Good weight for its size Can produce good shots at times Heats quickly Produces good steam Easy to steam milk with the wand Deep drip tray
Negative Product Points
Small tank (have to refill it all the time) Can be messy at times Small size Steep learning curve
Detailed Commentary
I saw this machine at a goodwill store and I wanted it. My friend bought it for my birthday and I have been enjoying it ever since. I really like the quality upgrade that I got from the last espresso machine that I had. I never thought that a pump machine could be that much of an upgrade from a steam machine, until I owned this one. The learning curve on this machine was a lot steeper than the Mr. Coffee that I had. That machine was very basic and there was not much you could do to make the shots better or worse. They turned out mediocre, while this machine has more variables that could go wrong if not done with care. I had to get used to those and I am getting used to them as I go along. I also have to get used to the mess that this machine leaves. There is more cleanup than I had with the last machine. While the size of the machine is good for my small coffee bar, it makes it hard when you are entertaining and need to make more than one drink. I would like a bigger machine in the future, however, I have gotten used to this, and I do not want to spend the money right now on a bigger machine.
On the positive side, I have become a better home barista with this machine. It has inspired me to set up a separate coffee bar in my apartment. I have had really good luck learning this machine, and I have gotten inspired to make different coffees and also drinking espresso, which I did not do too often with the Mr. Coffee. I have gotten better at frothing and steaming milk for my lattes and mochas. I really feel more like a barista at the coffee house and I really like the fact that I can save so much money making better coffee at home myself.
Overall, I think this is a good step up for a very amateur barista, but I would like to step up to a Rancilio Silvia with a Rocky grinder at some point.
