DeLonghi ESAM5500M Perfecta Digital Super-Automatic Espresso Machine, Metallic Blue Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I am surprised that I am the first reviewer of this great machine.I just received mine yesterday.I bought it from another vender, but since I typically do most of my shopping via Amazon I thought I would share my experience thus far.Overall, this Super-Automatic is simple to use and makes great coffee, lattes, and cappuccino's.My advice though....WATCH THE DVD BEFORE USING!!!I thought I had this thing in the bag.. how difficult could it be to use??....Well it isn't difficult to use, but there are a few things I did that had I watched the video all the way through I would not have done.For example, when setting how fine or coarse you want the beans you have to adjust the dial one notch at a time while the grinder is running (still doesn't make sense to me).I paused the video before waiting for the lady to finish talking on the topic and just moved it a few notches towards fine...oops!Oh well,doesn't seem to have adversely effected anything, but now I know.Contrary to reviews I have read of super-auto's, the burr grinder on this one is quiet when running. On a scale of 1-10 where 10 is extremely loud and 1 is basically silent I would rate this machine a 5 and my Cuisinart Grind and brew (the one that hold like a pound of beans) an 8.I was actually expecting something much louder.

Build Quality-I would have to say I am impressed with the looks of this machine and its fit and finish.I am sure some people will complain of the amount of plastic, but seeing how this thing already weighs over 20lbs.why add more weight.I thought about the Gran Dama, but honestly this machine is better.

Coffee- I was also considering the Jura Z5 because I read good things, but the price was a stretch.Granted, this machine isn't cheap either.I believe that I made the right choice.The espresso is great.I do wonder though what it tasted like from the factory, but since I changed the settings prematurely I will never know...ha!The Milk pitcher is ingenious...BRAVO!Latte's and Cappuccino's are a breeze and let me tell you this machine makes both very well.Sure a semi-auto can do better, but really I do not want to do the extra steps.As it is, Starbucks does not compare.I have read reviews that state the Gran Dama latte's can be cold.I have to admit, the first one I made was, but after I made a couple and utilized the cup warmer they were perfect.I bought the Cinnamon Dolce syrup from Starbucks and I downed to many lattes....probably explains why at 0209 EST I am still up and writing this review.

My Opinion-If you are in the market for a super-automatic I would say give this one a consideration.I bought this machine from a place that has probably the best return policy of all retailers, so if something does go wrong I will take it right back for another.Regardless, the people at Delonghi are great and I was amazed that as soon as I pushed (1) I was talking to a person almost immediately.I will probably just purchase the extended warranty from the manufacturer and extend the 2 years to 4...Extra $150.That is all for now.Look for an update in a couple months.**UPDATE** 3/24/10

Well I overworked the first one, but the place I bought it from gladly took it back and ordered me another one.I made nearly 2,000 cups of coffee in 4 months with the first one.I have made nearly 1000 with the one I have now, but it seems to be holding up fine.As far as recommending it I still would.I love this machine.It is so nice that I can make everything Starbucks does without having to pay them $4 for every cup.I have basically every syrup they have and all my guests rave about the Delonghi.It is a lot of money to spend on a coffee maker, but I would do it again.

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Product Description:
Brew cafe-quality espresso, cappuccino, latte, and more with this super-automatic home espresso machine. The unit's user-friendly control panel with digital programmable menu settings allows for choosing from five coffee-strength settings--extra-mild, mild, regular, strong, and extra strong, as well as the cup size, from small (ristretto) to large (American coffee). The electronic control panel also makes it easy to adjust the start time, one- to three-hour automatic shut-off, clock, temperature of the coffee, and water hardness. In addition, an integrated lower-pitch conical burr grinder offers 13 grind settings for adjusting the fineness for all types of beans, and the beans grind right before brewing to ensure consistently fresh, aromatic espresso or coffee. The unit's Direct-to-Brew System with Thermoblock technology ensures excellent heat distribution, while its 15 bars of pressure and double boiler with espresso boiler means no waiting between frothing milk and brewing espresso. Adjust the height of the coffee spout for brewing directly into espresso, demitasse, or 12-ounce cups.
For perfect cappuccino and latte, simply place the included 25-ounce milk container under the nozzle and press the button for quick frothing or steaming. The amounts of frothed/steamed milk and coffee can be adjusted, and the milk container can go in the refrigerator for storing leftovers. The espresso machine's removable 60-ounce water tank with a water-level indicator fills easily at the sink, and its removable used-coffee container and drip tray offers convenient cleaning and easy disposal of coffee waste (14 single espresso or 7 double espresso). Other highlights include a built-in water filter, an instant reheat function, a hot-water spout, a 7-ounce coffee-bean container, and a warming plate on top for preheating cups, as well as an automatic-decalcification indicator light, an automatic push-button cleaning function, and dishwasher-safe parts for quick cleanup. The 1350-watt espresso machine measures 17-1/2 by 11-1/7 by 14-7/8 inches and carries a one-year limited warranty.
From the Manufacturer
In addition, the espresso machine offers a unique direct-to-brew system that includes an integrated burr grinder with adjustable fineness settings that automatically grinds coffee beans right before brewing for exceptionally aromatic espresso. The unit also comes equipped with a patented single-touch cappuccino/latte system, which includes a 25-ounce milk container and a detachable container and lid. It can easily froth milk for cappuccinos or steam milk for lattes. Place the cup under the nozzle and press just one button, the unit will automatically deliver a perfect cappuccino or latte every time. The amounts of frothed/steamed milk and coffee are adjustable, and the entire container is detachable, so it can easily be placed in the refrigerator. A unique automatic cleaning function cleans with the push of a button and dishwasher-safe parts provide quick cleanup.
Another unique feature is the statistics function that displays lifetime use of the machine: how many coffees have been brewed, cappuccinos made, liters of water used, how many times you have decalcified the unit.Other highlights include a cup warmer, a 7.1-ounce bean container, 60-ounce removable water reservoir with a water-level indicator, 1-3 hour adjustable automatic shut-off, a hot water spout for tea or hot chocolate, and decalcification system indicates when it's time to clean the machine. Designed and engineered in Italy, the espresso machine measures 15 by 11 by 14 inches and carries a two-year warranty.
Features & Specifications

• Digital Programmable Menu Settings: Allow you to adjust start time, auto shutoff, clock, temperature of the coffee, and water hardness.
  
• Variable Coffee Strength: Five choices--extra-mild, mild, regular, strong, and extra-strong.
  
• Three Cup-Size Choices: ristretto (small), espresso (medium), and large (American coffee).
  
• What You Grind Is What You Brew: The compact and patented Direct-to-Brew System with Thermoblock technology provides excellent heat distribution, and it's removable for easy cleaning. The beans are ground instantly to ensure the freshest espresso or coffee.
  
• Serious Pressure: 15 bars of pressure.
  
• Patented Single-Touch Cappuccinos and Lattes: The system includes a 25-ounce milk container and a detachable lid and container. It can froth milk for cappuccinos or steam milk for lattes. It also includes a unique automatic cleaning function with the easy push of a button. Plus, the entire container is detachable, so it can easily be placed in the refrigerator.
  
• Easy Cleanup: All parts are dishwasher-safe.
  
• Professional-Quality Conical Burr Grinder: Integrated burr grinder produces consistent, fresh, and aromatic espresso or coffee. Grind settings allow you to adjust the fineness for all types of beans.
  
• Instant Reheat Function: Heats the core of the machine, ensuring that Perfecta maintains an ideal temperature for brewing.
  
• Decalcification System: Automatic decalcification indicator lets you know when it's time to clean the machine.
  
• Cup Warmer: Warming plate on top of the machine preheats your cups for the best results.
  
• Hot Water Spout: Ideal for tea or hot chocolate.
  
• Removable 1.8-Liter (60-Ounce) Water Tank: With water level indicator, allows for convenient filling and easy cleaning.
  
• Coffee Bean Container Capacity: 200 grams/7.10 ounces.
  
• Removable Used Coffee Container and Drip Tray: For convenient cleaning and easy disposal of coffee waste. 14 single espresso; 7 double espresso.
  
• Height-Adjustable Coffee Spouts: Adjustable spouts let you brew directly into espresso, demitasse, or 12-ounce cups.
  
• Non-stick grill plate is easy-to-clean

Brewing Unit: The "Heart" of Perfecta
Direct-to-Brew System
One of the secrets to making a high-quality espresso is using freshly ground coffee beans. Because of the direct-to-brew system, the Perfecta offers you coffee that has a delicious aroma. The coffee is freshly ground and no traces are left in the machine. Perfecta is the only super-automatic machine that delivers the freshest results.

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De'Longhi Perfecta ESAM5400 Bean To Cup Espresso/ Cappuccino Machine, 15 Bar (Black) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)After many years of home barista-ing and many machines, I wanted a change: I wanted a cleaner counter without knock boxes and grounds everywhere and Cafiza and backflushing and mess. It has exceeded my expectations. I drink a traditional cappuccino. Yes, the foam is the tall style shaving foam, rather than the silky microfoam, but I've learned to live with that, and the Delonghi foams better than my Gaggias, though it takes a bit longer. The steam wand is very easy to clean and does not clog. Setting the machine to the finest grind, and setting it to the highest strength and highest temp, my cappas are perfect -- absolutely delicious. Yes, it's essentially thermoblock and pressurized, but I prefer the cappas' flavor to what I had with a much more expensive setup. The machine holds plenty of beans, and cleans itself superbly every time. It's a design marvel and easy to use. I'm happy I didn't get the model with the milk container, because the steaming is very easy to do myself, and using a thermometer, I can make sure the steamed milk is the temp I want. The main negative for me is that I wish the water container were one inch wider [and hence the machine one inch wider] which would have significantly increased the volume of water it contained:I find myself refilling the water often, compared to emptying pucks or refilling beans, which is rare.Overall, I'm very happy I went for this Perfecta.

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Product Description:
When it comes to brewing a perfect cappuccino or latte with one-touch convenience, the DeLonghi Perfecta lives up to its name. Made in Italy, the machine produces beautiful espresso and lets you top it off with frothed or steamed milk. * Fully automatic and programmable with an easy-to-use control panel and digital menu that guides you through the whole process. * Convenient auto-on feature lets you program when the machine should turn on and heat up so it's ready to brew when you wake up. * Built-in 13-setting conical burr grinder grinds beans just before brewing for the freshest, purest flavor; bypass feature allows for use of ground beans. * A 15-bar pressure pump ensures maximum extraction of flavor. * Water filter eliminates impurities for better-tasting coffee. * DeLonghi's signature Direct-to-Brew system ensures consistent heat distribution and removes for easy cleaning. * Includes five customized coffee strength settings, five water temperature settings, water hardness setting, language setting and timer. * Rotary control panel for selecting customized cup size from 1 to 4 oz. * Stainless-steel and aluminum piped double boiler eliminates downtime between brewing and frothing. * Manual frother for steams or froths milk to perfection. * Instant reheat function maintains ideal brewing temperature. * Statistics function reports how many coffees made, how many times machine has been de-scaled, the total liters of water runoff and how many times the water filter has been replaced. * Extra-large removable water tank for easy refilling. * Also dispenses hot water for tea. * Auto on and auto off.

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

Average Reviews:

(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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Product Description:
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 Manufacturer
This classically designed machine features an active cup warmer, an electronic cup life, a bypass doser, a quiet and reliable ceramic burr grinder, the Aqua Prima water filtration system, and more. Use the menu to turn pre-infusion on or off, adjust coffee volume, program water hardness, perform rinsing and descaling cycles, and change the coffee dosage for each drink. Even the display itself can be customized to display words or icons, and the contrast can be increased for easier viewing. The Gaggia Platinum Vision speaks of great espresso, high end design, and luxury.
Features and Specifications

Exterior
Hands down, the Platinum's exterior stands out from the competition. Gaggia incorporated a stainless steel front panel into their design--an element the consumer expects from a high-end appliance.

Exclusive Touch Screen
This feature offers the ability to select a desired function or to enter the programming menu by a simple touch on the screen.

Electronic Drip Tray
With a light press of the "cup lift" button, the machine adjusts the height of the drip tray to allowing the use of different sizes of cups.

Espresso Plus System
Regulate the intensity of your coffee with the simple turn of a dial. An exclusive system allows the user to adjust the body and the intensity of any coffee blend from mild to more intense, depending on the individual's preferences--all while maintaining a perfect crema.

Revolving Frothing Wand
The exclusive revolving frother is always ready to deliver hot water or steam for a menu of drinks such as lattes, cappuccinos, americanos, and more. Mounted on a ball joint, it accommodates any size pitcher and is easy to maneuver.

Ceramic Coffee Grinder
The ceramic burr coffee grinder assures quiet functioning, high performance, and a consistent grind each time. This grinder not only enhances the functions of the machine, but its ceramic construction ensures longevity and flavorful beverages.

Aqua Prima Filter
The Aqua Prima water filter was developed to remove impurities from your water.The result is fresh, clean-tasting coffee every time. The Aqua Prima water filter also reduces the formation of lime scale in the machine, protecting your boiler and brewing components.
Specifications:

One 1300-watt boiler that assures rapid steam
Stainless-steel lined boiler
Espresso Plus system
Digital touch screen with programming information and alerts for: cleaning and descaling, setting water temperature and brewing volume, pre-Infusion and dosage (Opti-Dose system), number of cups brewed
Automatic timer and energy saving mode
Turning cup warmer to on, off, or standby
Stainless-steel front panel
Bypass doser for ground coffee (such as decaf coffee)
Electronic height--adjustable cup tray
Coffee dosage from 7 to 10-1/2 grams
Removable 57 ounce water reservoir
Ceramic burr grinder with adjustable settings
8.8-ounce sealable bean hopper
Removable brew group
Pannarello wand for frothing and steaming
15 bar pump
Actively heated cup warmer holds four demitasse cups
Eight language display choices including English, Italian, German, French, and Spanish
Gaggia Milk Island automatically froths and steams milk

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