The Coffee Maker Store
0 items in your Shopping Cart |
Capresso 112.05 EspressoPro ThermoBlock Pump Espresso Machine with FrothXpress |
|
|
List price:
$300.00
|
|
- Produces one or two cups of espresso at a time from ground coffee or pods
- Stainless-steel ThermoBlock heating system reduces calcification
- Produces froth directly from milk container (included): no pitcher needed
- Art Nouveau design in rugged plastic: chrome-colored head, black body
- 10-1/2 inches wide, 13 inches high, 10 inches deep; weighs 9 pounds
Will do the job, but can't recommend it.
Rating: 
I really wanted to like this machine. I was upgrading from a Krups steam powered espresso machine, and this seemed to fit the bill. Based on the positive reviews on Amazon, and a couple of other sited, I ordered it and waited with high hopes.
Unfortunately, I did not get a wonderful machine. Already, only two months later, I have tired of the limitations of this machine and have ordered a Rancilio Silvia, a bit more expensive, and much more worthy, espresso machine.
This machine is has a couple of things going for it if you're looking for a cheap way to make better espresso. First of all, it taakes ESE Pods. If you don't have the patience for making real espresso with fresh beans ground with a good quality grinder, the Pod system is the way to go. Second, it comes with a pressurized portafilter, which will create a false "crema" on the coffee with relatively low quality beans -- building a false sense of good espresso. Third, and lastly, the Froth XPress milk frother attachment is easy to use and dispenses a tasty milk foam onto the poor to fair quality espresso in your cup.
However, this machine has a lot of negative points that keep it from being anything but a beginner's toy. With the pressurized portafilter, you'll never be able to create a truly good espresso shot. The manual suggests to use a coarse ground coffee, which is a joke. I've found that the machine can't produce the heat or pressure necessary brew properly ground coffee at all.
If you are serious about espresso (and you should be, if you are already thinking about spending $250 + on a low end espresso machine) you should think about getting a real machine like the Sylvia or a Gaggia (the Espressione Grace Pump, soon available on Amazon, looks to be a fairly decent machine as well) and a good quality grinder to create acceptable coffee. Anything less would be doing a disservice to your wallet.
Brewing for over a year
Rating: 
I was tired of paying $... per day for a mocha ($... if anyone else wanted one), not including the drive. Bought the predicessor to this machine (now showing discontinued and replaced by this model). I had no experience with making such drinks. I have had the machine for over a year now. I make mocha's for my wife and I almost every morning. We like them better than our local drive thru or Starbucks. There is a learning curve. It is overcome in short order. The grinder is important. I realized the other morning how well the machine had worked for us. I also realized I had bought it based on reviews, so felt obliged to write one myself. Only downside I found is that it will not handle half & half for "breve" drinks. Very simple to operate. Very simple to clean. Well worth the price.
Espresso on a budget, THIS IS THE ONE!!!
Rating:
If you are looking for a budget espresso machine which will make GREAT espresso and not take up too much counter space, YOU'VE FOUND IT!! This machine makes a perfect crema shot every time.
When I got back from Italy, I knew I couldn't start my day with drip coffee any more. I needed a machine and good beans.
I read the reviews and was afraid to by any of the machines in my price range because people said they were terrible. I had tried the Francis Francis and it made a terrible shot. Well the capresso was a gift and I set it up immediately, borrowed some Italian beans from a friend and brewed away. IT WAS GREAT.
I'm writing this reveiew after about a year of use. It is still great...every shot is great! It requires thorough cleaning about once every three months to keep up perfect brewing (we make two to four shots a day). It takes some time to get used to the tamping. And getting the right grind is essential. I recommend the Solis Maestro grinder. Its the cheapest quality burr grinder you're gonna find. And please...find GOOD ITALIAN BEANS. Illy is fine, but there are also a lot of fine small Italian companies which sell in the U.S. I get my beans shipped from Florence Italy which may seem extravagant, but its actually a lot cheaper than it would be to buy CRAPPY STARBUCKS espresso beans.
Now that you've read my review of the machine, I'll tell you the three most important things involved in a good cup of espresso. In order of importance:
1)The beans
2)The grinder
3)The machine
HAPPY BREWING!!!
