Ilsa Omnia Stovetop Espreso Maker 10 cup - Made in Italy

I absolutely love this coffee maker. Very high quality and well built. BUT... I can't seem to find anyone in the US who has the right sized replacement filter and gaskets for it. The originals are plenty durable (6 mos so far) but the time will come and I'm not sure what I'll do. I've even written the company in Italy and their US rep. couldn't help!

Much better than I expected! I loved. Using every day. Easy to clean and coffee taste delicious. I recommend. Exellent

Buy Ilsa Omnia Stovetop Espreso Maker 10 cup - Made in Italy Now

Bialetti Mukka Express 06989

I'm the occasional latte,cappuccino drink because I can't stomach paying $4-5 dollars for one at the coffee shop. But this little pot takes the cake. Follow the instructions though because they are written just right. They state that the first 3 batches are throw-outs, and even though I drank mine, that truly is the case. Batch #4 was the one and they've only gotten better each time. Follow instructions and watch the DVD provided and you'll be sippin' in no time. The only downside is that it's small. This is a one person deal, then you have to let the pot cool before starting it up again.

Meesh's review, "hit the nail on the head." I'm an urbanite and getting a good cup of coffee is easy to come by but the Bialetti adds convenience, independence and bit of a "wow" factor for when you have people over.

Buy Bialetti Mukka Express 06989 Now

I was looking for this item since time ago. I'm very gratefull to aquired it. I'm very happy with Amazon because all was as planned. I receive the Product at the time Amazon told me. I'm really happy

Read Best Reviews of Bialetti Mukka Express 06989 Here

Gaggia 12300 Baby Class Manual Espresso Machine, Brushed Stainless Steel

We got the Gaggia Baby Class 12300 over the weekend. I must confess that I purchased it not here at amazon (although I am an amazon shopper for life, I think). Firstly, the built of this machine is by far superior than my first esp machine, breville cafe roma which I had to dispatch with a heavy heart, because it was a good (cremaaaaa!!!) espresso machine. I also have a Delonghi 702, which got great reviews, but I cannot get good crema from it, so it's going back. Stainless steel casing, the cash basin is cast iron, and the filter weighs about a pound.

After carefully reading the manual,(I rarely do with other new "toys"), using this machine is easy to use. I always "prime" the machine as instructed by running it without the filter attached until the cup is filled with just water.

I usually use a clear mug/cup to see the beautiful crema that comes out.

The frother: one of the reviewers that I read was mildly complaining about it falling off. If you read the section on how to clean it and put it back it should not happen anymore. Tip: youtube has videos from casualfilm that shows you how to prime, make capuccino, clean, the machine.

Cappuccino: Wow! that's all I can say... first you make your espresso, and by the time you put your milk (stright from the fridge) the machine has warmed up already that it only takes a few seconds to heat up the milk and create a great frothing.

I have nothing but praises for this machine!!! I will try to update in about a month....

You pay for what you get. The Gaggia is pricey BUT it is worth the price for a great cup of espresso. We have previously owned two much cheaper models by other manufactures and they never produced a great cup of espresso. The Baby Gaggia is extremely easy to operate and contains all quality parts, most importantly it produces a world class cup of espresso or cappuccino. It is a great reminder of vacations to Italy.

Buy Gaggia 12300 Baby Class Manual Espresso Machine, Brushed Stainless Steel Now

I had a Gaggia Classic for years, which gave one consistently great shot after another. I upgraded to the Gaggia Baby Class, and after 7 months I have given up. It has gone back for service twice, and each time came back not working properly. When I complained, I was told the problem was a "new" problem, and even though it was still under warranty, I would have to pay shipping ($50.00).

My new Baby Class is inconsistent and pours great shots alternating with shots I have to throw away. Service from Whole Latte Love/Importika has deteriorated since I had my first Gaggia machine. I have finally given up and gotten rid of this machine and purchased a new one, a different brand from a different vendor.

Very disappointing.

Read Best Reviews of Gaggia 12300 Baby Class Manual Espresso Machine, Brushed Stainless Steel Here

This is a great looking machine and functions very well. It takes some time to get the crema right but it when it works properly, it's excellent.

However, after using it regularly for four weeks, it seems the filter becomes very clogged very quickly and has to be cleaned often. The holes seem quite small and the water accumulates in the awkward catch tray quite often. It's frustrating because water also accumulates under the machine. Lots of cleaning involved. Didn't happen on our old Saeco. Suppose it could be the grind but its been the same used from day one. At this point, I would not rank it over 4 stars.

Want Gaggia 12300 Baby Class Manual Espresso Machine, Brushed Stainless Steel Discount?

I've had the Baby for just over a month. I have experienced none of the issues I read about in a couple of the reviews. No leaks, primed right out of the box. It heats up quickly and makes a really good espresso and froths milk with no fuss. The only complaint I have ,and it's minor, is the placement of the power switch. In this price range I don't think you're going to find a better espresso machine.

Save 40% Off

Bodum Brazil 8-Cup French Press Coffee Maker, 34-Ounce, Black

This was my first French press. I have always enjoyed this type of coffee, particular after dinner. However, I was attracted to the plastic framework surrounding the carafe, as I can be clumsy at times.

This press has worked just as well as the more expensive, more traditional looking French press pots. I set the coarsest setting on my Braun grinder, and no grounds get through the screen. It is just perfect. I haven't ever run my press through the dishwasher, it isn't necessary with the easy cleaning with this one. I just put hot soapy water in the carafe, up-and-down a few times with the plunger and it's all ready to use again. I have heeded the warning not to stir with a metal implement; I use a wooden spoon.

I would heartily recommend this model of Bodum for someone who would like to experience French press coffee at home, inexpensively.

I have two Chambord models, and this one. I prefer the features of the Brazil's keyed lid, and secured plastic frame to the Chambord models. I've had this for about 3 years now, use it every day, and it's held up perfectly. Great press.

Buy Bodum Brazil 8-Cup French Press Coffee Maker, 34-Ounce, Black Now

Let's face it, dumping coffee grounds into a bucket of hot water is nothing new. The Bodum Press is a refinement of the cowboy coffee brewing method, minus the campfire & straining it thru a sock. In My world, there is no such thing as "too Strong" for coffee. There IS, however, too bitter & too acidy. The press does what perking, dripping and steaming ground coffee cannot do: produce a stout, yet smooth cup of coffee just like the stuff made around decades of my campfires.

Model Brazil, made in Denmark by a Swiss Company & called a French Press. No wonder the confusion over exactly how many cups this actually makes. The Euro-instructions for the press say 4 oz. per cup, but even my fine Bavarian China cups (from when I lived in Munich) are 6 ounces.

Just look at it this way: It holds 32 ounces of water.

The instructions on your roast coffee container usually say to use 1 TBSP per 6 ounces of water (NOT 4 ounces & NOT 8 ounces). Again, in MY world, 32 ozs. makes about 2 cups of coffee.

I toss in 6 or more scoops of ground coffee, pour in hot water & wait the obligatory 4 minutes. The result is a smooth coffee that you can drink by the quart without that nasty heartburn/reflux side effect.

It's ideal for work, where the office sissies are afraid of offending anyone with REAL coffee, so they make it weak. I simply step up to the hot water spigot & take the Press to my desk.

Now, you, too, can have coffee the way you like it at work without having to cover up someone's botched brew with that foo-foo Vanilla, Hazelnut, Irish Cream or other phoney-flavored faux creamers.

Cleanup? Swirl around some soapy water, & dump the grounds down the sink just be sure to have the water blasting & the garbage disposal running, so as to not plug up the sink trap.

Even if you already have the coffee-brewing apparatus of your dreams, buy the Bodum 32 oz. model. You won't be disappointed.

Read Best Reviews of Bodum Brazil 8-Cup French Press Coffee Maker, 34-Ounce, Black Here

This is a very simple, easy-to-use and easy-to-clean French press. I couldn't be happier with it. Brewing with a French press generally results in much more flavorful, rich coffee than using a conventional drip coffeemaker.

Though it makes very good hot coffee, I especially like using it to cold-brew homemade iced coffee. Ever notice how when you try to make iced coffee at home by brewing some with a regular coffeepot and then sticking it in the fridge till it cools, it never tastes right? That's cause most good coffeeshops cold-brew their iced coffee, which results in a smoother flavor. When you cold-brew, you use time rather than heat to brew the coffee.

In case you've never cold-brewed coffee, here's how I do it: I take a grinder-ful of fresh-ground premium beans, toss them in the press's pitcher, fill it up the rest of the way with cool, filtered water, let it brew 12-15 hours at room temperature, then press the beans down, stick in the fridge for a while, and serve in a glass with some ice cubes. Delicious! Add sweetness and cream to taste. I'll save a fortune by brewing my own iced coffee from now on. (By the way, the directions for brewing hot coffee are the same, only you use hot water rather than cool, and the heat makes it brew in about 5 min rather than 12 hours.)

If you're a coffee nut like myself, whether you prefer it hot or cold (or either, depending on the weather), you owe it to yourself to try a French press, and this Bodum can't be beat for the money!

Want Bodum Brazil 8-Cup French Press Coffee Maker, 34-Ounce, Black Discount?

Video review of bodum original brazilian french press. Almost perfect design and function. Great value.

Save 7% Off

Home Basics Espresso Maker - Stainless Steel - 6 Cup

Gets the job done in a no frills kinda way and may well make the perfect gift when paired with a tin of Alessi Espresso Ground Coffee, 8.8-Ounce Cans (Pack of 6) or Alessi Decaf Espresso Ground Coffee, 8.8-Ounce Cans (Pack of 6)

Changed my review from 4 to 5 stars after 2 months of use.

The good:

Once you start making coffee this way, you will start to carry your pot almost everywhere you go. This one is perfect for transport; small, light and inexpensive.

The double edged sword:

The screen on this unit seems to be super fine, which may lead to premature clogging. The upside of that is that you get less grind residue in a cup.

Things to consider:

Originally, I had thought the handle was smaller and less substantial than I would have liked. I have changed my mind. The handle is up to the task.

I have been able to speed up the brew time with my vev vignale by microwaving the water before adding it to the pot. The small size of this unit makes that exercise much more difficult and not worth the risk.

The Alessi Espresso products have recently become available in my local market Rouses Supermarkets (New Orleans, LA), prior to that I had been a long user of the 8 O'clock Coffee Brand able to grind it (espresso to turkish) at the local market.

Caslo

Jura-Capresso 13333 Impressa J5 Automatic Coffee and Espresso Center, Piano White

At this writing I've owned the J5 for two weeks and have produced approximately 100 shots of espresso/coffee. Having stated that as a qualifier, I've found this super automatic espresso machine to be outstanding in performance, ease of use, and quality of espresso produced. The controls are simple to understand and use there are detailed descriptions of these available on multiple vendor websites, the manufacturer's website even includes a number of very informative videos.

Considering the financial commitment associated with this machine, I was more than a little hopeful that it would produce quality espresso in a straight forward and timely manner. It does this with aplomb.

Regarding its operation, the J5 heats quickly (around 60 seconds) then is ready to run the rinse cycle (also quick, at around 10 seconds). Once the rinse cycle has completed it's ready for action. I won't go into detail about the individual espresso/coffee settings (again, this info is readily available elsewhere) other than to say the controls work exactly as described. Each button is customizable, both permanently and as a one-time override. A very wide range of volume and strength is attainable by adjusting these controls.

The morning routine:

I was quite concerned about the total end-to-end time for brewing in the morning before work, and I have to say in this regard I am very pleased. I've configured the J5 to automatically turn on as I'm showering/shaving etc, so when I arrive in front of the machine it's ready to run the rinse cycle. If you're interested in ensuring the warmest possible espresso/coffee, I recommend running an additional rinse cycle to heat up the internal components a bit more, this combined with preheating your cup really produces a nice hot cup. In the mornings I brew 8 oz. of café crema. The whole process, including a rinse cycle after brewing (the machine prompts for this after hitting the on/off button), takes about 3-4 minutes. This time would be cut by at least half if you were brewing the standard 1-2 oz espresso instead of the higher volume café crema. If you're interested in immediate cleanup, the drip tray and dreg box are easily removed and rinsed both will hold a substantial volume however, so daily cleaning of these items is not required.

A word on espresso quality:

Okay, after covering some of the operational highlights, here's the real question of what quality is the espresso/coffee produced? The short answer is...OUTSTANDING! Producing quality espresso consistently is where the J5 really excels. I've used two types of espresso so far, Lavazza Pienaroma and the Organic Espresso available from CoffeeAM.com. The espresso shots produced using both of these beans results in an amazing amount of crema (1/4 inch) and a fantastic taste. I've also used a locally available pre-ground decaf espresso in the by-pass doser with good results. It's difficult to describe a quality taste in a written review, but the espresso shots produced by the J5 are simply outstanding.

It's difficult to continue enthusiastically describing features of this machine without sounding like a shill for the manufacturer...but a few more things are worthy of mention:

* I've used the frothXpress attachment for making cappuccinos and lattes a handful of times and it works well, much better than I expected, and is easy to clean. I have not used the optional Dual Frother Plus. The hot water is nice and hot, and works extremely well when used as a cup warming aid.

* I've had no issues with the conical burr grinder or any of the other brewing components. They work well and operate within very acceptable sound levels.

* Commenting specifically on the espresso/coffee temperature, I can say that while using the "hot" setting, a rinse cycle to heat up the internal components, and preheating the cup with hot water, the output is very acceptable no need to be hotter.

* Brew duration seems to be heavily effected by the grind setting. For example, a fine setting using dark oily beans induces very slow brew times. If these types of beans are used, a grind setting between medium and coarse seems to work best; this produces a great crema and normal brew duration. Oily beans should also be "air dried" for 4-5 hours before adding to the hopper to allow the excess oils to dry.

* Included with the J5 is an excellent owner's manual and very handy instructional DVD. Reading/viewing both is highly recommended.

Con?:

For reasons I have yet to determine, both 2 cup buttons brew at the "extra strong" strength setting only. Although I don't consider this a major fault, it seems very odd that the volume setting is configurable and the strength is not.

Finally, as stated above, I've owned this machine for only about two weeks, so I can't yet comment on durability or longevity. However, the build quality and performance so far would seem to portend high marks for both.

For many years I have used a Krups super automatic, but sadly it broke. After contemplating various machines, we did a taste test of several, and the Jura won hands down.

The Jura uses a lot more coffee for each cup that it brews, and as a result it extracts a bit less, leading to a much richer smoother taste instead of a slightly bitter taste. We did a blind taste test between the Jura and the Saeco and the Krups, and the difference was extremely clear. The Jura was just fantastic.

Set up of the machine is very simple. It took just a few minutes, and all of the parts are clearly marked.

It includes a water filter option, which we are using, so as not to have to descale. The frothing siphon attachment works very well and delivers a perfect amount of steamed or frothed milk and is very easy to clean. I find this nicer than the wand, which some users report can fly off.

Access to the water tank and bean area is easy, and the tank holds a lot.

It features a light for the cup area which is quite nice, especially if you live in a dark place like seattle.

Brewing, cleaning, steaming are all a snap.

The machine is durable and attractive, but most importantly, delivers a fantastic espresso, mocha, latte...

The one down side is that unlike the saeco it has to be sent back to the factory (NJ) for repairs. I'm just hoping that it won't need them.

Buy Jura-Capresso 13333 Impressa J5 Automatic Coffee and Espresso Center, Piano White Now

Where to begin? This machine can do it all, from a strong shot of espresso to a flawless cappuccino, all in under minute. If you can tie your shoes, you can use one of these machines.

I looked in to this machine after using an older Capresso model at a friend's house. I was always impressed by how easily and quickly he could make a variety of drinks for guests, not to mention the quality of their appearance and flavor.

This machine comes with two different frothing systems, one is a more traditional bullet style frother, while the other can automatically steam or froth milk. This is where the J5 really shines. In no time you can froth yourself milk that would make the most seasoned barista jealous, and then push a single button to instantly brew piping hot coffee.

The machine starts with whole beans of your choosing and grinds them just for the drink you are making. This ensures that you'll get the freshest tasting coffee cup after cup.

What I like most about this machine though is the variety of drinks it can make. If you have a guest over who isn't a big coffee drinker you can use the machine to make instant hot water for tea, or my favorite trick: run chocolate milk through the steamer for instant hot chocolate. Of course for the rest of us, the pressure brewing system in this machine will allow you to say goodbye to expensive coffee drinks, and become your own favorite barista.

Read Best Reviews of Jura-Capresso 13333 Impressa J5 Automatic Coffee and Espresso Center, Piano White Here

As background, I do not own this machine, but a C1000, a similar, older machine no longer produced. (I know, I hate it when people review a product that they don't actually own, but read on.) However, I wanted to review Capresso as a company, because they are really amazing.

Not only are their coffee machines the best, but their customer service is dynamite! Every time I've called Capresso, I've had really stellar customer service from knowledgeable and friendly people. They are patient and know exactly what to do. I've called for repairs, help with maintenance and general questions a few times over the years, and Capresso just is a completely different kind of company than other appliance makers. I've had 2 Capresso machines (a grind & brew type and the C1000 espresso), and each has made superior coffee and lasted a very long time. These are not disposable appliances, but durable machines that can be repaired if anything does go wrong. The grind & brew lasted at least 10 years, and we only let it go because the display wore out. The C1000 is on year 7 and still works beautifully. Capresso's customer service is always first class. I'll never buy a different brand.

Capresso is AWESOME!

Want Jura-Capresso 13333 Impressa J5 Automatic Coffee and Espresso Center, Piano White Discount?

After five years of continuous use, we consider this one of our best purchases ever! Reliable, flexible, simple to use and maintain, we have had virtually no problems. A great coffee maker.