Functional: Steam control via lever. Steamer for milk is independent of coffee, allowing additional steamed milk w/o having to run another coffee shot. Taste: Long learning curved until coffee shows up with the golden cream on top
Negative Product Points
Burns if touched. Precision needed to add water w/o spilling. Filter does not stay on holder to ease removal. Black base began to corrode from run-off from steamer. Steamer o-rings needed replacement after 1yr continuos use.
Detailed Commentary
Grind must be right to get good crema. Still experimenting, best result so far with ground Lavazza "Expresso Famiglia". Still looking for a suitable burr grinder. Cost $500/$900. In Italy get it tax exempt 110V at airport or find USA deal. The base holder started to corrode from the runoff of the steam wand. One of the 2 o-rings that keep the pressure in the steam wand broke after 1y use. Been using it with 1 oring only so far. Need to find suitable replacement. Water level indicator stopped rising in time with the water addition...found hard water salt accumulation on the inside of the unit base (lack of cleaning). Started rinsing it with diluted vinegar to dissolve the salt.
Buying Experience
No comment
Three Month Followup
Still using Lavazza ground coffee. The single shot holder is narrower than most common tampers, so I've been using the wider double shot holder until I get another tamper.
