This is a good machine for the casual user but should be overlooked if you want a great espresso.
Positive Product Points
Great Finish on this unit. It looks great and fits in with the modern kitchen well. Short time to heat up block. Steams very well. Great water capacity.
Negative Product Points
Not pleased with the pour. The machine vibrates like hell and will "walk" the cups off the tray if you do not hold them. This is a great machine for making my wifes' lattes but dissapoints on the espresso.
Detailed Commentary
The pour is inconsistant with this machine. It may be my technique but I have been testing out different tamping and timing on the pour with less than desirabe results. I notice that when you pour your shot and turn off the water after about 7 seconds the machine drops some more water in the basket causing a bit of water to fall into the shot. This machine is 100% better than the 2 different crappy Krups machines I had last. They should also add a feature where the machine will dispense the right amount of water with the press of a button insted of requiring the user to stop the pour each time. One button for a single shot and another for two shots. The vibration issue is troubling too, as if you do not hold the cups the machine will walk them off the tray. This causes difficulty when trying to turn off the pour.
Buying Experience
Great! Bought at Bed Bath and Beyond with a 20% coupon. No one in the sore knew a thing about it but I had a great experience with the purchase.
Three Month Followup
I had to replace the unit because of the vibration. Called Breville and they verified that there was a problem with the unit and told me to take it back to the store. I did and they (Bed Bath and Beyond) exchanged it with no trouble at all.
One Year Followup
It took a while to figure out the machine but it does pour a great shot of espresso. You have to have the right grind and fill the portafilter just right with the just right tamping as well. What an art. I do love the machine I just wish there was a bit more room between the portafilter and the tray for a normal size cup.
