Kaffeologie S Filter - an Ultra Fine Stainless Steel Coffee Filter for AeroPress Coffee Makers

I have been loving my Aeropress for over a year now and have one for work and one for home. Compared to the French press, the Aeropress definitely improves the quality and efficiency of the brewing experience. However, even so, the paper filters are the weakness in my opinion. I've seen the other steel filter out for awhile for the Aeropress but didn't try it because reviews I had read stated it was too porous and let too much grit thru. However, when I saw this on Kickstarter and read the pre-review from Marco Arment (), it sounded like this problem had been solved because the mesh was fine enough to keep most of the grit out. I've had my S Filter for a week now and have pressed at least 20 times thru it. I think Nate & John have nailed it. The back pressure is about right when pressing and I feel that I can taste a difference with my routine press recipe (below). I feel like there is definitely more flavor in the cup and while a super fine residue remains if you leave your cup dry after finishing it, I don't feel it or taste it in the last sip. It cleans up well and makes one less piece to have to stock up on over time. I just ordered my second filter for work so I don't have to transport it back and forth. Thanks guys!

My favorite recipe lately is a slightly heaping scoop (15-17 g) of Starbuck's Dark Sumatra roast purchased in beans and ground finely (espresso). I do an inverted press with the plunger on the 4 and then fill with water to about the 1. I let it steep for maybe a minute after stirring. Then I press all the way thru, including the air. I really think that the oils are in the last foamy part of the press. Then I dilute that to bring the amount pressed into the mug to about 1.5 cm from the top.

I ordered one of these filters in November, and within a couple weeks of daily use and careful hand-washing it started to come apart.

Needless to say I was pretty disappointed. However, the filter was still functional, as it's more or less held together when the aeropress parts are assembled. So, honestly, at that point it was primarily a cosmetic irritation. I was annoyed, but I still wasn't sure that I was free of blame. Had I misused it? Had I thrown it in the dishwasher? Would the dishwasher be enough to ruin the filter? I didn't know, so I wasn't quick to write the seller and complain.

Eventually I did send them a note, and they were absolutely great to deal with. They replaced my filter hassle-free.

By this time I'd figured out what the issue was; the mesh of the filter is adhered to a metal ring. In the amazon picture you can see what I consider to be the bottom of the filter. You can see it appears to be 'stitched' to a ring. My advice to anyone considering this filter but is put off by breakage -just make sure you use the filter with the ring side up. This way, the twisting motion of assembling the aeropress does not put unnecessary force on the 'stitching'. Combined with gentle hand-rinsing, there's no reason the filter shouldn't last you a good, long time.

Buy Kaffeologie S Filter - an Ultra Fine Stainless Steel Coffee Filter for AeroPress Coffee Makers Now

I've been an AeroPress fan and user for years, but I've always found the paper filters frustrating, they're really not all that reusable, they tend to clog very quickly with the fine grinds I prefer. I just bought an S filter, and after a week, I'm very impressed definitely more convenient and easier to use, and the big benefit I was not expecting was a big improvement in taste (which wasn't at all bad to begin with, AeroPress already made the best coffee I've ever had) I was thinking it was a new bag of mail-order fair trade beans that were just delivered, but I tried an old bag of regular store bought Eight O'Clock beans, to much the same effect. Aeropress already made the best coffee I've ever had, so to get such a dramatic further improvement in flavor is really quite remarkable.

So really, I just wanted to say Thanks! Great product! :-)

In fact, I just ordered another one for the office.

Read Best Reviews of Kaffeologie S Filter - an Ultra Fine Stainless Steel Coffee Filter for AeroPress Coffee Makers Here

I previously gave this a 1. Customer service immediately contacted me, gave me a refund, and offered tips for how to address the problem I was having. After trying several methods, I believe this filter it is best used with the "inverted method" when making the coffee, which is a bit more of a pain (I had to watch 2 videos), but in the end, it worked. I don't notice a difference in the taste, so that's why only a 3. It eliminates the need for paper. Yeah! Of course I still have to worry about the fact I am putting very hot weater in plastic and then drinking it, but that's MY problem, not theirs. I would buy again, but I don't need to! BEST CUSTOMER SERVICE EVER!

Want Kaffeologie S Filter - an Ultra Fine Stainless Steel Coffee Filter for AeroPress Coffee Makers Discount?

When looking at steel filters for the Aeropress, primary factors for me are letting coffee oils through, and yet still providing a minimal of coffee fines through. Aeropress' S filter fulfills those requirements and does so with a sturdy build.

In addition they even provide instructions which makes a better press then the original instructions.

Update: I've been using this filter for some time now and after about a month of use, I noticed (as some others have) that the stitch welds were coming off. I contacted Kaffeologie and they offered to replace it immediately, and also suggested that I was screwing the filter on too tight. Well, I opted not to return the filter, but since I've stopped over-tightening the filter, I have seen no further deterioration of the filter, nor has the filter performed at any less quality.

Nespresso C520 Gran Maestria Espresso Maker, Titanium

I like the Nespresso System you have to join the "club" and the coffee is not the cheapest but it is great quality and the customer service is outstanding. I have had a couple of sleeves of coffee capsules come bent Nespresso exchanged them for free and had them to my door the next day.

The machine itself is great. It is made aluminum much higher quality that the more plastic Nespresso models. I like the fact hat you can easily change the volume of hot water going into your shot on the fly with other machines you can program to a volume, but that is about it. Having the frother right there is nice, the cup warmer is a bit of a gimmick but impresses friends and family. The machine is made in Switzerland and the fit and finish are first class. It is rock solid and after using it every day for the last 4 months I have yet to have any issues.

Overall you get what you pay for and this is a nice, no mess, quality machine. Just know what you are getting into with the Nespresso coffee universe...

I bought this espresso machine for my fiance. I am not a coffee drinker, but it runs though is blood as he's Italian. He loves the ability to warm the glass to ensure his espresso stays hot. I love the built in aeroccino I use to to make Chai lattes or hot chocolate all the time. Apparently there are many other settings with the machine as well, but I don't know anything about them. All I know is every evening when he has his espresso he thanks me for his awesome present.

Buy Nespresso C520 Gran Maestria Espresso Maker, Titanium Now

A great espresso machine for convenience and great espresso. However, the pods work well with the European size cups. For our larger American latte and cappuccino cups, there may be the need to use two of the pods for a good strong coffee flavor... depending on personal taste.

Read Best Reviews of Nespresso C520 Gran Maestria Espresso Maker, Titanium Here

I am really glad that I opted for this model. It looks great on the counter and the ability to adjust the size of the pour allow you to duplicate the perfect cup each time. The frother is amazing. Be advised that different brands of milk will yield very different results in terms of foam. You won't be disappointed.

Want Nespresso C520 Gran Maestria Espresso Maker, Titanium Discount?

This machine takes all the complications out of making espresso or capuccino. Results are great and clean up easy. The coffee quality is excellent!

Save 6% Off

Jura-Capresso ENA5 Automatic Coffee and Espresso Centers

Have had the machine for about 3 weeks now and so far the machine is doing great. Got it refurbished for $599 through JL Hufford (recommended company). To get a $1200 machine (brand new) for $600 (pre-brewed) is a great deal and can't even tell it is previously used.

Very good machine and has several of the bells and whistles that more expensive machines have. Jura Capresso is a very reliable brand and I am very happy with the performance of the machine. Some areas for improvement, but they are very tolerable in the overall scheme of things. Sorry for the long review but wanted to make it as helpful as possible. It took me a lot of research to finally land on this machine.

What I like:

Easy to use.

Makes great pressure brewed coffee and good espresso. Espresso won't be as good as a manual machine but still quite good if you use the right settings and quality beans. This is the same for all super automatics.

Has some basic programmability to remember default settings for 1 cup.

Several ways to customize drinks (water output, grinder fineness, amount of coffee for strong, normal or mild).

FrothXpress system is good if making multiple drinks and looks nicer as the default wand on the machine. Although, I prefer the Dual Frother Plus (traditional wand) for making one cup (more control over temp, froth, etc). TIP: make sure to rinse out the Dual Frother Plus and the FrothXpress after EVERY use. Otherwise, milk will cake up and can cause a steam explosion. Poor reviews based on this from others is user error, not the machine.

Auto self rinsing cycle (when turned on and off) and easy to read indicators for filling water, emptying grounds, fill beans, cleaning, etc.

Relatively quiet operation

1 or 2 spout dispenser

Bypass doser

Tall cup height

Custom Auto off timer (1 hour, 2 hour, etc) to save energy. Zero energy pull when off.

Slim and nice design, quality construction. But still as deep as other machines.

Areas for improvement (tolerable drawbacks):

The temperature of drinks is somewhat inconsistent. Second drink always seems hotter, even after doing the right warm up steps. TIP: Make sure to pre warm the cups with hot water dispenser, this helps a lot.

FrothXpress system does not heat the milk quite as good as the normal wand. TIP: If using the FrothXpress, you can do the steam only feature afterwards to heat the frothed/steamed milk a little more.

No cup warmer. Need to use hot water dispenser. Using the hot water will actually make the cups hotter than a warming tray anyway, but it's just an extra step.

Need to adjust cup size during processing and can't before brewing (if different than the programmed amount).

Small water tank (37 oz). Even for a 2 person home and a few shots per day, you will refill often. Not a big deal really. But heavy users may want to take note.

No Auto On feature for the mornings, no clock and no usage stats. Auto on would be great, but only takes a minute to warm up.

Water filters are expensive ($20, recommended every 2 months). I'd only use if you have hard water or you absolutely feel the need to have filtered water or you don't ever want to descale. Cheaper to descale every few months. Although, with the filter you never have to descale (supposedly).

I wish the steam wand had more range of motion.

*See added notes below review for comments after 2 months of use, and a tip for the steam wand problem*

I wavered between 3 and 4 stars for quite a while trying to decide whether this machine rates as JUST OK or I LIKE IT. The truth is it's right in the middle for me personally.

PROS:

Svelte looks, design is beautiful

I had none of the temperature issues I read so much about with most if not all super autos. All my milk and espresso shots consistently come out HOT HOT HOT.

Adjustable height of the nozzle is brilliant...I move the thing up and down constantly (hint: the closer you put the nozzle to the cup, the more crema you get according to the instructions at least)

Once you get your settings dialed in, it's so easy to make coffee drinks

Small, relative to other superautos (but this is still a monster of a machine)

CONS:

Cost good lord this thing is expensive, and way overpriced in the US. Costs for superautos in Europe are much MUCH cheaper. No idea why so expensive here, maybe tariffs or something. This is the biggest strike against the unit really...cost does not justify what you get in return.

This particular model does not justify the $400 increased cost over the ENA 4 IMO, ESPECIALLY since the main difference is the froth express (which can be added to the ENA 4!)

Froth Express is almost a gimmick IMO and too slow to be of real world use on a regular basis. The company seems to agree with that the way they write about it in the instruction booklet. Even when I am doing two lattes at a time, I find it MUCH faster to just wand-steam enough milk for two in a container, then pour half into one of the cups. The "express" frother is MUCH slower, and you will sit there forever while it spits and foams all over the place. Not to mention the fact that you need to do a lot more cleanup after using it (cleaning out the tube)

Water reservoir is way too small. Note that they market this particular model as smaller intentionally, so I am not really knocking off points for this, but just know that if more than one person will be using this, you will be refilling constantly. Big pain, IMO, and I probably would have chosen a different brand/model for this alone had I known it would be such a constant deal.

If you are not waiting AT the machine when the STEAM function is ready, be prepared to put water into your milk, because it reverts back VERY quickly. Oversight in the design, IMO, but just know that if you aren't there waiting the 30 seconds or so, that you should double check that the STEAM function is still in play, otherwise...water.

Not a huge fan of the design overall. I think the DeLonghi 5500 has it right for those that do milk based drinks a lot, or even the Lattissima. A superauto, IMO, should really be automatic. For instance, with the 5500, you truly just press a button if you want a latte, and you get a latte (because a removable milk container is built into the unit) With the Ena's, you have to separately prepare the milk, then do your shot (or vice versa). Feels more like an automatic than a super automatic in that regard.

the steam wand missle launch is not a myth unfortunately (and will likely scare the bejeesus out of you the first time it happens I liken it to realizing that a bottle rocket or big nasty firework is heading RIGHT TOWARDS YOU :)). This is just piss poor design really, and I can certainly understand others wanting to return the machine over this issue. It's happened to me a couple of times RIGHT AFTER I cleaned the wand thoroughly, so I will chalk this up to design error. My previous espresso maker with wand attachment NEVER did this once in the 8 years I had it (and I rarely cleaned it).

Overall, it would be hard for me to recommend this unit to someone unless the price REALLY came down, BUT I DO like it a lot. Main gripes are that it is not truly automatic for milk based drinks, and that it requires CONSTANT water filling. Between these two issues, I have no doubt that I could knock out coffee drinks with my old espresso maker with frothing wand, just as quickly. Still, it is nice to just have ONE coffee machine on the counter (instead of a grinder, an espresso maker, and a beans container). If DeLonghi machines had better reviews and track records in terms of reliability, I definitely would have gone that route for their cool built in milk container deal alone.

ADDENDUM: After a couple of months of use, I stand by the rating, and will reiterate some points: I partially solved the tiny water tank issue by NOT replacing the filter after it asked me to, and running sans filter (but using filtered water from fridge). This has helped quite a bit as the filter does displace quite a bit of water. The more I have used the unit, the better I have gotten at dialing it in to be able to knock out exactly what I want in terms of strength, volume, etc. There is a learning curve here, maybe a few weeks. Finally, I noticed that many of my shots pulled were very weak, and the unfortunate work around is to take the lid of the bean hopper and kind of stir the beans before and as the machine starts to grind. What was happening was the oilier beans were not sliding into the chamber, and so less beans = weaker pull of course. So my super auto is definitely NOT a "push a button and you're done" type deal like some others I have seen. It takes a LOT of constant maintenance (clean machine, replace filter, empty grounds, fill with water, stir beans, clean frother, etc. For all the work I do behind and along with the machine, as well as having to wait for the steam, I don't think it's a great solution if you are looking for ultimate convenience. One thing it does beat my previous manual morning coffee dance at is cleanliness: using a separate grinder, grinding beans, pouring grounds, tamping, etc with separates always caused a huge mess. The Ena is self contained, so there is virtually no mess (maybe some dripping off the steam wand).

Edited (again): For the unfortunate souls who bought this Ena that regularly want to make steamed milk and coffee drinks, I found a great solution: It's an additional expense ($45-$50, but then again, you probably paid at least $1000 for the Ena, so I think you can afford it!), and another unit on the counter, but so, so worth it. And no danger of being impaled by a steam-powered, scalding hot metal missle! It's the Capresso FrothPro (link below)(note it's not a Jura-Capresso product like this Ena), and there are a couple of advantages beyond not scaring the bejeebus out of you in the morning before you're properly awake:

1. Makes 10x better hot, frothy foam than the attachments on the Ena.

2. No waiting for the single boiler on the Ena to heat up to the temp to make steam...so you can be foaming/frothing/heating your milk WHILE you are making your espresso on the Ena. This to me is the best advantage, which I didn't even think about before buying it.

3. It's COMPLETELY automatic. You literally push a button and wait for it to do it's thing. My wife would NEVER use the steam wand on our Ena for her lattes, (not even because of the inherent danger), just because she didn't want to sit there holding the cup under the steam wand forever. This solves that problem, and she is now completely self-sufficient in making her lattes! (we live in a hard world, I know).

4. This thing screams quality. So well made, it's one of those things that you realize you paid a premium for, but the quality and functionality is so good, that you don't mind. I actually smile every time this thing has finished doing its deed. Don't usually smile at products!

http://www.amazon.com/Capresso-202-04-frothPRO/dp/B003LXY2HA/ref=sr_du_1_map?ie=UTF8&qid=1327850981&sr=8-1

My steam wand (even after trying several fixes, including the one suggested using the braces rubberbands) finally would just constantly shoot off every time I would use it, so I got fed up and took matters into my own hands. Didn't want to go through the hassle of sending the big monster back to the mfr for repair (which since I think it's an inherent design flaw, there probably is nothing TO repair).

Buy Jura-Capresso ENA5 Automatic Coffee and Espresso Centers Now

Pros: Very easy to customize your cup of coffee controls are intuitive and user friendly; FrothExpress is an awesome feature for steamed or frothed milk; self-cleaning process is very nice, and the machine overall is very low maintenance; makes a consistent, tasty cup of your favorite coffee beverage with excellent crema each and every time!; small footprint takes up less space than just about any coffee maker out there; less than 2 minutes from the time you press the "on" button until you have a fresh brewed, custom coffee drink; the water tank, bean hopper, and dregs box are easily accessed.

Cons: When you set the "auto off" feature, be sure to keep a cup under the coffee nozzle when the machine turns off, it rinses the nozzles, and will splash the machine and counter otherwise (this is a minor annoyance); the water tank and bean hopper will need to be refilled often, because you WILL hit this machine a lot (since this is a function of the small machine footprint, I don't really mark it down on this basis, but wanted readers to be aware); the FrothExpress spews a little water before the steamed/frothed milk flows; That's it!

My wife and I bought this for ourselves for Christmas, and we have absolutely no regrets. The only question remaining for me is the longevity of the machine. We'll have to see on that one.

Dealing with Amazon was awesome, as usual, and we had our machine in a matter of a few days. Set up was very easy, and the included CD made it fun to set up and use. I know this machine is a major investment, but in my opinion all coffee lovers will get much use and enjoyment out of this machine.

Read Best Reviews of Jura-Capresso ENA5 Automatic Coffee and Espresso Centers Here

We switched from a Nespresso machine to the Jura ENA 5 some weeks ago, because we loved the sleek compact design, and felt that the Nespresso system was wasteful.

The Ena 5 has been a huge disappointment in terms of reliability and usability less so the quality of the espresso.

Reliability: after only *19 days*, the machine failed on us. When set to "2 cups" it started to dump the coffee in the internal tray, instead of in the cups. The Jura hotline confirmed that the machine was faulty and should be replaced. However, after receiving the machine and confirming that it was probably a production error, they insisted rather obnoxiously on a repair rather than replacement since the machine was older than 14 days. The arrogance with which Jura treats its customers is typical of businesses that enjoy a strong market position.

Usability: due to the extremely small repositories for coffee beans and water, the machine is continuously prompting to be refilled or emptied. The position of the tap switch directly above the tap is unfortunate.

Quality of taste: In the short time that the machine was working we experimented with a number of quality beans and ground settings, but felt that the coffee was good, but didn't quite come close to the quality of the Nespresso machine (which was still working after 4 years!). I am also not convinced that the TCO of the Nespresso system is so bad after all, and the customer service was always excellent.

I would strongly recommend anyone from purchasing the Jura machine.

**Update October 2009**

After repair the machine worked for a further 6 weeks before failing again with the same failure mode!! Jura again refused to replace the machine. We received it back again today, and are just waiting for it to break once more.

You have been warned!

Want Jura-Capresso ENA5 Automatic Coffee and Espresso Centers Discount?

The Swiss made Ena5 is the low end of high end coffee makers $1,200. As perfectos (coffee snobs) call it,"superautomatics". The Ena5 makes good, rich coffee. Great crema! Nice, frother. It's easy to use. The only drawback, and it's a BIG one is that the coffee isn't as hot as most people would like it. If you linger over your coffee, your out of luck. Short of paying $3,000 plus to get perfection (with NO guarantees) I'll give this Ena5 a fair chance. I absolutely love the slim look. Doesn't take up a lot of space on the counter. Very easy to use & maintain. American coffee machines are super inferior in every way.

Update: I've had the Ena5 for a year & a half and absolutely love it. Can't wait to have my coffee each morning. If it broke tomorrow, I would have to order a new one asap.

Charcoal Water Filter- Fits all Cuisinart water filter holders

Why pay out the wazoo for something when you can get the exact same thing soooooo much cheaper!! It fit perfectly, looks exactly like what came out of coffee pot...I went to Cuisinart website and they wanted some exhorbatant amount for them!! Great to know I can get them here!! Only thing that could possibly be better is cheaper shipping, the shipping was more tham the actual tem!!

Exactly as the filter that came with my coffee maker but half the price of ordering from Cuisinart. Will buy again.

Buy Charcoal Water Filter- Fits all Cuisinart water filter holders Now

I absolutely love my Cuisinart coffee maker and it has alot to do with their charcoal filtration system. The coal filter makes your coffee taste so much better. I can't really explain it but my coffee tastes more pure, if that makes sense. The coffee makers are reasonably priced and the charcoal replacements last 30 days each and cost three dollars or less. You definitely get your moneys worth. For a happy purse and taste buds, give this a try!

Read Best Reviews of Charcoal Water Filter- Fits all Cuisinart water filter holders Here

When the old used filter was removed and to see what it blocked, convinced me these are worthwhile. Small price to pay for that good cup of coffee

Want Charcoal Water Filter- Fits all Cuisinart water filter holders Discount?

Works great in my cuisnart! With hard water I am trying to keep my machine working longer. So far this is working.

Holstein Housewares H-08006 6-Cup Stainless Steel Espresso Maker Mate

This is my third stove-top espresso maker. They get heavy usage from me and I couldn't live without one. Now, keep in mind that it is technically a percolator and doesn't really make espresso, but you can't beat it for great coffee flavor.

This design is sleek and has a small footprint, especially as compared to an espresso machine. This pot is attractive enough to be left out of the cupboard while not in use. It's also much easier to clean than a machine, however, the stainless steel needs to be wiped down after washing or it will show spots as all stainless steel does.

You can adjust the strength of the coffee by adjusting the grounds-to-water ratio to suit your taste. Also play with the fine-ness of the grind of coffee. As I use it to make lattes at home, I use a fairly fine grind and don't fill the water chamber all the way up to produce a stronger brew. You will notice a few grounds toward the bottom of your cup of coffee, but that is customary and not intended for drinking.

My past espresso makers have all tended to "spit" a bit toward the end of the perc, which makes for a messy stove. The particular upward lip design on this pot prevents that from happening. Use care not to get grounds in the threads between the chambers to avoid dripping while pouring.

A couple of other notes: this handle really does stay cool enough to use right after the perc is done. I did receive the spare gasket it was tucked into the upper chamber.

Highly recommend!

I bought this because it was inexpensive and I wanted to try a stovetop expresso maker...also it is not aluminum...I have had it a week, and I'm really pleased...it doesn't make real expresso, but it does make great coffee..even from my cheap storebrand ground coffee (I regrind to get finer)...It's simple, it cleans up well, it's all around a fine coffeemaker.

Buy Holstein Housewares H-08006 6-Cup Stainless Steel Espresso Maker Mate Now

The Holstein makes a great cup of strong coffee but it's not espresso.Its very easy to use and clean and it works just as fast as any automatic drip with better results.After a few tries I was thinking of returning it but it would be great for camping or as a back up because all you need is water,coffee, and heat and you can't beat the price. So it looks like I'll be spending to get that 9 bars to get my true espresso but I will keep this one in the stable.

Read Best Reviews of Holstein Housewares H-08006 6-Cup Stainless Steel Espresso Maker Mate Here

I have had an Italian aluminum stove top espresso maker for 15 years. It truly makes espresso. I decided to switch to stainless steel because of the possible Alzheimer's link from aluminum. This coffee maker isn't designed well. Some of the water stays in the bottom even if you put it on high. More importantly, it makes mediocre coffee and not espresso. I am sending it back and buying a more reputable and expensive brand.

Want Holstein Housewares H-08006 6-Cup Stainless Steel Espresso Maker Mate Discount?

This is the cheapest stainless steel one there is and when compared to the Primula aluminum, it performs amirbly.

It doesn't have a pretty spout. It doesn't have a nice rounded top part. This is true, but it is well built. One thing that I like better about it is the screen and gasket is built into the bottom of the top part. With that said, I like that the Primula doesn't have a rubber gasket in with the actual coffee, because it doesn't need it. Actually, I'm not sure this one has to have it. The coffee isn't going to leak back down to the bottom, is it?

Anyways, it makes great espresso. It helps if you use Guatamala coffee if you are going to make Cappucinos though. You need the bite with the milk added.

Also, you don't get as many coffee grounds in this compared to the Primula. Of course, I didn't grind the coffee for that one.

Save 31% Off

De'Longhi BAR32 Retro 15 BAR Pump Espresso and Cappuccino Maker

Edit 2/24/2012: I wrote this review several years ago. The machine broke down after a year or so, and I put off replacing it. However, I've wanted to start making espresso again and so, remembering how much I liked this one, I picked up another one.

It's pretty much just how I remember it, and the instructions I wrote below still work. There are a couple of things I've noticed, though. First, the maker no longer comes with sample E.S.E pods. That was disappointing. Also, the bottom of the filter handle (where the coffee comes out of) is plastic if you use a hand-held tamper, make sure you don't press too hard and damage the pour spouts.

Also, I've moved from the Midwest to the East Coast, and it's still nice to have good espresso and capuccino in your own house.

Otherwise, it's still a sold four-star machine.

Original review:Despairing of ever finding decent espresso in the Midwest, I finally broke down and decided to get a home espresso machine. I had worked as a barrista, and had sipped espresso in Italy, so I had some idea of how it should taste.

Being relatively poor, I wanted a machine that would deliver a decent espresso, at a decent price. Though I was willing to consider a system with proprietary coffee pods (K-cups, Tassimo, etc), it would have to be cheap enough that I wouldn't mind shelling out the extra bucks for the coffee itself. And I also wanted to make sure that it was pump-driven, not steam-driven.

After checking reviews and looking around, I finally settled on the DeLonghi BAR32. It's a pump-driven maker, not steam driven, so it's not scorching the grounds as it brews. And it comes with a single and a double espresso filter.

The DeLonghi uses either ground espresso, or E.S.E. espresso pods. The E.S.E. pods are not proprietary any company can make them. The DeLonghi comes with a package of 18 Illy pods (retail $12). The pods are convenient, but still expensive.

I've had the espresso maker for several days, and I'm happy with it so far. With the pods, it pulls a good single espresso with a satisfactory crema. Sugar floats on top of the crema for about 2-3 seconds, and it has a nice golden color. The espresso tastes very smooth.

Pulling a good single espresso, either with the pods or loose coffee, is pretty easy. Use the pods as a good judge of how tightly to pack the grounds in the filter. Use a level, loosely packed scoop of coffee for a single shot.

Pulling a good double, on the other hand, still eludes me. The best I've come up with is to use 2 scoops, 3/4 full and loosely packed, and pressed looser than for a single. Even then, it still dribbles out slowly, with a less-than-satisfactory (though present) crema.

The steam wand works very well. I've made several excellent cappuccinos and lattes with it. It's a little cramped to use, so I pull mine to the edge of the counter so that I can get a good mug under it. I steam straight into the mug of milk, and then add the espresso. Make sure to blow some steam through it to clear out condensation before putting it in your milk. Start with the steam wand nearly submerged in the milk, and then slowly pull it out (lower the mug) until you hear a gentle "sipping" sound. That means that it's frothing. If you see noticeable bubbles on top of the milk, that means you've pulled it out too far dip it back in slowly and you should be able to whip the bubbles into froth. Once the froth is just below the level you want it, submerge the wand back into the milk to finish heating it. Listen again once the milk starts to sound "hollow," it's nearly hot enough. Let it go for a few more seconds, then shut off the steam, and remove the mug. The wand will drip a bit, so put it over the drip tray or an empty mug.

Making espresso is fairly easy. Turn the machine to "Heat" to start heating the water and priming the pump. Make sure the filter holder is screwed into the machine. Once the "Hot" light comes on, run an espresso cycle without coffee into the cup you'll use pulling espresso into a cold cup will ruin the flavor. Fill the cup half-way with hot water, and turn the machine back to "Heat." Empty and quickly dry the espresso cup. Put the E.S.E. pod or ground espresso into the filter (tamp down the loose espresso) and twist it into the machine. Turn the machine on, and wait until you've got your cup of espresso. A single espresso should be 30-40ml, or 1-1.5oz. I used a measuring cup to see what that looked like in my demitasse cups.

Looking back over what I've written, I suppose I do make it look a little complicated. And it is a little bit more complicated that popping the K-cup into the machine, and hitting "Go." But it really is pretty easy, and less than 5 minutes pass between "You know, I could go for a cappuccino," and "Man, that's a tasty cappuccino."

Pros:

Inexpensive

Good pressure

Easy to make a good single shot of espresso

Uses pods or loose grounds

2 dials + 0 buttons = easy to use

Outstanding steam wand

32oz water reservoir lets you make 3 or 4 cappuccinos, or 6 to 8 espressos, without refilling

Built-in tamper means one less part to lose

Pre-heat cycle helps make good espresso

Cons:

Hard to make a good double espresso (might just be me)

Steam wand leaks slightly (usually at the start of a brewing cycle I just keep mine over the drip tray)

In the end, the machine makes a good espresso, especially for the price, but remember that you're not going to be running a coffee shop with it. I definitely recommend it for anybody who wants to make their own espresso, but wants to do it for under $200.

I have purchased this machine from Amazon on June 2006, that's 16 months ago and I have been using this coffee maker every day, usually 2 to 3 times a day. A few words about me, I grew up in Italy, lived there for over 20 years and I still go visit my country for at least a month every year so I should know about coffee, right? DeLonghi is considered a good brand in Italy, I'm not sure about customer service in the U.S. since I never had to contact them; my aunt in Italy has an identical machine with no complaints. I'm not sure about the complaints I read here. Some people say it takes too long to heat up the water... I usually turn it on 15 minutes before making the espresso and the water gets really hot, if you think that's too long then you've never used an espresso machine before, it's very average as a matter of fact. Sorry, but that's not the machine's fault, it's the way it is with all machines. Coffee shops machines need one hour sometimes longer to heat up. Others have complained about the steamer leaking a bit... NO KIDDING! It's called vapor condensation, if you think that's a machine issue I recommend going back to school and taking Physics 101. Not usually a big deal for me, just keep the steamer over the tray and the problem is solved... it's only a drop or two anyway.

Some have written about the coffee not being very strong, true it could be stronger but if you make the right dose it's ok. I get my coffee in Italy and, you want to trust me on this, if you're not using good ground coffee to start with you're not going to get a good espresso. Forget that Starbucks junk, this machine makes a much better espresso if you use it right with the right coffee.

I'm not saying it's perfect, but for this price it gets really good, hard to find better. Forgive me for my somewhat sarcastic remarks, but I have the feeling that most of the people who complained about this machine have issues related to "Operator's Error" and not the machine itself.

One note though about the frother (I've seen better construction), remove the plastic part and it works much better.

I used both Illy pods and ground coffee and I like both. Illy is considered a high quality coffee.

For the past 16 months it has worked great for me and I'm sure it will again tomorrow morning. Remember not to let the water reservoir go dry or you will burn the pump, again "Operator's Error" not machine's.

To the guy who grinds his own beans not espresso fine... Operator's Error! Espresso machines need espresso ground coffee not larger grains. I still have to find a grinder in the US that can make fine espresso ground without costing an arm and a leg. One more thing: make sure you use bottled water (I use spring water) because tap water contains more limestone and can ruin the pump in the long run.

By the way, all the customers images are mine (as of today October 8th 2007), glad to see so many people enjoyed them.

Update: October 24th

Over 2 years, and still working great! :) I used it about twice a day.

Buy De'Longhi BAR32 Retro 15 BAR Pump Espresso and Cappuccino Maker Now

I've been a coffee snob for several years have several brewing machines scattered throughout my kitchen. Since I got this machine xmas morning, all the others brewing systems have become obsolete.

It produces plenty of steam in a jiff, and the removable water tank is very handy (especially for use with my water filter). While I scoffed at the thought of using the ESE pre-packed espresso pods, it came with a tin of them, so I tried them out since all local coffee houses were closed (and I had no beans!). The ESEs make a pass-able cup of espresso--not the darkest roast, but the convenience of a pod is handy. I have some Major Dikason's blend from Peets which I made regular espresso and Americanos out of. Delicious, thick, creamy.

This machine is a steal at this price. I've had to get the hang of packing my grounds in the handle, however. If I pack too tightly, the cream only comes out as a trickle. I suppose that's the case with most home machines, however. Also, it has a built in tamper on the frame of the machine, and I consider that to be a bit of a mess and kind of sketchy. Go buy a tamper sperately.

This is a great little machine. For any price under $200 it's a steal.

Read Best Reviews of De'Longhi BAR32 Retro 15 BAR Pump Espresso and Cappuccino Maker Here

Primary Complaint Classification: Service Issues

Secondary Complaint Classification: Product Quality

Complaint:

Received as gift from Amazon.com, 12/25/04. After 5 weeks of occasional use, the rubber gasket which holds the screen snugly inside the filter head began to split. Within 2 weeks the entire gasket had broken completely apart and rendered this $100 machine unuseable for want of this cheap, tiny part.

I went to DeLonghi's website to locate a replacement part, but the site has never been put fully online since it was first enabled in March of 2004, and the features I needed were unavailable.

I then called the phone number in the product documentation and received a DeLonghi automated menu. After I made my selection from the menu I was told "This number is no longer in service," and was disconnected. I tried every menu option and received the same message and disconnection every time.

Attempts to locate contact information for DeLonghi's corporate headquarters (through investment websites)also failed.

Amazon.com indicated that they would not replace the product as it was beyond their 30-day returns window, and that I would have to take it up with DeLonghi directly. Obviously, I had already attempted this and it had proved impossible. After browsing Amazon.com reviews by buyers of other DeLonghi products, it appears I am not alone in my complaints of poor product quality and non-existent customer service from DeLonghi. Caveat emptor.

Now I have a $100, fancy Italian-designed paperweight taking up counter space and what I need is a cup of coffee. My hope is that you have some means of contacting DeLonghi and finding out why they refuse to stand behind their products. I understand that I may have to accept the $100 loss incurred by my purchase of their terrible product, but I think other consumers should be made aware of the risks they make in buying from DeLonghi America Inc. before they make the same expensive mistake I did.

Desired Settlement: Refund

Desired Settlement Explanation :

Although the part needed is small (and undoubtedly cheap), I'm reluctant to have any further dealings with DeLonghi America Inc. or their products. I would like a full refund so that I may purchase an espresso maker that works, from a company that will make good on the buyer-seller contract.

Want De'Longhi BAR32 Retro 15 BAR Pump Espresso and Cappuccino Maker Discount?

Like many of you, I pored over the Amazon customer reviews of many espresso makers before making my purchase. I was replacing a cheap Mr. Coffee device that was a lemon. I have been making espresso and cappuccino for many years using the department store-grade articles that come with a four (espresso)-cup carafe and controls consisting of an on-off switch and a steam valve and I was very satisfied with the flavor of the product. However, I was never able to reproduce the lovely crema of the espresso I enjoyed in Italy or of our better baristas in the U.S. but that was just an aesthetic compromise. Other customers' comments encouraged me to consider a pump-driven espresso maker, so I took a chance with this one: it seemed to be in the middle of the price range and most customers were pleased with the results they got, although some unhappy folks obviously bought defective devices and were dissatisfied with DeLonghi's customer service. For me, so far, so good and I am delighted with the results. Although making espresso with the DeLonghi requires a bit more attention than the less expensive basic models I'd grown used to, it is a minor compromise. This machine makes superb and beautiful espresso. Because the water is drawn from a 35-oz. reservoir, you cannot just wait until all the water you've poured into the machine runs through (like you can with the machines that hold only a cup of water in their reservoir) but you have to stand by to shut off the water flowing through the grounds when you've made enough. Therefore, you can make your espresso as strong or as weak (that defies logic!) as you prefer. Don't worry; your "wait" will amount to less than a minute.

The controls are simple, yet efficient. The silver knob on the front has four positions, left to right: preheating water for steam off preheating water for coffee water flowing through the coffee. A red light indicates that the heating element is energized. A green light indicates that the water has reached its desired temperature for steaming or coffee, depending on the mode you've selected. The valve/knob on the top of the machine regulates the flow of steam through the nozzle to froth your milk.

The milk frothing nozzle is superior to any I have ever used. The frothing starts almost immediately and is a very efficient process. When the milk is frothed, click the control knob over two positions and you will probably find that the water temperature is ready to make coffee immediately. Less than a minute later, you're done.

The DeLonghi does not come with a milk frothing pitcher. It does have an attached grounds-tamper which is a convenient perk. My only complaint is that when making espresso, a few drops of water tend to drip out of the milk frothing nozzle, as if there is minor leak-by the valve. Also, before frothing milk, I drain the steam line into a separate cup to purge a teaspoon to a tablespoon of water from the line before the steam is expressed.

I am delighted with this DeLonghi Espresso Maker and recommend it highly.

Addendum

I've had the DeLonghi BAR 32 for 14 months now. It gets used at least three times a day up to ten and I still love it! I have not any problems with it. I plan to buy more as gifts!

Save 55% Off