your cup at the right temperature.
Dual Thermblock Boiler System
The Livietta T2 has 2 thermoblocks for a steady supply of espresso as well as steam, anytime you need it. With the Livietta, you can froth or steam milk for lattes and cappuccinos even while you brew. This makes the machine great for entertaining, allowing you to create a number of different drinks without making guests wait long.
Simple Controls
Using the Livietta is very straightforward, with 3 professional-style rocker switches to control brewing, steaming and power. The rocker switch on the right side of the machine turns it on, and it takes just 2 minutes for the Livietta to heat up to brewing temperature. The buttons on the left side are for steaming and brewing, and each one is labeled clearly for ease-of-use.
3-Way Solenoid Valve
The Pasquini Livietta T2 has a built-in 3-way solenoid valve to relieve water pressure at the end of the brewing cycle. When the brew switch is turned off, the 3-way solenoid valve is activated. This will eliminate excess water in the grouphead, avoiding dripping or spattering when the portafilter is removed.
Cup Warmer
The Livietta has a stainless steel cup warmer on the top of the machine, with a built-in rail to keep all of your cups secure. The cup warmer is heated by passive heat from the thermoblock boilers, ensuring all your cups are preheated and ready for brewing. The cup warmer is large enough to store 10 demitasse cups.
Buy Pasquini Livietta T2 Espresso Machine Now
This machine with an actual grinder does a very good job. Steam appears weak, but once you froth the milk you get this amazing micro foam. Great for fast mornings, since it heats up in like 2min. I'd call it: a little engine that could...Read Best Reviews of Pasquini Livietta T2 Espresso Machine Here
I have had this machine for four years and it was magic. It never gave me any trouble and consistantly provided a delicious cup of espresso or capuchino. In May I hit the switch and click nothing happened. Heart sank. Called their customer service. Mike was so incredibly helpful. He provided local service reps but they didn't respond so out it went to la for r and r. It came back brand new. Mike called and emailed status and cost and delivery . In less time than it took me to sacrifice with my old Francis I was back having the most wonderful mornings. As anyone knows who has been told by a fancy restaurant that the machine is down, these guys need tune ups. run the numbers and you will find that it is the most cost effective and easiest way to have a great cup of coffee. Thanks mike and Pasquini. Love from your very satisfied customerI own this machine, and paid $850.00 thru an illy coffee program. It was great for the first 2 years, then the steamer quit! A one year warranty?! Pasquini was NOT sympathetic, they don't care if you send it in, in fact they don't encourage it, though by golly, they'll sell you some over priced parts. They want YOU to do all the trouble shooting. Once you open this machine, you'll soon realize it takes some specialized tools, to boot. For 15 bar power, get a $150.00 Cuisinart, at least they offer a 3 year warranty. What a foolish purchase I made. I was taken.Wednesday, August 14, 2013
Capresso EC100 Pump Espresso and Cappuccino Machine
This machine enables you to prepare espresso with a medium, strong, or very strong taste, using either ground coffee or pods. You can prepare either one or two espressos at a time. It also enables you to prepare cappuccinos (by frothing the milk) or lattes (by steaming it). Oddly, the recipes in the manual do not mention how to prepare a café mocha. My own method is to squirt some Hershey's sugar-free chocolate syrup into a latte, add two packets of artificial sweetener, and stir vigorously. The manual does include helpful tips on ingredients. For example, the lower fat milk is the more froth it will produce. I'm sure you'll think of your own favorite flavorings to add to beverages--cinnamon, brandy, whipped cream on top, or whatever.
I found the machine fairly easy to use, although it's a bit fiddly. You need to go through several steps just to pre-warm the components and the cups. And there's filling the water container, inserting the filter, steaming the milk, cleaning the machine after use . . . on the other hand, at the local coffee shop I just wait around while someone else does all this stuff.
This machine comes with a limited one-year warranty and an order form for parts when they need replacing, which parts are actually quite reasonably priced. Oh, and a separate copy of the manual entirely in French, should you need it.So I had bought this machine going by a review by an unbiased espresso machine store, and they tested on a video. They sold all types of machines. So I gave this a try. After reading the reviews on amazon I was little hesitant.
When I tried the machine it worked wonderfully, and later some of the shots I pulled were weak... Similar to what others had mentioned as a con.
Unlike the latter I knew that it did well initially so the error must've fallen on myself, but how? I wondered. So I went online a did a bit of research and found the error lay on how I was grinding the beans. Online it said that certain machine work well with certain grinds. This particular one must be extremely finely ground, and a burr grinder would work more efficiently.
As for the complaints about the bitterness, you get a bit more bitter taste with grinding it finely, but honestly esperesso is not meant to be extremely bitter, that is the result of burnt grounds scorched under pressure, and that's the result of a poor machine.
Do the research there's plenty of information on the Internet and YouTube ... It is a great machine! Very easy to use at a great price.
Buy Capresso EC100 Pump Espresso and Cappuccino Machine Now
Great deep crema!Super easy machine for making capuccino: I make the froth in a cup and then dispense the espresso directly into the same cup. This might be blasphemy, but at 5:30am, who cares.
Cleanup: 20 seconds: I wipe off the nozzle, tap out the hockey puck into the garbage, and rinse it.
Large clear water container, easy to see how much water is left.
Cleaning the machine: I ran diluted vinegar through once so far in 6 months. Working fine. I had to clean out the brew head once, which required a screwdriver and took a couple of minutes and a paper towel.
Note on espresso strength: With my unit, the coffee seemed like it was on the weak side at first, then after about a lb., seemed more like regular strength.
Other things to like about this machine:
A snap to clean up. If you've used other machines you know there are usually little sprays of coffee, coffee grounds, milk, froth, etc., and grind slop to clean up after.
Water container holds enough to make many cups in a row before refilling.
The foot print is much smaller than some other similar machines, so it fits into my counter corner easily.
The manual is very thorough. When I had to figure out how to clean out the brew head, the info was right there.
The price is nice! We inherited a Barista and later purchased a Cafe Roma which are also great, but I like this system for its ease of use, crema, and tidy footprint. Also thinking this would be a nice gift, as it'll turn out a nice cup right away. Had the unit 6 months so far, so hope it keeps up the good work.
Read Best Reviews of Capresso EC100 Pump Espresso and Cappuccino Machine Here
I love everything about the Capresso...except for the fact that it makes coffee, not espresso. This is the third espresso maker in this price range that I've owned, the previous two being a Starbucks Barista and a Gaggia, and while I like the design of the Capresso the most (1. Capresso, 2. Gaggia, 3. Barista), I like the coffee the least (1. Gaggia, 2. Barista, 3. Capresso). Which when you get down to the bottom line is kind of a dealbreaker.The Capresso does produce a thick "crema" but the coffee is mellow rather than bold. I can turn on the machine, run through a few empty cups of water to heat it up, use my boldest roast, and the coffee that I pull will still be mellow and smooth. If you like mellow, smooth coffee this might be the machine for you. I like thick, bitter, ultra-strong espresso, and the Capresso will not produce it. Also it took a couple of weeks before the new machinery stopped making my coffee taste a little bit like rubber.
For all that, I was really sad to stop using the Capresso and return to my Starbucks Barista because the Capresso is so much easier to use! The water tank, in particular, is genius. It attaches to the back of the machine and is so much easier to detach and re-attach than the reservoirs I'm used to, which hide behind the portafilter and drip tray. It holds the perfect amount of water too, enough to last me a couple of days but not so much that I ever worry about the water stagnating.
The portafilter basket that holds the grounds is irritating to use. It's made of a lightweight metal that feels cheap. I always use the double espresso basket and the spoon that comes with the machine does not measure the right amount. I'd drop one spoonful into the basket, then scoop out more grounds and measure around 2/3 of a second spoonful in order to fill the double-espresso basket. This was irritating, time consuming, and often messy.
Other than that...the Capresso is easy to use, easy to clean. So easy to clean! That's my second favorite thing about it, after the water tank. I just wish it made espresso.
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I simply love it. I used it for 3 months (2 to 6 espressos a day everyday), and never had a problem with it whatsoever.I only make espressos with it and never used the steam/foaming outlet (cannot comment on it).
I never decalcified it yet; cannot comment on that either.
PROS:
Heats quickly.
Does great espresso, with a lot of foam (love it).
Easy to clean and maintain.
CONS:
The water runs out too quickly to my taste. I guess the coffee could be tastier/more powerful if the water was running slowly (and even an adjustment of the grinding size didn't make it much better. I found my best grinding size, but the next finer one just clogs the machine which only gives one drip every 1/2 second).
A lot of foam my wife doesn't approve of that much foam on her espressos :-)
I would buy it again and advise friends to do so, since I'm really pleased and had a hard time figuring which espresso machine to buy in the US (the choice here is less than 1/10th of what we have in Europe).
Tuesday, August 13, 2013
Nespresso CitiZ Automatic Espresso Maker
First of all, the Nespresso D110 is really beautiful--as much a work of art as a functional machine. The "winter white" is more of a cream color and the machine itself reminds me of an art deco juke box from the 1950s, if that makes any sense. It is very slim and looks beautiful on the counter top. The DeLonghi is much more utilitarian, with obviously less expensive materials (again, the price difference makes sense). If I use a PC analogy, the D110 is a Mac (elegant, incredibly simple to use, and expensive). Just as there are vocal supporters of MacWorld--I think the Nespresso D110 will have equally vocal supporters if you can justify the price...or better yet, receive as a gift :)!
Initial impressions: it took about an hour and several tries on the DeLonghi EC155 to get the proportions right for a nice espresso with the ESE pods. With the Nespresso D110, it literally took about 5 minutes--and 3 minutes of that was reading the directions. 1-button operation. The crema on the espressos we produced from the Nespresso capsules were better the first time than we have been able to produce from the DeLonghi after several iterations.
My biggest complaint: the Nespresso machine does not have a milk frother whereas the DeLonghi EC155 does. Though I am not a designer, because the design is pump driven--it seems like having a frother would have been relatively easy and could have been incorporated with the elegant D110 design without altering its sleek appearance. Finally, a quick Amazon search tells me that the capsules that are to be used with the Nespresso line are proprietary, so there is not the competition like there is with the ESE pods used by other machines. A quick perusal tells me that the capsules are over $0.60 each, in bulk, while ESE pods can be found for closer to $0.40 online. The lack of frother and the proprietary capsules needed have me taking away 1-star.
Finally, this espresso machine is beautiful, elegant, very quick (you can crank out multiple espressos for a gathering quickly), produces excellent crema, has a small footprint, and is extremely easy to use. You pay a price for all of this and will continue to do so with the proprietary capsules. Again, the PC vs. Mac analogy is a good one.I would not have thought I would be alive long enough to see a "Jetsons" reality. (I guess Raymond Kurzweil was right when he said technology will grow exponentially) This is truly a futuristic dream come true. The Nespresso produced coffee is the best. Perfectly intense without bitterness. I cannot imagine how someone could invent something so easy to use without compromising even a fraction of quality.
I purchased the bundle, Citiz and Aeroccino Frother and together they make an incredible latte.
Buy Nespresso CitiZ Automatic Espresso Maker Now
I bought this machine as an x'mas present for my mother who loves her coffee but is afraid of the steam from traditional espresso machines, hates the hassle of French Press, and dislikes drip coffee.This product was an instant hit. Just switch the machine on, run it through once to rinse the machine & heat up the cup, then insert the capsule and press for a tasty cuppa. Repeat for a second cup. So simple a four year old did it too.
Added benefit is that this particular machine has a slim footprint and the water tank holds enough water for quite a few cups so the machine itself can be placed wherever you would like your coffee. So far the machine has been 1. in the kitchen, 2. upstairs in her bedroom on Sundays for a luxurious breakfast in bed 3. out tailgating plugged into the car inverter 4. in various hotel rooms during her spring roadtrips.
The folding cup tray, enables you to use either a cup or mug directly under the spout.
The CONs of this product are:
1 pod makes 1 Nespresso Cup = 4oz = 1/2 US Mug.
A mug of coffee requires 2 pods.
(An espresso shot is standard and is 1oz 1.5oz. The above 4oz refers to the "coffee"'/long-shot option)
No frother attachment. Milk has to be heated and frothed separately.
Addictive: this machine is so quick and simple to use that my mother has actually increased her daily coffee consumption.
Highly recommended for those who want to but cannot make a decent cup of coffee for any reason.
Read Best Reviews of Nespresso CitiZ Automatic Espresso Maker Here
Coffee extracted at atmospheric pressure can be drinkable, but to truly experience all of the flavor nuances, a high pressure extraction is necessary. The Nespresso CitiZ (all Nespresso machines use the same pump and block heater) pumps steam through the sealed coffee capsules at 19 bars, about 275 lbs. per sq. inch.Temperature is important too. Do you enjoy the wonderful aroma coming from your drip coffee maker? You can actually sense it from other rooms of your house. That smell is actually volatile chemical components of the coffee that are lost to the air and not in your cup!
I started with a Nespresso C100, which I recently sold to a friend. I bought the CitiZ because the footprint is perfect for my modest kitchen.
The capsules are proprietary, but they're essential to making this system as great as it is. Even a $2000 machine would produce terrible coffee if you used bad beans. All Nespresso models come with a sample pack of capsules, so you can order your favorites right away.
While this machine is marketed as an "espresso machine", it can actually make any kind of coffee drink you can imagine. Wonder why you can't replicate Starbuck's drinks with your drip coffee maker? It's because they use espresso shots as a base for their overpriced drinks. Two programmable buttons allow for a ristretto (short) or lungo (long) shot. If you eject the capsule and hit the button again (this takes 2-3 seconds), you'll get hot water for dilluting your espresso shot to an Americano. But why would anyone want to do a silly thing like that??
The espresso comes out of the machine at a perfectly hot, but still drinkable temperature. This should be a no-brainer, but if you use a room temperature ceramic cup, the laws of physics dictate that the cup will steal heat from the coffee. Either pre-warm the cup using a hot water cycle, or use a thin-walled glass insulated tumbler (Bodum and Nespresso sell them).
In the summer, I love serving iced coffee drinks to my friends and family. Two pumps of flavored syrup (vanilla, caramel, hazelnut, etc. I like Torani or Ferrara), 4 oz cold milk, and three ice cubes. Put this under the spout and pull a ristretto shot using your favorite capsule variety. The hot espresso shot floats on the cold milk, and the espresso crema floats on the top of the drink. Elegant, dramatic, and delicious. Zero bitterness, minimal dilution from melted ice, and impossible to do using drip coffee.
If you get an Aeroccino milk frother, you'll have everything you need for making the best cafe lattes and cappuccinos you've ever tasted.
Personally, I mainly use this machine in the mornings to wake me up and get me going. I prefer a lungo shot or three, black and unsweetened. I take my time, and savor every delicious sip.
This machine will change your life if you let it. The best coffee drinks in town come from my little kitchen.
Stop wishing and start drinking real coffee!
Want Nespresso CitiZ Automatic Espresso Maker Discount?
This machine is excellent because it can be used with both small and large cups (Latte Macchiato, for example). The user can program how much water to use for each of the two programmable cup sizes.CON: you need to warm the cups before using otherwise the coffee will be less than perfect. You can wam the cups by adding hot water to it and waiting for 15 seconds or so. You can do that by running the machine with no capsules in it.
Sunday, August 11, 2013
Saeco Talea Touch w/.4l Milk Island Espresso Machine
I bought mine in Dec. 2009 from Seattle Coffee Gear. By March 2010, I had returned my third defective machine to Saeco. All three had different problems; the first leaked all over the counter when brewing (an internal hose defect), the second could not be programmed or hold a date and time; the third has a steam wand that leaked (poured) water during the brew cycle enough to fill a shot glass for each coffee made. As of September, I have had to return it two additional times for repairs a total of 5 times.
Saeco will fix or replace this again but what does that tell you about their QC? Saeco customer service has been helpful and courteous once you reach them. Be prepared to wait > 45 minutes on their customer support line to reach a human being.
Saeco came highly recommended and it does makes great coffee and lattes when it works. If you like Audi's, this may be the coffee machine for you.
One last note, I have attempted to submit this review many times at Seattle Coffee gear and somehow it never appears on their website.This machine makes good coffee, after you have spent a few minutes figuring out why the red light is on; this light has to be out before the machine will consent to work. The water container is too small, and water is lost to the drip tray which is also too small, so not many cups can be made before it locks you out. On filling it with coffee it's hard to get the red light to go away as it is finicky about the lid. The grounds container fills up faster than it needs to because of its design. It's very frustrating compared to the Saeco machine (Vienna Super Automatic) it replaced. For $1000 it should be better.
And did I mention it demands to be descaled quite often even if you are using RO water in it?
Buy Saeco Talea Touch w/.4l Milk Island Espresso Machine Now
The Talea Touch makes terrific coffee and has functions that are well thought out and easy to use. The only problem is that they can't make one that works.I bought mine in Dec. 2009 from Seattle Coffee Gear. By March 2010, I had returned my third defective machine to Saeco. All three had different problems; the first leaked all over the counter when brewing (an internal hose defect), the second could not be programmed or hold a date and time; the third has a steam wand that leaked (poured) water during the brew cycle enough to fill a shot glass for each coffee made. As of September, I have had to return it two additional times for repairs a total of 5 times.
Saeco will fix or replace this again but what does that tell you about their QC? Saeco customer service has been helpful and courteous once you reach them. Be prepared to wait > 45 minutes on their customer support line to reach a human being.
Saeco came highly recommended and it does makes great coffee and lattes when it works. If you like Audi's, this may be the coffee machine for you.
One last note, I have attempted to submit this review many times at Seattle Coffee gear and somehow it never appears on their website.
Read Best Reviews of Saeco Talea Touch w/.4l Milk Island Espresso Machine Here
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