Delonghi Ec220cd

I bought one from macys, I got it home and someone had already bought this particular unit because, the plastic had been opened etc. Anyways I continued to set it up and clean it out. I had everything setup and ready to go and no water would come out of the unit. I made sure the water container was seatted in place properly by removing and putting back in place several times. It would not deliver the water no matter what I tried. So I figured that is why it had been returned. So I went back to Macys and got another one this time making sure it was new. I got it home same stinking problem!!!!! NO WATER DELIVERY!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Why would it be so difficult to operate? Is there some wierd strange trick you have to perform over the unit before it will deliver water hmmmmmmmm, I dont know, like the song and saying goes... Aint nobody got time for that! Aint nobody got time for that! JUNK AND I WILL BE RETURNING THIS!!!! WHAT A WASTE OF TIME, AND STARBUCKS COFFEE!

Laroma Supreme Espresso Maker

The first cup of coffee was good, but as soon as I ran it through the washer, it went to ash color. Maybe, the detergent based on what I'm seeing on the web but big disappointment. It's cheaply built, not sure it will last long, but I guess to be expected, since it's pretty cheap. WHATEVER YOU DO...DON"T WASH IN DISHWASHER.

MrC Steam Espresso Maker

So I bought this machine like everyone else trying to save a couple bucks instead of going to Starbucks all the time. First time I tried it I had the same problem everyone else did...only 4 seconds of steam for the milk...than I remembered reading somewhere online about adding more water to your machine than the directions say for less bitter tasting espresso and figured that also might work for the steamer. So I added enough water for 4 shots...2 for espresso plus 2 extra for steam, brewed my 2 shots of the Espresso and than turned the machine off. Than I turned on the steamer for my milk OMG!!!I had more steam than I needed to make three Mochas. It took several minutes for all the steam to finally run out! And the actual mocha I've been making taste just as good as Starbucks which shocked me because normally the home brewed stuff tastes really burnt. This doesn't. This steamer with the extra water works better than both the $350+ dollar pump machines my parents have invested in. If you're looking for a machine that will make great mocha's... for 35 bucks at Wally World you can't do better!

I bought this for my parents this past Christmas (2011) and with all of us being avid coffee drinkers, we hooked it right up. My fifteen year old brother was able to set it up without directions; it is just that easy, although the directions are really simple to follownot much handling required. My mother used to be a barista for a local coffee company so we let her have the first go. Our first two espresso's were hot, but not as hot as needed for espresso, but the flavor was great. However, the second round (my mother got the hang of it real quick) was perfect in temp and the flavor was amazing. Then we got funky with it and instead of using skim milk with the frother we used half skim, half french vanilla creamer. Oh my gosh were those amazing! My mother continued to make mochas and cappuccinos throughout the day and even zested some godiva chocolate on the top! Everyone was very pleased with the quality of the coffee that was being brewed. We must have made at least four dozen espresso's that day (big family) and the machine never faulted. Here are some tips when using this machine:

1. Do not expect it to work if you do not know how to make coffee (follow the easy espresso directions or get yourself an in-home barista!)

2. It will 'leak' its a steamer so expect a lot of hot steam and evaporation on the outside (it is built for heat so don't be scared)

3. Experimentour french vanilla lattes were stellar so mix in some chocolate sauce in the milk frother and make yourself a splendid mocha

4. Dont completely fill the frothing cup, about 3/4 of a cup. to 1 cup, otherwise you wont get good crema ( this is very important for the 'quality' to shine)

5. Use a small, metal frothing cup, because metal helps heat the milk.

And as a last note, like I said it was a gift for my parents so I couldn't take it home with me, but after falling in love with this tiny machine, I decided that I would be getting my own at the end of the month! Plus, the price cannot be beat.

Buy MrC Steam Espresso Maker Now

I was ready to give up on this machine, but decided to wait a day and try again. The machine has two separate functions: making espresso and foaming milk. Each require water in the water reservoir. So, if making both espresso AND foaming milk, put extra water into the water reservoir. Use the dial to turn it to the function you want e.g. "brew" to make espresso, and when you have the expected amount of espresso in the carafe, then turn the dial to off, put the froth tip into the pitcher of milk, and turn dial to steam. There should be plenty of water in the reservoir, so there will be plenty of steam to heat the milk. Voile! Then, it's just a matter of learning how to froth correctly. I like the machine now.

Read Best Reviews of MrC Steam Espresso Maker Here

This is a great espresso machine on a budget. The size is right & can make 2 cups of expresso. The stainless steel makes it look sleek & it matches well with my appliances.

I have to buy my own Stainless Steel Frothing Pitcher, since it did not come with the maker. You can get them on line & it comes in many sizes.

You also have to buy your own flavoring syrup, I buy mine at Wal-mart using the Vanilla Flavoring syrup by TORANI, then I buy my expresso coffee beans from Starbucks, you have to tell them that you are going to use it for your own expresso machine then they will grind the beans a little finer for you.

The frothing arm comes with a frothing aid (it's just like a rubber cover for the frother) & I don't particularly like them because that rubber part would be the hardest part to clean if left in place.

When I use my expresso maker, I just use the frother arm by itself without that rubber aid. The frothing arm is a bit high for any frothing pitcher & have to place something underneath the pitcher until 1/4 or 1/2 of the frother arm is covered with milk.

Here's how I do it:

1) Add water to the expresso machine. I fill mine till the top. Make sure the steam cap is tight so steam can't escape.

2) Brew your favorite expresso coffee. Fill your carafate till it's getting close to the number 4. You don't want to overfill your carafate because then you will not have enough water to steam your milk.

3) Milk should already in the Frothing Pitcher, I leave enough space for the froth. Place your pitcher under the frothing arm until the the frothing arm tip is covered with milk. When your milk is getting close to the right temperature, start holding the whole pitcher & move the Frothing Pitcher up & down to make that perfect froth. (Of course you have to take whatever you put under that pitcher off before doing so.) When done, I immediately clean the arm by wrapping a wet dish towel around it & let a few steam come out of the arm then just wipe the rest of the milk off. Be careful when cleaning the frothing arm because the steam is very hot. When letting a steam off the arm, I suggest not to hold the towel underneath the frother arm, but rather make sure your hands are above it.

4) Then I get my favorite drinking cup.

5) Add your favorite flavoring syrup, then the expresso, then the milk. Scoop some froth out of your frothing pitcher then add it to your cup, then you are ready to enjoy your own homemade Vanilla Latte...

ENJOY :-)

Want MrC Steam Espresso Maker Discount?

I was in a Big W store and passed down the coffeemaker aisle. I saw this machine and couldn't get over the very low price. I consider myself a coffee snob, and had been looking for a superautomatic espresso machine. Loved my previous machine, but lost it in a fire, and NEEDED a new espresso machine ASAP (Starbucks habit getting out of hand...). The search had become overwhelming, and I wanted to do more research before shelling out $1K+ on a new machine. So when I saw this Mr. Coffee machine, I had to buy it--I always liked my previous Mr Coffee regular coffeemakers in the past. I figured it would make "OK" espresso and "OK" frothy milk for lattes, but I was AMAZED (yes, AMAZED) at the quality of the brew and the froth. And it was so easy to use. I can use espresso machines with my eyes closed, but I always read the manual thoroughly anyway. I questioned the part about only putting in enough water for your shot of espresso, but did it anyway. And just like the others commented, there wasn't enough water for steaming the milk. Should have listened to my initial instinct. I now just fill the carafe all the way, then dump it into the machine. I find the tapered lid design "thoughtless," but I guess nothing is 100% perfect. I don't understand the reviewers who complain that it takes them 20 minutes to make their espressos--maybe because they are newbies?? I wander into the kitchen every morning half-asleep, and the whole process from putting milk in the pitcher for my latte through cleanup takes me 7 minutes MAX. Practice makes perfect. I also don't think this is a noisy machine at all. I love this machine, and am planning to take it with me on vacation, as it is so lightweight. I almost hesitated writing a 5-star review, because I don't want Mr.Coffee to raise their prices on these little workhorses, but wanted others to know that this is an EXCELLENT machine to use.

Save 35% Off

Primula Replacement Silicone Gaskets for 6 Cup Size Aluminum Espresso Pots, Set of 3

We have a Bialetti 6800 Moka Express 6-Cup Stovetop Espresso Maker (aluminum) and we destroyed the rubber gasket. Apparently you do need water in the pot to make coffee. We bought this replacement filter and it fits and seals perfectly. No water or vapor escapes and the coffee tastes great, no taste from the silicone gasket. I would highly recommend this product.

These gaskets work perfect with the 6cup Bialetti Moka Express. It seems they work better than the original ones. Have been using a gasket for some weeks and the gasket has not been deformed or reduced by heat as the original one. Really good and cheap product.

Buy Primula Replacement Silicone Gaskets for 6 Cup Size Aluminum Espresso Pots, Set of 3 Now

These silicone rings also fit our six-cup Alessi ARS09/6 Stovetop Espresso Maker perfectly.

In my opinion, Silicone rings are a better choice for this kind of application than the usual soft white rubber one sees being sold. For one, the silicone is more durable unlike the white gum rubber typically used for gaskets, errant coffee grinds don't manage to embed themselves in the silicone. As a result, the gaskets usually come out completely clean after each use. As a result, I expect this gasket to last much longer than the rubber one it replaced.

I'll also wager that the silicone will be more temperature-resistant, i.e. less prone to degrading over time as a result of repeated use in a hot environment.

Time will tell, but the experience thus far has been very positive.

Read Best Reviews of Primula Replacement Silicone Gaskets for 6 Cup Size Aluminum Espresso Pots, Set of 3 Here

My aluminum moka pot is several decades old and the rubber ring had become brittle and was leaking. I had a great deal of difficulty figuring out which replacement gasket to buy because the pot is only identified by the markings "ABC" and "Crusinallo" on the very bottom and "Zanzibar" on the top half.

After extensive research, I finally determined that it is indeed a Bialetti: "ABC" stands for "Alfonso Bialetti Crusinallo" and "Zanzibar" is the model name. (Crusinallo is the little town in the Piedmont of Italy where they have been made since 1918.) It is a six-cup pot as it makes about twelve ounces of espresso.

These replacement gaskets from Primula have an outside diameter of 2 13/16 in. and fit even my older aluminum Bialetti moka pot perfectly with no bubbling leaks. They are dishwasher-safe and easy to remove from the pot from cleaning whereas the old gasket was impossible to remove after a year or two. The silicone is simply much more heat-resistant than rubber and shouldn't harden or crack. Bialetti should supply their new coffee makers with these superior silicone gaskets.

Note: This fits the 6-cup aluminum Bialetti moka pot. Their stainless steel models use a 2 7/8 in. gasket, 1/16 in. larger in diameter.

These replacement gaskets are also available with a 2 1/2 in. outside diameter for 3-cup pots and with a 3 3/16 in. outside diameter for 9-cup pots as well.

Want Primula Replacement Silicone Gaskets for 6 Cup Size Aluminum Espresso Pots, Set of 3 Discount?

The old gasket from my venerable stove top espresso maker had fossilized. I was delighted that the gasket size was standard. I have worked with silastic material in other areas, and have found it to be durable and reliable, even in high heat uses.

Installation was quick and easy, and my 25 year old pot is working like it is new.

La Pavoni Stradavari Espresso Machines

Update: At the three year mark, the heating elements on my machine failed. Repair costs TBD. If it's a write off, I estimate my service life equipment cost to have been right around a buck a shot. I had hoped for better longevity from a simple, expensively over-built machine. My initial rating was five stars, which I now reduce to three. Original review follows, with updates noted:

I have owned the 16-cup La Pavoni Stradivari model for about six months. I purchased it through Seattle Coffee Gear, a nearby dealer and repair shop I have come to trust. My wife and I use the machine at home for 4-6 Americanos or lattes per day.

My machine arrived in good order and was easy to set up. Per directions, I ran a tank of water with baking soda through initially, and set up the steamer with the venturi frothing attachment. There's a lot about this machine I like: its small footprint and steamship-era aesthetics, sturdiness and perpetual maintainability, silent operation, and the ability to pull an absolutely perfect shot. The venturi frother is a black plastic gizmo with a silicon tube to put into the milk to be frothed. Turning on the steam draws the milk into the frother and deposits the result directly into a cup. The result is hot and tasty, but with bubbles not quite fine or consistent enough for "coffee art", which doesn't really matter to me. Update: when the feeder tube from the Venturi frother became uncleanable I switched to the traditional wand and figured out how to use it. I like the finer foam it produces much better.

Here are some tips on use of the machine:

Raising the pump handle up opens the pump assembly to the water tank. Steam pressure then drives water into the pump. Depressing the lever pushes the water through the puck and into the cup.

If the pump and the filter are not hot before you compress the grounds into the filter assembly, the metal of the filter cup may expand when you operate the pump, allowing some water to go around the puck. Ways to mitigate this problem are: let the machine warm with filter assembly attached for 15-20 minutes; run 2-3 shots through an empty filter; or put hot water in a cup and soak the pump head until it warms up (doing the same for the filter assembly). In any event, this problem goes away after the first shot.

Experiment with your grind until you find one that allows expression of the shot with moderate pressure on the pump handle for between five and ten seconds. I use a Capresso conical burr grinder set on the coarsest of the "extra fine" settings. If you're foolish enough to blow a grand on an expresso maker, spend a little extra to buy a heavy stainless tamper of the appropriate size as well. It will make forming the puck much easier.

Per the instructions, when you raise the pump handle to let water into the pump, pause a few seconds or until coffee first drips from the filter assembly, then pull the shot. The pause moistens the puck and results in vast amounts of rich, deep caramel-colored crema. You can't replicate this step with an electric pump machine, and I believe it makes an important difference in the result. Update: Actually, Breville's new unit is supposed to do this for you.

Wait a short while after pulling a shot before removing the filter assembly, to allow pressure to dissipate. If you're impatient, you can blow grounds all over the counter. The harder the pull, the longer the required wait.

Be sure to rinse the frother right after using it to keep milk solids from clogging it. If it clogs, run a cup of 50%-diluted white vinegar through it, followed by a cup of water.

These steps are easy to master and the result is truly worthwhile.

This machine is exactly what I expected, pulls beautiful shots, but not without some patient troubleshooting. You MUST use an adjustable burr grinder and learn the art of grinding, tamping and pulling the shot. There are some good videos on youtube on this machine.

However, the plastic tray that catches any spilled espresso was either broken out of the box, or broke during its first cleaning. It is made of gossamer plastic, and cracked right away.

Also of concern, the base of the unit (Stradivarius) appears to be plastic covered with a chrome looking finish. It sure looks like metal in the pictures, and for a machine that costs as much as this one does, I would expect the base to be metal. Unfortunately, when you pull a shot, the plastic base flexes, and after only a few weeks, I have noticed some cracks on the base unit just to the right of the boiler. I think older machines have metal bases, and I would definitely try to get an older metal base machine if I could do it over.

And some oddities, the filter basket tightens to the left. The on light is red, while the heating light is green (seems they should be the other way around). My machine hovers around .75 bar, which seems low, but it still pulls beautiful crema.

Other than the plastic parts, this machine is great.

Buy La Pavoni Stradavari Espresso Machines Now

This machine was a great disappointment. I got this to replace a 70's Pavoni Europiccola that simply wore out. From the beginning the first cup of espresso is cold, unless you go though a ritual to get it hotter. The manufacturer said this was just the way it is now designed.

Then I noticed that after using it, there was a puddle of water underneath. La Pavoni sent me to Thomas Cara in San Francisco, and said he was their representative. HE curtly said he was NOT their representative. But he described a defect in the Stradivari design the heating element is made of stainless steel and the bottom fixture is brass so they cool at different rates and frequently leak like mine was doing. So there is no good fix for this $800 espresso maker.

Thankfully, Amazon has been very responsive in taking the unit back, and I expect a full refund. That part was easy.

La Pavoni ESW-8 Stradavari 8-Cup Espresso Machine, Chrome with Wood Handles

Read Best Reviews of La Pavoni Stradavari Espresso Machines Here

This machine is outstanding! That is, if you know how to manually pull shots. Apparently, some people want a fully automated espresso machine so do not get this if that is what your looking for. Once you get the hang of how it works, you will never want coffee from any store like charbucks or tully's...I lived in Italy for almost 2 years and this machine will produce better espresso than what I had over there, which was better than anything from a coffee shop in the US. If you get this machine get a conical burr grinder, and if you are serious about coffee, roast your own beans too. I have a Zassenhaus knee grinder, a Nesco professional coffee roaster, and I buy my green coffee beans from . Buying this machine with regular roasted beans from the store is not going to produce the best espresso and you should look at a cheaper machine if you are planning on doing so. Overall the machine looks beautiful on your counter and you will impress your friends with your at-home barista skills!

Want La Pavoni Stradavari Espresso Machines Discount?

It is the best in quality and function , highly recommend it,it makes the very best espresso that anyone could want.

Save 18% Off

Krups 030 Perfect Froth Milk Frother

Krups has been installing a hard plastic cover on the frother wand of their recent models. This technology is neither as effective nor as resilient as the old "perfect froth" attachment. My hard plastic one broke within two weeks, and sending it back to Krups elicited no response at all, so I just bought the "perfect froth" attachment, and it works fine.

Oh, little piece of metal and rubber! You make my morning latte yummy and frothy. How I love you so. If only you could stay far, far, away from the black abyss ... the destructive force that chews you up and spits you out! If you need to purchase this replacement part and you have a disposal, then buy a hundred. This part inevitably ends up twisted and broken.

Buy Krups 030 Perfect Froth Milk Frother Now

The Perfect Froth Milk Frother is the perfect frother for my Krups Il Caffee Duomo's froth wand, which I've been using to make pretty decent lattes for around 11 years now. My first one disappeared entirely one day, but until that day it worked fine.

My replacement one has now been serving me well for at least 4 years. The only maintenance I ever do on it, besides washing it with hot water and occasionally dish soap, is I sometimes need to unclog the tiny top rubber stopper with the end of a paper clip or a push pin.

If it ever looks (or sounds) like your frother isn't doing the job, try the paper clip trick in the top rubber end, or pull off the frother entirely and put the paper clip up into the metal wand.

Until we decide to drop $1,000 or more on a fancy Espresso machine, I'm sticking with my Krups. The durability of it and its accessibility (and price) of spare parts to this day makes it an inexpensive way to make good lattes at home.

Read Best Reviews of Krups 030 Perfect Froth Milk Frother Here

Works fine -was a replacement for one that went down the garbage disposal. But the shipping charges almost equaled the price of the purchase.

Want Krups 030 Perfect Froth Milk Frother Discount?

The title says it all. I got a great price and their delivery exceeded my expectations.