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103 of 103 found the following review helpful:
 Great machine, here's my notes... Aug 21, 2010
By Kirk T. Morger
I've had this machine now 4 months. I've had many machines before it, including the ever popular DeLonghi. This is an amazing machine, but there are a few things to know.
1. All espresso machines, and even some coffee machines, need to be primed. If there is water in the tank, yet it's not pumping but making noise, chances are you just need to prime it. Turn the steam knob just like in the manual, and if it fails, try again. You only have to do this when you first get the machine, or if you some how let it run dry.
2. The specs list this as not coming with a tamper, that's only partially correct. It comes with a plastic scoop / tamper combo thang. Before you get too annoyed with it, I recommend ordering "RSVP Terry's Tamper" (probably advertised on the same page). It's less than 7 bucks, and the small side fits this machines portafilter perfectly.
3. Some reviewers have knocked this machine because the "Filter keeps getting clogged". Here's a news flash: All espresso filters will get clogged if your grinder leaves too many fines. You can get pre-ground espresso (I recommend LaVazza InBlu, or Illy), or you can get yourself a good grinder (doesn't need to be great, as long as it grinds *evenly*). If you accidentally grind too finely, this machine comes with pins to un-clog the filter. You can save a bit of time by just rubbing your thumb over the filter aggressively while running watter over it.
4. Noise. Without a doubt, this is the noisiest espresso machine I've ever owned. That said, I just purchased a Kurieg for my wife, and it is noisier and had even more trouble with it's initial priming. To the Kurieg's credit, there is no grind to mess with, and the clean up is Zero. :)
Now for the stuff that Hasn't been mentioned, but if I where Cuisinart, I'd be shouting this from the roof tops...
1. This machine has the most rock solid temperature across shots I've ever seen. Nothing else comes close.
2. This machine has integrated pressure relief. It's not perfect, which is probably why they didn't mention it, but even Gaggia's solenoid freaks out from time to time too. Most every other manufacture with this feature charge double this machines cost. It's a big deal.
3. I've been inside DeLonghis, Gaggias, and others, this thing is pretty well built. It also looks pretty nice on the outside, and has a water res that is easy to use, large enough, and above all else, leak free.
4. The steam wand works well. It actually works better than my Gaggia's (which was 4 *times* as much money), but it is Different, and takes some initial practice.
5. This machine has an auto power down. That's a Very Nice feature that is often overlooked on less expensive machines, and it's very handy too.
6. The dosing on this thing actually works. I've had a couple other machines that claimed dosing, yet they all seemed pretty random. This one actually works and it works reliably. Before you think this is a feature you can live without, consider this: With non-dosing machines, you need to use a shot glass or some other way of eye-balling when to stop, then put into final glass for mixing. But, with dosing, you can punch up a double shot right into the final cup, and it gets it right. Every Time. How cool is That??? Very Cool!
The only things I wish they did different:
1. I wish the machine was quieter.
2. I wish they had a non-pressurized portafilter basket option.
But, when you compare that to the plus side, it's a no brainer: Buy This Machine!
Not having to temperature surf, not having gooey cleanup, having a cup warmer that actually works, AUTO POWER DOWN, dosing, etc., all for the price of a used Gaggia? Just click "Add to Cart" already!
43 of 44 found the following review helpful:
Great so far!! Jul 25, 2007
By Scott Branstetter
I read that another reviewer had trouble with her machine. Hopefully it was the exception and not the rule. It comes with a 3-year warranty, so I figure that I have reasonable protection should anything break.
This is my first espresso machine and I did a lot of shopping and read a ton of reviews before deciding to buy. I was nervous about buying it because there were zero reviews at the time. However, I loved the look, liked the feature set, and believed in the Cuisinart brand. I have had the machine for a week and have used it at least once each day. So far I am extremely pleased.
I had considered the DeLonghi EC155, which gets good ratings and is reasonably priced. However, it requires the operator to guess or measure the volume of espresso. I am terrible at guessing the volumes of liquids, so I liked that this machine has buttons that make a pre-set (or programmable) volume of coffee. It turns out that this is a great feature and really frees me to multi-task. In the mornings, I hit the power button, and by the time I fill the portafilter the machine is ready to brew. I hit the brew button and mix up my meal replacement shake. After the coffee is finished, I hit the steam button and pour the milk for frothing. It takes less than 30 seconds to froth and steam the milk, so I am pleased with its power. I have never run out of steam and was able to make a nice foam with very little practice. I can make my breakfast shake and a cappuccino or latte in under 10 minutes with the above process. Not bad for an amateur.
Overall I am very pleased with the machine and am having a great time with it. I would recommend it based on my experience thus far.
37 of 40 found the following review helpful:
Excellent espresso, but weak frother Nov 10, 2008
By Jonathan K. Perkins
This unit is nicely put together, with its stainless steel finish. It definitely has a quality feel to it. I had no problem with turning the steam knob, as others have mentioned.
The machine makes excellent espresso, both in semi-automatic and manual modes. Good crema, excellent taste.
Where this machine fall short, though, is in steam volume. It takes a long time to froth the milk, and getting it right is very hit or miss. At first I thought there was more to the art of frothing than I'd assumed, and I kept working on my technique. The best approach, I found, was to include a couple of ice cubes in the milk, to keep the temperature down as the froth built up. Results were barely satisfactory.
I have since discovered that a stronger steam flow is the key to frothing effectively. I'm now using a fully automatic DeLonghi machine that makes excellent espresso and has a far more powerful flow of steam than this Cuisinart (at least the one I had).
If espresso is your thing and you don't mind the manual grinding, tamping, and brewing, this is a great machine. If frothing milk is part of your favorite drink, I'd suggest looking elsewhere.
22 of 23 found the following review helpful:
I'm in love! Feb 26, 2008
By Jason R. Wyckoff
This machine is amazing! Makes great expresso! I bought this machine to replace a Breville that I was not completely happy with, as it made weak espresso and I needed to turn a knob to brew the correct amount. NOT WITH THIS MACHINE! Push a button and walk away, come back to a single or double shot. The water tank is easy to refill (I use a clean syrup bottle to refill it, instead of removing it). The frothing knob is hard to turn at first, but upon the 3rd or 4th use, it is fine. I do not find the frothing wand to be too low or drippy, after all it swivels over the drip tray, duh!!! Looks great on the counter, large cup warming surface, truly stainless, not painted plastic, like some of the Breville is. A++++++
16 of 16 found the following review helpful:
 Very good, especially for the price Jan 20, 2010
By Alex Cox
I got this machine about a month ago, and have been making two lattés a day since then. The espresso produced by this machine is excellent - rich in flavor with a very thick and finely-textured crema. It's easy to get that with the pressurized portafilter included. I have also had good luck with the frothing attachment, though I did remove the "quick froth" attachment, or whatever that was - just using the bare steam nozzle is (for me) easier and produces better foam.
I did have a bit of a freakout when I first tried to use it, though - I filled the reservoir and turned it on, and waited, and.... nothing. The pump made a priming noise (it's kind of loud), but the buttons didn't stop flashing, which would indicate that it was ready. I turned it off and on several times, and finally in a last-ditch effort, I pushed the "manual" button while it was blinking to see if I could get any water to flow through at all. Success! After a few seconds of pumping, the water finally started flowing. I pushed the button again to turn it off, and shortly after the buttons stopped blinking and everything was fine from then on. A lot of other people seem to have issues with this machine not working straight out of the box, and I wonder if it's because the pump isn't priming itself immediately/correctly.
There are, of course, some drawbacks to this machine:
It's kind of loud
It takes up to 60 seconds to warm up sometimes, and another 45 seconds to switch from espresso mode to frothing mode
The included tamper is worthless (for the record, the portafilter is non-standard, and if you get a new tamper, you should look for a 50mm)
Aside from those, I have no complaints. The coffee is delicious, and much cheaper than the $3 a day I was paying before this machine landed on my counter! At the same time as I purchased this machine, I also purchased a burr grinder - and I recommend anyone buying ANY espresso machine do the same. Blade grinders just aren't consistent enough for espresso.
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