Jura-Capresso 13531 Impressa C5 Fully Automatic Coffee Center, Piano Black Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I have purchase the new Jura-Capresso Impressa C5 before it had been released. So I had to wait for several weeks for its delivery. Once it arrived it took a good couple of hours to read through the manual, (the machine operation is not intuitive). It had all kinds of warnings for grinding: no oily beans, no flavored beans, and so on. (You could grind such beans in separate grinder and use it in the grinded beans compartment. I have not tried this yet). So, I have followed the instructions closely, and for about 5 to 7 days it worked fine. However, one morning, after the first cup of coffee I made, I could not make a second one. (There was no coffee coming out of the spouts). I try different approaches to solve the issue myself, however eventually called the company. The representative had walked me through some steps, basically squandering more and more of my good beans, but was not able to solve the problem. To his credit, once he realized he can not resolve the issue he offered to replace the body of the machine. The way it worked; the company has sent the new body and a label to send the old one back. (I had to remove all the removable parts: water tank, spout for cappuccino, and such)It took about a week for a new one to arrive. On arrival, I have noticed that the spout on the new one did not feet as well as on the old one, but I did tried to froth the milk yet. (I hope it works)
As far as quality of the coffee it makes, it is not bad; it is still not a commercial quality, but the machine makes a creama that is somewhat resembling of a good European café coffee. I have tried several different kinds of beans and came to the conclusion that quality of beans make a bigger difference than the machine itself. (I tried the good beans in the cheap espresso machine and the coffee was almost as good).The best beans I found were at the "Whole Foods" store.
Overall, I think it is way overpriced, and I would not purchase it again.

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Product Description:
Combining a compact design with user-friendly front-panel controls, this fully automatic coffee machine makes it easy to enjoy cafe-quality coffee drinks from the comfort of home. Its commercial-grade conical steel burr grinder offers six fineness settings for any type of bean for light to dark roasts, while a separate funnel for pre-ground coffee allows for making no-hassle decaf or flavored coffee drinks. To help ensure a perfect cup of coffee, the appliance comes equipped with a 1450-watt stainless-steel ThermoBlock heating system, a 15-bar high-pressure pump, and the Intelligent Pre Brew Aroma System (I.P.B.A.S.). Its I.P.B.A.S. delivers freshly ground coffee beans to the infusing cylinder as a powder from the grinder where it gets optimally compressed. Prior to brewing, the powder receives water moisture, which allows the pores to swell and flavors to be released. From here, aromatic, flavorful coffee dispenses into a cup automatically, complete with a thick layer of crema on top. The unit's variable brewing chamber holds between 5 and 16 grams of ground coffee, making it possible to brew a variety of coffee drinks--from a single 1-ounce ristretto to two 8-ounce cups of coffee at a time; the height of its coffee spout can be adjusted between 2-5/9 and 4-3/8 inches (65 and 111 mm) to fit any size cup. Even more, the machine's Connector System allows for using the Easy Cappuccino Frother, the hot water nozzle for tea or instant cocoa, and the optional two-stage frothing nozzle or the Professional Cappuccino Frother (both sold separately) to make perfect milk foam or hot milk.
Choose between coffee and espresso, and one or two cups, by simply turning the rotary dial (icons illuminate in red), then press the control for coffee in seconds. The rotary dial also offers on/off (standby), maintenance, pre-ground coffee, and steam options, and its three light segments illuminate to indicate the current coffee strength and water amount (turn the dial to adjust). Below the rotary dial and behind a concealing panel door, the machine offers a range of maintenance buttons with corresponding illuminated displays for the water tank, coffee-grounds container, bean container, and the cleaning, descaling, and filter buttons. Other highlights include a removable water tank; a bean container with an aroma-preservation cover; built-in memory that permanently stores settings and activities; self-monitoring rinsing, cleaning, and descaling programs; up to eight-hour automatic shut-off for safety and energy savings; and a Clearyl water-filtration system that purifies water and eliminates the need for decalcification. Accessories include a measuring spoon for pre-ground coffee, a milk pipe, a hot-water nozzle, a CLARIS plus filter cartridge, Jura Auto-Cappuccino cleaner, Jura cleaning tablets, Aquadur test strips, a quick reference guide, and a detailed user manual with recipes. A sleek-looking addition to any kitchen counter, the coffee machine measures 15 by 11-1/2 by 13-1/2 inches.

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Espressione Café Retro Espresso Machines Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I almost didn't buy this machine because I was worried about some of the negative reveiws I've read about it from users.However, it was the only machine its price range that really caught our eye, so we went ahead and purchased it and have been using it for about six months.It is hands down the best machine I've ever owned.It has great features, and the espresso is the best espresso I've made at home, and better than most espresso I can buy in american coffee shops.A quick rundown of the great features.

1.It looks great.It heats up quickly, and it is very simple to use.

2.The size of the water resevoir is pretty generous.It holds enough water for about 24 shots.You can expect to get a little less if you are steaming a lot of milk, but if you are steaming at the recommended temperature, the machine is very water efficient, and you shouldn't see a dramatic drop.We use it every day to make at least two drinks (at leeast 4 shots), a lot more on the weekends,and we refill only about once a week, roughly.The design also makes it quite easy to refill, I've been in the middle of steaming or pulling a shot when I realized the reservoir was low, and refilled whiled pulling the shot.This is awfully convenient.

3.The machine comes with a disc you can put inside the porta filter to make a sort of fake crema by whipping the coffee, which is popular on upper-end machines these days.However, if you are using good coffee, and grind your beans fresh, and brew the coffee at the recommended temperature, the machine produces a wonderful genuine crema without the disc. I never get an espresso in a coffee house with a crema as good. (crema has more to do with the the quality of the coffee than the machine, but cheaper machines that pull the coffee way too hot never produce good cremas because of the crazy temperatures.)

4.The steam wand does a great job of genlty steaming and frothing without scalding the daylights out of your milk.I've heard a lot of complaints about the steamer, but in my experience it works perfectly, and easily.

5.It does come with an adaption for pods, if you're into pods (blech.)

6,I love that the machine has a temperature gague that allows you to control the temperature of your steam and coffee, and not just indicator lights.It allows you to have a lot more control over the quality of your espresso.

A few things that are so so, the included tamp is flimsy and useless, get yourself a nice heavy one.The drip tray does feel a little light and cheap compared to the rest of the machine, but it is perfectly functional.The Cup warmer isn't very successful at warming cups.But these are minor quibbles I have with it.

I'm sure if I were willing to pay 4 or 5 times as much, I'd get a better espresso, but for the price, I couldn't be happier with this machine.It beats any of the little starter machines you get, and makes better espresso than machines that cost twice the price, in my experience.I'm very happy with this machine.

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Product Description:
Combining old-world design with new-age features, this 1050-watt espresso machine supplies a high-power 18-bar pump for making espressos and cappuccinos at home. To accommodate individual preferences, the unit is ESE adapted for use with ground espresso or espresso serving pods. The machine's precise C/F gauge indicates brewing and frothing temperatures, and its 24-ounce boiler has zero recovery time for continuous brewing. With its sturdy pull-down lever, commercial-quality steam or froth is simple. For added convenience, the unit's water tank with an easy-to-read water-level indicator is removable for quick filling or cleaning. Other useful features include toggle switches with indicator lights, a pull-out knock box, and a cup warmer. Accessories include a chrome-plated brass pod and pod porta filter, a porta filter for ground coffee with double exit, a 1-cup and 2-cup filter, a spoon, tamper, and an instruction manual. Housed in solid steel with a thermo-painted metal finish for long-lasting durability, this espresso machine measures 12 by 12-1/2 by 13-4/5 inches.

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Starbucks Sirena Espresso Machine, Stainless and Black Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Bottom line up front:I'm happy with the Sirena.

I'm not a coffee snob and don't really care one way or another what name comes on the outside of the machine.I like strong espresso and this machine doesn't disappoint.There are a couple of things that I like and a couple of things that I don't.Here they are:

Like:
- Easy to use
- Can grow with you, i.e. if you want to pull out the Pressurizing disc and start tamping your own shots, you can, and after some practice, will probably get a better quality of crema and espresso.Bean quality, grind, etc... dependent.
- Quick heat up time (less than 2 mins in the morning) and quick steam (less than 10 seconds.
- Good micro-foam on the steamer.My wife likes capuccinos and the good quality foam makes her very happy.

Dislike:
- The water level sensor drives me crazy.It comes on, I refill the container, and it doesn't go off.I have to mess with the container where it attaches to the machine to get it to turn off....eventually.I've read more than a few reviews about this problem.Small overall, but annoying.
- Price.I purchased this machine at the X-mas special (499 w/grinder, barista kit, 1lb coffee with a 30% employee discount ($375 paid in the end).It was an incredible deal...that made it very worth the money.Full price...I don't know.I like this machine, but I'm cheap and I'd rather pay for quality and performance than looks.This machine offers both, but without the discount it would've made my choice more difficult.

There is a great thread on coffeegeek.com about the Sirena.A guy named Wayne, a.k.a. roastaroma, has made it his mission in life to break this machine apart and extract every bit of usefullness out of it.For true coffee lovers looking for a great machine his insights might help make up your mind.

Happy Shopping.

6 month update (1 July 2008).

The steam knob stripped out about 3 weeks ago.One minute I was frothing milk, the next I was trying to get a scalding hot jet of steam to stop...awesome.I contacted SB and they gave me the number to their warranty dept.I called their warranty dept and they told me that SAECO not SB warranted the item.Okay, so I call SAECO and was not exactly pleased with the response.First, they confirmed that the unit was under warranty..good.Second, they sent me a form to fill out detailing the problems with the machine.They had me fax that form back to their warranty dept...okay so far.Third, they informed me that I was responsible for packing and shipping the machine back to them with no reimbursement.Fourth, they told me that if anything other than the previously faxed deficiencies were discovered that it would be repaired at my cost.Bottomline, if something breaks during shipment, you pay for it out of pocket along with the shipping and handling you've already spent sending a defective item back to the manufacturer.

I haven't had a lot of problems getting things serviced in the past.SAECO's warranty repair system seems a little too involved and isn't user friendly in my opinion.I contacted the Starbucks that I purchased the machine from and was able to swap out the machine...but the less than ideal experience with SAECO is important to share.

Other than that the machine is still working well and am still happy that I purchased it.Starbucks customer service made up for the problems with SAECO.

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Product Description:
With this beautiful, simple, and impeccably engineered espresso machine, you'll pull shots so perfect and steam milk so frothy-your passion for superb coffee will only grow deeper. Bring home performance and beauty in every cup.Engineered to be simple.Designed to be timeless. Created to produce the perfect shot of espresso at home. Sirena's Rapid Steam ™ Boiler gives you continuous, powerful steam--and lets you move from frothing directly to brewing without waiting. At just 15 inches tall, Sirena is just the size to fit into any kitchen. Commercial quality portafilter retains heat easily, and features a patented back-pressure adaptor which adjusts automatically to the coffee's grind, for a full, rich crema.

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Espressione CC151-B Complete Coffee System, Black Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I first noticed the espressione when it was listed on a bargains web site. I clicked through and found out the price was not correct. I started monitoring the machine and noticed that Amazon started dropping the price 10% every other day. When it hit $137 I pulled the trigger.

This machine makes great coffee and frothed milk. It is so good that I stopped drinking filter and instant coffee.

It is fairly easy to clean and is simple to operate.

I can't attest to it's long time longevity, but after 3 months it is great.

I think it is a commercial espresso machine company trying it's hand in the consumer market. Wait until they start playing with the price.

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Product Description:
Complete Coffee System - Black / dual thermostat heating system forconstant 15-bar pump pressure, powerful jet milk frothingmechanism. Versatile system allows you to "lock-in" appropriateportafilters for use with either ground coffee, ESE coffee pods, orsoft pods.

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Jura-Capresso 13345 IMPRESSA F8 Automatic Coffee and Espresso Center Review

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(More customer reviews)I love this coffee maker!No more cleaning pots, bitter burnt coffee, coffee filters, daily cleaning, grinding coffee beans etc... This coffee maker does it all!The Impressa F8 makes the best coffee I ever tasted. It is almost too good to be true.All you have to do is select your cup size and press a button...it is that easy.We have three people in our house who drink coffee in the morning now everyone gets a fresh cup of coffee whenever they want.No more drinking the burnt bitter left over coffee that has been sitting in the pot for who knows how long.Cleaning is as easy as pressng a button all you need to do is empty the used bean tray every so often (the machine tells you when).If you drink coffee every day...this is well worth the cost!I wish I had one of these sooner!

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Product Description:
Sophisticated design with professional results!The Impressa F8 Automatic Coffee and Espresso Center grinds, tamps, brews and cleans in under 60 seconds..with a push of a button!Makes perfectespressos, cappuccinos, lattes and crème coffee..every time. Jura-Capresso Impressa F8 has a stainless steel ThermoBlock system (no purging): water and coffee never come in contact with aluminum.This super automatic coffee center has a 64-ounce water container with water filtration and a commercial grade, solid-steel conical burr grinder with 6 fineness settings.The cup size selector allows you to choose from 1 ounce to 16 ounce of water and has three coffee strength settings (mild, normal, strong). There is unlimited hot water and steam output that is programmable.Silver metallic finish, chrome buttons and die-cast Coffee Spout, plus Coffee Brewing Illumination. The F8 features two frothing systems: the frothXpress for automatic siphoning of milk for lattes and cappuccinos and a Dual Frother Plus for manual frothing.

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DeLonghi EN660.R Nespresso Lattissima Single-Serve Espresso Maker, Red Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)My girlfriend decided to splurge on this product (and to try to save on her $5/day espresso habit).It's as beautiful as advertised, and simple to set up.Espressos and Lungos are mighty tasty.

Unfortunately the entire Latissima series is suffering from a flaw with the milk-foam system.The first day or two foam comes out, but not nearly as much or as nice as in the Nespresso store.Then after the third day the milk quantity goes down significantly and the spout begins to just sputter out milk.

My girlfriend and I went back to the Nespresso store twice to inquire what we were doing wrong; the store people unfortunately couldn't help us out.We also called the Nespresso-Club hotline, who was willing to send us a new machine.

It turns out that there are a lot of users out there experiencing the same flaw.Go to Youtube and type in Nespresso Latissima; many users have posted videos evidencing the same exact problem as what we were having with our machine.This problem has been there since the introduction of the machine in 2007.

We have decided to return the machine and purchase a lower-priced, but at least reliable machine.It is shameless on the part of Nespresso (and DeLonghi) to continue marketing this machine although there is a design flaw with the milk-housing unit.It also does not surprise me that the price has gone down almost 25%; Nespresso's trying to liquidate its inventory before more problems arise and it's sitting on this junk.Be forewarned, Nespresso's return policy is only 14 days from the date of purchase; I would therefore recommend purchasing from Bloomingdale's or Williams Sonoma, whose return policies are much more favorable to the consumer.

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Product Description:
Developed with a unique extraction system specially designed for coffee-filled capsules, this single-serve automatic espresso machine deploys technology essential for preparing perfect espresso. A simple system perforates the hermetically sealed capsule and soaks all the ground coffee to optimally filter the coffee, while the unit's 19-bar high-pressure pump extracts all the aromas and gives body to the espresso ensuring a smooth crema--the delicious creamy layer on top. Used capsules eject automatically into the used-capsule collection container after the brewing cycle has completed.
In addition, illuminated controls allow for easily choosing from cappuccino, latte macchiato, espresso coffee, long coffee, or hot water. The unit's patented IFD milk system includes a milk container for cappuccinos and lattes, and the amounts of frothed/steamed milk and coffee can be adjusted to suit individual preferences. The milk container comes with a unique automatic cleaning function at the push of a button, and the entire container detaches for storing in the refrigerator. Other highlights include an adjustable cup-tray height for accommodating large or small cups, a removable drip tray, self-priming operation, and a removable 40-ounce water tank.The welcome kit includes an espresso cup, a latte cup, a saucer, and a sample pack of Nespresso capsules. Durably constructed, the strikingly modern-looking espresso maker measures approximately 10-1/4 by 8 by 13-1/2 inches.

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Krups XP7260 Compact Fully Automatic Espresso Machine with Auto Cappuccino Kit Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)UPDATE - After previously giving this machine 4 stars, I am forced to reduce my rating to 1 star.It appears I've received a "lemon" as I've now had the machine break 3 times.I'm very frustrated because for all of the resasons I list below, I want to love the machine.However, during time I've had the machine, It's only briefly worked before needing to be retured for service. The machine comes with a one-year VIP service which is great since the online company I purchased it from only had a 30-day return policy.Unfortunately, in the four months I've had the machine it's been broken or out for repair for a majority of that time.Please respond to this review if you've had success getting your machine to work without sending back for repair.

Attention Buyers! - I would not buy this machine - the frustration of having it break three times is not worth your time or money. Learn from my mistake and look for a different brand and make sure to purchase from a store that has a return period of longer than 30 days.

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This was no small purchase for me.I've researched and waited for about 1 year before committing to this machine.The price dropped by about 40% from one of the Amazon online retailers and there was free shipping so I jumped at the chance.I've had the XP 7260 for about 1 week now and I mostly love this machine.When I first got the machine I spent an hour or so reviewing the instruction manual before I turned on the machine which helped me to realize a couple important tips (for most all auto-espresso machines).1 - you have to use very cold l% or 2% milk for best froth/foam and 2 - you should use non-oily beans. Also, I expected to get coffee shop quality from the first cup of expresso but have quickly realized that I haven't learned the proportions of espresso to water (for Americano) or milk (for latte & cappucino).I wish more than two recipes were included for first time users.

Pros:
Stunning appearance
Auto frothing attachment works excellent(if you use cold 1% or 2% milk)
Great tasting coffee/espresso
Doesn't take up too much room on the counter

Cons:
The biggest CON is that there is NO pre-ground coffee funnel - I big disappointment - no decaf drinks at night.
The Amazon description mentions that this machine is compatible with ground coffee but it's NOT!
Noisy!Similar to turning on a blener full of ice.The noise is short-lived so it's bearable.
Not enough recipes for basic coffee drinks - I have yet to perfect the Americano. Web blogs are all over the place regarding recipes.
Frequently filling the water container - not a big deal but if you have cabinets above your counter you have the pull the machine out far enough to access the water container.
Espresso cups, manual frothing pitcher, and coffee not included (auto pitcher is included). Plan to spend another $50 on these items before making your first cup of espresso.
Maintenance costs could be about $100 per year for water filter replacements and cleaning tablets.
Water filter and cleaning tablets are not easily available so I will have to purchase online.

I know, this sounds like a long list.I have a feeling many other espresso machines have similar cons so I wouldn't consider any of these a deal-breaker.

Overall an excellent machine but I really wish there was a pre-ground coffee funnel so that we could enjoy decaf expresso drinks at night.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Krups XP7260 Compact Fully Automatic Espresso Machine with Auto Cappuccino Kit

Product Description:
Brew cafe-quality coffee drinks right at home with this easy-to-use fully automatic espresso machine. Simply add water and espresso beans, select the type of beverage and amount desired, and press the button--it takes care of the rest. The appliance grinds, brews, and tamps, then dispenses used grounds into a collection container. An oversized digital display and intuitive controls make it effortless to scroll through the on-screen menu and to follow detailed instructions for everything from set-up to brewing perfect espresso. In addition, the unit's commercial-quality built-in conical burr grinder holds up to 28 ounces of whole beans and comes calibrated to three optimal grind levels. Use the pre-ground bypass doser for pre-ground decaffeinated or flavored coffee--a handy feature when entertaining.
For added convenience, the espresso machine's innovative design combines the thermoblock brewing system and hydraulic jack into a single piece, which means an overall smaller build that takes up less space on the countertop. In fact, it's 30- to 50-percent smaller than most fully automatics available. The completely redesigned thermoblock comes cast in aluminum with stainless-steel tubing for precise control of the water and temperature and optimal heat transfer while reducing scaling and build-up of mineral deposits. Other highlights include a 64-ounce water tank, hot water on demand, and a steam function for cappuccinos and lattes. A patented auto-cappuccino system for foolproof milk frothing comes included. The 1450-watt espresso machine measures 12-1/2 by 9-1/2 by 14-1/4 inches and carries a one-year warranty.

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Gaggia 90901 Platinum Swing Up Automatic Espresso Machine with Milk Island, Platinum Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Well we tried the Gaggia Titanium and we did not like it at all (too loud, too big, odd settings).. This one, the gaggia Swing up is PERFECT! We can do Ristretto (tiny concentrated espresso). Noise level is very good. and the machine is too big at all! The only small minus is that the water tank coud have been a bit bigger but it would mean a bulkier machine (can't have it all). Access to the tank and the coffee dumps is very easy (much easier than the titanium model). I highly recommend it! oh I almost forgot the milk island attachment is SO good too! THe milk is froth to perfection, easy to do a creamy hot chocolate with it in less than a minute!

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Product Description:
Brew cafe-quality espressos, cappuccinos, lattes, and more from the comfort of home with this automatic espresso machine. Its intuitive programming menu includes a digital LCD screen and touch ring controls that make it easy to select the aroma strength, temperature, menu language, clock and timer settings, and much more. The unit's built-in ceramic burr grinder ensures the freshest results, while its 8-4/5-ounce bean hopper offers adjustable ground-coffee dosage from 7 to 10-1/2 grams. Select mild to strong beverages while maintaining a perfect crema thanks to the Espresso Plus System. The appliance also comes equipped with 15-bar pump pressure and a stainless-steel-lined boiler with a rapid-steam boiler system, which means no waiting between frothing milk and brewing espresso. The included Pannarello steam wand takes the guesswork out of frothing milk for thick cappuccinos and lattes, plus provides hot water for tea, hot cocoa, or soup. A Milk Island accessory unit also comes included. Simply attach it to the machine, fill it with milk, and it will automatically steam and froth milk in seconds.
Furthermore, the espresso machine can prepare two cups at the same time, while its stainless-steel, actively heated cup warmer helps maintain the integrity of freshly brewed espresso--pouring hot coffee into a cold cup can cool it down too quickly. Other highlights include a bypass doser for preground coffee, a 57-ounce removable water reservoir, an Aqua Prima water filter, an automatic height-adjustable drip tray, and a coffee-grounds container. The brewing unit removes for easy maintenance, and the machine's impact-resistant ABS plastic housing with a stainless-steel-finished front panel will look great on any kitchen counter. Designed by Gaggia, one of the most respected names in the industry, the 1500-watt espresso machine measures 12-3/5 by 16-1/3 by 14-4/7 inches.

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Gene Cafe Drum Coffee Roaster with 9 lbs. Organic Fair Trade Coffee Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)This is my first coffee roaster, but the Gene Cafe Coffee Roaster is an excellent air roaster that has given me consistent results. It is so easy to use. I spent about 3 months doing all kinds of research on coffee roasters. For someone who never roasted before, this is the easiest roaster on the market. I saw a video on Google Video athttp://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-21754440054705737 and I thought it was really neat at how easy it worked. One neat thing about it is the roasting viewing chamber, you are able to see the bean color and roast level through the entire roast without problems. The Gene Cafe is different in that the amount of air pushing through the roast chamber is only for heat; not to actually agitate the beans like so many of the other hot air roasters I did my research on. The Gene Cafe has a cool auger and flap system. This makes sure that the beans are always in motion, which will prevent scorching. You will find the Gene Roaster is very quiet. You can be standing next to it and carry on a conversation and not have to yell. So it is very easy to here the 1st and 2nd crack of the beans as they roast. This is very important if you are new to roasting. There is one thing to be aware of and that is you may get the roast darker than you want if you do not anticipate the shade of the bean you want by pressing the cooling button a little before you get the roast color you are looking for because it continues to cook for a minute or two after you push the cooling button. A great thing about the Gene Cafe is the control system; you can change the roast temperature in real time with just the turn of a knob. Any time during the roast you can also easily put the Gene Cafe into its cooling cycle. You will find that the majority of air and smoke exits from the left end of the roaster. Gene Cafe now offers a smoke redirection device that you can add on the end for only a $50 upcharge. The chaff collector is also much larger then the first one. So is there a down side of this roaster? Yes. One thing I didn't like about the Gene Cafe was the chaff collection. When the chaff is blown off of the beans, it needs to go through a stainless grate in the roasting chamber. A small flap knocks the chaff loose (that way it can pass through the grate easer) with each turn of the roasting chamber. If the coffee you are roasting makes a lot of chaff the grate can get to full. This is really not that big of a deal because the air will just redirect through the roast chamber lid. (The only time that this has happened to me is when I do a back to back roast and forget to clean out the chaff tray). If you do not get the new smoke redirection device you can hook up some sort of a smoke redirection device yourself, it will help. (That's what I did and I direct it outside out my window. I use a dryer vent hose). I really wish that the cooling cycle was better, especially when you are roasting on the hottest setting, but it will do the job. Or you can do what I did. I went and got a fan and a metal colander. I set the fan on top and turn it on high for about 15 minutes. All in all, the Gene Cafe is a great roaster. I have now been roasting for a year and I love it. I have never had a better tasting cup of coffee in my life. I bring it to work everyday and everyone loves it. It is so easy to operate and well built. If this is your first roaster as it was for me. Go for it and spend the extra money. It will be worth it. Just think about it, you will be doing this for the rest of your life. Never will you go back to the old stale Folders coffees of the world!!! Thanks, Dan Lewis <><

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Product Description:
The Gene Cafe home coffee roaster offers a large capacity, intuitive, easy to use controls, and quiet operation. With complete control over both time and temperature that will please the most advanced home coffee roasting hobbiests, the controls and instructions are so easy that beginners can produce professional results the very first day. The clear roast chamber makes it very easy to view the roasting process, a must have feature that eliminates burnt or under roasted coffee. The Gene Cafe can hold up to 10 oz. of unroasted green coffee which will yield up to an 8 oz. batch of fully roasted coffee. The thoughtfully integrated safety features (that are lacking in most home roasters) include auto shutoff, overheat sensors, and a clear safety cover to prevent burnt fingers. This roaster delivers what you would expect of a higher priced coffee roaster: excellent roast quality, a durable machine built to last, a good warranty with US based support, and easy to use controls. As with most large capacity home roasting machines, a lot of smoke is produced during the roast. Perfect for a large household of thirsty coffee drinkers!

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Bunn VP17-1 Coffee Brewer, Stainless Steel Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I have had this unit since 1997, it should last forever.
We use it for making iced tea and coffee at least once but mostly twice a day.
We have it on a $15.00 appliance timer so the water is not heated between 10pm and 6am (it only takes
15 mins to heat up the tank if it is off) I make coffee at 6:30am it takes 5 mins
to make a pot (I can make as little as 4 cups) then I turn it off till the evening when
we make tea. I got tired of buying the $20 coffee pots that only last a year.

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Product Description:

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Overview

Low Profile Pourover Coffee Brewer Brews 3.8 gallons (14.8 litres) of perfect coffee per hour. Pourover brewer requires no plumbing completely portable. All stainless steel construction. Stainless steel or black finish. SplashGard funnel deflects hot liquids away from the hand.

Specifications

Brews 3.8 gallons of perfect coffee per hour
Pourover brewer requires no plumbing completely portable
All stainless steel construction
Stainless steel finish
One warmer
Brew into decanters
SplashGard funnel deflects hot liquids away from the hand
Dimensions: 17.7" x 8.5" x 17.8"
120 Volts
13.3 Amps
1600 total watts
Cord attached
Requires 2-wire plus ground service rated 120V, single phase, 60 Hz
No plumbing needed

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Saeco Aroma - Espresso Machine Review

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(More customer reviews)This machine works great, it is heavy duty metal case and does delicious creamy espresso. This machine does not leak like the gaggia I tryed before and for the price it is far the best I used. If you get it from Amazon you will get the best service ever! The water tank on the back is removable to fill and clean, the water retention tank for the coffee drops below is also removable, easy to clean, big enough and of very good quality. The metal grill does not rust and the portafila is solid. Saeco is the perfect Italian espresso lover's machine and it is so solid that it's like it was German made and not Italian :) I checked a lot of brands, models and review and that's from far the best I found for the bucks. I owned fully automatic machines for 10x the price paid here and that one is doing better espresso than any of them... This machine is a hit!

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Product Description:
Designed for those who seriously enjoy coffee, this easy-to-use traditional espresso machine features a stainless-steel boiler and a powerful 15-bar pump for producing excellent cafe-quality espresso, cappuccino, and lattes from the comfort of home. The unit allows for making espresso without having to measure out the ground coffee dose, and its pressure filter can accept a wide range of espresso grinds while still giving good crema. Thanks to its pod adaptor, industry-standard E.S.E. pods (prepackaged doses of coffee) fit perfectly into the pressurized portafilter, with no mess to clean up afterwards. Even more, the included steam and hot-water wand with exclusive Pannarello frothing device dispenses steam in three different directions, making it easy to froth milk for cappuccinos and lattes, plus it dispenses hot water for tea, hot chocolate, or instant soups. Other highlights include a simple control panel with back-lit buttons, an 85-ounce removable water tank, a cup-warming surface, and a removable drip tray. Made in Italy, the 950-watt traditional espresso machine measures 8 by 10 by 11-3/4 inches and carries a one-year limited warranty.

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Francis!Francis! X1 Ground Espresso Machines Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)We bought this based on info about how good the construction was. Paid about $600 over four years ago.(from another website) We only used it on the weekends and really enjoyed it.About six months after the one year warranty expired so did the machine! As soon as we plug it in the GFCI blows. There is some kind of short in it and the only place that repairs them is in Oregon or Seattle. So there it sits, for over two years, collecting dust. Very, very dissapointed in the machine.

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Product Description:
The X1 Ground Espresso machine was designed for the espresso aficionado who prefers to grind beans to achieve the perfect cup of authentic Italian espresso. The machine was designed by Luca Trazzi.The Body is made of stainless steel. The 18 bar pump ensures enough pressure for the perfect extraction.Like the other Francis Francis! machines, the boiler is brass, the brewing head is chrome-plated brass, and the dual electronic thermostats control the coffee temperature and steam temperature. An automatic boiler refill offers continuous steam and prevents accidental burn out of the heating element. Easily identifiable symbols, lights and sounds makes this machine user friendly.

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La Pavoni PPG-16 Professional Gold-Plated 16-Cup Espresso Machine, Brass Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I have owned this machine (8-cup, chrome) for over ten years and everyday when I make my morning cappuccino I love it more.You can spend more for a machine that measures the coffee, tamps it, pulls the water through and steams the milk for you, but you can tip the kids behind the counter at Starbucks and they'll do the same thing.Making espresso should be a little art and a little science and this machine an impeccable balance of the two. If you aren't the kind of person who takes joy in mixing the perfect martini, making a risotto that whispers with flavor, or whipping a meringue to impossibly tall peaks, this probably isn't the machine for you.

The La Pavoni is for the person who will find tremendous joy in going to the lengths required to make a perfect cappuccino by hand everyday. (And don't bother using anything less than Illy Cafe coffee in it.)

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Product Description:
In addition to being a gorgeous accent piece to any kitchen counter or bar, this lever-model espresso machine produces up to 16 2-ounce cups of great-tasting espresso. The appliance features a 38-ounce solid-brass boiler--gold plated and lacquer coated--that delivers fast heat-up times and ensures durable performance, all while adding to the beautiful design. It also comes equipped with an internal thermostat, a steam-pressure piston, and handles made from beautiful rosewood. Even more, the unit's frothing system whips up creamy lattes and mochas, while a separate spout and controls deliver exceptionally frothy cappuccinos. An instructional DVD comes included. Made in Italy, the 1000-watt ETL-listed espresso machine measures 16-1/4 by 4-1/2 by 12 inches and carries a one-year warranty.

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Jura-Capresso 13413 Impressa F8 Automatic Coffee and Espresso Center Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I received this as a Chirstmas gift, I could not fathom spending this amount of money on something for myself.At any rate, I love coffee, espresso and all other coffee flavored drinks so trust me when I say,
"this was a wonderful surprise" for a true coffee lover.In the long run, not only was I worth the price, but it has actually paid for itself with the money I have now saved not going to coffee houses, @ $5.00 and up per cup, and for a much better cup than those they were selling.This is definitely for the coffee lover, not occassional drinker, who has everything else. Oh! space helps too, it not a small item.Extremely well packaged, dependable, and sturdy.FYI. I waited a year and a half before leaving this review, I received it Dec.25, 2008.Used everyday, multiple times per.The filters are a bit expensive but you get a good length of time on them, the can be purchased cheaper online and in bulk.

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Product Description:
Sophisticated design with professional results.The Jura-Capresso Impressa F8 Automatic Coffee and Espresso Center grinds, tamps, brews and cleans in under 60 seconds with a push of a button.Makes perfectespressos, cappuccinos, lattes and crème coffee every time.Jura-Capresso Impressa F8 has a stainless steel ThermoBlock system (no purging): water and coffee never come in contact with aluminum.This super automatic coffee center has a 64-ounce water container with water filtration and a commercial grade, solid-steel conical burr grinder with 6 fineness settings.The cup size selector allows you to choose from 1-ounce to 16-ounce of water and has three coffee strength settings (mild, normal, strong).There is unlimited hot water and steam output that is programmable.Silver metallic finish, chrome buttons and die-cast Coffee Spout, plus Coffee Brewing Illumination.The F8 features two frothing systems: the frothXpress for automatic siphoning of milk for lattes and cappuccinos and a Dual Frother Plus for manual frothing.

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Coffee-tech/brioso Home Coffee Roaster (Motorized Version) Review

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(More customer reviews)I received this item yesterday, unpacked it, read the two pages of technical specs and one page of instructions, and was immediately aware that this was not originally built for the American market.The manual starts with what appears to be Hebrew script on the first line of the specifications and refers to the 220 volt plug on the page of instructions, both pretty good clues.On inspection, the assortment of add-on parts includes a loose adapter to convert the type C (two round prongs) plug at the end of the motor wiring to a two-blade American plug.This feeds power to the built-in line transformer and then to the 12 volt motor.The adapter did not snugly fit the plug and did not power the motor until I pulled it halfway out to a contact point that had more friction and then taped the connectors together.Once the power flowed, the machine ran successfully throughout my dry run and all during the first hot roasting effort.There is no on/off switch on the motor and it has to be unplugged to stop the machine. The electrical wiring runs close to the rotating cylinder handle and looks to be a potential friction wear point.That section of the electrical wire is covered with a loose fitting insulator that seems designed to ward off contact and also give a little protection from the nearby flame. The roaster body is a copper cylinder with an effectively insulated handle on the motor-side and a similar but removable handle on the distal end.That handle is friction joined to the copper cylinder and the fit seems effective to make a secure closure and still allow you to open it at will by lifting the cylinder off the frame with the handles. The beans are loaded and unloaded through that same hole. The frame is an adequate gauge of aluminum, shaped by a press break to provide a cradle for the cylinder axles.The bottom of the frame is pierced with a hole adequate to allow the side burner on my outdoor gas grill to heat the cylinder and to securely support the machine. It seems likely to work with an indoor stove top, too. The motor-side handle includes a spur gear which meshes with the spur gear on the motor which is attached to the aluminum frame. With a little practice, the copper cylinder can be raised or lowered while the motor is running.While raised, the distal handle can be unplugged from the cylinder and the progress of the roast checked periodically.There is no provision for filtering or removing chaff, you need to work that out yourself after you remove the roasted beans from the cylinder. There is no provision for cooling the beans so you should have a heatproof sieve or some other solution worked out ahead of time to keep the beans from continuing to cook after you remove the cylinder from the heat. I am a home roaster, satisfied to roast only for my family.I have used an IRoast2 every few days for three years and enjoyed it, even with its imperfections.I expect that this is going to be a satisfactory replacement when I get proficient with it.When the motor gives out it should not be a big problem to remove the motor and use the remaining product manually.I would recommend this product if you go into it with your eyes open.The competing products I am aware of in this price range are all so poorly reviewed by users that this may be a good alternative.

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Product Description:
The most exciting micro roasting machine for pros and aficionados. The spherical copper drum gets so close the open flame, that it will challenge your senses and artisan skills. Due to the high conductivity of the copper, and the minimal thermal accumulation, this roaster behaves -and feels- like driving a Formula 1 racing car. FZ-RR 700 was designed by our top engineers to deliver an exciting, true, "cult" tool. A must-have collectible item for coffee passionates. Get it now! FZ-RR 700 is available in two versions: manual and motorized (12V).PLEASE WATCH our (home roaster operation) VIDEO before purchasing:youtube.com/watch?v=hiKj041S9Yg

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Krups XP7225 Compact Fully Automatic Espresso Machine Review

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(More customer reviews)We bought this machine from Williams-Sonoma and liked it so much that we stuck with the coffee through four separate units, each of which failed within three weeks for a different reason.My wife and I each drink 2-3 shots of espresso per day, for a total of 6-8 cycles of the machine (including self rinsing): this is within their warranty rate of 10 cycles per day.We use non-greasy beans and reverse-osmosis water, both of which are recommended by the manufacturer.At first I thought we just got unlucky -- every factory makes a few lemons -- but after four machines and four independent failure modes I'm convinced they're just poorly built.

For coffee : 4-5 stars.When they work, these machines are just adjustable enough for us - you can adjust the grind, the water temperature, and the water volume independently to "sight in" your ideal shot.For reliability: -4 stars.I would give this product just a single star, but the titanium fronted one comes with a terrific milk-frothing assembly that makes great, silky foam every time.That alone is worth a second star.

Machine #1: worked for three weeks, then mysteriously failed with an error code "DE" on the screen.Krups support was baffled.

Machine #2: worked for 1.5 weeks, then the burr grinder broke - motor would turn but wouldn't grind coffee.

Machine #3: DOA - on initial plug-in, entered an infinite loop of "calibrating machine" cycles.(I think an internal sensor was jammed).

Machine #4: worked for 3 weeks, then mysteriously started spewing acrid, electrical-insulator smoke.

I suggest a Delonghi Magnifica - they can be found for under $1k and are actually designed to be maintainable - or a semi-auto with built-in burr grinder (Breville makes one).

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Product Description:
Brew cafe-quality coffee drinks right at home with this easy-to-use fully automatic espresso machine. Simply add water and espresso beans, select the type of beverage and amount desired, and press the button--it takes care of the rest. The appliance grinds, brews, and tamps, then dispenses used grounds into a collection container. An oversized digital display and intuitive controls make it effortless to scroll through the on-screen menu and to follow detailed instructions for everything from set-up to brewing perfect espresso. In addition, the unit's commercial-quality built-in conical burr grinder holds up to 28 ounces of whole beans and comes calibrated to three optimal grind levels. Use the pre-ground bypass doser for pre-ground decaffeinated or flavored coffee--a handy feature when entertaining.
For added convenience, the espresso machine's innovative design combines the thermoblock brewing system and hydraulic jack into a single piece, which means an overall smaller build that takes up less space on the countertop. In fact, it's 30- to 50-percent smaller than most fully automatics available. The completely redesigned thermoblock comes cast in aluminum with stainless-steel tubing for precise control of the water and temperature and optimal heat transfer while reducing scaling and build-up of mineral deposits. Other highlights include a 64-ounce water tank, hot water on demand, and a steam function for cappuccinos and lattes. The 1450-watt espresso machine measures 12-1/2 by 9-1/2 by 14-1/4 inches and carries a one-year warranty.

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Jura-Capresso 13289 Impressa S7 Avantgarde Automatic Coffee and Espresso Center Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Not sure if the first reviewer is misdirecting his dissatisfaction. Sounds like the spending of the vacation money was the real problem. Because this machine is perfect, and I have nothing bad to say about it. Other than that it does look a little Spartan, but only in a minor way.

It brews an wonderfull espresso, with thick, golden, foamy crema. It brews it absolutely perfectly, and consistently everytime. Overall the functionality of this machine is superb, and very customizable. Each button can be programmed to YOUR specifications, so easily a monkey could do it. The cup warmer is genious, the clean-up is easier than ANY drip maker I have used/owned. Overall the machine is also very quiet.

The 'Foofy' drinks (as I like to call them) are top notch! My wife prefers the lattes, Chai teas,etc. The frother on this machine has it's own dedicated thermoblock boiler, so there is no lag time, and the froth is excellent. Micro-bubbles as good as any Barista. Water filtering system is great, easy to activate, grinds, tamps beans which is excellent. Also has a chute for already ground coffee, good for Decaf, or flavored.

I guess you could complain about the plastic on the outside, but this does not bother me at all. and frankly seems easier to keep clean, which is a concern since milk etc splatters on the machine when you froth. Also keeps the machine lighter and enables you to move it without breaking your neck.

The ONLY difference between this machine and the S9A is the following:

Exterior look, S7A has black accents, S9A has the same plastic accents, but in silver.

S9A comes with the Frother X-Press, which quite honestly is useless unless you are entertaining and brewing several milk drinks at once. Anyway, frothing in the cup is fun.

The cup warmer on the S9A has stainless tray, whereas the S7A is plastic.

Otherwise, the functionality and insides of the machines is the same. And this is where both of these machines shine, on their functionality. They brew excellent, hot, delicious, rich, coffee in less than 60 seconds. They are tried and true, well-reviewed models.

If you are in the market, don't think twice about a Jura, the quality is fantastic, and end result brew is second to only a Semi-Auto.

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Product Description:
Combining dramatic aesthetics with advanced technology, this fully automatic coffee and espresso center grinds, tamps, brews, and cleans in under 60 seconds--with the simple push of a button. The unit's integrated, professional, solid-steel conical burr grinder offers quiet operation and six fineness settings for any type of bean, while a separate pre-ground funnel accommodates pre-ground coffee, which is great for making decaf or flavored coffee drinks when entertaining. A two-step pre-infusion cycle moistens and conditions the ground coffee for maximum flavor extraction with perfect crema topping. The machine features an 18-bar power pump with a dual 1250-watt stainless-steel lined ThermoBlock heating system where water and coffee never come in contact with aluminum, along with two frothers, the Dual Frother Plus and the frothXpress PLUS system, which allow for completely automated or manually controlled steaming and frothing.
Behind the door is a rotary dial with a black button, which allows for controlling any of the 15 functions, like water hardness, rinse, temperature, coffee strength, and steam. The machine provides four one-touch individually programmable beverage buttons, all with an override option for temperature, strength, and cup-size while brewing, along with an a la carte button for creating individualized cup size and strength just before brewing. For added convenience, its two-line LED display dialog system gives short, simple instructions like "select product", "fill water", and "clean unit". Selecting from "continuous-on" or "auto-off" from 1/2-hour to 15 hours in 1-hour increments makes sure the machine stays on as long as needed.
Other useful features include a 96-ounce removable water tank, a 10-ounce bean container, a height-adjustable coffee spout, a separate hot water spout for tea or hot chocolate, and a five-level water-hardness selector. In addition, its Clearyl water-care system removes chlorine, lead, aluminum, and copper for better tasting coffee, and an electronic water-level sensor ensures the machine never operates without water. Designed in matte-black housing with silver-metallic accents and a chrome-plated coffee spout, the coffee and espresso machine makes for a beautiful addition to any home or small office. The unit measures 15-3/4 by 14-3/4 by 13-3/4 inches and carries a one-year limited warranty.

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