Tuesday, June 14, 2011

Pasquini Livia 90 Automatic Espresso Machine Review

Pasquini Livia 90 Automatic Espresso Machine
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)

Recently my La Pavoni broke down after 3 years, so I had to look for another machine. My machine of choice for espresso has always been Cimballi, but I was not impressed with any of their machines, which did not require a water line. After some searching and recommendation from a friend I happened upon the Pasquini Livia 90.

As far as espresso machines go, the Pasquini Livia 90 is the best unit that does not require a water line. The water resevoir holds a very large amount of water and the espresso made with this machine is simply amazing.

A good espresso should have a thick layer of creme on top (goldish brown in color) which will hold the sugar poured in to the coffee afloat for a few seconds. The Pasquini Livia 90 was the first machine I've owned to accomplish the feat. I've owned a $700 Krups Fully Automated Machine, used a $3,000 Fully Automated Machine and owned the La Pavoni fully manual machine. However, the Pasquini was the only machine to provide the perfect creme.

The steam produced by the machine will froth milk for any of the popular espresso drinks and the ability to draw hot water from the unit is also a nice touch. Unlike some machines you can leave the unit on for long periods of time without having to worry about burning out the machine.

Best machine in its class.



Click Here to see more reviews about: Pasquini Livia 90 Automatic Espresso Machine

Product Description

Pasquini Livia 90 Automatic Espresso Machine Features & Specifications Pasquini Livia 90 Automatic Espresso Machine Where else but from Italy would the most popular espresso machine come? The Pasquini Livia 90 Automatic has been making headlines in the espresso world for its combination of excellent design, sturdy construction and mix of both traditional and modern features. With many of the innovations and features of the Pasquini commercial line of espresso machines, the Livia 90 is designed for the home, office or restaurant/cafe setting. It has all the great brewing features of the Livia 90 Semiautomatic but provides push button control so that your espresso can be brewed and poured while you are doing something else. Another time saving feature is that the Livia 90 is a genius at brewing and steaming milk all the same time. A great convenience and excellent for commercial use, both of the features make coffee production quick and reliable. The Livia 90 also carries a NSF Sanitation Certification, often required for professional use. Detailed Product Features One-touch Control, Programmable Automatic Brewing With just a push of a button on the Livia 90, you can choose either a single or double shot of espresso. Once you select the cup size amount you want, the Livia 90 Automatic will brew a rich, aromatic cup of espresso, just the way you asked for it. You can also program the button to bring you your favorite style of espresso, every time. Want even more? You can brew any size coffee on the Livia 90 by switching on the manual override feature. Simple to use and easy to read controls make brewing with the Livia 90 a joy. Heavy-duty rocker switches and

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Quantum Re-Heater Instant Heat Pack, 6 x 18 Pak for Neck & ShouldersQuantum Re-Heater Instant Heat Pack, 6 x 18 Pak for Neck & Shoulders
Personal Blender/GrinderPersonal Blender/Grinder

Monday, June 13, 2011

Expobar Lever Semi-Auto Espresso Machine Review

Expobar Lever Semi-Auto Espresso Machine
Average Reviews:

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This is a really nice machine for the price point. I've been using mine for about a month and I'm just starting to dail it in. The case comes off pretty easily (5 screws) so you can access to OPV for group pressure adjustment and boiler pressure. Mine came with the boiler set at .8 bar, I upped it to the green zone of the gauge about .9 bar. I also turned down the group pressure to 9 bar (it came set a 10). I have about a 2 minute recovery time and consistent shots. The biggest downside is the heat exchanger and group need pretty large flushes +-8 oz before pulling a shot. Get Eric's thermometer ($100) plugged into the group and flush to about 207 degrees. After 10 seconds, you can pull a shot at 200 degrees at the puck.

The machine is pretty big - it looks large on my counter and I have a very big, modern kitchen. My wife made me move it to a less obvious location because it seemed a little oversized for the spot my Gaggia Classic used to reside. The design is nice - completely stainless. The lever seems so much better that pushing a button to pull a shot. You'll get the same results, but it feels more "classic". The hot-water wand competes with the lever for space so you'll neet to orient it out to the side when pulling shots, but it doesn't drip so no worries. The drip tray is very large - it'll take the entire water resevoir. BTW, the resevoir has no indicator when it is low, and you have to take the cup warmer off to fill it. Get a funnel.

I'd prefer to have a group pressure gauge, easy access to OPV and boiler pressure controls. But you'd pay an additional $300 for a machine with those features.

Note, the boiler is 1.8 liters (60 oz), not 12 oz as the description says.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Expobar Lever Semi-Auto Espresso Machine

Product Description

The Expobar Office Lever espresso machines is a welcome addition to the Expobar line. Its traditional styling, compact size, and commercial strength make this a leading competitor in the semi-automatic lever operated espresso machines. The commercial style copper boiler has all the features that are found on larger commercial machines. It allows simultaneous brewing and steaming, enabling smooth operation. It has both a steam wand and hot water dispensing wand that adjust laterally so that they can swing in either direction for easy access. With commercial capabilities its size makes it convenient for those who want great espresso without sacrificing a large amount of counter space. It is 15" tall, 10.25" wide and 17.5" deep. The E61 brew group provides pre-infusion and a thermal siphon for maximum temperature stability and aroma extraction. The eye catching highly polished steel housing is as durable as is it beautiful. The accessories include a chrome plated brass portafilter, tamper, single shot filter basket, double shot filter basket, backflush disc and a 7 gram coffee scoop.

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Rancilio ROCKY Rancilio Burr Grinder with DoserRancilio ROCKY Rancilio Burr Grinder with Doser

Sunday, June 12, 2011

Gaggia Syncrony Compact Digital Super Auto Espresso Machine Review

Gaggia Syncrony Compact Digital Super Auto Espresso Machine
Average Reviews:

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I received this espresso machine for Christmas 2007, and have been extremely pleased with its performance. I've had absolutely no problems....once I learned how to use the machine properly. Note, there are a few websites that offer video tutorials on how to use this machine that are very useful. Note, I use this machine every single day...typically going through 14 shots of espresso (at least) since there are several coffee drinker in our home. We have almost entirely abandoned our previous coffee maker...not because we didn't like it, but because this machine is so wonderful. Here are a few insights:

1. This machine typically makes 12-14 individually ground espresso shots before you will need to empty the hopper. It's pretty easy and no big deal to do this. The grinder works flawlessly, and the hopper typically holds about a 1/2 to 2/3 pound of beans.
2. I have tried to use ground coffee with this machine, which doesn't taste anywhere as good as the beans. When I first got the machine, I tried using some "fine ground" espresso in the little door on top to make a cup of coffee. No espresso would come out the machine....it took a long time to figure out that it was clogging up the filter. I used slightly coarser ground beans with excellent results.
3. There are two buttons for making espresso - I refer to them as the regular and large size buttons. You can adjust how much water each button will automatically dispense very easily.
4. The steam attachment on the side of the machine works very well for both steam and dispensing hot water.
5. There is an automatic decalcification light that comes on to let you know to run the appropriate cleanser through the machine. I've figured out this light turns on based upon the number of cycles of espresso that are made versus actual need. No big deal....it's a good reminder light for maintance.
6. The water tank is pretty straight forward and lifts off for filling, although I prefer to lift the top off of it and refilling via a large glass/pitcher.
7. This machine is mostly made of plastic, but it's very solid and well made. The tray beneath the espresso dispenser is made of metal, along with the steamer nozzel.
8. I highly recommend watching one of the instructional videos for this machine. It does require learning very basic steps, which are explained well with the included instructions (they are outright cryptic). This is a very easy machine to use once you understand the controls.
9. If I could add a feature it would be a counter mechanism - because some days I lose track of my caffeine intake and I'm simply curious as to how many shots we've really made in total.

I've made at least 2000 espresso shots with this great machine. Overall, myself, my family, and my friends have all enjoyed it...and everyone wants one. I've converted many diehard regular coffee drinkers to more flavorful espresso. You decide....this machine isn't cheap. But some luxuries are wonderful if you can afford it.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Gaggia Syncrony Compact Digital Super Auto Espresso Machine

Product Description

By combining the latest technology with sophisticated style, the innovative designers at Gaggia have created the Syncrony Compact Digital - a truly impressive espresso machine. This sleek machine is equipped with two boilers - one stainless steel-lined thermo block brewing boiler and one aluminum steaming boiler - to speed up the initial heating process and regulate the Rapid Steam System feature. The Rapid Steam System allows you to move from brewing to steaming with little down time, making it extremely easy to create luscious cappuccinos for your guests and look like a professionally trained barista. The designers at Gaggia also made sure to include a stainless-steel Pannarello frothing attachment, which will enable you to froth and steam milk fabulously every time. The Gaggia Syncrony Compact Digital's functions are controlled by seven push buttons and an LCD digital display that provides easy programming of all the options found on this state-of-the-art espresso machine. Featuring five temperature settings, an on/off timer and clock, and three coffee volume settings, the Syncrony Compact Digital is the ultimate in flexibility and customization. Additionally, pre-ground decaffeinated or flavored coffee can be added through the bypass doser - a quintessential feature on any super-automatic espresso machine. Specifications: LCD Digital Display guides you through the brewing process and provides alerts and programming information for: Cleaning and descaling based on water hardness Setting water temperature Pre-infusion and pre-grinding Counting the cups brewed Utilizing the automatic timer and energy saving mode Three programmable push-buttons brew based on the liquid volume you choose Automatic ground coffee dosing is adjustable from 6 to 9 grams Removable 44oz water reservoir Five temperature settings Conical Burr Grinder with 18 adjustable grind settings 7.5oz bean hopper capacity and 9 gram bypass doser Easily removable Brew Group Dual frothing accessories i...

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Friday, June 10, 2011

Jura-Capresso 13548 Impressa J6 Automatic Coffee and Espresso Center Review

Jura-Capresso 13548 Impressa J6 Automatic Coffee and Espresso Center
Average Reviews:

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Due to the high price I checked many reviews on many sites and most brands had specific problems or limitations. The Jura was consistently rated highly with few problems. When spending $1500+ I didn't want a machine that was going to break down after a few months. I have now had this machine for about 6 months and have had no problems except a minor one explained below.

First the good

Very easy set up. I was up and going in about 30 minutes after opening the box and making sure all the parts and pieces were included.

The machine is pretty idiot proof. It tells you when to add water, when to add coffee beans, when to run the cleaning cycle, when to decalcify, and when to dispose the used grounds. The burr grinder is fairly quiet and has run without clogging. You do have to be careful not to use beans that are too oily but if they are all you have to do is let them sit for about 5 hours before using. The water capacity is very adequate at 70 oz. The bean hopper holds about 1/4 lb of beans so you don't have to keep adding. There is no way to empty beans to add a different type, however there is a place for ground beans if someone want a different type. I like that you can change the height of the two nozzles for different height mugs and being able to separate the nozzles for brewing two cups at the same time. Cleaning is a snap. Just slide out the empty grounds tray, rinse and replace.

I like that you customize each button on the face of the machine (see below) and you can easily override how much coffee or water you use for a single use without losing the programmed amount.

Finally customer service, something important for such an expensive machine. When I registered the machine on line (and you have to do this in 2 weeks to get the warranty) I mistyped the serial number. The next day I got an email informing me of my error. Nice. Also, my mother got one of these for my father and one of the nozzles was not working properly. He called them up and they told him what to do. The nozzle was blocked and just needed to be wiped clean. My parents have well water that they bi-pass to some of their faucets. The machine comes with one water test strip to test for water hardness. When he called he asked them to send a few more and they did. Not that big a deal for them, but they did it.

Next the okay

The six buttons on the face of the machine for water, steam, 1 or 2 cups of espresso and 1 or 2 cups of coffee, are very easy. Not so easy is using the buttons on the top of the machine. These buttons work like folders on a computer and it is easy to forget where you are. These buttons are used to "customize" what comes out (heat, strength, amount per cup, language, auto on and off).
Every time you turn the machine on you need to rinse the nozzles (push a button and it runs about 1 oz of hot water through the nozzles), this is okay but you have to do it even if you just used hot water the last time. The full cleaning cycle is based on the number of rinses so if you use the machine for hot water you will end up using the cleaning cycle more than necessary. The machine also automatically rinses when it goes into sleep mode so I put a shot glass under the nozzles after use. Not a big deal, if I forget the water goes into a collection tray.

Finally the bad

There are two ways to make steam and froth. Without going into details, one of these is an attachment that doesn't stay on very well due to the high pressure of the steam. When it comes off steam sprays all over until you push the steam button again. This happened to me a few times and while it did not burn me, it is quite a surprise. I just do it the other way


Overall a positive experience and I would recommend to family and friend.





Click Here to see more reviews about: Jura-Capresso 13548 Impressa J6 Automatic Coffee and Espresso Center

Product Description

The Jura Impressa J6 is an exquisite combination of modern style, rich color and quality materials, designed with unique workmanship. Elegant and sophisticated, it makes a bold visual statement. Coffee lovers will be enraptured by its versatility as they experience new dimensions in enjoyment with ristretto, espresso, cafe au lait, cappuccino, latte macchiato and many other popular specialty beverages. Preparing them is a snap, because the innovative operating system couldn't be easier. The integrated cup illumination system puts the spotlight on every coffee you make. For the first time ever, you can adjust not only the height of the coffee spout, but also the width, which means it will fit just about any standard cup and that guarantees a perfect result every time. The Connector System enables you to use the frothXpress system (part of the standard equipment) to obtain a perfect milky foam or warm milk, a hot water nozzle for a smooth, even jet of water and the optional Dual Frother Plus. Ceramic-valve technology maximizes cream and optimizes steam output, and a high performance 15-bar pump combines with a fast-heating stainless-steel-lined Thermo block to deliver cup after cup of delicious coffee with no downtime. Compact unit has a larger, 73-ounce water reservoir and 9-ounce bean capacity with Electronic Bean Level Sensor, than similarly sized makers, and a user-friendly rotary dial that's simple to program.

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Jura-Capresso 67879 Clearyl Water Care Cartridge for ENAJura-Capresso 67879 Clearyl Water Care Cartridge for ENA
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Jura-Capresso 66281 Descalling Tablets for Jura-Capresso Automatic Coffee and Espresso Centers, 9 PackJura-Capresso 66281 Descalling Tablets for Jura-Capresso Automatic Coffee and Espresso Centers, 9 Pack

Thursday, June 9, 2011

Lavazza Blue LB2210 Single-Serve Espresso Machine Review

Lavazza Blue LB2210 Single-Serve Espresso Machine
Average Reviews:

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We have been using for months and love it. Cap of choice has been Dolce 100% Arabica espresso. I do not think I will ever go back to another brand.

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Product Description

Lavazza BLUE 2210 is a single-serve espresso system that combines design, quality and convenience for a superior coffee solution. It provides maximum flexibility for satisfying different usage requirements, meeting the needs of operators from low to high volume, while maintaining consistent quality and greater coffee selection for all. Lavazza BLUE¿s proprietary system employs a single serve, closed capsule technology designed to meet the requirements of the most demanding foodservice and OCS operators. Lavazza BLUE uses pre-ground, pre-sealed capsules with a one-touch system. This user-friendly method requires virtually no training to make the perfect espresso and other hot beverages. ¿ Color: Grey & silver ¿ LCD Display: For simplified operation & programming of settings ¿ 4 Programmable Brew Settings ¿ Independent cup warming plate ¿ Stainless steel steam/ hot water wand: Used to manually froth milk for cappuccinos and lattes. (Also dispenses hot water.) ¿ Saeco patented Brew Group ¿ Removable drip tray & used capsule container: Holds up to 25 capsules ¿ Removable and lockable water tank: 1 gallon ¿ Pump pressure: 15 bar ¿ UL and NSF certified ¿ Power Watt: 1250 W ¿ 1 year limited warranty on parts and labor ¿ Dimensions: 18¿¿L x 15.5¿¿H x 11¿¿W ¿ Weight: 23.2 lbs ¿ Made in Italy

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Wednesday, June 8, 2011

BONUS PACK! Joyoung CTS1068 Easy-Clean Automatic Hot Soy Milk Maker with FREE Soybean Bonus Pack Review

BONUS PACK! Joyoung CTS1068 Easy-Clean Automatic Hot Soy Milk Maker with FREE Soybean Bonus Pack
Average Reviews:

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I got my order a month ago and I have been making soy milk every day since. I soak soy beans before I leave for work in the morning and make soy milk in the evening. I enjoy a glass of warm milk at night and a glass of chilled milk in the morning. The machine is easy to use as it advertised but I did have to figure out how to use it at first. The manual isn't very good in my opinion. I wasn't sure exactly how to use it. Luckily I found a YouTube video that shows a good demo. Once I learned the proper way to operate the machine, making soy milk is really easy. The machine makes a few seconds of grinding noises three times during the process. Other than that, it is very quiet throughout. And in 20 minutes, I get soy milk to enjoy. I put in a bit more soy beans than instructed because I like my soy milk with a stronger taste. I also sweeten the milk with 3 table spoons of sugar after I sift the milk into a pitcher. Washing the machine afterwards has been an inconvenient chore but a small price to pay to have fresh homemade soy milk every day. I learned a tip from a review by filling the machine with water and soak the blender in it for a while. It makes it easier to clean it.

Click Here to see more reviews about: BONUS PACK! Joyoung CTS1068 Easy-Clean Automatic Hot Soy Milk Maker with FREE Soybean Bonus Pack

Product Description

The Joyoung CTS1068/JYDZ-9D is a great addition to any kitchen with its winning combination of excellent soy milk output quality, hassle-free fully automatic operation, and easy cleanup due to extensive use of stainless steel parts. Four different one-button automatic modes produce flavorful and healthy milk drinks from a variety of beans, grains, nuts, and fruits for very low cost. No complicated setup or assembly required - just add water and soy beans, press one button and have delicious fresh soy milk ready in less than 20 minutes!

The Joyoung CTS1068 is the next generation of smart soy milk makers. Contemporarily styled with a cream colored ABS plastic exterior for insulation, all parts that come in touch with food and liquid are made from food service grade stainless steel.

Features
- Micro-computer Control, Totally Automatic Operation
- Patent "Water Diversion Technology" with Raphael Meshwork
- Easy to clean stainless steel jug, filter cup, grinder, and heating element
- Makes up to 1.5 Liter of fresh milk from soy beans, rice, mung beans, almonds and etc
- User's manual with helpful and creative recipies to try
- Six intelligent protection functions for safe operation

Soy Milk Health Benefits
- Reduce the risk of heart disease due to cholesterol free and high fiber.
- Reduce the risk of digestive disorders due to high fiber content.
- Dairy-free and ideal for people with lactose intolerance and milk allergies.
- Great for the dietary treatment of diabetes due to low glycemic index and cholesterol free
- Protein source in vegetarian diets containing the necessary amount of essential amino acids for tissue repair and growth.
What's Included
- Joyoung CTS1068 Soy Milk Maker
- AC Power Cord
- Plastic pitcher
- Metal strainer
- scrub pad
- One year factory USA warranty
- FREE Bonus Pack: 0.3LB NON-GMO Soybean samples gift bag (Good for 2 usage) & Coupon

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Philips Norelco 1150x/40 SensoTouch 2d Electric Shaver, Metallic BluePhilips Norelco 1150x/40 SensoTouch 2d Electric Shaver, Metallic Blue
Earth's Best Organic 2nd Fruit Variety Pack, 4-Ounce Jars (Pack of 12)Earth's Best Organic 2nd Fruit Variety Pack, 4-Ounce Jars (Pack of 12)
Joyoung CTS1048 Automatic Hot Soy Milk MakerJoyoung CTS1048 Automatic Hot Soy Milk Maker

Monday, June 6, 2011

Capresso C1300 Super Automatic Coffee and Espresso Center Review

Capresso C1300 Super Automatic Coffee and Espresso Center
Average Reviews:

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I have owned a number of espresso machines including Gaggia pump driven manual units, an Acquaviva commercial superautomatic machine, a Capresso C1000 and now the Capresso C1300. The best espresso was obtained from the manual (not a superauto) Gaggia. However, it was not consistent and a pain to keep clean.

The superautos are extremely convenient as one simply pushes a button or two and is rewarded with a very respectable espresso or cappuccino. One thing that I like about the C1300 is that I can actually get a legitimate 30 second pour with very good crema (the brownish-red foam on the top of the shot that tells you it's been done right). You're going to want to do a large to extra large shot and set the grinder to almost the finest setting. Remember than you can only adjust the grinder when it is actually grinding.

Frothing milk is okay, but not the best. This is common as the superautos typically don't have the horsepower to pump out gobs of hot dry steam necessary for the microfoam that you can obtain with a high-end manual or commercial machine. However, it's good enough I suppose.

One of the reasons that I bought a superauto was because keeping a manual machine clean was a lot of work. With the Capresso, it's quite easy to keep it clean. Simply dump out and wash the grounds tray when the display tells you to and drop a cleaning tablet in every now and then again when prompted by the display.

The Capresso machines are much easier to keep clean than the Saeco/Starbucks units, which require removal of the brew head. Frankly, I'd rather not bother with that. Know thy self, as the old saying goes.

Even though Capresso states that you do not need to use the Claris water filter if you use distilled water, I use the filter anyway. It's a small price to pay to keep your machine in good shape, in my opinion.

If your unit ever breaks once it's out of warranty, Capresso will repair or replace it for a very reasonable price of $125 which includes return postage as of this writing. So if you ever need to fix it, you'll know in advance that repair costs aren't going to break the bank. FWIW, I never had one single problem with my C1000 and so far, the C1300 has been flawless.

I feel that the C1300 is handsome and looks better in person than in the photos. The digital display has an attractive cobalt blue backlighting which is easily readable day or night. Most adjustments are pretty simple to figure out and are made via several dials on the face of the unit (one is behind a hidden door on the left side of the machine).

It's a nice machine and throws a very respectable shot for a relatively moderate price. If it seems like a lot of money to spend on a "coffee maker", you probably won't feel this way after you use it for awhile. I use mine on a daily basis, making either crema coffee (espresso shots with hot water), cappuccino, or espresso. The Capresso C1300 is highly recommended!

Click Here to see more reviews about: Capresso C1300 Super Automatic Coffee and Espresso Center

Product Description

The Capresso C1300 Super Automatic Coffee & Espresso Center with Dual-Frother Plus and CLARIS Water Care System grinds, tamps, brews and self-cleans in less than 60 seconds¿with just the push of a button. The C1300 is the easiest to use coffee & espresso center on the market. The illuminated two-line dialog system displays concise instructions, settings and more. Dial one of six cup settings, choose the size of your cup and push the button. The coffee bean container holds 8-ounces of beans and the Commercial Conical Burr Grinder has 6 fineness settings to grind beans to perfection. Unlike any other water filter the unique CLARIS Water Care System filters and cleans the water just before use. The Dual Frother system lets you inject steam for lattes and froth milk for cappuccinos in a pitcher or in your cup. The steam wand can also deliver hot water for tea or for Coffee Americano.

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