Ascaso DR.118 Dream 16-Bar-Pump Espresso Machine, Polished Aluminum Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Our little Ascaso just gave up the ghost, after less than four years of delicious daily cappuccino for my wife and me.We'll miss it.But we haven't decided how to replace it.

This machine was fully manual, which meant getting good coffee out of it was like getting a melody out of a Stradivarius.It took practice and patience.But once dialed in, ahh, the results were splendid.My wife could never get the foam just right, and never learned to give it enough time to cool down after making the foam without scaldingthe coffee.But I found all the right ways to make delicious espresso beverages of all types.

I liked the machine, loved the design, tolerated the price, and the adored the coffee it made, but I can't give it the highest rating.Fairly early on the foam wand started leaking, just a little.Then the seals stopped sealing well which caused un-pressed coffee/water to leak around the brew basket into the cup (a repairable problem.)Then the temperature gauge stopped working - not really a big deal.But the death nail problem was the demise of the heating element.No heat, no coffee, no steam, no nothing.And even Seattle's espresso repair shop can't locate a replacement heating element.

Will I buy another Ascaso, or try a different brand?I don't know yet.Did we get almost four years of good espresso out of a $650 (on sale at Starbucks in 2006) machine?Yep.Should we have gotten more years of service?I'd like to think so.Would my wife prefer to listen to a digital CD player (i.e. use a fully automatic machine) to learning how to play a musical instrument (like the Ascaso)?As long as I'm around to make the coffee, she doesn't care.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Ascaso DR.118 Dream 16-Bar-Pump Espresso Machine, Polished Aluminum

Product Description:
The ASCASO DREAM-a wink to the past and a bet to the future. The "Crown Jewel" in the DREAM range in 100% hand polished aluminum fits in with absolutely any decor. Hand assembled 16 bar pump espresso machine adaptable for use with ground coffee or coffeeservings (ESE).Brass boiler (225cc capacity) and group has external strength (does not run out if the boiler runsout of water) and has two professional brass filter holders (one for ground coffee + one for pods),1.3 liter removable water tank, functional cup warmer, water level indicator, powerful hot water and steam supply(whips milk automatically, constant stem general system with high production), quick warm up time, 900 watts, coffee thermostat at 100oC, steam thermostat at 140oC.Painted aluminum body with polished base. Made in Spain from company with rich 40 year heritage in espresso business means dependability.

Want to read more honest consumer review about Ascaso DR.118 Dream 16-Bar-Pump Espresso Machine, Polished Aluminum now ?