Cuisinart EM-100FBD Filter Basket Double

The only problem with this filter is that it is encased and you can not truly clean it out.

but then I would have to own a different coffee maker.

For us it is an essential additional accessory as we do more lattes back, so have just one that came with the espresso maker is not enough. If we did not have the second one, we had to clean and wash for every latte between making them.

$19 for this is pricey. I don't see a generic cheaper substitute.

Using it every day.

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TRU Burr Grinder, Holds 1/2-Pound Coffee Beans

I bought this because my Capresso Conical grinder conked out. I didn't want to buy another Capresso because I wasn't that thrilled with its performance. (Ground coffee gets packed around the grinding burr and is hard to get out. Also the machine generates a lot of static electricity, so when you pull the container away from the machine coffee gets all over the place.)

This Tru machine doesn't seem to have those problems, particularly not the annoying static electricity one. No coffee ends up on the counter. It also seems to grind to any size needed. A couple reviewers had problems not being able to grind for espresso. I had the opposite problem, the machine was grinding for espresso and I wanted drip. After playing around with the top (which controls the grind) I got what I needed. The settings on the machine just aren't very accurate or precise. But for under $40 bucks, I can live with that.

I purchased another inexpensive burr grinder that ground beans just fine, only problem was more coffee ended up on the counter than in the container. However, this grinder leaves zero coffee behind, it all goes into the container. I have been using this grinder now for a week, and it is easy to clean, fairly quiet (for a grinder) and not messy. I'm sure some people may ding it for not being able to grind anything other than coffee, but it's a coffee grinder, not a spice or nut grinder. Based on the fact this is a coffee grinder, it is an excellent coffee grinder and it is well worth the purchase, especially if you don't want to drop over a benjamin for a grinder.

I'm glad my blade grinder died, now I can have properly ground coffee with no "half beans" in the mix. Give this grinder a shot, you'll probably be impressed by it.

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This is one of the best burr grinders I have purchased...consistent grind, very easy to use and very little mess. The biggest problem however, is that it will not grind fine enough for espresso, which is what I purchased it for. Regardless of what the manufacturer says, it's really only made for a French Press (coarse grind) or drip coffee maker (fine grind).

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When you consider what you're getting for the price, I think this is a great deal!

I have a Drip, an electric (Presto 12 cup) percolator, a Bonjour Monet 8 cup French press, a 3 cup Bialetti Moka Express, and lastly an espresso maker. What can I say, I like coffee. I like the variety of coffees I can produce with this range of machines. Up until now I have been using a Braun Grinder which I bought many years ago for $20. I had successfully, for years, been using that grinder for all my coffee needs with satisfactory results.

For just a little more than I purchased one of those old school grinders I got the TRU Burr Grinder and I love it.

I have not had a problem making the grind fine enough for my espresso machine or coarse enough for my French press and everything in between. Everything is relative however. Perhaps a purist, or retired coffee house barista, would take exception. For me, however, I was able to make the same serious 'get-the-HELL-up-and-GO' strength brew out of my espresso maker with the fine grind of this machine.

I use this grinder 1-3 times a day. I've made coffee for 12 with my Presto perc and coffee for 2 for my wife and I with consistently delicious results. I like strong coffee. Very quickly I determined the ratio of 2 to 3 when I make coffee with this grinder. If I make 6 cups in the perc, I set the quantity selector to 9. If I make 10 cups I set it to 15. Works every time! Of course you may have to come up with a ratio that suits your tastes, but that's easy.

I did a lot of research and this price point is pretty much the entry point for burr grinders which go up into the hundreds! So, if you'd like to treat yourself, and don't consider yourself a coffee 1%'er then you'll probably be quite satisfied.

I'm no coffee snob but I'm no slouch either. If this thing sucked I'd tell ya.

Other Pros:

Nice, attractive design.

Relatively small footprint.

Quantity setting with auto off.

The ground catcher does not shimmy away while grinding. All the grounds go into the container and not on your counter.

Again, for the price, it would be hard to do better!! I am completely satisfied. With that, I highly recommend the TRU Burr Grinder.

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This is not a burr grinder. It is an impeller grinder masquerading as a burr grinder. Underneath a metal plate meant to look like a burr are impeller blades like those found in the high speed impeller coffee grinders. You can tell this the instant you turn it on because it makes the high pitch whir of an impeller grinder. Like all impeller grinders, this grinder produces a grind with a lot of fines no matter how coarse the setting, which makes for very BITTER coffee. The low cost IS too good to be true. Don't buy it unless you want something a little more automatic but which produces the same results as a conventional impeller grinder.

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Nespresso CitiZ D120 Espresso Maker with Aeroccino Milk Frother

I wanted an automatic espresso machine, and was prepared to spend up to a $1500, but my problem was that I couldn't find anything in that price range that was reliable and had consistently good reviews. The Saeco Talea came up a few times, and I have a friend who has one, but that (like every other model I looked at) seemed to have only 60% or so positive reviews, or no reviews. I wanted something that would make espresso, required little to no maintenance and would last. I own a conventional espresso maker, and a semi-automatic. The conventional (stove top) works just fine, but I rarely use it because it takes too much time when I'm trying to get out the door in the morning. Virtually every seal in the semi-automatic has worn out, it was messy to clean up, and the milk frother was just a disaster (forget the constant cleaning, water bubbles out of it even when I'm not using it).

My wife recently started to like coffee, but she likes lattes and cappuccinos, which is why I went with this model, rather than one that just made espresso. I liked that everything was on one stand, and there was only one cord, unlike getting the Nespressor C101 with Aeroccino. That's probably a better deal, but I wanted simple. I should note the machine also makes lungo, a long shot, but I prefer good old fashioned espresso, so I won't mention lungo again.

The only downside to the machine is that the espresso comes out at pretty much the perfect temperature. Same with the liquid from the milk frother. If you want scalding hot this machine isn't for you. I've used the machine to make americanos by just not putting in a coffee capsule, but when I'm running out the door to work that's not quite hot enough, so I just boil a pot of water. For espresso, and anything with the milk frother it's fast, and ready to go. I haven't used the frother to cool much stuff, but it works.

The capsules are more expensive than buying coffee by the pound, and setting up a nespresso account is annoying, but it's still cheaper than Starbucks (which I personally don't like), and by the time my coffee costs equal the cost of a fully automatic machine that machine would have died (according to all of the reviews). Standard capsules are $0.55, and specialty capsules are $0.62. Between the two of us we typically use less than 20 shots a week. Call it less than $12. $500 or so a year. We were spending at least half of that a year on coffee beans (more when you add in buying coffee by the cup), so at $250 more a year than a fully automatic espresso machine (and I think our coffee consumption would have gone up) it would have been 2 3 years before we the bottom of the line fully automatic espresso machines would have been cheaper. My guess is that I would have spent more like $2000 if I wanted that kind of reliability, that's more than 6 years.

Anyway, I purchased this model for its reliability. I looked at the Delonghi version, which is like a mini-fully automatic espresso machine, but it seems to have all of the faults of the fully automatic machine. The nespresso series seemed to have the best overall reviews and I've been very happy. My wife uses it, and she never touched the semi-automatic machine that we had. It's easy to use, clean, etc. To operate you hit the on switch, then for espresso press the espresso button. To froth or cool milk (or another liquid) you fill the milk frother and press the button to heat, or hold it down for a couple of seconds to cool. That's it.

My best friend turned me on to this. He has the same model but in fire engine red. After owning his for a year he still hasn't had an issue. A co-worker has had his for years and still no problems. I wish that nespresso sold capsules that I could fill, or that there was a better way to recycle the capsules, but oh well. I haven't used a descaling kit, but I can't imagine that will be a problem.

On the nespresso website you don't need to provide all of the information they ask for. They will still let you create an account and order. I would skip the introduction variety kit. You get a sampler with your purchase.

Let me first say that I did a lot of research before buying the Nespresso CitiZ with Aeroccino. In this price range, everything I read pointed me to this machine. I have been using the machine for one month now.

My reactions after one month:

(1) Very solid, well-made machine. There is not one part of this machine that feels or looks cheap.

(2) The espresso shots and longer shots the CitiZ pulls and pours are delicious. Beautiful crema, full enticing bouquet (if I may be so lame to use that word).

(3) Experiment with a wide variety of Nespresso capsules. My favorite is the Ristretto (10--strongest), but I also like the 9 and eight. The machine comes with a full sampler. Pay close attention to which ones you really like and which ones are merely meh.

(4) Espresso capsules for this machine can be purchased only via the Nespresso Club online. Capsules are 55 cents each and you have to order at least 50 at a time. 2-day shipping is the cheapest they offer and it's $6.95. Their shipping is FAST. You don't want to run out of capsules, but if you do, you won't be shaking for too long. :)

(5) Rinse out the machine regularly. It's a painless process that is explained in the user manual. I have some descaling powder on its way to me in the mail as I type this, so I can't give any feedback yet about the descaling process.

(6) I recommend changing the water in the reservoir each day. The fresher the water, the better the shot.

(7) When using the Aeroccino, be absolutely certain that you fill it with milk NO HIGHER than the lines indicated on the inside wall of the Aeroccino. And if you change from the minimum foam thingie to the maximum foam thingie inside the Aeroccino, be sure you fill to the lower line. Trust me on this one. If you overfill the Aeroccino, you will have a mess on your hands.

(8) If you ignore what I said in #7, it is likely milk got under the black plate that runs down the right side of the unit (with the ring at the end of it that goes around the Aeroccino's base. If you do not clean under that black plate, milk will curdle under there and start stinking to high heaven. I found this one out the hard way. Pretty nasty, but it was my fault, mostly because I didn't realize the milk would seep under there if I overfilled the Aeroccino.

(9) I figure it will take me half a year of use to cover the money I spent to buy this machine. From there, it's mostly gravy except for the cost of capsules and milk. My days of paying $2-4 per espresso drink are done.

I highly recommend the CitiZ. And I'm not an easy person to impress. I think you will love it, too.

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As a previous owner of semi-automatic and super-automatic espresso machines, it was difficult accepting this as the best choice to replace them. Although the semi-automatic gives the most control and produces the most satisfying cup, it is a commitment of time and counter space. The Nespresso is a clean, compact and effective design. It produces a surprisingly good cup, and its only drawback is being completely locked in to their coffee pod system of blends and pricing. However, their service is first rate. So, if the objective is a good cup easily and simply prepared with a fairly priced machine, it's a success.

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After years of trying to make the best tasting cup of coffee with, the best drip, and even the best vacuum style coffee makers PLUS the freshly roasted coffee beans which I freshly grind in my burr grinder, I found that what I really craved, a morning cup of latte. I've only had this unit a week, but I can tell you from owning two different manual espresso machines in the past, this unit is fantastic. Were retired and not running to Starbucks and spending lots of money on coffee out, so this cost wasn't really a factor to us. We were in Europe for a little while recently and while there is were I realized what I was missing in a cup of coffee in the morning. Its like drinking a glass of Budweiser or having a freshly brewed glass of German Bier. Take your pick. As far as the pods tasting fresh, Im as shocked as anyone. All I can tell you, we put our coffee maker and burr grinder in storage, in case we need to brew some for company in the future. But I highly doubt it. You can't go wrong with this unit. It's fast to get up and running. (heating up only takes a minute or two) Anyone can do this, and forget about the mess. THERE is NO mess. The coffee grinds are contained in the pod, its not all over your counter and down your arms. And the Nespresso company, took two days to receive the coffee. And the frother unit, is amazing. Quick (under a minute) for a half cup of so thick froth you need to spoon it out! Sprinkle it with a little vanilla sugar and what a treat. Beats any coffee anywhere. I'd give it 6 starts if I could. Its that great! By the way, my daughter worked as a barista at Starbucks and the calories in one of those "coffee" drinks is upwards toward 700-800 cal per drink. I have skim milk, and a 1/4 tsp. of sugar. Less than 80 calories. Just in case your counting.

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I recently got this as a gift from my husband and I LOVE it! It is easy to use right out of the box and the variety of coffees available are great. The one drawback as previously mentioned is having to purchase their coffee. There is a $75 credit towards coffee going on right now and that is a nice help! This equals about about 135 pods. The machine looks beautiful in my kitchen as well. The customer service is great. I had a small issue which was not their fault and they were very willing to help me.

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 :)