*We just retired a 10 year old Keurig, similar to the new one **MyBest.Kitchen** the old one had a LCD display, but this new one seems like it is a little better as far as features. Turn it on, load it up, press the button and wait for the cup to fill. Much quieter than the old one. The amount*
You saved me with the cap on the reservoir! The machine wasn’t priming properly it was sputtering and acting wack. I took that plug off and she purrs like a kitten. Thanks Nerd
Thank you for this review. It was very well done and very informitive. I have been considering buying this machine so it nice to see the inside and outside working of it first hand. I encourage you to make more for other machines if you are able!
Very nice review . Good deal at this price .About the leaking its because after the steaming process the machine send all the extra steam with pressure at the left corner of the tray .If the tray removed you can see a white gasket at the left up corner. By adding a small elastic tube about 1cm into the gasket hole solve the problem and all the water run into the tray .About to warm the portafilter ,the only way is to run water before adding coffee and also warm your cup. This machine has no boiler it has thermoblock something like heat on demand. Also at the group head the place where the portafilter locks is made by teflon or some kind of plastic. So there is no metal to metal contact to transfer the heating from group to portafilter .
Had mine for about 3 months and it has been very good. Wasn't aware of the little cleaning needles on that red thing so learned something new. Been using Lavassa Expresso and it tastes great.
I discovered that when I am putting the portafilter on, the brew group needs to be perfectly level. If it is not level, it is really hard to seat it correctly, and it won’t lock. My first couple of times, I had put it in on a slight angle, and I got coffee grounds all over my new machine. Once I mastered putting it on correctly, I got a beautiful shot. It was delish!
Mine went in fine from the first try, maybe yours needed a little convincing 😂 But jokes aside it might be that you where overfilling your basket, how many grams did you put in? Because I believe to avoid any issues this portafilter is recommended for 18g of coffee.
@@coffeenerd3778 I have the same experience: I don't weigh, but if I fill to brim, then it's very hard to turn. It's very smooth of its filled to half cm below brim.
@Coffee Nerd, an answer for the spillage when filling the portafilter is a dosing ring, maybe. They make 'em for 58mm baskets, and it basically just extends the lip of the portafilter up about 1/2 of an inch. It could solve the problem! Anyway, thanks for the video. Might pick this machine up, my old Krups is tired.
kathlud1 did you get the one with the grinder? Mine came today and it’s definitely an upgrade from my cuisinart EM-100. Quieter, better tasting shots (after about 2 hours of learning how to dial it in) and I can get much better milk texture. I’m not a barista but I love coffee and I think this machine is a good next step for me. What don’t you like about yours? Are you used to real espresso machines?
I tried ordering the unpressurized filter baskets on Calphalon's support form but was told they aren't available. After a bit of research it seems this same machine is also sold as the Sunbeam Mini Barista EM4300 in Australia. Then I was able to source the parts from an Australian ebay seller. My machine which I bought "open box" as-is turns out has a water leaking issue when priming before its first use. In fact the water heading for the portafilter all leaked out the bottom of the machine making it useless. The cause of this I found out after taking it apart and I saw that the plastic overpressure valve had cracked and was obviously defective. The exact part I was unable to find despite my efforts so I ended up substituting a similar replacement part from Delonghi. Finally everything is working now even better than new.
@@foxfire1112 Links for each size of unpressurized filter basket: "Sunbeam Single Floor 2 Cup Filter" - www.ewingelectrical.com.au/product-page/sunbeam-em5300-em6910-em7000-em7100-pu8000-single-floor-2-cup-filter-em69108 "Sunbeam Single Floor 1 Cup Filter" - www.ewingelectrical.com.au/product-page/sunbeam-em6910-em7000-em7100-pu8000-single-floor-1-cup-filter-em69107
I just ordered this machine and Im awaiting delivery next week, but it will be my 1st and Im confused about 2 things in this video. Is he saying that he'd like to replace the portafilter bc its aluminum and bc the handle may have issues in the future, or is it bc it doesnt hold non-pressurized baskets? This leads to my second question: how/why are non-pressurized baskets better, and what does single/double walled mean? And if it is best to get a different SS portafilter AND non-pressurized baskets, what would be the best replacements for these components that youve learned of in the past months? Thanks for your help!
I don't know why everyone rags on aluminum. Al is a superb heat conductor and yes your concern that it won't hold heat well is correct, but the converse of that is that it will heat up much quicker than steel. That's a well known in cookware and can be used to advantage if one is aware of that as a pro rather than con. In the case of espresso I think I'd be happy the basket heats fast and can transfer it to the filter fast.
i dont mean to be so offtopic but does anybody know of a way to get back into an Instagram account? I stupidly lost my account password. I would love any help you can give me.
@Nixon Uriel i really appreciate your reply. I got to the site through google and I'm waiting for the hacking stuff atm. I see it takes a while so I will reply here later with my results.
Great job demonstrating/reviewing the Calphalon machine. I just got it and have watched this video a couple of times. Who is that 1 person that disliked the video? Must be a mistake.
So I've been using it couple of times a day for the last month, and I think it does a very good job. One thing I noticed is that there is some water in the floor of the machine outside of the bottom container that needs to be wiped off every so often. I know it's not water overflowing from the waste water collector or something. Seems to be condensation. Do you see the same thing, or is my machine defective some way?
Wow thanks for this review! As an Amazon prime member I reduced this machine to like $310 only and I see that it’s a great bang for my buck, but I wanted to make sure I was ready to buy this. I’ve never had an espresso machine and this seems to be a great start! Thanks for this review though km ready to buy it!
You can get a barista express for 450usd or so if you keep an eye on sales. Those machines are reliable and known. We had 4-5 of those at work servicing more than a hundred folks and they just ran and ran with not much care. Well, I was the one who ran the cleaning cycles for ours. The point is it comes with 4 baskets, 2 pressurized, 2 single walled so it is good to go out of the box.
I just ordered this machine and Im awaiting delivery next week, but it will be my 1st and Im confused about 2 things in this video. Is he saying that he'd like to replace the portafilter bc its aluminum and bc the handle may have issues in the future, or is it bc it doesnt hold non-pressurized baskets? This leads to my second question: how/why are non-pressurized baskets better, and what does single/double walled mean? And if it is best to get a different SS portafilter AND non-pressurized baskets, what would be the best replacements for these components that youve learned of in the past months? Thanks for your help!
Glad I could help! I believe the Nespresso citiz does coffee pods, I recommend avoiding them, less hassle but you sacrifice quality, plus they come out costing more money than fresh coffee.
How is the taste when compared to the Bambino? Same coffee, ratio, etc. Also, were you able to get a decent portafilter and non-pressurized baskets that fit this machine?
Great review, one important point I may have missed. How many grams of coffee were you able to get in the portafilter and what was your output? I saw that you used the scale, but I did not see a reading. I just got this machine and I love it, but I'm having trouble reconciling weight of coffee in/out with anything like a 40 g output. I'm getting almost twice that much with a double shot, and can't squeeze more than 18g of coffee into the filter. Thanks!
I have just done a small bit of research and found that Costco sells the one with the grinder for $400. For an extra $100, assuming that it works well, it could be a good deal to get with the grinder!
Really good review, thank you. I tapped out after you said the handle part is made out of toxic aluminum. I don't need dementia thank you. I am in the market. Is there a good machine that you can recommend or is this still your top pick under $500? Many say to get a machine vs. an appliance. Machines can be repaired.
Pardon the silly question but I noticed you selected 1 shot vs 2 shot yet you used18 gms for your cappuccino. Did you manually set it for more water?. What were you looking to receive in output for your shot? I thought the goal was for 25-30 seconds for 11/2 ounces. Thank you for your review
Hi, thanks for the review! I am considering buying this machine. It looks like they sell a 3 tab portafilter on AliExpress. Have you been able to find a replacement portafilter that will fit?
When you are pouring a shot how long should you let the excess coffee drip into the cup before removing it? There seems to be excess coffee/water that runs into the cup after the initial espresso pull that ruins the crema.
I added Breville non-pressurized 58mm (single & Double) basket to the portafilter but I'm unable to get the portafilter to the center lock position.. how important it is to have a center lock position for portafilter as the manual says its the ideal position for the espresso. Thanks for the video
Some people have been commenting that calphalon sells a non pressurized portafilter if you contact them, so I would recommend getting that one instead of the breville one. As I later realized it doesn't fit to well.
I just ordered this machine and Im awaiting delivery next week, but it will be my 1st and Im confused about 2 things in this video. Is he saying that he'd like to replace the portafilter bc its aluminum and bc the handle may have issues in the future, or is it bc it doesnt hold non-pressurized baskets? This leads to my second question: how/why are non-pressurized baskets better, and what does single/double walled mean? And if it is best to get a different SS portafilter AND non-pressurized baskets, what would be the best replacements for these components that youve learned of in the past months? Thanks for your help!
Just got mine for Christmas. I have yet to make my first cup of espresso, but I have primed my machine. The issue is that the portafilter is extremely hard to seat properly. In fact I'm afraid to force it to the point where the handle is pointing straight out from the machine. Thoughts?
With this machine it takes a decent effort to slide it in a quarter of the way, but after you get it to that point its easy to slide the rest of the way.
Well done review. For me, the plastic in the portafilter might be a dealbreaker. Don’t like the idea of regularly ingesting hot liquids that have been ran over plastic. Plus, it’s not upgradable and you’re limited to pressurized. Bummer.
This is ment for home use only, and if you read the warranty it specifically mentions how it will not cover any damages due to commercial use. I don't think this machine would last long if you were doing over over 10 cups each day. Commercial machines usually start around $1,000, they are specifically built to be able to handle extreme workloads and the warranty is geared towards commercial use.
From the very first prep, my machine is leaking from underneath the water reservoir. I removed the red cap as instructed, at the reservoir base. I checked all of the gaskets. As soon as I press on and it begins to heat, water runs out of the bottom. Not just a drip, but cups full. Any ideas what I can try?
@@coffeenerd3778 just saw this comment after I wrote another one about a similar problem with mine. I think is see a milder case of this water collection below the water collector and it seems to be coming from under the main Reservoir / behind where it says 'Accessories'. I guess I'll have to contact the manufacturer. @Lindsey, were you able to figure out the cause/solution for the leak?
I would recommend the Baratza Sette 30 Conical Burr Grinder - amzn.to/2W7nF5i It is on the pricier side, but the quality of flavor and texture is very notable in my espresso.
Has anyone found a replacement portafilter for this machine yet? I’m curious to see if there are any third party replacements for the portafilter and the steam wand tip
Hey man - great review, very insightful! If you see this comment, any update on how it's held up since you originally posted? Thinking of picking up a discounted one of these machines via Amazon Warehouse since I love brewing pour-overs at home but sometimes I just want a shot of espresso haha
Yes I have, I ordered it from Breville, but it ended being tight, it worked for a week, but then I started noticing the new basket scraping off the portafilter seal, which in turn attributed to leaking. So if your fine with using the machine with just pressurized filters it will serve you well, or you need to find a single walled basket that would better fit this machine.
@@s.sanchez5245 Yeah I later found out that apparently they produce single walled baskets for the bigger machine in there line up. It's good to know that you can buy them separately.
@@coffeenerd3778 I just ordered this machine and Im awaiting delivery next week, but it will be my 1st and Im confused about 2 things in this video you posted. Are you saying that you'd like to replace the portafilter bc its aluminum and bc the handle may have issues in the future, or is it bc it doesnt hold non-pressurized baskets? This leads to my second question: how/why are non-pressurized baskets better, and what does single/double walled mean? And if it is best to get a different SS portafilter AND non-pressurized baskets, what would be the best replacements for these components that youve learned of in the past year? Thanks for your help!
Oh yeah! This would be a definite upgrade, but you need to keep in mind it would require more manual operation compared to your Mrcoffee, but there are a tone of videos out there and plus it comes with a manual, so a little practice and effort should get you great results.
@@coffeenerd3778 thanks for the reply! I've had the Calphalon for about a week now. Its really great! I just need to get myself a decent grinder because you could really taste the different from 1 day old pre grounds and 1 week. Im really enjoying practicing my frothing now lol
@@dowblab That's awesome, I'm glad you are enjoying your machine. If you have the money to spare I would recommend the Baratza Sette 30 Conical Burr Grinder - amzn.to/2W7nF5i I have purchased it myself and it has been a noticeable flavor upgrade.
@@coffeenerd3778 I've seen that model. Do you think it's better than the Encore? I see a lot of people using the Encore for espresso but and equal number saying it isn't that consistent for it
@@dowblab If you're going to be using the pressurized filters then an encore will suffice, however if you want a more consistent grind then the sette 30 will better suit your needs, it also gives more precise grind adjustment. The price difference exists but the last time I check it was a $50 difference, it might be different now though.
I have the exact same coffee machine and I have been having problem with steaming sometimes as it stops and just shows blinking light. Have you encountered that problem?
No I haven't, but as I mentioned in the video make sure to tighten the end of the steam wand, because when mine arrived it was a little loose and that can contribute to weak steam pressure.
I ordered a basket from Breville, but it ended being tight, it worked for a week, but then I started noticing the new basket scraping off the portafilter seal, which in turn attributed to leaking. So if your fine with using the machine with just pressurized filters it will serve you well, or you need to find a single walled basket that would better fit this machine. However the grinder was an awesome upgrade, I decided to spend a little more money but I wasn't disappointed, it significantly improved the quality and flavor of the espresso. if your interested it was this one >>> Baratza Sette 30 Conical Burr Grinder - amzn.to/2W7nF5i
@@jjordog That's interesting, have you been having problems with leaking after switching to Ranchilio Silva basket? Because I read on some form that the Ranchilio silvia basket is less tight than the breville one and due to that it won't leak.
The serving temperature for espresso (temperature inside the cup) is around 160°F. which is the industry standard, not burning hot but not luke warm either.
The result of the weight on the scale won't be correct if the handle was resting on the other end.... everything needs to be resting on the scale, but if you go by volume of coffee , you get consistent results, no need to be that exact
I bought the small scale like @Coffee Nerd showed in his review and, of course, the weight of the handle wasn't taken into consideration. So, I think, I wasted the $15 for the scale...not a big deal. I'll just eyeball the volume of my coffee too.
I just ordered this machine and Im awaiting delivery next week, but it will be my 1st and Im confused about 2 things in this video. Is he saying that he'd like to replace the portafilter bc its aluminum and bc the handle may have issues in the future, or is it bc it doesnt hold non-pressurized baskets? This leads to my second question: how/why are non-pressurized baskets better, and what does single/double walled mean? And if it is best to get a different SS portafilter AND non-pressurized baskets, what would be the best replacements for these components that youve learned of in the past months? Thanks for your help!
I have a cheap espresso machine and it has a plastic steam wand...sucks! I want a Gaggia, but $450 is too much for me. For just 1 person drinking 4-5 espressos a week, I don't minda $200 pressurized machine.
I can’t even get mine to brew espresso, I followed your instructions but it produced maybe 2 drops each time if I was lucky. I dunno if I have a defective machine but this thing seems like absolute trash.
@@blueeyedboy88 The recommended dose is 18 grams that's about 0.6 fl oz. Any more and you will have to much coffee puck preventing the water getting through.
@@coffeenerd3778 could you show us in another video how much 18 grams should be? I don't have a weight measure and we bought this for our 2md home. I'm spoiled with our Breville at home, so this is a lot to get used too. But my hockey puck is wet when I finish and I have to dig it out with a spoon instead of it falling right out like our Breville. Look forward to your feedback and thank you for the video.
*We just retired a 10 year old Keurig, similar to the new one **MyBest.Kitchen** the old one had a LCD display, but this new one seems like it is a little better as far as features. Turn it on, load it up, press the button and wait for the cup to fill. Much quieter than the old one. The amount*
You saved me with the cap on the reservoir! The machine wasn’t priming properly it was sputtering and acting wack. I took that plug off and she purrs like a kitten. Thanks Nerd
My son gave me this for Christmas and I felt intimidated until I watched your video. Thank you.
Happy to help, Merry Christmas!
Thank you for this review. It was very well done and very informitive. I have been considering buying this machine so it nice to see the inside and outside working of it first hand. I encourage you to make more for other machines if you are able!
Very nice review . Good deal at this price .About the leaking its because after the steaming process the machine send all the extra steam with pressure at the left corner of the tray .If the tray removed you can see a white gasket at the left up corner. By adding a small elastic tube about 1cm into the gasket hole solve the problem and all the water run into the tray .About to warm the portafilter ,the only way is to run water before adding coffee and also warm your cup. This machine has no boiler it has thermoblock something like heat on demand. Also at the group head the place where the portafilter locks is made by teflon or some kind of plastic. So there is no metal to metal contact to transfer the heating from group to portafilter .
Had mine for about 3 months and it has been very good. Wasn't aware of the little cleaning needles on that red thing so learned something new. Been using Lavassa Expresso and it tastes great.
I discovered that when I am putting the portafilter on, the brew group needs to be perfectly level. If it is not level, it is really hard to seat it correctly, and it won’t lock. My first couple of times, I had put it in on a slight angle, and I got coffee grounds all over my new machine. Once I mastered putting it on correctly, I got a beautiful shot. It was delish!
Mine went in fine from the first try, maybe yours needed a little convincing 😂
But jokes aside it might be that you where overfilling your basket, how many grams did you put in? Because I believe to avoid any issues this portafilter is recommended for 18g of coffee.
@@coffeenerd3778 I have the same experience: I don't weigh, but if I fill to brim, then it's very hard to turn. It's very smooth of its filled to half cm below brim.
@@coffeenerd3778 18 grams is the perfect amount of coffee for the portafilter. I get consistently delicious shots every time.
@Coffee Nerd, an answer for the spillage when filling the portafilter is a dosing ring, maybe. They make 'em for 58mm baskets, and it basically just extends the lip of the portafilter up about 1/2 of an inch. It could solve the problem! Anyway, thanks for the video. Might pick this machine up, my old Krups is tired.
Thank you for an actual review of this machine! You are correct the rest of the “reviews” are garbage.
I just ordered the one with grinder. I’ll pop up a video when I get it.
I just got it for xmas and so far it's not all that great. Let me know what you think.
kathlud1 did you get the one with the grinder? Mine came today and it’s definitely an upgrade from my cuisinart EM-100. Quieter, better tasting shots (after about 2 hours of learning how to dial it in) and I can get much better milk texture. I’m not a barista but I love coffee and I think this machine is a good next step for me. What don’t you like about yours? Are you used to real espresso machines?
I tried ordering the unpressurized filter baskets on Calphalon's support form but was told they aren't available. After a bit of research it seems this same machine is also sold as the Sunbeam Mini Barista EM4300 in Australia. Then I was able to source the parts from an Australian ebay seller. My machine which I bought "open box" as-is turns out has a water leaking issue when priming before its first use. In fact the water heading for the portafilter all leaked out the bottom of the machine making it useless. The cause of this I found out after taking it apart and I saw that the plastic overpressure valve had cracked and was obviously defective. The exact part I was unable to find despite my efforts so I ended up substituting a similar replacement part from Delonghi. Finally everything is working now even better than new.
Can you give me any links for the unfiltered basket?
@@foxfire1112 Links for each size of unpressurized filter basket:
"Sunbeam Single Floor 2 Cup Filter" - www.ewingelectrical.com.au/product-page/sunbeam-em5300-em6910-em7000-em7100-pu8000-single-floor-2-cup-filter-em69108
"Sunbeam Single Floor 1 Cup Filter" - www.ewingelectrical.com.au/product-page/sunbeam-em6910-em7000-em7100-pu8000-single-floor-1-cup-filter-em69107
I just ordered this machine and Im awaiting delivery next week, but it will be my 1st and Im confused about 2 things in this video. Is he saying that he'd like to replace the portafilter bc its aluminum and bc the handle may have issues in the future, or is it bc it doesnt hold non-pressurized baskets? This leads to my second question: how/why are non-pressurized baskets better, and what does single/double walled mean? And if it is best to get a different SS portafilter AND non-pressurized baskets, what would be the best replacements for these components that youve learned of in the past months? Thanks for your help!
this machine uses a 58mm portafilter. 3 ear. these are standard size. you have lots of options for baskets etc!
Great looking latte art, classic 😂
😂🤣
Thank you for this thorough review! Just ordered this machine on Prime day, excited to try it out! Will be my first espresso machine!
Just waiting to get paid so I can buy one!! Thank I needed this review GREAT INFORMATION
lol same.
I don't know why everyone rags on aluminum. Al is a superb heat conductor and yes your concern that it won't hold heat well is correct, but the converse of that is that it will heat up much quicker than steel. That's a well known in cookware and can be used to advantage if one is aware of that as a pro rather than con. In the case of espresso I think I'd be happy the basket heats fast and can transfer it to the filter fast.
i dont mean to be so offtopic but does anybody know of a way to get back into an Instagram account?
I stupidly lost my account password. I would love any help you can give me.
@Alijah Curtis Instablaster :)
@Nixon Uriel i really appreciate your reply. I got to the site through google and I'm waiting for the hacking stuff atm.
I see it takes a while so I will reply here later with my results.
@Nixon Uriel It worked and I actually got access to my account again. I'm so happy:D
Thanks so much, you saved my ass :D
@Alijah Curtis glad I could help =)
Nirmon makes a 58mm portafilter with 3 tabs that seems like it may fit. I haven’t tried it yet but its on amazon
Great job demonstrating/reviewing the Calphalon machine. I just got it and have watched this video a couple of times. Who is that 1 person that disliked the video? Must be a mistake.
lol have no idea, some people are just like that. I'm glad you're enjoying the machine, always happy to help!
So I've been using it couple of times a day for the last month, and I think it does a very good job. One thing I noticed is that there is some water in the floor of the machine outside of the bottom container that needs to be wiped off every so often. I know it's not water overflowing from the waste water collector or something. Seems to be condensation. Do you see the same thing, or is my machine defective some way?
Wow thanks for this review! As an Amazon prime member I reduced this machine to like $310 only and I see that it’s a great bang for my buck, but I wanted to make sure I was ready to buy this. I’ve never had an espresso machine and this seems to be a great start! Thanks for this review though km ready to buy it!
You can get a barista express for 450usd or so if you keep an eye on sales. Those machines are reliable and known. We had 4-5 of those at work servicing more than a hundred folks and they just ran and ran with not much care. Well, I was the one who ran the cleaning cycles for ours. The point is it comes with 4 baskets, 2 pressurized, 2 single walled so it is good to go out of the box.
I just ordered this machine and Im awaiting delivery next week, but it will be my 1st and Im confused about 2 things in this video. Is he saying that he'd like to replace the portafilter bc its aluminum and bc the handle may have issues in the future, or is it bc it doesnt hold non-pressurized baskets? This leads to my second question: how/why are non-pressurized baskets better, and what does single/double walled mean? And if it is best to get a different SS portafilter AND non-pressurized baskets, what would be the best replacements for these components that youve learned of in the past months? Thanks for your help!
Awesome Review! So professional and such good video quality unlike the other ones I've seen of this product.
Thank you!
Thank you so much for this review!
Currently debating over some Black Friday options. So far this seems to be the best in its price range. Thank you!
Bought a open box one from re seller for 25 bucks; works fine and had all parts; For that price it was well worth it.
I’ve had mine almost two years and love it! Got it on prime day for a killer deal, too. Any videos on how to clean this one?
Thank you for the video! It is helpful!
I don’t see you have any more video after this one. Hopefully, you are doing OK.
All the best!
this video was amazingly informative, perfect review thank you!
Im glad you found the video helpful.
Thanks for the informative video! I'm debating between this machine and the nespresso citiz...
Glad I could help! I believe the Nespresso citiz does coffee pods, I recommend avoiding them, less hassle but you sacrifice quality, plus they come out costing more money than fresh coffee.
How is the taste when compared to the Bambino? Same coffee, ratio, etc.
Also, were you able to get a decent portafilter and non-pressurized baskets that fit this machine?
Great review, one important point I may have missed. How many grams of coffee were you able to get in the portafilter and what was your output? I saw that you used the scale, but I did not see a reading. I just got this machine and I love it, but I'm having trouble reconciling weight of coffee in/out with anything like a 40 g output. I'm getting almost twice that much with a double shot, and can't squeeze more than 18g of coffee into the filter. Thanks!
Great video! This was very explanatory!
I have just done a small bit of research and found that Costco sells the one with the grinder for $400. For an extra $100, assuming that it works well, it could be a good deal to get with the grinder!
It is 320 at Costco this week with grinder.
I saw that! One day after I had just bought mine 🤦🏼♀️
If you bought it from costco, call them today (last day of promo) they will do a price adjustment.
@@doris224 It was already delivered to me and unpacked. Will they still adjust the price?
Thank you for the video ! I just got mine today and will try it in the morning . 😀☕️
Excellent Video, very detailed, informative and unbiased. Calphalon should offer the Stainless Steel Portafilter option.
thanks for the video.
Can you please do a video on how to clean this specific espresso machine? :-) Pretty please!!
Thanks for the detailed video. Would you recommend this machine or the Beville bambino compact?
Thank you for the great and ONLY real review for this machine. Do you have any recommendations for how to descale?
Really good review, thank you. I tapped out after you said the handle part is made out of toxic aluminum. I don't need dementia thank you. I am in the market. Is there a good machine that you can recommend or is this still your top pick under $500? Many say to get a machine vs. an appliance. Machines can be repaired.
Pardon the silly question but I noticed you selected 1 shot vs 2 shot yet you used18 gms for your cappuccino. Did you manually set it for more water?. What were you looking to receive in output for your shot? I thought the goal was for 25-30 seconds for 11/2 ounces. Thank you for your review
Hi, thanks for the review! I am considering buying this machine. It looks like they sell a 3 tab portafilter on AliExpress. Have you been able to find a replacement portafilter that will fit?
Thanks for the review. Any suggestions on descaling the machine? I have one as well and there is no info for this machine.
whats descaling?
When you are pouring a shot how long should you let the excess coffee drip into the cup before removing it? There seems to be excess coffee/water that runs into the cup after the initial espresso pull that ruins the crema.
Very informative! Thanks for the video!🤗
How is this machine 6 months later? Did you manage to find any upgraded/modified baskets or portafilter?
Great review. When I made my first cup I had a ton of grinds in the cup. Any reccomend Atkins
Hmmm, that shouldn't happen. How much grinds are putting in the portafilter basket?
How is it so far? I’m planning to buy it. Did you recommend it?
Would you recommend this over a Breville Barista Pro (50% more expensive) or a Barista touch (100% more expensive)???
That’s an awesome machine for the price. Do you know if it can also use non-pressurized baskets as well?
I know this reply is late, but yes it can use the single layer, non pressurized filter baskets with this machine.
You can help me with the experience you have had with this espresso machine, I am thinking of buying one, whether you recommend it or not.
Thanks for the review! Between this one and breville bambino - which one is louder?
Same idea or picks I had
I added Breville non-pressurized 58mm (single & Double) basket to the portafilter but I'm unable to get the portafilter to the center lock position.. how important it is to have a center lock position for portafilter as the manual says its the ideal position for the espresso. Thanks for the video
Some people have been commenting that calphalon sells a non pressurized portafilter if you contact them, so I would recommend getting that one instead of the breville one. As I later realized it doesn't fit to well.
I just ordered this machine and Im awaiting delivery next week, but it will be my 1st and Im confused about 2 things in this video. Is he saying that he'd like to replace the portafilter bc its aluminum and bc the handle may have issues in the future, or is it bc it doesnt hold non-pressurized baskets? This leads to my second question: how/why are non-pressurized baskets better, and what does single/double walled mean? And if it is best to get a different SS portafilter AND non-pressurized baskets, what would be the best replacements for these components that youve learned of in the past months? Thanks for your help!
Fir the algorithm brothe
Hi!! Can you upgrade the porta filter?? Did you find a better one?
@Coffee Nerd, my manual doesn’t seem to mention how to set the machine to a manual setting for shot control. Would you be able to elaborate on that?
I would like to see how it does with a non pressurized filter
Great video love the way you did it
Thank You!👍
Just got mine for Christmas. I have yet to make my first cup of espresso, but I have primed my machine. The issue is that the portafilter is extremely hard to seat properly. In fact I'm afraid to force it to the point where the handle is pointing straight out from the machine. Thoughts?
With this machine it takes a decent effort to slide it in a quarter of the way, but after you get it to that point its easy to slide the rest of the way.
Yeah it took me a few tries to get the portafilter in the group head. I had to hold the whole machine down to push it in place.
It will get easier with use! Mine was the same when I first got it - much easier to put in after a couple of months of use :)
Just bought one last week.. deal of day on Amazon 200 bucks.
Got one of these at a thrift store for 5 dollars and for that kind of money it's almost impossible to complain about.
Thank youuuu!!! I needed this review!!!
Well done review. For me, the plastic in the portafilter might be a dealbreaker. Don’t like the idea of regularly ingesting hot liquids that have been ran over plastic. Plus, it’s not upgradable and you’re limited to pressurized. Bummer.
I just ordered this and didn't realize the portafilter is plastic. I also do not like that. I will be returning it as soon as I get it.
Is this good for use in a small bakery/coffee shop? How many cappuccinos per hour can this sustain?
This is ment for home use only, and if you read the warranty it specifically mentions how it will not cover any damages due to commercial use. I don't think this machine would last long if you were doing over over 10 cups each day. Commercial machines usually start around $1,000, they are specifically built to be able to handle extreme workloads and the warranty is geared towards commercial use.
Definitely not. It's plastic...
From the very first prep, my machine is leaking from underneath the water reservoir. I removed the red cap as instructed, at the reservoir base. I checked all of the gaskets. As soon as I press on and it begins to heat, water runs out of the bottom. Not just a drip, but cups full. Any ideas what I can try?
I would recommend returning the machine, you might have received a defective model.
@@coffeenerd3778 just saw this comment after I wrote another one about a similar problem with mine. I think is see a milder case of this water collection below the water collector and it seems to be coming from under the main Reservoir / behind where it says 'Accessories'. I guess I'll have to contact the manufacturer. @Lindsey, were you able to figure out the cause/solution for the leak?
Did you ever find a replacement portafilter?
Can conform the 58 basket fits from breville and well
Which basket fits? I’m looking to upgrade and I see There are a few choices
Which basket fits? I’m looking to upgrade and I see There are a few choices
Does this need a water filter like other coffee and expresso machines?
Thanks, everything is clear
Can you use a larger cup?
Hi, thanks for the video
Which coffee grinder do you recommend?
I would recommend the Baratza Sette 30 Conical Burr Grinder - amzn.to/2W7nF5i
It is on the pricier side, but the quality of flavor and texture is very notable in my espresso.
@@coffeenerd3778 thanks
Hi, Is there a proper way to clean the machine?
This was super helpful! Thank you!
Has anyone found a replacement portafilter for this machine yet? I’m curious to see if there are any third party replacements for the portafilter and the steam wand tip
Hey man - great review, very insightful! If you see this comment, any update on how it's held up since you originally posted? Thinking of picking up a discounted one of these machines via Amazon Warehouse since I love brewing pour-overs at home but sometimes I just want a shot of espresso haha
Have you tried a new basket yet?
Yes I have, I ordered it from Breville, but it ended being tight, it worked for a week, but then I started noticing the new basket scraping off the portafilter seal, which in turn attributed to leaking. So if your fine with using the machine with just pressurized filters it will serve you well, or you need to find a single walled basket that would better fit this machine.
I saw on a forum somebody said they called the company and got sent the single wall filters from the grinder model for ~$15
@@s.sanchez5245 Yeah I later found out that apparently they produce single walled baskets for the bigger machine in there line up. It's good to know that you can buy them separately.
@@coffeenerd3778 I just ordered this machine and Im awaiting delivery next week, but it will be my 1st and Im confused about 2 things in this video you posted. Are you saying that you'd like to replace the portafilter bc its aluminum and bc the handle may have issues in the future, or is it bc it doesnt hold non-pressurized baskets? This leads to my second question: how/why are non-pressurized baskets better, and what does single/double walled mean? And if it is best to get a different SS portafilter AND non-pressurized baskets, what would be the best replacements for these components that youve learned of in the past year? Thanks for your help!
Thanks for the review! I have a MrCoffee One Touch Coffeehousr otw. Do you think this would be a better machine?
Oh yeah! This would be a definite upgrade, but you need to keep in mind it would require more manual operation compared to your Mrcoffee, but there are a tone of videos out there and plus it comes with a manual, so a little practice and effort should get you great results.
@@coffeenerd3778 thanks for the reply! I've had the Calphalon for about a week now. Its really great! I just need to get myself a decent grinder because you could really taste the different from 1 day old pre grounds and 1 week. Im really enjoying practicing my frothing now lol
@@dowblab That's awesome, I'm glad you are enjoying your machine. If you have the money to spare I would recommend the Baratza Sette 30 Conical Burr Grinder - amzn.to/2W7nF5i
I have purchased it myself and it has been a noticeable flavor upgrade.
@@coffeenerd3778 I've seen that model. Do you think it's better than the Encore? I see a lot of people using the Encore for espresso but and equal number saying it isn't that consistent for it
@@dowblab If you're going to be using the pressurized filters then an encore will suffice, however if you want a more consistent grind then the sette 30 will better suit your needs, it also gives more precise grind adjustment. The price difference exists but the last time I check it was a $50 difference, it might be different now though.
Excellent review
I have the exact same coffee machine and I have been having problem with steaming sometimes as it stops and just shows blinking light. Have you encountered that problem?
No I haven't, but as I mentioned in the video make sure to tighten the end of the steam wand, because when mine arrived it was a little loose and that can contribute to weak steam pressure.
@@coffeenerd3778 Common problem just turn off and back to steam position solve the problem
any updates?
Cool review, but i went with the Brim 19 bar cappuccino machine
And? 🤔
Just got mine today...but why did they use plastic for the knob??? Why! It feels cheap when it would cost maybe $1 to use aluminum at least!
Did you ever get the other portafilter? What grinder did you end up getting to go with this machine?
I ordered a basket from Breville, but it ended being tight, it worked for a week, but then I started noticing the new basket scraping off the portafilter seal, which in turn attributed to leaking. So if your fine with using the machine with just pressurized filters it will serve you well, or you need to find a single walled basket that would better fit this machine.
However the grinder was an awesome upgrade, I decided to spend a little more money but I wasn't disappointed, it significantly improved the quality and flavor of the espresso. if your interested it was this one >>> Baratza Sette 30 Conical Burr Grinder - amzn.to/2W7nF5i
@@coffeenerd3778a rancillo basket is working good for me. Still tight tho
@@jjordog That's interesting, have you been having problems with leaking after switching to Ranchilio Silva basket? Because I read on some form that the Ranchilio silvia basket is less tight than the breville one and due to that it won't leak.
@@coffeenerd3778 I haven't had any leaking issues so far, but it's only been a week
How is the espresso? Warm, hot? Decent, not so?
The serving temperature for espresso (temperature inside the cup) is around 160°F. which is the industry standard, not burning hot but not luke warm either.
why did you prematurely turn the knob from 1 shot back to ready?
To stop the pour
Still use it? Update vid? 🍻🍻
So I noticed you don’t like a few things about it. Do you regret buying this one and wish you bought something else?
The result of the weight on the scale won't be correct if the handle was resting on the other end.... everything needs to be resting on the scale, but if you go by volume of coffee , you get consistent results, no need to be that exact
I bought the small scale like @Coffee Nerd showed in his review and, of course, the weight of the handle wasn't taken into consideration. So, I think, I wasted the $15 for the scale...not a big deal. I'll just eyeball the volume of my coffee too.
Dam great looking machine but the pressurized baskets makes it just as good as 100 dollar machine
I just ordered this machine and Im awaiting delivery next week, but it will be my 1st and Im confused about 2 things in this video. Is he saying that he'd like to replace the portafilter bc its aluminum and bc the handle may have issues in the future, or is it bc it doesnt hold non-pressurized baskets? This leads to my second question: how/why are non-pressurized baskets better, and what does single/double walled mean? And if it is best to get a different SS portafilter AND non-pressurized baskets, what would be the best replacements for these components that youve learned of in the past months? Thanks for your help!
I see a moose head in the late art! :D
I’m here because I didn’t remove the red plug… 🙈 I was eager to use hahaha
My machine keeps leaking underneath it.. idk what to do !? 😭😭😭
I removed the red plunge but it still keeps leaking :(
The one I got leaked too and I removed the red plug. Ended up returning it.
I have a cheap espresso machine and it has a plastic steam wand...sucks! I want a Gaggia, but $450 is too much for me. For just 1 person drinking 4-5 espressos a week, I don't minda $200 pressurized machine.
My wand makes so much noise i would never be able to use it in the morning without waking up everyone in the house. I think ill have ti exchange it
I can’t even get mine to brew espresso, I followed your instructions but it produced maybe 2 drops each time if I was lucky. I dunno if I have a defective machine but this thing seems like absolute trash.
How many grams of coffee did you put in the portafilter basket?
@@coffeenerd3778 2 fl.oz
@@blueeyedboy88 The recommended dose is 18 grams that's about 0.6 fl oz. Any more and you will have to much coffee puck preventing the water getting through.
Thanks man
@@coffeenerd3778 could you show us in another video how much 18 grams should be? I don't have a weight measure and we bought this for our 2md home. I'm spoiled with our Breville at home, so this is a lot to get used too. But my hockey puck is wet when I finish and I have to dig it out with a spoon instead of it falling right out like our Breville. Look forward to your feedback and thank you for the video.
ur voice sound like ben shapiro
Can’t imagine why you’d make a 58mm portafilter, only to make it proprietary. Bizarre choice.
Trash coffee = trash espresso
😂😆🤭
That shot didn’t look very nice. Looks best when they look like a little rat tail