Espresso Maker by Richard Sapper Size: 6 cups

I know it is extravagant to even consider spending this much for a stove-top espresso maker, but this product is worth the price. It is not only beautifully designed on the outside, it is well designed and manufactured on the inside. I have had stove-top espresso makers for thirty years and this one looks and functions better than any one I've had in the past. Considering the fact that I use it everyday and plan to have it for years, I may at some point get over the price multiple compared to other espresso makers.

valve for coffeee-pot Mukka express tz. 2

Purchased this replacement valve with ring and installed both correctly as I have used one for years. First use resulted in an eruption of hot coffee on the ceiling as it blew the valve off the top of the pot! Thankfully no one was hurt. Once we cleaned up the mess we tried it again with just water and the result was the same. Put the old valve back on and it worked without incident. I have contacted the Seller.

I had to replace the valve after inadvertently dropping the original down the garbage disposal. My Mukka Express was only a year old, but the valve that came with the coffee maker did not always froth the milk and even contributed to leaks. This one is much tighter, and they have changed the color of the gasket to red to ensure that you replace it as well. They have quite good customer service, so if you have a Mukka that is leaking, etc. they will send you a replacement valve for free. I purchased this one since it was my fault.

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I ordered my Mukka Express in December of 2009 and have used it and loved it almost daily since. Last month my valve, instead of popping up to foam the milk, shot to the ceiling spraying HOT espresso and milk all over my ceiling and kitchen. Thank goodness I wasn't standing at the stove waiting or I could have been badly burned. I paid for a replacement valve and on my first cup of coffee it again shot off spraying my ceiling and kitchen again. I could tell the valve didn't fit as well as the original. I'm not sure if they changed the design? I tried it three more times with just water to see if I could break the valve in because I've become a morning Mukka addict and didn't want to give up on the machine. But it shot off each and every time, so at this point I'm crying uncle. My biggest concern is the danger of the hot liquid spewing all over, and I'm not looking forward to having to re-paint my kitchen ceiling either. Even if you love this machine as much as I did, PLEASE never stand by the stove while it is brewing. Clearly they are having issues with their valves and you don't want to get burned. At this point I can no longer recommend this product because of the safety danger it poses.

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This valve has a different design and does not work as the old one used to. The old one worked 100% of the time, this works only about 50% of the times. It is to loose and, as other customers said, it releases the steam too early, and furthermore not all the water goes through.

I am unhappy with this and want my old valve back!

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I first bought my Bialetti Mokka Express three years ago and just loved it! It worked perfectly each time I used it. Then I had to replace the pressure valve and the ones I got worked perfectly as well. Last year I had to replace the valves again and received a new model. At best it works perfectly about 60% of the time. When it doesn't, it releases before there is enough pressure to froth. It sometimes tilts sideways on the stem then leaks steam. The froth doesn't reach the top of the pot. What a disappointment! When it works properly it makes a fabulous cup of coffee like heaven on earth. But I have wasted so much coffee and milk that I could have bought a brand new Mokka Express. I am going to give it ONE MORE CHANCE with a new valve. If it doesn't work, I'll have to abandon Bialetti and look for another way to make my morning latte.

DeLonghi DCF212T Drip Coffeemaker with Convenient Front Access

When my $100 coffee maker quit, I researched coffee makers and found this model from DeLonghi I hadn't heard of before. The design of this model sets a new standard for on-the-counter coffee makers. It is incredible to be able to put the filter, coffee, AND WATER in the maker without moving the machine. The caraffe doesn't drip when pouring into the swing out arm (or into the cup later) so there's no messy drips to wipe up at any time.

The digital clock isn't the quickest to set since you have to hold a button in as it changes in minutes only, but hopefully that won't need set often.

The "aroma" button really works! There actually is a difference in the brewing aroma with it on.

Most importantly, the end product was a great cup of coffee! I'm thrilled with the coffee maker and haven't found a single negative aspect yet, including the price. I HIGHLY recommend this model. Kudos Delonghi, you really outdid yourself here. Amazon's shipping was simple and fast. The whole purchasing experience was exceptional. A+++++

I just got this coffee maker a few days ago and for the most part I like it, but, and this is a major but for me, the coffee just isn't quite hot enough. I find myself throwing my cup in the microwave to get it piping hot, not scalding but hot. It's nice looking, the front water loading is convenient, the coffee tastes good, but I wouldn't buy it again because of the temperature issue.

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I had the same leaking problem that another reviewer had. After about 1 month of daily use this unit starts leaking from the back and liquid coffee goes down to the warming plate making a mess and causing a burnt coffee smell. The company kindly sent me another unit but the same thing happened. So now they are sending me a second replacement and I chose a different model which hopefully will be more reliable. But based on the review on that unit I am not optimistic that unit is any better.

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Summary: it died after 40 days.

I did my homework before picking this one, relying a lot on other reviewers' comments. I concede that the pour-from-the-front feature was appealing, but after getting the machine, I realized that it's not such a great design. Because the water channels through this front access swing-out arm, it's very difficult to REMOVE unwanted water, not to mention grounds that somehow end up in the reservoir. When I used a flashlight to examine the reservoir, I was appalled at how scummy it was, even after only a few weeks' usage.

The digital clock is terribly clumsy. To set the clock or brew time, you must hold down a single button until it reaches the desired time. The brew time defaults to 6AM, so if you want to set it for 5AM, you must cycle through 23 hours of counting.....and if you want to change it for the weekend, it's very awkward. Hey, this is 2008! Can't you do better than this, DeLonghi? This is a stone-age digital clock!

But the bottom line was simply this: the heating element stopped working after only 40 days of use. That's simply not acceptable. In the past, a coffeemaker could be expected to last for many years of daily use. Sadly, none of the "imported" coffeemakers I've tried recently can match that performance. This model was an exceptional failure.

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I bought this coffee maker about 4 months ago and it is already in the garbage. After the first month coffee would slowly come out of the carafe around the silver strip near the bottom and get on the burner and the smell of burnt coffe would fill the house. Then this weekend as I was filling the carafe with water it cracked. Carafe's online are $20 + shipping. NOT WORTH IT! So, I went out and bought a Cuisnart Coffee on Demand 12 cup programmable coffee maker and so far it is wonderful! Flavorful and hot coffee and even better there is no carafe to worry with!!!

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Saeco Aroma Espresso & Cappuccino Pump Machine

I've been using this machine for the past couple weeks and so far I love it! It looks great on the counter, doesn't take up much space, it seems solidly built and I couldn't be happier with the quality of the drinks I've been making with it. I'm a latte/cappuccino drinker so I can't really comment on the subtleties of a good espresso shot but the shots look great, they have plenty of crema and the milk based drinks are just delicious, much better than what I get at the local coffee shops.

I usually don't write long reviews but while researching before I bought it, I found plenty of negative reviews from people who seem to have unrealistic expectations or who didn't bother to do their homework or read the manual.

Things to consider and common complaints:

This is a single boiler machine, which requires the machine to be primed every time you steam milk. If you don't, it will end up suffering from a premature death due to overheating. You may be able to find a self-priming machine for this price (I didn't run into any but it's not a feature I particularly cared for). If you want a dual boiler machine then you'll have to invest more money. Personally, I don't mind priming it, it may feel like there are too many steps at first but once you get a hang of it, it's extremely quick and simple.

It comes with a pressurized portafilter which is less sensitive to grinding finesse and tamping pressure and will give you a consistent espresso shot even if you don't really know what you are doing. For the average user this can be a great feature, since you can get a good shot with pre-ground espresso or a pod. However, if you are really into the art of making the perfect espresso and want to play around with grinding and tamping pressure, then you'll probably want a regular portafilter.

The steaming wand is a bit too low and only rotates horizontally, which limits the size of the frothing container you can use. Not an issue for me but something you may want to consider. I use a 16 oz. frothing pitcher and as long as I keep it filled up to somewhere between 2/3 and 3/4, I can work without issues. With more liquid than that, I would spill some on the counter when trying to remove the pitcher. This can be addressed by raising the machine (something like a thick cutting board underneath it could work) or by placing the machine on the far right edge of the counter.

The cup warmer seems a bit on the flimsy side. I'm just being picky with this one, I don't really care about that so just an FYI.

The panarello attachment makes it really easy to get thick foam but a bit tricky to get microfoam. I've been experimenting with it to get microfoam and I've got some good results. However, it is a bit harder to do than with a regular steam wand and I'm not sure if it will be good enough for latte art. Again, if you don't care about latte art, this is no big deal and your drinks will come out just fine.

If the portafilter is not tight enough or if it's too full, water will leak from the top. This happened to me when I first got it and was trying to set it up. It was a bit too tight which required extra strength to make it fit right. After a couple of tries, it loosened up, getting it on and off became very easy and there are no leaks whatsoever.

I can't comment on durability but I will update this review if I run into any issues.

Overall, I'd say this is a great purchase for the price as long as you know what to expect and it suits your needs. If you decide to get it, do yourself a favor and read the manual. =)

Fine machine. Brews an excellent shot with good head. Heats up quickly and the durability has been excellent. Steams well but it definitely takes longer than I'm used to. I have this one at work but the 30013 at home which I think is an even better model. Brews and steams much quicker and while the case is the same the push buttons on this one feel less solid than the flip switches on the 30013.

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I've purchased 3 different Saeco machines and have ownd a La Pavoni espresso maker in the past. I have a home in Italy where the first two Saecos were purchased and a home in the U.S. where I have my third.

I had second thoughts about buying an Italian coffee machine in the U.S. because all of these at one time or another require professional maintenance. Every single one of my 4 espresso machines has had to go to the shop for one thing or another. In Italy, espresso is part of everyday life and there are a lot more of these machines in use and being serviced. My authorized Saeco dealer near my Italian home knows these machines very well and always provides expert service.

My U.S. machine recently stopped providing enough hot steam to froth milk properly. I contacted Saeco USA and was given a warranty number and instructed to send the machine to their Livermore, Californa shop. I did so and in about a week the machine arrived back at my home. When I unboxed it, the machine had been sealed in a plastic bag and placed in the box. When I opened the plastic bag, water poured onto my floor. Not a mere amount of condensation either. The entire machine was soaking wet. The repair center it seems was so unfamiliar with these machines that they didn't know to pump out all of the water prior to shipping. Then, I read their repair report which said that there was no problem with the machine and recommended that the customer (me) let the machine heat up before trying to use the steam wand. (I've been letting it heat up and steam twice trying to get hot frothed milk to no avail)

The machine is no better than when I sent it in...it still doesn't provide enough hot steam to froth and I'm out the $40.00 shipping and packaging that I spent sending the machine to the service center. I notified Saeco USA about this last week and requested a replacement. I haven't heard back from their company.

My recommendation...if you live in Italy where these can get serviced properly, by all means buy one. When it is working correctly it's a nice machine. But, if you are a U.S. customer, I'd pass.

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After my old, cheap combo drip/espresso coffee maker gave up the ghost, I decided to invest in a serious espresso machine. I followed the advice given by Alton Brown from his Good Eats episode on espresso and wound up with the same machine that he uses. It's a lovely semi-automatic machine. By semi-automatic, I mean that the machine pushes water through the portafilter to make coffee as long as the switch is on; it's up to you to decide when to shut it off. Same goes for the milk frothing attachment. But the frother attachment is a big, wide plastic tube which is easy to clean, the water tank has enough capacity for a week's worth of espresso, and the pump can make for a lovely shot of espresso with a beautiful head of crema.

I think I would have preferred the design esthetic of a previous model, where the brewing and frothing switches were on/off switches as opposed to up/down buttons, but that quibble aside, this is a lovely machine for do-it-yourself espresso and cappuccino.

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I purchased this for 300$ with free shipping and a free kit including 6 espresso cups, saucers, spoons and a milk foaming metal pitcher and some espresso blend grounds as well. This machine works great, it's solid, simple, small and powerful. The machine warms up quickly and has few buttons so it won't confuse you.

**Like most machines of this sort, you do need to learn how to use it and it does require maintenance every so often (rinsing, descaling, etc...) but once you use it as it is intended, the results are stellar. Maybe it's just the grounds, but this thing pumps out espresso just like I remember from my trip to Portugal; great crema and very straightforward to use. The steam wand works great, better than some commercial models I've used working in cafe's.

Just make sure you prime the water circuit and warm the portafilter (where you put the grounds) before you put the grounds in. Warming the portafilter has the side benefit of warming the cup as well(which you'll put under the portafilter to catch the water), which most espresso snobs will tell you is necessary for great espresso anyway.

The espresso water pump and the steam wand do seem to continue to leak water a tiny bit after use, but keeping them over the water tray is instinctual and I have heard that even commercial models will drip a bit of water out immediately after use so I don't consider it a 'con', not really a 'pro' though either.

All in all, for this price, I couldn't be more happy. The machine is quite nice to look at too and the extras that I got it with made it a steal of a deal by my standards. It doesn't come with a real 'tamper' though, I'm still trying to find one, it's amazing how most kitchen style stores don't actually sell them.

Contents: machine, water tray, grounds disposal tray with wooden 'hit me here to empty' thingy, removable water tank, water tank top, portafilter with accessory for using ESE pods or regular ground coffee, espresso scoop/spoon.

5 stars so far and if it keeps up it's good work.

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KRUPS KT611D50 Precision Programmable 10-Cup Coffee Maker with Stainless Steel Thermal Carafe, Silv

I didn't realize that buying a thermal coffee maker would be such a dramatic ordeal after reading all the reviews. I thought buying a machine would be straightforward... Alas, I finally ended up with this one.

Pros:

Krups brand

Simple to program

Solid carafe easy to pour (even with the weird lip and almost having to turn upside down it pours nicer than my glass carafe on my Capresso)

Keeps coffee hot and brews hot

Nice clean look

Water filter (and neat little change reminder on it)

No floaty ball thingy to clog up and force coffee all over

Water indicator easy to read and pretty cool

Quiet and no stupid beeps

Not so pros:

Filling with water does require a separate vessel. Not the end of the world, but it would be easier to just grab the carafe.

Carafe does not seal air tight so if you want coffee 5 hours later well, probably gonna leak out the heat (although after 4 hrs it was still pretty warm/borderline hot)

Had plasticy smell in first two brews seems to have gone away now

Pouring out the last bit of coffee does require holding it weird, but not a horrible disaster or anything

Overall, I'm quite happy. I looked at tons of reviews and different pots and this seemed to be most solid, simplest and best fitting to me. I've been paranoid about overflows that everyone talks about with the thermal pots and hope that is not the case with the Krups. So far so good, I'm happy.

I purchased this machine when there were no reviews, which I typically do not do. But my old machine died and we needed a new one. I have had other brands and Krups has never disappointed.

I gave it 4 stars because it is better than 3. I'd call it 7 out of 10.

My old machine was just that old. Perhaps 7-8 years old. I liked that it had the water fill line one the side and that the program/on/off buttons were manual rather than digital. This way I could leave it on timer all the time.

This machine has a very small water fill line/indicator. It only indicated 2 cups at a time. I used to like to brew 3 cups because that filled my favorite mug. Can't do that here unless you just guess.

The carafe is weird because when the top is locked on, it is in pour mode. To take it out of pour mode and presumably lock in the heat better, the top is not locked on so it could fall off or whatever. Not like it is on there tipsy, but I would think it is better to have it locked tight to hold in heat. This hasn't been a huge issue, but I find it curious.

The two timers are awesome if you don't have a consistent schedule every day. It has a wacky screen connected to the filter bucket that you pour the water through. Not sure the purpose of that.

I noticed one review after I bought it the carafe is not meant to pour in the water. You need to use a pitcher or something else. We have always used a pitcher to pill it up so this would never be an issue for us.

You can't go wrong with Krups. Probably on the expensive side, but it makes great coffee. When you are paying 12 or more per pound, you want a good machine to brew it.

It isn't perfect, but pretty darn good.

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I almost drove myself crazy trying to find a new coffee machine after my original Hamilton Beach Brewstation started leaking after 7 years of daily use. The reviews on coffee machines are generally horrible and I chose this one simply because of the brand and the fact that it had NO reviews to psyche me out about buying it.

I have owned this machine for about 2 weeks now. It is an ok machine, with a few minor flaws.

The Good:

One problem I was having when finding a new machine: cord length. I returned 2 Cuisinart machines because the cord was too short to reach the outlet from where I needed it on the counter. This machine has a long enough cord, with length to spare.

It is a very nice looking machine and does not take up a lot of room on my counter.

It does not have a hot plate, which is comforting for me (no risk of fire).

The carafe keeps the coffee warm for quite awhile. I left ½ a pot in the carafe one morning, it was still pretty warm (not hot) when I arrived home from work around 5pm. This was WITHOUT pre-warming the carafe.

It brews FAST.

Love the dual timers, and the clock is very bright. Not crucial, but convenient.

The coffee is alright, not great, defiantly not bad.

The Bad:

As mentioned by other reviewers, the carafe/lid is just strange. The carafe has a round hole right in the middle of the top, there is no spout to pour. You can never get all of the water/coffee out without turning the carafe completely upside-down and shaking the carafe.

The water port is in an odd spot. I have to turn the machine to fill it, and you can't use the carafe to fill if you want a full pot, because of the carafe-spout issue. I usually use bottled water anyway, so I just pour straight from the gallon.

The Aroma mode makes HORRIBLE coffee, even with a small pot.

There is a SLIGHT amount of leakage at the hole in the carafe top when brewing, I think from when it first starts brewing and is pushing the steam through with high pressure. It has not been an issue and is very slight, and HAS NOT gotten worse, which is the case with most other machines I read reviews on.

It is over $100, which I do not understand. Reading coffee machine reviews made me realize that there are serious issues with all brands and price points. If I buy $100 shoes, they usually would be better quality than $25 shoes. I guess coffee machines are not like that :)

All and all, this is a good machine. Not great, but good. And considering I read every review of hundreds of coffee machines and they were AWFUL, this one seems to be alright. I loved my old Hamilton Beach Brewstation (which also gets horrible reviews), but this will be an adequate replacement.

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Looks good on the counter, makes coffee quickly, and it tastes O.K., but apparently the designers never have used it. The water fill port is located under the popup lid near the right rear, and it is impossible to fill the tank using the carafe without spilling water on the counter. The proximity of the fill port to the open lid also makes it impossible to empty the last bit of water from the carafe because it hits the open lid. The only way I can fill the tank without spilling is to use a funnel. For the price of this machine, you would think that they would have thought of this.......but you be wrong.

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Looks sharp. Makes great coffee. I'm able to hold the carafe and pour with one hand rather than have to fiddle with the lid and have to use two hands. That's great when I'm lying in bed reading the morning newspaper. The only drawback is the need to use a separate pitcher rather than the carafe to fill the water reservoir. It would be perfect if either the reservoir was removable or the opening to fill the reservoir would accommodate the use of the carafe to fill. I would rate it 5 stars instead of 4 if that was the case. Overall, I recommend this coffee maker.

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