SEXY ESPRESSO IS POSSIBLE!! and when i say sexy I mean tasty
Positive Product Points
You can make the portafilter into a bottomless HOLLA!! READ MY DETAILED COMMENTARY =)
Negative Product Points
-Group head is made for Pods. -Portafilter has plastic spouts -Baskets are Pressurized -Cup warmer will take about 3 days to heat a demitasse cup (joke)
.. no 3 way valve no pressure gauge no commercial group head no heavy duty portafilter no heat exchanger no commerical steam power...... LOL IT ONLY COSTS 200 FOR CHRISTS SAKES GIVE THIS MACHINE A BREAK!!
Detailed Commentary
This machine is probably intended for Coffee Geeks who spent there life savings on their grinder and cannot afford to buy a machine over 250.. LOL!
I've read a lot of reviews of this machine, and almost all of them are negative. Let me tell you... don't believe everything you read. Those guys probably were drinking "espresso-style" coffee using pressurized baskets. They probably wern't leveling and tamping correctly either. Probably using old stale starbucks beans too( if not then pods). They probably let the machine heat up for a minute before they brew. And they grinded the nasty beans using a blender. =)
IN ORDER FOR THIS MACHINE TO MAKE SEXY ESPRESSO: Get 53mm unpressurized baskets Get a Rancilio Rocky or Better (Mazzer) Get some fresh beans You better know how to dose, level, and tamp and be consistent Temp surf to get optimum sexy temperature Brew espresso in a preheated cup (use your microwave)
Anyway, to get optimum temperature: I let the machine heat up for awhile (20 min+) [or you can cheat it like Rancilio Silvia] Run water out of the group head switch to steam mode for 15 secs lock the portafilter and brew
******************************************************** Okay lets be serious here. I've had this machine for almost a year now. At first, when I was uneducated, this machine frustrated the hell out of me because I was getting sour espresso and steaming milk for 2 minutes. If KRUPS is hosting barista competitions and giving these machines away as prizes, it should beable to do something right?? Lo and Behold, after much studying from this website and hands on trial and error, I started to love this machine. I only drink espresso, macchiatos, or caps, and this machine is perfect for those. Would I buy this machine again? Probably not. However, like I said before, I made shots from this machine comparable to Nuova Simonelli Program VIP 3 group commercial machine. NO JOKE. I honestly think this machine is a good budget machine to work with. But don't get it twisted-- you will undoubtedly upgrade.
If you just blew your savings buying that sexy grinder and you have no machine to accompany your new love, this machine is for you. If you are pretty serious about getting this machine (until you finish saving up for the La Marzocco Linea 1 group) you can email me at Pe_tah@yahoo.com for any questions.
