Nespresso Citiz C111 Espresso Maker, Chrome
Product Description
Color: Chrome
Conceived to please both enthusiasts of Nespresso and lovers of modern design, Citiz is the expression of the union between high tech and retro-modern design inspirations. Nespresso began more than 25 years ago with a simple but revolutionary idea, to create the perfect cup of Espresso coffee with exquisite crema, tantalizing aroma and full bodied taste - just like skilled baristas. As the worldwide pioneer, Nespresso redefined the way coffee lovers around the world enjoy their espresso coffee through a unique combination of premium quality Grand Cru coffees, stylish coffee machines and exceptional customer service. To obtain the perfect espresso, Nespresso Experts seek out only the finest Grand's Crus green coffees, which promise to offer the most tantalizing aromas. The virtuoso 'alchemists' compose the blend from these diverse origins and decide upon a specific roasting and grinding profile. Each of the Nespresso Grand's Crus has a distinctive character. You can, depending on the variety of different recipes, enjoy Nespresso with milk. When combined with creamy milk foam, you will experience a whole new variety of flavors. The Nespresso Club Services. A world of services at your disposal. The Nespresso Club is always there for you, online, by telephone or in one of our Boutiques. Order your Nespresso capsules, receive personalized advice and obtain technical support for your machine: whatever you are seeking, the Nespresso Club and its Specialists are with you every step of the way. Benefit from quick & easy ordering whenever, wherever.
CUSTOMER REVIEW
First, I read countless reviews for both the Pixie and the Citiz before I made my decision. Most people seem to favor the Pixie unless they're in need of the frother, which I was not. I chose the Citiz over the Pixie based on some reports of leaking from the Pixie. For a few bucks more I figured it would be nice to have a machine that did not seem to have reports of leaking.
Nespresso is a frustrating brand to buy because they seem to haphazardly offer features and remove them as you move up in price. The biggest downfall of the Citiz is the lack of a low-water alert. It seems odd to me that this could not be a feature of the Citiz but it is a feature of the Pixie. Whether the tank is larger or not, it is very much out of the way and can easily be forgotten. Running the Nespresso dry seems like a recipe for disaster. That is my only real solid complaint at this point but knowing this beforehand, it did not deter me from the purchase. What also pushed me to the Citiz is there were a couple reviews on Amazon and another site that suggested the removal of the water tank on the Pixie was annoyingly difficult. Where this machine will sit, reaching back and grabbing the tank should be easy. If I become frustrated about how much I have to fiddle, I will simply return the unit. No lie. Call me lazy, but I think things should be easy and I don't think I should have to muscle my coffee maker.
The machine was just dropped off and immediately I was in love with the footprint. I have a Keurig B70 which is a beast compared to this. In spite of the dimensions not being so far off, the way this machine is designed is classy. I ordered the chrome because of the finish itself and that it wasn't all plastic. I wish the Citiz would follow the Pixie's design and contain more metal than plastic for simple aesthetics. Let's face is, many of these machines are bought because they are aesthetically pleasing just as much as they're bought because they're functional. If I wanted a giant robot looking espresso machine, if I wanted to fiddle with tampers and such, then I would have spent my money elsewhere.
From the box you get 16 cups. Through my reading either I overlooked this point about what is in the box or I simply never saw that it was listed. On the listing for this model, it does not state there was coffee included. I ordered two 10 cup packs the same day; an espresso and a lungo. I was thinking I would spend much more trying to find one I loved but now I am happy to see a nice container showcasing 16 flavors. Very happy.
Some complaints I read as a whole has to do with temperature. If you came from a Keurig or you've been to Star-burn-your-coffee-bucks, then the temperature of the espresso seems downright wrong. Initial setup suggests running the lungo setting three times then refilling the water tank. Running that, I measured the water at 140, it was running into a cold coffee mug (that doesn't help matters). Once I was ready, I placed an espresso pod in (not decaf) and ran it through. 143 was my temperature. It eventually stopped at 140. I stuck my finger in the espresso and it was definitely hot enough. It wasn't a cup that could sit for 30 minutes and not get cool, like my 195 degree coffee from the Keurig, but it was definitely hot enough. I don't settle for "just enough" normally. I frothed my milk in my Nespresso frother that I have owned for 4 years now and added that to the espresso. 138 was the temp, the espresso sat while the milk frothed. It is winter, so the earth thinks, and it is cooler inside. Finally, I brewed a lungo and the temp on the bottom of the cup was 140, near the top it was 158. My guess, 150 is probably the middle ground. I will heat the cup next time with 150 degree water and see what happens to the temps. I suspected they would all brew at the same temperature, but perhaps I just don't know that espresso should be one temperature and lungo should be another.
I'm not an espresso expert but the cup I got was pretty incredible. It was smooth and not overly roasty so it could be confused for burnt. I didn't feel as though it was sharp and bitter, I had the Arpeggio. Together, with my milk and a bit of sweetness, it definitely pleases.
The downside, depending upon how you look at it. It's loud. When you first use a Keurig you think that the neighbors are going to hear you make coffee each time. In my mind nothing could be louder. I was wrong. Whatever this 19 bar pump hooplah is makes this thing a beast. The fact that it didn't fall over is remarkable. I am not incredibly bothered by the noise, it sits in a corner that won't allow for much echoing sound and while it could probably be heard in other areas of my house, it is such a short timeframe that complaints should be minimal. I definitely did not expect this little machine to make that noise. It is the toy poodle of machines, loud and probably obnoxious but kind of cute.
I have only given it 4 stars because I think the lack of a low-water sensor is a downside and the noise. I assume these are valid reasons to not give the machine 5 stars and be obnoxiously enthusiastic about it.
CUSTOMER REVIEW
First, I read countless reviews for both the Pixie and the Citiz before I made my decision. Most people seem to favor the Pixie unless they're in need of the frother, which I was not. I chose the Citiz over the Pixie based on some reports of leaking from the Pixie. For a few bucks more I figured it would be nice to have a machine that did not seem to have reports of leaking.
Nespresso is a frustrating brand to buy because they seem to haphazardly offer features and remove them as you move up in price. The biggest downfall of the Citiz is the lack of a low-water alert. It seems odd to me that this could not be a feature of the Citiz but it is a feature of the Pixie. Whether the tank is larger or not, it is very much out of the way and can easily be forgotten. Running the Nespresso dry seems like a recipe for disaster. That is my only real solid complaint at this point but knowing this beforehand, it did not deter me from the purchase. What also pushed me to the Citiz is there were a couple reviews on Amazon and another site that suggested the removal of the water tank on the Pixie was annoyingly difficult. Where this machine will sit, reaching back and grabbing the tank should be easy. If I become frustrated about how much I have to fiddle, I will simply return the unit. No lie. Call me lazy, but I think things should be easy and I don't think I should have to muscle my coffee maker.
The machine was just dropped off and immediately I was in love with the footprint. I have a Keurig B70 which is a beast compared to this. In spite of the dimensions not being so far off, the way this machine is designed is classy. I ordered the chrome because of the finish itself and that it wasn't all plastic. I wish the Citiz would follow the Pixie's design and contain more metal than plastic for simple aesthetics. Let's face is, many of these machines are bought because they are aesthetically pleasing just as much as they're bought because they're functional. If I wanted a giant robot looking espresso machine, if I wanted to fiddle with tampers and such, then I would have spent my money elsewhere.
From the box you get 16 cups. Through my reading either I overlooked this point about what is in the box or I simply never saw that it was listed. On the listing for this model, it does not state there was coffee included. I ordered two 10 cup packs the same day; an espresso and a lungo. I was thinking I would spend much more trying to find one I loved but now I am happy to see a nice container showcasing 16 flavors. Very happy.
Some complaints I read as a whole has to do with temperature. If you came from a Keurig or you've been to Star-burn-your-coffee-bucks, then the temperature of the espresso seems downright wrong. Initial setup suggests running the lungo setting three times then refilling the water tank. Running that, I measured the water at 140, it was running into a cold coffee mug (that doesn't help matters). Once I was ready, I placed an espresso pod in (not decaf) and ran it through. 143 was my temperature. It eventually stopped at 140. I stuck my finger in the espresso and it was definitely hot enough. It wasn't a cup that could sit for 30 minutes and not get cool, like my 195 degree coffee from the Keurig, but it was definitely hot enough. I don't settle for "just enough" normally. I frothed my milk in my Nespresso frother that I have owned for 4 years now and added that to the espresso. 138 was the temp, the espresso sat while the milk frothed. It is winter, so the earth thinks, and it is cooler inside. Finally, I brewed a lungo and the temp on the bottom of the cup was 140, near the top it was 158. My guess, 150 is probably the middle ground. I will heat the cup next time with 150 degree water and see what happens to the temps. I suspected they would all brew at the same temperature, but perhaps I just don't know that espresso should be one temperature and lungo should be another.
I'm not an espresso expert but the cup I got was pretty incredible. It was smooth and not overly roasty so it could be confused for burnt. I didn't feel as though it was sharp and bitter, I had the Arpeggio. Together, with my milk and a bit of sweetness, it definitely pleases.
The downside, depending upon how you look at it. It's loud. When you first use a Keurig you think that the neighbors are going to hear you make coffee each time. In my mind nothing could be louder. I was wrong. Whatever this 19 bar pump hooplah is makes this thing a beast. The fact that it didn't fall over is remarkable. I am not incredibly bothered by the noise, it sits in a corner that won't allow for much echoing sound and while it could probably be heard in other areas of my house, it is such a short timeframe that complaints should be minimal. I definitely did not expect this little machine to make that noise. It is the toy poodle of machines, loud and probably obnoxious but kind of cute.
I have only given it 4 stars because I think the lack of a low-water sensor is a downside and the noise. I assume these are valid reasons to not give the machine 5 stars and be obnoxiously enthusiastic about it.
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