Showing posts with label sunbeam espresso maker. Show all posts
Showing posts with label sunbeam espresso maker. Show all posts

Saturday, April 19, 2014

Stansport Percolator Coffee Pots

Stansport Aluminum 20 Cup Percolator Coffee PotThis is one of the biggest size percolators you can buy for stovetop or campfire use, at 20 cups. We also use a percolator outside on our firepit at home. The straight upright shape of this style makes it an easier pot to fit on the limited space of a campstove or RV stove. The company that made this mostly makes camp gear anyway, and that is also why the handles are configured this way, for accessing the pot off a fire. It is very light in weight.

I prefer the stronger darker brew I get from a percolator, and have sworn off drip coffemakers for good. No more filters to buy, it does not have to live on my counter top like a coffee machine, to clock to set, no carafe to break, durable, and very easy to clean. If by chance you ever break a filter basket, you can get replacements and Amazon.com sells replacement glass percolator tops.

If you don't like a few loose grounds, try wetting the inside of the filter basket before you put coffee in it.Now some people are afraid of aluminum pots/pans, and this item is aluminum. There are percolators made of stainless steel if you want a look similar to this one, and there are some beautiful old fashioned enamelware pots sold at Amazon.com too. Aluminum does not rust, but it does dent easy. Enamelware chips, stainless is heavy, you decide.

If you do use this on a fire, I have a trick for you to keep the soot off and make clean-up a breeze. Get a bit of wet soap on your hands, lather up the outside of the pot and let it dry for 2 minutes. The soot goes over this dry layer and just wipes off when you wash it. Overall this is a good value, very foolproof and I recommend.

Watch out with this page as the 20 cup size is on again, off again in availability.

When soldiers, serving in a remote area of Iraq, asked for a coffee pot and knowing they seldom have electricity, I began looking for a coffee pot that could be used on a stove or fire. The Army platoon has about 30 soldiers, so I searched for large coffee pot. Knowing the reputation of Amazon, and having free shipping on many items, I searched at Amazon.com. The coffee 20 perculator arrived in the APO in Iraq about nine days later and has served well. William Hanners, Retired Army

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I'm a big fan of percolated coffee. It's the real deal, and puts hair on your chest, as dad used to say. So I bought this coffee pot because it looked rugged and well built. It is, except for one big prob: the plastic bubble on the top is junk. Why don't they make them with a glass screw-in top and charge the extra five bucks? Anyway, the plastic top worked loose in the first two weeks and could not be tightened. It fell off whenever the coffee pot was tipped. My solution was to buy a glass top from Amazon (sold separately) and now I am happy with it. Oh yeah, one other thing, "9 cups" means nine little tea cups, or three or four regular coffee mugs. All coffee makers advertise that way, so that was as expected.

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this percolator has no welds that can leakthis is a problem that i have had with past walmart percolators. the weld on the bottom rusted and leaked.

I really like the construction and even though its aluminum and light weight, it does not feel cheaply made at all.

I really like it and would recommend it to others.

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Difficult to find a pot of this size anywhere without paying a fortune. Now we won't have to make so many pots of coffee in the morning at camp.Great price--great product. Thanks amazon.

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Wednesday, April 16, 2014

La Pavoni PA-1200 Napolitana Stainless Steel Automatic Espresso Machine

La Pavoni PA-1200 Napolitana Stainless Steel Automatic Espresso MachineLa Pavoni PA-1200 Napolitana Stainless Steel Automatic Espresso Machine

This is my third machine in 12 years. My first machine was a Krups Novo with a thermal heat block and a back pressure or modified filter holder. My second machine was a Starbucks Barista with a stainless steel boiler but also with a back pressure filter holders which produce a simulated espresso. The La Pavoni Napoletana is the real thing. You can't make or buy a better espresso.

This is an excellent espresso machine for the starter or the advanced barista. Heats up quickly and the heavy brass boiler, brass head and filter holder keep the machine ready for use. Consistently pulls espresso with a nice crema. The steam function provides plenty of steam to whip up thick frothed milk for cappuccinos. The grinder is easy to adjust maybe a little loud and holds enough beans for about 14 shots. The grinder isn't centered over the filter so you need to hold the filter tipped towards the back to keep the coffee in the holder. The machine is solid stainless steel, the drip trays are plastic but good enough. The reservoir holds 3 liters and is a little tight to remove and replace. The pump supplies plenty of pressure. I use the grinder setting between 5 4 depending on the bean.

Note: If you want a real espresso machine stay away from the machines with thermal heat blocks or steel boilers and any machine that uses a back pressure or modified filter holders isn't going to make a real espresso.

October 2011 Update: Well, I've been using this machine for 4 years now. 200 pounds of coffee beans and 4400 shots of espresso later the machine is still going steady. The plastic buttons are a little worn and the plastic bean reservoir has yellowed a little but the pump still puts out and the boiler heats as fast as ever. I now use the grinder setting between 4 3.5, (probably a sign of wear). I'll post another update in 2015 or sooner if the machine gives out.

Having used a roomate's decent Starbucks Barrista for a year, then suffering through a horrible Krups model (which I returned in disgust), I knew that when I finally got around to buying an espresso machine, I wanted a quality machine at a reasonable price. A strong pump and good innards are required to make an espresso with beautiful golden foam. I adore cappucino so require a good steamer that makes excellent foam. And I didn't have an espresso grinder (but know that proper fine grind is CRITICAL). No one knows coffee like the Italians, so buying one made there was also preferable. As I did my research the LaPavoni Napolitana fit all my requirements.

I am completely and utterly besotted with this machine! It is perfect for those looking for a quality machine without breaking the bank. As far as I'm concerned the makers didn't skimp on any essentials. Right from my first shot, this machine brewed the perfect espresso. It's very easy to learn and use. Also very easy to maintain and keep clean.

Also, disregard the comments about the water reservoir being difficult to remove and refill. Mine was absolutely not difficult to remove and I'm a 100-lb-weakling type! I HIGHLY recommend this machine to anyone considering purchasing one. Every shot is perfect. I am addicted beyond all description, but it matters not, as I'm always a few short steps a way from a affordable, quality crack... er, espresso!

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I knew I had to have an espresso machine after using a friends Starbucks Barrista but that machine proved hard to find... guess it's discontinued, so I opted for a Starbucks Serena which was a huge disappointment!! I promptly returned the Serena and ordered the Napolitana instead.

I went out to meet the UPS truck, and as I signed for my new machine, the UPS lady let the box tumble down the stairs of her truck and onto the ground..urgh!!

I eagerly unpacked the new machine, plugged it in, followed the directions to prime it, got steam...but no pump!! I was so disappointed!! I started to fill out the Amazon return form, but decided to sleep on it. The next morning I pulled out a screw driver, thinking that something had jiggled loose from the poor UPS handling, and after removing 2 screws and carefully prying the top off, I found that the wiring harness had slid off the pump. I pushed it back on, marveled at the simplicity of the parts inside, and had it put back together and brewing great espresso in 5 minutes (I don't know that I would recommend doing this, as I probably voided the warranty, but who's going to know :) ).

I brewed a great espresso the first time I used the machine, and am getting a little better with each one. I like the fact that I can make adjustments with the grinder, and adjust how much pressure I use with the tamper, and thereby have control over the quality of my crema, and the strength of the coffee. Even though I am a novice barrista, I like the fact that this machine allows me to learn and get better.

The quality of the machine seems excellent. The stainless steel looks great and is easy to clean. The portafilter is heavy and stays hot for a long time. The steam frother works great. The grinder is noisy, but I've never used one that wasn't. I look forward to using this machine for years and years.

Read Best Reviews of La Pavoni PA-1200 Napolitana Stainless Steel Automatic Espresso Machine Here

we've had this machine a few years now, bought on the suggestion of a friend who had one who bought because his friend did lots of research and decided this is the best machine on the market. My mom also has this machine. She bought hers after buying another $500 machine that just did not stack up to this and ended up giving that machine away to buy the LaPavoni. Great crema every time (you do it right). It's true there is a steep learning curve with this machine. It takes weeks to dial the burr grinder in exactly, depending on your bean, elevation, time of year, etc. Also how hard to tamp the coffee is super important. There is a built in tamper, but you can't really get the leverage you need to tamp it hard enough, so buy a $5 tamper to go with it. Coffee is an art form and this is your brush! Just don't expect spectacular results right out of the box, if that's what you want get a "pod" machine, wuss. But for aficionados who can afford it, this is the one to get.

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I have owned one of these machines for about 5 months. I'd say it is well worth the money especially considering it has a built in grinder that works well. I've used many different blends of coffee and have learned that the grind is super important. If you are not able to pull a nice shot with good crema then you don't have the right grind. This machine also requires a nice firm tamping and the proper amount of space left in the porta filter before you lock and load. The weak points are 1. The steamer: It is not powerful enough for nice tight micro foam. That said using the adaptor you can make a nice foam that tastes great. 2. The lack of temperature adjustment. 3. The normal single boiler woes.

This is a great starter/intermediate machine for someone who is not ready for the financial commitment of a prosumer machine in the $2000 range. It is reliable, efficient, great looking and easy to use once you figure out the items mentioned above. It taught me a lot about espresso making and frothing.

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Wednesday, March 12, 2014

dr. tech Commercial Automatic Expresso Coffee Machine

New ME-708D Commercial Grade Fully Automatic Expresso Coffee Maker MachineI decided to write this review because there are few online reviews about this machine. I purchased this machine brand new on another shopping website (not the aution one) for $300 with free shipping. I have been researching automatic espresso machines for several months and ideally I would have purchased a saeco or delonghi or gaggia. However, money is an object and I could not justify spending $1000-$3000 on a coffee machine. Also, this is my first espresso machine and I am not certain of the longevity of any of them (most discussions state 5-7 years is the norm). I even considered refurbished or used but even these were $600 and up.

This machine is a compromise. It allows you to enter the world of superautomatics for a fraction of the cost. Let me say that for $300, I will be content if the machine functions for two years. Money well spent. So far it's only been a few days and I will try to update this a few months down the road.

Firstly, the machine arrived well packed; good amount of foam and bubble wrap. The only accessory is a scoop for preground coffee and a rubber straw for frothing milk. No video. No elaborate manual. The manual is in English....however not grammatically correct English. The instructions are basic; mostly diagrams. I would advise searching online for manuals or videos on other machines for more in depth directions. It seems most of these machines function similarly. This is what I did so the lack of detailed instruction didn't bother me.

After unpacking, installing the drip tray and straw, filling the coffee bean and water reservoirs, I powered up. The machine walks you through some warm up and cleaning steps. It flushes itself with water. There is a menu function where you can set water temp (it's an icon of a thermometer that goes up and down; don't know precise temp). I would recommend setting this to highest point. You can also select how long you want the machine to stay on before turning itself off....30, 60, 90, or 120 min. There is no clock on this machine so you can not program it to turn on and off. I just turn it on when I first wake up and it's ready in probably 10 minutes. You can turn off the beeps...this is important as this machine will constantly beep when there is an issue until you fix it, ie, needs water, drip tray removed, side door open, etc, etc. If you turn off the beeps you will still get the message on the display. There's also a descale option (the machine will prompt you when it's time) and you can adjust how much coffee gets ground per cycle (this is accomplished by holding the menu button for five secs at the very end of the brew cycle). The menu also has the date the machine was manufactured and total cups brewed. You can set your water hardness level (if you know it). There is a knob inside of the coffee bean hopper to adjust fineness of grind...it's settings are 1, 2, and 3.

This is a fairly tall machine so counter to cabinet clearance might be an issue for some. Also you will have to pull the machine out to fill the reservoirs and to get the brewing unit. It has some recessed handles on the bottom which makes it easy to move. The brewing unit is accessed by a side door. There you will also find the dredge container. The whole machine appears plastic (except for the boiler I assume). The indicator that the dredge container is full comes on when the container is only about 1/3 full, so be prepared to empty it often. I can't give you specs but I will say that the bean hopper can hold about 8oz of beans and the water holds enough for about six single shots. You will also need to emply the drip tray daily, as there is always water dumped into it by the machine with each shot.

So, the first two shots you make you will need to dump. I guess the machine has to adjust. The machine is fairly loud, I've never owned one so I can't compare to others but it is as loud as a coffee grinder. After that, I got beautiful espressos. The taste is as good as that chain store. Obviously not perfect. It seems the grounds could be tamped a bit more. The double shot button simply makes two single shots back to back.

The front of the machine is super simple. There are individual buttons for a single shot, double shot, steam, hot water (which comes out of the steam wand), menu, and OK/exit. There is a nifty straw that you can attach to the frother and then insert other end into a container of milk. It will conveniently froth milk into your waiting cup. It stops after frothing some predetermined amount (I don't think you can alter the amount but you can push ok button to stop the water or steam or milk at any time.). There is a little knob on the steam wand that allows you to choose steam or frothed milk. There is another button for the bypass doser...this is when you want to use preground coffee. You push the button, fill the included scoop, and dump this into the little hatch up top. You can only do single shots this way. There is a passive warmer which doesn't get warm enough to warm the cups. I would recommend warming your cups first...you can fill them with hot water from the wand or put them in microwave with water for 30 sec.). This just helps ensure you have hot espresso. The espresso is hot...I didn't test the temp but hotter than my machiattos from that chain store. The espresso tastes wonderful....coming from a non-expert.

So that's about it. It is so far a decent machine for the price. I can have espresso whenever I want at the push of a button. Keep in mind there is NO WARRANTY so there's some risk. The online store I purchased from has a 45 day return policy...that's it. Like I said, I will try to update this review in a few months.

Similar to the other reviewer who liked the machine, I was surprised at the quality of the coffee after I got the machine adjusted to the strongest setting and the finest grind. The on screen controls are great as you can change the volume or strength of the coffee after you have started to make a cup. I agree that the grinds do not tamp as well as the $2000 Saeco Royal Professional that I also own, but for the money it is quite a bargain. All the controls are easy to use and should not require a manual if you can operate any modern day electronics. The water reservoir is small and so is the spent coffee bin, but it is not unreasonable that you would want to keep the machine clean more often and use clean water more often. I have had this machine for almost a year and use it as a secondary machine for my office. I have made 600 cups of espresso and talk coffee's and have been very happy with the taste and quality. First time shoppers should be pleasantly surprised because of the low price. I just wish that Amazon had a supplier as I am currently shopping for another one for a present.

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It may have been a bad machine, but the coffee produced was poor. The expresso cakes were wet and mushy, should be dry and well formed.

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Thursday, December 26, 2013

10-Cup Professional Home Coffee Brewer

10-Cup Professional Home Coffee BrewerI have wanted a Bunn for as far back as I can remember. I finally got this one and am so disappointed. Unfortunately for me I knew it was going to be awesome and I threw the box out so I can't return it. It'll work for guests I suppose.

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Tuesday, September 10, 2013

Saeco Odea Go Espresso Machine

Saeco Odea Go Espresso MachineIt lives up to the functionality described fairly well. However, there are a couple of things you should know.

1) Even at the full-cup setting, it doesn't really fill up a coffee cup. If you have a large cup, it might fill it up half way, if you're lucky.

2) Due to #1, the picture that shows two cups being brewed is somewhat misleading. The picture would look like the one shown only if the cups were left in place after the first brew cycle in order to run a second brew cycle into those same half-filled cups. This no faster than just brewing one cup and swapping in the next cup for the second brew cycle.

3) There is a low water sensor to let you know you need to fill up the reservoir -which is good. However, it will stop brewing the instant the low water sensor triggers even if it is in the middle of brewing a cup. This ruins the cup in progress, but to make matters worse, the low water sensor triggers when there is about two cups of water left in the reservoir. There is pleny of water left to finish the currently brewing cup (and probably enough for yet another cup), but the brewing comes to a crashing halt mid-brew. I wish it would perform the low water sensor check AFTER finishing a cup so you know when to refill the reservoir withot ruining a brew cycle (or wasting beans).