Hamilton Beach 31334 Easy Reach Toaster Oven, Metallic

CUSTOMER REVIEW



Vine Customer Review of Free Product (What's this?) The "Hamilton Beach 31334 Easy Reach Toaster Oven, Metallic" is a compact, multi-purpose small appliance that may prove useful in your kitchen. Having a footprint that is no larger than the Kitchenaid KMT400 toaster, it should fit into most appliance garages as well as into standard kitchen cabinets having higher shelves.



With the rolling door closed, the "Hamilton Beach 31334 Easy Reach Toaster Oven" measures approximately 16 ½" wide X 8 ¾" high X 11 ¾" deep. With the rolling door opened, this small appliance measures approximately 16 ½" wide X 10 ½" high X 10" deep.



The door that rolls up, rather than swinging down or out, makes this small appliance well suited for more narrow countertops. Easy removal for cleaning is another plus.



The "Hamilton Beach 31334 Easy Reach Toaster Oven" does a very nice job toasting whole grain, artisan breads. The interior - approximately 10 ½" X 9" - easily accommodates odd sizes and thicknesses of breads and rolls. The description states this toaster oven will accommodate four slices. It seems those slices would have to be smaller than average or would have to touch each other in order for four to fit. The darkness indicator dial is small and somewhat difficult to read; it would improve this product if it were clearer and more precise.



Baking in the "Hamilton Beach 31334 Easy Reach Toaster Oven" is a somewhat hit-or-miss proposition. The lack of precision on the timer and temperature controls has an impact on both baking time and product appearance. You will have to experiment to determine the appropriate time and temperature settings in order to produce acceptable results.



If you have only a small item to brown, the broiling function may be useful. However, you will want to watch your food carefully to prevent burning - another downside of the less than precise control knobs.



All three functions on the "Hamilton Beach 31334 Easy Reach Toaster Oven" cause this small appliance's exterior to become extremely hot. Air temperature around the unit went from 77.5 degrees to 88 degrees when I toasted bread. The surface temperature went from 77.5 degrees to 285 degrees! I used a Thermapen Instant Read Thermometer to measure the temperatures. The sides as well as the top might easily burn one's skin. Should anyone, particularly children and the elderly, who both have delicate skin, accidentally touch the exterior after the unit has been on they could easily sustain a severe burn.



The "Hamilton Beach 31334 Easy Reach Toaster Oven" might be suitable for some seeking a compact toaster oven. However, individuals, who desire an appliance having more accurate controls and better insulation, would do well to look at other models of toaster oven.

Hamilton Beach 49980Z Two Way Brewer Single Serve and 12-cup Coffee Maker, Stainless Steel

CUSTOMER REVIEW



Have had this coffeemaker for a few weeks and am extremely pleased. Very simple to operate, makes super hot coffee and love the idea of making a pot or just a mug/travel mug. The single serve side utilizes Senseo pods which are quite good and easy to find in my grocery store. You can also use non-pod coffee so options are limitless. It took me a lot of time to find the perfect coffeemaker for my household - some of the reviews are scary (flooded kitchens). I absolutely love this coffeemaker - and since I can also make just a cup of very hot tea, this has everything I could need.

Nespresso C121-US-TI-NE1 Citiz Espresso Maker with Aeroccino Milk Frother, Titanium

CUSTOMER REVIEW



I chose this rating, simply because it is a super-excellent product. It makes a perfect cup of espresso (with different color capsule coffee varieties available depending on intensity, tastes, etc.). The milk frother, just push a button an in about 30 seconds you have perfect frothed steamed milk -- no manual labor required. It is practical, since it takes a couple of seconds (or a couple more for a cappuccino) to make the espresso, simple to use. GREAT!!! LOVE IT!!!

Hamilton Beach 49995 FlexBrew Single Serve Coffeemaker

CUSTOMER REVIEW



Vine Customer Review of Free Product (What's this?) I am very fussy about my coffee maker. If the appliance is too expensive, too bulky, too complicated, too messy to clean up, etc., it doesn't stand a chance in my three cup a day kitchen. We got this little beauty day before Thanksgiving, just in time for the holiday dessert table. I can't say enough about it! There are three ways to make your favorite coffee: 1. regular ground coffee goes into the basket (no filter needed) or 2. you can use a coffee pod or finally, for those who like variety, 3. K-Cups are easily inserted into the removeable slide-in tray. To allow for two sizes of coffee cups, the lower portion of the unit lets you place either a large travel mug on top, or flip it over for a higher ledge to place a smaller mug. Water in the back, press the button, and within minutes you're drinking a hot cup of joe! Realizing it's only a single cup machine, we don't expect to use this when we have more than a small handful of guests. But for the daily cups there is nothing better. We love how quickly you clean up, a simple rinse of the grinds from the basket and you're set for the next cup. Instructions say to run a solution of 1/2 cup white vinegar and 1/2 cup water through the unit every month or so to clean it out. This makes more sense than the more costly machines that require descaling and fancy solutions in order to keep the coffee tasting great. It's a tall and thin machine, so you easily slide it beside other kitchen appliances without taking up much counter space. Black and stainless steel finish go with everything. I have other Hamilton Beach kitchen apppliances and honestly have not been disappointed yet. This coffee maker is a keeper!

BUNN BT Velocity Brew 10-Cup Thermal Carafe Home Coffee Brewer, Black

Product Description

Nothing brews like a Bunn! Using coffee brewing technology perfected in over 40 years of service to the restaurant industry, Bunn has built the perfect home brewing system. Bunn's unique reservoir-style unit brews up to 10 cups (50-oz) of coffee in just 3 minutes --- and keeps hot water available for tea or other uses, as you need it. This U.S.A.-assembled unit features the Classic Bunn thermal carafe home brewer design, is constructed of commercially-rated materials with stainless steel accents and comes complete with an internal stainless steel water tank and a stainless steel vacuum insulated carafe. A 3-year limited warranty helps ensure satisfaction.






CUSTOMER REVIEW



****Update 10-5-11****Unit has died (heating element apparently went out). Now out of warranty since it has been 4 years. On the one had I hate to spend $135+ to get a new one, but on the other hand, once you've had one of these things, it's hard to go back to the traditional coffeemaker. It did make great coffee for 4 years, and I loved having my coffee ready in just a minute or two. Despite the fact that I would have liked to get more than 4 years out of my original purchase, I will probably buy another one.



****Update 2-27-09****

My coffee maker developed a leak. I dusted off my original paperwork, and was very happy to see that this unit comes with a 3 year warranty. I sent it back to Bunn, and they sent me a brand new unit. Painless and relatively quick (less than a week). Yet another reason to buy a Bunn. The only thing I would mention is that I had to pay to have the old unit shipped back to them. Cost me $13 UPS, so it's not really that big a deal, but I just have this old fashioned notion that if something is covered by warranty, it shouldn't cost the consumer a penny to get it fixed or replaced.



****Original Review****

I don't see why anyone would buy a traditional glass carafe coffeemaker. The heating element scorches the coffee after about 15-20 minutes, so if you haven't finished the pot by then, you end throwing the rest away. At least I used to, until I discovered thermal carafes years ago.



I really like this coffeemaker. I am a big coffee drinker, and I usually make 1 pot in the morning, 1 pot in the afternoon, and 1 pot at night. The quality of the coffee that it brews is excellent, and I like the fact that the coffee is ready in 3 minutes.



A few other observations:



-I have not had any problem with the carafe. No spills or dribbles, and it keeps the coffee piping hot for a good 90 minutes, and then drinkably hot for another 2 hours. I especially like the fact that you don't need to open and close the lid to pour the coffee. The lids stays in the closed position while the coffee is brewing and it stays in the closed position when you pour it from the carafe.



-I have not had any problem with the basket overflowing or grinds in my coffee, but I have noticed that the grinds rise up to the tippy top of the filter, and I use Bunn filters which are a little taller than most. Although I have not had a problem myself, I can see where someone who likes an extra strong brew and adds a little more coffee might have an issue. For me it works, and I use about 10 tablespoons of coffee per full pot.



-I don't particularly like the automatic feature that starts the brewing cycle as soon as you close the lid to the water chamber. I would prefer to have a button to press, but its not a huge deal for me. Like another reviewer, I can see potential disaster if I have company or overnight guests and they want to make the coffee, and I haven't briefed them on how the machine works.



-Price is high when compared to the Mr. Coffee type machines with glass carafes, but I really do notice a difference in the taste of the coffee when I visit friends and they break out their $30 coffee maker after dinner. I think the price is a fair price for what you get, and although I haven't had it long enough to comment on its durability, Bunn typically makes products that stand up over time.



-The entire machine does have a rather large footprint, and it is bit taller than many coffeemakers. I have alot of counter space and my cabinets are high, so its not an issue for me, but do yourself a favor and take 30 seconds to measure the space where you intend to put the machine to make sure it will fit nicely.



Overall, if you're into good coffee, and you're willing to spend the money, and you're willing to overlook a few very minor flaws (see above) I would highly recommend this machine.

T-fal BF6138US Balanced Living 1-Liter 1750-Watt Electric Mini Kettle with

CUSTOMER REVIEW



This is a wonderful small kettle. It heats water up faster than I thought possible. Don't bother walking away to do anything else, as your water will be ready in a flash. I haven't timed it yet, but it is so much faster than a microwave. The three temperature settings are a useful feature. Inside is a metal bottom and the surrounding wall is plastic. I do not know if it is the safe plastic. I looked all over the packaging and inside the booklet to see if it was. There was no information regarding this. It is easy to take off of the base. I like that the electric cord can wind up inside the base, so you only use what cord you need. It shuts off automatically when the desired temperature is reached.



There is only ONE negative feature that I can think of. The level indicator is hard to see. I have to wipe the inside after using if I want to use it again immediately because the condensation makes the "hard" to see water level indicator "impossible" to see. A minor inconvenience, I think.



I would buy this again. It would make a great gift. I have used it for making tea, ramen, and oatmeal thus far. It is so handy to have!

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.

Milk Frother - Black Handheld Latte and Cappucinno Frother with Metal Stand - Battery Powered - One Touch Milk Frother - Simple to Use Milk Foamer - Perfect for Your Best Coffee - Stainless Steel - Life Time Guarantee.

Product Description

Would You Like Your Cafe Latte or Cappucino With Perfect Foam?

Use vidaGet Milk Frother, a battery powered, plastic milk frother for all coffee favorites.

- Get fast results - feel the diference right away.

- Solid on/off switch and changing batteries is extremely easy and uncomplicated.

- Great foam all the time.

Comes with a metal stand - Always know where it is.

Don't let you Milk frother lie and just roll around, use vidaGet Milk Frother that comes with a metal stand.

With vidaGet Milk Frother, you get nice foam in a 10-20 seconds

- For the best results and to have the perfect foam in seconds, use low or non-fat milk. Always keep fresh batteries in your Frother.

- This Milk Frother is extremely easy to use. Turn on the switch at the bottom and put the rotator head in your heated milk, once you're happy with the foam, just transfer it to your latte cup, mugs or glasses, and pour your favorite coffee in.

- Use all kinds of coffee. This product gives you great results; be it newly roasted coffee beans from your grinder, or expresso, or just the coffee you can get. Try it now!

- Stainless Steel rotator head makes vidaGet Milk Frother easy to use when creating milk foam.

Comes in a solid packing.

When you receive vidaGet milk frother it will be delivered in a solid packing and it comes along with a quick 'how to use' guide inside of the packing.

Life Time Gurantee

vidaGet Milk Frother comes with a lifetime life guarantees. Should it not meet vidaGet's standard of quality at the time it is received, we will replace the product or issue a refund immediately.

When you click the 'add to cart' button in the right corner and make the payment, you will receive your vidaGet Milk Frother for a perfect latte or Cappucino

CUSTOMER REVIEW



Ordered this last Wednesday, got it yesterday (Tuesday) and could not wait to use it. Ripped that puppy out of the box, wiped it down, added some batteries and even though I usually don't drink coffee in the evenings, I didn't care. I was a little concerned about the milk type to use. I've seen so many people say it works in skim or 1% milk, rice or soy milk. Well, no one said ANYTHING about Almond Milk and I can't switch to any others (cow milk...I prefer not to breastfeed off a cow since I was weaned many moons ago off a human, lol. Soy milk isn't good for boys/my son due to female hormones and I have really tried to like rice milk...). So, with that said, I was a little nervous this wasn't going to work, but was willing to purchase anyway.



Well, after nuking my almond milk for 30 seconds, I turned this on (I had poured my milk into a stainless steel frothing pitcher after heating it up). WHOA! Whoever left the review about blowing in a straw to get the same effect, I am rather impressed you can blow in a straw like that! I then let the milk set for a bit while I ran my coffee through my Cuisinart K-Cup maker. I then spooned this out onto my coffee and the froth was pretty darn cool. I totally felt like I could work at Starbucks (heehee).



This morning, I did it a little bit backwards to see if it would still work the same. I still heated up my milk in my coffee cup, frothed it in my coffee cup and then stuck it under the Cuisinart to see what would happen as the coffee was made. It didn't change the foam consistency at all. So it was pretty awesome that it would work both ways!



And, the seller themselves - just really great! Communication was awesome from the time I ordered to now. Constantly making sure I was in the know about shipping, using it and anything else.



I like this a lot and it's super easy to use!

Mr. Coffee DWX23 12-Cup Programmable Coffeemaker, Black

CUSTOMER REVIEW



It is very hard to choose a coffee maker that you will be happy with, and produces good tasting coffee. Here is my two cents on the Mr. Coffee DWX23 coffee maker.

Easy to read blue LED clock and blue LED power indicator.

Easy to set the time and program.

Brews 10 cups in about 12 minutes.

Water temperature going into the grounds is around 192 degrees, which is better than most coffee makers out there.

Easy to read water reservoir.

Decanter does not drip or dribble (at least mine did not).

The warming plate is non-stick and keeps the brewed coffee hot (around 180 degrees) for 2 hours.



The real only complaint I can think of is when you leave the lid closed after brewing, and you go to make another pot of coffee in the morning, once you open the lid, not all of the water will end up in the reservoir. Some will dribble down the back of the coffee maker. I have seen this design flaw in most coffee makers out there, and is usually a make or break decision with me.



The best selling point I can make about this coffee maker, is the water temperature. After a year in service, the water temperature is still a constant 192 degrees. Most commercial and industrial coffee makers will push water out at 200 degrees, so this is a very close competitor as far as the flavor of the coffee being brewed. I am very picky about coffee flavor, so this coffee maker does a great job for flavor and warmth.



Cleaning is a cinch. Just run 1/4 cup of white vinagar to 12 cups of cold water, followed by 3 more 12 cup brews of cold water once a month and you are in for great tasting coffee with the Mr. Coffee DWX23 coffee maker.

Mr. Coffee BVMC-ECMP1000 Café Barista Espresso Maker, Without Free Sample

CUSTOMER REVIEW



I purchased this from the local Bed, Bath & Beyond since the price in store was the same as that on Amazon($199), but I could use a 20% coupon in the store. This was a 'blind' purchase - I couldn't find reviews for this product anywhere on the net, in fact I seem to the first person reviewing this on Amazon as well.



I didn't know what to make of the Mr. Coffee brand (cheap/commodity brand in my opinion, maybe I'm mistaken) and the $199 price tag, but the feature set seemed to be good for the price - a 15 bar pump, a milk frother that automatically dispenses the milk into the serving, espresso/cappuccino/latte at the press of a button and a cleaning cycle for the frother. I've used the machine for a little more than a week now and can confidently say that this is one hell of an espresso machine.



I've tried Illy and Lavazza in the machine so far, and the espresso comes out great - you won't believe the crema you get. Highly recommend it!



Pros:

+ can use whatever brand of coffee you prefer, you're not stuck with expensive pods/capsules

+ strong pump that produces rich crema

+ milk frother

+ espresso/cappuccino/latte at the press of a button (the machine automatically adjusts the amount of milk and coffee in the serving)

+ options for making single, double shot and custom servings

+ milk frothing can also be controlled manually (you can adjust the amount of milk in the serving if you're unsatisfied with what the automatic programs provide)

+ the milk container and the lid of the container (which contains the frother) are both dishwasher safe, although I haven't tried washing them in the dishwasher.



Cons:

- none that I've found so far



However, if I could make one change to the machine, it would be the amount of force you have to apply to insert the milk container into the machine (and to take it out). I suspect this has to do with the O-ring in the interface between the machine and the container. Since the container and the interface are all molded from plastic, my fear is that one of them will give sooner or later. Let's hope that Mr. Coffee has tested this extensively.

Nespresso A+C60-US-SS-NE Pixie Espresso Maker with Aeroccino Plus Milk Frother, Chrome

CUSTOMER REVIEW



Vine Customer Review of Free Product (What's this?) The Pixie has got to be the smallest and most portable single-serve coffee machine on the market. It has so much going for it! Like other Nespresso machines, this Pixie produces a top-notch coffee product. This particular model offers a milk frother alongside the coffee maker--and that is a real plus. The two together cost less than if purchased separately.



All things considered: The Pixie works every bit as well as the older and larger (but not much larger) CitiZ and the newest "kid on the block", the Nespresso U. The Pixie has a smaller water well. It also has a smaller compartment for spent capsules. In my experience that does not matter. In fact, it's probably better. You should start with fresh water as often as possible and it's easy and quick to dump spent capsules.



I think the whole line of Nespresso machines are far better than Tassimo and Kuerig machines. The Nespresso machines are better designed: They work quicker and quieter; have a smaller footprint and are less bulky; are much better looking, and, most importantly, the quality and variety of the espresso blends cannot be beat. I haven't tried the new Starbuck's machine, but I do know this Pixie is smaller and has a lot more style.



Our first Nespresso machine was a CitiZ and it still sits proudly on our kitchen counter. The Pixie was just being introduced when we bought our CitiZ several years ago. We ended up with the CitiZ because it came in a color that better matched the style of our century-old house. But I've always thought the Pixie was awfully cute and stylish. And who doesn't consider a smaller footprint a plus?



YOU CAN STOP READING HERE: While the above paragraphs sum up my opinion briefly, you can keep reading for more information. Sorry, but I found it hard to streamline this review--after all, I've purchased (and dumped) three Tassimo machines; I purchased and use the Nespresso CitiZ and the Latissima on a daily basis; I own a single-serve Gaggia by illy that sees very little use lately; I acquired a Jura ENA Uno about four months ago, and it daily provides us with freshly ground and brewed beans (we buy Peet's beans), and last, but not least, I've also acquired a Nespresso U with an Aeroccino frother. I'm thinking I've got some experience upon which I base my opinions.



MORE ON THE PIXIE:

--I don't know why this impresses me, but there is a white backlighting (around the spent capsule compartment) that I think is way, way cool. Plus, the backlighting allows you to safely grab your hot coffee in the dark. If you're low on water, the light shines red.

--The Pixie doesn't drip when it's done pouring like the CitiZ and Latissima models tend to do.

--The Pixie is basically portable: Being small and light-weight, having a cord that tucks away and a handle that doubles as the inserter lever, this little guy is easy to transport. You are going to be able to take your favorite coffee with you on a road trip--now that is a very exciting thought!

--Water heats up hotter in the Pixie (than in the CitiZ). Some people think this is important. I'm not one of them--no matter how hot the coffee is, I think it is very important to heat the cup first. (A very simple thing to do: Add hot tap water to the cup and let it sit in the sink a minute; but, yes, it is still another step to accomplish during your morning rush-hour routine before you leave for work.)

--The platform that your cup sits on is a bit cumbersome. It folds up for tall cups, but it's your cup that actually holds the platform up and out of the way. You could consider it a design flaw or maybe it adds to its compactness and portability. This only matters if you like to make fancy concoctions once in a while, forcing the use of a taller cup. (Sometimes I like to pour through some whipped cream or add a shot of something boozy.)



REGARDING THE AEROCCINO: For the difference in price between a Pixie with or without this stand-alone milk frother, you really should buy the combo. Several years ago when I first investigated this frother, it was valued at nearly a hundred dollars--so there is great value in purchasing it along with the espresso machine. It's a great little gadget: It has a beautiful shiny metal outside surface that is very substantial; it is quiet; it is quick; it produces beautiful soft foam; the handle is strong and easy on the hand, and because it has a high quality non-stick inner surface, it is easy to clean by simply rinsing it out. Its downfalls: The base is lightweight and will not grip a counter top; the heavy electric cord is adequately long, but excess cord can't be hid in the base, and the worst offense: The spout will leave you with a drip every time. In comparison to the Starbuck's model, this frother is made of a high quality, beautiful metal; the Starbuck's is black plastic.



COMPARED WITH THE LATISSIMA MILK FROTH: I like the froth created by the Latissima better than the froth from the Aeroccino. The Latissima foam is finer and thicker, and it is ADJUSTABLE. I also like the fact that the milk container on the Latissima can be easily disengaged from the machine and stored in the frig. There is no waste and clean-up is accomplished with a few seconds push of a button; only enough milk is sucked through the machine per serving. In a morning rush, it is easier to set the container of unused milk back in the frig. If you want easy cleaning with The Aeroccino, the residue milk has to be rinsed before you leave the house.



LET'S DISCUSS COFFEE: After all, the machine is just a vessel for the end result. And if the coffee that is made for the machine isn't great, then why even look at the machine. The coffee in the Nespresso pods is superb. It's way better than anything available from Tassimo or Kuerig.



It's been several years since we switched from a Tassimo machine to a Nespresso machine. (If you want to hear about why I totally dislike Tassimo, ask me and I'll be happy to elaborate.) At the time of the switch, we were used to drinking large-size cups of coffee. So we felt we were taking a chance on the Nespresso blends--not knowing if we'd be able to tolerate the change from a big cup of brew to just a few sips. But the change has been effortless and so rewarding: Because the coffee is so smooth and rich, it is easier and more satisfying to relish a few sips rather than big gulps of average-tasting coffee. We really didn't know what we were missing.



If you think you like more mild coffee and think that espresso will be too strong for you--then you think like I did. And I was wrong, and there is no reason to be afraid of Nespresso expresso and lungo (long cups--still pretty small): This great coffee is not bitter; it has a variety of fragrances, and feel, and flavors in each sip--and I've found that I am now leaning towards the more "intense" blends. With the Pixie there are two buttons to choose how much water you want to pass through each disc, and they are easily programmable, which offers you an infinite variety of strengths. Now I find that I prefer to go along with the pre-programmed amount of water for each blend. After all, the recommendations come from experts and they know what they're doing!



Nespresso has a lineup of 16 blends (plus there are special blends offered throughout the year). The blends by Tassimo and Kuerig cannot compare. It might have something to do with the fact that the Nespresso pods are made of aluminum and keep the ground coffee fresher than the others which are all made of plastic or maybe the Tassimo and Kuerig product is made to suit less savvy, less experienced coffee drinkers. I can't offer a comparison between the Nespresso and Starbuck pods, because I've not tried the Starbucks' Verismo system yet. I can say that Starbuck pods are more expensive than Nespresso pods, and there are way fewer choices. Regarding the "green-ness" of the pods: Nespresso's are recyclable and the others are not.



If anyone is interested in more details of the 16 Nespresso Grand Crus: Nespresso uses about 95% Arabica and 5% Robusta in its blends. Their beans come from Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Kenya, Ethiopia and India. Blending, roasting and grinding are all variables that enter into creation of a particular flavor blend. Investigating the blends, it is obvious that most of the beans come from Central and South America, Nespresso does not have a blend that features Kenyan Arabica beans--and that is my only dissatisfaction with the Nespresso lineup. We love Kenyan coffee and own a Jura ENA Uno machine so that we can brew our favorite Kenyan coffee from Peet's on the West Coast. It is interesting to note that the Starbucks' Verismo system does not offer a Kenyan pod at this time. I've got more info on the different Grand Crus--just ask me; I'll keep an eye on this review.



You don't give up any flavor by using the convenience of a Grand Cru capsule. And don't think that the capsules "cost too much": You want great coffee? You're going to have to pay for it. Amen. It doesn't matter if you grind your own or buy it in capsule form. In fact, I pay more cup-for-cup when I grind my own.



Two other things: Nespresso augments their 16 regular blends with a special, limited-time-only blend about three times a year. And it is very, very easy to buy the capsules. They are available online at nespresso.com. The ordering process is simple, the product is always fresh, customer service efficient and pleasant, and shipment is quick, quick.



If someone tells me the Nespresso capsules do not produce the "best espresso you'll ever have", I ask them where to get a better one: If they're being completely honest, the answer will not be "I get a better espresso at home", not unless that person is an expert with a very expensive machine.



One last thought on the capsules: The jewel-toned, aluminum capsules are a visual treat. The capsules are like little gems, little bon-bons. They are truly beautiful to look at. While it is surely not the most important point to be made about the 16 Grand Cru, I always like to remember to use all my senses when drinking coffee.



UPDATE September 2013: Looking at the Nespresso website, I see there are now 21 Grand Cru, and what's really neat: There is a carrying case for the Pixie.

Chefs Star Premier Automatic Milk Frother, Heater and Cappuccino Maker

CUSTOMER REVIEW



I love both cappuccino and Cuban coffee, so when I was offered a review sample I jumped at the opportunity. This is a heavy, quality heater and frother that does much more than heat and froth milk. However I will cover heating and frothing first.



It comes equipped with two small whisks - one for frothing milk and the other for just heating it (the heating whisk helps distribute the heat evenly.) The default configuration out of the box is heating. The frothing whisk is stored in the lid of the machine. That one will froth cold or hot milk. There are limits on the amount of milk this will hold and as soon as you peer inside about half or less of the jug is for milk and the remainder is heating element and internal timers, etc. So your total capacity for milk is 125ml, or about 4.25 ounces. It's double that for cold frothed milk. It heats the milk to about 150 degrees F, which is perfect for Cuban coffee and cappuccino. Note: if you do use this for heating you need about two minutes between loads to allow the thermostat to cool and reset.



Cleaning is a snap, but know that it needs to be hand washed and definitely not immersed in water. It also has to be hand dried. Although the heating whisk is stored in the lid I decided to store mine in a drawer. Just don't lost it or the other one because I am not sure how easy either is to replace.



In the opening paragraph I mentioned that this does much more than froth milk. It's perfect for blending eggs, a touch of cream and optional flour (I use a pinch of Gold Medal Wondra Flour) for perfect omelets. For one thing the 150 degree (F) temperature thickens the consistency of the egg, cream and flour as it heats and froths. When you do pour it in a pan it quickly cooks and you are rewarded with a thick and fluffy omelet. A masterpiece, in fact. If you decide to use it for this purpose I recommend using large eggs, which are 2 ounces (about 50ml) apiece, versus the 2.25 and above ounces for extra large and jumbo. This will allow you to not waste eggs while enriching them with cream (or milk if you are so inclined.)



Regardless of how you use this, it's sure to make anyone who loves a good cappuccino or cafe Cubano con leche very pleased. Mine is now a permanent part of my kitchen.

BELLA 13683 Espresso Maker, Black

CUSTOMER REVIEW



Quick and easy to brew one cup.

Works with ground coffee, doesn't have to be espresso.

It's small enough to be able to travel with it.

Easy clean up.

Makes a flavorful cup of coffee.

Hamilton Beach 46201 12 Cup Digital Coffeemaker, Stainless Steel

CUSTOMER REVIEW



I've tried many coffee makers over the years and this model #46201 by Hamilton Beach is by far the best I've ever owned. There are several very intuitive features that make this particular coffee maker stand apart from the rest. The description and pictures on this Amazon listing don't even begin to describe the features that make this coffee maker great, so I will describe them for you.



1. Removable water reservoir - The bottom of the coffee maker is equipped with little rollers. To fill the coffee maker with water, you simply turn the coffee maker around 90 degrees, grab the reservoir by the little handle and lift up to remove it. Take it over to the sink, fill it up, drop the reservoir back into place, and spin the coffee maker back around. This solves two problems that most other coffee makers have, in that I don't have to pull the machine out from underneath the kitchen cabinet in order to open the lid, and I also don't have to worry about trying to pour the water into a tiny little opening in the back of the machine. Great feature.



2. Front access to coffee ground basket - The coffee ground basket is located above the decanter, and it swings out to the front, giving me easy access to add my coffee and filter. Again, no more pulling the machine out in order to open the top lid like other coffee makers. There is a button on the right side of the machine, and when pushed the basket is released and it swings out to meet you. It takes regular sized flat bottom coffee filters, and the bottom of the coffee basket has the little spring loaded button that stops the flow of coffee if you decide to pull the decanter out while the coffee is still brewing.



3. Burner Temperature control - There is a button on the front that allows you to control the temperature of the burner under the decanter. It has three settings. I love this because after the coffee is done brewing, I can turn the burner temp down a bit and then my coffee can sit there in the pot for a while and not end up with a bitter burnt taste. With my old Cuisinart coffee maker, the coffee would taste completely burnt if it sat on the burner for more than half an hour. Burnt coffee no more!



4. Brew settings - There are 3 brew settings: Regular, 1-4 Cups, and Bold. The bold setting simply releases the water at a slower rate when brewing so the water has more time to extract the maximum flavor from the coffee grounds. If you like your coffee with a bold flavor, then this feature is for you.



5. The decanter does not dribble - This was a big selling point for me. The decanter for the Cuisinart coffee maker we just had (it's in the trash can now) dribbled like you wouldn't believe. We were finding ourselves keeping a towel next to the coffee maker because every time you poured a cup of coffee you had to clean up a mess of coffee that dribbled down the side of the decanter onto the counter top. This decanter spout has a nice deep groove to it, and it pours like a dream.



It also has the regular features that can be expected such as a clock, and the ability to set it for delayed brew. I would say the only thing that I don't like about this machine is the blue light on the display, but that is just me. This coffee maker does exactly what it is supposed to and has none of the annoying flaws that most other coffee makers suffer from. I would like to meet the engineer who designed this machine and shake their hand. My morning coffee is much more pleasurable now.



*UPDATE 12/4/2013

Well, I've had this coffee maker for a year and a half now. I use it every day, sometimes more than once a day, and have yet to experience any problems whatsoever. It just works, and I'm very pleased with this purchase. I'll probably buy another one to have on hand in case they stop making this model. By far the best coffee maker I've ever owned.

Keurig K75 Single-Cup Home-Brewing System with Water Filter Kit, Platinum

CUSTOMER REVIEW



Note: I purchased this ASIN: B000GTR2F6. I received this unit in its place though.



Unboxing:



Item was purchased from Amazon directly; Arrived triple boxed and in perfect condition. I was presently surprised to find a little note from Keurig stating I was amung the first to receive the new K-75 this seems to be a silent upgrade as the UPC, and printed box specs are for the current model B-70.



The unit was packaged securly with an instructional/promotional packet above the top piece of styrofoam that was 1/2 of a steady shell that surround the fully assembled unit. Packet contained a "Buy two get two free offer" for K-Cup packs if purchased from Keurig directly, the owners manual, and the surprise note mentioned above along with specials directions on how to install the included water filter.



Setup:



Setup was easy, and took less than ten minutes complete. (This includes the brewing of the first cup) I found the most difficult part of the process was installing the water filter into the unit, as it must be lowered into the units tank, and seated on an inlet hole towards the rear of the tank. I would say most people would not have an issue with this however, and fully blame my ape hands for the difficulty I encountered.



Use:



The unit was ready for its first brew about 4 minutes after turning it on. Prep is simple and consists of raising the front lever, dropping a K-cup into the hole, closing the lid, and hitting brew. Not much more to say about the possess, it just works. The one thing that did stand out is how quite this unit is from start to finish. It is not much louder that the Bunn pour over machine it replaced!



Misc:



This unit looks great with the blue LED lit tank, and matching buttons. The larger 75oz tank slightly reduces the drip try area as it extends past the base as a result of the larger size. This in no way hinders use of the unit.



The directions for the water filter say each filter pod should be changed every 60 tank fills or every two months; which seems more than reasonable as a three pod replacement pack is about $12.



Brews coffee as well as any of Keurig units I have tried, and water temp is accurate to within 1 degree of its set point measured at the very top of the stream coming out of the unit.



All in all I am very happy with this product, and as a result I just purchased another for my office.

Nespresso Inissia Espresso Maker, Black

CUSTOMER REVIEW



If you've been looking for an automatic espresso machine with the minimum acceptable 15 bar (this is 19), for under $100 US, though pump driven, the new Inissia is the model you and I have been waiting for. You will soon find, that for the budget, this little gem was worth the wait!



For comparison, the U is about $150 (depending on model, and without frother), the Essenza can be found for under $100 from time to time, and the rest of the line jumps up (eg. Pixie, others with milk frother options) to over $200 and well upwards from there.



The coffee, if bought on Nespresso's website, ranges from .50 to .70, depending on whether you insist on pure Arabica (and you should!). Amazon and it's vendors do both better and worse than this, so you HAVE to shop if you want to maintain your budget. Because of the skyrocketing popularity of this line, there are many more fulfillment by Amazon and Prime options now if you hunt for them.



Also, Sams and Costco have started carrying this line, but both of them locally (assuming Amazon charges tax in your area-- some fullfillment by do not), are a $40 savings on this Inissia at this writing if you buy on Amazon. Because Inissia does not have the downside of ruining cups with experimentation you find with the Essenza, it is already becoming hard to find.



How can ANYONE deliver 19 bar, in a dependable machine, for under $100? Well, they can't. This machine costs about $290 to manufacture bare bones. So, yes, this IS razor and blade and you ARE married to buying the little cups from Nespresso. There is NO BETTER WAY to get low cost, high quality espresso, with the convenience of automated brewing as simple as drip, for far less than Starbucks, even with the razor/blade strategy.



That said, I'm a Barista instructor, and if you do take the time to buy green, roast your own, and use a Moka pot, though technically not espresso at 6 bar, you can get better coffee, more controlled by you, for a LOT less per cup. But here comes some honesty my students would kill me for: YES, sometimes I prefer fast coffee, far better than Starbucks, fully automated, easy clean up, and zero work! I still roast my own and use a variety of techniques from Moka to Turkish to get a devlish range of wonderful tastes, but for the effort, this new little Inissia truly fills the bill!



The Barista association has been kind enough to let me try a full range of machines and techniques on their dime for over 7 years, and I've worked with espresso makers and systems that range from Mr. Coffee to $35,000 commercial machines. I can't say much more than the fact that THIS is the model I've waited for, even though I was painfully tempted by the Essenza. And also be warned, if you move beyond Nespresso for a modular system, you are NOT getting true espresso, but razor and blade drip.



If you read criticisms on the web that Nespresso has a poor range of offerings between first crack, City ++ and deeply dark, oily espresso, check the date on the review/complaint. I've now found that their range is just as broad and deep as any direct green or roasted bean you can get. Nothing is as good as roasting and grinding your own, but even with sophisticated taste buds, this system comes very close, and is certainly WAY better than Starbucks. Besides, even roasters/ Moka folk need a break once in a while, and will unlikely settle for drip when they can even get Americano if you like it less strong, with this system!



The other models in this series are known for durability and ethical customer service from Nespresso, but at this writing no one can tell you that about their newer technologies. I can tell you that poor mechanical performance would kill this at Sams before they even got out of the gate, so I'm betting on durability, but can't honestly opine on that parameter.



All in all, highly recommended. Please use the comment and question features for any details you need, or email me, or check out the Nespresso dot com website for details between models, or questions you might have on this little gem. As a bonus, if you check their site, you get to see Jimmy Kimmel trying the brand with Penelope Cruz, not a reason to buy, but still FUN! ;=)



eMailer answer: YES, this does accommodate large cups, unlike the Essenza, and yes, you can just push a button without having to time the brew.

Delonghi EMK6 Alicia Electric Moka Espresso Coffee Maker

CUSTOMER REVIEW



1/20/06 First reviewed: I received this as a gift and had about twenty wonderful cups of moka from this cute little electric machine, but then one day in the third week of ownership, steam went a'flyin outside of the moka maker instead of into the top chamber. I called customer service and was given a run-around, ugh. I was told that without a receipt I could buy the replacement unit for around $40 plus shipping. She said that most of their products have a 30 or 60 day warranty, which surprised me greatly. Since I'd owned the product for less than 30 days, I figured I was still in the warranty time any way one looked at it, but I was wrong. With no receipt, no exchange from DeLonghi. Well, I tried to use the unit after really tightening the top and bottom together and the escaping steam abated. The next week, the shut off valve on the heating unit started making a terrible noise and the unit wouldn't even start. It would be triggered within a few seconds to shut off, so I had nothing at all brewing. Aha, I regained my smartness finally, and took the item to Bed Bath and Beyond, and they were extremely gracious in having another sent to me because the store didn't have it in stock. I hope that when this replacement arrives in a week or two I'll love it again, but I hope this time it's a more long lasting relationship. I'll recommend that you buy this from Amazon because the price is substantially less but be sure to keep your receipt even if you register the warranty!

UPDATE 2/21/07 The replacement unit has been working flawlessly for a year now and it's used on a daily basis. I'd give it another star!

UPDATE 1/16/09 Another year has almost passed and this is still working great. With proper care, I think it will outlive us all!