Nespresso Inissia Espresso Maker, Red

Product Description

Color: Red

Tiny foot print, compact, lightweight and equipped with an ergonomic handle, the new Inissia machine fits perfectly into any interior design. 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 Grands 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 Grands 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



Many reviews cover the basics (great espresso, same quality of pump and brew as the more expensive models, space-efficient), but most seem to miss one of the most important, sanity-saving advances from Nespresso, so here it is:



>> You do not have to wait for the machine to warm up before you make your coffee selection. <<



For previous Nespresso owners (myself included), this is a revelation. It means that after you wash your face, go to the bathroom, do whatever it is that you do after waking up and hitting the power button -- instead of coming back to the kitchen, hitting a button, and waiting AGAIN before you have some coffee... you just come back to a nice, steaming cup o' joe.



To use this amazingly undocumented feature, you just hit a button to wake it up, and (wait for it...) press the button for your coffee selection. That's it -- when it's hot, it will start your beverage. Huzzah!



That, my friends, is worth the price of admission. Oh, the machine also:



* is the least expensive Nespresso ever, by a long shot

* makes espresso, Americano, Lungo, and (if you bought the Aeroccino), Lattés just as well as any other Nespresso

* looks FABULOUS on the counter



Even the little tray that you lift up to use a larger mug is smart: it drops automatically when you remove your mug. Why? To catch the drips! Brilliant.



The Inissia is being positioned as the budget Nespresso, but to me, this is the perfect Nespresso: respectful of your counter space, pleasing to the eye, and continuing the march towards more human-friendly operation. Recommended.

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

Product Description

Color: Brushed Chrome

The Cuisinart DCC-1200 Brew Central Coffeemaker

Enjoy Great Coffee with the DCC-1200

Cuisinart introduces a coffeemaker with retro styling and the latest in high tech features, making it the centerpiece of any kitchen. The Cuisinart Brew Central coffeemaker is reminiscent of the days of classic styling and durable materials. A brushed metal exterior with retro-style controls houses the finest in coffee making technology. This coffeemaker even includes a charcoal water filter. The water filter ensures great tasting coffee by removing all of the impurities from the water. The Brew Central coffeemaker also comes with advanced features such as a programmable digital clock with 24 hour advanced-brew setting, an automatic shutoff, a self-cleaning function, and an audible beep that signals the end of the brew cycle, which makes brewing the best tasting coffee easy.

The Quest for a Perfect Cup of Coffee

It is generally agreed that there are four basic elements critical to the perfect cup:

Water & Coffee Filters

Element 1. Water:

Coffee is 98% water. Often overlooked, the quality of the water is as important as the quality of the coffee. A good rule of thumb is that if your water doesn’t taste good from the tap, it won’t taste any better in your coffee. That’s why Cuisinart has added a water filter to the Brew Central coffeemaker. The charcoal water filter removes chlorine, bad tastes and odors, for the purest cup of coffee every time.

Element 2. Coffee:

While the bulk of the liquid is water, all of the flavor should be from the coffee. To achieve the same great quality of coffee you receive at a coffee bar, you need to use the same quality beans. Buy the beans fresh and whole, only about a two weeks’ supply at a time for maximum freshness. Once the coffee bean is broken, its flavor degrades very quickly. If it is not practical to buy small supplies, we recommend you separate larger amounts of beans into one to two week portions immediately after purchase, and freeze them in airtight containers. The best way to maximize freshness is to minimize exposure to air, light and moisture. So, once removed from the freezer, beans should be maintained in a sealed container at room temperature, since damaging condensation occurs every time the beans are removed from the freezer or refrigerator. Note that some coffee experts advise against freezing dark-roast beans, because freezing can cause the oils to coagulate. Other experts disagree. We suggest you experiment and decide yourself.

The Perfect Cup of Coffee

Element 3. Grind:

The grind of the coffee is critical for proper flavor extraction. If the grind is too fine, over extraction and bitterness will result. Too fine a grind may also clog the filter. If the grind is too coarse, the water will pass through too quickly and the desired flavors will not be extracted. A medium-fine grind is recommended.

Element 4. Proportion:

The cups on the Cuisinart coffeemaker measure 5 ounces. Add the amount of ground coffee that corresponds to the number of cups being brewed. Many coffee bars and the Specialty Coffee Association of America recommend adding 2 rounded tablespoons of coffee per 6 ounces of water. Some coffee manufactures recommend using 1 tablespoon per cup. Cuisinart recommends using 1 tablespoon of ground coffee per cup, but use more or less to suit your taste. Note: the maximum capacity for ground coffee is 15 tablespoons for the 12-cup coffeemaker. Exceeding this amount may cause overflow if the coffee is too finely ground.

Features and Benefits

1. 
   
   
   

   LCD & Controls

   
   
   
   


2. Reservoir Cover: Flips back for easy filling.


3. Water Reservoir: When filling the coffeemaker with water, refer to the carafe height markings and fill to the desired number of cups. Be sure to add a small amount of extra water to account for the amount of water lost in wetting the grounds and lost as steam during the brewing process.


4. Showerhead: Distributes water evenly over coffee, reducing temperature loss as water passes through grounds.


5. Water Filter: Charcoal water filter eliminates chlorine, calcium and bad tastes or odors from tap water. Cuisinart recommends changing the water filter every 60 days or 60 uses ‒ or more often if you have hard water.


6. Filter Basket: Holds a #4 paper filter or a permanent filter.


7. LCD Digital Clock: Displays the time of day and set time for automatic functions.


8. Function Knob and Flip Switch: Used to initiate programming of automatic functions.


9. The Auto On feature is used to program the start time of the brew cycle. The Auto On can be set for any time, day or night. The PM indicator is displayed on the LCD for nighttime program times. The Auto Off feature is used to shut off the coffeemaker at a preset time, anywhere from 0 to 4 hours. Note: To program the coffeemaker to shut off automatically, read the instructions included in the Instruction Manual under 'To program the Variable Auto Off'
   
   
   
   1. Heater Plate Control Knob: For controlling the temperature of the coffee after brewing. There are three temperature settings high, medium and low.
   
   
   2. 1-4 Cup Setting: The 1-4 cup setting button is used when you make small amounts of coffee. Normal coffeemakers will produce a colder batch of coffee when smaller amounts are made, because the heater doesn’t have enough time to properly ‘warm up’ to heat a small amount. The 1-4 setting basically ‘double heats’ the water, making your smaller amounts as piping hot as a full pot would be. To use simply press the 1-4 button on the control panel after turning on the unit.
   
   
   3. Retro-style flip switch is used to turn your coffeemaker on and off and works in tandem with the function knob.
   
   
   
   


10. Clean Setting: Tells you when it’s time to clean your coffeemaker. Remove built-up calcification from the water reservoir, to help extend the life of your coffeemaker.


11. Brew Pause: Stops flow of coffee from basket when carafe is removed (30 seconds max) from the heater plate, so a cup can be poured in mid-brew. Since the flavor extraction rate varies during the brew cycle, we recommend allowing the brewing cycle to finish before pouring the coffee. The coffee brewed at the beginning of the cycle has a flavor profile which is very different from the flavor at the end of the cycle. Once the coffee has finished brewing, stir it before serving to blend the flavors. The coffee at the bottom of the carafe will be somewhat stronger than the coffee at the top.


12. Carafe: The easy pour, no drip glass carafe has an ergonomic handle and brewed coffee markings for two to twelve cups.


13. Heating Plate: Scratch resistant with black, nonstick coating.


14. Ready Tone: Signals the end of the brew cycle with five beeps (coffee will continue to stream from the filter for a few seconds after the tone).

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.

Cuisinart CPK-17 PerfecTemp 1.7-Liter Stainless Steel Cordless Electric Kettle

CUSTOMER REVIEW



This kettle is everything you could want! I use it mostly for french press coffee, but my guests have used it for various kinds of tea, instant oatmeal, or hot chocolate with great success.



I did a lot of research on these kettles, and I found that the one thing to avoid was kettles with plastic insides. Every single one with plastic innards had comments about plastic taste in the water. Stainless and glass interiors didn't have this problem, but glass was more susceptable to scale buildup. So I went with stainless. There aren't many of these kettles with stainless insides, and the ones there are are generally more expensive. I looked at the Breville and some others, but they were simply too much money. This one, while not cheap, offered a great feature set, accurate temperatures, stainless interior, good controls, unobstrusive base, and pretty nice aesthetics.



The kettle is easy to fill, solidly built, and heats water very fast. It finishes its heat cycle with an authoritative BEEP that I can hear from the next room as I watch Sports Center. Another bonus is that even once it has reached temperature, it will keep the water at that temperature for up to 30 minutes, so if I'm busy doing something else, my kettle can wait until I get there, and my water isn't too cold or too hot! The most important thing about a good cup of french press coffee, besides the beans, is the temperature of the water.



The base is very minimal and you don't even notice it when the kettle is sitting on it, it looks like one piece of the kettle. The controls are easy to reach while holding the kettle by the handle, and the little LED light on the water level indicator is bright and helps you see the water level in a dimly lit early morning kitchen. It also automatically shuts off after a bit if the kettle heat has been turned off. The kettle will turn off automatically after a certain amount of time, but it also is easy to turn off once you've poured out your needed water by pressing the "keep warm" button again.



Cleaning is as easy as making a water/white vinegar mixture and letting the kettle boil for 10-15 minutes, then rinsing it out a few times. This removes lime scale deposits and calcification.



For the build quality, looks, features, and performance, I can't rate this kettle high enough! Look no further!

Mr. Coffee TM70TS Fresh Iced Tea Maker, 3-Quart, Teal Splash

CUSTOMER REVIEW



I've read the other reviews and I had to write my own since I have had nothing but a positive experience with this tea maker. First of all, I don't know why some others have experienced leaking from the front since it hasn't leaked a drip for me. All you have to do is push the pitcher in all the way and it's a perfect fit. Also, all of my water is being emptied from the reservoir and I've never had a problem with it. I actually own both, the TM3-2 and this TM70. I bought the TM3-2 first for one location and I later bought this one conveniently at Wal-Mart for $18 for home. I like the plastic used for the TM70 better since it doesn't seem as cheap, it doesn't stain as much and it's dishwasher safe. I also like how the TM70 only has one opening for the tea to leave and go into the pot. There's a possibility that one of the other reviewers had the opening plugged up to cause an overflow, a finely ground tea might cause that. That may also cause the brewer to automatically stop and not brew all of the water from the reservoir, but I don't know. The TM3-2 has an opening at the top just in case water is overflowing, but this causes the water to go straight into the pitcher without brewing the tea. There are other points I like better about the TM70 design, but I can go on about why I like the TM70 better. I guess it's different strokes for different folks. Maybe I just got lucky to buy one without any flows or it's user error.

Nespresso Inissia Espresso Maker with Aeroccino Plus Milk Frother, Black

CUSTOMER REVIEW



This is a pair of beautiful, sleek and elegant machines that make the perfect espresso drinks, every time. There is no guess work, you push a button and it just does its thing like magic!

The Vanilla Cream color looks really nice on my counter, and the pair takes up very little space. I am especially impressed with the Aeroccino frother, we use it to make flavored "steamers" for the kids, and the best hot cocoa and chai you've ever had.

I went back and forth between a Nespresso or a Keurig for months, and after tasting the quality of this espresso at an in-store demo, it was no question which is the better machine.

What it does:

1. Makes espresso. That's basically it. But it's far from a one-trick pony: If you prefer American style coffee to espresso, you can simply press the button again with no capsule in place to dilute your espresso shot with hot water for an "Americano"

What it doesn't do:

1. Make tea, cocoa, or 500 different flavors of "coffee". But, the Aeroccino as I mentioned makes the perfect consistency of hot milk&foam to add to cocoa or tea, and of course you can buy your favorite flavored syrups for a coffeehouse experience at home.

2. Save money. Well, maybe it does. The jury's still out. A coffee shop drink is anywhere from a buck fitty to upwards of 4 dollars. But, I don't necessarily buy one every day. At a whopping 75 cents to a buck per capsule, Nespresso isn't cheap. Especially if you make a double- or triple-shot-whatever. And they're so fun to make, it might become a daily habit. There is a less expensive company (HiLine) that makes INCREDIBLE coffee pods, they work flawlessly in this machine and cost about 1/3 less. Still not thrifty, but a considerable savings. And a word to the wise-you cannot buy capsules in stores. You must order from Nespresso or HiLine. Both ship very quickly, but you must plan ahead and order before you run completely out!

Pros:

-small, space-efficient

-elegant looks, multiple color choices for any decor

-saves time, if not money

-fun, fast, and very simple to use

-authentic espresso taste and nice "crema" (the tan foam that is the mark of a high-quality coffee and proper extraction)

-Aeroccino is versatile, milk can be used in many other drinks and can use with almond, soy, hemp, coconut milk, etc. as well.

-Inissia model is very competitively priced against other single-serve coffee makers

-capsules (from both Nespresso and HiLine) are fully recyclable in curbside/co-mingled recycling programs



Cons:

-cannot buy capsules in stores

-Noise. The motor in this model is rather loud-no more so than a coffee grinder, but something to be aware of if you are an early riser with other people still sleeping in the house!

-only makes one espresso/enough milk for one drink at a time. Double- or triple-shot, you will have to repeat the process 2-3 times

Epica Automatic Electric Milk Frother and Heater Carafe

Product Description

Luscious lattes, creamy cappuccinos and more ... get the gourmet coffee experience in your own home with the Epica Electric Milk Frother & Heater Carafe.



3 Settings: Hot Froth, Cold Froth, Hot Milk

Many milk frothers only give you the option of hot foam. But the Epica expands your possibilities by letting you make the froth either hot or cold. So it's perfect for topping off iced coffee or trendy cocktails, as well as cappuccino or hot cocoa. The heavy-duty motor makes luxuriously thick, creamy and long-lasting froth from whole milk. It will even froth low-fat and non-dairy milks such as soy or almond milk. You may never buy whipping cream again!



Stainless Steel Construction with Vacuum Insulation

Rugged stainless steel is as stylish as it is easy to clean and hard to wear out. The carafe is vacuum insulated (like a thermos) to help keep the milk or froth hot or cold.



Carafe Detaches from Base for Easy Pouring

Some electric frothers are difficult to handle because the cord gets in your way. The Epica solves that problem with a detachable carafe. Simply lift it off the base and carry it to wherever you want to pour your froth or hot milk.



Sized for Home Use

The Epica heats about 1 cup (8.5 oz./250 ml.) of milk at a time, perfect for serving yourself or your family. For frothing, use half that amount (4.25 oz./125 ml.) because the milk will double in volume as it foams. Level indicators show you when you have it right.



2-Year Warranty

We guarantee that you'll be satisfied with the Epica's performance and durability. Happy frothing, heating ... and sipping!






CUSTOMER REVIEW



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Epica frother is so quiet that if you don't look at it you would not know it was working. It makes very fine froth with small bubbles. I have been using a hand held frother for years and by comparison Epica frother generates smaller denser bubbles. What you see in the video is froth from soy milk. Whole milk, of course, makes the thickest creamiest foam, soy milk and almond milk also work with less dense bubbles.



The instructions on cleaning said not to submerge the frother in water. I thought this will make clean up difficult, but it is not. I angled it under the running water and then wipe it with a soapy sponge. As long as I do this fairly quickly after the froth was made the clean-up is easy.



The max and min amount of milk are marked on the container. The minimum is 1/3 cup of milk, the maximum is 2/3 cup. The frother has two modes to generate heated froth or cold froth. The frother can also be used to warm milk without frothing (minimum of 1/3 cup and maximum of 1 1/4 cup). If you want to just warm the milk do not insert the frother spring.



This silent frother is provided by Epica. Epica offers a 2 year warranty on the frother.



Ali Julia review

Breville 800ESXL 15-Bar Triple-Priming Die-Cast Espresso Machine

CUSTOMER REVIEW



The Breville 800 ESXL is turning out to be one of the best buys I have ever madeBreville 800ESXL Commercial 15-Bar Triple-Priming Die-Cast Espresso Machine.



I had a Gaggia that produced great espresso when I first got it, but recently, it stopped creating any crema whatsoever. Water leaked from the steamer wand and the expresso head. It was time for a replacement.



I studied and studied and studied all the expresso makers and I knew I did not want to spend over $500 for a good pot. My goal was to find a great pot for under that amount. I read every review there is on the internet concerning the Breville 800 ESXL. People love it or hate it but if you read carefully, you may find as I did, that many of those who hate it, did not follow the directions as prescribed by Breville. They treated it like their old pot, however, the Breville 800 is a wonderful pot if used according to the instructions put out by Breville. And dare I say, that some of the others who did not like the pot sounded like coffee snobs who want perfection and had no right buying this machine and judging by standards that only a much more expensive machine could match.



If you want a truly outstanding expresso or cappuccino, the Breville 800 will do it for you, as long as you live up to your part of the bargain. The first thing you need are really good beans and fresh filtered water. Next is to really learn how to make expresso. You need to find the right grind and then stick with it. I have a Capresso Burr Grinder that works great for only $85. You need to learn the right amount of pressure to tamp the coffee (also, it does not hurt purchase a good metal tamp- the one they give you is only okay). You should get a thermometer to make sure your frothed milk is between 140 - 160 degrees and then learn how to froth milk. The cups should be warm and you will have some great coffee.



you may not get great coffee the first time out--- and maybe not the second, but the more you do it, critique what you did, and make adjustments, you will find that the difference between and excellent cup and a good cup has more to do with you than the machine. This is a hands-on machine (which I love about it). Like a cook using fresh ingredients, the results often lie in the art of the cook. It is the same with this machine. If you just want to turn it on and get a great cup of espresso, it may happen sometimes, but not always. It is up to you to make your shot the best. There is a learning curve to be sure, but the end result is fantastic - and for a great price. I was making great shot after great shot in about three days.



I was scared to death about my filters clogging as others have said, but I have found that the best thing you can do is to clean after every shot. it is not a big job to wipe down the nozzle, rinse out the pots and filters, and take the little tool they give you to keep the filters open and poke the hole once to keep it open for the next time. Takes all of a minute- maybe less. The result, great expresso, perfect crema, great frothed milk (once you acquire the knack of rothing), and a beautiful, sturdy machine that should last a long time with the kind of care I ask you to give it.



Some have complained about the temperature of the coffee. I too thought it was not hot enough the first few times I made the espresso, and then I read the manual. When you do what the manual says, the coffee is plenty hot --too hot actually. As for the time it takes to steam the milk, no longer than my Gaggia with a lot less mess. And about the "sloppy mess in the portafilter" and no dry puck ---- well, I would like a dry puck too, but the paper from Breville in the box tells you that the technology they use to get the coffee hot and with perfect crema will not give you the traditional dry puck. Expect it to be watery in the portafilter. just rinse it out when done and you are in business. I accept that and as a result I get great coffee. My machine is not a Rencilio, nor a Gaggia. It is a Breville and it does not have the dry puck--- but it does have great espresso that can be made within a minute or two of turning on the machine. And clean up takes less time than it did to heat up (under a minute).



It has a large well for water which is easy to fill, from the front and the back. it is very very easy to clean. It is sturdy and it looks great. There are so many cool things built in --- obviously thought went into the design. Some complain about it being loud. I have never met an espresso maker that is not loud. Oh yes, I saw one once but that machine cost $2,000 and was fully automatic. There was no joy in making an expresso with that---- no art to it. The machine does it all.



Now, for the weaknesses. I already told you to get another tamp. The one they give is not the greatest. Also, it has the very cool feature where it purges itself after each shot or steaming allowing the built up steam to flow to the overflow reservoir. (Actually this is a positive feature) but on the negative side it uses more water, but no big deal unless you are paying for bottled water. With my Gaggia, I was always afraid it was going to blow up on me. This steam pressure release is very cool and well thought out.



Needless to say, I am very happy with this machine. As you may be able to see, I am the kind of person who looks at what I have done and tries to make the next one better. For me, this machine does not disappoint.



Hopefully, this review has helped.

Mr. Coffee 2qt Iced Tea Maker- Blue

CUSTOMER REVIEW



I bought this after having used one like it for the last year. It's a great machine, and works with bog bagged tea and loose tea (with a coffee filter)

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.

MatchaDNA Milk Frother - Handheld Electric Milk Frother - Creates Creamy Milk Foam in Seconds

Product Description

Get "Coffee House" frothed milk at home in seconds with the MatchaDNA milk frother. Powered by (2) AA batteries (not included), the Matcha DNA Milk Foamer quickly turns your milk or cream into a smooth frothy foam in seconds. This allows you to create fluffy and aerated milk based drinks (hot or cold) easily. Use the milk frother /electric whisk with any type of milk - whole milk, almond milk, soy milk, coconut milk, or coffee creamer. This milk frother will work with it. Our Matcha DNA handheld electric milk frothers are super easy to use and to clean. Your friends will be impressed with your latte, cappuccino, foamed coffee drink making abilities. Children love it too. Make your children foamy warm milk by itself, or perhaps with a little cinnamon and or honey added for a comforting before-bed treat. Hot chocolate is vastly better when it's prepared with foamy milk rather than water, so be sure to give that a try too. Stop overpaying for premium coffee drinks, or suffering with boring coffees at home. Get your Matcha DNA Product Milk Frother today.






CUSTOMER REVIEW



Yes, it is true, not all milk frothers are created equal. I have learned this the hard way. Some are bulky, others have blown out on me, while others, just don't do what they're supposed to. I had the wonderful opportunity to try the MatchDNA brand of a milk frother. I am sure glad I did too. This frother is nice and small, so it will fit into a drawer very easy for storage. I really liked that feature because I don't like to have a ton of products in my kitchen everywhere. This is battery operated as well, which is the first of it's kind I have seen. I like that as well because I am not trying to keep a cord out of the way which is great. I am able to angle the frother as I should. It takes two AA batteries which is something that is around anyone's home. Even with the batteries, this is still very light weight. To change batteries, the plastic part just slide out, so there is easy access to them. The frother part itself loos small but it really does a great job.



After using this, I really like this brand of milk frother. It is small, compact, and does a really great job doing as it should. Not too many of these wonderful utensils can. I would recommend this for any hot drink lover so they too can bask in the foamy richness of their favorite drink.

Nespresso Aeroccino Plus Milk Frother

Product Description

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






CUSTOMER REVIEW



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



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



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



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



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

T-fal BF6138 Balanced Living 1-Liter 1750-Watt Electric Mini Kettle with Variable Temperature, Black

CUSTOMER REVIEW



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We drink a lot of tea and coffee in our household. I like to use a French Press most of the time when I make coffee so need boiling water to do that. My wife likes her tea and guess what? She needs boiling water for that too. Well this cool T-fal electric kettle boils 1 liter of water in just bout 4 minutes and 30 seconds. And 1 liter of water is the perfect amount for my both my French Press and her large tea cup.



The electric kettle is two pieces: a lightweight plastic base with a cord wrap underneath and then the Kettle which sits on top of the base. The base has a short-ish cord about 3 feet long. But if your kitchen has an electric outlet really close to where the kettle will be sitting, you can wrap the excess cord around the cord wrap on the bottom of the base... I really like that because it keeps the excess cord hidden away and keeps things neat and tidy (my wife would laugh hysterically if she heard me use the words "neat and tidy" because she thinks I'm a slob. But that's another story for another day.) The kettle can be turned 360degrees while on its base.



Water level is easily seen through a large water level "window" that has a clear mark indicating the maximum water level (1 liter.) It's a little weird that the window extends much higher than the allowable actual water level so you do have to pay attention to the 1liter mark as you fill the kettle or you could easily overfill it causing water to bubble out of the spout when boiling.



The lid has a very easy to use button to unlock the lid for easy filling and cleaning. And speaking of cleaning, if you develop mineral scale inside the kettle because of the type of water you have, you can clean it using vinegar.



The handle of the kettle is easy to hold on to and has a perfectly placed and quite good sized on/off switch. Of course, the kettle shuts itself off automatically once the desired temperature is reached, but it's nice to know that you can turn it off manually if you wish. And you can also simply remove the kettle from the base to turn it off as well.



In my timed test, this brough cold tap water to a rapid boil in just 4 minutes and 30 seconds or so. Not bad. Faster than in the microwave for the same volume of water.



We like this electric kettle a lot. It's nice looking, fast at boiling water and is really easy to use.

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.

Nespresso Pixie Espresso Maker, Electric Titan

CUSTOMER REVIEW



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



PROS:

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

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

- Cute design

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



CONS:

- Smaller water reservoir means frequent refilling.

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

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

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



SUMMARY:

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



UPDATE 8/16/12:

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



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

Chef's Choice 681 Cordless Electric Kettle

CUSTOMER REVIEW



I have been using the Chef's Choice 677 Cordless Electric 1-3/4-Quart Teakettle for 4 years. Worked like a charm but had to replace it when it won't start anymore and has rusted so much from years of use.



The Chef's Choice 681 was a great choice for an upgrade. I have been using it for a week and a half and it works great. Heats water in just two minutes! The design is simply beautiful. It is slightly smaller than the older one I have by just 0.5 liters. I like that this kettle lights up when it's on. The blue light is highly visible unlike the Chef's Choice 677 Cordless Electric 1-3/4-Quart Teakettle where you barely notice the light. Because of the blue light, I haven't burned myself by accidentally touching the kettle. The sound of boiling water isn't as loud as the old one I have too.



It has no plastic interiors, all stainless steel coated. It does have a slight industrial smell inside, out from the box. The interior must be rinsed well before using.



The body of this kettle is prone to fingerprints easily. Easy cleaning with microfiber sponge or towel does the job.



This kettle is also lighter than the former one I had. I used this several times a day and it's wonderful! Great for the price compared to other more expensive electric kettles sold at Amazon.

De'Longhi EC155 15 BAR Pump Espresso and Cappuccino Maker

CUSTOMER REVIEW



I love espresso, and this little baby makes a great cup. Here are a few points that might be useful for you to know:



Good points:

*It doesn't take up too much room on the counter and looks nice with it's silver metal accents.

*The water reservoir is a good size, you can make about 8-10 shots before you need to refill it, which is very easy to do, and there is a clear section behind the basket which shows the water level.

*Fast heat-up time (only about a minute), good frothing wand, no wait time between frothing and brewing (though you do have to wait a little between brewing and frothing).



Be warned:

*Frothing wand is only 3 1/4 inches from the counter top. Not a big deal, I just went and bought a frothing cup that is about that height.

*Distance from grounds basket to tray is only 2 1/2 inches, I usually use a small espresso cup.

*Built-in tamper sucks, buy a good metal one.

*You don't end up with a nice dry puck, the grounds basket is a watery soup after your espresso is made, so I dump it down the disposal.

*You will end up drinking more espresso than you mean to, it's that good!



Seriously, I chose this machine after a lot of online researching, and decided on this one based on its outstanding reviews and great price. What led me to it were the reviews of another DeLonghi, the EC140B, which is an older and less attractive model, but had reviews from people who had owned theirs for 6 and 10 years! I'm hoping that this one will have the same longevity.



-----> UPDATE: I've now had this machine for 8 months and it started running very slow. I'd been using only distilled water, so I knew it wasn't a calcification issue, so I looked into it and it turns out machines like this one (no backflushing) need to be cleaned every month or so to remove built up grounds that work their way inside the machine. So I ran some cleaner through it and all this nasty brownish liquid came out, and now it runs great again! So remember people, take good care of your things and they will take good care of you. A lesson I am still learning...

- and to answer a question commented on this review, my tamper is 2 inches in diameter.