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Great Espresso Maker
I went from a steam driven espresso machine to this one and the difference is like night and day. I'd highly recommend this machine because one, it doesn't really take all that long to heat the water and two the steam wand works great. I'd recommend getting something to set the machine on though that raises it a bit - it's a little difficult getting the frothing pitcher under the steam wand if you don't. It is a little noisy, but remember it's pump driven and it won't take you more than a few minutes to make a great mocha (my personal favorite). Highly recommended.
[Monday, November 03, 2008]
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Don't expect it to work like a typical coffed maker.
I am in no way an espresso expert but I do enjoy espresso's and cappuccino's from the area cafe's. Hence, the idea for me to purchase my own espresso maker to enjoy making them in the comfort of my own home. Being the person I am, I did my extensive research to make sure I got the best espresso maker for my budget. This DeLonghi had the best reviews overall on Amazon & Macy's, (which is where I bought it on sale). I even found lots of advice, hints, & tips on how to make the perfect espresso and froth. Unfortunately, what I never found mentioned was the bit of complexity there is to making a cup of espresso verses a cup of coffee. Unlike a regular coffee maker where you just add coffee & water, flip a switch and go on with your business until it's ready, an espresso maker, or at least this one, you have to stand there throughout the whole espresso and froth making, flipping knobs during the process. By the time, I got through all that, I was a bit too flustered to enjoy the espresso and certainly didn't need any more of a "jolt". By that time, I needed a calming tea. I'm sure it is a great espresso/cappuccino maker but it is not for the "on the go" coffee person. This one is being returned and I will leave the espresso/cappuccino making to the pros at the cafe's, where I can sit and enjoy it.
[Monday, October 27, 2008]
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Owner for 2 years, only three small problems
We have had this unit for almost two years. It works fine and we agree with most everything said in the other positive reviews. We do have three things that we'd like to comment on. First, the exact grind you select when you grind your beans makes a huge difference in the espresso you get out of the machine - ours is fairly unforgiving of grounds that are either too coarse or too fine. Variation in packing the coffee into the holder doesn't seem to make up for getting the grinding wrong. When we grind at the grocery store, we set it to 'fine espresso', the second finest level after Turkish.
Second, our frothing attachment broke and it was $19 plus shipping to get another one! That was a total rip off, but we needed it...
Third, after two years the frothing wand is leaking more and more during every espresso draw. It is a problem that is growing worse and worse slowly. Like one of the other reviews said, we keep something under the wand to catch the drip. I am not sure what is causing that - maybe hard water?
Anyway, before this maker we had a steam driven unit. Never again - we are sold on the pump.
[Wednesday, October 22, 2008]
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