This was my first machine, and as a newbie, I took to it with much enthusiasm, and after a good deal of practice, it performed admirably. But after only 3 months, I'm convinced that I brewed every last bit of potential out of it, and its time to move on. The most obvious flaw of this machine is its inability to make double shots. It only comes with a single shot filter basket (the box only says that the machine is "ideal for one cup of espresso at a time" but does not specify that you can't make double shots), and apparently Krups doesn't even make a double shot basket that is compatible with this portafilter model. By the time you rinse and reload, the turnaround time to brew another shot is too great, so forget about a double shot. The best you can do is pull a long single, and this severely affects the quality of the shot. Also, this machine is very fussy. The grinds and the tamp have to be just right to pull anywhere close to a proper shot. If the grinds just a little to course or not tamped firmly enough, then the shot pulls extremely fast, about 12-15 seconds, compared with the ideal 23-27 seconds. If the grinds are too fine and/or tamped to tightly, then then it gets clogged and just dribbles out with no crema. There is very little margin for error. And if you aren't using freshly roasted, freshly ground beans, then don't even bother. You will get a strong, bitter shot of coffee with no crema. But if the stars align and everything is just right, you can get a fairly decent shot out of this little machine. Even with a blade grinder, I've gotten some decent results, and with a Innova i2 on the way, this should improve things dramatically. Still, as far as pulling quality shots, this machine is quite limited in what it is capable of. The steam function actually performs quite well, if you use the proper technique. If you don't know what you're doing, you'll get a giant-bubbled foamy mess, as this wand offers no help. But if you read up and practice your techniqe, this machine is capable of frothing some surprisingly good microfoam. The main problem is that the wand is too short. Unless you have a very small pitcher, you'll have to use way more milk than you need (especially since you'll only be pouring it over a single shot) just to get the surface level up high enough to immerse the tip of the wand. Also, the placement is a bit cramped and awkward. It is able to switch from brew to steam functions and back very quickly, which is nice. I'm not sure what kind of metal the portafilter is made from, but it looks to be on the cheapish side. Overall, there's a lot of plastic on this machine, and nothing about it feels very sturdy or substantial. Then again, for under $100, what do you expect? While this machine packs a lot in for its sub-$100 price, it simply doesn't match up against the "real" machines. Its fine for home use, especially if you're on a major budget, or if you think you'll never be more than a recreational espresso drinker. In fact I'd say this is probably the best machine in the "ultra-cheap" class, especially if you can find it in the $60-$80 range. But if you're even remotely serious about your espresso or developing your barista skills, then I'd say look elsewhere and spend the extra money on something more substantial. |
