 "Wow! I'm impressed." | 2008-09-25 |
| - Reviewed By User: A11Q1XW0CZZLMC |
I am a student who was frustrated with how much I was spending on coffee every day...I decided to look for a home espresso machine; I needed one somewhere between $100 and $200. After a lot of online browsing, I decided on the Ariete. I was a little uncertain (there are always some discouraging reviews, and the description left me wondering if anything was missing) but I went for it anyway. The price was right, most reviews were satisfying, and it seemed like the best machine for the money on Amazon.
The machine arrived quickly and undamaged, as is characteristic of Amazon.
However, when I opened it and set it up to prime the pump, I turned it on, and nothing happened. Then I saw a tiny little wisp of smoke (not steam, smoke) curling out from the top.
That I didn't like.
Just my luck, I thought. It's a total dud and I have to send it back.
I came home later and messed around with it, only to find that the problem was the water tank on the back wasn't quite locked in place, so the machine wasn't taking up water.
I fixed that, and everything ran smoothly from there on out.
I LOVE THIS MACHINE
(so far...I won't be naive and expect it to run this way indefinitely...)
PROS:
*Easy to use (Really. I love coffee, but I'm not a professional barista. I read the instructions and did just fine.)
*Nice-looking machine
*Stainless steel
*Easy to clean (bottom tray lifts out)
*Comes with everything you need (except the coffee and drinkware)
*The coffee tastes great!
*Nice froth on the espresso and good steamer function
*Pump-driven (I've never had this - it's very impressive)
*Espresso comes out instantly
*Comes with two filters (one for one shot, one for two), a measuring scoop with what I think they call a tamp on the other end to pack the grounds)
*Has two little spouts that expel coffee in case you want to separate shots, and you can judge where to put your shot glasses by two little circles in the bottom tray
*There are really no crazy inner-workings to clean. As far as I can tell, there is no opening to the inside of the machine, and no need to access it.
*If you're doin' it right, everything comes out hot
I don't really have any cons...I guess you could say I have a few tips about problems you might have:
*Make sure the water tank is securely locked in place before you do anything! From experience, that's my number one tip.
*The machine gets hot. (Duh.) Be careful not to touch it or move it when it's in use.
*The machine might be a little noisy for some. The pump is not silent.
*The machine does not pre-measure the water that goes into the espresso shots, and it does not know how many you are making. That means that, when you turn the dial to "espresso," you need to watch it fill your shot(s) and turn it to "0" when they are just about full, or else it will keep feeding water through. I leave a little room in the shot glasses because it will spit a little extra out when you turn it to zero.
*The only thing I'm a little hazy on is the milk steaming...I've done it several times now, and it always works out fine, but I'm unsure when exactly to put the steam nozzle into the cup. The directions say the orange light goes out when the steam is heated enough, but mine always stays on. Maybe I have the dial turned too far. I just turn it to "Steam" and let it blow for a minute until it seems to be getting stronger and warmer. It's better to put it in the cup sooner than later, because, if you try to insert the nozzle in your milk when it's going full strength, it will spray your milk all over the place.
If I have any new experiences with the machine, I will update my review.
So far, so good!
I can't imagine finding a better machine for $154. I'm happy with my purchase and I highly recommend. |
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 "Disappointing...." | 2008-09-01 |
| - Reviewed By User: A3415XXVUAV0FD |
I bought a model 1375 espresso machine a year ago and use it 3-4 times each week. While I haven't had any major problems like those described in some reviews, I do have some complaints:
1) Before using it for the first time, I read the written instruction sheet very carefully. Only later did I find the small, separate piece of paper which says "BEFORE making espresso the first time, you MUST prime the pump!" (I'm using their caps & exclamation point.) Why not include advice that on the large multilingual sheet of basic instructions??
2) The first cup of the day never has a thin layer of tan foam on the surface, no matter how long I let the machine heat up. Only when you make the next cup does that normal foam appear.
3) I bought the machine because it's made of stainless steel, not plastic, and it looks attractive. However I learned that the drip tray isn't stainless steel. Pieces of metal continue to peel off one area of the tray, as if acid were eating into it. I now wash and dry the drip tray every single time I use the machine. When that metal began peeling, I sent email to Ariete customer service, requesting that they send me a new drip tray to replace the one that's slowly deteriorating. That was about 6-8 months ago and they NEVER responded.
4) Recently the Ariete label glued to the bottom of the front of the machine began peeling off. It had never been exposed to water or rough treatment. Now it's starting to look tacky...
In conclusion, I would never buy another espresso maker made by Ariete because of complaint #3. |
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 "Exactly what I expect (after I read all these reviews)" | 2008-08-30 |
| - Reviewed By ebennett1974 |
The Lello 1375 is well-assembled and functions appropriately (the majority of the time). It's easily paid for itself in saving in just a few months and I'm quite pleased with the product espresso that results from this machine. For my purposes, I never use the steam wand, only producing espresso shots.
There are a few shortcomings, as others have mentioned. 1) The "wet cake" issue is treatable by strongly compressing the grounds, but this compaction can lead to slowing of the espresso flow; for me, it's easiest just to wash out the wet cake. 2) Corrosion of the drip tray was immediate following use. From the rate of spread of the corrosion spots (>10 of them now), I expect the corrosion to migrate from the hidden part of the tray to the visible in a year or so. 3) The biggest issue is the occasionally erratic steaming of the espresso grounds. Rather than producing a nice stream of rich, creamy espresso, about 10% of the time, the machine will eject steam and a watery coffee-looking substances.
Overall, if this machine lasts as long as others here have found - and it appears to be built that way - it's *easily* worth the cost, even with the imperfections. |
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| "inexpensive little workhorse" | 2008-08-30 |
| - Reviewed By User: A2XDRT1SDBD0N0 |
I purchased this machine based on recommendations from Amazon customers and am very happy.
I spent WAY too much money on a Starbucks Sirena at Christmas. Must have been in the throws of caffeine withdrawal DTs or something. The Sirena worked great until it's death after only 6 months of use. We make 4 lattes or mochas a day, took care of it per manufacturer's instructions, didn't beat it with a hammer, etc.
The Lello 1375 Areiete Cafe Prestige machine has the same number of bars-so the power is the same so it heats up the milk just as fast as the Sirena. You do need to get the little espresso cups so you know when to shut off the machine ( the Sirena has an automatic shut-off). You need to tamp your own grounds (big deal-the machine comes with a tamper).
We are very happy so far, have had it for 2 months. No need to spend big money on one of these things. It's cute, seems well made.
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| "Very reliable, good quality and value" | 2008-08-28 |
| - Reviewed By User: A2GZ13Z8WVRQE0 |
| I just purchased my second machine. I make a quad espresso every day and find this coffee maker to be highly reliable and durable. After 2 years of daily use, my first machine still works fine. Since I'm not sure how much more life is left in it, I took it down to my vacation home and bought a new one for everyday use. Operationally, you just have to make sure that you don't pack the coffee too tight and make sure that you tighten the portafilter all the way - about 30 degrees past the center point to the right. I have read a number of complaints about this product anomoly, but that's just the design. (it doesn't help that the picture shows the portafilter centered on the machine) However, it's not tight unless you turn it all the way to the right. The steamer works fine as long as you use cold low fat or non fat milk in a reasonable quantity. I steam about a cup to a cup and a half of 1 pct milk at a time and it works just fine. For the money, this is a very good machine. |
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| "A great buy" | 2008-08-20 |
| - Reviewed By User: A10CM7WGP9XMBY |
After reading all of the reviews we decided to take the plunge on this unit.
Love it - very happy with the purchase.
NOthing negative to say about it at all.
The final product is fabulous whether or not you do the milk froth.
YUM! |
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| "A great deal to make great espresso" | 2008-08-03 |
| - Reviewed By billwestheimer |
I like this machine enough that I bought two of them. One for home and one for the office. It makes great espresso, warms up quickly, has a good size tank, and is easy enough to use for my wife (who is techno-phobic) to figure out and she loves it too.
The second machine I bought had a drip tray that was corroded by the coffee, but Lello replaced it free of charge. Great customer care!
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| "best at home espresso" | 2008-07-28 |
| - Reviewed By User: A3W8IE6GW0U5Y |
| I LOOKED A LONG TIME FOR AREPLACEMENT FOR MY STARBUCKS MACHINE AND THIS MACHINE WAS WORTH THE THE SEARCH. THIS MACHINE MAKES A GREAT ESPRESSO EVERY TIME.COMPARES WITH ESPRESSO IVE HAD AT RESTAURANTS AND STARBUCKS.I AM TOTALLY SATISFIED. |
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| "Two years and still the best." | 2008-07-26 |
| - Reviewed By benbart67 |
| I like my espresso straight, or over ice. Every once and a while I'll have a latte. After two years of using this machine I must say that it makes a great shot of espresso. Which is why I give it 5 stars. |
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| "Fantastic Product for the price!" | 2008-07-21 |
| - Reviewed By User: AGAY5BDLH22HJ |
This is the second one of these I have purchased. This is the absolute BEST espresso maker for the price. The first one I bought lasted for 4 years - and we use it every day! That's 1460 lattes + we make espresso often so figure at this price point you're paying about 10-cents per coffee drink.
It looks beautiful on our granite counter tops and again - the espresso is fantastic due to the 15 bar pump. I highly recommend it and hope a good review won't make them increast the price! |
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