KRUPS EA8250001 Espresseria Fully Automatic Espresso Machine with Built-in Conical Burr Grinder, Black

CUSTOMER REVIEW



Vine Customer Review of Free Product (What's this?) I just received this Krups Espresseria automatic machine. I have a Jura ENA 4 at my work so I will try to make some comparisons to them. The Jura is about the same price and they both have very similar features. I was so excited when I found out I would be receiving this Krups machine so that I can make my cappuccino at home too! I am a coffee fool so I make alot. With winter coming up this will be well used. Ok I have been using the Jura for some time at my work and it has been a very nice machine and is easy to setup, clean, and use. The Krups is no exception here as it is very easy to setup. Just fill the water container, bean hopper, set language, ML or OZ for liquid measurement, water hardness and ready to go. I use beans I buy here on Amazon. They are eight Oclock brand 50 % decaf. I chose the fine grind setting and brewed my first Cappuccio in less than a minute and the froth was superb. The coffee taste and strength is every bit as good as the Jura maybe alittle stronger with the Krups. I like that the machine is fully programable for different fill levels of coffee. You can fill one or two cups at a time. The nozzle height can be adjusted for taller cups but will not accommodate tall cups without sliding the drip tray out. The Jura can accommodate tall glasses no problem. The steam wand worked very well with no mess and produced a very nice froth and is fully adjustable for many positions. I really liked the spill tray as it has a float in it that rises to let you know when it is full. The Jura does not have this. Both machines come with a water filter to help reduce the bad flavors and reduce machine descaling frequency. The both come with a starter pack of cleaning tablets. As with any coffee espresso machine it will need cleaning to keep the flavor and machine working properly. It looks like the Krups requires less frequent cleaning. Both the frothing nozzles need cleaning frequently. All in all this is a very nice machine that will see alot of use. Oh yeah I was kind of surprised when I opened the box and noticed a small amount of coffee grinds in the machine. I called Krups customer service and was promptly advised that the machines grinders are tested during the assembly. I found no mention of this in the owners info so I was surprised but it is very nice to know that the machines are quality tested before shipping them out. Oh I should note that Jura does mention in there instructions that small traces of coffee grinds may be found in there machines for the same reason. Well I will try to make some comparisons now.



The Krups you can only use whole beans and no preground coffee.

The Jura has a bypass doser that allows you to use preground coffee.

The Jura does not come with a milk container and must be bought separately for about 80-100 dollars.

The Krups does come with its own stainless steel milk container even though it is not mentioned or shown in any of the pictures. I was really hoping it did come with it. Yeah!!

The Krups is made in France and not Mexico or China.

The Jura has a removable bean container.

The Krups does not have a removable bean container so no quick swapout of beans. Must run them all trough machine.

They both hold about the same amount of old grind cakes at 14.

The Jura needs to be cleaned every 180 cycles.

The Krups needs to be cleaned every 360 cycles. Big plus here!

The Jura takes about 44 minutes on the cleaning cycle.

The Krups take about 22 minutes on the cleaning cycle.

Both have an energy saving mode that is programable.

Both can be changed from ML to Oz for fluid measurement.

Both Krups and Jura come with a 2 year or 6000 cup warranty.



My likes about the Krups are slightly stronger coffee than the Jura.

Less frequent cleaning demands with the Krups.

Krups comes with its own Stainless milk container so you can fill it and put back in fridge when not using. The Jura you must purchase the milk container for 8-100 dollars.

Krups has a drip tray float to remind you when it needs cleaning out.

The Krups costumer service department was very quick and responsive when I called them. Oh yeah and they were all American so I could understand them.

The Krups has a better look for a home than does the Jura in my opinion.

I like being able to see how full the bean container is on the Krups without looking down in it unlike the Jura.



My dislikes abouth the Krups are no removable bean container. So when you want to change coffee beans to another brand you must cycle them through where as the Jura you can remove the bean container and empty it out.

Cannot use preground coffee as an option where as you can on the Jura.

The Krups nozzle does not raise as high as I would like to accommodate taller cups but can if you slide the drip tray out first.



So bottom line would I recommend the Krups Espresseria machine??? Yes I defiantly would!!!



UPDATE:



Ok so I have been using it for some time now and love it more than ever!! My wife too!! When just making a good old fashioned coffee the creama is so rich and yummy. I love it. I am still experimenting with all the minor adjustments you can make to custom tailor it but so far I like the grind set on very fine for a very robust flavor but not bitter at all. I am also loving the included milk container for the milk froth. It is very nice to be able to just fill it, use it, then put back in the fridge when done. Jura makes you pay extra for there milk container so nice job Krups!! Well just wanted to give an update as to how things are going here. Thanks

BUNN NCD 10-Cup Black Coffee Decanter

Product Description

Size: See Item

The Prize Patrol stopped in front of your house and you were so flabbergasted you dropped the pot of coffee you were holding! Or perhaps a more mundane occurrence, like the phone ringing, caused you to bang your carafe just a tad too hard against the side of the sink. Not to worry, replacement carafes are available for most coffeemakers.






CUSTOMER REVIEW



I saw the one star rating and just had to say something. This decanter is no more fragile than any other GLASS decanter. Yes, it will break if you strike it against the sink while washing it out. Of course most people are not clumsy, they are simply too fast. Speed breaks glass most of the time. Slow down, and your decanter will last much longer. I just broke mine, first time in 6 years. Yep, I struck a glass because I didn't have my contacts in yet. Should have waited but I was in a hurry. Murphy's Law is always waiting for anyone in a hurry.

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.

Keurig Black R500 Rivo Cappuccino and Latte Brewing System

CUSTOMER REVIEW



First off, I must say I did not purchase this from Amazon. My wife alerted me to the TV deal at $229.00 and I went onto YouTube and watched it and decided that deal was too good to pass on. That's my confession. I have made a great many purchases of many, many things here but, not this. That said, my path to the Rivo was a long one.

Let me explain a bit. I was prepared to plunk down a couple grand more than this machine costs for a "gourmet home espresso machine" I love espresso. I travel quite a bit. Been to Italy many, many times. Naples, Venice, Palermo, I lived on Sicily for a time, etc... In addition, I have lived in the Seattle area for 4 years. So, with that bit of background, I have grown tired of having to leave the house every time I want a good espresso or cappuccino. So, I began to research home systems. I was at a mall that featured Nespresso systems and was impressed by the quality of their mid level systems. Specifically, the Lattissima systems. I also tried the Citiz and Milk. And, truthfully, if I was on a budget I would choose that over Lattissima.

Then, as I said, my wife saw the Rivo infomercial. Told me about the partnership with Lavazza, whose coffee we both Love. And, I went to their YouTube video to watch their infomercial. We both decided to give the 30 days no questions asked money back guarantee a shot. At $229.00 with all the Lavazza coffee samples they include we thought what do we have to lose. So, we took Keurig / Lavazza up on their offer.

The thing about capsule systems is the consistency of coffee or espresso from batch to batch. The Rivo is not the best espresso you can possibly get from a talented barista. But, even from the best espresso cafe's you get variance in each serving. You go there one day and "wow", another day and it's very good, not "wow". From the Rivo you get consistently very good espresso. The espresso I tasted from the Nespresso cafe at the malls we visited were good. But, not the same as the Lavazza. As I said, the wife and I grew to love Lavazza while in Italy. So, we are prejudiced in this area.

The Rivo produces a consistently very good espresso. The milk frother works exceptionally well when you take the time to experiment with milk levels. If you like a lot of foam, we have found that you need to fill to just a hair under the min fill line. If you like a bit less froth just a hair over is best. The milk and espresso temps are good. Preheating the cup is best for those that want a real hot cup. I like my coffee hot. The wife likes the temp as is from the machine without pre-heating the cup.

Lastly, aesthetics. The Rivo is not going to impress anyone aesthetically. If this is an important aspect for your machine you will not even consider the Rivo. If you are an espresso control freak, ditto. But, if you want an authentic tasting, consistently good cup of espresso or cappuccino in your home at a very ,very affordable price, give the Rivo a chance. 30 day money back trial gives you that chance. Oh, do absolutely bypass the Keurig, flavored syrups. They suck. Buy Monin from Amazon in the 750ml sizes with add-on pumps. Fantastic flavor. Bargain price. I hopes this helps a bit in your search for an espresso machine for your home. Sorry Starbucks. I don't need you anymore. Unless I'm on a business trip in the USA and can't make my own that is.



Update: I have read some other posts stating that the espresso is not hot enough or it's too weak in flavor. If you're used to drinking very strong American coffee roasts which are really very over roasted beans, and you like that, then the Italian roasts from Lavazza won't satisfy you. This over roasted beans thing is an American thing and IS NOT Italian in any way. Lavazza is an Italian roaster in business since 1895 and, The Most Popular roaster in the country. As for the temperature, it is hot enough right out of the brewer. As I state above if you pre-heat your cup this is not an issue. Pre-heating is common practice in Italy. One thing I have discovered is, Bodum dual walled insulated glass cups. These things do a fantastic job of maintaining the espresso / cappuccino temps for those who like it Hot and who also like to sip the drink instead of drinking it down in short order. They are not inexpensive. If you don't want to spend the money for the Bodum glass simply put some water in your cup, heat it in your microwave, pour it out and use it for your espresso / cappuccino. I have also started drinking brewed coffee with hot frothed milk from the Rivo frother. This is a major improvement over drinking brewed coffee with cold milk from the refrigerator. I brew a smaller and stronger cup and then pour the heated and frothed milk into a regular brewed coffee. So much better. As you can guess we did not return the Rivo after the 30 days expired. For the money nothing else comes close to giving you a consistently good quality espresso / cappuccino in your home. If you're a very, very, picky person with very specific tastes and needs you'll have to spend far more than 229.00 American dollars to get what you want. I almost did just that. I'm glad my wife saw that infomercial and told me about this machine developed in partnership with our favorite roaster, Lavazza. Hope this helps people in their research for a home espresso / cappuccino machine. One last tip. The frothing pitcher must be clean for the best frothing experience. So, rinse very well and dry it with a paper towel between each froth. We purchased a second frothing pitcher to make this more convenient for us. Wish you all well in your research and decision making.



Update 2: After 6 months of continuous use the Rivo stopped making espresso quality froth. That said, Keurig replaced it immediately with a new Rivo machine. They sent it Fedex Express. The replacement machine froths better than the first unit ever did and I am very satisfied with this companies customer service. There was no attempt to tell me that I don't understand my machine or that I am mistaken in my assessment. Just a we're so sorry that your machine no longer meets your expectations and, a new machine will be sent out immediately. The replacement was processed and sent the same day I contacted Keurig with my problem. Most companies could learn from this customer oriented attitude. I for one appreciate it very much and will continue to be a customer of Keurig for quite sometime. Stuff happens. It's how a company deals with that stuff that let's you know what kind of a company they are.



Update 3: Well folks this update is about manufacturing / Assembly quality control or design robustness. In 8 months I've had 5 RIVO's. Our first Rivo which was the subject of the first two updates lasted 6 months. Then it stopped making cappuccino quality froth. Keurig quickly replaced it. Within 3 days the replacement was on the doorstep. The second lasted 1.5 months. It also stopped making a quality froth. Machines 3 & 4 never made a quality froth. Malfunctioned right out of the box. I received number 5 last Friday and so far it is making a good quality froth. But, now every time I get up to make a cappuccino I am always wondering will it make froth or won't it. It is not a great feeling. Keurig has a problem with the RIVO of that there is little doubt. That said, their customer service is top notch. They are working the issue and ask that each malfunctioning machine be returned for investigation. I write this so readers of my review will be aware of this.

T-fal BF6138US Balanced Living 1-Liter 1750-Watt Electric Mini Kettle with Variable Temperature, Black

CUSTOMER REVIEW



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



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



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

Mr. Coffee ECM160 4-Cup Steam Espresso Machine, Black

CUSTOMER REVIEW



I've had this machine for over a year. I have tried other machines, even a pump. It makes good cappuccinos/lattes when the milk is steamed properly at the right temperature. If your only into espresso shots, I would go with a different pump driven machine.



PROS

-Inexpensive, Small

-Frother is strong, plastic tip is removable

-Quiet (then a pump machine)

-Latte art hearts (SEE picture)



CONS

-Supplied tamper is just a slightly flattened end of the coffee scooper.

-No frothing pitcher.

-Multiple shots requires de-pressuring the machine.



NOTES

There seems to be a lot of reviews stating it works fine in the beginning then after a while is poor or just stops. Ive noticed that during regular use, water starts to build up in the tank. This is because you never really use all the water in the tank per brew. This excess water I believe causes a problem. Either dump it out after, or what I do is, brew it out "before" I make a cappuccino as to warm up the machine on a cold start.



There also seems to be a lot of reviews saying it's not real espresso or there is no crema. This is true. It's a steam driven machine they've been making this type of machine for years. It can not match the pressure or the amount of crema produced by a pump driven machine. BUT it can produce a decent 'steam' espresso w/ crema ready to be made to a latte/cappuccino. The problem with the reviewers is that there are so many factors involved in why are not producing crema or a good cup. It could be the bean, the grind, the tamp, perhaps it's a cold start, not enough water, or too much water, etc etc the list goes on. It's something you'll have to figure out yourself.



Another thing to note is that the bean grind/freshness is directly proportional to the effectiveness of the steamer wand. If the beans are old and/or too course the water will brew through the coffee so fast that no pressure built up for the steamer wand to be effective. Likewise if the beans are too fine or the tamp too hard, the water will have a hard time passing thru the coffee and too much pressure will build up which isnt good either for this machine.



Do the descaling with vinegar per instructions.



Also want to note I added a picture of a latte heart I made, just to prove minimal latte art is somewhat possible with this machine.

De'Longhi BAR32 Retro 15 BAR Pump Espresso and Cappuccino Maker

Product Description

Product Description

Enjoy delicious espresso made your way with De'Longhi's Retro pump espresso and cappuccino maker. Stylish and functional, you can choose to brew ground espresso or E.S.E pods with the unique patented dual filter holder. The choice is yours, making your espresso truly made to order. You can enjoy espresso or cappuccino at the perfect temperature with two separate thermostats. If you prefer cappuccino you'll enjoy using the easy-to-use swivel jet frother, which makes perfect drinks every time. Other highlights include self-priming operation to eliminate pesky start-up preparation, removable water tank and drip tray and a durable, high-quality stainless steel boiler to ensure many years of delicious espresso. Clean the steam wand after each use to avoid the item getting stopped. If it is not cleaned, the steam hole can clog up.






CUSTOMER REVIEW



Edit 2/24/2012: I wrote this review several years ago. The machine broke down after a year or so, and I put off replacing it. However, I've wanted to start making espresso again and so, remembering how much I liked this one, I picked up another one.



It's pretty much just how I remember it, and the instructions I wrote below still work. There are a couple of things I've noticed, though. First, the maker no longer comes with sample E.S.E pods. That was disappointing. Also, the bottom of the filter handle (where the coffee comes out of) is plastic - if you use a hand-held tamper, make sure you don't press too hard and damage the pour spouts.



Also, I've moved from the Midwest to the East Coast, and it's still nice to have good espresso and capuccino in your own house.



Otherwise, it's still a sold four-star machine.



Original review:Despairing of ever finding decent espresso in the Midwest, I finally broke down and decided to get a home espresso machine. I had worked as a barrista, and had sipped espresso in Italy, so I had some idea of how it should taste.



Being relatively poor, I wanted a machine that would deliver a decent espresso, at a decent price. Though I was willing to consider a system with proprietary coffee pods (K-cups, Tassimo, etc), it would have to be cheap enough that I wouldn't mind shelling out the extra bucks for the coffee itself. And I also wanted to make sure that it was pump-driven, not steam-driven.



After checking reviews and looking around, I finally settled on the DeLonghi BAR32. It's a pump-driven maker, not steam driven, so it's not scorching the grounds as it brews. And it comes with a single and a double espresso filter.



The DeLonghi uses either ground espresso, or E.S.E. espresso pods. The E.S.E. pods are not proprietary - any company can make them. The DeLonghi comes with a package of 18 Illy pods (retail - $12). The pods are convenient, but still expensive.



I've had the espresso maker for several days, and I'm happy with it so far. With the pods, it pulls a good single espresso with a satisfactory crema. Sugar floats on top of the crema for about 2-3 seconds, and it has a nice golden color. The espresso tastes very smooth.



Pulling a good single espresso, either with the pods or loose coffee, is pretty easy. Use the pods as a good judge of how tightly to pack the grounds in the filter. Use a level, loosely packed scoop of coffee for a single shot.



Pulling a good double, on the other hand, still eludes me. The best I've come up with is to use 2 scoops, 3/4 full and loosely packed, and pressed looser than for a single. Even then, it still dribbles out slowly, with a less-than-satisfactory (though present) crema.



The steam wand works very well. I've made several excellent cappuccinos and lattes with it. It's a little cramped to use, so I pull mine to the edge of the counter so that I can get a good mug under it. I steam straight into the mug of milk, and then add the espresso. Make sure to blow some steam through it to clear out condensation before putting it in your milk. Start with the steam wand nearly submerged in the milk, and then slowly pull it out (lower the mug) until you hear a gentle "sipping" sound. That means that it's frothing. If you see noticeable bubbles on top of the milk, that means you've pulled it out too far - dip it back in slowly and you should be able to whip the bubbles into froth. Once the froth is just below the level you want it, submerge the wand back into the milk to finish heating it. Listen again - once the milk starts to sound "hollow," it's nearly hot enough. Let it go for a few more seconds, then shut off the steam, and remove the mug. The wand will drip a bit, so put it over the drip tray or an empty mug.



Making espresso is fairly easy. Turn the machine to "Heat" to start heating the water and priming the pump. Make sure the filter holder is screwed into the machine. Once the "Hot" light comes on, run an espresso cycle without coffee into the cup you'll use - pulling espresso into a cold cup will ruin the flavor. Fill the cup half-way with hot water, and turn the machine back to "Heat." Empty and quickly dry the espresso cup. Put the E.S.E. pod or ground espresso into the filter (tamp down the loose espresso) and twist it into the machine. Turn the machine on, and wait until you've got your cup of espresso. A single espresso should be 30-40ml, or 1-1.5oz. I used a measuring cup to see what that looked like in my demitasse cups.



Looking back over what I've written, I suppose I do make it look a little complicated. And it is a little bit more complicated that popping the K-cup into the machine, and hitting "Go." But it really is pretty easy, and less than 5 minutes pass between "You know, I could go for a cappuccino," and "Man, that's a tasty cappuccino."



Pros:



- Inexpensive



- Good pressure



- Easy to make a good single shot of espresso



- Uses pods or loose grounds



- 2 dials + 0 buttons = easy to use



- Outstanding steam wand



- 32oz water reservoir lets you make 3 or 4 cappuccinos, or 6 to 8 espressos, without refilling



- Built-in tamper means one less part to lose



- Pre-heat cycle helps make good espresso



Cons:



- Hard to make a good double espresso (might just be me)



- Steam wand leaks slightly (usually at the start of a brewing cycle - I just keep mine over the drip tray)



In the end, the machine makes a good espresso, especially for the price, but remember that you're not going to be running a coffee shop with it. I definitely recommend it for anybody who wants to make their own espresso, but wants to do it for under $200.