Proctorsilex 48350Y Dcm 48350y Proctor Silex 10 Cup Coffeemaker

We have three of these. One in service all day long every day. Two of them in boxes ready to swap when the first one dies. These coffeemakers are so inexpensive that they can be regarded as **disposable.**

I've owned many of these coffeemakers in my lifetime. When they stop working, they are hard to repair, although I have done it. Unfortunately, I had to store the nonworking ones so that I could steal parts from one to repair another. This became a nuisance and it also took up a lot of storage space. Better idea: When the coffeemaker stops working, just keep the carafe as a spare and throw away the rest.

Another suggestion: Consider buying two of these. Keep one on hand to replace the first one. But there is more ... on holidays when you have large dinners and many guests, (e.g., Thanksgiving...) you can set up the spare coffeemaker to make decaffeinated coffee, or just brew regular coffee in it so you can have two coffeemakers going at the same time.

If you want a reliable coffeemaker, this is the one. If you want chrome and shiny and snazzy and cool-looking for a show-room decorator kitchen, this model isn't for you.

If your looking for basic coffee maker that does the job. This is your machine.

Advantages:

One of the few machines on the market undet 13" tall. At just under 11.25 this will fits nicely into a smaller space.

The carafe doesn't dribble when you pour. (Mr. Coffee hasn't figured that one out yet).

No pesky blinking light. If you don't need a clock in you coffee pot.

Disadvantages:

I don't know what measures they use when they put the hash marks on the carafes but this one isn't 10 cups. I'd put it at an honest 8. My reason for the four star rating.

If eight cups is sufficient, this is a great little machine.

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It was delivered very fast, looks way more expensive than the actual price, it has drop stop, doesnt sound too much, and the only reason why I do not give it a 5 star rating is that after a while, the taste of the coffee brewed tastes old..

Read Best Reviews of Proctorsilex 48350Y Dcm 48350y Proctor Silex 10 Cup Coffeemaker Here

Works better for making 4 cups (two large mugs) than smaller types because it pumps water faster with 900 watts, allowing the coffee to steep longer before dripping down. The flow rate is restricted by the valve more than by the filter, a properly made point not always found. The practice of sizing the heater to the water capacity and running the same time for smaller loads is incorrect. Also keeps the pot hotter than some leaving it tepid.

The flip up top is a limitation in needing more overhead space, compared to swing-out designs which fit more under cabinets -but which are not available anymore in this size. Also the swing-outs tend to drip water onto the plate which damages the finish over time when hot (best to insure no water under the carafe when placing on the hot plate).

Has no internal markings for water level, but cavity hump serves to mark the 4-5 cup level needed (besides the markings on the carafe) -so only four stars.

Takes basket style filters instead of the Euro-style cones. The permanent filters in this style seem to produce weaker brew with faster water flow.

The straight-sided carafe is easier to clean than the rounded side ones. Even if rinsed, over time thin layers of coffee build up on the glass, and this one can be easily wiped with towel. Also assists effectiveness of rinsing.

I recommend adding felt pads or tape over the rubber feet on the back side so it can slide across counters out from under cabinets.

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Finally, an excellent machine at a fair price. The last maker I purchased had to be thrown away due to the nauseating burning plastic chemical smell. I have read of the same issue with other makers in reviews here on Amazon. So happy to say, this little pot has NO smell-right out of the box, it was perfect. Thank you Procter-Silex !

Siege Automatic Drip Coffeemaker Cleaner

I hadn't cleaned out my Cuisinart Automatic Coffee Grind & Brew coffee maker in years. After trying many home remedies to clean it out, I finally bought Siege Automatic Drip Coffeemaker Cleaner and after 1 use, my Coffeemaker looked as if it was new. The stainless steel could be seen again. I highly recommend this product!

Primula Café Color 6-Cup Coffee Press

As I wrote in another review, my old Bodum french press made me irate. Their stupid indestructible carafe cracks when you use hot water in it, and they don't recommend using it without an entirely new plunger made especially for it.

Instead, I bought this beauty. It's light weight, colorful, makes wonderful coffee, and has a carafe that doesn't easily fall out and break. I like that the carafe stays inside the plastic base since it helps provide cushioning when washing it.

Was fairly pleased with this press. the coffee was a little murky, but that doesn't bother me too much, could just be a few fine grounds sneaked through the filter which doesn't fit as tight as it should. Had it about a week when i was sliding the glass part out of the plastic for washing separately, (which has worked fine before) when the bottom buckled and my thumb went through...

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Needed a replacement French Press when the glass in my last one fell and broke. Picked this one for the cheap price, even though I rarely buy anything without a ton of good reviews behind them.

Luckily, it turned out to be a good purchase. The pieces are all fully and easily removable and washable. The canister is make of glass, the press is metal and the frame is some sort of plastic. This worried me, since I use boiling or near boiling water to make my coffee.

However, I poured the water in with no problems with the plastic whatsoever, even though the glass being held inside the plastic frame got quite hot.

The press itself worked well. It plunges with ease and keeps out the coffee grinds. The canister is very large and holds 6 "cups" (the French version of about 4-6 ounces, not our American 12oz version). Its easily enough for me to not have to make a repeat portion if I wanted some extra.

Read Best Reviews of Primula Café Color 6-Cup Coffee Press Here

I purchased this press nearly a year ago at a price significantly less than a Bodum of the same size. I love it and I'm never, ever going back to a coffee maker.

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I bought this French press, when my Keurig was getting old and I was looking for a better cup of coffee without wasting a whole pot. This was small enough for 2 people and if I was alone I could just make half a pot! The selling point was the $13 price tag, which I would normally be concerned about, but it was on sail! I got the package last month and I examined for cracks. I saw on odd mark on the bottom of the beaker, but it looked like a trail of glue, like they glued the beaker to the handle. I finished up the last of my k-cups and then made a fresh pot of French press this morning. That odd mark on the bottom of the beaker, was actually a large crack. I made enough coffee to get to large mugs, but I on'y got one. Most of it leaked out before the coffee finished brewing. Perhaps I should have spent the extra money.

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Bialetti Replacement Gaskets and Filter Set, 6 Cup

Three rubber gaskets and a new top filter for the Bialetti 6 cup stove top espresso brewer. How much can you say about some rubber gaskets? Not much, but these are Bialetti branded replacements, identical to what came with the new unit. As long as the originals have lasted, I should be set for life.

After melting the gasket due to making coffee without water (yeah you can laugh) I was upset about the loss of my beloved moka pot. When someone told me I could buy a new pot on Amazon I was amazed to see that I could purchase a new gasket as well. My only advice would be to measure, measure, measure. I bought the wrong size from a local store because they only had the one size. At least Amazon had all the parts necessary.

Buy Bialetti Replacement Gaskets and Filter Set, 6 Cup Now

I have a Moka Express pot that was my great grandmother's from about 50 years ago and decided to try to use it. The gasket and filter were corroded and falling apart. I found this replacement set and took a chance and ordered it. The gaskets and filter are original-equipment quality and fit perfectly.

Read Best Reviews of Bialetti Replacement Gaskets and Filter Set, 6 Cup Here

I replaced a very worn gasket on our expresso maker with the Bialetti replacement gasket. It fits fine & is easy to put into place-but --it doesn't automatically work. I have to crank the top & bottom pieces together with all the force I can muster & still sometimes there is not enough of a seal to produce coffee. It will sputter & steam unless I take it off the stove, wrap towels around the (now hot) unit & keep twisting the thing with all the "elbow grease" I can muster.

I read some other reviews that mention this phenomena so I know I am not unique. I can't vouch for other's experience but for us it is a major nuisance and I can imagine another person with less arm strength giving up in exasperation.

We keep hoping that, with use, the gasket will get seated properly but it has not happened in several weeks of use. It's too bad because we like everything else about it.

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Bialleti new gasket and filter works great! The previous gasket wore out that originally came with the Bialetti coffee maker for the stove. The Bialetti previous gasket burnt and had to for sure be replaced. I would recommend not sealing the percolator to tight because it causes dark creases in the gasket though put on so that you know it's sealed. Always remember to put water in it that is why it burnt up in the first place to have to buy a new filter but these will come in handy when they run down. 3 Gaskets came in the bag with a filter. Great shipping came in time/fast so I could enjoy the deep roasted coffee with full flavor. Would buy again!

DeLonghi EAM3200 Magnifica Super Automatic Espresso/Coffee Machine

I have had this espresso maker for a week now and it is everything I have wanted in a coffee machine. I have owned 2 other super automatics in the last 5-7 years a Saeco which cost about half this one and a Jura/Capresso which cost more than twice as much. I think the Magnifica so far is the best of the three for my needs.

The Saeco made good coffee, but was messy and difficult to clean. I splurged on the Jura thinking I would like all the electronic control over the process. I liked its automatic cleaning process and thoroughly enjoyed the machine until it broke. With no user access to its mechanism, I could not repair it.

The Magnifica is a perfect compromise, and the compromise is in price only. I don't miss the electronic LCD readout of the Jura one bit. The signal lights of the Magnifica provide the same information. And I actually find the manual adjustments for coffee amount and strength to be much easier to use and change compared to the electronic settings on the Jura.

The Magnifica has all the features of the Jura, including the automatic rinse on startup and closeout. The main difference is that the brewing mechanism will need to be cleaned regularly. I actually see that as an advantage since I will have access to it and can maintain it.

I have never used the frothing mechanism on any of the machines so I can't draw any conclusions about them. But if you want a machine that automatically brews great coffee with a minimum of fuss, and doesn't cost $2K, this is the machine for you.

This machine, in my opinion, is the best machine for the money. I compared and researched for two months, compared to Saeco, Jura or Solis the Magnifica line is well built and designed to last. I inspected the insides of all the machines and it seems that the advantage to Delonghi's late introduction to the "super-automatic" market was an improved brewing system.

The grinder is fast and efficient; the grinds are deposited directly into the brew system for brewing. In other machines, the grinder is far from the brew system, and the grinds are sent through a long tube before getting to the brew system. With ground coffee that sits in the tube, you are not brewing your cup of coffee, but the coffee the person before you requested. That defeats the whole purpose of freshly-brewed espresso.

The espresso is perfect on this machine, great color, texture and of course crema. The frothing is a no-brainer; just use a cold stainless steel pitcher with cold milk and you will create rich micro-foam. Make sure you use a large enough pitcher as the milk will double and even triple in volume. As other people have said, the frother might be too good, it would be nice to have some control on the frothing. For simplicity, the frother is very productive.

The Magnifica is so easy to clean; the inside of this machine is kept so clean all on its own. Just remove the drip tray and used coffee container to wash, then rinse the compact brew system under hot water.

The operation of the machine is a little tricky. READ THE MANUAL!! Many of the problems users encounter can be resolved by going through the manual. The espresso comes out hot, but with such a small amount of liquid (1-2 oz) in a cold cup, it will definitely cool down. Warm up the brew system by pressing the Decalcification button once before brewing, this will release some hot water. Also warm up your cups!! This is a must for any espresso machine. Also, if you need to brew again after frothing it will take some time to cool down the machine to the proper temperature for brewing. But as the user manual states, release some hot water through the frother while waiting for the brew lights to stop flashing. It takes me only 10-15 seconds to go from frothing to brewing again.

Anyways, my only dilemma now is trying to find the right blend of beans. After all the espresso doses I have had, I am starting to get very picky. The Magnifica comes with a can of Illy, and I find myself comparing every other blend to Illy, it is that good. But, I can't afford to spend $16 (CAN$) per can, which is more than triple the cost of other brands. I recommend finding a local roaster and trying their fresh blends.

My research included contacting two previous Magnifica reviewers that have had the machine for over a year now. They both stood by their 5-star reviews, and were completely satisfied with their machines. Thanks for your responses, Stephen and James.

If you are looking for a reliable good quality espresso machine, the Magnifica EAM3200 can deliver.

UPDATE (AUG. 5, 2008):

ALMOST 3 YEARS NOW AND STILL WORKING JUST AS NEW. I HAVE NO REGRETS AND WOULD RECOMMEND THIS PRODUCT TO ANYONE LOOKING FOR AN AUTOMATIC MACHINE. FRESH COFFEE BEANS IS A MUST, AND ONLY THEN CAN YOU ENJOY THIS MACHINE TO ITS FULLEST. ONLY CON IS THE GRINDER SETTINGS, I DON'T SEE MUCH DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ANY OF THE SETTINGS, SO TRYING TO MAKE A STRONGER ESPRESSO WITH CERTAIN BEANS IS DIFFICULT.

5 STARS AND HOLDING STRONG!!!

Buy DeLonghi EAM3200 Magnifica Super Automatic Espresso/Coffee Machine Now

This was the best price point I could find for a super-automatic espresso maker. It was also among the most highly rated by other customers. The unit has been great! I've had it for 4 months. My friends are always amazed by the quality of the espresso and they all want one of these machines too, now.

A few tips:

DeLonghi does a factory test to make sure everything works right, so don't be surprised if you open the package and see a drop or two of water in the water reservoir and/or a few coffee grinds.

The frothing wand doesn't swing out as far as I would like (it extends about 1.5" away from the unit, so you need to buy a milk frothing pitcher with a relatively small diameter so you can move the frother around in the pitcher with ease. I bought a 20oz pitcher (so I could froth enough for 2 lattes at a time) with about a 4" diameter and it's a bit of a challenge moving the frother around evenly.

milk frothing takes some getting used to -buy a gallon of milk and just practice.

since the unit takes both whole beans and pre-ground, it's easy to switch between decaf and regular by just keeping pre-ground decaf on-hand and regular whole beans (or vice versa :-) ).

April 2011 update 5.25 years later the machine works great. Two observations: 1) on-off knob broke. it is plastic. steamer cannot function now so I need to buy a new handle. appears to be easy to replace once I source the part $5 or so. The steamer seems to leak a little water now when making espresso. doesn't seem to affect its operation though.

Read Best Reviews of DeLonghi EAM3200 Magnifica Super Automatic Espresso/Coffee Machine Here

After doing the math on the milk, coffee, and even the syrup shots -and realizing that I can make for $.50 under $1.00 (size and shots depending) what I have been readily paying more than $3.00 for this quickly became a no-brainer.

I was concerned at first about the manual knobs (I'm a gadget kind of person) vice the electronic display... but I don't miss it one bit, and I like how quickly I can switch the quantity and strength of the coffee using the knobs instead. Speaking of "quick"... to reiterate what someone else already said, after stoping the steam function, simply open the steam valve for a few seconds (literally) and you will be ready to make more espresso right away -there is NOT a long wait between making drinks when using this method, and it is definately pointed out in the manual.

I did "have" to play quite a bit, and drink up some of the savings initially to figure out certain things: such as how many ounces of espresso would be coming out with the water quantity knob settings, etc. I had a quite a caffeine buzz the first full day after bringing the machine home. Actually... right out of the box it makes terrific espresso drinks -it is more a testiment to the quality that lead to all of the experimenation. We were so impressed with the quality that we now basically have a full coffee bar right in our kitchen! Syrups, sprkinles, you name it! My wife and I don't miss famous-name coffee house one bit! And so, I am still finding myself experimenting with various recipes for old favorites and inventing new ones.

Some tips from my useage so far:

Get 2 or 3 shot glasses with Oz measurements, helpful for measuring espresso output, syrups, and even the milk. Keeping track of how you make each drink, and making only one change at a time will get you on track with your personal favorites quicker.

If you think of it more like an exact art, like baking a cake versus making a stew or a chili, you'll get better results. I have my shots at about 1.5oz for a single shot, and 3 oz for a double shot. I've been using 0.5 oz of syrups (and never more than 1.0 oz if combining syrups), and then for milk I use anywhere from 2.0 oz to 6.0 oz depending on whether I am making a cappucino or a latte, and of course cup size.

Practice, practice, practice! Get to learn how to make "microfoam" froth -anyone can make big sloppy bubbles... go for a velvety smooth froth and you won't be disappointed! Do research online.. there are a ton of sites with great hints! The only "negative" thing I can say about the frother on this system is that there is no option use only a steam wand, vs. the plastic frothing attachment. On the upside, you can make "decent" froth without even doing anything... litterally just stick your frothing pitcher underneath -no need for any fancy gyrations at all... just stand there and breathe. Again, due to the quality of the coffee though, in striving to make absolutely you-know-what-retentively perfect foam I wish I could try my hand at doing it the "hard" way. Be sure to start with a cold frothing pitcher and cold milk, and get one of those frothing thermometers that clips to the pitcher -get your milk over 145, but under 170 (or you may scald the milk). Others who complain about drinks not hot enough, may be eliminating this part and adding relatively tepid milk to their coffee.

The Illy coffee costs, like that which comes in the box, costs about twice as much as other brands, but it has such an awesome flavor I find that I can use half as much.

Be sure to preheat your shot glasses and/or cups by using the hot water nozzle -in my experience the "warmer" tray doesn't really warm up the cups at all (even after exceeding the 15-20 minute wait suggested in the manual). It does however make a great place to set your shot glasses and/or cups while waiting to brew.

My unit seems to use the same amount of coffee for a single or double cup (or "pull"), even though the manual says that the waste ground removal tray can hold up to 14 single cups, or 7 double cups. (I got pretty sientific on this, weighing the tray, grouds, etc. before and after various pulls); Either way though, the expense, even is it using the double amount, is still WAY under what your costs are at the coffee house.

Be sure to allow the machine to come completely to a "stop" after first turning it on, before placing a cup under the pour spouts -it sends an initial flow of hot water to clean and heat the elements.

Also... Read the Manual!! Watch the Video! Then read the manual again!! I have a hunch that most people who are having issues with their machines didn't read the manual.

Cleanup is SOOOO simple! You will love this machine... even if you hate to clean your other appliances, you will be able to handle this one. Everything comes off/out so easily for a quick rinse ... no fuss, no muss.

The coffee, milk, and drinks, have all been wonderfully hot and delicious! With our new "coffee bar" (even in our small kitchen), I can hardly wait for our guests to come over this holiday season and share our passion for great coffee drinks.

Want DeLonghi EAM3200 Magnifica Super Automatic Espresso/Coffee Machine Discount?

After doing the math on the milk, coffee, and even the syrup shots -and realizing that I can make for $.50 under $1.00 (size and shots depending) what I have been readily paying more than $3.00 for this quickly became a no-brainer.

I was concerned at first about the manual knobs (I'm a gadget kind of person) vice the electronic display... but I don't miss it one bit, and I like how quickly I can switch the quantity and strength of the coffee using the knobs instead. Speaking of "quick"... to reiterate what someone else already said, after stoping the steam function, simply open the steam valve for a few seconds (literally) and you will be ready to make more espresso right away -there is NOT a long wait between making drinks when using this method, and it is definately pointed out in the manual.

I did "have" to play quite a bit, and drink up some of the savings initially to figure out certain things: such as how many ounces of espresso would be coming out with the water quantity knob settings, etc. I had a quite a caffeine buzz the first full day after bringing the machine home. Actually... right out of the box it makes terrific espresso drinks -it is more a testiment to the quality that lead to all of the experimenation. We were so impressed with the quality that we now basically have a full coffee bar right in our kitchen! Syrups, sprkinles, you name it! My wife and I don't miss famous-name coffee house one bit! And so, I am still finding myself experimenting with various recipes for old favorites and inventing new ones.

Some tips from my useage so far:

Get 2 or 3 shot glasses with Oz measurements, helpful for measuring espresso output, syrups, and even the milk. Keeping track of how you make each drink, and making only one change at a time will get you on track with your personal favorites quicker.

If you think of it more like an exact art, like baking a cake versus making a stew or a chili, you'll get better results. I have my shots at about 1.5oz for a single shot, and 3 oz for a double shot. I've been using 0.5 oz of syrups (and never more than 1.0 oz if combining syrups), and then for milk I use anywhere from 2.0 oz to 6.0 oz depending on whether I am making a cappucino or a latte, and of course cup size.

Practice, practice, practice! Get to learn how to make "microfoam" froth -anyone can make big sloppy bubbles... go for a velvety smooth froth and you won't be disappointed! Do research online.. there are a ton of sites with great hints! The only "negative" thing I can say about the frother on this system is that there is no option use only a steam wand, vs. the plastic frothing attachment. On the upside, you can make "decent" froth without even doing anything... litterally just stick your frothing pitcher underneath -no need for any fancy gyrations at all... just stand there and breathe. Again, due to the quality of the coffee though, in striving to make absolutely you-know-what-retentively perfect foam I wish I could try my hand at doing it the "hard" way. Be sure to start with a cold frothing pitcher and cold milk, and get one of those frothing thermometers that clips to the pitcher -get your milk over 145, but under 170 (or you may scald the milk). Others who complain about drinks not hot enough, may be eliminating this part and adding relatively tepid milk to their coffee.

The Illy coffee costs, like that which comes in the box, costs about twice as much as other brands, but it has such an awesome flavor I find that I can use half as much.

Be sure to preheat your shot glasses and/or cups by using the hot water nozzle -in my experience the "warmer" tray doesn't really warm up the cups at all (even after exceeding the 15-20 minute wait suggested in the manual). It does however make a great place to set your shot glasses and/or cups while waiting to brew.

My unit seems to use the same amount of coffee for a single or double cup (or "pull"), even though the manual says that the waste ground removal tray can hold up to 14 single cups, or 7 double cups. (I got pretty sientific on this, weighing the tray, grouds, etc. before and after various pulls); Either way though, the expense, even is it using the double amount, is still WAY under what your costs are at the coffee house.

Be sure to allow the machine to come completely to a "stop" after first turning it on, before placing a cup under the pour spouts -it sends an initial flow of hot water to clean and heat the elements.

Also... Read the Manual!! Watch the Video! Then read the manual again!! I have a hunch that most people who are having issues with their machines didn't read the manual.

Cleanup is SOOOO simple! You will love this machine... even if you hate to clean your other appliances, you will be able to handle this one. Everything comes off/out so easily for a quick rinse ... no fuss, no muss.

The coffee, milk, and drinks, have all been wonderfully hot and delicious! With our new "coffee bar" (even in our small kitchen), I can hardly wait for our guests to come over this holiday season and share our passion for great coffee drinks.

European Gift Carmen Stainless Steel Stove Top Espresso Maker, 6-cup

I have taken espresso since 1979. This stove-top model will not take up space on the counter. Another asset is the fact that it is stainless steel. Aluminum is unhealthy. The carafe is thick-walled to keep espresso warm for a second cup. This "6-cup" pot holds 6 double demi-tasse (4 oz.) cups of water, or three full American 8 oz. cups of coffee. As a nice plus, the basket for the grounds has a "reducer" plate so you can use fewer grounds when you are making a half-pot. The spout doesn't drip. With time the heat will turn stainless lower half of the pot a beautiful gold that fades into polished silver. This is a well-made, well-designed unit that is safe to fall in love with because it will always be around and never let you down. When you get it plan to fall in love with it. It uses a special gasket size so get a few with your order. If you are a clean-freak I should note that the inside of the carafe that holds the espresso is a little hard to clean. The opening is narrow and the unremovable stem is in the middle. The bottom has a raised section that is awkward to clean the sides of, even with a brush. Italians do not customarily wash their espresso pots. This is the real thing.

BonJour Automatic Battery-Powered Primo Latte Frother

Update: 2010

Still going strong; however, I have some reservations about the stand. After several years of use, I now feel that the stand is too easily tipped over (but only because accidents do happen--if you never brushed against it, the stand wouldn't tip over), and that led to a bent "wand" when the frother hit the floor. I just received the Aerolatte as a gift (available also at Amazon.com) and am very pleased with it. However, I've only had it a few days; the reliable Bonjour frother worked well for over four years, and was slightly bent only because of an accident. Still make a fantastic (and relatively inexpensive) gift for the coffee connoisseur or the casual cocoa fan! Still highly recommendedbut you might want to compare this with the Aerolatte on features and price. Happy drinking!

Update: Feb 20, 2006

I've upgraded this from a 4.5 to a full 5* since purchasing it back in December. Initially, it seemed difficult to insert the batteries, but the Primo Frother is still going strong after almost 2 months of daily use!

I've come to appreciate a few other features, as well:

*I measured 3 ounces of milk, used the frother, and poured the froth back into a measuring cup. The foam measured close to 10 ounces; the Primo more than tripled the volume!

*The rather flimsy looking stand actually works very well, holding the frother in place without tipping over.

*It's extremely easy to clean: Just run it a few seconds under water.

*It's very useful for mixing powders (e.g., chocolate) into liquids.

*With just a little practice, you can make all manner of foams, from a light froth to a very dense topping that's almost like meringue! It's all in the angle and the depth of the frother within the drink container.

This is undoubtedly the Holiday gift we use most, and I recommend it enthusiastically. (Also available (for a little over $10 more) as a rechargeable unit, though I don't think that's as important as I originally thought.) The review I wrote after only a few days of use is next:

Original Review

The Bonjour frother, like any frother worth its salt, does an incredibly good job of injecting lots of air into your cup of milk, resulting in a thick foam that can be poured over coffee, milk, or the creative beverage of your choice. That little round wire wisk is powerful, creating a tiny whirlpool as it quietly works.

Operation.

You put the round end directly into a cup, and turn it on by holding down a very large black oval-shaped area on the frother's body. If you let go, it will stop after a few seconds--this can be useful if you want just small bursts of power. However, most people want the full whipping experience, hold it down and about 45-60 second later, a change is gonna come. The milk, previously still quite liquid--although shot through with lots of tiny air bubbles--begins to thicken (as when you make meringue). This induces a small pre-coffee high. After awhile, the foamy milk becomes so thick that the frother slows noticeably. You may be tempted to lift it from your cup to the thinner liquid, but resist this temptation: You could wind up splattering your kitchen.

Uses of Foamy Milk.

There are no hard and fast rules here, but, as stated above, froth can be poured over coffee for the classico cafe latte, over espresso (a subset of coffee, I suppose), over smoothies and desserts and whatever else you can think of. Add some Torani flavored syrup, get or make some biscoti, and enjoy the glory that is Rome. (Fortunately, a brief recipe book comes with the frother to stimulate ideas.) You can even froth your drink AFTER you poured the froth into it, but purists may scoff. I think it's a nice alternative, and it's extremely useful when your chocolate mix won't blend with milk.

Maintenance.

The frother cleans extremely easily, and you can hang it to dry in the enclosed stand. The latter was a pleasant surprised; I expected it to tip easily, but--contrary to some other reports here--it didn't. Of course, you need to place it in with some coordination and balance, but the inexpensive little stand works admirably.

Batteries and How to Insert Them.

The frother runs on 2 AA batteries (need I add that they are not included), and herein lies the single drawback: Closing the frother after inserting the batteries is not as easy as it should be. You have to push a tab on each side AND fit the end of the battery container into a slot at the end of the frother, and it takes patience and practice. If you have opened an electric razor to change the blades, and had difficulty closing it, you'll know what I mean. Suffice it to say that you DO NOT WANT TO FORCE anything, or else the tabs may break. Slowly but surely does it (or ask your clever neighbor); once you "get it," it probably won't be a problem anymore.

Ergonomics and Apppearance.

It fits nicely in your hand, and it's light, but the ergonomic advantages are somewhat overstated by Bonjour. The contrast of matte black and "brushed" aluminum looks good, and the frother is compact.

I give this a small deduction for the battery learning curve, but otherwise, a very useful small appliance. Primo, dude.

Actually, I LOVE this thing and when I got it as a gift, I thought it was pretty hokey. I used to work at Starbucks and I know there's no faking frothy, steamed milk.

But this guy does it!

To clean it I just dab a drop of dishsoap on it and send it spinning under the hot tap.

To change the batteries, make sure to squeeze *both* sides of the case.

This makes giant, fluffy hot chocolates it does an amazing job with the marshmallows! As dorky as it is, I now have it in high rotation in my kitchen!

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I've had three of these already and found that they just don't last long. After being used once a day for about a month or two, it just doesn't spin as well as it did when newer. Yes, I have been changing the batteries when it slows and it no longer makes a difference in the function. It is so slow, that it only makes a couple of bubbles now, no froth. When new it works better than expected and makes mountains of foam and that's the reason I keep purchasing another every couple of months. Maybe some moisture is getting in to the battery compartment?? not sure why the problem.

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We own the rechargeable version of this as well. Both work quite well in making froth. However, this battery version falls short of the rechargeable and so gets 4 stars for two reasons: The switch design placement is very awkward (on the side of the thing) and really does not fall to hand easily. The other version has the power button on the top, so it is easy to hold it pinched upright and press the button with an index finger. Also, the stand is not very stable. Since it hangs, the whole thing is top-heavy and prone to being knocked over easily. The recharger stand is designed to accept the device upside down, so it is bottom-heavy. (The recharging unit seems to use magnetic induction, just like most modern electric toothbrushes.)

Otherwise, for the price and since it still does work well, this battery only version is a good value.

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I've owned almost every frother on the market and this is one of the best when it comes to power, speed and comfort of use. It whips up high quality milk foam in short order (and I'm pretty picky having owned and managed several espresso bars). It is also a very solid device, creating the impression that it will last a while. Unfortunately, due to one distinct design flaw, this impression is false. The handle splits into two pieces to allow access to the battery compartment where other similar products have a door in the top in which to drop batteries into the device. This allows for a smooth, designer-y look unlike the others with their abrupt, flat tops, but eventually, after repeated replacement of the batteries, the two pieces become loose making it impossible to snap the battery compartment closed properly.

It's a shame that, in this case, good design undermines the product's lifespan. If not for this flaw the BonJour Primo would be my frother of choice. I'm going to try the older, less designer-y model Bonjour Cafe Latte Milk Frother, Vanilla White. Perhaps it will provide the same quality with a little more longevity.

PS It always makes my day to know that people find these reviews helpful. So, please vote (the "Was this review helpful to you: Yes or No" buttons) and leave a comment if you'd like, even if it's just to say, "Hi!" I respond to all comments so feel free to ask a question about the product. Also, when you leave a comment, I will go to your reviews and pay you the same courtesy.

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