Gaggia Brera Superautomatic Espresso Machine

This was my first foray into semi-automatic espresso machines, so even though I don't have a lot of experience, I was extremely careful in the treatment of the Brera. I cleaned it weekly, and descaled it on a regular basis. Unfortunately two things happened. About a month ago, every third or fourth espresso started coming out extremely watery. It seems that the beans were not being properly syphoned into the grinder properly. It appears that the machine makes the espresso regardless of whether there are enough beans in the hopper. When they did go in, it would make great crema. Last week, however, it developed an electrical issue. The machine would not prime and after playing with it for a few days, it refused to turn on all together. Ugh. I will attempt to get it repaired, but I am not hopeful. So for 900 dollars I got about 4 months of great espresso and a nice countertop decoration.

I bought the silver version about a year ago to replace an aging Capresso C1000. Unlike the burnt taste and warm espresso with the c1000, this unit produces excellent espresso in both taste and temperature. For your reference, I mostly use Giggia Intenso whole beans.

However, there are some minor problems not related to the espresso produced.

1. After about 4 months of use (latte in the morning), the top silver plating of the frothing handle started to peel off. It turns out that this peeling piece is made of plastic that covers the internal metal frothing tube. However, the paint peels off this plastic since it can't withstand the heat of the steaming hot metal. The part was replaced under warranty, but they charged me $6.95 for shipping. While this piece doesn't affect the functionality of the unit, it sure cheapens the look of the unit.. all for a lousy piece of plastic.

2. The water container is too small. Water has to be refilled after few shots of espresso. Not a problem for personal daily use, but annoying if you are entertaining more than a few guests.

I wish I could give this 4.5 stars, but that is not an option. Therefore, I'll give 4 stars since they made me pay shipping for a cheaply made plastic part that was still under warranty.

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Since Whole Latte Love won't print my review (please note others have assigned the machine 1 to 2 stars, yet only glowing reviews are published) I will back up the problems others have reported here. I always research big dollar purchases on Amazon and trust the reviewing community, and others should be forewarned about the Gaggia Brera. I bought it to replace my workhorse Saeco Superautomatica that trucked along for 8 years with typical repairs and part replacements. I make only one 2-shot latte a few times a week out of this machine, so I'm not asking a lot. I appreciated the quieter grind and operation of the Brera, the espresso was good, and the steamer worked great (although the wand is peeling and unattractive). My first complaint was that the ground beans overshot the press and filled the side of the machine. I also bought this for its bypass feature which made sense to brew the occasional decaf or flavored coffee. I contacted WLL, and they told me to use a brush and clean the shoot. Huh?? So I got used to wasting a lot of coffee and cleaning out the machine weekly. Should have returned it then. Now it's demanding to be primed and stuck cycling through the signals. This indicates the flow meter or self-priming valve is broken...and many have reported this problem. So...$140 to ship off for repair on top of the $650 purchase price after less than a year. Stay away from the Gaggia unless you want a pretty looking paper weight.

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I relied heavily on the brand name and reviews when I purchased this product, but was extremely disappointed upon its arrival. For $897 I would have expected a much more robust structure, but it is almost entirely plastic and, frankly, very chintzy in feel and appearance. I followed the setup instructions precisely but after only 3 cups of espresso, the service door which encloses the brew group warped to the point where the door opens during brewing and shuts the machine off. The coffees it made were not bad, but I literally had to hold the service door shut to keep the brewing cycle on. Gaggia needs to throw some of the $897 at some higher quality materials and rethink the service door design. Another disappointment was the absence of the special water filter. They refer to an "Intenza" filter in the instructions and the product description at both Gaggia.com and Amazon.com say this filter is included, but not so. Only a small molded plastic filter. BUST from beginning to end!!!!

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Bought Gaggia Brera through Amazon about a year and a half ago and worked well until all of a sudden got stuck in a "prime loop" where all it could do was prime over and over again--no more brewing.

I have cleaned and descaled it exactly as instructed in manual and did all of that again to troubleshoot to no avail.

here is a YouTuvbe video descring problem although their's occured right out of box and I had excellent espresso for a year and a half.

Gaggia Brera Superautomatic Espresso Machine, Silver]]

I am out of warranty and now have to find someone to repair it.

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Stainless Steel Spoon

I have owned it for about a week now, and wasted almost a liter of milk trying to work some froth. I have tried different kinds of milk (low fat, non fat, full fat) and at different temperatures. No USE.

The handle is not too convenient to hold and first things first, it doesn't make any froth.. I am returning it in a day or two.. Save your money, buy something else..

Earlier, i had a similar one (another make) and used to work just perfectly. Too bad, i had given it a friend when i moved from Europe.. I regret that decision even more than buying this hopeless product.

Its heavy, good looking and absolutely useless.

I find this frother works quite well. I use organic non-fat milk and microwave 6 ounces in a glass measuring cup for 1 and a half minutes on high. This warmed the milk to 165 degrees F. After pouring the heated milk into the frother, I apply 100 strokes on the plunger and let the foam stand for at least a minute before using.

I have used this for a month with repeatable results, so I have experienced much better success than the 1-star review previously posted. This frother seals much better than the glass variety with only a little foam escaping at the lid seam. After having 2 glass frothers crack, I feel this is a much safer option.

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This frother is great! Much more durable than glass. I think the person who gave this a poor rating just wasn't heating the milk enough. I heat about 6 oz milk in my microwave on high for 1 minute and it works great. Strongly recommend this frother.

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Krups XP4050 1200-Watt 15-Bar-Pump Programmable Espresso Machine

I must start with saying that this is my second XP4050 in one month, the first suffering from two problems. One problem was the same that others have mentioned here, when water stops coming out of the filter head and instead just dumps into the drip tray from an apparent overflow-type valve in the bottom of the machine. This only happened once, corrected itself, and never happened again. The second problem was that I noticed a small amount of water occasionally leaking from the buttons on the front and the stainless portion on the front of the machine would also get VERY hot. I believe these were one problem, possibly the brewing portion leaking.

I contacted Amazon online and was shocked at the ease and speed of getting a replacement model. At no charge to me, including shipping, I had a brand new XP4050 within 3 days.

The new model works perfect. I am a somewhat new espresso afficienado, having been making my own at home for only about 2 years. This is my second machine, my first being a Krups Gusto that recently died. I decided on the XP4050 after a great deal of research and comparing features versus cost. The price I got this model through Amazon was literally half what I was looking at with other brands.

As far as use of the machine, it couldn't be easier. I use mostly pods but have tried grounds with equally easy and great tasting shots. The three different filter baskets for brewing are held in the handle firmly, which was an issue in my old Krups Gusto (I accidently threw away the single shot filter basket). The frother performs very well although I have not tried the attachment for pulling the milk from a separate container. As others have said, make sure you keep an eye on your drip tray, it does tend to fill quickly. I empty mine every 4-6 shots.

Overall, even considering my initial "problem" model, I am extremely happy with the XP4050. It's a great looking, inexpensive, easy to use machine that consistently puts out quality shots of espresso. I would recommend this model to either new beginners or someone looking to step up a little.

Ahh great coffee at home

Firstly I am just a wee amateur when it comes to coffee. I hate instant coffee and wanted quality coffee at home that was easy to make.

I just purchased this machine last night; it's our first pump espresso machine. It took me a couple of goes, messing around with the machine to produce a good coffee, but I seem to be getting quicker and better with each additional coffee I make.

It's fairly simple to use. The pre-programmed 1 or 2 cup buttons take all the guess work out of the coffee creation process. It is also very quick to fire up (become ready from power up to coffee creation) in comparison to some of my friends machines.

The autocappuccino (milk foamer) also works well, with surprisingly little mess or effort, but be sure to use very cold milk.

So far the machine seems to be very easy to clean after your perfect cup, no drips or mess which I have read about in other reviews.

I have not tried the ESE pods yet, but I am sure this eliminates any coffee ground mess.

I hope this helps, enjoy

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Last month I decided to replace my aging, 6-year old Krups espresso machine. It had provided great service but, thanks to a less-than-rigorous regimen of descaling over the years, was getting long in the tooth. Its pumping action was weakening, and the steamer would occasionally get rambunctious. I was happy with Krups, so I replaced it with another, the XP 4050. Bad choice.

The XP 4050 just didn't work as it should. On some mornings, after the machine heats up, it goes into a frantic blinking mode when I try to pump. And it didn't pump...its four blue lights just blinked furiously at me.

The machine's manual did not describe this behavior, so I called the Krups consumer help line from the manual. (Incidentally, kudos to Krups on that help line. I got to a human pretty quickly.) I described the symptoms, and they emailed me a UPS label to send the machine in. Four weeks later, a replacement arrived.

It does the same thing.

Another criticism: The steamer nozzle is useless. It's like a four-year-old blowing bubbles into a cup of milk. My old machine had a healthy steaming nozzle that was a whiz at frothing. The XP 4040 is no match. Adding to the aggravation, the steamer attachment has a little air-induction tube that keeps falling out.

I'm sorry, Krups, you've gone astray. The machine's going back to Amazon.

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I have owned the Krups XP4050 for over nine months now and have used it daily ever since it was purchased. I knew I was taking a risk when I bought the XP4050, as I had read the many negative reviews on Amazon. The primary reason why I took that risk was that I was able to get an extremely good deal getting well over $100 off the typical retail price. I feel fortunate not to have experienced any of the serious issues some of the other users have had.

There is a learning curve to the XP4500. That's for sure! Here are the things that I have learned in the time that I have owned the machine:

1. The water tank must be seated properly. Period!!! If it's not, you will get the flashing blue lights as others have pointed-out. When inserting the water tank, it should firmly stop when fully seated. You will feel a slight detent when it's seated properly. If it feels "squishy" and the tank pushes back up slightly, pull it out and start over again. I have noticed that the tank inserts easier the more the XP4050 is used.

2. Clean the inside of the brewing head frequently. It doesn't need to be after every espresso, but it should be done at least when you've finished for the day. I usually use a paper towel to do this after I have run a cycle without the filter holder. I also occasionally use a brush to remove grinds that accumulate in the brewing head.

3. Yes, the machine has a "rubbery" smell when it is new. It will go away after a while of usage.

4. Do not use the "auto cappuccino accessory." While the auto cappuccino accessory usually does an OK job if you want a latte, it suffers from three drawbacks: A) Results wildly vary. B) Milk does not get hot enough. C) There is only enough foam produced to top off a latte. It does not produce enough foam for a real cappuccino.

5. For a decent cappuccino, purchase a frothing pitcher and use the "perfect froth accessory." Oddly, the instructions for the XP4050 on the Krups website does not mention the perfect froth accessory, so I do not know if it was not included in the older units, or if it is no longer included in the newer units. Hopefully, it is still included. If you don't have it, you really need to get it if you want to make a decent cap. More importantly, you need to learn how to use it. This took me a long time to figure out because there are no decent instructions on how to use the attachment. Really, I should record a video on how to do this, but for now, I'll try to get the idea across here:

A) Remove the small stainless tube from the perfect froth accessory (PFA).

B) Attach the PFA to the steam nozzle so that the black rubber protrusion (that holds the small tube) points away from the machine.

C) Fill 1/3 to 1/2 of your frothing pitcher with cold milk (depending on how many caps you want to make).

D) Start steam process on the machine (I assume that users already know how to do this).

E) Once steam (not water) is coming out of the PFA, raise the frothing pitcher up to the bottom protrusion of the PFA so that the top of the milk is just barely over the hole in the protrusion. If the placement is correct, you will see the milk being sucked in to the hole along with a little air. If the hole is too high, you will get large air bubbles. If hole is too low, the quantity of foam will be significantly reduced. The foam will build upon itself if you are doing this correctly. Continue to create the foam until the milk has been heated to your liking.

Hope these tips help. Good luck with your XP4050.

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My husband purchased this espresso machine for me and I was thrilled at first. It worked well for just shy of 2 months, then broke. The water would no longer draw up into the filter it would only drain into the drip tray. We exchanged it for the exact same model and the new one was worse! We followed the instructions to prime it before the first use the night we received it and turned it off without making coffee. Luckily I smelled something funny before going to bed or else my house may have burned down! Internally the machine didn't turn off and it over-heated so badly that it scorched my counter and warped the plastic on the top and sides! The second machine never made a cup of coffee... We promptly returned that one as well and decided to purchase a different machine entirely! Please don't waste your money on this product!

Cuisinart DCC-1200 Brew Central 12-Cup Programmable Coffeemaker

I've had the Cuisinart DCC-1200 for about a week now. I was hesitant to spend so much on a coffee maker but I'm happy to report it's well worth it. Sure, you can get other brands of coffee makers for under $25 if economy is the most important feature, but I've had those machines and I decided that, this time, a good cup of coffee was most important for me. This unit makes the best coffee I've had in a home or office machine and better than most coffee I've had in restaurants.

This coffee tastes smooooooth! I suspect the charcoal water filter is the reason for that. I also like the "shower head" design of the water spout. The water actually runs up a track onto the underside of the lid and is sprinkled over the ground coffee like a rain shower.

It's an attractive unit but it also looks like a serious coffee maker. This unit is no toy. It looks and feels solid. The carafe has a good solid feel and balance. The plastic parts (like the plastic carafe lid and handle) feel like good heavyweight plastic and are well molded. It's not the lightweight crappy plastic that cracks and discolors easily in the cheap coffee makers.

I like the 5 beeps when the coffee is ready. Now I can leave the kitchen and go clean or whatever and I don't have to keep running back to see if I can get a cup yet. I can hear the beeps. But if I really can't wait and want a cup in mid-brew, I can just remove the pot and pour a cup you've got a full 30 seconds to reinsert the pot, before you risk an overflowing filter.

I like the permanent gold-tone filter too. I always thought paper filters were a pain. They'd fold over sometimes and there'd be grounds in my coffee. But you can use paper filters in this machine if you want to. I just prefer the convenience of the gold-tone filter (top rack machine washable too).

It has an indicator light for cleaning -it says it's "self-cleaning" but really it's just a light telling you when you need to pour in a pot of water/vinegar and run it through to decalcify the unit. (I never thought to do that with my other units. Probably another reason my coffee wasn't as good as I wanted it to be.)

The low-medium-high setting on the hot plate is pretty nice too. And the auto-shutoff feature is great. I don't have to worry about forgetting to turn the machine off.

The instruction booklet is very good and very thorough. Comes with a parts reordering form too.

What don't I like about this machine? It requires maintenance in that you have to change the charcoal filters. But actually I don't mind since I think they are the reason the coffee tastes so smooth, and they are very easy to change and not expensive

Also, the area in the top of the machine where you pour in the water is narrow but again this is just a minor inconvenience. Just have to pour a little carefully.

So really it's almost all positives with a couple of very minor negatives. I highly recommend this coffee maker.

(2008 HOLIDAY TEAM) When my Braun FlavorSelect coffee maker unexpectedly stopped working, I had to scramble to find a new machine. I wanted another Braun, but unfortunately, they seem to have stopped making a 12 cup coffee maker. So I had to begin an intense search for a machine that had the features I wanted combined with good value. I finally found it with this Cuisinart model.

The advantages? For one, it makes excellent and HOT coffee. The carafe is solidly constructed and fits securely in square body so there's no chance of someone accidentally knocking it loose. Because the lid fits tightly, the pour is precisely narrow and smooth, with no side leaks even when the pot is full. The basket fits inside the housing instead of swinging free like so many models which prevents a misalignment between the water and the filter; the conical (Krups/Braun style) basket accepts both paper filters and gold-tone, although I learned the hard way that not all gold filters fit. The timer is very easy to program, as is the clock. The carafe warmer can be set at low, medium, or high for the temperature that's right for you. I found the "high" setting too hot since I drink my coffee black (I like my coffee hot but not scalding!), but those who add a lot of milk might appreciate it. The brewing is quick and efficient, with the process taking about a minute a cup, maybe less. The retro/stainless look complements most modern kitchen décors. There's a 1-4 cup setting to make sure such small amounts stay hot, and you can select how long the warmer remains on. The pot beeps five times when brewing is complete and just before the warming plate shuts off. Parts are top rack dishwasher safe. It comes with a water filter system designed to improve the taste of the brew.

But the Cuisinart does have disadvantages. The water reservoir is located on the right side, in the back, which makes it a little challenging for lefties like me to dump the final bit of water inside even though the carafe pours very accurately. Although I haven't yet missed the opening, I do struggle briefly with those last few drops unless I use my right hand. The housing is fairly tall, so if your counter space is only under the cabinets, you may not be able to lift the top in its entirety. (This is when the small rear reservoir becomes a major issue as you have to have room to completely lift the rather large top toward the back.) Clearance required: 7.5" wide by 8.5" deep of counter space with no overhead obstruction to pull out for filling OR 21.5" of overhead space to fully lift top. Without the top open, the coffee maker measures 7.5"w x 8.5"d x 14.25"h.

If you have the space for this coffee maker, you'll love it. I can't attest to how long it will last, but, as it comes with a three year warranty, I'm hoping for a good run.

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Two weeks ago, I needed a new coffee maker. The Krups Aroma Control maker is in all the stores and catalogs, so I bought one in the local mall BEFORE reading the Amazon reviews. BIG MISTAKE. Lesson learned read the reviews many negative comments. I used it for 3 days, and readily understood the description (...) of "eye candy" (looks nice, but seems like cheap plastic) and weak coffee (what they describe as a feature allowing the coffee to steep is really a euphemism for a poorly designed system that is guaranteed to give you a weak cup of coffee). One redeeming feature the carafe is very nice.

Within 2 days of having the Krups, i was on Amazon looking for a replacement coffee maker (a good cup of coffee is critical in the morning!). I went out on the risk curve and ordered the new Cuisinart no reviews yet. The Cuisinart has a more classic brewing system (water goes through grinds via gravity), yields a delicious cup of HOT coffee, has a variable temperature hot place, and looks and feels solid. We happen to have stainless steel appliances (refrigerator, freezer, stove), and it matches beautifully. Best news excellent coffee!. I would highly recommend the Cuisinart.

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Folks, this is one excellent coffee maker. I read the comments here and decided to get it even though some had complained of spillage when lifting the lid and also the coffee not being hot enough. Well I can tell you that when I lift the lid on mine, the water rolls to the back and then drips back into the machine on a nifty little lip attached to the back of the machine. It appears that Cuisinart has engineered a solution for the complaints of spilled water that some reviewers mention. Also, the coffee coming out of the carafe of my machine has steam drifting off of it, so it is plenty hot, another complaint that seems to have been remedied. There were also a couple of complaints about finger prints on the stainless and the small LED clock being hard to read, but let's be for real, all brushed stainless appliances will fingerprint and this is a very stylish coffee maker, not a kitchen clock(that's what your microwave is for! (wink)). Actually I think the Cuisinart guys intended the clock for autoprogramming functions and made it LED to match the stainless on the machine. And if you don't like the water filter, you don't have to use it. It is a nicety and can be readily found if you search the net for "dcc1200 water filter".

Enough defending complaints though. This machine makes superb coffee. It has the best carafe I have ever used(it will not spill a drop and it has a built-in plastic rim to keep you from busting it on the sink). It comes with a gold metal filter. Buy it and you will like it. And if for some strange reason you don't, then take it back. All jabs aside, this is an outstanding machine in form as well as function, and the people at Cuisinart obviously care what their customers think of their products. That means alot to me. How about you???

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I've commented on others' reviews, but wanted to get this up there where people can see it readily. I liked this coffee maker a LOT since I got it just over a year ago. It has a few little quirks, which you'll read about in other reviews, but made good coffee and I hadn't had any problems with it. UNTIL last week. It auto-brewed like normal and my husband had taken his coffee and left the pot with the remaining coffee (2-3 cups worth) for me to drink later. I came into the kitchen perhaps 20 minutes after the brewing to find the pot BOILING...literally, a HARD, rolling boil, there was a little smoke and the kitchen smelled like burning wires. I cringe every time I think of what "could" have happened if I hadn't been there! I removed the pot, unplugged the unit, and poured water into the reservoir in hopes of cooling it down which worked.

I was outside the return time for Amazon so I contacted Cuisinart to inquire about the 3-year limited warranty. They "normally" charge a $10 replacement fee, plus require you to pay to send the old unit back to them. They were willing to waive the $10 return fee, but I paid $9.95 to send the old one back. I haven't yet gotten the replacement, but after doing more research, I've decided that I don't feel safe using it. I've contacted the Consumer Products Safety Commission (1-800-698-2772) and suggest that anyone with a similar problem do so. I think that this coffee maker should be recalled.

I'm adding more here in hopes that this review gets refreshed and up to the top again! In addition, I've commented the following on another's review:

"I'm one of those who posted in an earlier posting about the fire hazard on this coffeemaker. I am SHOCKED that it is still being sold! People if you are looking at this coffeemaker, I suggest you keep looking. Yes, it makes great coffee and looks great, as many reviewers have said. However, please give more weight to the safety issues than the coffee or the looks. As far as I can tell there have been no injuries from this...but it seems just a matter of time. If you insist on this coffee maker, don't ever leave it alone on the stay warm setting!"

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Encore Coffee Grinder

*** 1 Year Update***

I have been using this grinder multiple times per day for a year now and so far I have NO problems to report. It still grinds just as well as it did on day one, the burrs are still sharp and I still love this grinder. I have no doubt I made the right purchase and I am glad I didn't opt for the "fancy" lcd models with the automated grind features; to me all those extra bells & whistles = more that could break. If I were to upgrade, it would be for a unit in another "class"; perhaps the Vario, but that is several $100 more and I don't see any reason to do so at this time. I will add that there is a 1 star review on this site that complains about larger beans not feeding through the hopper. Initially, I thought it sounded silly; however, not long ago, I roasted a batch of beans much darker than usual (VERY VERY dark roast), resulting in the beans being about 1 1/2 times their usual size. While grinding, I noticed that about 4 beans got lodged between the hopper and burrs. I tapped the side of the unit a few times and the final beans fed through the hopper. I had this happen two or three times. So, I suppose if you habitually use a bean that is much larger than your typical coffee bean, you might have an issue. Just search through the 1 star reviews for more details (at the time of this update, there was only one 1 star review).

Summary: fantastic grinder for an excellent price makes this a best buy in my book and I highly recommend it to anyone who is a serious coffee drinker.

***Update***

I've been using this grinder daily for almost 4 months, grinding enough for about 12 cups each day (maybe more on weekends). I usually use it early morning, afternoon and evening. I grind mainly for drip and espresso, occasionally for French press or pour-over. I still have no complaints with this grinder: I believe I made the right choice between this and fancier LCD options. I've ground for a 12 cup pot on numerous occasions when company comes over, and it never overheats or bogs or slows downI don't think it notices if you're grinding for 1 cup or 12! Everything is solid and the burrs are still sharp as ever. Once a month I disassemble it to give it a good cleaning. It doesn't seem to retain much grinds in the chamber. My only gripe is the static build up after grinding can make a mess when you pull out the grind chamber: there are enough grinds clinging to the exit chute to scatter on the counter if you're not careful (to be fair, this is a common problem plaguing all burr grinders). But really I don't even notice that anymore, after a couple weeks you develop your own routine on how to deal with it and it ceases being an issue. I tend to grind, prep the coffee pot/filter to give the static time to discharge, then I give it a solid knock or two on the side and front before taking out the chute (thankfully this is a VERY solid grinder). It might sound tedious, but I actually had to sit here and think about it because it's simply second nature now and I don't even notice doing it. The only time I notice the problem is when someone else uses the grinder who isn't aware of the "technique".

Another great feature is that baratza sells every piece imaginable should you ever have a problem in the future: right down to a new motor or exterior knobs! All the pieces seemed priced appropriately. So while this may not be important to some, I like knowing that should the need arise, my equipment is completely serviceable. So I guess when the day comes that I need new burrs, I won't be shopping for another grinder, but paying a small sum for a new set of burrs. I didn't find that option on many of the other units I shopped around for. Ultimately, I still completely recommend this grinder and would not hesitate to recommend it to anyone who wants quality, affordability and versatility all rolled into a single package!

***Original Review***

I've been looking for a grinder that I could use with my current espresso machine (pressurized portafilter), drip coffee pot, and french press and would also allow me to grow into a more expensive espresso machine (i.e. the Rancilio Silvia or Quickmill Silvano). I was looking at the Rocky grinder, the Baratza Vario and Virtuoso Preciso, the Breville Smart Grinder, et al. Then I came along the Encore which I believe is new for 2012. I read several "professional" reviews and even saw some video reviews where the Encore was able to "choke" the Silvia at around grind setting "6". If you aren't aware, the Maestro and Maestro Plus (which the Encore replaces) weren't able to grind fine enough to choke the Silvia straight from the factory. Although this grinder isn't "stepless" (you have a larger variance from one "click" to the next when adjusting the grind setting, you still get 40 settings which are plenty for any home grinder. With a little tamping technique, this grinder will work fine for any espresso machine not my opinion the "pros" opinion. I am currently using it with my pressurized espresso machine, my drip pot and the occasional pour over and french press. It works great for them all! While it doesn't perform as well (or so I've read) as the Preciso or other high-end grinders, the fact that you can even begin to compare them speaks volumes for Baratza. I believe that currently there is NO other grinder on the market that can stand next to this one in terms of quality & versatility within the price range. Maybe the Breville Smart Grinder, but it still costs 50% more, I don't like the LCD display and I've heard (no practical experience) from several sources that Breville customer service is not quite up to par. If any of you out there care, the Baratza Maestro and Maestro Plus were already popular grinders and Baratza completely over-hauled it and produced the Encore it offers WAY more at the same price. I'm sorry if this sounds like I'm selling the Baratza name, but this is the first of their products I've owned I'm just impressed they did this with the Encore. So often a company produces a 2nd iteration of a product with lesser features or cheaper quality parts. Check it out for yourself, the innards are improved for better durability along with the burrs for a more consistent and fine grind! WOW...who does that?!

Oh, and the first time I used it my wife was in the other room (separated by an open doorway) and she was shocked to find I had used it without her hearing it! Maybe when I close the door and begin my 5am grinding I won't wake the kids!

The only con (which I've heard is not an uncommon problem with this type of grinder) is that when I remove the grind container and IF I accidentally knock the grinder, leftover grinds can fall from the chute onto the counter. I have a Dustbuster within arms reach of the grinder so it's no big deal, but if I didn't, it might aggravate me.

I'm so glad I bought this and not one of the other many many brands I researched for months. I completely recommend it.

With "Baratza" being a high-priced coffee grinder name, this model was supposed to be a value. I was hoping for a bit more savings with this Taiwan manufactured model, but it's a bit overpriced to my standards. I grind specifically for a French press, and a setting somewhere around "22-24" gave the best grind for pressed coffee. After the initial cleaning, I've used about 3 tbsp. of minute rice once a week to clean the grinder so that I don't have to take it apart. The grind is very uniform, and each cup of coffee has the least amount of "sludge" left in the bottom of the cup, less so than any other grinder I've used. This model is relatively quiet and I've been using it for about one month. If you use coffee beans that are very oily, you may have to help them along in the hopper. For a standard french press, I fill the bean hopper until I can't see the little round burr-guard. Every time, this amount makes for a perfect cup of pressed coffee. I've ground everything from $27.00 per lb. Kona, to cheap USDA certified organic bulk-bag coffees from Costco. This grinder actually does a better job than our local coffee roasting companies here in Alaska. The grinder won't plug the french press with overly fine coffee grinds.

Buy Encore Coffee Grinder Now

This is a great $130 espresso grinder that can grind beans into a consistently fine powder suitable for most non-pressurized filter-basket home espresso machines. If the default factory "course" calibration does not provide a fine espresso grind enough for your needs, it can be calibrated at home for "fine" grind that adds the equivalent of an additional eight notches of extra-fine settings. See YouTube video "How To Re-Calibrate a Baratza Grinder" by "wholelattelovetv" for details. (Note: After re-calibration and re-assembly, you may have to initially rotate by hand the inner grind selection ring into a position that allows the bean hopper to be re-inserted.)

I did this home calibration to get an ultra-fine clumpy powder that can choke a non-pressurized filter-basket commercial espresso machine. Why pay over $300 for a commercial quality Rancillio Rocky grinder when you only need it for medium use at home. If you are willing to spend less than 5 minutes and calibrate this machine at home, you get a truly professional ultra-fine espresso grind from a small footprint medium use grinder!

Read Best Reviews of Encore Coffee Grinder Here

After reading the very literate, very glowing reviews about the Baratza Encore grinder, I thought I'd found our perfect match. It, after all, allows you to grind directly into a portafilter. Meaning a fine espresso grind shouldn't be a problem.

Following the instructions I "seasoned" the grinder with a batch of beans and threw the grinds away.

I then ground my beans for coffee. We do not use expensive coffee but it does come from a traditional Italian roaster out of Seattle. It's a dark roast and it is slick with oil.

This grinder seized up half way through the 1.5 cup of beans at a setting of 28 (french press grind). The motor ran. The beans weren't being ground. We cleaned the burr. We felt for a clog. We spent a maddening four hours reading the very simple instructions.

I made a small batch of french press with the grounds we were given. Terrible.

After rereading the reviews I am of two minds: 1. The grinder we received was individually flawed. 2. The grinder we purchased does not want super-fresh ground, super dark beans and certainly doesn't want to grind them to a fine espresso grind.

Since my fellow reviewers are so ardent and capable of illustrating this grinder's value and quality, I am hesitant to say that it was the grinder's fault that it didn't work for us.

However, I did buy another brand for less money and that thing is working like a champ. It is cleaner, quieter, sturdier (the Baratza Encore is plastic through and through save the burr itself) has more functionality and doesn't take up as much counter space. Our coffee is creamy, rich but wonderfully aromatic.

Also, the return postage on the Baratza Encore was enough to make me regret my initial decision to purchase the thing at all.

In the end, I'd be remiss if I didn't warn you traditional Italian roast fans that this grinder may not work out for you. Or it might and we got a bum machine. Either way, make sure you have an excellent return policy before purchasing this grinder.

Want Encore Coffee Grinder Discount?

After reading many reviews on grinders under $150, I chose to purchase this grinder. I am primarily grinding a dark roast bean, coarse settings, for French Press coffee. This is not the grinder for this application. In attempting to grind only 2 oz. of beans it was taking upwards of 3 minutes to grind, and, more dangerously having to put one's fingers into the hopper to force the beans into the burr. I followed the company's website and made adjustments to the speed of the burr grinder, but to no avail. I contacted Baritza directly. Their Technical Consultant was very good, but expressed that a dark, large, oily bean is a known problem with this machine and would not recommend it. He did say this problem does not exist in the next more advanced machine, the Virtuoso, which also carries a $100 more price tag. I am sorry to say but I will be returning this machine as it does not perform as indicated.

Factory-Reconditioned Breville XXESP8XL Café Roma Espresso Maker

I purchased this machine in July of 2008. The reason I decided to write a review at this time is because I am considering purchasing another one for my parent's 60th Anniversary and noticed all of the negative reviews.

I lived in Spain for three years in the late 70s and learned to enjoy espresso drinks while I was there. When I returned to the USA I purchased a very inexpensive machine which I used off and on over the years. I say off and on because it did not produce very good espresso and I would exile to the basement. Every few years however I would haul it back up expecting, I guess, that it had learned it's lesson while it was in 'time out'! I eventually decided to spend a little more money and try a better machine. I found the refurbished Breville Cafe Roma at Amazon for $95 with free shipping (even at $149 it is a steal.) I had a little trouble at first because it operated differently than my old one, but all I had to do was send an email with my question to Breville customer service and they would call me back and walk me though any difficulty I was having. In the intervening months I have become quite expert in the nuances of this machine. During the winter I make a latte with mounds of foam so tight you'd think it was whipped cream. In the hot summer months I make two-oz. of espresso and put it in the freezer overnight. THe next morning I put it in the blender with 6 oz. of skim milk and 1 tsp of vanilla sugar and hit the 'frozen drink' button. I get a smooth, frothy cold mocha drink that feels and tastes totally decadent but isn't. I can't start my day without one of these treats and they are both far superior to anything I have bought at several different upscale coffee houses.

As to the cups and frothing pitcher: my sister bought a new Breville Cafe Roma which did come with the additional items and she never uses them. The pitcher is too small (10-oz.) if you like lots of foam. I purchased a very nice Rattleware 20-oz. pitcher from Amazon and it is the perfect size. Neither my sister nor I drink espresso straight, but if I did I would not want stainless steel cups because they put my teeth on edge (no I don't bite them.) I much prefer glass or ceramic which can be purchased in beautiful colors and designs.

Bottom line: if you want good espresso and are either short on funds or filthy rich but don't need a high-end machine sitting on your counter to impress your friends and relatives, get a Breville Cafe Roma and be patient while you are learning how to become an expert barista in your own home then impress your friends and relatives with the delights you make with this machine.

I've only had this product for 2 weeks now so can't comment on it's reliability as a refub., but I have used it at least twice a day without issue. Needed a new espresso machine since my old KRUPS pump machine finally gave out after about five years. It's definitely a beautiful looking machine and if you follow the directions about heating and priming, you will make yourself a very good cup of espresso! It is solidly built with some heft to it and the pump system puts out good pressure for pulls and frothing. The heating plate on top does take awhile to heat up and warm cups, but it does finally get very warm. Also on this older model the frothing wand does not swivel front and back like the newer model, but I have no problems with it being stationary as it is. Alas this refurb. does not come with the stainless cup and saucer pair as described (hence 1 less star), but the great price more than makes up for it. I'm totally satisfied with this product so far....

Buy Factory-Reconditioned Breville XXESP8XL Café Roma Espresso Maker Now

First of all is the price I paid for a machine of this caliber! Second is its easy to use and clean. I've tried a plastic Hamilton Beach pump style espresso machine for $54 bucks and returned it the next day. I took a chance on this one and I like it too much, can't stop using it. It is much larger than expected but it looks fantastic. No more expensive coffee shops for me.

Read Best Reviews of Factory-Reconditioned Breville XXESP8XL Café Roma Espresso Maker Here

I'm all for purchasing refurbished items. But this item seems to have missed the refurbishing tech. Appears more used, then refurbished.

My espresso machine arrived today. It has a few scratch marks on the stainless. Top & one side. As well as, a small black pitted mark on the front chrome panel. But the unit does work.

However, the ad states. a set of stainless steel cups, and frothing jug are included. NO cups, NO jug.

I called Amazons help number. The CSR was kind enough to give me the number to Breville/HWI. I called, and was only able to leave a voice message. I then tried to send an e-mail to Breville/HWI. At the listed e-mail address on the instruction manual. askus@brevilleusa.com I tried this twice. Both times my e-mails were returned. Stating fatal error for this e-mail address.

Anyway, Will see what happens. This is one refurbished item. That just may get returned. I will repost the outcome.

Want Factory-Reconditioned Breville XXESP8XL Café Roma Espresso Maker Discount?

Such a deal!! I can't believe this espresso machine is on sale for around $100!!

I've owned a Gaggia espresso machine that cost over $300 and the Breville Roma is substantially better for one-third the price. First, it's all metal and built like a battleship. It heats up quickly and makes great espresso with plenty of crema. Make sure you get the right grind (the grounds should have the consistency of sand) and tamp the grounds into the portafilter with a bit of pressure. It's really simple.

We have this in our office and we are pulling at least eight shots a day. Even if it wears out in three months, it will have paid for itself several times over. No more afternoon runs to BigBucks coffee down the street.

For everybody complaining about not getting any cups--GET OVER IT! I went to IKEA and got a pair of insulated stainless steel espresso cups for $5.99.

Also, our machine appears to be brand new. It has no signs of wear and worked great right out of the box.