Nespresso Pixie Espresso Maker, Aluminum

CUSTOMER REVIEW



Addendum, 2012: In order to remove the water tank effortlessly, you need to OPEN the lid of the water container. There are latches on the lid itself which engage when the lid is closed! If you open the lid, the tank comes off without any resistance. If you keep it closed and try to remove the tank, you will have to force it and and will break the plastic. II've been using my Pixie for a year multiple times a day and it still runs perfectly. I descale the unit every 4-5 months and I've never had any problems with leakage after it's been descaled. One year in and my Pixie is jsut as good as the day I bought it.



I previously used a Tassimo system as my primary coffee maker but moved to a Nespresso Pixie when Starbucks dropped Tassimo. Since I've switched to the Pixie, I couldn't be happier and I've never had coffee this good at home.



First of all, the Pixie is a very stylish machine and it seems extremely solid in construction. The Pixie is made of aluminum and heavy plastic and it feels very substantial to handle/use. Secondly, the machine has a surprisingly small footprint, which is very nice if space is at a premium. I've only had my Pixie for a month but I use it about three times a day and so far, nary a whiff of any reliability issues. No leaking or inconsistent coffee temperatures, as reported by one reviewer.



The coffee produced by this machine is wondrous! No it doesn't produced shots which are equivalent to those coming out of an $8000.00 industrial espresso machine however, for a single shot pod system, the coffee the Nespresso Pixie makes is excellent. Consistently good aroma, body, taste and crema, commensurate with the stated characteristics listed in the Nesspresso classification for each type I've tried. I tend to drink lattes most of the time however I've consumed at least one of each type I received in the LARGE (200 shot) "Welcome order" as a strait espresso/lungo and all of them were firmly between good and great to my tastes.



Operation of this machine is drop-dead simple. Lift the large bar up and the Pixie top opens up, drop in a Nespresso pod, pull the bar down and press one of the two brew buttons (espresso & lungo) on the top. Thirty seconds later, enjoy your beverage. One beautiful design feature is that the next time you swing the bar up and open the Pixie, the previous Nespresso pod falls into a catch basin which holds 12 or so spent pods. When the container is full, the entire piece pulls away from the unit along with a drip tray for disposal or recycling of the used pods. No fuss, no mess, a 25 second boot time from power-on to brewing and great coffee to boot.



If you like espresso drinks and are extremely busy or don't want to deal with the mess, hassle and complication of a traditional machine, it's really hard to beat the Nespresso Pixie in form, function and price. I love mine so much I might have to order a second unit for my parents house. Each time I go back to visit them, I can't stand the fact that I don't have access to good coffee without driving out to Starbucks and throwing 5 dollars down a hole. With my Pixie (along with my Capresso milk frother) I can quickly make a latte which is almost as good for less than $1.50. In my opinion, if any product ever deserved a mythic sixth star, the Nespresso Pixie is it!



Addendum, June 2012: I've had my Pixie for about nine months now and I have zero problems to report. This little work horse keeps chugging along through multiple uses each day without incident. I did have to descale the Pixie after six months and I used the Nespresso descaling kit to accomplish the task...also worked like a charm. My water reservoir hasn't developed any cracks, as described by another reviewer, and I still heartily recommend my Nespresso Pixie.



Update, January 2013: My Pixie is still chugging along without incident. I use it daily and descale it every six months and so far, not a whiff of any mechanical problems. The Pixie is built like a tank.

Breville BES900XL Dual Boiler Semi Automatic Espresso Machine

CUSTOMER REVIEW



I don't even know where to start. I just got this "Lamborghini" of espresso machines, about 2 hours ago and after about 6 tries I pulled a perfect shot.



When I say perfect, I mean double-shot-single-wall-filter-14gr-30-lbs-of-tamper-pressure-200F-9-bars-30-second-extraction-2oz-full-of-crema PERFECT.



I have been using a BES820XL for quite some time and I was very happy with the quality and all my friends always said that my espresso was the best they've ever tried. True, my espresso has always been consistent and close to the coffee I drank throughout Italy.



UNTIL NOW.



I can't believe the difference this machine made. I mean the same coffee (same amount of coffee & same tamper pressure & 30 second extraction) tastes like it's not from the same beans. It tastes like dark chocolate with a very long finish and a delicious aftertaste. The same coffee pulled through BES820XL lacked the finish and wasn't as full-bodied.



The machine is a lot bigger than my BES820XL (I will try to upload a photo later) but it's pure sexinness. I don't even mind that my espresso cups don't fit on top of it when it's under the cupboards (my cabinets are hung a little low).



Besides the obvious difference in the looks between the two machines, this machine is a technological marvel. The PID controls alone are worth it. The PID controls let you keep the temperature pegged at 200F with just over a 1 degree variation. Instant steam means I never have to wait again or hear that pumping noise.



I love the wheels underneath. It makes it so easy to maneuver the machine on the counter. And I also love the fact that you can fill it up right through the top lid.



The ONLY disappointment is the weight of the included tamper. I mean it's great that you can store it right on the machine but for my big hands it's a bit small and too light. I will have to get another tamper (this machine usees a 58mm tamper as opposed to the 51mm on the BES820XL). I've been used to using a nice heavy tamper with a rosewood handle, so I'll probably look for the same one in 58mm.



In conclusion, I LOVE the BDB (Breville Dual Boiler).



I've only had it for 2 hours, so time will tell if it will continue to deliver the results. I will keep updating the review, so stay tuned.



***UPDATE***



I've uploaded 2 photos. On one of them you can see the difference in size between BES820XL (same size as BES830XL) and the new BES900XL.



***UPDATE***



Didn't even read the instructions until now, but it says to soak the water filter for 5 minutes before inserting. I didn't do it (hopefully it won't be an issue). And I just ordered the Smart Grinder Breville BCG800XL Smart Grinder will my wife kill me? We'll find out tonight. :)



***UPDATE***



This machine is MASSIVE. I don't know where to put it in my small kitchen... It's intruding into the cooking space. I might have to put it somewhere outside of the kitchen. I may have to get a bigger apartment to accommodate this espresso machine. I think in the new apartment I will have a separate coffee & wine room with just my coffee stuff and wine refrigerators, how cool would that be?



***UPDATE***



I keep on pulling perfect shots at 9 bars and get 2 oz in 30 seconds. I am using Lavazza "perfetto espresso" ground coffee, which seems to be the perfect grind size. The Smart Grinder should come in within a few days, but I don't see how it can get any better. The espresso I pulled (see the pictures I posted) is as perfect as I've ever had anywhere, even in coffee shops in Italy from freshly roasted and ground coffee.



***UPDATE***



Ran out of Lavazza "Il Perfetto Espresso" which was a perfect grind size. Opened a gold can of Lavazza and found the grind size to be too small - I tried pulling shots even with very little tamper pressure and the shots were coming out too slowly about 40 seconds. The Smart Grinder is coming in tomorrow so I am excited. I already bought the Lavazza and Illy whole beans. Will update my review tomorrow.



***UPDATE*** 11/23/2011



Received Breville's Smart Grinder (Breville BCG800XL Smart Grinder) today and started grinding my own coffee. I bought a 2.2 lb bag of Lavazza beans (Lavazza Super Crema Espresso Whole Bean Coffee, 2.2-Pound Bag) from Amazon, which was delivered super fast by the way.



I played with different settings on the grinder until I got to my double-shot-30-seconds-9-bars perfect shot. The coarsness setting is all the way to the right (the finest setting) and the amount setting is all the way to the left (when the amount setting is in the middle I got too many grinds which is an unnecessary waste of coffee).



The result left me speechless. I got so much crema that my eyes literally popped out of my head like in a cartoon. The taste and aroma were superb. I am finally "there". It doesn't get any better than this. You can have a $10,000 espresso machine and the best shot you'll make would be equal to my shot, because there is no room left for improvement.



BES900XL & BCG800XL are a match made in heaven.



***UPDATE*** 11/25/2011



I keep pulling perfect shots. I haven't had a single shot end up in the sink. I haven't even experimented with the pre-infusion or different temperature (I have it at 200F).



***UPDATE*** 11/27/2011



I just thought I'd say that this machine is not for someone who doesn't understand how the correctly pulled espresso shot is supposed to taste like. This machine is not "set it and forget it" type of machine. It's not a Nespresso or Keurig. To pull a perfect shot you absolutely HAVE TO make sure all the variables are correct and you have to know what you are doing, which means you HAVE TO do additional research on the following: 1. grind size 2. dosing 3. tamper pressure 4. temperature 5. extraction pressure 6. timing of the shot 7. type of bean, etc. If you are not sure what even one part of this means, please do your research BEFORE buying this machine! This machine does its magic only if you do the CORRECT PREP first!! I guarantee that if you pull a 10-second shot or a 50-second shot, you WILL BE disappointed even with your favorite coffee beans!!!



I also guarantee that if you do all the prep correctly you will be amazed at the quality of your espresso shots!!



I would really hate to see someone write a bad review of this machine because of their own mistakes in grind size, dosing and other variables.



***UPDATE*** 12/9/2011



I keep pulling perfect shots every single day. I did change the settings on the grinder to the finest (all the way to the right) and the amount is two ticks from the left between weaker and 0. If the amount is set to 0 it results in too much wasted coffee.



All in all, I am still extremely happy with BDB and the Smart Grinder.



If anyone has any questions, please feel free to ask me in the comments below.



***UPDATE*** 1/28/2012



Here is a quick update. I have not had a "sink shot" for 2 months straight. Every single shot I pull is absolutely perfect.



I went on a vacation to PR and stopped by a coffee shop, which had a La Marzocco Strada with 2 group heads. La Marzocco Strada is an incredible espresso machine with a hefty price tag and I just couldn't imagine how you can screw up a shot, yet the barista managed to screwed it up! I don't know whether it was his tamper pressure, grind size or something else but it was absolutely disgusting!! Even though I didn't even finish the coffee, it actually made me feel pretty good to be able to pull better shots than La Marzocco Strada! The moral of the story is, prep prep prep!!



***UPDATE*** 3/10/2012



I have been using this machine for almost 4 months. I have pulled probably close to 200 double shots.



The consistency of the machine is incredible. I haven't changed any settings in months and it still pulls perfect shots every time.



I haven't mentioned this before, but it is very important that your espresso cups are warm.



Here is a tip: the quickest way to warm up your espresso cups is to put a little bit of water in them and stick them in a microwave for 30 seconds while you are grinding the coffee.



*** UPDATE *** 11/23/2012



I have now had this machine for over a year. I have not changed any settings in almost an entire year and I still keep pulling perfect shots every single day.



*** UPDATE *** 4/13/2013



Still good! I use it every single day and have already gone through a few cleaning cycles.



I would estimate that I've pulled at least 500 shots in the last year and a half and have not changed any settings on the machine or the grinder in over a year.



I have the temperature set at 195, since when I experimented with different temperatures I found that the lower temp yields a sweeter shot.



If you are still thinking about buying it and comparing it to others - don't even waste time looking for anything else in this price range - there is simply no competition.



*** UPDATE *** 2/4/2014



Still works great! We use it every day, sometimes more than once a day.



We haven't had to change any settings, with the exception of when we lost power the machine reset back to 200F and I had to set it back to 195F, and set the clock.



It would be nice if they would have an auto on feature for different days of the week, because on some days I need the machine to turn on at 5:45am and on some days I don't, I have to remember to turn the auto on feature every evening before we have to get up early and if I forget to shut it off the machine turns on at 5:45am the next day...



It's a minor annoyance for an otherwise excellent espresso machine.

Espressione Café Minuetto Professional Thermoblock Espresso Machine, Silver

CUSTOMER REVIEW



Just purchased this unit, (actually the 1334 not the 1334/1, the only difference is less stainless steel exterior). I read hundreds of reviews on all kinds of models and spent way to much time going to the stores here in Florence, Italy looking and comparing and talking to the sales reps. Like most items if you get a bad one you hate it and if you get a good one it is the best there is! So many units are plastic and so light weight that they really scared me. Even the old names out there seem to have models that look and feel cheap and you wonder how long they will last? I narrowed it down to the Ariete Minuetto, Gaggia Evolution and the DeLonghi EC 310 models. I was on a tight budget so that made things a little difficult to sort out as well. The DeLonghi had lots of reviews and the highest user satisfaction rating but two things turned me away, 50 euros higher in cost and it felt light and seemed kind of cheap. The Gaggia was pretty plastic and light as well and was supposed to have good inner working parts but the reviews were a 50/50 thing for the most part with not good ratings on after the sale service. The Minuetto had only 2 or 3 user ratings on it that I could find and they were 50/50 as well but the negative one seemed more like user error to me than the brands problem. So after a lot of scrutiny I decided on the Minuetto at a cost of 99 euro. I looked at the Minuetto pro with all the stainless on it but decided that another 35 euro was not worth just the look of more stainless steel.



The unit was very well packaged and there was no damage of any kind to the exterior of the unit and the fit and finish was excellent. The unit feels very solid and has a good weight to it like something that is made to last for a while. Not bright and flashy in appearance but just simple and very professional looking with stainless steel parts and brushed chrome and the darker areas are a dark gray color. The foamer wand is stainless steel and not plastic like so many I looked at and feels solid when I turn it and not wobbly like it is going to fall off at any moment. The drip tray grate is stainless steel as well. The drip tray is easily removed for cleaning and even has a float gauge to tell you if it gets full of water. The top has a stainless steel plate over the cup warming area but like so many I don't think it will get warm enough to want to use it for cup warming. The plate is removable for cleaning so that makes cleaning the top of the unit very easy. The water tank is on the back side and is clear so you can see the water level with ease and it hold a very good amount of water so you won't be filling it each time you use it. The tank is also very easy to remove and the top of it also is used as a handle to lift the tank from it's position on the unit.



The filters it comes with are, one for using pods and one for a one cup espresso using ground coffee and one for a two cup shot using ground coffee. The filter wand and housing are solid but the handle might feel slightly light weight. Time will tell how it hold up. There are two indicator lights on the front, one for power being on and the other letting you know it is up to the right heat level to use. Their is a rocker power switch on the back left side of the unit. The main control knob on the front is chrome plastic but feels very solid and turning it to the left produces steam for the wand and to the right for pouring the espresso and in the center for standby mode. User manual is shown in several languages and is clear and easy to read. Not hugely in depth but adequate for the most part. There is also a service center brochure supplied.



A short word about service. I had one very simple question that I emailed the Ariete customer service center about and within 4 hours I had a return email with a very clear answer. If that is typical of their response I give them high points for taking care of their customers.



I followed the instructions for preparing the unit for use. Some talk about noise of espresso machines. What came from this unit was nothing alarming at all. You of course heard the pump running but what do you expect? The unit heated up quickly after priming the pump etc and ran hot water through the filter well and also steam through the wand very well. No leaks of any kind, no water spraying where it should not etc. but just worked like it was supposed to work. I filled the two cup filter with ground espresso coffee with the supplied measuring spoon and tamped it with the other end which is a tamper. Not heavy duty but it did do the job. Positioned the filter and snugged it into place. Allowed it a couple of minutes to warm up and then turned it to the espresso switch side. In a couple of seconds great looking espresso began to flow with a great creama effect on the top. I then ran the steam wand in a glass for a few seconds to allow it to warm and produce good steam and then with a cold cup of milk in a stainless cup began to produce great looking frothy milk. Espresso and milk were nice and hot and looked great. Taste was not perfect but that was because I used a cheap espresso brand to begin with to get the hang of things.



So in summery this unit did all that it was supposed to do the first time out. Looks good, feels good and is very easy to use. My first impressions are 5 stars! If you are looking for a well made and put together easy to use espresso machine take a look at this one. It is worth the look and I think you will be impressed especially if you compare it to others in the same and even slightly higher price range.

Nespresso Aeroccino Plus

Product Description

Nespresso 3192-US Plus Aeroccino & Milk Frother-Perfect milk froth in seconds.

Product Detail

• Maximum capacity: 130 ml (for milk froth preparation), 250 ml (for hot milk preparation)


• Hot and cold milk froth for cappuccinos,hot milk for lattes


• Maximum and minimum level indicators


• Hot milk froth in 70 sec


• Detachable base

CUSTOMER REVIEW



I really love it! You fill cold milk into it, push the button and after about a minute you get warm and very stiff cappucino-milk foam.



The newer Aeroccino Plus is an improved version of the older Aeroccino (no plus). It works great and - honestly - there is no reason to buy the old Aeroccino anymore (i own both)!



The Plus is larger, the milk doesn't burn to the floor of the kettle anymore, it can now be submerged into water (but no dishwasher!) and it can also do cold milk foam which looks great and stiff (hold the switch for about 2 seconds - the light turns blue instead of red).



Finally cleaning is really easy and can be done with water, sometimes a little soap and with the hands - there is no burned milk anymore (as with the old version). They also improved the coating so nothing sticks anymore.



If you love cappucinos or cafe-lattes, get one!

Presto 05466 Stainless Steel Dual Basket Pro Fry Immersion Element Deep Fryer

Product Description

Just point and shoot for delicious salads, pizzas, coleslaw, hash browns, tacos and much, much more! Professional size, power, speed and capacity. Bonus! Includes extra accessories for ripple cuts and thick slices, plus a handy funnel guide. 120 volts, 60 Hz

Product Detail

• Oblong-shaped baskets ideal for frying large pieces of chicken or fish


• Adjustable thermostat with signal light that indicates when oil is ready for frying


• 12-cup food capacity


• Heating element and enameled pot remove for easy cleaning


• Product Built to North American Electrical Standards

CUSTOMER REVIEW



In light of Shelley Ryan's excellent report on the problem she had with her Presto fryer, I thought I should report my own experience. I filled my fryer with oil and let it come up to temperature on the highest setting. I checked the temperature with my own thermometer when the light went out, and indeed the temperature was only around 340 degrees rather than 375 as it should be. But, after simply mixing the oil around a bit with the drip baskets, I found that within a few minutes the temperature rose right up to 375 degrees, as it was supposed to be. The heating elements are very close to the unit's internal thermostat, and I think that you need to get the oil moving a bit in order for all of the oil to heat uniformly up to the correct temperature.



Of course, once the food gets frying there is plenty of movement in the oil to even out the temperature. And given the substantial amount of oil and the amount of power supplied by the unit's heating elements, I find that it does a much better, cleaner, and safer job of frying than I'd been experiencing on my gas stovetop with a deep pot. My experience has been that the temperature comes back up to the right level very quickly. The french fries, empanadas, and fried chicken I've cooked in it so far have come out great.



As some others have posted in reply to her review, it's possible that the thermostat in Ryan's unit was simply defective. For mine, it seems to be just right.

Bonavita BV1800TH 8-Cup Coffee Maker with Thermal Carafe

Product Description

Design: Thermal Carafe Get a perfect cup of coffee, every time. The Exceptional Brew 8-Cup Coffee Maker is also available with a glass carafe. The Bonavita Exceptional Brew 8-Cup Coffee Maker is a German-engineered coffee maker with a thermal carafe that brews coffee to ideal coffee standards of water temperature, contact time, and coffee grounds saturation. A 1400W thermal block heater achieves proper water temperature quickly, and the stainless steel thermal carafe keeps your brew hotter, longer. Get a perfect cup of coffee, every time. SCAA-Certified Coffee Maker The Exceptional Brew coffee maker is one of few coffee makers that have been certified for quality and performance by the Specialty Coffee Association of America (SCAA), meaning that the Exceptional Brew is equipment capable of brewing coffee to the exacting standards set by the SCAA. The German-engineered brewing system features a 1400-watt heater raises water to an ideal brewing temperature (205 degrees F / 96 degrees C) quickly and efficiently. This coffee maker is engineered for precise water and coffee grounds contact time along with a shower head designed for complete coffee grounds saturation and optimal extraction. The Bonavita Exceptional Brew 8-Cup Coffee Maker is certified for quality and performance by the SCAA. View larger Fast Brew Time Exceptional Brew offers exceptional performance, brewing 8 cups (5 oz. cups) in just 5-6 minutes. The stainless steel thermal carafe keeps your coffee warm for longer versus a conventional glass carafe. The easy-to-fill water tank has a wide opening and clear markings for exact water filling, and the unique boiler heater releases water only when it achieves an ideal coffee brewing temperature of 200-205 degrees F. Easy-Pour Thermal Carafe The included stainless steel thermal carafe is glass-lined, and delivers better heat control over conventional double-walled stainless carafes. The trigger lid is designed for easy, one-handed pouring with the thermal carafe lid on--you just use your thumb to pour. Warranty claim form can be found in http://ift.tt/OpDKyt for replacements of defective units if any. 2-Year Warranty The Bonavita BV1800TH Exceptional Brew 8-Cup Coffee Maker is fully UL Certified for safety compliance, and features a 2-year manufacturer's warranty. "Coffee quality has been improving by leaps and bounds in the past decade. A new generation of coffee roasters from coast to coast is coming of age; they are incentivizing farmers and putting them front and center, not hiding them in homogenized blends. I am thrilled to be one of them! We are creating new standards for freshness all the way from the farm to the home. And we are demanding better brewing to prove how great our coffees are--in cafes and in homes. The Bonavita answers that call for home brewing. At last! A simple, reasonably priced, smartly compact drip coffee brewer which belies its power and accuracy. The water temperature is hot enough to extract all the nuances found in fine coffees. The showerhead provides enough turbulence and coverage so the coffee grounds are saturated. The Bonavita comes with glass carafe or a stainless, very conveniently designed thermos. Time for simplicity with pinpoint sureness. Enjoy!" --George Howell, Founder of The Coffee Connection and Terroir Coffee, and SCAA Lifetime Achievement Award winner Key Features Appearance High quality Stainless Steel Easy to clean Simplicity Filter basket allows for easy filling, brewing, and cleaning Easy to fill water tank Engineering 1400W heater for fast brewing and ideal water temperature Showerhead provides full coffee grounds saturation High quality thermal carafe keeps coffee warm longer

Product Detail

• 1400W Heater raises water to ideal temperature


• Engineered for precise water and coffee grounds contact time


• Shower head designed for complete saturation and optimal extraction


• Brews 8 Cups (40 ounces)


• High quality stainless steel carafe


• BPA-Free Plastic

CUSTOMER REVIEW



I'm really happy with this coffee maker, having chosen it over the Technivorm Moccamaster Coffee Brewer With Thermo Carafe - Technivorm 9587. It brews extremely quickly (about 7 minutes), and I measured the temperature of the water coming from the spout at about the 195F-200F range, so it's in the right range for extracting optimum flavor -- the brew from this machine is just at the point of being tip-of-the-tongue scalding. The water is dispensed at a number of different points into the filter, and looking at the grounds afterwards you can tell that the dispersion pattern works well, as the coffee grounds remain clumped at the bottom of the filter, rather than being thinly spread across the entire filter.



Note that this is a minimalistic coffee maker. It is fairly compact, has an unassuming appearance, and there are no glowing dials, no HUDs, no clocks. There's one control: the on/off switch. It has no timer. It doesn't have a brew stopper, so you have to let the coffee maker finish before you can pour yourself a cup (since the coffee maker brews so quickly, this isn't too big of a deal). You cannot navigate your kitchen at night by the light from this coffeemaker, nor can you signal passing UFOs.



Nonetheless, it makes great coffee.

Cuisinart DTC-975BKN Thermal 12-Cup Programmable Coffeemaker, Black

Product Description

Cuisinart DTC-975BKN Thermal 12-Cup Programmable Coffeemaker With 24-hour programmability, this coffeemaker lets you choose when to brew. The unit automatically shuts off and has an audible beep when brew cycle is complete. The convenient Brew Pause feature lets you enjoy a cup during the brewing cycle and the easy to read water level indicator takes the guesswork out of measuring. It’s large capacity thermal carafe keeps up to 12 cups of coffee hot and fresh and features a patented Brew Through / Pour Through Lid that seals out air and seals in flavor. The Quest for the Perfect Cup of Coffee Element 1: Water Coffee is 98% water. The quality of that water is as important as the quality of your coffee. If water doesn’t taste good from the tap, it won’t taste good in your coffee. Element 2: Coffee While coffee is 98% water, all of the flavor comes from the beans. To achieve the same great taste you enjoy at a coffee bar, you need to use the same quality of coffee. If you choose to grind your own beans, buy them fresh and whole. Buy only about a two-week supply at a time, because once the bean is broken, its flavor degrades quickly. Element 3: Grind The grind is critical for proper flavor extraction. If the grind is too fine, over-extraction and bitterness will result. Too fine a grind may also clog the filter. If grind is too coarse, the water will pass through too quickly and the maximum flavor will not be extracted. When grinding your own beans, we recommend a medium-fine grind. Element 4: Proportion Coffee that is too strong or too weak is always a disappointment. Follow the recommended portions of ground coffee in the instructions under Brewing Coffee, and later adjust the amount to suit your taste. Note: The maximum capacity for ground coffee is 15 scoops (15 tablespoons) for this 60-ounce (twelve 5-ounce cups) coffeemaker. Exceeding this amount may cause overflow. Do not fill above the 12-cup mark. Features and Benefits Brew-Through/Pour-Through Lid: Allows coffee to brew in and pour out of carafe without opening or adjusting. Keeps coffee hot and flavorful for hours. Reservoir Cover: Simply lift to fill with water. Close cover once water has been added. Filter Basket: Swings open for easy insertion of coffee filter. Water Window: Magnified markings indicate water needed to make corresponding cups of coffee. Brew Pause: Stops flow of water from basket when carafe is removed from heater plate, so a cup can be poured during brewing cycle. Auto-Brew Cycle: Program time to brew. ON Indicator Light: Illuminates when power is on. Stainless Double-Wall Thermal Insulated Carafe LCD Readout Tips & Hints Before first use, flush out your coffeemaker. To do so, fill the reservoir with cold water and follow the directions for Brew Pause. Do not add coffee during this process. Once the system flush is complete, your coffeemaker is ready to brew. Coffee contains oils that can build up on your carafe. For best performance, wash carafe and wipe pour spout clean after each use. To prevent overflow: Only fill water to the 12-cup mark. Only use one paper filter or a gold tone filter - never both. Ensure the carafe lid is on correctly. Check to make sure the coffee is not too fine.

Product Detail

• Fully automatic coffeemaker with 24-hour programmability


• 12-cup (5 Ounce) double-wall insulated stainless-steel carafe


• Patented brew-through and pour-through lid keeps air out and coffee fresh and hot for hours


• Instruction booklet included


• Product Built to North American Electrical Standards

CUSTOMER REVIEW



Fussy Lid, but the Best Coffee Maker Ever!, April 23, 2005



Reviewer: R. Wilner (Metro Detroit) - See all my reviews



I wish Amazon had 1/2 stars, because I would have given 4 1/2. I almost gave it a 5 star rating, but the lid may bug some people. I will admit that the lid MUST be placed in a perfect position, but how to do it is no mystery. Clearly etched in the top of the lid are the words "Open" "Close" and "Pour." If you put the lid on so that the word "Pour" is directly over the spout, it's no problem. When you go to screw on the lid, just make sure that the word "Pour" starts out over the spout and when it's closed, it will end up there. No big deal. My guess is, the people who have given negative reviews about the lid were impatient with it.



My reason for buying this coffee-maker was the 12-OUNCE thermal carafe. This was one of the only coffee-makers I saw with a 12oz carafe as opposed to an 8 or 10 ounce. This was a huge selling point for me. As someone who nurses a whole pot a coffee a day, I also was attracted to the fact that I read it keeps coffee hot for so long.



I have had the coffee-maker for over a month now, and I am NOT disappointed! I have not had one single overflow incident and I have had no problems. I suspect that those with overflow problems overfilled the reservoir or didn't pay attention to how they put the lid on.



One thing I must share with those of you considering this coffee-maker. One day I made a pot of coffee and I forgot about it. The next day, approximately 36 hours later, I remembered I had made coffee the previous day, so I figured I'd pour a cup and microwave it. Microwaving was unnecessary. The coffee came out STEAMING hot. As if I had just made it! I'm sure the more coffee that is in it the hotter it will keep but this was over a day later!



I HIGHLY recommend this product!



PROS



-No heating mechanism. No burnt tasting coffee!



-Once coffee is brewed, the coffee-maker shuts off.



-Coffee stays warm for much longer than the description states



-The carafe stays cool on the outside. I make a pot and just bring it into the living room with me, or to my desk.



-Very aesthetically pleasing design. Looks great in my kitchen.



-A full 12 cup coffee-maker. A rare thing amoung thermal carafe coffee-makers



-LED Clock/Programmable Timer. Auto Seal. Brew Pause Feature. Automatic Shutoff. Available in different colors



-The water level indicator is easy to see



-The beep letting you know the coffee is done is loud (I like that)



CONS



-You do need to pay attention to how to put the lid on, but it isn't exactly rocket science.



-The digital clock area is tiny. But read the directions and using the timer is a breeze.



-The stainless steel fingerprints easily, but that's not unusual in a stainless steel appliance.



-The beep letting you know the coffee is done is loud (Some may not like that)

Cuisinart DCC-1200 Brew Central 12-Cup Programmable Coffeemaker, Black/Brushed Metal

Product Description

Color: Brushed Chrome The Cuisinart DCC-1200 Brew Central Coffeemaker Enjoy Great Coffee with the DCC-1200 Cuisinart introduces a coffeemaker with retro styling and the latest in high tech features, making it the centerpiece of any kitchen. The Cuisinart Brew Central coffeemaker is reminiscent of the days of classic styling and durable materials. A brushed metal exterior with retro-style controls houses the finest in coffee making technology. This coffeemaker even includes a charcoal water filter. The water filter ensures great tasting coffee by removing all of the impurities from the water. The Brew Central coffeemaker also comes with advanced features such as a programmable digital clock with 24 hour advanced-brew setting, an automatic shutoff, a self-cleaning function, and an audible beep that signals the end of the brew cycle, which makes brewing the best tasting coffee easy. The Quest for a Perfect Cup of Coffee It is generally agreed that there are four basic elements critical to the perfect cup: Water & Coffee Filters Element 1. Water: Coffee is 98% water. Often overlooked, the quality of the water is as important as the quality of the coffee. A good rule of thumb is that if your water doesn’t taste good from the tap, it won’t taste any better in your coffee. That’s why Cuisinart has added a water filter to the Brew Central coffeemaker. The charcoal water filter removes chlorine, bad tastes and odors, for the purest cup of coffee every time. Element 2. Coffee: While the bulk of the liquid is water, all of the flavor should be from the coffee. To achieve the same great quality of coffee you receive at a coffee bar, you need to use the same quality beans. Buy the beans fresh and whole, only about a two weeks’ supply at a time for maximum freshness. Once the coffee bean is broken, its flavor degrades very quickly. If it is not practical to buy small supplies, we recommend you separate larger amounts of beans into one to two week portions immediately after purchase, and freeze them in airtight containers. The best way to maximize freshness is to minimize exposure to air, light and moisture. So, once removed from the freezer, beans should be maintained in a sealed container at room temperature, since damaging condensation occurs every time the beans are removed from the freezer or refrigerator. Note that some coffee experts advise against freezing dark-roast beans, because freezing can cause the oils to coagulate. Other experts disagree. We suggest you experiment and decide yourself. The Perfect Cup of Coffee Element 3. Grind: The grind of the coffee is critical for proper flavor extraction. If the grind is too fine, over extraction and bitterness will result. Too fine a grind may also clog the filter. If the grind is too coarse, the water will pass through too quickly and the desired flavors will not be extracted. A medium-fine grind is recommended. Element 4. Proportion: The cups on the Cuisinart coffeemaker measure 5 ounces. Add the amount of ground coffee that corresponds to the number of cups being brewed. Many coffee bars and the Specialty Coffee Association of America recommend adding 2 rounded tablespoons of coffee per 6 ounces of water. Some coffee manufactures recommend using 1 tablespoon per cup. Cuisinart recommends using 1 tablespoon of ground coffee per cup, but use more or less to suit your taste. Note: the maximum capacity for ground coffee is 15 tablespoons for the 12-cup coffeemaker. Exceeding this amount may cause overflow if the coffee is too finely ground. Features and Benefits LCD & Controls Reservoir Cover: Flips back for easy filling. Water Reservoir: When filling the coffeemaker with water, refer to the carafe height markings and fill to the desired number of cups. Be sure to add a small amount of extra water to account for the amount of water lost in wetting the grounds and lost as steam during the brewing process. Showerhead: Distributes water evenly over coffee, reducing temperature loss as water passes through grounds. Water Filter: Charcoal water filter eliminates chlorine, calcium and bad tastes or odors from tap water. Cuisinart recommends changing the water filter every 60 days or 60 uses ‒ or more often if you have hard water. Filter Basket: Holds a #4 paper filter or a permanent filter. LCD Digital Clock: Displays the time of day and set time for automatic functions. Function Knob and Flip Switch: Used to initiate programming of automatic functions. The Auto On feature is used to program the start time of the brew cycle. The Auto On can be set for any time, day or night. The PM indicator is displayed on the LCD for nighttime program times. The Auto Off feature is used to shut off the coffeemaker at a preset time, anywhere from 0 to 4 hours. Note: To program the coffeemaker to shut off automatically, read the instructions included in the Instruction Manual under 'To program the Variable Auto Off' Heater Plate Control Knob: For controlling the temperature of the coffee after brewing. There are three temperature settings high, medium and low. 1-4 Cup Setting: The 1-4 cup setting button is used when you make small amounts of coffee. Normal coffeemakers will produce a colder batch of coffee when smaller amounts are made, because the heater doesn’t have enough time to properly ‘warm up’ to heat a small amount. The 1-4 setting basically ‘double heats’ the water, making your smaller amounts as piping hot as a full pot would be. To use simply press the 1-4 button on the control panel after turning on the unit. Retro-style flip switch is used to turn your coffeemaker on and off and works in tandem with the function knob. Clean Setting: Tells you when it’s time to clean your coffeemaker. Remove built-up calcification from the water reservoir, to help extend the life of your coffeemaker. Brew Pause: Stops flow of coffee from basket when carafe is removed (30 seconds max) from the heater plate, so a cup can be poured in mid-brew. Since the flavor extraction rate varies during the brew cycle, we recommend allowing the brewing cycle to finish before pouring the coffee. The coffee brewed at the beginning of the cycle has a flavor profile which is very different from the flavor at the end of the cycle. Once the coffee has finished brewing, stir it before serving to blend the flavors. The coffee at the bottom of the carafe will be somewhat stronger than the coffee at the top. Carafe: The easy pour, no drip glass carafe has an ergonomic handle and brewed coffee markings for two to twelve cups. Heating Plate: Scratch resistant with black, nonstick coating. Ready Tone: Signals the end of the brew cycle with five beeps (coffee will continue to stream from the filter for a few seconds after the tone).

Product Detail

• Classic brushed metal design with a 12-Cup carafe with ergonomic handle for comfortable, dripless pouring


• Brew pause feature lets you enjoy a cup of coffee before brewing has finished. Adjustable heater plate (low, medium, high) ensures that your coffee stays at the temperature you like best


• 24-hour advance brew start, programmable auto shutoff from 0 to 4 hours plus a 1- to 4-Cup feature when making less than 5 cups


• Includes: Charcoal water filter and permanent gold tone filter that ensures only the freshest coffee flavor flows through. Measuring scoop. Instruction book


• Product Built to North American Electrical Standards

CUSTOMER REVIEW



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Zing Anything Orange Citrus Zinger CZ 100 O

Product Description

Color: Orange When life gives you lemons, give it the Citrus Zinger. It's so simple, so easy, and so tasty. Designed specifically for citrus fruits, Zing away with lemons, limes, clementines, and more.The Citrus Zinger offer an easy way to extract juice and flavor from citrus fruits and infuse them directly into your water bottle. Citrus Zinging is great for the active, on-the-go water drinker. Take it to yoga, the office, and around town. Enrich your water with vitamin C and flavonoids, and let the Citrus Zinger take you to that sunny, perfect day you long for, every day.Ease of operation is the Zing standard. Throughout our development process it remained a strong design focus. Each Zinger is simple to clean and allows you to enjoy creating tasty new infusions.Simply unscrew the bottom cup of the Zinger, flip the vessel on the top cap, and press a citrus half into the reamer. Screw back on the bottom lid, add water through the cap opening, shake and enjoy.The recommended shelf life for your Citrus Zinging creations is three days, if refrigerated. All mixtures should stay chilled after mixed. If you plan to consume your Zing creation within a 12-hour period, refrigeration is not required.The Citrus Zinger typically produces one-two drinks per Zing. In order to return to a tasty concentration, add new ingredients after two servings (or 56oz.) have been enjoyed. Empty the Zinger completely, discard used ingredients, and clean before Zinging a tasty new batch of water.Available in two Colors : Green and Orange.

Product Detail

• The Citrus Zinger offer an easy way to extract juice and flavor from citrus fruits and infuse them directly into your water bottle.


• Finger hole provided for easy carrying,wide mouth top allows for easy filling and ice cubes, if needed.


• Cushioned base through a soft rubber base pad to prevent slippage.


• Health-safe materials - BPA/EA-free Tritan Plastic from Eastman.


• Easy to clean and reusable.

CUSTOMER REVIEW



Love this thing. I was tired of drinking water with no taste or flavored water with additives. This thing is easy to use and clean (dishwasher safe but I hand wash it), sturdy, and actually has encouraged me to drink more water.

Mr. Coffee BVMC-EL1 Cafe Latte

Product Description

Bring the Coffeehouse Experience Home The Mr. Coffee Café Latte makes delicious lattes in one simple touch and provides a quick, easy and affordable solution for latte lovers. The automated process will brew coffee or espresso while heating and frothing milk to create a delicious latte.Be Your Own BaristaThe recipe book includes 20 different varieties of easy to make drinks that are tasty, fun and will help you save money compared to visiting the coffeehouse chains. From a basic latte to a decadent gingerbread latte, the process is easy and consistently delivers great results. Bring coffeehouse-style beverages from the latte maker to your cup in minutes. Easy to Use and Serve The Café Latte features easy to use controls and an automatic latte cycle. In just three steps, you can create your perfect latte. Load water and espresso or coffee grounds into the top of the lid Add milk and desired ingredients to the latte carafe (froth may vary by type of milk used) Push the Power lever down to turn on the latte maker When the latte creation process is complete, the machine will turn off automatically and your latte will be ready to serve. Fill your favorite mug, spoon any additional foam into your cup to complete your latte, and enjoy. Make up to twenty different delicious drinks from home with recipes from the included recipe guide Simple to Clean Clean up of the Café Latte is a breeze and should be done after each use. To start, pour out remaining liquids from the latte pitcher. Then, remove the lid and wipe down the pitcher with a damp sponge or cloth. The carafe is not dishwasher-safe. Simply wipe the exterior of the machine with a damp cloth. You can place the dishwasher safe coffee brew basket in the dishwasher. Makes Hot Chocolate Too You can also treat the whole family to hot chocolate with the Café Latte. Simply add milk and hot chocolate ingredients to the latte jar and switch the selector lever to the heat & froth function. When the unit is turned on, it will heat and froth the milk without activating the brewing function. Brew, froth, and enjoy a latte or cup of hot chocolate

Product Detail

• Delicious lattes in one simple touch


• 24-ounce capacity to serve more than one drink at a time


• Auto power off once drink is ready


• Powerful milk frother


• Also makes hot chocolate; recipe book with 20 latte and hot chocolate recipes included

CUSTOMER REVIEW



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I have been using the Mr. Coffee BVMC-FM1 20-Ounce Frappe Maker for quite some time, but have always wished that I could have something warm for winter. I did purchase a hot chocolate maker, but wasn't really happy with it. Back to Basics CM300BR Cocoa-Latte Chrome 32-Ounce Hot-Drink Maker it is very nice for a crowd, but not so great for one person.



So this particular item has made a big hit in my kitchen. It is easy to use, easy to set up, and I can use my own ingredients and have as many lattes as I want. The only problem I have had so far is that I have had to buy more milk ... I was making too many lattes.



As you will see in the video, the pot contains its own heating element. There are several things to consider. First, it automatically shuts off and never burns the milk. At the same time, it can't be cleaned in the dishwasher (although I never clean my coffee pots that way), and second, if the pot is broken, it cannot be cheaply replaced. So there are both good points and bad points.



In the video, I use the Torani Sugar-Free Syrup, Chocolate, 25.4-Ounce Bottles (Pack of 3) which I actually purchased from Amazon in a Gold Box deal last year. I put in one tablespoon, but if you prefer a sweeter latte, you can use a package of equal or two tablespoons. You can also use "real" chocolate, but as a diabetic, one of the key reasons I enjoy my own makers, besides saving money, is being able to make my own choices.



Besides the chocolate latte I made in the video, I have also made a number of recipes that were included. The pumpkin spice one was awesome. I had purchased one at a local shop the morning my machine arrived, and I found this one to be much better. I used the pumpkin pie spice and a tablespoon of pumpkin, plus a package of Equal, along with the milk.



When the snowstorm hit, I made hot chocolate, using the heat and froth setting, and made an awesome hot chocolate. I made a double, and after I finished my first cup, I hit froth and heat again, and had another perfect cup!



In fact, I have learned that I might as well make two cups when I start, since I always go back for more. Since the pot does not remain heating, the milk doesn't burn, and a quick "heat and froth" warms it quickly. Because of the milk, I wouldn't leave it sit for long, but I tend to drink my first cup pretty quickly.



Now that it is cold, I am grateful for the ability to make my own WARM drinks. While I've only had this one a short time, my Frappe maker has lasted through nearly two years of usage, so I anticipate this one will last a long time as well.



The video will show you exactly what this machine does, so if you are a coffee gourmet, you can decide if this is the kind of machine you want in your kitchen.



For those who are concerned about cleaning, I normally wipe it out with a soapy sponge right after I use it. If I want a deeper cleaning, I put a dab of dish soap in it and put it on heat and froth ... it cleans up beautifully.



EDITED ...



While unpacking, I ran across something I used to use for a similar effect, but had long ago forgotten. If you aren't quite ready to splurge on the price of an entire machine, you might want to consider the Aerolatte Milk Frother, Satin. This little gadget will froth your milk, or combination of coffee and milk, or any other combination, and runs about 1/5 of the price of the latte maker. Plus it fits in your drawer.



While I enjoy the convenience of having the machine (turn it on, come back), some of you might want to consider the frother itself. It is identical to the one in the machine.

Mind Reader "Organizer" Coffee Condiment and Accessories Caddy, Black

Product Description

The K-Cup Organizer is an all-in-one, compact unit to hold your K-cups and other serving essentials – like sugar, cups, stirrers and napkins. This one piece black coffee condiment organizer is made from a tough and safe plastic that will stand the test of time. This unit has 10 compartments that is a necessity for any breakroom or kitchen. Can you imagine making your morning cup of Joe and having everything you need at your fingertips? Clean and modern design is perfect for home or office Looks perfect next to your single serve coffee machine or simply on its own Can fit creamers or even K-Cups in the drawers. Bottom rubber grippers keep unit in place Chrome handle adds a modern décor style

Product Detail

• All in one compact unit holds all your coffee accessories


• Two drawers and multiple compartments includes space for cups and lids


• Built to last with attention to detail and superior materials


• Clean and modern design perfect for home or office


• Can hold up to 16 K-Cups

CUSTOMER REVIEW



Finally something worthy of being on my counter next to my Keurig. I've tried so many different organizers, most are wire, or cheap plastic. This one is solid, made very well, matches my machine beautifully, and has a place for everything.I love it, highly recommend it, and rate it 5 stars.

OXO Good Grips Twisting Tea Ball

Product Description

OXO Good Grips Tea Ball: Loose leaf tea just got a lot less complicated. The OXO Good Grips Twisting Tea Ball makes it easy to scoop up the desired amount of loose leaf tea. The twisting feature ensures that a generous amount of tea leaves stays inside the Ball while you close it. The spinning design also makes the Tea Ball easy to clean. The Twisting Tea Ball has a long, stainless steel neck to accommodate many different sizes of mugs and cups, and the soft, non-slip grip makes stirring comfortable. The Twisting Tea Ball is also great for steeping herbs and spices. It’s the Little Things: At OXO, we consistently develop products that address even the tiniest of pet peeves, because we know it’s the little things that make the biggest difference. Sometimes at OXO, tools are introduced because they are the pet projects of our employees. OXO’s president, Alex Lee, is an avid tea drinker and encouraged the development of our Tea Ball. Each detail, even the shape of the holes, was carefully thought out over five years of development. The result? A Tea Ball that has quickly become a favorite of tea enthusiasts everywhere. Features & Benefits: Scoop: Generous head and twisting feature makes filling the Tea Ball with a large amount loose leaf tea a breeze Steep: Long, stainless steel neck accommodates most cups and mugs for convenient stirring; length also allows it to rest on the side of mugs for prolonged steeping Comfort: Soft, non-slip grip on handle makes twisting and stirring easy and comfortable Cleaning: Twisting the bottom of the handle after use self-scoops wet tea leaves from the Tea Ball, making clean up a breeze; dishwasher safe and BPA free Good Tip: The Tea Ball works best with whole-leaf teas, such as pearl teas, full-leaf green teas and large-leaf black teas. Small- or broken-leaf teas are best used with a fine mesh strainer such as the OXO Good Grips 3” Mini Strainer. and BPA free OXO is dedicated to providing innovative consumer products that make everyday living easier. How do we do it? We study people – lefties and righties, male and female, young and old – interacting with products and identify ways to make them better. Our “question everything” process and relentless attention to detail uncover the best solutions for slicing, peeling, whisking, baking, stirring, washing, scrubbing, dusting, storing and organizing.

Product Detail

• Twisting feature makes filling with a large amount loose leaf tea a breeze


• Long, stainless steel neck accommodates most cups and mugs


• Works with all loose leaf teas and is also great for herbs and spices


• Soft, comfortable, non-slip grip


• Dishwasher safe, bpa free

CUSTOMER REVIEW



This product is great because you can brew your tea directly into your mug. Just as with other mesh tea balls and infusers, if the leaves are too small or brittle you'll get some mess in your cup but that comes with the territory.



My tea of choice is Jasmine Pearls (The Tea Factory: Loose Tea Samplers (Jasmine Pearls, 8 Oz)) and I never had an issue with anything getting through. Great product for any tea enthusiast.

Nespresso Pixie Espresso Maker, Electric Titan

Product Description

Color: Titan Nespresso Pixie C60-US-TI-NE, Electric Titan -the pixie heats up in only 25-30-seconds.

Product Detail

• Programmable buttons for espresso and lungo, folding drip tray for larger cups and recipes, brew ready in 25-30 seconds


• Backlight indicators, water level detection, auto power-off, used capsule container, convenient power cord storage


• 12.83-Inch length by 4.33-Inch width by 9-1/4-Inch height


• 24-Ounce water tank

CUSTOMER REVIEW



We have owned the Nespresso CitiZ for a year and have been very happy with it. Recently we also bought the Nespresso Pixie for our vacation place and are slightly disappointed with the operation of the machine. Here are our thoughts (listed in no particular order):



PROS:

- Small footprint makes this machine well suited for smaller kitchens that don't have a lot of counter space.

- Heats up very quickly, i.e. making coffee is quite fast

- Cute design

- Coffee is very good and hot, with excellent crema, just like it is with the Citiz.



CONS:

- Smaller water reservoir means frequent refilling.

- Reservoir is more difficult to remove than on the Citiz. It clicks into the machine at the top via two plastic 'hooks' which only retract when one opens the reservoir's hinged lid. With the lid open, one then lifts the reservoir up and out. We found this a bit tedious, coming from the more straight-forward design of the Citiz where no opening of the lid is required, one lifts it out and is done.

- The cup tray folds up for taller cups such as latte macchiato glasses but it does not stay folded up on its own, i.e. one has to hold the tray with one hand and place the cup down with the other. As soon as the cup is removed, the tray falls back into its original position

- We found that there is noticeable coffee spray during operation. We had to place the machine on a towel and move it away from anything that could be permanently soiled by that spraying, such as walls.



SUMMARY:

The coffee quality is excellent, absolutely no gripes here. Our problem with the Pixie is with the operating aspect of this machine. We feel that it is too small for its own good. The smaller size apparently required design changes which in turn lead to all those inconveniences listed above. Where space is at an absolute premium, we would probably still recommend this machine but if there is sufficient space (and the Citiz is not THAT much bigger) we think that the Citiz is definitely the better and more thought-out machine. In our opinion the slightly higher price for the Citiz is worth it.



UPDATE 8/16/12:

When ordering Nespresso capsules from the Nespresso website (pretty much the only place where to get these), they have now set a requirement for their customers to order multiples of 50 capsules. Which means you can either buy 50 or 100 or 150 etc. capsules when ordering. This rule of 'multiples of 50' did not exist before. To me this is a very annoying move on part of Nespresso because it doesn't allow the customer to order, let's say, 30 of a decaffeinated variety, 20 of a Lungo and 20 of an espresso variety. Now one must place orders for higher (or lower) quantities in order to reach the 50/100... multiples.



I thought I'd mention this because if you decide on a Nespresso machine you will need to order your capsules from their website exclusively (if you want genuine Nespresso, do not live near one of their boutiques and do not want to shop on eBay). I for one will take a long hard look at this marketing practice and probably scale down my usage of Nespresso considerably because of it.

Bodum Assam Tea Press, 34-Ounce, Black

Product Description

Tea and the British seem to be inseparable in our perception of English culture. When BODUM was asked by the British Tea Council to develop a new way of brewing tea we were rather proud. We set out with the goal to make an innovation in tea drinking and the simple BODUM tea-brewing system was born: boil water, place your preferred tea leaves in the BPA free filter, pour in the hot water, let steep 3-4 min. or to your preferred taste and press down the plunger. The brewing process has stopped - no need to remove the filter - no mess - no burned fingers, only the true unforgettable and delicious taste of your preferred tea. The clear glass makes the infusion visible at all times, making it a very attractive table piece. Everything can go in the dishwasher, the jug (without the rod and lid) can go in the microwave.

Product Detail

• Brews tea at preferred strength without a need to remove the infuser


• Heat resistant borosilicate glass, stainless steel lid, polycarbonate strainer and plunger


• Patented system stops brewing when tea is plunged so tea is not bitter


• 34 oz. capacity


• All parts dishwasher safe

CUSTOMER REVIEW



this is a great tea pot!!!! however..........If I could do it over, I'd probably spend a few extra bucks and get the bodum version that has the stainless steel plunger. I'm not crazy about the plastic filter soaking in my hot tea. Overall, great design.

Mr. Coffee CG13 12-Cup Switch Coffeemaker, Black

Product Description

Color: Black This coffee maker lets you make up to 12 cups of hot, fresh coffee. Use the handy Pause 'n Serve feature to pour a cup of coffee while the rest of the pot is still brewing.

Product Detail

• On/off indicator light lets you know when your coffeemaker is on or off


• Removable filter basket lifts out for fast and easy filling and cleaning


• Brewing pause 'n serve lets you pour a cup of coffee while the coffeemaker is still brewing


• Dual water window shows the amount of water in the reservoir for accurate filling


• Cord storage safely stores excesscord to keep your counter neat

CUSTOMER REVIEW



This is a very short unit and it fits under our cupboards with several inches to spare. Been using it daily for a couple weeks, now and it works fine. When I first got it, I ran some diluted white vinegar/filtered water through it and followed that with 2 or 3 cycles of just plain filtered water and the coffee tastes great! Only 2 things to mention that could be improved upon, first, they have these holes on the back of the unit to keep you from overfilling it. Nice idea for safety, but if you fill it past the holes, your countertop is going to take a bath in all the excess water as you are filling it. This didn't happen to me, as I only make 1/2 pot of coffee at a time. Secondly, this unit (like all units I have owned) accumulates condensation under the lid and if you open it to fast a lot of water will race down the back of the unit. Open it slowly, and tap it a bit and no problem.

Zing Anything Citrus Zinger Green CZ100G

Product Description

Color: Green Citrus Zinger. Add zing to your water with a splash of citrus. Perfect for active water drinkers, the Citrus Zinger infuses the flavor of any citrus fruit directly into your bottle. It's not only refreshing, it's all natural. So zing away thirst with your favorite summer flavor-oranges, lemons, limes, Clementines and more. Without the cost or calories of commercial drinks! As easy as slice, press, and drink. Your zinger includes a 27-ounce water bottle and everything needed to create zesty custom flavors. Just add fruit! You unscrew the bottom cup, flip the vessel onto the top cap, and press in a citrus half. Screw the cup back onG add water through the top cap openingG then shake and enjoy! Each Zing produces 1-2 servings, more than enough to refresh you at yoga class, the office or around town. Experiment with your own zingredients! The Citrus Zinger makes it easy to go on flavor adventures. Try oranges, grapefruits, lemons, limes, strawberries, kiwis, peaches, watermelons or cantaloupes. Even add extras such as mint or honey for extra zing! Finger hole carrying handle on cap Wide mouth for addition of ice or extra ingredients BPA and EA free Removable dishwasher-safe bottle for easy cleaning Reusable and 100% recyclable Quench your thirst with a refreshing twist.

Product Detail

• The Citrus Zinger offer an easy way to extract juice and flavor from citrus fruits and infuse them directly into your water bottle.


• Finger hole provided for easy carrying,wide mouth top allows for easy filling and ice cubes, if needed.


• Cushioned base through a soft rubber base pad to prevent slippage.


• Health-safe materials - BPA/EA-free Tritan Plastic from Eastman.


• Easy to clean and reusable. Excellent Citrus Infuser

CUSTOMER REVIEW



Love this thing. I was tired of drinking water with no taste or flavored water with additives. This thing is easy to use and clean (dishwasher safe but I hand wash it), sturdy, and actually has encouraged me to drink more water.

De'Longhi ECO310R Espresso Maker

Product Description

DeLonghi ECO310BK Espresso Machine's 15 bar pump driven espresso machine inspired by the bold lines of 1950's designs. Using either E.S.E. pods or freshly ground beans, you can quickly make any espresso-based drink. With separate thermostats for steaming and brewing and self-priming operation, espresso has never been more accessible!.

Product Detail

• Patented dual function filter holder


• Patented cappuccino system frother


• Cup storage tray


• Removable 1.4 liter (48 oz.) water tank


• Self-priming operation

CUSTOMER REVIEW



Simple straightforward espresso/cappuccino maker. Just works.



I went back to basic after using a Nespresso machine (a gift from someone) for a few months. Can't stand filling up the landfill with coffee pods. Of course, it's easier to just pop one in and hit a button. But with just a little bit of effort (it's amazing how lazy we've gotten) I can get really great coffee taste from a basic machine like this. Just make sure to use good espresso coffee, although I have found that cheaper (than Illy espresso) is just fine too. But make sure it's an espresso roast.



And this machine looks great on the counter top!