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This machine lists for $200, and can be found discount for $150. I got a great deal on a machine that was new but out of box, it was missing the water tank. I had no problem ordering direct from Cuisinart. Beware of vendors and suggest you order from Cuisinart. The parts price was very reasonable. Now to the espresso making. I have been homemaking espresso for 5 years. This is my second machine. My first CapressoBAR 351 was good but wore it out. I am very impressed with this unit. I was confused about the PORTAFILTER (the basket that you put coffee in and insert into the handle and lock into the machine). The Cuisinart uses a PRESSURE PORTAFILTER. It has a double layer. The inside bottom has many holes, and the bottom outside has ONE TINY HOLE. That was strange to me. ONE TINY PIN HOLE SIZE FOR ALL THE COFFEE TO COME OUT. There is a small space between the double bottom. It is sealed so you can't access that void. I thought for this to work would be impossible, but works it does. Most espresso machine PORTAFILTER'S are just a single layer, with many small holes going through from inside to outside the portafilter. Not sure about why they do this (I read a few reasons but not important), but this machine can push a double shot through firmly packed fine ground espresso coffee in 30 secs with great "Crema" (brown foam mark of goodness). Pressurized portafilter is not new, just new to me. Cleaning has not been an issue but worry the portafilter holes will get clogged and hard to clean? So far so great. I think regular weekly soaking in hot water with liquid automatic gel dish washing soap will help it say clean. Making espresso is a joy. It takes a little over 2 mins to warm up. I always run some water through the empty portafilter to heat it and heat the handle. Recovery for a 2nd shot is very fast. Grinding is more critical with this machine than my last. It takes a very fine grind. The experts recommend a BURR GRINDER (not a blade type). Consistency and even fine grind is key. I had to make due with a blade grinder for a bit. A burr grinder got me more flavor and better extraction. (Capresso Infinity or manual hand grinder) Because the PORTAFILTER is a PRESSURIZED TYPE, you have to tamp it down firmly with the supplied plastic TAMP tool, but recommend getting a good metal one. You really have to press down (20-30lbs). Also leave about 3/16" to 1/4" from the top. If you don't tamp coffee well, it will sneeze into the machine, make a mess. ALSO after you make your shot (you have to manually turn it on and off to start and stop the shot), wait about 15 to 20 secs before removing the filter for cleaning, to make sure its not still pressurized. You can hear the machine after the shot, it purges itself, so wait at least that long. I LOVE IT, no real problem. I have only had it for a month. YOU DO HAVE TO REMEMBER TO TURN IT OFF AFTER USE. Besides my getting use to the Pressurized Portafilter and its possible cleaning issues down the road, I look forward to using for a long time. IT COMES WITH A 3 YEAR WARRANTY. I was pleased with the customer support so far getting the part. For the sale price of $150 it's well worth it, even at $200 retail it's a good deal. They have been around long enough, with a good following, so you can expect to enjoy this semi auto pump machine for a long time. LOVE THE LOOKS FAST ESPRESSO DOUBLE SHOTS (30 secs which is ideal) THE PRESSURE PORTAFILTER WAS NEW AND ODD TO ME BUT WORKS GREATRead full review
Coffee never tasted so good before this machine. I had the steam version. This machine is a pump version, so naturally it vibrates and makes noise more than the old steam version. At first it caught me by surprise even so I had read about these types. Turns out that the initial rinse cycle was specially noisy, or maybe I've got used to it. Anyway, the taste alone is worth the price and noise. It comes with different size cups and the handle locks in nicely for that perfect crema. The frothing wand also rotates and lets you makes nice texture. The wand, as suggested by others, is too low so at times it's hard to get that cup under it. Although the cup that comes with the machine fits perfectly under it. Overall I give this machine a very good rating. Since there's no 'Very Good', I'll have to go with 'Good' as the excellent would be for a machine that's a little more quiet, has programmable dispensing and other bells and whistles. However, this machine is worth every penny. I paid $200 for it, by the way.Read full review
The espresso at first didn't seem at the correct temperature. I need to cycle a little water through without any coffee first to get it going, and only after is the espresso near correct temperature. I also need to sometimes push the water reservoir down with my hand otherwise the pump will not suck the water through and nothing will happen. Also, machine is very loud. I don't ever really use the steaming wand because it takes too long to get going. I write this review hoping the folks at Cuisinart will read it and realize these are simple fixes, and hopefully put out a better product next time around. It lacks consistency because some days it is really good, but others, just average, and it's never as good as my s-bux, despite using fresh S-bux espresso. However despite all this, the overall convenience of making my own espresso in the morning is worth the $80 I spent for the machine. I'm very happy for a first espresso machine and will be upgrading at some point soon.Read full review
This is the second EM-100 I've purchased. I went out of my way to look specifically for this brand and model since I liked the first one so much. My first was purchased over 5 years ago - used - and it lasted much much longer than I expected. I am thrilled with my second one as well. It does not take a lot of counter space for the job it does. It is simple to use and brews perfect espresso and froths milk like a charm. My only tip for use is to heat your milk some before frothing just to reduce the time spent on that step. It probably wouldn't matter if we weren't frothing nearly 2 cups of milk, though. I think you can't go wrong with this machine.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: New
This is a replacement for a Compressa espresso machine I've had for a half dozen years, and I think this is better quality for this price range. It is more solidly made and turns out a decent shot with a modest amount of crema. I is stainless (not plastic) so looks good on the counter, and easy to keep clean. The top is also a warmer for cups, a nice touch, but it take several minutes to slightly warm a cup, so if this is your first desperate shot of the day, just warm your cup under the hot water faucet. The water reservoir is convenient to fill. The control is manual to make espresso (clockwise), or steam or hotwater (counterclockwise), so you have to stand there. I miss the programable automatic control on the old Compressa, but this is only a minor detraction. This was purchased based on others' positive reveiws. It's not quite all that I had hoped for, but it's a good machine that will be making my morning espresso and Americano for the next few years.Read full review
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