Capresso EC PRO Espresso and Cappuccino Machine, New, Silver

Para ser casera y de bajo costo no está mal, lo único que no me gusto a pesar de ser casera es que no le cabe mucho café al maneral tanto para un espresso como para dos(7gr aprox. en el de uno y 12gr aprox. en el de 2), no podrás jugar con ratios :(, en el maneral de dos no me gusto que esta como obstruido, en maneral de un espresso sale bastante bien, para cremar la leche bastante bien para ser casera si estas practicando con Latter Art esta te dejará cremar pero tendrás que tener paciencia ya que es un poquito tardado. Adjunto fotos 🙂

I purchased my Capresso machine as a replacement for a much more basic machine. Having now had it for just over four months, I’m still quite happy. If you are looking for a simple easy to use semi-automotive espresso machine I’d suggest the Capresso as a great option. You do have to do a bit of work to pull a good cup of espresso. Use fresh coffee with a espresso grind, measure carefully, tamp, then pay attention on the pull (or knob twist, if you will). Do those steps correctly and you’ll enjoy a nice cup of espresso.

For a latte and cappuccino I have had good results, too. Some posted reviews have said that the steamer/frother was not effective. As with many tools you have to know how to use it to get the most out. For the Capresso frother, you must let the machine warm up and have a green light that the frother is ready. Then make sure to blow out the water in the wand til you have steam. To froth the milk use a proper frothing pitcher for best results. First, warm the milk with the frother inserted into the milk. As the milk temperature increases, move the frother tip to just at the surface of the milk. Be careful the first time you try, since hot splattered milk is a mess and burns. But with this technique you can build up a nice smooth foam for your drink of choice.

There is two items I will point out about the Capresso machine. First, with the double portafiter it is really just about impossible to end up with a dry coffee puck. It seems that this is as much a design issue vs how you use the machine. If having a dry puck matters to you, then another machine might be better for you. Next, the bottomless portafilter works great but if you are inexperienced the learning process will be messy. If making a mess as you learn is an issue, maybe a full automatic machine is a better way to go for you.

Bottom line, for the money this machine is hard to beat. I have used it a lot over the last three months and look forward to having it for a long time. If you are buying the Capresso as your first machine, make sure as the very least to buy a tamper and maybe a stainless steamer pitcher. Those accessories will go a long way to making your espresso better.

Edit: I’ve had this machine now for well over two years. Still works great, zero issues.

I have used a REAL espresso machine when I was in food service, and this Capresso is replacing the KRUPS XP100050 (about 50$)…so my review of this machine is in relation to those two comparisons, which are respectively much less and much More expensive.
First off, with this machine and every machine I’ve used, you have to put a little work into each espresso/coffee drink you make. There is no auto pilot. If you want auto pilot, this is not your machine. This is an entry level/advanced machine. Unlike the Krups, this is of high enough quality build, design and output to use everyday. The handles are well sized and a nice heavy weight! There are two filters included, the bottomless filter and the two cup/beginner filter. It is useful to have two handles, especially because it is suggested you prime the machine each time you use it to bring it up to temperature. You can prime the machine with one handle while you load and tamp the other handle. THIS UNIT DOES INCLUDE an inexpensive but totally functional scoop and tamp. It comes with a pretty good instruction booklet. The water tank in the back is very nicely designed, cleanable..and movable.
The quality of the build is very nice, good looking machine, I would love it if it weighed just a little more, as you do have to brace it sometimes while putting on the handle. I am impressed with the foaming wand, makes VERY fluffy foam. Probably easier to use, and more productive, than even the pro espresso machine I used.
The quality of the espresso is very good and it rivals but does not quite live up to a pro machine. It is rich and not bitter and it is a good temperature. I’m a pretty good packer and I have really yet to get solid crema on the espresso. I am not going to say it’s impossible because I haven’t experimented with grind variation.
I really like this machine, it gets four stars because of that—but I would have got 5 if the espresso were just a little thicker. I do recommend this machine–because I would not be surprised if it were the best in it’s price range. I like its simplicity.

** UPDATE November 19, 2014 almost a year later
Machine is working as good as it did in the beginning. We use it all day everyday–almost totally replaced our drip coffee maker! We are SO satisfied with it and can’t really imagine the day without it. Yes, that’s coffee addition at its finest! Note: We rarely use the foaming function because we just Don’t care for it that much (foam is too time consuming) usually use it with guests who want to be spoiled. For the foam the heating element heats up hotter than for the shot–so not foaming MAY extend the life of the machine. Who knows for sure.