La Pavoni PA-JV Jolly Burr Grinder, Black

We purchaed the Pavoni PA-JV "Jolly" (I don't get the "Jolly"; this is a serious machine) coffee bean grinder 16 years ago at Williams-Sonoma for $175. Espresso coffee is the only coffee we drink and we enjoy it twice daily. Therefore we use the Pavoni twice daily. We take great pride in our espresso and the grind is an extremely important component of producing rich, crema-laden espresso. The Pavoni PA-JV has consistently, reliably and powerfully produced a high quality espresso grind for us without any breakdowns, repairs, etc. Bravo, Pavoni, bravo.

its beyond me how something ships in the condition that i got it in. the grinder was broken in 2 different spots when i opened the box and it was not broken during shipping cause the pieces that broke off are no where in the box so someone else broke it returned it and amazon never checked the item and resent it to me. on top of the item being broken there multiple missing parts! great job guys.

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Saeco Aroma Espresso & Cappuccino Pump Machine

I've been using this machine for the past couple weeks and so far I love it! It looks great on the counter, doesn't take up much space, it seems solidly built and I couldn't be happier with the quality of the drinks I've been making with it. I'm a latte/cappuccino drinker so I can't really comment on the subtleties of a good espresso shot but the shots look great, they have plenty of crema and the milk based drinks are just delicious, much better than what I get at the local coffee shops.

I usually don't write long reviews but while researching before I bought it, I found plenty of negative reviews from people who seem to have unrealistic expectations or who didn't bother to do their homework or read the manual.

Things to consider and common complaints:

This is a single boiler machine, which requires the machine to be primed every time you steam milk. If you don't, it will end up suffering from a premature death due to overheating. You may be able to find a self-priming machine for this price (I didn't run into any but it's not a feature I particularly cared for). If you want a dual boiler machine then you'll have to invest more money. Personally, I don't mind priming it, it may feel like there are too many steps at first but once you get a hang of it, it's extremely quick and simple.

It comes with a pressurized portafilter which is less sensitive to grinding finesse and tamping pressure and will give you a consistent espresso shot even if you don't really know what you are doing. For the average user this can be a great feature, since you can get a good shot with pre-ground espresso or a pod. However, if you are really into the art of making the perfect espresso and want to play around with grinding and tamping pressure, then you'll probably want a regular portafilter.

The steaming wand is a bit too low and only rotates horizontally, which limits the size of the frothing container you can use. Not an issue for me but something you may want to consider. I use a 16 oz. frothing pitcher and as long as I keep it filled up to somewhere between 2/3 and 3/4, I can work without issues. With more liquid than that, I would spill some on the counter when trying to remove the pitcher. This can be addressed by raising the machine (something like a thick cutting board underneath it could work) or by placing the machine on the far right edge of the counter.

The cup warmer seems a bit on the flimsy side. I'm just being picky with this one, I don't really care about that so just an FYI.

The panarello attachment makes it really easy to get thick foam but a bit tricky to get microfoam. I've been experimenting with it to get microfoam and I've got some good results. However, it is a bit harder to do than with a regular steam wand and I'm not sure if it will be good enough for latte art. Again, if you don't care about latte art, this is no big deal and your drinks will come out just fine.

If the portafilter is not tight enough or if it's too full, water will leak from the top. This happened to me when I first got it and was trying to set it up. It was a bit too tight which required extra strength to make it fit right. After a couple of tries, it loosened up, getting it on and off became very easy and there are no leaks whatsoever.

I can't comment on durability but I will update this review if I run into any issues.

Overall, I'd say this is a great purchase for the price as long as you know what to expect and it suits your needs. If you decide to get it, do yourself a favor and read the manual. =)

Fine machine. Brews an excellent shot with good head. Heats up quickly and the durability has been excellent. Steams well but it definitely takes longer than I'm used to. I have this one at work but the 30013 at home which I think is an even better model. Brews and steams much quicker and while the case is the same the push buttons on this one feel less solid than the flip switches on the 30013.

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I've purchased 3 different Saeco machines and have ownd a La Pavoni espresso maker in the past. I have a home in Italy where the first two Saecos were purchased and a home in the U.S. where I have my third.

I had second thoughts about buying an Italian coffee machine in the U.S. because all of these at one time or another require professional maintenance. Every single one of my 4 espresso machines has had to go to the shop for one thing or another. In Italy, espresso is part of everyday life and there are a lot more of these machines in use and being serviced. My authorized Saeco dealer near my Italian home knows these machines very well and always provides expert service.

My U.S. machine recently stopped providing enough hot steam to froth milk properly. I contacted Saeco USA and was given a warranty number and instructed to send the machine to their Livermore, Californa shop. I did so and in about a week the machine arrived back at my home. When I unboxed it, the machine had been sealed in a plastic bag and placed in the box. When I opened the plastic bag, water poured onto my floor. Not a mere amount of condensation either. The entire machine was soaking wet. The repair center it seems was so unfamiliar with these machines that they didn't know to pump out all of the water prior to shipping. Then, I read their repair report which said that there was no problem with the machine and recommended that the customer (me) let the machine heat up before trying to use the steam wand. (I've been letting it heat up and steam twice trying to get hot frothed milk to no avail)

The machine is no better than when I sent it in...it still doesn't provide enough hot steam to froth and I'm out the $40.00 shipping and packaging that I spent sending the machine to the service center. I notified Saeco USA about this last week and requested a replacement. I haven't heard back from their company.

My recommendation...if you live in Italy where these can get serviced properly, by all means buy one. When it is working correctly it's a nice machine. But, if you are a U.S. customer, I'd pass.

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After my old, cheap combo drip/espresso coffee maker gave up the ghost, I decided to invest in a serious espresso machine. I followed the advice given by Alton Brown from his Good Eats episode on espresso and wound up with the same machine that he uses. It's a lovely semi-automatic machine. By semi-automatic, I mean that the machine pushes water through the portafilter to make coffee as long as the switch is on; it's up to you to decide when to shut it off. Same goes for the milk frothing attachment. But the frother attachment is a big, wide plastic tube which is easy to clean, the water tank has enough capacity for a week's worth of espresso, and the pump can make for a lovely shot of espresso with a beautiful head of crema.

I think I would have preferred the design esthetic of a previous model, where the brewing and frothing switches were on/off switches as opposed to up/down buttons, but that quibble aside, this is a lovely machine for do-it-yourself espresso and cappuccino.

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I purchased this for 300$ with free shipping and a free kit including 6 espresso cups, saucers, spoons and a milk foaming metal pitcher and some espresso blend grounds as well. This machine works great, it's solid, simple, small and powerful. The machine warms up quickly and has few buttons so it won't confuse you.

**Like most machines of this sort, you do need to learn how to use it and it does require maintenance every so often (rinsing, descaling, etc...) but once you use it as it is intended, the results are stellar. Maybe it's just the grounds, but this thing pumps out espresso just like I remember from my trip to Portugal; great crema and very straightforward to use. The steam wand works great, better than some commercial models I've used working in cafe's.

Just make sure you prime the water circuit and warm the portafilter (where you put the grounds) before you put the grounds in. Warming the portafilter has the side benefit of warming the cup as well(which you'll put under the portafilter to catch the water), which most espresso snobs will tell you is necessary for great espresso anyway.

The espresso water pump and the steam wand do seem to continue to leak water a tiny bit after use, but keeping them over the water tray is instinctual and I have heard that even commercial models will drip a bit of water out immediately after use so I don't consider it a 'con', not really a 'pro' though either.

All in all, for this price, I couldn't be more happy. The machine is quite nice to look at too and the extras that I got it with made it a steal of a deal by my standards. It doesn't come with a real 'tamper' though, I'm still trying to find one, it's amazing how most kitchen style stores don't actually sell them.

Contents: machine, water tray, grounds disposal tray with wooden 'hit me here to empty' thingy, removable water tank, water tank top, portafilter with accessory for using ESE pods or regular ground coffee, espresso scoop/spoon.

5 stars so far and if it keeps up it's good work.

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DeLonghi DCM900 10-Cup Coffee Maker

I had this coffee maker less than three months when it just stopped brewing in the middle of a brewing cycle. I immediately called customer support and spoke with Erica. She was very pleasant and offered several suggestions, including de-scaling the machine. She told me to call her back regardless of the results. None of her suggestions succeeded, including de-scaling, which proved to be impossible since the DeLonghi wouldn't brew anyway. And if the coffee maker did need de-scaling, its built-in de-scaling warning light never went on. In any case, I had a mess on my hands and called DeLonghi customer service back. This time I reached Amanda, who couldn't have been nastier and wouldn't or couldn't allow me to speak to Erica. I asked to speak to her supervisor, Josh, who was extremely condescending and unhelpful. Unfortunately, it was then that I decided to do my research, not before. It turned out there were numerous complaints registered with the Better Business Bureau concerning DeLonghi, several of which DeLonghi simply didn't respond to. DeLonghi's policy required ME to pay to ship their product to a service facility in Delaware for them to decide what to do with the machine. This is a very expensive coffee maker that has virtually no special features to warrant such a price tag. I am sorry I didn't do my research before I bought such a terrible product with awful customer support. Be warned before you repeat my mistake. I am currently awaiting word from the powers that be as to the disposition of my $225 investment.

Bought this about a month ago, even though I could not find any reviews on it, I went for it.

reason's...

#1. LOOKS! this is one beautiful coffee maker!

#2. 1500 watt S.S. boiler, that rocks. 6 minutes for a full pot.

timed it.

since I have had a chance to use it I have found the following.

You need some room, from a height perspective. it has lids that flip up for adding coffee and water. I had to relocate this to a part of the counter with no cupboards.Work out fine, I LIKE to show it off!

cleaning is a snap.

very simple, one toggle, off and on, thats it!

It seems to be built very well, time will tell.

If you want a beautiful machine that gets the job done,(water temp ect) I would HIGHLY recommend it. If you want a machine that you can program to make coffee for the next week. this is not the one.

So far I LOVE it. a work of art!

update:

unfortunately it quit working after about a year..have not tried to contact customer service. it was great while it worked.

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My old coffee maker stopped working; it was old and heavily used. I desperately needed a new one Amazon Prime to the rescue. In no time at all I took delivery of the DeLonghi DCM900 and put it to work. I like the look of the machine, and it worked well. For a month.

It stopped working one day.

Because it had been delivered just over a month before it stopped working Amazon were not interested in helping resolve this issue.

A series of fairly frustrating calls with the DeLonghi service people followed, but eventually they said they'd ship me a replacement. All I had to do was send back the plug from the broken machine, and they'd send me a replacement. I sent back the plug, and nothing happened. After a couple of weeks I called and was told that the replacement was on back-order and would be at least a month.

I don't function too well without coffee, so a quick trip to a local store saw my kitchen equipped with a cheap and cheerful Mr Coffee coffee maker as a stand in.

Eventually the new machine arrived, and worked fine. Until this morning when it just stopped working. Dead. On the positive side, this one lasted four months before it died.

I am not going to bother asking for a replacement,and will NEVER buy another DeLonghi product.

My kitchen is now equipped with a nice looking completely non-functional DeLonghi DCM900 and a cheap and cheerful functional Mr Coffee coffee maker. Guess which makes better coffee ?

Now the search begins again for a good coffee maker. . . .

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Stopped working after 2 months of just once a day brewing and meticulous cleaning. Waiting for Amazon to return my money since it was only warranteed by Today's Concept for 30 days. DeLonghi wants me to return this "piece of junk" at my expense which I refuse to do. DO NOT BUY THIS. Pay attention to the negative reviews for they have quite a bit of merit. The coffeemaker works very well at first but then it goes kaput for absolutely no reason. It will happen to you also.

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It was love at first pot. I was starry eyed with excitement over the best at-home coffee I had ever experienced (and I've been around the block a few times with coffee -I am a junkie). But just like most sudden loves, it faded fast. After 3 weeks of passion, my coffee maker sputtered, steamed and just stopped working. Like a fool, I have ordered a replacement. I hope this time things work out.

Bella Espresso Maker Countertop Series

This machine works perfectly fine after practicing the "Brewing Espresso" process described in the instruction manual and requires a certain timing. The machine works great when used properly and it's only $40?? Don't let the bad reviews stop you. Until you get into units costing $100 or more, espresso at this price is going to be the same.

For people having trouble, here are the steps I take for two shots of espresso. (Even though only 1 oz of water is required per shot, having more water helps with pressure.)

1) Fill carafe to the 2 "Cup" line with cold water and pour into pressure chamber.

2) Fill ground espresso into metal basket to the first line, or just use the scooper provided. Unfortunately, the tamper end of the scoop doesn't go deep enough into the basket so you will have to be creative or order a new tamper; then, tighten the basket into the espresso maker.

3) Turn the machine to "Brew" by turning the knob in the up direction. The orange light should come on.

4) Let the pressure chamber heat up to form steam.

5) When the espresso begins to pour, it won't be at the right temperature since the steam becomes hotter the longer the machine is on. Switch the machine to the "Steam Spray" by turning the knob down so that the steam can increase in temperature and pressure. If you are frothing milk, this is the stage for that.

6) When the steam is at full heat and pressure, turn the knob back to "Brew" and the espresso will flow out at a perfect temperature, including the "crema stage." Once the espresso exits the crema stage and starts to look "watery," turn the machine to the off position. You are done brewing espresso! (By anticipating the watery stage, you can cut the machine off early so that your creation doesn't become diluted.)

Clean Up: Unlock the basket and empty it into a garbage can while holding the black tab on the handle. If necessary, give it a quick rinse. Then, place it back into the machine.

Depressurize: To allow the rest of the steam to escape the chamber, turn the knob to the "Steam Spray" setting or "Brew" setting. I choose to use the Brew setting by placing the carafe under the spout and letting the hot water/steam exit. Once the red pressure button on the top of the machine releases, turn the machine off.

Some of the reviews for this product are a bit misleading. I've owned 3 of the Mr. Coffee Espresso machines, the Mr. Coffee ECM20 Steam Espresso Maker, Black, Mr. Coffee ECM250 4-Cup Espresso/Cappuccino Maker, and recently the Mr. Coffee ECM160 4-Cup Steam Espresso Machine, Black..and this one by Bella does just as good a job for the price it's at. The ECM160 reservoir finally got too clogged from scaling due to the water I was using. It's just my fault for not cleaning it often enough. Remember to keep up with that, people!

I too wanted a replacement, and as much as I wanted another Mr. Coffee machine, like Walmart's (Mr. Coffee BVMC-ECM260 Espresso 4 Cup Stainless Steel Black Target was the only one to have this in stock on it's shelves.

Here's what I've experienced so far in the past couple weeks:

* The water heats up just fine, in fact I think it's a bit hotter than I've gotten from the other models

* The coffee scoop/wrench that comes with the machine also has a tamper incorporated at the end of the handle, which is a nice addition. Though the scoop portion is a bit oversize for pouring coffee into the brew basket.

* There's a pressure button that pops up on the reservoir lid when the machine is on, which is informative. But if you've owned an espresso machine before, you probably already check to see if there's pressure still in your machine before opening the lid by turning the brewing knob.

* The steam wand cover does what it's supposed to, to keep milk from bubbling up and drying on the metal parts of the wand. There is a hole towards the top of the plastic wand that I refer to as the "snorkle". It's there to keep air flowing thru the wand. So if you bury the steam wand to the point the milk froth is being sucked into it, you're not frothing your milk correctly. Keep that hole clear.

* I miss the flat platform that the Mr. Coffee machines have in their design now. It was a nice way to keep my spoon and scoop organized. Bella's has a flat area on top, but it's just big enough to lay the coffee scoop over.

The only really problem I had with the machine, is trying to clean it for it's first time use. I followed the directions in the manual to brew 2 carafes of water before I start making my coffee. It had that usual plastic-heated smell I've had from the Mr. Coffee machines before when I was brewing it clean. Even turned on the steam wand to blow out any junk in there into a cup of water, which after 10-15 seconds, the water became slightly cloudy each time.

Which I figured that got it cleaned. Apparently I was wrong. When I started brewing my first cup, I could still smell the plastic-heated odor. It covered up the smell of the coffee it was still so strong. Made the first couple cups taste funny, so I tossed them. But the smell wasn't as strong the more brewed. So on the 3rd brewed cup, now into the 5th use of the machine, there wasn't as strong a smell and the coffee tasted fine. I don't remember how many cups my Mr. Coffee machines took to get them cleaned of that same "smell", but I suspect it was about the same. So really the directions don't really help on cleaning your machine for first time use. So if you're thinking about getting this machine, or any like it that's just as cheap, I would suggest you brew 5 carafes of water. Or do what the manual says, brew 2 carafes, then a carafe of vinegar like you're descaling it so that the acids will break down whatever junk is sticking inside the machine. It might be too much hassle for most people to deal with though.

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I bought this for about $40 on black friday and it works well enough for me. I like espresso but I'm not going to spend hundreds of dollars on a machine. This is simple to operate and requires very little maintenance. The only cons I have are (1)the "lock" thing that holds the espresso cup in the handle is worthless and breaks off when you're trying to throw out the grounds and (2)it feels cheap and sometimes it takes 5+min to brew my espresso.

It's good enough for me for $40 but I wouldn't pay $70 for it!

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Target has it for $30. Heats up fast and surprisingly puts out a lot of steam to froth the milk.

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I've been making mochas, machiattos, and lattes for a while now using the reliable old fashioned Bialetti stove top perculator espresso makers and this is my first electric espresso maker purchase

I just came home from buying this from Target. It's on sale on a "temporary price cut" for $29.99

Brewed two carafes of water (no coffee) to clean the machine, per instructions. I went on to brew the first two espresso cups on it including frothed milk.

Perfect two shot cappuccino with warm,steamed, well frothed milk! Damn, 30 bux for a machine that makes a good cappuccino!

The internal parts seem to be metal eventhough the outside is plastic so that's a good sign.

I swear I'm excited and happy about this purchase!

It's so easy with this machine that a nutless monkey could make great mochas, cappuccinos, and lattes with it.

Hamilton Beach 49970 Personal Cup One Cup Pod Brewer

*** Note 8/6/2012 So I'm finally able to update this thing, now that Senseo is starting to get some product in stock. A few things to note for those new to Senseo, their majority holdings from Philips were recently sold to Sara Lee I believe, and this caused a massive disruption in production and availability for the US, and thus Senseo brand coffee had been unavailable for several months. They have also made the decision to go to online-only shipping of their coffee, meaning you will not find Senseo coffee in stores anymore. The in-store alternative is the Melitta brand pods, which fit the Senseo maker, and should be sold in places such as WalMart. Personally, since Senseo has also increased their costs of their coffee (while also jerking their customers such as myself around for months), I won't really recommend the Senseo brand anymore. Decent coffee depending on your tastes, so you will have to decide what's worthwhile to you.

The review for this pod drip brewer will still stand, as it is still working just fine.

***

I love this little thing!

Originally, we had a very nice KitchenAid 10-cup Coffee Maker in our kitchen. It did its job very well, but for a long time I had been eying a Keurig machine. I'd had Keurig coffee in the past, and loved it. Looking at the machines, you'll quickly see how much of an "investment" it is. First, the machines are incredibly expensive; they make smaller models now, but even those start around $60-$70, and many don't have stellar reviews in terms of longevity. Next, the K-cups are also very expensive. Sure, you can buy the reusable thing, but if I'm going through that hassle, why do I even need a specialized brewer to begin with? It may work fine for some people's lives, but in my own, I wanted a machine that eliminated the mess and hassle of measuring quantities and looking for the "perfect brew".

I purchased the Hamilton Beach Personal Cup One Cup Pod Brewer on a whim; it was on sale, and figured, what the heck, I'll try it.

When I first plugged the thing it, and poured some water in the back to cycle through, it immediately spattered at me. Apparently, it can turn itself on when you first plug it in (I've purchased 2, and both did it out of the box, but haven't done it since).

I'm not gonna lie, this isn't some super durable machine; its cheap plastic, but unless you're planning on tossing it across the room, it should get at least a few years life out of it. I've had our machine for about 5 months now (wow time flies), and use it daily without any problems. My wife, whom was always timid of making coffee with our KitchenAid, now likes to make coffee for herself, and sometimes for me as well to start off the morning (tell me THAT isn't worth $20). The Senseo pods are cheaper than K-cups, especially if bought in bulk.

On to the product itself, it looks sleek, but pretty unimpressive. I don't know about you, but that's perfect for my kitchen; every inch of counter-space should be cherished, and this has freed up quite a bit, not to mention the visual space as its half the height of my old coffee maker as well.

Its a simple one-touch operation. To make a brew, slip in a Senseo pod (or 2), add some water to the back, put your mug under the spout, and press the large button on front. That's it.

As for the taste, well that's really a personal preference. I like mild, smooth coffee, which this really delivers. I liked the medium blend (a pack is included free) so much, I ordered a huge box of it! I use a small cup of water (approx 6-8oz; I recommend using filtered water), and one pod, but the machine accommodates 2 if you like it a little more "bold" or have a slightly larger mug (keep in mind, no large mugs will fit in the spout). We received a 6-piece mini-mug kit for Christmas, and those have been perfect for making a small little cup to start the day (it also limits my coffee intake, and I've been good with sticking to it).

Yes, this machine isn't anything fancy, but it does its job day in day out with no issues, and works so well that we replaced a very expensive machine, and we haven't looked back. It worked so well, we ordered one for my parents at their request they were so impressed with it.

If you have a large household of coffee drinkers, this may not be the way to go, but the good thing is it only takes 30 seconds or so to make a cup of coffee, and you can personalize each cup. It would make an excellent personal coffee maker at the office as well. Amazon has a pretty decent selection of Senseo pods as well. If you prefer to buy in-store, Target usually carries the Senseo pods, but doesn't have much of a selection, depending on the store.

As a side note The medium blend goes really well with Internationl Delight: Carmel Macchiato Creamer (don't get the skinny though, that's pretty...unimpressive). Have it practically every morning; their Chai Latte is pretty good too.

***Edit 10/7/2011***

--------------------

Just wanted to say that this coffee maker is still brewing coffee just fine, haven't had a single issue with it yet so far. Still have the daily routine of small cup of coffee with International Delight: Carmel Macchiato creamer, its just such a great way to start the day I don't need to mess with it.

One other note I will mention is that since I have recently started composting, I have found that the coffee pods are perfect for composting! After use, just throw 'em in the bin, that's all there is to it. Not everyone composts, but figure for those that do, it will be good to know; less waste, and the perfect component for growing plants (you could technically just stick a few in the ground and it helps to neutralize the soil Ph; Gardenias love having coffee grounds in my alkaline soil from my experience).

My Senseo finally died and I didn't feel like buying a new one. A friend told me about this little one cup coffee maker that uses Senseo coffee pods so I bought one. So far it works like a gem. Sure it's a bit "plasticy" and cheap feeling but it makes me a mug of coffee on demand and is letting me use my collection of various Senseo (and other) coffee pods. A small mug is the largest you can fit under the spout so be forewarned about not being able to use a tall mug. Device allows for one or two pods. I'm pleased with it.

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I bought this coffee maker for myself for Christmas because I wanted a single serve maker, but I didn't want to pay the money for a Keurig. Imagine my surprise when I got a Keurig from my husband for Christmas....but I also got this. So we set up the Keurig and I put this away. Shortly after Christmas my grandfather who lives with me entered his final journey with cancer. I moved into his apartment to care for him 24/7, and I opened the Hamilton Beach so I could make a quick cup of coffee during the night while sitting up with him. I was shocked to discover that this little $20 coffee pot makes just as good coffee as my $150 Keurig.

1. It doesn't brew as fast as a Keurig that is "ready to go"...but it takes the same amount of time to brew a cup of coffee as a Keurig that has been "off" over night and you have to wait for the water to heat up. In my opinion, it is still faster than brewing a "traditional" pot of coffee.

2. I don't like really strong coffee, so if I'm using a smaller mug I can get away with using 1 pod of medium roast coffee. I've read some reviews of people who think 1 pod is too weak...I think that is a taste preference, and also depends on if you are using more water for a larger mug or not. Just my opinion and not a criticism of people who like really strong coffee. If you like coffee really strong, then 2 pods of medium roast might not work for you. Hard to say. :)

3. The pods are cheaper than a Keurig. We use this coffee maker along side our Keurig, and it helps us to save a little money by alternating machines. Both make good coffee, but each machine's coffee tastes different...this tastes more traditionally brewed than our Keurig. I know that might sound odd, but that is the only way I can describe it (and if someone else knows that I'm talking about and knows the answer to this mystery, I'd love to hear it!) Because of the taste difference, I prefer flavored coffees on this machine rather than the Keurig for some reason. Again..not sure why, but I do.

All in all, this holds it's own against a coffee maker 5 times the price. For someone who is looking for a single serve without the single serve price, this is a really good coffee maker!

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First, I bought this item at Walmart on clearance. Bought one for $10 intending to take up to the office. Our hot water spout on our water cooler at home (yes, it's that bad here) went out and this has replaced it. I ended up buying a second later at $9 (both included the free bag of pods) for the office since we're keeping the first one at home. My wife and I use it almost daily to make coffee, tea, and hot chocolate. We interchange the tea bag for a coffee pod (depending on the tea, I will either leave the bag in my cup or actually use the basket) and have great results. I prefer using this over the microwave for hot water as it doesn't take much longer and stays hotter longer. It's quick, efficient, and easy to clean. Hot chocolate will splash up on the basket if you put it in the cup first, so be warned. We've been using them for about three months with no problems. Here are my main talking points:

1. Single cup reservoir: you get about 8oz from a single brew and have to fill it up each time. This, to me, isn't that much of a problem as we keep it near our water cooler and I can get a 16oz cup of water from the breakroom at work to get me through the morning. I plan on buying a water jug for the office and will keep a gallon or so handy at my desk and just refill as needed. All in all, this is not a deal breaker for me although more expensive models have larger tanks (and a bigger footprint). For those making cups to go, this may not be the best option as you would want to brew two cups to get what you need.

2. Quick: thing brews quickly doesn't take any time at all. I actually find that it's done before I'm ready to drink most days. It's also no louder than any other coffee maker that I've found although I'm referring primarily to the 8 or 10 cup machines here never had a personal one.

3. Inexpensive: for my take, it was a test to see how much I like having a personal brewer. For the $10 I spent, I got 18-36 cups out of it (yes, I reuse my pods for a second cup sometimes... not terribly strong cup of coffee but I'm kind of cheap :o), get a $1.00 off coupon for the next bag of pods in store, and can even get another free bag for registering with Senso online (hello dummy email account!). So, for $10 it was a worthwhile investment and turns out, I love having a single cup brewer.

4. Works: it's not as fancy as the other makers you can buy, just fill it up and press the tab to get your cup started. Coffee comes out hot in no time, and you're ready to go. I can see maybe wanting some of the other features but, for the most part, this simple functioning machine does exactly what I need.

5. Versatility: As I said, we make coffee, tea, and hot chocolate in this thing. We put a tea bag in place of the coffee pod or just leave it in the cup to brew as the water comes down. For me, it depends on the tea and what I'm doing. For instance, when making a chai latte I will brew the bag in the cup and leave it for a few minutes, then add sugar and milk. Wonderful as going to the coffee shop. Also, it's got a small footprint that makes it easy to store doesn't take up much room in our small kitchen or my desk space at work (cubicle environment). I use an extension cord at work but that is mostly due to where outlets are, and you can tuck away extra chord inside the machine if using close to the plug.

I give it five stars because it meets or exceeds all my expectations make sure you know what you want out of it and you will be pleased. This works GREAT for someone like me, with minimal expectations who just wants coffee on demand without the budget for the top tier makers. Even at $20, I think this is a great deal. Check Walmart first though never know what you'll find!

Side note: I'm still looking for a reusable pod for this to save money on pods (UPDATE: we're considering buying an Ecopad tried product link but couldn't find the product we're actually looking at and it's difficult to know which is which so we haven't pulled the trigger)$5 gets you 18 pods. I reuse each day so not terrible, but as stated I'm pretty cheap.

12/16/2011 UPDATE: my wife purchased a Keurig B40 model at Walmart as an anniversary present for me so I can compare the two units a little bit. I will say that the K-Cups make a great cup of coffee (got 12 in the box with the machine) but I'm still not a fan of the waste. We have EcoBrew reusable cups arriving today or tomorrow from Amazon for it. My initial thoughts: this maker moves faster the Keurig takes 4 minutes to warm up. This unit is also quieter and has a MUCH smaller footprint. Keurig has a reservoir (48oz) which is nice but still has to be filled every few days. Also, the B40 has a small cup and large cup size why would I make a small cup if I can get a large cup out of it (remember, I'm cheap)? Larger setting is nice for travel cups though, and I found that the K-Cups are also reusable. I can get a couple small cups out of one cup or one large and a mediocre small. Still not a fan of the waste they produce though. Once up and going the Keurig actually makes faster. We've still go the other though, and I don't see us getting rid of it. I'll still use my other daily at the office as well. All in all, I personally feel like this little maker is on par with the $75 Keurig as far as what it produces in the end, just doesn't provide all the various options.

12/24/2011 UPDATE: We decided today that the Keurig is going back to the store for a refund in favor of the Hamilton Beach We're going to try the the Ecopad and maybe home made options. I'll report back in a few weeks on how it goes.

3/8/2012 UPDATE: I no longer use the Ecopad. I found it more difficult to use because the cap is a separate piece and it has to be cleaned out after every use. We've taken to following another reviewer's tip: I get a filter for a small pot (maybe a 4 cup or less if available), add coffee (1tsp to 1tbls depending on your preference), and create a sack by twisting the top. I don't cut the excess off I prefer to push it down to the side to ensure it doesn't open. If you overfill it, it will force it open and you'll have hot water and coffee all over the place. This has been the most effective method so far, and the least costly. We also use the Senso pods.

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I love my little Hamilton Beach one-cup coffee maker. No, it's not the absolute best cup of coffee I've ever had, but as a casual coffee drinker who doesn't really drink more than one cup at a time, it's perfect.

It did take several cups before I figured out how to make a good cup. I almost sent it back after the first couple cups. However, I found that if you make sure the edges of the coffee pod make a good seal in the bottom of the basket, it greatly improves the quality. Otherwise, the water runs around the pod and you get a VERY weak cup of coffee. I've heard pre-wetting the coffee pods helps, but I don't usually worry with that step.

Since figuring out how to make a good cup with the machine, the quality has been both consistent and good. I've had it for about a month and am getting ready to order my second bag of coffee pods. I would recommend to the casual coffee drinker.

Capresso 10-Cup Coffee/Cappuccino Makers

After spending a few weeks researching various coffee makers and reading numerous reviews and online user reports, I settled on the Capresso CoffeeTEC due to its features and the theory behind how it brews coffee reduced aeration to hold flavor (vacuum sealed carafe), no burner to bake the bean and increase acidity, and 190+ degree water dispensed into the brewing basket, which is very hot for a coffee maker!

I have to admit, I was nervous. I saw two general complaints that were common from online user reports. 1) The carafe did not maintain the water temperature, and 2) the frother ceased to work. A few comments on these:

Thermal carafe: I have no clue how anyone can be having a problem with this carafe, unless there's a problem with the heat of the water entering the carafe or in how they're storing the coffee after it brews (like, in the refrigerator, perhaps).

I did some tests on the carafe after getting my CoffeeTEC. The carafe was at room temperature (not pre-heated, as some suggest) when doing this test. Immediately after brewing straight water with the carafe in the closed position, I measured the water temperature at 189.3f using a digital thermometer. I closed the carafe and let it sit for exactly one hour then measured the water at 182.1f, a drop of only about 7f, which is fantastic! Now, I also brewed a full pot of straight water on my now-replaced Mr. Coffee, which sat on a hot burner during the brew process. After brewing, the water temperature was exactly 178f. So, after one hour in the thermal carafe with no burner contact, the Capresso water was hotter than the Mr. Coffee immediately after brewing. Very impressive results!

Frothing problem: I have noticed that the plastic pieces that connect the milk container to the frother do have to be sealed properly for frothing to work. Also, it is necessary to clean the items after frothing; a very simple and quick process. Occasionally my unit will not froth immediately even though the steam would blast in an attempt to froth. This has been very easy to solve. After turning the steam on, I simply press the milk container tightly against the plastic piece that connects it to the frothing nipple. Don't worry if you don't understand this description. You have to own the unit to know the pieces I'm discussing. Just understand that with some minor manual jostling, the milk will flow and froth wonderfully!

Now, as for my assessment of this coffee maker... it is the best coffee maker I have ever owned! I'm knocked-out by the quality of brew I'm getting. Just as good if not better than commercial coffee houses, because I can make it to my specifications!

A few comments on this though... it took a few weeks for me to figure out exactly how to use this coffee maker so it brews to my liking. When I brewed my first cup, I didn't care for it. Keep in mind, this unit brews water quickly through the grind. It extracts flavor and aroma through heat, not prolonged water contact with the bean. As a result, you will have to use more coffee than most coffee makers.

As an example, I used to measure one rounded tablespoon of beans (pre-ground) for every two 5oz cups, then I'd add one extra tablespoon for added body. So, for 20oz of coffee, I'd use three tablespoons of beans. With this coffee maker, I've learned I need to use one tablespoon for each 5oz cup plus one extra for added body. So, for the same 20oz pot of coffee, I use five tablespoons of beans.

Also, the other detail I discovered is, it was necessary to grind the beans finer than I had before. I've started grinding the beans on the Espresso setting of my grinder rather than the automatic drip setting. This made a huge difference on the strength and flavor of the coffee.

So, keep in mind you'll want to play with the quantity and fineness of grind. If you use canned grinds, you have much less leeway. You'll just have to add much more grind, but be careful! Don't add too much or it will overflow the basket. Always adhere to the maximum grind amount Capresso recommends in the documentation.

The coffee maker comes with a gold filter. You may or may not like using the filter; I elected not to use it. The gold filter allows more oil and particulates into the coffee. Some like this; others don't. It makes for an oilier, cloudier brew. Using paper filters, more of the fine particles are filtered out and much of the oil is kept from leaching into the carafe. The coffee is cleaner, clearer and not murky. I prefer using paper, but the preference is highly individualistic. I'd suggest running some tests and decide for yourself.

In the end, I find the coffee to be superb! This coffee maker is a fine-tuned piece of equipment that responds to the subtlest of changes you impart on the brewing process. Change the fineness of the grind or the quantity of beans used and you'll experience a noticeable difference in the outcome of the brew. After I determined the right balance that suits my pallet, all I can say is, "Wow!" The flavor and body is nutty, winy and full, the aftertaste smooth and non-acidic, and the aroma outstanding! I highly recommend this coffee maker.

But, plan to make a number of pots when you first get it with the understanding that many of those pots will probably go down the drain. It'll take some test runs to determine the quantity of coffee you'll want to use, the fineness of grind, and which filter to use. With due diligence, you'll have a splendid coffee maker from which you'll enjoy each day's coffee for years to come, custom made specifically towards your taste.

So, read the other reviews for what they are and keep in mind some of my comments. In my experience, many of the complaints reflect a user who hasn't experimented with the grind quantity and fineness, and hasn't been adventurous enough to work the "piping" when frothing.

I've been impressed with the well-thought out products coming from this relatively small company in the small appliance industry. Their Swiss designers have the leading edge technology in coffee makers and the CoffeeTEC is the latest innovation. Coffee is brewed 10 cups in under 8 minutes, and that's fast. The idea is to have the fresh coffee exposed to hot water for the minimum amount of time, so flavor is extracted without extracting the bitter parts of coffee flavor. CoffeeTEC does this really well. A special 3-5 cup brewing selector makes it possible to brew a perfect small pot of coffee. The coffee goes directly into a stainless steel vacuum carafe, and after removing and sealing the pot the coffee stays hot for hours but never gets heated over and over again as in a traditional hot plate coffee maker. The Auto Cappuccino feature is a genuine plus for those of us who want some frothy milk with our coffee, it turns cold milk into hot milk and froth in seconds. Since all the works are outside of the coffee maker, it's easy to clean and to remove the milk container for refrigerator storage. This is a winner in the category of latest coffee technology.

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This is the second review I have written for this product (Please see the review directly below this one by "bookdeep"). I am pleased to report that we now LOVE this machine, ever since we discovered the "trick," and I am writing again to try and rectify the embarrasingly harsh review that I sent before. As I said in the first review, the coffee machine works fine: it makes a great cup of coffee quickly and efficiently, and it is easy to clean. Initially, we had some difficulty with the frothing mechanism; however, the solution turned out to be very simple. In order to start the steaming/frothing mechanism, there is a large dial that must be turned one-quarter turn from "Twelve O'Clock" (Steam Off) to "Three O'Clock" (Steam On). We discovered that when you turn the dial to the Steam On position you have to bear down on the dial a tiny, tiny bit: maybe the dial would actually go to 3:01 on the clock face, maybe even less. When we do that, the frothing starts immediately, every time. It seems that our trouble was that we were a little too delicate turning the dial. Note that this "overturning" is very slight: we wouldn't want anyone to damage the machine. I wish that I could take back the previous review because that low rating will have an affect on the average for this product, but I cannot. I hope that writing to correct our error will help others who may consider this machine. Please note, that in spite of the brand name "Capresso" this is not an Espresso machine; it is a coffee maker with a frothing mechanism, which works amazingly well now that we know the trick. If this is the combination that you are looking for, then we cannot recommend this machine highly enough--it does do both of these jobs very well. And now that you know the trick, maybe there will be fewer frustrated, and more happy, coffee drinkers like us.

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This is a fine, easy to use, machine that I'm really enjoying having in my kitchen. I had never used a milk-steamer before, and found the idea a little intimidating. But the process is really quite painless, and now I'm wondering why I did without it so long (even my java-phobic bride is enjoying homemade hot chocolate thanks to the steamer).

Anyone who enjoys having a pot of coffee on-call throughout a morning should avoid glass pots like a cliché and instead use a thermal carafe like this one. Not only does it keep coffee steaming hot without constant re-heating, but the wide top and easy-off lid make for easy clean up when you're done.

The coffeemaker is elegantly designed, seems relatively sturdy, and looks nice on a countertop. Plus, it's fast, fairly quiet, and -as I said -easy to clean.

For someone like me who just wants to enjoy coffee without trying to become a home barista ('professional maker of complex espresso drinks'), this is as much machine as I think I'll need ... at least until the one with the built-in burr grinder arrives.

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It makes the best coffee I've ever had. The carafe works perfectly and keeps the coffee hot, and at nearly peak flavor, for hours. Those few reviewers who say that it doesn't keep the coffee hot simply have a carafe with a broken vaccuum seal.

I'm bothering to write a review because I had a problem with the machine, as some others have: the steamer stopped working properly, and the water tank was leaking. But at that point my experience was totally different from that of other posters who have complained about problems with the equipment and Capresso customer service. Get this: we had no warranty information on the machine, having received it 2nd-hand. Still, when my wife called their customer service, with no questions asked we were sent a pre-paid UPS label to return the unit. I put it in a UPS box on a Monday morning. On Wednesday afternoon---two days later---I received a new machine via UPS. (I know that they first received the machine I sent before sending the replacement because they replaced exactly what I sent, no more, no less; i.e., I sent the machine with just the water tank, none of the other parts, and I got back just a machine with a water tank.) I'm as pleasantly astonished by UPS getting it back and forth so quickly as am by Capresso simply and immediately fixing the problem at no charge.

Maybe Capresso "got the message" about customer service and made some changes. I could be bothered that the machine developed problems in the first place, but hey, things break. The bottom line for me is that it makes PERFECT coffee and, when there was a problem, Capresso took care of it astonishingly well.

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Tassimo Single-Serve Coffee Brewer TAS1000UC

I purchased this machine because I like to drink various drinks as the whim takes me. Tassimo allows you to do this. Also, most of the time I'm by myself, so don't need to make a large pot of coffee. Before I made the purchase, I was comparing Keurig with the Tassimo. The reason I chose the Tassimo was a) the price b) the T-discs were more available than the K-cups and the only K-cups the stores here carried were Van Houtte coffee, which I detest c) reviews said the Tassimo makes better lattes and cappuccinos. I'm extremely happy with the machine for the following reasons:

absolutely no mess

the availability of different brews, from very dark roasts to light roast, hot chocolate (which IS a bit sweet), teas, lattes (in particular my fave, chai latte), cappuccinos, espressos, cremas and even decafs I like a darker roast but was even able to find t-disks that were too strong for me

I like that I can have 4 friends over and give them their preference of hot brews

the tank is big enough that I don't have to fill it for each cup

the bar code reader means a perfect brew each time

the size is relatively small, smaller than my old espresso machine and my regular drip coffee machine (both of which have now been sold off)

you have a cup of coffee in a matter of minutes vs a drip coffee machine or even a french press

using just the cleaner disk, you can also simply spit out hot water for your own tea bags

most of the t-disks are a reasonable price, brewing a cuppa can be less than 50 cents a cup. The Starbucks disks are more expensive, taking you closer to a dollar a cup, but what the hey, what did you pay the last time you actually went into a Starbucks? :)

Cons and yes, even though I LOVE this machine, there ARE some cons:

most of the disks make a small cuppa (10 oz)unless you get the breakfast blends, which will make a bigger cup, or you can simply brew 2 disks.

the cup stand doesn't have finite adjustment you can fit a regular sized mug, the stand adjusts for smaller mugs, but then it's a big leap to a large mug. If you have a slightly bigger mug, you have to set it on the bottom and then you get some splashing

the foam is not as stable as coffee shop foams, but then for $99, I didn't expect it to be. As well the foam stability depends on the t-disk manufacturer as well. Nabob cappuccino was quite firm foam that lasted the duration of the drink.

t-disk storage takes up a bit of space but I'm still in the "try all the varieties until I find my favourite brew" stage, so I have a lot of selections at the moment

In Dec 2009, Tassimo is coming out with packages of just the latte cream. You will then also be able to use it simply as a milk frother if you wish, or you can make any of your favourite brews into a latte.

Aug 2010 this machine has been updated somewhat. The newer machines are a bit smaller, taking up a bit less room yet, on your counter. This is mainly due to a redesign of the tank. I just bought my second machine and will be taking the older one to use at work.

Apr 2011 I just had an opportunity to compare the Tassimo system to a Keurig. To be fair, the Keurig was the single cup model, which requires you to add water each time. I found the Keurig to be incredibly slow to brew, in comparison with the Tassimo. I don't know whether it's the single-cup model or whether all Keurigs are that slow. I didn't like the coffee, but do realize that different brews can be found in the K-cups, other than the one that I was provided with (Timothy's).

Tassimo has just released more T-disks, there are now decaf cappuccinos available as well as a black tea disk. As for the Starbucks disks being discontinued, I'm not aware of that as they are still widely available in Canada.

July 2011 I can now voice displeasure at Tassimo customer service. In Canada, when you purchase a brewer, you are promised coupons for two packages of free disks. I registered for my coupons, yet several months later had not received them. I contacted customer service again, now several months ago and was promised replacement coupons which I also have not received. If you purchase one of these brewers, DO NOT expect free disks with them. If you get them, bonus.

As well, I've noticed a swing in t-disk availability. T-disks seem to have dropped off drastically in popularity in terms of being available in local stores. K-cups have increased greatly. Though I still think the Tassimo is the better machine, I have now purchased a Cuisinart K-cup machine. At present I continue to use both. The K-cup advantage is the ability to use your own coffee blends, which Tassimo still does not offer.

August 2012 I have now made a complete switch to the Keurig system. My reasons for this are following:

the selection of K-cups is HUGE compared to t-disks.

Starbucks switched from Tassimo to Keurig meaning that I could finally get K-cups that I liked still don't like strong coffee, but too many of the other K-cups are too bland, forcing me to brew them at 8 and even 6 oz

never did receive my free t-disks, which really kind of made me angry

the second Tassimo machine now has the red light problem light comes on for descaling, but despite going through the treatment, the light has remained on, this is obviously an issue with the Tassimo machines

stores don't carry the full line of t-disks, so limited selection of t-disks AND limited availability

the Keurig machine tanks are a little easier to fill as they are either on the side or at the front top, instead of the Tassimos which are at the back, making accessibility difficult if you have it sitting on a counter under upper cupboards

I still say Tassimo has the better system, but they need to improve their customer service, their machine descaling light and their selection of t-disks as well as their marketing to major retailers. Keurig still does not do any foaming drinks and is still a much slower machine, but I find I'm using it more than I used my Tassimo simply because I can find a lot of K-cups that I like (iced tea, variety of hot teas, and lots of different brews). When a friend recently asked me which system I preferred I used the analogy that the Tassimo was like a Beta machine and the Keurig was like the VHS (yes, I date myself with that one!). The Beta machine was a much better system, but everyone bought into the VHS.

I have to say this item has impressed me more than any other kitchen appliance I have purchased in the last fifteen years.

Like all new "concepts", you tend to raise your eyebrows a bit about a new method of preparing an age old food preparation, whether it be a blender, chopper, or in this case the traditional coffee maker. Frankly, my only real concern was the future availability of the Tassimo Coffee "T-discs" as without them, the system becomes useless of course.

But after my father passed away two years ago, my mom began to drink "instant coffee" after being a brewed coffee devotee for over 65 years. Brewing 8 cups of traditionally made coffee for a single elderly person just seemed to be a big waste of time, as well as unused coffee. She seemed to be, a perfect candidate for this unique individual cup coffee brewer. Having tried this item once in an upscale Resort Hotel on a business trip, I was convinced to give it a try as an answer to my Mom's particular situation.

The coffee was absolutely WONDERFUL! She has fell in love with Starbucks Columbian "pods", but I also purchased the Verona, Cappucino, as well as the Expresso Pods and will continue to purchase new blends as they beome available. As my tea drinking Sister lives nearby and visits often, I also purchased the Twinings Chai Latte as well as the Earl Grey Tea "T-Discs" so she could enjoy a hot beverage with our Mom while they are together.

Although I traditionally grind & brew my own Gevalia Coffee Beans here at home in a 8 cup brewer, I decided to purchase an additional Bosch Tassimo maker for my home as well; as the availability of Expresso and Cappuccino brews is something I can now enjoy as I desire. Now, my Sister's best friend who lost her husband recently has tried it at my Mom's home, and they purchased her a new Bosch Tassimo maker for her home for her recent birthday gift.

Incredibly easy to operate, my 87 year old mother has no problem in brewing the wonderfully fresh hot brewed coffee she had enjoyed for over 65 years.

I want to thank Amazon.com for once again searching out yet another unique and quality made kitchen appliance that has become a big winner for our entire family of coffee and tea lovers. I just received an Email from Amazon notifying me of a new shipment of Tassimo T-discs that has arrived at their central warehouse which is just another way this fine Internet Products purveyor does an outstanding job for their regular customers.

THANK YOU AMAZON!!!

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Easy to use, great tasting latte and cappuccino, much cheaper than coffee house, what more could I ask for? The answer is: nothing. Okay, maybe a smaller unit I can buy as a 2nd unit to keep on my desk at work.

Instead of spending $4-$5 dollars everyday for a coffee house latte on the way to work; I just make a double or triple latte straight into my insulated travel mug and I'm all set for the morning.

I also enjoy the bolder brews such as the Starbucks Verona T-discs. The Twinning Chai Latte is also excellent as an alternative to the daily espresso. If you go more for hot chocolate, I definitely recommend the Milka over the Suchard (which is way too sweet for my taste). Either works well to make your latte into a mocha. For espresso and latte; I prefer the Gevalia.

Maintenance so far has consisted of a descale after 9 months.

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I've owned one of these for a year, purchased at Bed, Bath, & Beyond (I guess this qualifies as "beyond"). I'm not very impressed by this product, in spite of the hype and high price.

I bought this (instead of Senseo or Keurig) because it was totally automated, and had this way cool bar code reader. Huh... I also wanted Starbucks coffee, which wasn't available from the other brands.

First off, I've found that the coffee tends to be either too weak or too strong. The remedy for too strong is to manually add hot water, which is fine if you like standing next to the coffee maker with your finger holding the button for 15-20 seconds. There is no remedy for too weak other than not buying that product. There is no provision for manually determining the portion size; this is set by the bar code on the pod automatically.

Second, the pods are quite expensive, and not easily available. None of the grocery stores around where I live carry them, and very few "boutique" stores carry the coffee types I like, including the BB&B where I bought the maker originally. I've had to buy the pods mail order, mostly from Amazon. I've ordered a few items directly from Tassimo, and found that their service leaves a lot to be desired. Their shipping charges are high, even for ground shipment, and the items took over a week to arrive the last time I ordered.

Third, the "head" of the thing (whatever it's called) seems to require frequent removal and cleaning with soap and water. This can be a pain in the neck.

Fourth, there is no way to use your own blend of coffee or make your own pods as there is with the competition. You're stuck with whomever Tassimo negotiated. (For example, they don't sell a REAL cocoa mix; it's "chocolate FLAVOR", which tastes like crap to me). I also found I didn't really like the selection of coffees, even Starbucks.

In conclusion, I'd recommend one of the alternatives if you want a single-cup brewer. I just bought a Keurig from Amazon, and so far I'm impressed. I'm selling my Tassimo...

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I like coffee but I don't drink it everyday. To me the coffee tasted pretty good. My wife loves coffee but drinks only like a cup a day. So take my review for what it's worth. If your lucky enough you can try a cup or sample if you know someone who has one or catch it on demo somewhere. The main competitor of this is the Keurig coffee maker which you can also catch on demo. These machines are great so you don't have to wash a coffee pot everyday for just a cup or two of coffee. If you drink a lot, then stick with the pot. These machines advertise no clean up. Yeah right... You need to rinse any parts that come into contact with liquid and wipe it. Still easier than washing a pot and filter tub. If you don't then your coffee will taste off and the build up will cause problems later. And not to mention that is just gross.

The difference between the Tassimo and the Keurig is that the Tassimo reads a barcode on the coffee discs and it adjusts the brew temperature amount of water, pressure,etc. and by doing this you can have a regular cup of coffee, espresso, make a latte, americano etc. with the milk discs. So you can make different types of coffee drinks. It won't be as good as the rob you blind coffee shops but still decent. Imagine how much money you would save after a month. But keep in mind, most of these type of single cup coffee makers make about 8 ounces of coffee. Most orginated for the European market and they drink like 4 ounces. You can manually press a button and send more water through but your coffee will be watered down. You don't have the option of buying your favorite flavor with a larger serving. There are only a couple coffee flavors out there that makes an average Amercian mug sized serving.

The Keurig is basically a drip machine. You choose from like four programed drink sizes and the machine will dispense as such. The premeasured coffee grind cups are more suited for the smaller serving. The bigger the size, the more watered down the flavor will become. Since this is more of a drip machine, it can't make an espresso or latte style drink. The coffee on the Keurig also tasted decent.

Here are some points that might help in the decission proccess.

Tassimo can make drip, lattes, cappucino, americano, and espresso type drinks. But remember, it won't be like from a real coffee shop. Just an imitation. Keurig, only drip. Both offer teas as well.

Tassimo small selection of varieties compared to Keurig. Keurigs offerings is huge. Keurig also has a reusable cup filter that you can put your own coffee grinds in and make your own so basically your selection of coffee is limitless. It comes included with the machine depending on where you buy it.

The Tassimo coffee is not as available in stores. You can find them mainly at Bed Bath & Beyond and Target. And they carry only a small selection. The Keurig coffee you can find just about anywhere and more selections.

If you drink mainly just drip coffee more than lattes, espressos, etc. Then probably better off with the Keurig and treat yourself to a real latte, espresso, etc. at a real coffee shop because it will taste better. If you like changing up and can live with it's not the real thing but better than paying $$$ for a cup. Then maybe the Tassimo. If a good cup of coffee with the fancy names is the world to you and you can afford it, then stick with what you are doing now.

I didn't bother to mention the other single cup disc/cup coffee machines out there because they are not as popular and you might be stuck with a machine that you can't find coffee for. Hamilton Beach now makes a single cup coffee maker unit and also a dual single cup / 12 cup coffe maker called the Scoop and the Dual. The single is a small unit that comes with two premeasured reuseable filters that you use to scoop your grinds in and then place directly into the unit but it doesn't have a timer. The dual unit is a full size coffee maker with a seperate single serve maker on the side. The dual does have a timer function that works for both sides. Both units have two brew strengths to choose from. The units can take the senseo coffee discs also, but be aware that the senseo discs are designed to be used with a pressurized system. The Hamilton Beach does not use pressure and you won't get the full intended flavor out of them. The reviews have been pretty positive on the Scoops.

So bottom line is flavor and availabilty of coffee. You can buy online also if you can't find what you like in the store. Something you should take into account if you don't live near any stores that carry your favorites. And mind you, the stores carry only a limited selection of offerings. You have to go online if you want the full line of flavors. And with Tassimo you are really limited in the stores compared to Keurig. Next time you go to a store, take a look at what they have and you will get an idea of what I am talking about.

Update: Starbucks did not continue thier contract with Tassimo, so your selections is dwindled down even more now with Tassimo. I down graded my review from 4 stars down to 3 stars now because of the even less limited varieties of coffee available for Tassimo.