Semi-Automatic Espresso Machines Coffee Tea Espresso

Capresso 121.01 Ultima Semi-Automatic Coffee and Espresso/Cappuccino Machine

Amazon Price: $299.00 List Price: $440.00 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Capresso - Model: 121.01 Amazon Marketplace: 7 new & used starting at $298.95

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Features:

• Brews from 1-1/2 to 12 ounces of espresso or regular coffee in seconds
• No-mess, no-fuss: automatically tamps coffee and discards used grounds
• Removable 53-ounce water tank; double brewing spout fills 2 cups at once
• Steaming wand froths milk for cappuccinos and caffe lattes
• Measures 15 by 16 by 12 inches; 1-year limited warranty

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Coffee, Tea & Espresso -> Coffeemakers -> Espresso Machine & Coffeemaker Combos
Coffee, Tea & Espresso -> Espresso Machines -> Semi-Automatic Espresso Machines

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 93 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Great Coffee/Okay Espresso - Poor Heating 2 out of 5 stars.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

I got this machine as a Christmas present in December 07 and after using it for over a 1 1/2 years, there are some valid statements in the current reviews. On first opening of the box, I was disappointed in the cheap design of it. The majority of it is plastic, except for the arm, drip grill, and drip dispenser. For $300, I thought it would be designed better.

When I first got it home, I was excited to try and it and have to say it took me a couple of times to figure out the loading of the espresso. The instructions say that a max of 2 cups (using the provided measuring spoon) should be used. What they didn't say is that you have to make sure the arm 'locks' in place to disperse the espresso correctly instead of it draining into the grounds disgard bin and then overflows into the drip drain. This can get messy and it took a couple of times for me to figure it out. In reading other reviews, everything they say is accurate. It is easy to maintain, it does need to be cleaned, but I had it for 1 1/2 years and cleaned it once a week, if not every two weeks. Having the disgard bin is nice and makes it easy for a quick cup of Crema Coffee in the morning if espresso is not your thing. The frother wasn't worth a darn and I ended up warming up my milk via my microwave. Until the power button went out, I had to heat up the coffee in my microwave for 30 secs daily.

Ultimately, in asking the question 'Would you buy it again', the answer is no. I am looking for a single-cup coffee brewer, probably the Breville. Breville BKC600XL Gourmet Single-Cup Coffee Brewer

Editorial Review:

The best of coffee culture in one convenient package. Eliminating all the strenuous steps of conventional espresso/cappuccino machines ? tamping, hot filters and stubborn sieves ? this all-in-one center lets you pour in the coffee, switch on the pump and enjoy! One-year warranty. Model 121.

Krups 888-43 Caffe Centro Time 10-Cup Coffee/Pump Espresso Machine

Amazon Price: $279.94 List Price: $375.00 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Krups - Model: 888-43 Amazon Marketplace: 2 new & used starting at $199.99

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Features:

• 24-hour programmable clock/timer allows for "wake-up" coffee
• Automatic brew-pause feature for pouring a cup midbrew
• Double-wall construction keeps heat from escaping during brewing
• Automatic shutoff adds safety; large, 37-ounce removable water reservoir
• Measures 12-3/4 by 15-1/2 by 9-1/2 inches; 1-year limited warranty, 90 days for parts and service

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Coffee, Tea & Espresso -> Coffeemakers -> Espresso Machine & Coffeemaker Combos
Coffee, Tea & Espresso -> Espresso Machines -> Semi-Automatic Espresso Machines

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 36 Average rating: 3.0 of 5

I wouldn't recommend purchasing this item 1 out of 5 stars.
2 of 5 people found this review helpful.

This Krups model is strictly mediocre. The expresso feature can not be used concurrently with the brew feature. Nore can the milk steamer be used while the brew feature is on, therefore you must brew coffee, turn off the coffee pot (thereby rebdering the coffee cold), turn on the milk frother or exresso maker, wait for it to warm up to make either expresso or steamed milk.....not a good system at all.

!!! Buyer Beware !!! 1 out of 5 stars.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful.

Having used this Krups product for several years, my sole complaint is its very poor design.

For example, on the espresso side, the two (2) brew head gaskets (hard rubber) become loose which results in the leaking of hot water from the boiler. These gaskets ARE NOT available as replacement parts - the entire boiler assembly must be replaced. An approximately $100 repair for a few dollars parts!

This is the last Krups product we will buy. We strongly recommend against Krups products.

Editorial Review:

Krups 88843 'Caffe Centro Time' combination programmable coffee maker and pump espresso machine features a large 10-cup coffee maker and Krups exclusive 'Deep Brew' technology for rich coffee and espresso beverages. Also the Advanced Thermoblock System makes it possible to get enough pressure to create authentic crema - just like you would expect at your favorite restaurant or coffee house. krups 88843

Gaggia 35005 Carezza Espresso Machine, Gray

Amazon Price: $249.00 List Price: $249.00 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Gaggia - Model: 35005 Amazon Marketplace: 9 new & used starting at $169.00

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Features:

• 1425-watt espresso machine with powerful 17-1/2-bar pump and durable ABS plastic housing
• Chrome-plated brass brew group; 44-ounce reservoir; automatic self-priming pump; milk frother
• Stainless-steel drop-trap basin and cup-support grating slide out for quick cleaning
• Includes single/pod and double stainless-steel filter baskets, plastic tamper, and coffee scoop
• Measures 13-1/2 by 10-2/3 by 9-1/4 inches; 1-year warranty

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 28 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Gaggia Carezza is best value but requires care 5 out of 5 stars.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful.

I've owned a silver Gaggia Carezza for 9 months, and it is the best of the low-end espresso makers. However, there are some important details that aren't mentioned in the manual that you need to know if you buy one.

First the pros: It makes a very consistent, high quality espresso, with lots of crema, uses a high-grade brass group, is well constructed (with the exception of the steam knob on my unit - see below), is only about as loud as a microwave (not quiet, but doesn't wake the family at 5:00 in the AM), and allows making several espressos followed by several steamed milks in a row (my wife's favorite feature). The noise is mostly due to case vibration, which can be reduced by holding the handle while running the pump.

Now the cons: The pressure valve clogs very easily with scale (the opening is ~3mm or ~1/8", and is sealed by a small spring-loaded neoprene ball), and the steam knob might melt (see below - this may have already been resolved by Gaggia). There are solutions to these problems.

If you have hard water, you should only use distilled or filtered/treated water in this machine, otherwise get used to *disassembling* the group and pressure valve for cleaning on a weekly basis (easy for anyone who has a 5mm hex wrench, 12mm & 13mm crescent wrenches, and #2 short phillips screwdriver). Running a citrus-based cleaning solution helps, but won't clean an already-clogged valve.

If you find a used machine, clean the valve. It's like finding a car with a "blown engine" that just needs a spark plug.

I would suggest scale-clogged valves are the cause of all the complaints about dripping, leaking, weak or no steam, and/or generally poor performance other negative reviews have mentioned, because I had these problems before I discovered the problem.

In use it's very simple to operate: First preheat the machine for a few minutes until the green light comes on. During this time load the filter with grounds and compress to 1/8" below rim. Next, run a blank "hot shot" with the handle in place but without the filter. Now load the filter into the handle, tightening until firmly snug (do not over tighten), and wait for the green light to come back on. (This heats the grounds, group, and cup to the right temp). Empty the cup and start the extraction. I can consistently get a 25 second shot (50 sec. for a double) with rich crema and "rat's tail" streams.

One note about reliability: I was initially very put-off by this machine because the black steam knob on the top *melted* the first time I used it!! This is usually a very bad sign, but I replaced it with a vintage bakelite knob (8mm shaft), and have had no other problems since.

The bottom line: Makes excellent espresso, best bang-for-the-buck, needs regular cleaning or distilled/filtered/softened water to avoid problems caused by a scale-clogged pressure valve.

Editorial Review:

Includes Gaggia 35005 Carezza Espresso Machine Grey.

Gaggia 16100 Evolution Home Espresso Cappuccino Machine, Black

Amazon Price: $229.00 List Price: $229.00 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Gaggia - Model: 16100 Amazon Marketplace: 14 new & used starting at $228.95

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Features:

• Espresso machine with commercial-style brew group and sleek thermo-set plastic housing
• 55-watt pump; dual-heating element boiler provides exceptionally fast heat-up time
• 44-ounce reservoir; Illy pod capable; easy-to-use controls; turbo milk-frothing wand
• 2 stainless-steel filter baskets, coffee tamper, and measuring scoop included
• Measures 13-2/5 by 8-2/3 by 10-3/5 inches

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Coffee, Tea & Espresso -> Espresso Machines -> Semi-Automatic Espresso Machines

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 25 Average rating: 3.5 of 5

Not perfect, but a solid machine that you'll like 4 out of 5 stars.
6 of 6 people found this review helpful.

I've had this unit for about 10 weeks now. I've made over 100 shots of espresso in that time.

Pros:
- Plenty of pressure. Has no problem extracting a double shot of espresso in 25 seconds provided you have your grind setting correct.
- Serious steam wand pressure. Easily takes 8 oz. of milk up to 150 degrees (and would easily go beyond if I let it) in under a minute, with a lot of foam (can easily double or triple the milk volume in that time).
- Easy to use. One button to start warmup, one button to draw the shots of espresso, and one button to produce steam for the wand. Dial to adjust steam amount. 15 seconds from pressing the steam button to having lots of pressure available at the wand.
- Produces nice espresso. With fresh beans and the right grind (burr grinder a must; you -will- get poor results with a blade grinder), really nice shots with lots of crema. The temp is right, it's not watery and it's not bitter/burnt. With old beans or a poor grind, still makes average to good shots.
- Perfect Froth wand. Purists hate this and insist that you should change out the steam wand with a standard one (which will work fine - check out forums on wholelattelove for the recommended replacement part). However, I actually like the froth wand. While I do like taking the purist approach to frothing sometimes, on some mornings I just want a pitcher full of froth without having to think about it, and the Perfect Froth wand will deliver that every time.
- Cleanup easy. Can clean up in a minute (bang out the coffee puck, rinse head under water, pop off Perfect Frother, rinse that, blast of steam out the wand, wipe the wand down, rinse out frothing pitcher, done.)
- Warmup time. Ready to use in as little as 5-6 minutes. By the time I've ground the coffee, got the milk out, prepared the frothing pitcher, found my mug, put a flavor shot in it, and run a blank shot through the unit (to get fresh water in the pump and heat up the head and glasses), it's pretty much ready to go. If you have time, give it 10 minutes to be sure, but works with 5-6 in a pinch.

Cons
- Can be drippy. I empty the drip tray twice a week, that's with making 2-4 shots per day. Doesn't really bother me.
- Water tank could be larger. Refill every 3-4 days. Slightly awkward to slide full tank back into place and manage the intake tubes. (Not really a big deal, may splash a few drops of water on you)
- Perfect crema device - could never get it to fit in the head, but haven't needed it. Unit generates good crema as-is.
- Casing not as sturdy as it could be. It does flex a bit as I'm tightening the head. Filter head handle has a little play in it.
- Tamper is cheap plastic. I bought an aluminum one from Amazon.

Of the cons, the only ones that concern/annoy me are the slightly small water tank size, and to a lesser extent, the sturdiness of the casing. The other things are either to be expected, easily remedied, or easily ignored. People complain about the unit being drippy, but I'd rather have that than a unit with too little pressure - it's the residual pressure that causes the drips. That's what a drip tray is for. Espresso is a slightly messy hobby, it comes with the territory.

Overall I am extremely happy with the unit. The internals are identical to units much more expensive. Results are consistent each time. The unit isn't fussy; it's fairly forgiving if I rush it in the morning or use older beans.

This is a great unit to graduate up to from an entry-level unit, when you start to get serious about making espresso and espresso drinks. For the price, the quality can't be beat. I researched units for about six months before I bought, and I am very happy with the decision.

Final note - you definitely also should consider getting a burr grinder if you don't already have one. You can't generate the consistency and fineness of the grind with a blade grinder, and if you buy pre-ground beans, that'll work in a pinch but you'll lose a lot of flavor and crema within minutes of grinding. Since buying this unit and a burr grinder, I now buy my espresso blends from local roasters directly because I finally have a unit where the quality of the beans does show through.

Editorial Review:

Where form complements function. The Evolution has updated, modern lines, yet the simplistic and unique exterior houses commercial components that make this a coveted machine. The high-end look of black and silver comes at an affordable price, so it appeals to the home barista while performing at professional standards. Features include a 1425 watt boiler, 17.5 bar pump, commercial chrome plated brass portafilter handle, commercial brew group, 44-oz. reservoir, improved turbo frother, coffee pod ready, single and double stainless filter baskets, coffee tamper and coffee scoop. Achille Gaggia, driven by passion and inspiration, became the Father of the Modern Espresso Machine in 1938. Gaggia the company continues to be the leading maker of espresso machines in Italy, birthplace of espresso. All Gaggia brewing components are specifically manufactured to last through years of top quality espresso-making, with more flavor per ounce than other home machines.

Rancilio Silvia Espresso Machine - New Silvia Makeover!

List Price: $649.99 By: Rancilio - Model: RAN-SILVIA Amazon Marketplace: 3 new & used starting at $699.00

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Features:

• Brushed stainless steel
• 1100 watts - 120 volts
• 13.25"H x 11.25"W x 9.25"D
• 30 pounds
• 12-month parts anjavascript:submitEdit()d labor

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 14 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Editorial Review:

Rancilio's Silvia The Celebrated Home Espresso Machine Silvia is a Rancilio's semiprofessional machine. It offer excellent service to your customers and high quality beverages, qualities for which, since 1927, the Rancilio company has been known and appreciated around the world. The Rancilio Silvia is making the news as one the best single boiler machines in production. Brass boiler, brass lines and chromed brass brewing head all help to maintain temperature and heat distribution for the perfect espresso. The Silvia will deliver consistently fine espresso, lattes, cappuccinos and more, just with the touch of a button. Beautiful to behold and simple to use. You'll be making your favorite espresso to the raves of family and friends. This is a quality machine at a terrific price. The Rancilio Silvia is one of the most popular home espresso machines. The reasons for this are simple. The machine is very reliable and built to last. You might even say this machine has a cult like following. Do a search on the internet for 'Rancilio Silvia' and see all the results. The chrome plated commercial group excepts a full size commercial portafilter. The 12 oz. boiler is the largest in its class. Match this with a three way solenoid valve and you are as close to a comercial machine as you can get in this price range. The fit and finish of the stainless steel body is fantastic and will look great in any kitchen. The Silvia is the right machine for many reasons. Iron supporting frame. Body and control panel in satin stainless steel. Equipment: 1 filter holder, 1-cup filter, 2-cup filter, measuring spoon, coffee press. Dimensions in mm. (LxPxH) 290 x 235 x 340 Voltage 230V 50Hz 120V 60Hz Elettromagnetic pump 48W Net weight 14 kg Boiler heating element 1100W for 230V 960W per 120V Internal water tank capacity 2.5 Liter

Gaggia 97001 Coffee Deluxe Espresso Machine with Automatic Milk Frother, Silver

Amazon Price: $299.00 List Price: $299.00 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Gaggia - Model: 97001 Amazon Marketplace: 8 new & used starting at $298.95

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Features:

• 1425-watt espresso machine with 16-bar pump, 2 thermostats, and commercial-quality construction
• Turbo Frother for perfectly frothed milk; 30-cup removable water reservoir; hot-water dispenser
• Built-in cup warmer; anti-drip system; Illy-pod capability; illuminated switches; safety valve
• Easy-to-clean, detachable parts; 2 stainless-steel filter baskets, coffee tamper, and 7-gram scoop included
• Measures 14-1/2 by 8 by 9-3/4 inches

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Coffee, Tea & Espresso -> Accessories -> Milk Frothers
Coffee, Tea & Espresso -> Espresso Machines -> Semi-Automatic Espresso Machines

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 12 Average rating: 3.5 of 5

Editorial Review:

Don't waste time and hard-earned money at the local coffee house when you can brew your favorites at home, enjoying the same or better quality. This Coffee Deluxe features commercial components like a chrome plated brass portafilter handle and commercial brew group, along with a 17.5 bar pump and high wattage boiler, making it a clear match for professional machines. The 72-ounce reservoir makes it easy to serve an entire dinner party without stopping mid-cup. Other features include a cup warmer, improved Turbo Frother and auto frother and powder coated carbon steel housing. It's also coffee pod ready. The Coffee Deluxe comes with single and double stainless filter baskets, a coffee tamper and coffee scoop.

Achille Gaggia, driven by passion and inspiration, became the Father of the Modern Espresso Machine in 1938. Gaggia the company continues to be the leading maker of espresso machines in Italy, birthplace of espresso. All Gaggia brewing components are specifically manufactured to last through years of top quality espresso-making, with more flavor per ounce than other home machines.

Gaggia 14101 Classic Espresso Machine, Brushed Stainless Steel

Amazon Price: $599.00 List Price: $599.00 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Gaggia - Model: 14101 Amazon Marketplace: 5 new & used starting at $599.00

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Features:

• Coffee/espresso machine with 72-ounce removable water reservoir
• Stainless-steel housing; brass portafilters and grouphead for temperature stability
• 17-1/2-bar pump with high-voltage boiler; hot-water dispenser; frothing wand
• Single- and double-shot stainless-steel filter basket, tamper, and measuring scoop included
• Measures 14-1/4 by 8 by 9-1/2 inches

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 20 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Quality/service not as hoped 1 out of 5 stars.
3 of 3 people found this review helpful.

Based on the reviews, I thought this would be a good choice. I wanted a unit that was well made and could handle both tamped grounds and ESE pods. Upon receipt, the build quality seems pretty high. It makes a nice espresso, but really struggles generating flow with the pods. And, alas, shortly thereafter it started to leak pretty badly around the pump. Sent back to the vendor, who informed me that none of the espresso machines that promise ESE compatibility are very good at it. Sigh. Now they tell me.

Received the unit back and for 2 months it's worked well up until the pump died. I suspect the labourious effort to force water through the ESE pods was just too much for it. So I guess I get to ship the 30 lb thing back to the east coast again for servicing.

Finally, when I purchased this unit I had a choice of vendors and I went with Wholelattlove because they promised wonderous customer support. But I have found their service dept difficult to even get ahold of. When I originally had the issue with the pump leak, they advised me to take the top off the unit, run it and see if I could spot and fix the leak. Nice. It would've been better to purchase directly from Amazon and return for replacement when it didn't work.

Editorial Review:

Latte anyone?The Gaggia Classic is the epitome of home espresso machines. This is the choice of the connoisseur for it's elegant style and commercial construction. Make the best espresso, cappuccino or American style latte that beats the local cafe hands down. This timeless beauty will turn anyone into a barista and highlight any kitchen environment. Available in Stainless Steel only. .

FrancisFrancis! X3 Espresso Machine, Silver

List Price: $499.99 By: Francis Francis - Model: X3-Silver Amazon Marketplace: 2 new & used starting at $499.99

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Features:

• Pump-driven brewing system with 18 bars of dynamic pressure
• Chrome-plated brass brewing handles maintains ideal temperature
• Generous water tank with rear access
• Includes handles for both ESE pods and ground coffee
• Measures 10-5/8 by 6-1/4 by 11-3/4 inches; 1-year warranty

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Coffee, Tea & Espresso -> Espresso Machines -> Semi-Automatic Espresso Machines

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 8 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Excellent espresso machine 5 out of 5 stars.
27 of 28 people found this review helpful.

I've had a Gaggia Classic in my office for quite some time. It pulls excellent espresso shots, but the steam wand is cheap-looking, ineffective, and cumbersome to clean. The machine itself is not quite an award-winning beauty item, either.

On the market for a machine for home, I eyed this FrancisFrancis! X3. Reviews were equally outstanding and the machine looked much more attractive, so I decided to take the plunge.

The machine arrived in excellent packaging and with a complimentary pack of Illy espresso pods (FrancisFrancis! is owned by Illy, I believe). The machine is, indeed, really beautiful (I bought the silver one).

I thought I'd write a review comparing against the Gaggia Classic, since it's the clear contender in the same price range.

- In terms of aesthetics, the X3 wins hands down. This is not the overriding factor for me, but truth be told, it is important.

- In terms of material and construction, they both feel solid, but the X3 feels more so. The grill in the X3 is made of plastic, whereas the Gaggia's is metallic. On the other hand, the steam knob in the X3 is metallic, but made of plastic in the Gaggia. The X3 is slightly easier to clean.

- In terms of usability, the X3 is clearly targeted toward ESE (Easy Serving Espresso) pods. It has a holding element exclusively for pods, and the protective perforated plate that is typically attached to the boiler element to protect it from coffee grounds comes included as an add-on in the X3 package, whereas the Gaggia has it attached permanently (which is more typical). While the X3 can, apparently, use coffee grounds just fine (judging by the instructions and other users' reported experience), in my case I only accomplished to make a mess of my kitchen counter. Nevertheless, I fully intended to use ESE pods exclusively (SO much easier to keep things clean and tidy), as I do with the Gaggia in my office, so this wasn't a concern for me and thus I never tried too hard to get it to work with coffee grounds.

- Espresso quality is outstanding in both cases, but each machine has a trick to it. In the case of the X3, it is important to get the hang of how long a shot you can pull before the water coming out of the boiler decreases in temperature, which would give a bitter taste to the coffee. As a rule of thumb, if the low temperature light comes on, you've ruined your espresso. It took me a couple of days of scratching my head and Googling to find this out, but once I realized where the problem was, it was fixed forever. In fact, the X3 comes with three different ESE holders, each with more or fewer perforations. The instructions clearly indicate that you should pick one based on how long a shot you want--i.e., NOT by pumping out water for a longer time. I guess I learned my lesson the hard (bitter?) way. The Gaggia is not without tricks, as it tends to drip some water into the cup before it starts to pump out espresso, so I always need to hold on for a couple of seconds after the pump is on to put the cup beneath the spout (messy!), or the coffee will be watery. On the other hand, the Gaggia can pull longer shots and not come out bitter (perhaps temperature is higher to begin with).

- The steam wand in the X3 is extremely easy to use and clean. You can create abundant and (importantly) dense froth as long as you use 2% or fattier milk. The best way to learn how to use and clean it is to watch the DVD that comes with the machine, which is by the way short (good), to the point, and excellent. The wand in the Gaggia was something I gave up on long ago.

People complain about the water reservoir being too small. I personally think it's perfectly adequate, although the Gaggia's is indeed larger.

In conclusion, both machines are excellent, with the X3 looking nicer, sturdier, and sporting a better steam wand. I would venture that the Gaggia pulls slightly better espresso shots, but they are really close. The one thing I don't feel comfortable discussing is the X3's handling of ground coffee (as opposed to ESE pods). If that's important to you, I sugggest to look for answers in other reviews.

Editorial Review:

The third "baby" of Italian designer Luca Trazzi, the X-3 semi-automatic espresso machine was created for those who appreciate state of the art design in both appearance and function, yet who may have space and budget constraints that are incompatible with the X-1 model. This machine has a sexy presence, a small footprint, and is functionally easy to operate. Like its older, larger sibling it is an 18 bar pressure pump system which will crank out cup after cup, each with perfect crema, as quickly as you can reload the filter holder with an ESE pod, or ground coffee if you prefer. An easy to operate steaming nozzle dispenses hot water for tea, or steams milk for lattes and cappuccinos. Be advised that it will not make espresso and steam at the same time. As with other semi-automatic espresso machines the boiler has a heating system designed not to overheat and operation of this machine is quite easy. The 3 baskets allow you to choose from ristretto, regular, or lungo shots.

Briel ES35AF Chamonix Pump Espresso Machine With Auto Espresso Flow

Amazon Price: $170.95 List Price: $300.00 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Briel - Model: ES35APG Amazon Marketplace: 6 new & used starting at $169.95

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Features:

• Compact machine automatically produces 2 cups of espresso at once
• Heats water quickly from 30-serving tank and holds it at proper temperature
• Steam nozzle has frothing attachment for cappuccino foam and lattes
• Push-button controls; patented filter produces thick crema on espresso
• Measures 8 by 8-3/4 by 11-3/4 inches

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 140 Average rating: 3.5 of 5

Good value for the price 4 out of 5 stars.
1 of 2 people found this review helpful.

After reading several reviews for machines in this price range and having some concerns about the workmanship on the Briel, I decided to buy it anyway as the rest of the reviews sounded pretty good. So far no issues at all. The machine is fine, there were no loose parts, nothing coming off - it actually seems well constructed. Some of the other negative feedback seems to have been user error as well. If you follow the instructions, you won't have any issues. It makes good Espresso and Cappuccino - much better than the $100 steam machine that I had before. I creates good crema (you can adjust to make more or less)and the frother works well also. For the average home user that enjoys a good Espresso or Cap, this is a good machine. I used a Starbucks Espresso Roast for my first batch and couldn't tell a difference between home made and buying an Espresso at Starbucks. You just have to play with different beans to get the flavor you want. The machine does what it is supposed to do.

Editorial Review:

A sleek, European design combined with top-notch features and affordability makes this Chamonix espresso machine a favorite. Briel has improved on its original design by adding adaptability for use with grounds or pods. It also features a patented Auto Espresso Flow, a micro-chip timing circuit that lets you control the amount of espresso produced. In addition, it offers 15-bar pump pressure with auto self-priming, Turbo Jet Frother for lots of thick, milky froth, Crema Master filter for genuine crema every time, AquaStop No-Drip system to eliminate remnant water, Two thermostats for coffee and steaming cycles plus a third for safety, Stainless steel boiler, Large, removable reservoir and water filter on intake, Removable overflow tray for simple cleanup and Built-in coffee tamper and separate measuring spoon.

Bodum 3020-16US Espresso Granos

Amazon Price: $499.99 List Price: $625.00 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Bodum - Model: 3020-16US Amazon Marketplace: 2 new & used starting at $499.95

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Features:

• Single or double espresso at the push of a button; fully programmable
• Chrome-plated brass filter holder; 19-bar pump; ThermoBlock provides full-flavored coffee
• Cup warmer; water-bottle adapter; steam wand for making cappuccino and latte drinks
• Uses ground coffee or espresso pods; tamper and single, double, and pod shot filters included
• 2-year limited warranty

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 10 Average rating: 3.0 of 5

CAUTION: This machine has known leaky design flaws 1 out of 5 stars.
4 of 4 people found this review helpful.

CAUTION: This machine has known leaky design flaws which BODUM chooses to ignore.

I purchased my machine January of 07 and was infatuated with my machine functionally and aesthetically until it began to aggressive leak from the tank above during the process of making espresso just nine months after purchase. After returning the machine (very costly shipping) to an apathetic outside contractor of Bodum that provided absolutely no technical information or help, the product was returned to me a month later only yielding one shot of espresso before it started to pour out the seams from the tank once again. CAUTION PEOPLE. This machine is tantamount to a sexy woman with no substance inside. Gorgeous looking design but with a huge design flaw that dates back to the conception of this product in 05'. DO NOT WASTE YOUR MONEY or be tricked by the provocative sexual curves of this machine. Shame on Bodum for not making the necessary changes in their product when an obvious design flaw exists. According to my research, the average machine lasts 4-6 months before starting to leak. A $ 500 machine should work for at least 3-4 years. I advise anybody who is interested in this product to do some research online. The results are astounding...

Editorial Review:

Bodum's 50 years in coffee brewing has culminated in a pump espresso machine that combines beauty and functionality. After all, making great espresso requires a great machine. Fully programmable, the Espresso Granos guarantees café quality espresso, with its signature crema, in every cup. Our unique water system expels used water rather than letting it flow back into the fresh water reservoir.