Average Reviews:
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We started looking for a "portable" coffee/espresso machine about 6 months ago to double in our RV so we didn't have to lug our Capresso around. Even though we loved the style of the CitiZ we opted to try 3 less expensive pod machines which were immediately returned because either the machine leaked, the coffee wasn't hot enough or tasted AWFUL. We kept going back to specialty stores to recheck the CitiZ but he held out because of the price and I held out because I just wasn't comfortable with the non-recyclable semi-empty pods. We both were concerned about price fixing because the capsules are only available through Nespresso. Seems despite the cost he truly fell in love with it because he surprised me with one for Christmas! I was still struggling with the recycle issue up to the point when he gave me a cup of what the beautifully styled upscale machine had produced....OMG it was the best froth, foam, espresso, latte I have ever had and I've been to some swanky specialty shops in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Portland and Seattle. He purchased the wooden box that has 36 capsules in it and between that and the variety pack that came with ours, 6 adults were satiated with espressos, lattes and cappuccino's not to mention the great hot chocolate (just add chocolate milk or syrup with milk in frother) for the kids all weekend.
As for price fixing and delivery of the capsules; we haven't had a problem. I think there is a $6 shipping charge, and you do have to purchase a minimum of 5 sleeves (10 capsules in each sleeve) and delivery time is fast-two days! We order more sleeves so it cuts the cost of repeated shipping's. For the foamer/frother there are two magnetic pieces a small foam thing and a little whip for awesome foam. There are fill lines inside the foamer that make it easy to use. Add the capsule under the chrome lever and the capsule is punctured when you push the lever back in place. The buttons to the left and right of the lever can be programmed to 'auto fill' espresso & latte or his & hers, when your done lift the lever and the spent capsule drops into the reservoir, push a button to flush out the system, rinse out the foamer and turn off the machine. No they don't have tea or hot chocolate like the low line machines, if you want tea, just push the water button and add your own teabag. You do have to empty the used capsule reservoir after about 6-8 uses otherwise it will overflow with water that drains from the capsules. There is a little ledge for an espresso cup that lifts so you can put a regular size cup or use the espresso cup and just pour the contents into your travel/tall mug. As for saving money from Starbucks or Peets; the capsules may be 55cents/each BUT don't forget to take into consideration the increase expense in milk you will be going through! Seriously we love this machine so much we have gone from using 2gal milk/week to 5! NO LIE. I am addicted. I have not had one cup of regular coffee from our Capresso since I got this machine! You really have to use 2% milk or chocolate milk for Mocha's I tried the NF and 1% but it doesn't froth, the Soy/Almond milk froths a bit but tastes kinda burned. Although there is a water reservoir in the back of the machine that is very easy to access I do wish it had an additional water adapter like refrigerators do so you don't have to fill it up. The parts are easy to remove and clean, be careful not to use anything other than a soft moist clean cloth on the tower so as not to scratch it. And it does take a bit of added time to clean out the frother after use, at least rinsing between cups so as not to burn the next batch of milk. If you are looking for a real home espresso machine and want the ease of premeasured capsules Nespresso CitiZ is the way to go. It is well worth every dime!!! Don't like black-Kitchen Kaboodle and probably a couple other specialty shops (not Williams-Sonoma) have it in Fire Engine Red! Enjoy!!
March 7, 2011 Update: It's now 15 months since I rec'd Nespresso Citiz & I stand by my original review & if I've upgraded my previous 4 start to 5 stars. I have found that if NF milk is cold it will froth without problem just not as much as 2%. Thankfully I've cut down milk consumption. Cleaning the frother is a breeze. I have a very small rubber spatula that is dedicated to my frother, I want every bit of foam/milk in my cup & it's a non-stick surface NO METAL!. After the spent cartridge is released (the reservoir will hold about 10), I push a cup button & it rinses any left over coffee into the frother, important to prevent the machine from clogging-we've not had that issue, we have a hot water tap so I just rinse out frother. If I ever see built up milk residue in the frother I just leave a little hot water in and then rinse it out later. About 6months after we got the machine we did notice a build up of scorched milk in one spot of the frother I called Nespresso Cust Svc and they went above & beyond. At the time the frother for our machine was out of stock and expected to be for about a month. They would send a standby and as soon as the one for the machine was back in stock they would send it to us, all at no cost to us-warranty. We were to keep the defective one, and the standby. Within 2 days we rec'd the standby and 3 days after that we rec'd the correct one. I called to see if they wanted me to send the standby back (because I hadn't even opened it) and was kindly told to just keep it. WOW. No problem with frother since. Regarding the recycle issue I found that you can mail in spent capsules & they will recycle them. There have been no increases in cost of the capsules & I have started to place a larger order to minimize shipping costs. They keep your orders on file which is helpful. They come out with "special" holiday packs as well as new coffees. These are usually time-limited and sometimes are about 5 cents more per capsule than usual. I did wait to long to reorder a specialty coffee that I really liked & it was no longer available. We get reminders in the mail that it's time to use the cleaner which is very easy to do, not only do they give step by step instructions, we've gotten free packets of cleaner. I don't know if it's related to amount purchased or what. I would still recommend this machine. Go to their website to see the new designs of this machine because Black & Fire Engine Red (avail on Amazon too) are old school by todays designs! Would it be a bad thing to have more than one machine?
Click Here to see more reviews about: Nespresso CitiZ D120 Automatic Espresso Maker and Milk Frother, Limousine Black With Nespresso Capsule holder, And White Mug's
Product Description
CitiZ&milk is equipped with an Aeroccino, dedicated to milk based lovers. Intuitive and user friendly, CitiZ&milk prepares an infinite number of coffee recipes at the touch of a button.
This Set Includes
* Nespresso D120 Citiz Limousine Black Espresso Machine & Milk Frother
* Swissmar Capstore Vista 20 for Nespresso Capsules
* Two Bodum Copenhagen Porcelain 12OZ. White Mug's
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