KitchenAid Semi-Automatic Espresso Machine - KES6403

The media could not be loaded. ✅️ easy to use ✅️ doesnt take up too much counter space. ❌️ matte black is more a very very dark gray Im so happy I purchased this machine. ✅️ heavy/ nice weight to the portafilter handle/holder (i dislike how most at home machines portafilter handle feels like it will break. This handle "chefs kiss" feels sturdy and has nice weight to it (like a high end professional one) ✅️ comes with different filters so you get to choose what works best for you. My favorite is the single wall double (it comes with 4 total 2 double walled (used more for pre ground beans, this is what most if not all at home espresso machines come with sizes are single (shot) and double (shot) and single walled (used more for fresh ground coffee also a single shot and double shot ... this does not normally come with at home espresso machines these are my favorite and i feel give a much better coffee house experience at home) This machine is sturdy and weighted nicely so its easy to move around and out of the way. ✅️ programmable buttons (you can set water temp and also program the machine to dispense exactly the perfect amount of espresso (manual tells you how to do this) Manual is very clear and concise. I always read it front to back before even turning the machine on. I set the water temp to the hottest it allows (has low, medium, and high) and it gives me espresso exactly how I like it, with the right fine ground beans you get a really nice creme foam bit on the head. Hemmed and hawwed because of the price thinking it seemed expensive for a home machine but it was worth every penny I paid. I use this machine every morning and I feel kitchenaid got the home machine down perfectly. You get the feel of a professional coffee house espresso machine with the compactness of the home machine. I love love love being able to make my iced espresso drinks at home in comfort. Its consistently always the same no surprises, no burnt tastes. Just pure at home espresso. ✅️ tamper is solid and heavy. A true professional style tamper. It wont break on you and you can easily get the perfect tamping pressure you need/want with absolute ease. Water tank is easy to fill just pop it off, fill and slide back into place. The water tank is decent build quality I'd advise dropping it though as its just plastic but does look nice (I use R.O. water in mine which makes me not have to clean it as often of build-up) speaking if which, the auto clean function is nice although it takes approx 15 minutes and once started can not be stopped and you have to stay next to the machine to go to the next step (all in the manual) All in all I love this machine. Couldn't be happier and so glad I spent the extra dollars for this machine rather then buying another "good enough" machine that will break in a year. Uploaded a video - seems loud but its not as loud in person. Ive used the machine while my bf is in zoom meetings and he says he cant even hear it. (Kitchen is very close to where his office set up with with no doors to block the noise) You will always have to put up with some noise with at home espresso machines because of the pump. Theres no escaping it. Read more

This is a very good espresso machine for what it is which is simple. It’s beautiful to look at, especially if you have other KitchenAid products to match it to. It works well, makes a good espresso drink and steams milk well and quickly. Someone told me the best machines grind and then brew espresso at the same time as steaming the milk and this does not do that. Read more

Buying this machine was my first step into the world of espresso. From my experience, there is a bit of a learning curve with espresso, milk steaming, and this machine in particular. You'll need some time, patience, and maybe a few extra accessories to get the most out of it. After a few months of pulling inconsistent (sour/bitter) shots and watching a lot of videos, I am finally able to make some tasty drinks with this machine. Overall, I am satisfied with the KitchenAid machine for the price point. I'd recommend purchasing one, but wait for a sale. Lessons Learned: Grinder/Beans - To get the most out of this machine, you will want to have a nice burr grinder (> $100) and a scale. It will take a little bit of tweaking to dial in the correct grind size for your beans. My OXO grinder has worked okay, but I wish it had a bit more nuance with the finer espresso settings. I pre weigh my beans (18-18.5 grams) on a scale before grinding. I usually need to shake and restart the grinder to get all of grinds out. I've personally had much better results with medium-dark roast coffee (Illy, Peet's) than the specialty light-medium roast coffee that I use for pour-over/drip coffee. Use freshly roasted beans for the best results. Puck Prep - While the included tamper is fairly nice, I found that my puck prep was creating the greatest inconsistency. I had a hard time getting the grinds evenly distributed/flat and I'd often spill some of my grinds while prepping. My finished puck would sometimes turn out soupy or I could very clearly see evidence of channelling in the puck. I eventually decided to order a few accessories to help with my puck prep and they have been a game-changer! Now every puck is perfect, the espresso tastes much better, and my group head is staying much cleaner! I purchased a 58mm Espresso Tamper Set (Spring-loaded Tamper, Adjustable Depth Distributor Leveler, Magnetic Dosing Funnel, Reusable Puck Screen) and a 9 x 0.40mm WDT Tool on Amazon (linked below and pictured). Both are fairly inexpensive. KitchenAid should consider including tools like these in the box (and adjust the price as needed) because it make a huge difference with your end result. My opinion of the machine and experience completely changed after using the extra puck prep tools. - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CCKWXPKP?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details&th=1 - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CC248XG1?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details Water/Temp - One of the first things I adjusted when I got the machine was the water temp. I turned mine to the hottest setting (see manual). I found the default setting was not hot enough. Before I pull a shot, I typically run a cycle of water without the portafilter attached. This gives me a chance to warm up my glass/cup and make sure the group head is warm and clear of any grinds. Some people recommend pre-warming the portafilter as well for best results. I also run a cycle of water after pulling my shot to keep the group head clean. Milk Steaming - This has also taken a lot of practice and I still have a ways to go with my latte art, but I feel like I've recently turned a corner. The steam wand is probably the weakest part of the machine. It is not super powerful, uses one hole, and requires the most skill/technique. I'd recommend using whole milk and I've personally been able to texture the milk better when using less than the recommended amount of milk in the pitcher. You'll want to watch some videos to get a better handle on the technique, but keep in mind most people are using more powerful steam wands in their videos. Read more