Ovente KG83B 1.5L Glass Electric Kettle, Black

CUSTOMER REVIEW



I selected this model because it listed 1100 watt power usage and it is lower than other models yet reviews say it is quick heating, and it certainly is. The power cord is substantially heavy, the shut off when water reaches a full rolling boil works well with an audible click and the blue charming glow light for the water goes off when the pot automatically shuts down. I use pot this to heat water for French Press coffee making and the all glass contact with water is completely clean. You can click or lift the top up if you don't want the mesh filter to touch the water when filling or pouring if you are a real purist. The pot has no smells on first use or thereafter. It deserves the 5 stars more so than much more expensive pots.

Hamilton Beach K6080 Large Cordless Kettle, 1.8-Liter, Black

CUSTOMER REVIEW



UPDATE 10/31/12

Another month passed, and the kettle does not work that well anymore as I experienced in the beginning. Obviously, the rust buildup on the heating element is now somehow hindering its auto shut-off function. This means I have to manually flip the switch to turn off the kettle when water is boiling, otherwise it just keep heating up! This can really be a major safety issue, not to mention that the whole point of a electric kettle is that I don't have to stand around it watching the water. Although it is still usable, I wouldn't use it anymore. Sent an email to the company, and I was told that it's most likely due to mishandling, and I'll have to pay to ship it over to get it fixed. Since shipping this guy in its original box costs half its selling price and there's no guarantee it'll be fixed for free, I'll just opt for a new kettle. It could be problem with my tap water, but aren't these supposed to be a way to purify water anyways?



UPDATE 9/29/12

Now that I've used this kettle for over a few months, I'll take away two stars for it. The reason is that you have to keep using it very, very often, almost daily, to keep the kettle in good working order. Scale buildup, although a problem, is easily taken care of by some vinegar; however, once I leave the kettle alone for a week or two without using it, the heating element rusts. This not only makes boiling time much longer than before and consume a lot of energy, but also releases potentially harmful chemicals into your water. The only way to prevent this is to wipe the inside of the kettle dry after boiling water. Once the heating element rusts there's pretty much nothing I can do about it than replacing the kettle as it's not really possible to scrape and polish the insides.



This large kettle is very convenient for those who occasionally need hot water. I bought it looking for some tea as well as instant food and it does the job perfectly.



Pros:

-Large volume. Can boil a lot of water, which means the water stays warm a little longer when I let it sit. No need to reboil for refills.

-Power design. The "special" power connection used on the base is pretty high so I feel more comfortable leaving it near the sink.

-Cordless. I can take it away without trying to unplug it. I used to use a corded one and unplugging it can be a pain when the water is boiling inside and the kettle gets hot.

-Handle with anti-slip. Great when the kettle gets heavy.

-Switch that can turn off. The old kettle I have can only turn off itself, and this one is really convenient when I think I don't want the water anymore.



Cons:

-Scale builds up really fast. I've used it a week now and can already see some on the heating element.

-Minimum line at 0.5L. This means I have to boil at least 2+ mugs of water, even I just want a cup.

-Plastic smell needs 5+ boils to clear up.



The bad parts can be dealt with pretty easily so it's no big deal for an occasional user. If you want something to use every hour to serve a whole family (or more), consider one of the stainless steel kettles with hidden elements. This kettle will probably take some descaling, but I guess that is the cost of having one that boils a full kettle in under 4 minutes.

Mr. Coffee MWBLK Mug Warmer

CUSTOMER REVIEW



This product is perfect. It does exactly what it claims to do...keeps your beverage warm. It won't be boiling hot, but it will be at a drinkable temperature until you are done. The chord is long enough and gives a decent range of use. I like to sip the same cup of coffee for hours while I am working, reading or studying and now I never have to microwave it again. I have noticed that it doesn't do as good of a job when the mug is full, but the end of the cup will be quite hot. Well worth the price.

Bodum Assam Tea Press, 34-Ounce, Black

CUSTOMER REVIEW



I like this teapot, but there are some exceptions. The good: It's very nice looking, and doesn't drip when you pour. The bad: You have to have the brewing chamber inside the pot to have the lid on (they fit together). The brewing chamber is plastic and eventually stains. The handle is not supported by anything; it's glued on. I'm kind of terrified that one day it'll pop off as I'm carrying an enormous pot of tea, but so far it hasn't happened. I'll give them the benefit of the doubt on this one, but I still cringe every time I put weight on the handle.

Keurig V500 Vue Brewer

CUSTOMER REVIEW



There is no shortage of Keurig reviews online so I will use this one to address a lack of information on the V500.

First, the Vue V500 is functionally the same as the top of the line Vue V700. I recently went to Bed, Bath and Beyond to purchase a Keurig coffee maker as a surprise for my wife while she was out of town. She had expressed an interest in getting one and was dropping hints more and more frequently.

After a little research and armed with a 20% off coupon, I hit the store with the intention of purchasing the Vue V700. When I got to the end cap where the Vue was set up, I saw a Vue I wasn't familiar with and that was the V500. It isn't even listed on the Keurig website yet. We aren't huge coffee people so I thought maybe this would be a better fit at a cheaper price than the V700. Cell phone reception was weak and it was taking forever to look up information so I resorted to asking a BBB employee what the difference was and he was actually very knowledgeable.

Functionally they work exactly the same. The differences are: The size of the water reservoir, the V700 holds 74 ounces while the V500 holds 60 ounces. The touch screen on the V700 is color while the V500's is black and white. The V500 offers all the same cup sizes as the V700 except one, it doesn't do the 18 ounce travel mug size. The V700 has storage for the power cord, the V500 does not. Aesthetically, the V700 has more silver accents on it while the V500 is mainly black. Last, the V700 comes with a free 10 Vue cup variety pack and the V500 comes with an 8 pack.

My wife doesn't care about any of those things so I decided to save $30 and get the V500. She absolutely loves it so far. As I said, we are not coffee people but so far so good. This thing makes a fantastic cup of coffee. If you don't need anything listed in the differences, save yourself some money and a little space on your counter top and get the V500.



Edit: Nine months later, my wife is still not a huge coffee person but I am. Damn you Keurig!!! The unit has functioned great and we have had no problems with it. I have also found the fact that you can use the unit for just hot water very useful as well. I will not subtract a star because the product has worked flawlessly but one drawback is that the Vue packs are still a pain in the butt to find in stores. The K cups are everywhere but the Vue packs? Not so much. They were supposed to be the next big thing and just haven't caught on yet. If I had to do over, I would still stick with the Keurig brand but would probably go with a machine that used K cups instead of the Vue system simply because of the availability of the cups. I have also found that the Solofill adapter that let's you use any ground coffee in the machine is indispensable. I use it more than the Vue packs. You have to rinse it and dry it after use but it is much cheaper than the packs.

Breville BMF600XL Milk Café Milk Frother

CUSTOMER REVIEW



Yes, yes, I know you can just heat milk in the microwave or on the stove, but I inevitably either scald the milk, or heat it so slowly for fear of scalding it that it takes 15 minutes. I got a Nespresso CitiZ for Christmas, and wanted something quick that I could set and forget while I was getting the coffee ready.



After much research, I chose this one over the Aerolatte for a few reasons: it has a greater milk capacity; the temperature is adjustable; and the milk container is dishwasher-safe (as opposed to the Aerolatte's, which has electronic parts attached to it and has to be carefully hand-washed). I have to say, I'm quite pleased with the purchase. Some of the other reviews made me nervous about ordering, but the features were important enough to make it worth a try. Trust me, it really is a matter of adjusting to the quirks--although the manual isn't really helpful with those!



For me, it was the cold milk that was usually the problem. I'd pour in the milk, then assemble coffee stuff or mix-ins, and in the meantime it would get condensation on the bottom that would somehow fool the machine into thinking something was wrong. It would start up, then beep three times and shut off--which the manual says means the milk level is too low, although that clearly wasn't the case. But I've found that as long as I start the machine as soon as I pour in the milk, it works fine every time. Basically, any kind of moisture on the outside of the milk container will cause it to shut off.



But once you get going, it takes about three or four minutes for huge, billowy clouds of to foam form on top of the perfect-temperature milk--every time. (I use skim, and unlike other cappuccino makers I've used, the brand doesn't seem to make a difference in the amount of foam.) I've had good success making hot chocolate with cocoa powder and sugar. Although it does foam much less than plain milk, it's creamy and gorgeous, with no graininess or undissolved ingredients (and it's great with Kahlua mixed in!). With the adjustable thermostat, I can make a vanilla steamer for my four-year-old daughter that's the perfect temperature for her. Even at the higher temperatures, I've never had a problem with scalding or burning or sticking.



Cleaning is a breeze--the stainless-steel milk container can go in the dishwasher, but it's so easy to hand wash that I've actually only run it through the DW once. The milk really just rinses right out without scrubbing.



And the cord storage and the storage space for the extra frothing disk work well, unlike some other appliances I own that make it impossible to wind the cord up neatly.



Aside from the diva factor, my only complaint is that the minimum amount of milk required is too much when I just want to make a small, one-shot cappuccino; but I think this is the case for the Aerolatte as well. My daughter doesn't mind, though, because she's the beneficiary of all my extra foam!



UPDATE: I've had this for over two years now, and it's still going strong. After using a wider variety of milk brands, I do find that a few won't froth quite as well as others. Costco skim is probably the worst, but it's still OK for a latte. Oh, and I do find that if you're going to use powdered mix-ins, you have to set the temperature higher than you normally would; the milk seems to stay a bit cooler than the thermostat indicates, and the powder dissolves better at higher temps (especially granulated sugar in homemade cocoa mix).



Very occasionally it will get temperamental on me for some unknown reason, but a jiggle of the frothing disk or a brief cool-down period is usually enough to get it working again. I honestly don't know what I'd do without this thing!

Best Iced Coffee Maker

CUSTOMER REVIEW



I bought this at Nordstrom, but I wanted to post a review of it here because I love it so much. It makes the smoothest, most delicious iced coffee and it is so easy to make and clean. I was making my own cold brew and I found it difficult to get the coffee out without getting any grinds in it. It took me forever when I did it by pouring the coffee though a sieve and it made a big mess when I tried to put it through cheesecloth. This system is so easy. You just pour the coarsely ground beans in the center filter. then you slowly pour in one cup of water. when that has gone down you add 3 more cups of water, close up the top, and leave it in the fridge for about 12 hours. Then you remove the inner core with the grounds, unscrew the bottom of the filter, and voila...all the coffee grounds go down the drain and you are left with wonderful iced coffee. The only reason I didn't give this 5 stars is because it barely fits in my fridge door. If you don't have a large refrigerator with very high shelves or a tall shelf in the door, this will not work for you. Also, I don't know why they say it makes 14 cups of coffee. I only get about 5-6 cups out of it because the coffee is not that concentrated...but it is delicious!

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.

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.

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

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.

Nespresso VertuoLine Coffee and Espresso Maker with Aeroccino Plus Milk Frother, Black

CUSTOMER REVIEW



I have used this machine for about a week, and it is awesome! I had used an espresso machine frequently years ago, but got sick of the grinding, prepping, priming, etc., especially before work in the morning. So, I eventually gave up and bought a plain-ole coffee maker. Unfortunately, "regular" coffee, to me, tastes like hot water. I even tried a Kuerig, but returned it within a month - it was more convenient, but the coffees are no higher quality than any grocery-store brand coffee. So I debated for a long time about whether I should wait for one of these brand-new Nespresso Vertuoline machines, or just buy one of the older, espresso-only Nespresso machines.



I have to say that I'm very happy that I waited for this one! The espresso is excellent, the drinks have all been hot (even when adding milk from the Aeroccino), the whole spinning process takes about 15 seconds (or less) to pour into the cup, and - most surprisingly - the new coffee-sized cartridges are AWESOME! They taste NOTHING like regular, ground grocery-store coffee-in-a-can. They are much more flavorful, much stronger, and seem fresher even than using whole coffee with a grinder (maybe it's from being sealed in the aluminum cartridges?).



The Nespresso club has been great - they ship coffee and espresso cartridges within two days, and seem to have excellent customer service. I emailed a question to them and had a personal answer (not a canned answer) within about 3 hours.



My final comment - I have tried Keurig coffee in the past, and now have this Vertuoline; the Keurig wins on availability, but if you want a single-serve coffee maker, and actually appreciate and LIKE THE TASTE of good coffee, then this machine wins HANDS DOWN.



EDIT 3/4/2014: Just wanted to add, based on another reviewer's inaccurate comments, that you CAN adjust the volume of the pour to between 0.3oz. and 17oz. by a simple process that is clearly explained in the owner's manual. The machine remembers your programmed espresso levels and coffee levels separately, and keeps that programming until you reset it.

KRUPS XP160050 Coffee Maker and Espresso Machine Combination, Black

CUSTOMER REVIEW



Vine Customer Review of Free Product (What's this?) Having read comments about this machine smelling like plastic I was worried that the machine would be inferior.But the machine is actually good.



Alas, I found that running a couple cycles of just water with a teaspoon of plain vinegar got rid of the smell.



They even note on page 7 of the instruction booklet 'To remove any residue from production which may rest in the appliance run the machine through one or two cycles with water only. Wash ALL loose parts in warm soapy water, rinse thoroughly and dry'. This is repeated on page 9 under the 'Preparing Coffee' section. How many people who are giving this machine poor marks did what the instructions said??????



Love how the drip grate under removes easily for cleaning. The clock is easy to set. Like that the coffee area holds a reusable cone filter since I dislike using paper filters. Appreciate the clean lines which also make for cleaning the machine easy.



The added bonus for me is it fits on the counter under the cupboards in my small older cottage here in the Sierras. You have no idea how many modern appliances are geared toward newer homes with cupboards higher up from the counters.

Norpro 5569 Decorative Cup Warmer

CUSTOMER REVIEW



This warmer works very well in the "warming" department, but before purchasing, be aware of the following:

- the cord is very short, so you will probably need an extension cord.

- the on/off switch is located half way down the cord, so you have to reach for it a bit... It would be much better if the on/off switch was on the warmer unit itself.

- the bottom "feet" are made of hard plastic, so it "slides" on hard surfaces and can scratch your furniture. It would be much better if it had rubber feet.

Other than that, it's a nice product.

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.

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!

OXO Good Grips Twisting Tea Ball

CUSTOMER REVIEW



I have used the common spring loaded, mesh tea infusers for years. I found that the halves don't always line up and hinges invariably got loose and then broke. I found the mesh balls were messy to clean up. I recently purchased three new infusers of various types because they operated differently and looked different. This is functionally the best of the three. This one is easy to load. It is also easy to unload and clean. I rotate the cover back and tap the handle on the edge of the trash/compost bin and the leaves fall out. It is easy to rinse the remaining leaves out as the infuser is sheet metal with small holes rather than the mesh tea infuser I replaced. I have only had some loose sediment at the bottom of the mug when using very fine loose tea or when I am getting the tea dust that collects at the bottom of the can. I have had several comments on the infuser from other tea drinkers who have never seen one. I brew my tea in a 20 ounce mug and the infuser easily holds a big enough load for a robust mug of tea. The ball may take up a too much space and it might look a little awkward in a small mug or teacup. If the handle sticks out too far it could be accidentally knocked out or tipped over. The mechanism is a stem that rotates in a hollow handle with half the tea ball connected to the stem and the other half connected to the handle. If there are weak points it would be where the halves are attached. I don't know if liquid gets into the handle but being stainless steel, it should not develop rust. I have used this every day for about a month and a half and have had no problems. I would recommend this with no reservations.

Nespresso U D50 Espresso Maker with Aeroccino Milk Frother, Pure Black

CUSTOMER REVIEW



Vine Customer Review of Free Product (What's this?) Comparing this new model to the other machines in the Nespresso lineup, it is obvious that the U was designed for you. It is marvelously and amazingly designed and quality-crafted; a fine little machine that works with expertly-crafted coffee blends to provide you with an amazingly wonderful coffee experience.



This particular model offers a milk frother alongside the coffee maker--and that is a real plus. The Aeroccino milk frother is also available for sale on its own, so this duo provides real value.



All things considered: The U works every bit as well as the older and taller (but not much taller) CitiZ and the smaller and portable Pixie. The differences are in how the U is designed to fit your needs: The water vessel can be positioned to the left, the right, or behind the machine. There are three volumes from which to choose--not just two (as with the CitiZ and Pixie). And the three volumes can be easily and quickly reprogrammed by you for infinite possibilities. The cup platform can be removed from the front of the machine and stored on the side--with the help of a very nifty and well-placed magnet.

It just appears to be the most stylish, the most efficient and the most streamlined machine in the Nespresso lineup.



**The ability to position the water reservoir is an important feature.** You should analyze the space where you want to place your machine, taking into consideration that the act of removing the vessel, adding water, and replacing the vessel will happen often. With any water vessel, you must lift it to remove it. Check to see if you have enough clearance. Can you remove the water reservoir without pulling the machine forward? If not, then this machine is the one for you, because you can position the reservoir on either side--instead of behind.



My only gripe is that--except for the front and the cup platform--the machine is a very shiny plastic, and not a matte finish. From my experience with it, the shiny surface (especially the black color) shows more dust, fingerprints and scratches. You better keep a soft, clean cloth handy to keep it looking its best. The Pixie, with its metal ribbed sides and matte top is easier to keep clean. The shiny finish prompted me to rate this machine four, and not five, stars. (While I love black; I really dislike shiny black.)



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 U has a smaller footprint, has a lot more style, and (when you consider how you can manipulate the water reservoir) it is more user-friendly.



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--they both sit on our kitchen counter; 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)--it sits on an antique buffet-turned-coffee-bar in our family room, and last, but not least, I've also acquired two different-colored Pixies, one with an Aeroccino frother. I'm thinking I've got some experience upon which I base my opinions.



COMPARED WITH THE PIXIE: I don't know why this impresses me, but on the Pixie there is a white back-lighting (around the spent capsule compartment) that I think is way, way cool. Plus, the back-lighting allows you to safely grab your hot coffee in the dark. If you're low on water, the light shines red. That nifty light, together with the smaller size, the portability, and the matte and metal finish force me to write that I LIKE PIXIE BETTER THAN U.



REGARDING THE AEROCCINO: 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 U 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. Because it's not attached to the espresso machine, you can move it around and you can use it for other drinks besides coffee. Its DOWNFALLS: The base is lightweight and will not grip a counter top; the heavy electric cord is adequately long, but excess cord cannot 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 U, there are three 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.