Food Network Espresso Machine

people must know when purchasing this it is an economy machine. it will not work like a rocket or simonelli. it wasn't meant to it was meant to provide a functional machine for the home brewer. I have had this machine now for 4-5 months. and I am a very avid coffee drinker/brewer. the espresso does come out rather headless but the flavor is great. I make 6-15 lattes a week for me and my friends. I think it's a great buy until you want to get into the 2-300 dollar range.

I got this as a present and I had to return it. The operation of the unit was very loud and it didn't pump any liquid into the filter basket. I also tried the "steam" and "warm" from the wand to see if it pumped any steam that way. It had the same results. There are always factory defects but right out-of-the-box? It was also a concern that the knob to change from "off" "steam" and "warm" was very resistant and difficult to turn (almost to the point where I needed a channel lock). Maybe this was also a factory defect, but if all units was this tight then those who have weak hands or maybe arthritis would have difficulty. Not only that but if the steam feature was actually working, then I would be concern someone burning themselves and over heat their milk. Like I said, this might be a factory defect. I know this is not a $500 machine, but honestly I used $50 espresso MR. Coffee machines that seemed better built than this.

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It made good espresso for about 2 months and then the filter baskets were completely plugged up and are uncleanable. Noisy. Weak pump. Returned the machine. If you are going to use it once a week for a month and then put it up on the shelves until special occassions, fine, but there are cheaper ones that will do that. Day-to-day use wears the poorly made machine out quickly. Have been drinking nothing but espresso for over a decade and this has been the worst machine I've owned.

Food Network should be ashamed of putting its name on such cheaply made garbage for a buck.

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I can make good foam from this unit, the warmer is nice one thing to mention is the buttons on mine are backwards. Meaning if I want a double shot I need to select the one cup button if I want a single cup press the 2 cup button.. Odd but it just works that way I think it gives it character. other things to note the steam wand attachment does come off don't forget to clean off the burnt milk under it if you use it, I just keep mine off for the time being. The rest is pretty simple I use distilled water in the unit and for maintenance sake after I empty the last shot of espresso I run a cleaning ( just water only) through the system to keep all the espresso ground out of the unit.

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C50 U Pure Nespresso Coffee Machine/Aero + Bundle-

This makes a great latte, cappuccino or espresso. It is quick and easy to use. The coffee brews at a hot temperature and the Aerrocino gives a great milk froth in less than a minute. This is an investment that will cost a bit up front but in the end will save you hundreds of dollars at Starbucks!

Ne-Cap Nespresso® Compatible Refillable Capsules for Machines Before and After 2010 (100 Capsules

Guys: Although I was a bit skeptical at first, I got to say these are pretty neat because you can fill it with your own coffee and it's also a one time use cartridge for about .20 a pop if you go to coffee cap shop (one word) and select the cheapest shipping (100 capsules at $18.00 plus $2.39 shipping). Nespresso has a very tight grip on the distribution of their capsules, but a slight design change in these allows them to work with the Nespresso machines while still not infringing on their copyright. Note: There are alternatives to this product which are re-usable called Nex-pod, and another referred to only as "3 Brown or 3 Black" or coffeeduck CoffeeDuck Refillable Coffee Capsules For Nespresso 3 Pods These Espresso Cups fit all Nespresso machines from after October 2010 Please make sure you have the correct machine before purchasing..... I haven't tried these myself, they are a bit more expensive and from what I've read in other reviews and have seen on YouTube, they didn't just didn't seem to be the best choice for me; you may want to go online and look at the Amazon reviews of these products to judge yourself. Also, it looks like the brown ones (which are out of stock) are the ones for Nespresso machines made prior to October 2010; the black ones (still available here) are for machines after 2010 (I have the old original C190 Concept machine (model c190) from 2001). Just as an aside, I've also seen videos of people simply re-using a used Nespresso pod and re-sealing the foil piece with a new piece of aluminum foil (I tried this once and the results were really crappy and watery, and coffee grounds ended up in my machine).

Anyway, back to Ne-Cap.....I fill it with my own espresso grind (illy or Lavazza) and I've got to say that the coffee was good and had a decent crema. They're pretty easy to use as well, although you might need to experiment a bit with the coffee, grind and amount you put into the capsule to ensure you get a nice rich cup of coffee. Take out a new capsule, using your pod as the "scoop", scoop it to the very top and then simply wipe off the excess so it is filled to the top but not overflowing the rim, then very carefully peel off the paper ring from the top of the cup (uncovering the sticky ring on the top of the cap) and then place the pre-cut aluminum cap on top of the capsule to seal in the coffee (note: you need to be somewhat careful when you're peeling off the paper from the cup to expose the sticky seal or else you'll also remove the sticky seal which is supposed to stay on the cup). Although the sticky seal for these capsules is not the same as the Nespresso air tight seal (which I think is only done to keep their packaged coffee fresh), the seal is good enough to perform the job and prevent coffee from exploding outside the capsules. I know their video shows them tamping down the coffee pods as they fill them, but for me, no tamping works best (and it's simpler).

After experimenting a bit, I noticed that if you want the richer coffee and thick crema, you should stick with a darker roasted, robusta beans, finely ground (espresso or fine grind...check out Lavazza Crema e Gusto Ground Coffee, Italian , 8.8-Ounce Bricks (Pack of 4) which is primarily robusta and is on sale with subscribe and save). And when tamping down on the coffee, don't pack it in too much before attaching the foil top or else you just get a little dribble of coffee coming out (and in all honesty, I've been using these capsules for some time, but every once in awhile, this still happens to me. The drink is fine, it just takes awhile longer to fill the cup). Along with the illy brand of coffee, Cafe Pico, Cafe Bustelo, Lavazza Crema and Pilon also do a very good job in these capsules. If you want to see how much coffee Nespresso uses in their capsules, you can also open up a new Nespresso capsule and see what the grind looks like and the amount of coffee they use so you get an idea. I'm too cheap to do that ;-) The other thing I've noticed in reading some of the other reviews is that these pods seem to work well in machines that are more "manual" and allow the user to close the door and clamp the capsule into place (e.g., my C190 allows me to manually clamp down the door mechanism, there is no automated mechanism that may not close properly over the capsule).....this is just a guess on my part for some reviewers that noted problems using this with a newer machine (e.g., the U).

I wouldn't recommend making these cups too far in advance (since you don't have an airtight seal once you make the cup), but instead make them when you're ready to use them that day. Although this may seem a bit of work if you're in a rush (and remember, you do have to buy your own coffee), it is sort of fun to experiment with the different blends (you can use any full or half decaff coffee for those last minute guests that want espresso without all the caffeine or you can experiment and add flavorings like sugar or equal, vanilla, spices etc.).

I will start with some helpful info..

-Nespresso machine: Pixie

-Ne-Cap capsules 100 pcs. ($23.29)

-Coffee: Lavazza Crema e Gusto 250g enough for 50 capsules ($5.75)

-Empty capsule weight: ~1 gram

-Filled capsule weight: ~6 grams

-One capsule preparation time: 60-70 secs

-Cost of filled capsule: ~$0.35

The main reasons for purchasing the refill capsules are, being able to enjoy the coffee I like and save some money.

I haven't encountered any troubles with the capsules EXCEPT that you dont get the best out of it, as most of the hot water is spilled into the used capsules container; although I had the capsules filled, pressed and sealed appropirately. Therefore, I had to reuse the same capsule, however, sometimes replaced it with another one. The reason of water spill/waste is that Ne-Cap capsules are shorter than Nespresso capsules. Thus I assume if they were the same size, the capsules will perform much better.

This option is somehow economical, nevertheless, sometimes you may need to use two capsules to enjoy your Espresso, or Cappuccino cup.

Conclusion, if you are not enjoying the taste of Nespresso flavours or you like to have your own ground coffee, and want to save some $$$, go for it..BUT dont expect the same performance and cleanness of Nespresso capsules.

Update 2/8/2012================

When I first used the Ne-Caps, I gave it 3 stars. After using almost 30 capsules, I got to believe that it's not worth it and that Nespresso capsules are irreplaceable. I tried all possible ways to enhance the performance of the capsules, I made more holes at the base, also I dilated the existing ones, but all my attempt were useless. The shape of Ne-Cap pods should be modified to look like nespresso ones. That way, I believe they would be better. So my advice is to stick to nespresso despite the price. Save yourself the time and headache and enjoy your easy, tasty coffee.

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Just filled a few of the capsules yesterday with my own coffee. It was a little messy but used the capsules this morning and they worked just fine. A lot less expensive than buying capsules from the company.

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Manufacturer refused to admit problem with their capsules when it doesn't work.

Problem:

1. 1/3 to 1/2 capsules ends in very dilute coffee/dirty hot water

2. seal by far not perfect

3. foil cap not reliable peforated

4. used capsule compartment becomes overflow hot water compartment and sometimes overflow

Since the manufacturer says the problem is not theirs, I tried many permutation to make the capsules work, including:

1. filling grinds to different level, full to not-so-full

2. compacting grind to different degree, from no compaction to hard compaction

3. using 1 or 2 rubber seal

Results remain unreliable. When it works it works great. That's about 1/5 of the time. 1/3 of the time it is acceptable, the rest of the time I wasted the coffee and money on the capsule. In the end, it turns out to be more expensive than the nespresso capsules. Not worth the effort and frustration to get a cup of coffee nicer than nespresso's own only for 1/5 of the time.

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Very time consuming to peel off paper around edge of capsule, usually pulls off sticky part, so push sticky ring back down around tiny rim in a circle, then try to separate foil lids one by one, add the rubber ring and gently push up around bottom rim of capsule (which fell off on half of the capsules I tried), tamp in expensive ground coffee I purchased, makes a mess, then insert in machine and lots of water pours into tray on bottom! Surely someone can invent some easier solution for more coffee choices for the Pixie machine. Waste of money and time all around!

KRUPS XP1500 Coffee Maker and Espresso Machine Combination, Black

If you want to make espresso like you'll pay $2.00/shot at a coffee house, this machine isn't for you. If you want a coffee pot/espresso combo in the $100 range, you will get the best value with this combo. I can make a very good latte with it, and a fairly decent shot of espresso -and very good coffee. The negative reviews I've read seem to be from two types: 1) Those who really need to spend more to get a beautiful golden crema-topped shot of espresso. I understand, but it can't be had for this price. 2) Those who don't know how to use it properly.

For a latte, you'll need to have finely ground espresso, a stainless steel frothing pitcher, and cold milk (2% or non-fat work best). Remove the rubber end to the frothing nozzle -I never use it, and that may be one of the problems other reviewers have. Follow the instructions in the manual to fill your water reservoir and your espresso filter. Fill your frothing pitcher no more than halfway with milk. Turn the dial on the left to the "cup" setting, and as soon as your first drop of espresso falls, switch the dial to the frothing setting, and start frothing your milk. Keep the nozzle low in the pitcher, just heating -not frothing. Hold the pitcher in your hand and keep heating the milk until the pitcher is just about too hot to hold -(or you could buy a thermometer, but this works just as well, and for the price-conscious does the trick), then move the pitcher lower, letting the nozzle just skimming along the top of the milk. This will start your foam growing, and it will not take long before your pitcher is about to overflow. At that point, switch the dial back to the "cup" setting, and your espresso shot will fall. When all is done, pour your shot of espresso in a cup, add the milk, top with the foam, and add a little cocoa powder or cinnamon or your choice -and maybe even a drop or two of vanilla extract. You're good to go. A delicious latte, at an extremely low price.

(I explained the above because the instructions in the manual are not that good, and I don't have the time to build a how-to video. I hope it was helpful.)

I am a self-confessed coffee junkie. With or w/o the caffeine (pregnancy and such) I love the taste; and the taste of the coffee that I've brewed with this machine was great. Loved it, loved it, loved it. The machine was easy to use and looked pretty darn cool sitting there on my counter. The only issue that i have is that the espresso side seems to need some encouragement. The knobs need to be fiddled with a bit in order to get the espresso to start dripping (even after 10 minutes during a holiday party full of thirsty coffee drinkers). Thought that was just b/c my machine was so new, but it's been doing that ever since the first use. Still, it's not terribly difficult, and the coffee is oh-so-yummy!

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We love this machine. We have limited space and need to have both a coffee maker and a cappucino maker in that space. We have had none of the difficulties that others mention. But we did take the black plastic sleeve off of the frother and that has made a huge difference. With it on we got bubbles. Now we get great froth. And if we pack the espresso well we get an excellent crema. It is a $100 machine that makes both coffee and espresso. It is not going to be like a $1000 Starbucks machine. We set our expectations appropriately and were delighted.

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My wife doesn't drink coffee, so it is appropriate to say "I" received the XP1500 as a wedding gift. Like others, the SECOND TIME I made espresso, the handle cracked on the espresso grounds holder from the normal pressure of turning it into place. Customer service assured me that they could do nothing unless I had the receipt. This was two years ago, and the machine was a brand new item, so there should have been no question to the age of the machine for warranty purposes, but I had no receipt since it was a wedding gift. They wouldn't even pay the shipping for a new holder. In short, they wouldn't budge, and if I wanted a new grounds holder, I would have to pay full cost to do so. So I kept it, being very careful over the last couple of years to not turn it too hard. Today, it broke further, rendering it useless. To be fair, I have tried to make espresso and cappucino many times, but I have never been able to get a truly good cup from this machine.

Other problems: the frother is too low. You need to angle the milk cup too much to be useful. A half cup of cold milk will turn into a counter full of frothed milk when it's done.

You're better off researching all products and choosing one that is made with better materials, has better reveiws for the quality of the resultant coffee, and going with a company that has BETTER CUSTOMER SUPPORT. There's a reason that "customers who purchased this product also purchased..." "...REPLACEMENT ITEMS!!!"

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We've had this machine for over four years now. In that time, it quite literally is used seven days a week except when on vacation. Usually it's two cappuccinos a day, then pots of coffee on Saturday and Sunday. We were recently have a trouble with the coffee maker side slowing down considerably, and with some research found that it needed to be internally descaled (works like new again once we descaled itYay!). I went on Amazon to find the Krups Descaler packets, and was very surprised to see the less than stellar reviews here for this machine.

Potential cons: This model may be simple with its lack of electronic displays and settings, but my husband likes it that way as he worries about electronic failure keeping him in the way of making cappuccinos (he is my live-in barista). You can only use one side at a time, either coffee or espresso. The steam arm could use more flexibility in its positioning. Also, if you use the steamer with the plastic housing cover, it doesn't keep a tight seal in the fact that if you take it off, you will see some traces of the milk you just frothed on the metal arm (you can take the plastic housing off permanently if you prefer).

Ok here are the great things: it is very hardy and durable. It makes GREAT cappuccinos as coffee!! I highly recommend and would buy again in a heartbeat.

I am going to repeat something that I think may have to do with a lot of the negative reviews: you have to CLEAN the MACHINE REGULARLY. It mentions this in great detail in the owners manual (also available online at Krups.com if you lost yours like we did ours). That means you should be wiping down the steamer after each use, soaking the steam arm without the housing once a week or so depending on use, and using the descaler every year or so (we waited four years to actually do this, as we never had a problem before and our water is treated). Also, every couple of weeks or so we take our kitchen dish brush and brush the top portion of the unit where the water comes out from and connects to the pot or espresso basket. Just like your barista at Starbucks would do, you have to do. If you notice that your steamer arm isn't working, chances are you did not clean it. Don't panic, most likely your machine is NOT brokenjust take a tall glass of water, let the steam arm sit in it for several hours, take your kitchen brush and clean it down thoroughly, let the steamer run through a full espresso pot of water, and everything should be ok again.

Happy trails on your path to coffee bliss!

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