roastedbeans Senior Member Joined: 2 May 2004 Posts: 22 Location: NJ Expertise: I love coffee
Posted Sun May 2, 2004, 11:06am Subject: Kitchen Aid Espresso Machine
Hello All,
I am nerw to this forum....I have enjoyed the site for quite some time so I figured I'd better join...
The KRUPS is dying and now I am ready for the major league...Looked at a KITCHEN AID machine today and I must say that I was impressed. As I have been a loyal consumer of this companies products, I would like to remain so with this purchase. What I need is to fine out if there are reviews here or anywhere on this site. I did a search and came up w/nothing.
This machine seem to be built well. But what I am looking for is the in depth review. Parts used/type/temps...You know, the standard grade A job done by those on this site. Any reviews or direction would be appreciated...
barjohn Senior Member Joined: 1 May 2004 Posts: 135 Location: Riverside, CA Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: La Spaziale S1 Vivaldi Grinder: Mazer Mini Electronic
Posted Sun May 2, 2004, 11:55am Subject: Re: Kitchen Aid Espresso Machine
I had one briefly before I returned it. As you have probably seen on this site, the brew boiler is 100ml or 3.4oz. This is a little on the small side. The steam boiler appears to be even smaller. Normal dual boiler setups have a larger steam boiler than brew boiler but Kitchen Aid has reversed. To froth milk you must use their plastic attachment. It does not produce true microfoam. Seems will made and does have a three way valve. The other thing is that even though the portafiler is a 58mm it is not a standard unit. Neither the LM nor the Expobar fileters would go into the group. Therefore, you must use their portafilter only. Produced decent shot with Illy pods, never got to try with ground as I didn't have my grinder yet. Perhaps someone else here can add more. It seems it is difficult to get much technical info on the unit. I think it has aluminum boilers too. Made by a good company and has an outstnading warranty that other companies would do well to copy. WS has an excellent return policy with no hassles so you can always give it a try for yourself. I would love to hear what others think that have more knowledge and experience.
Posted Sun May 2, 2004, 3:11pm Subject: Re: Kitchen Aid Espresso Machine
From the other thread about this machine, it seems as though the fact that it's a dual boiler & the 3 way are really the only good points. I have not seen it or used it, but things that will frighten me a way are:
$800 price tag
Aluminum Boilers (may corrode over time--see Gaggia posts)
Small boiler size
Proprietary PF Type
For the money, actually for less, you could get a decent Expobar with a Brass boiler (or maybe copper?), heat-exchanger, and E-61 type group, allowing you to use LM professional portafilters. The Expobar will allow you to steam & brew simultaneously, which is really the only benefit to the Kitchenaid over any of the significantly less expensive Gaggias (Coffee, Tebe, Classic, or Baby).
If you do have the kitchenaid, I think if you can get extra Gaggia PFs, but as I haven't seen or used it yet, definitely do your homework first. The other thread mentioned that the machine is actually manufactured by Gaggia, which explains the aluminum boilers. Personally, I stayed away from their $400 machines and went for Silvia just due to the PF issue and the boiler material. If I were "moving up" to the $800 pricerange, I'd be looking for a next-to-new Isomac or a good Expobar/Marcuzzi.
fbrick Senior Member Joined: 8 Aug 2004 Posts: 13 Location: San Diego, CA Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Elektra Micro Casa Leva Grinder: La Cimbali Junior
Posted Sun Aug 8, 2004, 5:55am Subject: Re: Kitchen Aid Espresso Machine
I just recently bought the Kitchen-Aid machine. It's a very good looking machine in my opinion. After talking to William-Sonoma confirmed that the machine is definitely manufactured by Gaggia for Kitchen-Aid.
After opening the machine, I looked on Sweet Maria's site with the description and pictures of the parts in a Gaggia Classic. The KA unit has the same pump as the classic, which pumps water into two aluminum boilers instead of one. In short, it's a Gaggia Classic with two boilers, so there is zero wait time, and two independent heating systems. It has the exact same steam wand and the Gaggia style PF, and brew group.
I bought the machine mainly because I had some credit at WS and it appeared to be the best alternative in their stock, after trying and returning a Capresso E8. I realized I wanted a semi-auto, and the only other options were X1, and La Pavoni manual, which was tempting, but after reading up realized the semi-auto was preferable for the long term.
I've only pulled a few shots with mixed results, but I don't have a grinder yet, so I can only play with the tamp. I plan to pick up a good grinder, probably a mini, and then give it a try. I'll post a review after I give it a fair shake.
So far first impressions after reading all the reviews on the Classic, I already have the steam wand leakage that folks talk about.
aeroplane Senior Member Joined: 1 May 2004 Posts: 228 Location: Colorado Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: La Spaziale S1 v2 Grinder: Rancilio Rocky Drip: Bodum French press Roaster: FreshRoast w/modified switch
Posted Sun Aug 8, 2004, 6:36am Subject: Re: Kitchen Aid Espresso Machine
Click HERE for a thread from this list about the Kithcen Aid machine. The general consensus seemed to be that they have a very good idea with rather poor execution. However the manual is incredibly good...
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