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

Saeco 30013 Aroma Traditional Espresso Machine, Stainless Steel Review

Saeco 30013 Aroma Traditional Espresso Machine, Stainless SteelMy sister has owened an Aroma for years and I'd always been impress with the quality of espresso and capucino she could make at home.And one morning, I just decided that I deserved the best coffee too and ordered my own.I picked the chrome model which complements my other chrome appliances in my kitchen.It's a robust and simple piece of machinery that produces an amazing espresso.The extraction time is small, the crema is thick and their patented gizmo they use to foam milk is fool-proof.Just stick it in an wait a few seconds and you get the best foam.

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Product Description:
The Saeco Aroma traditional espresso machine is the only way to make true Italian espresso.The easy to read control light lets you know when the machine is ready to brew your delicious gourmet coffee and it also indicates when the steam is ready making it easy to use the steam wand with Pannarello attachment to froth your milk for your favorite cappuccino or latte.The residual heat of the stainless steel boiler heats the cup-warming tray on top of the machine, this ensures that your coffee cup will be warm and ready to use when ever the machine is on (holds 6 espresso cups).The pressurized portafilter has a patented filter holder to ensure a great extraction of espresso by pressurizing the brewing chamber to create the perfect brewing elements for your perfect cup of coffee.For those mornings when you're too busy to grind your own coffee, the Saeco Aroma comes with an ESE pod adaptor and special filter.This allows you to use the prepackaged single serve shots with ease.The Saeco Aroma is the only way to enjoy delicious gourmet coffee the Italian way.

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Primula Espressotini 5-Piece Espresso Martini Set Review

Primula Espressotini 5-Piece Espresso Martini SetThis is a clever espresso set. It is easy to follow the instructions to make a beautifully garnished espresso martini.The gift is very reasonably priced for the amount of things you get in the box.

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Product Description:
Recipe for the perfect Espressotini: Fill the cocktail shaker with shaved ice.Brew espresso using the stovetop espresso coffee maker and pour the coffee in the shaker.Add 1 serving each of Vanilla Flavored Vodka, Kahlua (R), and Baileys (R).Shake Vigorously and pour over the 2 martini glasses.Then use the chocolate grater included and shave fresh chocolate over the drink to make a beautiful garnish.

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Lavazza Italian Crema & Aroma Espresso Point Pods (100 ct) Review

Lavazza Italian Crema & Aroma Espresso Point PodsThese coffee pods make a very good coffee. The lavazza coffee machine is 800$, but since it was bought by my company, I don't really care, I get to enjoy this good coffee every day.

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Product Description:
Lavazza roasts this wonderfully full-bodied coffee blend for those who prefer an extra "kick" in their espresso. The best varieties of Arabicas are selected, with just a touch of rich Robustas to add that unmistakable character so typical of great Italian espresso.The Gran Espresso grind and roast make this espresso blend highly enjoyable both on its own, strong but never bitter, or as a rich base for cappuccinos and lattes.

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Breville BES400XL Ikon 15-Bar-Pump Espresso Machine Review

Breville BES400XL Ikon 15-Bar-Pump Espresso MachineUpdated:New rating 2 stars due to longevity issues.

We've owned 3 or 4 different espresso makers over the years, paying big bucks for some.This was the first that delivered for us day in and day out... at least at first.It lasted a lot longer than most until it failed about 14 months after buying it.We have replaced it with the Le Cube Nespresso 180 espresso maker (see our other review there)

Pro:
+ Consistent brew with a great flavor
+ Creates a good (but not best) coffee crema, unlike many other brands
+ A good solid feel to it, does not feel cheap or flimsy to us
+ Overflow tray is huge (and much appreciated I might add)
+ Comes with a stainless frothing cup and scoop for coffee (the other end of the scoop doubles as a coffee tamper too)
+ Seems to handle/tolerate a variety of grinds, fine and course, something other brands seemed to hate
+ Very easy to see remaining water/water level at a glance, thank you!
+ For those who put their appliances away instead of leaving them on the counter: the power plug has a thumb-sized hole in it to more easily (and more safely) pull the plug.I've never seen this feature before.
+ Overflow tray that sits under your cup has a novel "full" indicator/float that pops up when the tray is full and needs to be emptied
+ Comes with espresso cups

Con:
- The clear water container a little awkward with the frothing wand and/or when the coffee holder is inserted in the machine.We find that these items are in the way and need to be moved to slide the water container out of the unit.Probably a picky comment that should not detract from your impression of this gem.
- Water container also has some awkward angles, complicating cleaning.
- Overflow tray "full" indicator noted in the "pro" section above only warns you when the tray is absolutely full with no margin for error, making for an interesting and exciting trip to the sink
- Lasted longer than other models, but ultimately failed shortly after the warranty ended

Neutral:
x Priming/heat-up process, while fast, was very different from our other models.Not an issue, but you need to get used to it.

Bottom line: no longer recommended due to low quality of internal mechanism(s).

Click Here to see more reviews about: Breville BES400XL Ikon 15-Bar-Pump Espresso Machine

Product Description:
The Breville IKON Espresso Machine has a high performance stainless steel boiler system:precision coffee extraction temperature with commercial power steam pressure.It has a soft touch electronic control pad for ease of use and that also streamlines the look of the machine.It has a solid die-cast base with double wall brushed stainless steel chassis and body construction.Breville's patent applied Easy Eject system makes for easy removal to clean and exchange filters with advanced dual wall technology for cafe quality crema at home.

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Dreamfarm Charcoal Black Grindenstein Review

Dreamfarm Charcoal Black GrindensteinIt's just what we needed. After a major bill to a plumber who told us that coffee grounds collect like sand and clog pipes, we decided that $30 for a knock box was money well invested.

As many have said, the box is too small for commercial use but it's perfect for home and it even fits under the pour spout on the espresso machine for storage. The rubber feet and squat design hold it steady on the counter. The bar is wide, sturdy and rubber coated so it's not likely to dent your filter unit. And the low cut front edge insures that you don't accidentally hit the handle or your finger on the edge.

I think $30 is too high of a mark-up, but nothing cheaper looked nearly as functional. If ours was stolen by a coffe loving burglar (I don't expect it will break) I would buy another immediately.

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Product Description:
For everyone who makes espresso at home, this charcoal -black Dreamfarm Grindenstein is a solution for your used coffee grounds. Just as you have seen your barista do at your favorite cafe, simply place the Grindenstein on a flat surface, then remove the group handle from your machine. Turn the group handle upside down and bang it across the dump bar. PRESTO! No more denting the sink, or messy grounds in the trash; your group handle is now empty and you have collected a fabulous natural fertilizer for your garden or houseplants.

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Saeco Aqua Prima Water Filter 6-pack - Saeco APWF-6 Review

Saeco Aqua Prima Water Filter 6-pack - Saeco APWF-6If you are willing to spend up to $1000 for a coffee maker the low cost of this filter is well worth it.It maked the coffee taste better while protecting your machine.

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Product Description:
Includes Saeco APWF-6 Saeco Aqua Prima Water Filter 6-pack.

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Dreamfarm Fire Truck Red Grindenstein Review

Dreamfarm Fire Truck Red GrindensteinThis is a good knock box if there is only one person in the house drinking espresso.Perfect for someone like myself who only has a double shot every morning.It holds about 8 double shot "pucks" comfortably.The color in this picture is accurate.The red definately stands out on the counter!

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Product Description:
For everyone who makes espresso at home, this firetruck-red Dreamfarm Grindenstein is a solution for your used coffee grounds. Just as you have seen your barista do at your favorite cafe, simply place the Grindenstein on a flat surface, then remove the group handle from your machine. Turn the group handle upside down and bang it across the dump bar. PRESTO! No more denting the sink, or messy grounds in the trash; your group handle is now empty and you have collected a fabulous natural fertilizer for your garden or houseplants.

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Gaggia Baby Class Semi-Automatic Espresso Machine Review

Gaggia Baby Class Semi-Automatic Espresso MachineSet-up of this thing is pretty confusing with a horribly written manual.

I'm not sure if we ever got it running properly. Very slow and you'll have to hit the one cup button many times before youo get a dinkable amount of liquid in your espesso cup.

After one month it stopped working. We have called the number in the manual many times with no response. It seems we're resigned to try finding a repair shop. However,I'm not confident that we can find one for this.

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Product Description:
The future of espresso makers is already here, with the arrival of the latest Gaggia, the Titanium. It offers all operation at a simple push of the button, including brewing, grinding and tamping. So simple, a novice could be comfortable with it, yet still designed with the quality and durability the company was founded on. Waste no time enjoying your favorites from dark, rich espresso to frothy cappuccino. An easy-to-read LCD display enhances the look of this thoroughly modern machine. Other highlights:Features Include:High Wattage Boiler and Two Heating Elements 15 bar pumpPassively Heated Cup WarmerBrushed Stainless Steel housing60-oz. reservoir capacityIncludes single and double stainless filter baskets, coffee tamper, perfect crema disk and coffee scoopAchille Gaggia, driven by passion and inspiration, became the Father of the Modern Espresso Machine in 1938. Gaggia the company continues to be the leading maker of espresso machines in Italy, birthplace of espresso. All Gaggia brewing components are specifically manufactured to last through years of top quality espresso-making, with more flavor per ounce than other home machines.**Gaggia Espresso Machine Warranty Information: Warranty: 2-year parts and labor through Importika. Any machines taken out of the United States are void of their warranty. 1st year warranty covers parts and labor; 2nd year covers parts only.A ship

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

Krups XP4050 1200-Watt 15-Bar-Pump Programmable Espresso MachineI 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.

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Product Description:
Passion. Precision. Perfection. The Krups heritage of German engineered coffee machines and food preparation appliances provides clear functional, rigorous design at the highest level of technical perfection, performance and quality. Working with leading European designers, the product series also represents the newest European designs yet maintains the rigorous and clearly functional characteristics synonymous with Krups products. Designed and built for those who continuously seek out new gourmet experiences and take pleasure in discovering and understanding how things are done well, the Krups range provides the tools that deliver genuine results, performance and taste. Inspired by experts and demanding consumers with uncompromising standards of performance, the new Krups series has been built with three key attributes in mind: Passion, Precision and Perfection. Beautifully designed with a stainless steel front panel and espresso cup warming tray, the Krups XP4050 is a fully featured, programmable 15 bar pump espresso machine designed for the espresso connoisseur. With programmable volumetric dosing, hot water on demand and an auto cappuccino system, the XP 4050 is a professional system designed for home usage. The filter holder comes with three pre measured inserts to accommodate 1 or 2 servings of espresso as well as ESE Pods. The auto cappuccino system precisely combines the right amount of steam and air to easily froth milk.

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Pasquini Livia 90 Automatic Espresso Machine Review

Pasquini Livia 90 Automatic Espresso MachineRecently my La Pavoni broke down after 3 years, so I had to look for another machine. My machine of choice for espresso has always been Cimballi, but I was not impressed with any of their machines, which did not require a water line. After some searching and recommendation from a friend I happened upon the Pasquini Livia 90.

As far as espresso machines go, the Pasquini Livia 90 is the best unit that does not require a water line.The water resevoir holds a very large amount of water and the espresso made with this machine is simply amazing.

A good espresso should have a thick layer of creme on top (goldish brown in color) which will hold the sugar poured in to the coffee afloat for a few seconds.The Pasquini Livia 90 was the first machine I've owned to accomplish the feat.I've owned a $700 Krups Fully Automated Machine, used a $3,000 Fully Automated Machine and owned the La Pavoni fully manual machine.However, the Pasquini was the only machine to provide the perfect creme.

The steam produced by the machine will froth milk for any of the popular espresso drinks and the ability to draw hot water from the unit is also a nice touch.Unlike some machines you can leave the unit on for long periods of time without having to worry about burning out the machine.

Best machine in its class.

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Product Description:
Pasquini Livia 90 Automatic Espresso MachineFeatures & Specifications Pasquini Livia 90 Automatic Espresso Machine Where else but from Italy wouldthe most popular espresso machine come? The Pasquini Livia 90Automatic has been making headlines in the espresso world forits combination of excellent design, sturdy construction and mixof both traditional and modern features.With many of the innovationsand features of the Pasquini commercial line of espressomachines, the Livia 90 is designed for the home, office orrestaurant/cafe setting. It has all the great brewing featuresof the Livia 90 Semiautomatic but provides push button controlso that your espresso can be brewed and poured while you aredoing something else. Another time saving feature is that theLivia 90 is a genius at brewing and steaming milk all the sametime. A great convenience and excellent for commercial use, bothof the features make coffee production quick and reliable. TheLivia 90 also carries a NSF Sanitation Certification, oftenrequired for professional use.DetailedProduct FeaturesOne-touchControl, Programmable Automatic BrewingWith just a push of a button on the Livia 90, youcan choose either a single or double shot of espresso. Once youselect the cup size amount you want, the Livia 90 Automatic willbrew a rich, aromatic cup of espresso, just the way you askedfor it. You can also program the button tobring you your favorite style of espresso, every time. Want evenmore? You can brew any size coffee on the Livia 90 by switchingon the manual override feature.Simple to use and easy to read controls makebrewing with the Livia 90 a joy. Heavy-dutyrocker switches and

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Forever Espresso Inox 4 Cup Espresso Maker. Review

Forever Espresso Inox 4 Cup Espresso Maker.This espresso maker is wonderful.Easy to use.Heavy duty, good quality.Easy to assemble and disassemble. Pretty sitting on the stove.I really don't have anything negative to say about this.It cleans up well.It much nicer looking than the other dull aluminum espresso makers.It is also safer for your health, as its made out of stainless steel, as opposed to potentially hazardous aluminum.For those not familiar with espresso makers, its not an actual 4 'cup' pot (as in 32 oz.)It is a 4 'espresso serving' size pot.The actual water well in the bottom holds about 8 ounces (each espresso serving is about 2 ounces).The handle gets a little warm if you put the flame up to high, but that's just a matter of physics, as opposed to design.

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Product Description:
Forever Espresso Inox 4 Cup Espresso Maker.

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Francis Francis 208003 X8 iperEspresso Machine, Black Review

Francis Francis 208003 X8 iperEspresso Machine, BlackIlly is having a promotion of these.You can get them from Illy's website for $175 until 12/31/2009.

This machine is for people who want convenience. This machine uses pre-packaged espresso servings.If you do not want to fuss or mess that comes with grinding your own beans, you have three options:

1. Nespresso.You have to buy the machine and the capsules from Nespresso. I tried this machine and didn't really like the espresso. Not enough rich crema.

2. E.S.E Pods. Made by lots of different companies.This is an industry standard format.It's basically like an individually packaged tea bag, with a compressed puck of finely ground coffee inside. You could use this in a convensional espresso machine with the appropriate adaptor. Widely available. But the quality of your espresso will depend highly on your machine.

3. Illy's iperEspresso capsules, used by this machine, the Francis Francis X8. Not much of a selection of coffee, but what they do offer is very good. The crema is excellent.I find the machine very easy to use.The multi-color LED tells me when the machine is ready.Switches quickly between brew and steam (< 30 seconds). The frothing wand works pretty well, but it tends to over froth a bit.That's great for cappuccinos, but not so great for lattes.

PROS:

1. Extremely easy and convenient.
2. It acually makes decent drinks.
3. Seems to be good quality construction.
4. Never really runs out of steam.The pump inject small amounts of water into the boiler while steaming.
5. Switches between steam and brew (and vice versa) in under 30 seconds.
6. Heats up very quickly (under 30 seconds).CONS:

1.This is not for espresso connoisseurs.The espresso is acceptable, but not in the same league as a Rancillio or Gaggia.My other machine is a Silvia.I bought the X8 because I wanted a second machine for the office, where grinding beans and making a mess is not an option.

2. The Illy capsules are not individually wrapped.Once you open the tin (14 capsules), the shelf life is 14 days.

3. The construction quality is excellent, keeping in mind the whole thing is plastic.Again, not in the same league as something 100% stainless steel or polished chrome.

4. The steam power is very weak, however due the sophisticated design of the steam wand, it does a good job creating froth because it mixes lots of air into the milk.Nonetheless, you don't really have the power or flexibility that you'd find on a high-end machine.

5. It's mainly designed for single shot drinks. A tripple shot "venti" cappuccino will be rather tough to make with this machine (and expensive). Steaming a large enough portion of milk will be a slow process.Also, it would take you nearly two minutes to brew three capsules.By then, both your crema from the first shot and froth in the sitting milk would have started to collapse and your end result will not be great.
Overall, I love this machine.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Francis Francis 208003 X8 iperEspresso Machine, Black

Product Description:
The X8 machines uses the new revolutionary iperEspresso Method to prepare espresso.Hyper Espresso is a unique and innovative two-stage process.The first is hyper infusion.This is followed by emulsion, resulting in a thick, velvety crema and full-bodied espresso.

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Saeco 641 Odea Go Super Automatic Espresso Machine Review

Saeco 641 Odea Go Super Automatic Espresso MachineI recently upgraded to this model from a Krups steam espresso maker and it was probably one of the best decisions I've ever made.I can't believe I did upgrade sooner.

The espresso comes out perfect, just like those at places like Starbucks.My favorite part about this model is the minimum work required for cleaning.It has a bin that collects the used grounds so you don't have to empty and clean after every cup.

The steam for the milk frother comes out super fast and super hot.It takes less than 30 seconds for me to froth milk.And when you're done, just rinse the plastic nozzle and you're set for the next cup.

Now the only downside about this model: it doesn't store too much water.If you have 2 or more people using this thing every morning, there's a good chance someone will always have to refill the water in the tank after the machine pumps out a half cup of coffee and blinks its red light.Even then, for the price, it is well worth it and provides great value.

Update 4/7/2010 - Still turning out great coffee/espresso with ease after 3 years of service.Must've saved me $1000 from morning trips to Starbucks annually.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Saeco 641 Odea Go Super Automatic Espresso Machine

Product Description:
Equipped with 15 bars of pump pressure, this 1500-watt automatic espresso machine grinds, doses, tamps, brews, and dispenses quality coffee, preparing one to two cups at the same time. The machine's built-in ceramic grinder ensures the best results without altering the flavor of coffee; it quietly delivers a more consistent grind, allowing perfect dosing and blending, plus offers more control over the density and body of coffee. In addition, the espresso machine's pre-brewing cycle maximizes flavor extraction, while its Pannarello frothing device produces steam in three different directions for cappuccinos and lattes, dispenses hot water for making hot beverages and soups, and can be completely removed for cleaning. Other thoughtful details include a 1-1/2-liter removable water tank; an Aqua Prima water filter that removes impurities from the water and protects the machine from limescale damage; a drip tray that can be raised or lowered manually or electrically with a simple touch, which means it easily accommodates different cup sizes such as espresso cups or glasses; and a removable Saeco brew group for easy, chemical-free cleaning. Sleek and stylish, the espresso machine measures 15-1/6 by 11-3/7 by 14-1/2 inches.

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Lavazza InBlu Ground Espresso, 8.8-Ounce Can Review

Lavazza InBlu Ground Espresso, 8.8-Ounce CanI lived in Italy and grew very accustomed to great coffee.LavBlu is as good as any I've had.It costs a bit more in stores, so if you order more than three cans or so, it's probably saving you money.If you order six or so as I do, even with the shipping, it's a bargain. Buy the Rosa if you're making on the stove as this is too fine for a stove.With a machine, it's just outstanding.New Lines Sales is easy to deal with, quick and responsive

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Product Description:
A 100% Arabica blend, Lavazza in Blu is comprised of beans from Brazil and other portions of South America that create a velvet and full-bodied blend. This mild flavored coffee has a slightly sharp flavor that is enhanced by its superb aroma.

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Pasquini Livia 90 Semiautomatic Commercial Espresso/Cappuccino Machine Review

Pasquini Livia 90 Semiautomatic Commercial Espresso/Cappuccino MachineI bought the Pasquini Livia 90 Automatic in 2002. The version I needed was for 240 volt operation so it was shipped from Italy. At the same time I also ordered the grinder and 2 drawer base. I had spent a lot of time reading reviews and comments on several sites for a wide variety of machines. The number of reviews which compared their brands to the Pasquini Livia machines was what really sold me on the Pasquini. You don't compare your machine(s) to lesser machines, you compare against the best. If so many various reviews used Pasquini as a target then it must be well worth a look. I am glad I did, it is an extremely well built and reliable machine.

I have mine on for 12 to 16 hours per day and make and serve quite a lot of espresso and cappuccino to family and friends. The Pasquini is also used for tea, cocoa, instant soups and anything else that calls for the use of near boiling water. The machine gets it right every time, any variation in quality is due to the coffee, the milk or the user. It took a bit of time to learn how to use it effectively but it has never disappointed me.

The only reason for 4 stars instead of 5 is due to the choice of a plastic water storage reservoir in the machine. I think that a stainless steel tank would be a better choice due to the effects of age, heat and vibrations which caused some cracks in my original tank. Pasquini replaced it free of charge even though the machine was out of warranty! A stainless steel tank would add to the noise level though and it already is not a stealthy machine. The pump is by no means quiet, but it certainly does the job and I'm sure will continue to do so for years to come.

I recommend Pasquini without reservation based on the machine and the service I have had when dealing directly with the company on several occasions.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Pasquini Livia 90 Semiautomatic Commercial Espresso/Cappuccino Machine

Product Description:
From Italy comes the celebrated Pasquini Livia 90 Semiautomatic espresso & cappuccino machine. Designed for home, office, or small restaurant use, it employs sturdy commercial components from a world famous professional espresso machine line. The Pasquini Livia 90 Semiautomatic espresso machine sets the standard for what is possible from a home espresso machine. This is the true connoisseur's espresso machine, and is a lifetime investment for the espresso aficionado.Jam packed with commercial grade features and parts, the Pasquini Livia is a true heat exchanger espresso machine, which means the boiler is used for steaming on demand, and espresso water is drawn straight from the built in reservoir - it gets flash heated as it passes through a piping system inside the boiler. With the Livia 90, producing espresso shot after espresso shot, and steaming instantly for large parties is never a problem.Brewing espresso & frothing milk at the same time is no problem for the Livia! This is an absolute necessity for any espresso machine used for entertaining or in a semi-commercial environment. This saves a lot of time and eliminates the need for you to wait for the boiler to ""recover"" between espresso brewing and milk heating functions (common on all single boiler machines). The dual heat exchanger allows for both functions to take place simultaneously.The Livia 90 Semiautomatic is just like the Livia 90 Automatic, but IT DOES NOT have the automatic one-touch brewing system like the automatic version.

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Nespresso C100 Essenza Single-Serve Automatic Espresso Machine, Piano Black Review

Nespresso C100 Essenza Single-Serve Automatic Espresso Machine, Piano BlackThey had this machine in a hotel in Paris and I had to have it.Easiest way to make expressos and the coffee is very good.

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Product Description:
Developed with a unique extraction system specially designed for coffee-filled capsules, this 1200-watt single-serve automatic espresso machine deploys technology essential for preparing perfect espresso. A simple system perforates the hermetically sealed capsule and soaks all the ground coffee to optimally filter the coffee, while the unit's high-pressure 19-bar pump extracts all the aromas and gives body to the espresso ensuring a smooth crema--the delicious creamy layer on top. In addition, the machine's ThermoBlock heating system heats water to 187 degrees and 196 degrees during extraction and empties the remaining water after each use so that the water is fresh for each preparation. Used capsules eject semi-automatically into the used-capsule collection container upon lifting the handle.
Other highlights include programmable and automatic control of the amount of coffee in the cup, a backlit control button, electronic temperature regulation, and a removable 34-ounce water container. The espresso machine only uses capsules, not any other ground espresso, but a range of 12 premium coffee blends is available, including decaffeinated. The capsules can be purchased from Nespresso, either by phone or at their Web site, and an assortment of 12 capsules comes included. Compactly designed in ABS housing, the strikingly modern espresso machine measures 10 by 6-1/2 by 11-1/2 inches and carries a one-year limited warranty.

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Saeco S-TG-ST Talea Giro Super Automatic Espresso Machine Review

Saeco S-TG-ST Talea Giro Super Automatic Espresso MachineSeems expensive, but please add up your Starbucks expenditures for the past year and then buy this with no hesitation!

Many espresso purists turn their noses up at superauto machines, but as someone who has owned a high-end non-auto machine, this Saeco will reliably produce a high-quality espresso shot with virtually no effort!With my manual machines the shots would vary in quality, and while at times I could produce a better shot on my own, it would require a lot of effort.This superauto produces espresso that is 100% reliably better than most but not all of the shots I could produce manually, and it does so with almost no effort on my part (add water, beans, empty dreg drawer, that's about it).

Oh, and definitely get the [optional] Milk Island, which produces a phenomenal microfoam, to the point that you can do some basic latte art with it; again not better than some I could produce manually, but consistently better than most I produce manually, and with no work at all!

This machine looks great, heats up INSTANTANEOUSLY (that's right, no waiting at all for a boiler to heat up), is fairly quiet (thanks to ceramic grinder), and produces espresso that is superior to anything you could ever get a Starbucks.

I also looked at just about every other superauto in the $500 to $1,500 price range, and in fact tried a number of them out in person.This particular unit was my favorite by a wide margin!

BUY THIS AND THE OPTIONAL MILK ISLAND AND NEVER GO TO STARBUCKS AGAIN!I'm serious.

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Product Description:
The Talea Giro offers all the convenience of a super automatic espresso machine, and is milk island capable ( milk island sells separately) which offers more options for frothing and steaming milk for cappuccinos and lattes. The Milk Island is a unique Saeco development for all Talea models. In fact, it is the key function for all milk frothing connoisseurs. Whether you prefer espresso macchiato, cappuccino, latte macchiato or any other speciality, the preparation of creamy foam takes just a matter of seconds. The Milk Island is available in glass with a total capacity of 13.5 ounces or 1.7 cups.The Talea Giro has a built in ceramic grinder that puts an end to grinding with metal components.Ceramic is inert and won't react to the coffee or alter its flavor.The ceramic grinder provides a more even grind, allowing for perfect dosing and blending and is also much quieter about performing its duties than stainless steel grinders. The Talea Giro takes care of the grinding, dosing, tamping and brewing, but allows for personal taste in the programming of coffee size, strength and temperature. The Talea Giro offers the patented technology of the Saeco Brew System--turn the dial either right or left and change the strength and consistency of your coffee by either increasing or decreasing the water pressure as it moves through the grounds.Saeco Opti-dose has an adjustable 7 - 10.5 gram doser regulating the amount of beans to grind per serving.Talea Giro includes an adjustable built-in ceramic disc grinder, automatic cup warming surface that holds up to 6 espresso cups, a stainless steel pannarello attachment for steaming milk and dispensing hot water,a removable 57 ounce water tank, manual drip tray that you can move up or down to adjust to any size cup, sliding wheels on the base of machine for convenient rotation and rapid steam technology---no waiting between frothing milk with pannarello attachment and brewing espresso.

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Saeco Nina Traditional Espresso Machine Review

Saeco Nina Traditional Espresso MachineJust got the Nina and after taking a few minutes and following the well detailed instructions to a T had made one of the finest home-brewed cups of java in a while. For those who enjoy the good cup and cannot afford(or as I justify) spending a few thousand bucks on a real fine machine this one takes the burden away. If you want to brew a full cup you simply hold the brew button down untill your cup is filled.
I've been trhu a few of the 200+ dollar machines and this one is well to compete with the 500+ dollar machines minus the bells and whisltes and it makes a cup just as good as the two-thousand dollar machine without the bling.
If your looking for a fine home-brewed espresso machine then look no further as this one wil make you exactly what you want.
Thanks for reading
-Jeff

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Product Description:
Practice your freedom of espresso. The Saeco Nina espresso machine brews bold, flavorful coffee drinks right on your countertop, getting it just right with simple controls and a plastic Pannarello to manually froth milk for cappuccinos and lattes. One-year warranty. Model 00415.

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Rancilio Silvia espresso, lattes, cappuccinos maker (silver) Review

Rancilio Silvia espresso, lattes, cappuccinos makerThis machine is the perfect blend of quality, durability, and ease of repair for a home machine under $500.It makes espresso that rivals any you can buy at a coffee house.
I've been making home espresso for 25 years and have used many different machines of various prices which all died.I bought one for $250 from Starbucks which died in one year.They told me parts were not available.This machine is practically bullet-proof.I've had it for over 5 years and it is still running like new.Sure it hurts to spend this much on an espresso machine, but how many $250 machines will you go through?Learn from my mistake(s) and get a good one.
All the parts inside are commercial or semi-commercial grade.Anyone who works on commercial espresso machines can work on this one, and the parts are readily available. It's all stainless and cast iron.Very nice.
It has a 3-way solenoid, which you want, trust me.The 3-way solenoid lets pressure escape from the basket when you switch off the pump so that the coffee grounds fall out of the portafilter handle in a solid little disk instead of a soupy mess.
You DO NEED a good grinder made for espresso to use this machine.The pump puts out a solid 9 bar, which means most grinders can't get the coffee fine enough.A burr grinder is the only way to go.This makes the grounds fine enough that a shot will take about 20 seconds to make.Any less time for a shot and it means your coffee is too coarse.If you don't want to buy a grinder right now, there are some good preground espresso coffees in a can (such as Illy), but it will go stale fast.You'll want the grinder.
If you want great espresso, and a reliable machine, you can't go wrong with the Silvia.Take a bit of time to learn proper technique and you'll be happy with this one.

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Capresso Impressa J5 Espresso Maker - White - Frontgate, White Review

Capresso Impressa J5 Espresso Maker - White - Frontgate, WhitePreviously there had been a two reviews posted here so tailored and smooth they could have only been created by marketing. A third review took umbrage at this tactic and proceeded to vent. None of this had anything to do with this machine and provided no information or incentive to empty out the trust fund and give it a go.

This machine has been in our house a week. I think it's wonderful: it's 7AM fool-proof. How to make a double espresso? A switch, three buttons and two minutes later I am slurping an excellent barista worthy double shot at a time of day I can't be trusted to putmy pants on correctly. Four minutes and I have an espresso for the spouse and myself and I get huge bonus points for being so thoughtful.

Best? No daily clean up; it's all internal and needs to be attended to less than a bird feeder.

If you have the not insubstantial cash to drop, I really recommend it. 4 stars, easy.

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Product Description:
An innovative and compact coffee center, our Capresso Impressa J5 Espresso Maker features smooth clean lines, elegant accents, and remarkable performance. An aesthetic masterpiece from any angle, this unique kitchen appliance will grind, tamp, and brew your fresh espresso, cappuccino, or latte in under 60 seconds.Sleek stainless steel construction. Platinum metallic treatment on front and top with tasteful chrome accents. Matte black or piano white side and back panels. Centrally located, user-friendly rotary dial allows you to override any settings for coffee and steam. Functions and settings are clearly displayed on the alpha-numeric LED display. Coffee maker includes a 71-oz. removable water container. Two year/6000 cup warranty. See complete features and specifications for the Capresso J5 Espresso Machine. Made in Switzerland.

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