I think this machine is a pain in the rear. You have to choreograph your coffee making, guess how much water you're going to need before you start, and then if you steam your milk first, have to depressurize the system before you can draw the shots. And careful not to take off the espresso head while the system still has a little pressure to it, b/c you'll get a face-full of grounds. IMHO, spend a little more dough and get a system that has a double boiler or has a valve between the steamer and brewer, you'll be a lot less frustrated at 4 in the morning.
"Love all manner of coffee drinks? Then consider this combination machine that allows you to brew coffee in the morning, cappuccino in the afternoon, and espresso after dinner (or the other way around depending on your sleep schedule). In this steam espresso maker, water is heated in a sealed boiling chamber and then released through the brew head for espresso or the steam arm for frothing milk. Once the steam has been exhausted, the machine must be allowed to cool prior to opening the sealed boiling chamber and refilling with water. For this reason steam powered machines are best for those who don't want to brew larger amounts of espresso at one time."
It's simple to use and fairly easy to clean. It makes a good drink. Wanted one because I love coffee drinks and didn't want to run to Starbucks to get one.
The price and size were right (needed a small machine due to limited counter space), but I ended up buying another machine that works better. The coffee maker was fine, but the expresso machine is clunky: hard to remove/insert the grounds holder, you have to insert a plug to cap the grounds holder to redirect the steam through the milk frother - a totally pain. I definitely recommend investing another 100.00 and getting a better machine.
I have been looking for a replacement for many years since my daughter broke the original. A great find.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
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