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Briel EG281APG Multi-Pro Stainless Steel Pump Espresso Machine with Built-In Coffee Grinder |
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List price:
$599.99
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- 15 Bar Pump Pressure produces quality results
- Auto Espresso Flow micro-chip timing circuit-auto shutoff
- Accommodates fresh ground coffee or ESE coffee pods
- Large removable water reservoir-produces several espressos
- Built-in conical grinding burrs w/ grind selector- Automatic doser
Excellent Espresso Machine PLUS Built In Grinder
Rating: 
This is the first Espresso machine I have ever owned so I don't have another one to compare it to but I can say that it makes Lattes as good as any I have had at Starbucks. I especially like the "Auto Espresso Flow" feature that allows you to set the strength of the espresso based on how much water is pumped through the machine. I have got it set where I like and now all I have to do is push the button. Friends have told me that they have to monitor the time on their espesso machines which seems far less convenient. I put off buying an espresso machine for a long time because they looked like to much trouble to make but I have to say that with the pods, espresso is easier than coffee from my drip coffee maker and lattes are only a little bit more time consuming. Do get the pods because once you use them you will never go back. I didn't get them when I first bought the machine and probably only used the machine once a week. I went back on line and bought the pods from Amazon (which are excellent) and I now make a latte almost every day because it is so easy. I figured out that once I go through my BOX of 150 the Machine will have almost paid for itself since a comparable latte at Starbucks is about (dollar amount) and the pods are very inexpensive.
However, it's also great to have the built in coffee grinder. This is a quality burr grinder, as I learned from the Briel people. You can grind fresh whole bean coffee, dose the ground coffee directly into the filter holder and instantly brew a perfect fresh espresso, from bean to cup!
This machine is a home run and I would recommend it not only for home use but also for the office. Everyone likes a "fresh" coffee on command.
Fresh Espresso Lover
Rating:
A friend of mine had the BRIEL EG281 multi-pro with built in coffee grinder. They absolutely love having fresh coffee beans ground on the spot, then placed in a filter holder for an "instant" espresso. I was surprised at the rich crema and texture that the espresso coffee was extracted from the machine, which proves to me this machine is a winner. It takes a strong pump to give a proper espresso.
Then it blew my mind when I learned you can also use the coffee pod or serving. I've had illycaffe in the past and actually like the pods my friend had better. The extraction was even richer with the pod and there was absolutely no messy cleanup.
I've had an entry level pump espresso machine from Krups and found it to be marginal at best. I'm sold on BRIEL and this MULTI-PRO machine is great. I'm not sure if I'm going to buy the one with the built in grinder or the one with the built in 10-cup drip coffeemaker. Maybe I'll have to get both!
Nothing's perfect...
Rating: 
As I had expected from reviews & plenty of research the Briel Multi-Pro series makes great espresso with little fuss. Additionally the frother froths quickly and easily. I am very satisfied with the overall quality of this unit and the quietness of the pump. Here's my take on each of the features included within this unit on a scale of 1 to 5 (5 being best).
Overall Unit Quality: 4
Ease of Use: 5
Filter Holder: 3
Crema Master Filter: 5
Turbo-Jet Frother Attachment: 5
Grinder: 4
On Quality: Knobs for adjustment of grind & steam could have more of a solidly built feel but are adaquate.
On Ease of Use: Quite nice. Grind the beans into the filter holder, tamp, put the filter holder into place, press the start button. A cup of espresso in less than 45 seconds from start of grind to taking the first sip.
On Filter Holder: Quality of construction is quite good, however overall depth is somewhat shallow. Although you can put in a double dose of grind, it's rather tight.
On Crema Master Filter: It's required and being a seperate unit makes it easy to clean.
On Turbo-Jet Frother: Steams quite well and creates a large amount of froth from a small amount of low-fat.
On Grinder: Grinds well however the auto-doser is not adjustable. If you don't like the amount of coffee per dose you'll have to adjust by removing or adding a small amount of pre-ground.
Overall if the doser was adjustable & the filter holder deaper this unit would rate an easy 5. Those are the only drawbacks I have found yet. But when looking at the cost of a seperate grinder as opposed to this attached unit, the savings over the seperate grinder makes this a worth while investment.
