 "Love my Cafe Roma!!!" | 2008-10-05 |
| - Reviewed By User: A2IPM6PR1TYE2H |
| I bought this machine 1 year ago, I use it every day and my coffee is flawless every time. Once a month, I let the filter sit in vinegar, wash it with soap and water to prevent clogging and off we go again. I have read some of the bad reviews and never experienced the problems reported. I highly recommend it, it is easy to use, at a good price and reliable. |
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| "Tina" | 2008-09-30 |
| - Reviewed By User: A1B2KCMQ3E084X |
| This Expresso Maker is so good. It is not too big, good for just persional use. Easy to clearn. Pretty good! |
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 "Nothing can" | 2008-09-19 |
| - Reviewed By User: A3CWQFG52UANWW |
| Beat this product considering it's low cost. It produces a good cup of espresso and is easy enough to clean. We bought one of these for the office and we're lovin it. We haven't had any problems with grinds getting stuck in the filter like other people keep bringing up. In fact I was thinking of buying another one for my house. |
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| "What's Not To Like?" | 2008-08-27 |
| - Reviewed By User: A8RWT1WKYBBI7 |
I've had my Breville ESP8XL since Christmas 2007. I make espresso quite regularly, although I have stopped making it every day. Any time I got a bad cup it was because of something I did wrong. It takes a little time to learn how to make espresso so if you're getting bad espresso look around on the internet for some advice or talk to someone who knows how to make it.
I have never had anything clog that I have made sure to keep clean. Good coffee, good espresso, REQUIRES you keep everything clean! Clean everything within minutes after drinking your espresso. Don't forget the part (hey, I'm not a technician) where the water sprays out. Occasionally grinds will find their way up there and if you let them accumulate you'll have rotten espresso.
I've read reviews that say their filters get clogged. Someone mentioned that their grind might be too small. Makes sense. I use a Breville conical burr grinder, and since the espresso machine is also a Breville, the espresso grind should be right for this machine. I've never had a clogging problem.
Preheat everything before you make your espresso.
I like the looks of the machine, it is easy to clean. I have made lattes for family members, but since I don't corrupt my coffee with additives I don't know how good they were. The recipients claimed they enjoyed what they drank.
Well worth the money as far as I'm concerned. |
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| "Gets the Job Done" | 2008-07-22 |
| - Reviewed By User: A2MZL325AW8B90 |
I have had this machine since the Independence Day weekend. This is my second espresso machine. I bought a Bialetti stovetop cappuccino maker a few months ago. I loved that the Bialetti frothed the milk and brewed the espresso at the same time, and how pretty it was to look at, but I quickly grew tired of its temperamental performance and the painstaking effort required to clean it.
However, I am very much enjoying this Breville machine. I love the small form factor. So many espresso machines have these huge tanks and they take up so much space! With only limited counter space and no need to make espresso for more than 2 to 4 people at any one time, the 40 oz tank is the right size. I am relatively new at the espresso game, so I am quite pleased with how consistently well the espresso is brewed. I see crema every time! The double walled filter and the springloaded filter holder work extremely well. The espresso is made within a few seconds of turning that dial to the "coffee cup." The frothing attachment heats the milk pretty quickly and the warming tray on top of the machine is very convenient.
Frothing, on the other hand, is not as problem-free. Breville upgraded the frother on this model (thanks, Breville) so that it swivels and the rubber tip was eliminated. However, frothing is still inconsistent, at best. One time, milk blew out of the jug all over the place as I was trying to froth. More than once, the milk didn't froth sufficiently. Just not enough foam. I sure am getting some great lattes, though. If anything cries out for additional improvement on this machine, the frothing attachment is it.
On the other hand, cleanup is a snap (especially compared to the Bialetti). The stainless steel espresso cups and filters come clean in seconds. Running a little heated water through the machine cleans it. And while milk solids on the frothing wand can be difficult to clean, here's what I swear by - a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser! It gets rid of those milk solids in a flash - no matter how encrusted. I also appreciate the consistent temperatures for espresso maintained by this machine. With the Bialetti, the cappuccino was always lukewarm. With the Breville, my coffee drinks are the perfect temperature.
Bottom line, this machine is a great buy for the price. If you want an espresso machine that will produce excellent espresso and you don't want to spend $300 to $3,000, then this is the machine for you. This machine isn't perfect, so cappuccinos and lattes could be inconsistent due to the frothing attachment (and it would also be nice if there was enough vertical clearance under the filter holder to fit mugs) but it comes pretty darn close. I haven't been near a designer coffee shop since I bought my Breville! |
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| "Breville Espresso maker" | 2008-07-04 |
| - Reviewed By User: A2QEZSIRV9TFUK |
I love it, love it, love it
Helps me start my day with an awsome espresso. I didn't think it would be this easy to make my favorite coffee daily without paying almost $5.00. |
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| "YUMMMM" | 2008-06-15 |
| - Reviewed By jc3385865 |
I have had my Breville Cafe Roma for about eight months now and I use it almost every day.
In regard to the negative reviews about clogging: I have only had this happen once, when I used VERY fine grounds to make my espresso. If you do not use ultra-fine grounds and if you pull the filter out and rinse it after every use, you will not have this problem. Also, if you wipe off the frothing wand and blow a little steam through it after every use, you will not have a clogging problem with the frother.
This machine makes really good espresso! My husband says it is very smooth and is the best he's ever tasted. I also love it and I make lattes and mochas with it. I must say I prefer my homemade coffee drinks to Starbucks (can you believe it!?). The frothing wand is very efficient, though it is on the short side, but it is definitely possible to work with (note: mine doesn't have the pictured black plastic tip on the frothing wand, but it is not needed, to make froth all you have to do is hold the tip just on the surface of the milk and it bubbles up very nicely). The machine comes with 2 stainless steel espresso cups with saucers and the steel frothing mug (which saves you $20-$30 as other machines do not come with these accessories).
Oh, and it is true, you can't really fit a coffee mug under the spout. I fix this problem by using the stainless steel frothing mug, and then dumping the espresso into my mug before filling the frothing mug with milk. Not a big deal at all.
In all, if you purchase this machine, you will be buying a very good machine for the money. |
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| "After 1 year, great espresso and no problems" | 2008-06-09 |
| - Reviewed By User: A1PGJ2LRSXZLOM |
I have had this machine for 1 year now, and so far have had no problems or disappointments with it. I received this as a gift, and have to say it was the best gift ever. I do not claim to be a coffee expert, other than I enjoy drinking coffee, espresso, capuccino and lattes. I love love love my machine, possibly to the point of obsession, and would recommend it to others. I find it makes espresso and capuccino as good as the ones I used to get 3 times a day at coffee bars when I lived in Italy. This is the only espresso machine I have ever owned before and I find it very easy to operate and clean. (I put the stainless steel cups and milk container in the dishwasher, and handwash the rest, but it is still not difficult). It took me about a week to get a handle on making good foam with the frothing wand, but after some practice I can make excellent foam. I think I have a fall back career as a barrista.
If you are looking for your first machine, this would be a very nice one to try. It is compact, very attractive, easy to use, and not too expensive compared to the very high end machines. I have used a friend's very low-end machine (Mr. Coffee, $30 machine) before, and I think this one is better. It makes stronger espresso, and it is easier to make foam. Although depending on the amount of money you can spend, and your level of coffee-snobbery, even a very low end machine can give you decent results.
From other people's reviews, some people who are much more experienced with different machines say they do not like this one. One complaint that is common is that the filters clog often. I have to admit that I have never cleaned my filters (even though I am sure I should), and that I do not find the quality of the coffee to have decreased, or that the filters are clogged. I also have had no problems with fitting the filters into the machine, or getting them out, and so far the seals and gaskets seem to be holding up.
One thing I noticed is that the photo of the machine from the manufacturer shows a black, plastic attachment on the steam wand. My machine did not come with one, but just has a plain metal wand, like the one shown in the customer photos. Either they have changed how they make the steam wand, or I never got that black thing. I never asked the company, and my steam wand works just fine like it is. You MUST clean your steam wand after each use or it will get clogged and gross. After I use mine, I always wipe the tip off with wet towel, and I run emtpy steam through it for a few seconds to clear out any milk that may be in there. |
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| "My new Espresso Maker" | 2008-06-08 |
| - Reviewed By User: AOYN7X0062ME5 |
| My Espresso Machine broke recently and I could not get any spare parts anymore. Therefore, I had to buy a new one. I did not know, which machine would fit my Espresso expectations (I moved from Europe to the USA), I finally have chosen the Breville Machine. It is now several weeks in service and I am fully satisfied. It took me some time to fine tune the grinding level of my French Roast Coffee Beans. Now I get an Espresso like I used to from Italy. I prepare 8 to 12 Espressi per day and I never experienced a problem with clogging or anything else. |
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| "Great coffeemaker" | 2008-06-01 |
| - Reviewed By charon88 |
| Really like this coffee maker--does a great job steaming milk, and makes great espresso. My morning latte is delicious. |
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