Much better quality and reliability than I expected at this price.
Very solid machine for the price. I used to work for a high end coffee company, and I'm used to seeing high end La Marzoccho's. The one's we had were north of 10 grand. This is not 5 stars the way one of those would be. It also costs less to buy than the minimum service call charge on one of those. But for a home user who isn't on the bleeding edge of coffee culture - it close enough. At this price point, it gives up a couple of features. You might have to wait a few seconds when switching between brewing and steaming, because it's a single boiler. If those seconds are sufficiently precious to you, there are companies that will return them to you in exchange for an extra $400. I've never had to wait more than 5 seconds. Oh, it also has a time limit on how long continuously the steamer will run. Then it needs a couple seconds to catch it's breath and it good for another cycle. Don't remember how long it runs, but it's good foe steaming 22 oz off 33F milk to the point where it's hot but not scalding. If you need to steam a larger quantity, you can either wait a couple of seconds and hit the button again, or start making preps for the next shot you're going to need anyway for that Big Gulp latte you're making. It pulls a good shot out of the box, and I have not had to mess with the timing, but adjustments are available and the manual is clear about how to make them. It also has a reset function if you screw it up and need to start over. The water container for it is large enough that I have yet to have to refill it during the day. And I usually don't bother to checking before pulling the first shot of the day. Construction is solid. I mean, I haven't disassembled it or anything. But everything fits precisely - doesn't make unseemly noises, and it would look good on any countertop. No one is going to look at it and get the impression it's cheap. In fact, it's good looking enough that I down play it when ever anyone sees it for the first time. Don't want them thinking I suddenly inherited money or something. I picked this machine after spending a lot of time comparing features, reading reviews, and reflecting on priorities. I could have spent a lot more - but I don't know what else I could have expected. I could have spent a little less, but this looked like my best bet, and I think I won. I have flogged this machine hard. My wife drinks a lot of coffee - for medical reasons actually. I hear people raving about the endurance of machines they operate "at least once a week." I run this one probably 10 times a day average - granted it's only been a couple of months - but it's been utterly flawless. This is kind of a disposable appliance. At a hundred bucks, no one is sending it in for service, no repairman is going to make a house call. But I've probably pull more shots through it than most people pull in a year, without any issues at all, so I am well satisfied with the value. Read more
