Krups XS3000E Cleaning Tablets. Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)A little expensive, but does the job. The water came out crystal clear after the clean cycle on my Krups machine.

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The Krups espresso machine cleaning tablets are designed to be used during the cleaning cycle of the Krups Fully Automatic espresso machines. Use the cleaning tablets on a regular basis to ensure increased longevity for your espresso machine as well as delicious coffee.

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Krups XP7225 Compact Fully Automatic Espresso Machine Review

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(More customer reviews)We bought this machine from Williams-Sonoma and liked it so much that we stuck with the coffee through four separate units, each of which failed within three weeks for a different reason. My wife and I each drink 2-3 shots of espresso per day, for a total of 6-8 cycles of the machine (including self rinsing): this is within their warranty rate of 10 cycles per day. We use non-greasy beans and reverse-osmosis water, both of which are recommended by the manufacturer. At first I thought we just got unlucky -- every factory makes a few lemons -- but after four machines and four independent failure modes I'm convinced they're just poorly built.
For coffee : 4-5 stars. When they work, these machines are just adjustable enough for us - you can adjust the grind, the water temperature, and the water volume independently to "sight in" your ideal shot. For reliability: -4 stars. I would give this product just a single star, but the titanium fronted one comes with a terrific milk-frothing assembly that makes great, silky foam every time. That alone is worth a second star.
Machine #1: worked for three weeks, then mysteriously failed with an error code "DE" on the screen. Krups support was baffled.
Machine #2: worked for 1.5 weeks, then the burr grinder broke - motor would turn but wouldn't grind coffee.
Machine #3: DOA - on initial plug-in, entered an infinite loop of "calibrating machine" cycles. (I think an internal sensor was jammed).
Machine #4: worked for 3 weeks, then mysteriously started spewing acrid, electrical-insulator smoke.
I suggest a Delonghi Magnifica - they can be found for under $1k and are actually designed to be maintainable - or a semi-auto with built-in burr grinder (Breville makes one).

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Brew cafe-quality coffee drinks right at home with this easy-to-use fully automatic espresso machine. Simply add water and espresso beans, select the type of beverage and amount desired, and press the button--it takes care of the rest. The appliance grinds, brews, and tamps, then dispenses used grounds into a collection container. An oversized digital display and intuitive controls make it effortless to scroll through the on-screen menu and to follow detailed instructions for everything from set-up to brewing perfect espresso. In addition, the unit's commercial-quality built-in conical burr grinder holds up to 28 ounces of whole beans and comes calibrated to three optimal grind levels. Use the pre-ground bypass doser for pre-ground decaffeinated or flavored coffee--a handy feature when entertaining.
For added convenience, the espresso machine's innovative design combines the thermoblock brewing system and hydraulic jack into a single piece, which means an overall smaller build that takes up less space on the countertop. In fact, it's 30- to 50-percent smaller than most fully automatics available. The completely redesigned thermoblock comes cast in aluminum with stainless-steel tubing for precise control of the water and temperature and optimal heat transfer while reducing scaling and build-up of mineral deposits. Other highlights include a 64-ounce water tank, hot water on demand, and a steam function for cappuccinos and lattes. The 1450-watt espresso machine measures 12-1/2 by 9-1/2 by 14-1/4 inches and carries a one-year warranty.

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Saeco 641 Odea Go Super Automatic Espresso Machine Review

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(More customer reviews)I recently upgraded to this model from a Krups steam espresso maker and it was probably one of the best decisions I've ever made. I can't believe I did upgrade sooner.
The espresso comes out perfect, just like those at places like Starbucks. My favorite part about this model is the minimum work required for cleaning. It has a bin that collects the used grounds so you don't have to empty and clean after every cup.
The steam for the milk frother comes out super fast and super hot. It takes less than 30 seconds for me to froth milk. And when you're done, just rinse the plastic nozzle and you're set for the next cup.
Now the only downside about this model: it doesn't store too much water. If you have 2 or more people using this thing every morning, there's a good chance someone will always have to refill the water in the tank after the machine pumps out a half cup of coffee and blinks its red light. Even then, for the price, it is well worth it and provides great value.
Update 4/7/2010 - Still turning out great coffee/espresso with ease after 3 years of service. Must've saved me $1000 from morning trips to Starbucks annually.

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Equipped with 15 bars of pump pressure, this 1500-watt automatic espresso machine grinds, doses, tamps, brews, and dispenses quality coffee, preparing one to two cups at the same time. The machine's built-in ceramic grinder ensures the best results without altering the flavor of coffee; it quietly delivers a more consistent grind, allowing perfect dosing and blending, plus offers more control over the density and body of coffee. In addition, the espresso machine's pre-brewing cycle maximizes flavor extraction, while its Pannarello frothing device produces steam in three different directions for cappuccinos and lattes, dispenses hot water for making hot beverages and soups, and can be completely removed for cleaning. Other thoughtful details include a 1-1/2-liter removable water tank; an Aqua Prima water filter that removes impurities from the water and protects the machine from limescale damage; a drip tray that can be raised or lowered manually or electrically with a simple touch, which means it easily accommodates different cup sizes such as espresso cups or glasses; and a removable Saeco brew group for easy, chemical-free cleaning. Sleek and stylish, the espresso machine measures 15-1/6 by 11-3/7 by 14-1/2 inches.

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Gaggia 90951 Platinum Vision Automatic Espresso Machine with Milk Island, Platinum Review

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(More customer reviews)I've had this machine for a few days now and I absolutely love it. It by far trumps the quality of local shops and Starbucks (not that they make quality). The options on the machine allow you to create your own drink in your own flavor. The worst thing about this machine is how easy it is and how much you'll end up drinking. It's just too easy to press a button and boom, delicious espresso.
From off to espresso in no time flat!
If you want your drink fast, look no further than this machine. Going from completely off to drink ready takes about 1 minute. You can brew in no time so this machine was made for speed.
Touchscreen
I can't say it's greatly responsive. Obviously it's expensive and new so you want to be nice with it but that screen takes some hard pressure. Maybe they built it tough to last but you can't just tap it. You have to jab it sometimes. Not a complaint really. It seems like a strong screen.
Drinks
There are three drink options: espresso, coffee, and long coffee. You can control the amount of water, temperature, aroma, flavor, and strength. It's crazy. Once you get down you're favorite flavor though, it's just a simple button press. I like a caffe corretto once in a while so I like that you can throw in pre-ground decaf for a one time cup and then just go back to your regular settings.
Steaming
The wand is very articulated and easy to clean. The steam comes quick and stays consistently hot. You can steam milk fast enough to make yourself a cappuccino in under 2 minutes. I haven't tried the hot water option but I'm sure that works fine.
Drip Tray
It moves! The tray moves up and down via a touch sensitive button on the machine. It will move from the counter to nearly touching the spouts. The cover on the tray appears to be magnetic so it just attaches easily to the tray top. It slides on and off very easily but will not come off accidentally.
Warming tray
It warms decently fast. It doesn't get too hot or anything. Not much to say about it except it feels a bit small for how big the machine is.
Pure water
This machine has a water purifier included. I'm not sure if it is required to run the machine yet.
Maintenance
It has a lot of maintenance features including keeping track of your descaling schedule. It has you test your water hardness and program it in so it can remind you when you should descale. I haven't had to run any maintenance on it yet but it seems like everything is basically fully automated for it.
Auto Standby
I can't say if this goes into a real low power mode or what but it has a standby feature. After 1 or 4 hours it will standby. I think it just turns the heating off. Turning the warming tray off is optional.
Scheduling
It has a scheduling feature to set wake up and power off times for separate days.
Be aware!
The first few shots might suck. My first shot was 90% water with a dirty color to it. It took a few shots before the machine put out good shots. Not sure if this was a fluke or just my machine or just the machine calibrating but after about 3 failed shots they were all good.
I did not buy this product on Amazon but I use amazon a lot and wanted to put a review up. I did not purchase it with the milk island. The milk island was quite unnecessary. I do not recommend buying the machine with the milk island if you can get it without the island for a better price.

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Combining advanced technology with ease of use, this fully automatic espresso machine grinds the right amount of coffee, doses, and brews, all at the simple push of a button. The unit's innovative Espresso Plus System allows for adjusting the strength of coffee, from mild to strong intensity, making an infinite variety of coffee drinks possible from just one machine. Whether an Italian "ristretto" or a long coffee, it maintains a truly unique creamy finish. Its drip tray can be raised or lowered electrically with a simple touch, allowing the use of different cup sizes. Even more, the unit's 15-bar pump provides plenty of water pressure for authentic espresso extraction, while its stainless-steel rapid-steam boiler system reduces the time between coffee and steam delivery to just a few seconds. Its exclusive steamer swivels 180 degrees and produces hot water for tea, coffee, or instant soup, plus makes quick work of frothing milk for hassle-free cappuccino and lattes even a novice barista could master. In addition, the espresso machine features a touch-screen digital LCD control panel with programming information and alerts, an 8-4/5-ounce bean hopper with adjustable ground-coffee dosage from 7 to 10-1/2 grams, and a built-in ceramic burr grinder with adjustable grind settings. Other highlights include a 57-ounce removable water reservoir, a pre-infusion option, an Aqua Prima water filter, a stainless-steel actively heated cup warmer, the ability to make two cups of coffee at the same time, a Gaggia Milk Island accessory connection, and a removable brewing unit for easy maintenance. Housed in impact-resistant ABS plastic with a stainless-steel-finished front panel, the attractive appliance will look great on any kitchen counter. Designed in Italy by Gaggia, one of the most respected names in the industry, the 1500-watt espresso machine measures 14-3/5 by 12-3/5 by 16-2/5 inches. From the ManufacturerFeatures and Specifications

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