Customer Reviews

Briel ES35AF Chamonix Pump Espresso Machine With Auto Espresso Flow

5 star:		(53)
4 star:		(36)
3 star:		(16)
2 star:		(20)
1 star:		(23)

 

 

Perfect espresso, first time, and every time. Virtually fool-proof, but then growing in my foolishness. The magic "crema" disc must do the trick, combined with the higher pressure of ~ 15 bars. Stovetop machines can't force the steam through the coffee correctly because they only generate 3 bars (atmospheres). What sold me was the 10 year guarantee on the pump. If most espresso machines can do the job, I wanted one that would last. I looked at machines from $20 closeouts to $2000 commerical models. This is the lowest priced with the best features. Anything cheaper, doesn't give you the pressure (except the Briel's Lido) nor the autoflow so you don't have to hold down a lever. "Just set it and forget it for a minute". Anything more expensive doesn't add much more than aesthetics and commercial capacity. Oops, gotta go, it's getting cold.

We've owned this Briel model for 3 years, and have used it 4-5 times per day. It is very convenient to operate and clean. The viewable water level lets you know when the water level is low, and the water reservoir is big enough that one doesn't have to fill it too often.

My only complaint is the difficulty in getting parts (rubber "O" rings for the frothing wand). Briel needs to improve parts availability in the U.S. However, the value for money cannot be beat, and so I'm buying a new one for my office.

By the way, the espresso and cappucino is great from the machine -- good crema and froth.

I can only compare this machine to a regular boiler espresso machine (used Krups until now). In comparison Briel produces a wonderful, rich crema. The coffee is less hot and therefore less bitter. The froth produced is also better. The coffee flow can be interupted by a push of a button and again instantly reinstated. The large water tank can be refilled either from the top or the container itself can be removed from the back of the machine. The drip tray itself is also completely removable, allowing for easy cleaning. The forthing attachment can be removed by simply pulling on it. Briel is a very good European brand. I also find the 10 year pump warranty very impressive. So far, I love the Briel Chamonix.

This is the fourth espresso machine that I have owned in the last ten years and it is, by far, the best. Besides making the most consistently perfect cup of espresso, I find it the easiest to clean and fill. The tape that was included with the machine was helpful. You will find moisture within the wrapping of an unopened machine. At first I thought I had a used machine but soon found out that all the machines are pressure tested with water before packing.

I purchased the Briel Chamonix as a step-up/replacement for my Krups steamer. After brewing a couple of shots, I realized the flavor I was missing while I was using my trusty Krups. I feel I've made a reasonable purchase with this machine, with these positive observations:
- This is a _great_ value for the money I spent.
- Consistently positive reviews on Amazon (4/5 stars, 56 reviews)
- Nice compact form
- The machine heats up very quickly
- Contrary to a couple of other reviewers' experience, the espresso produced is very hot, with no need to re-heat the coffee.
- Excellent steam for frothing.
These were/are some draw-backs:
- The distance under the brew-head to the base of the machine is, indeed, short. A shot glass fits comfortably, but nothing any taller. I need to find a short container that holds two shots because:
- When making two shots, the dispensor does not fill two individual shot glasses evenly. The right glass _always_ fills up before the left. I like double-shot lattes, so I find this an inconvenience.
- The frothing wand is at a rather odd angle...
Neutral thoughts and experiences:
- The package arrived with excessive moisture on and around the machine, packaged inside a plastic bag, just as this web-site and other reviews have noted. No surpise here.
- As several reviewers experienced, the stainless steel front panel had come apart from the machine and was laying loose in the box. I attribute this to the aforementioned excessive moisture in the package and probable tempurature swings the package was subjected to before arrival at my doorstep. I carefully cleaned the machine surface and removed the water droplets from the steel panel (used a blow dryer) and afixed it back to the machine. Seems to be holding fine.
- Following the enclosed instructions, it took three attempts to prime the pump.
- Having previous experience with espresso makers proved to be valuable in working with this machine. I think a beginner might not find the instructions very intuitive.

I've had my Chamonix since December 2001, and I love it. I use it for at least three shots a day, and I've only had to take the screen off for cleaning about once a year.

This is a great machine for personal use. Based on other reviews I've read here, I see that some people are disappointed about some aspects of the machine, which I'll try to clarify:

-The frother nozzle is hard to clean. In fact, I don't clean it, and it hasn't been a problem. If you think about it, you have scalding hot steam coming out every time you froth some milk, so I'm not worried about germs.

-You shouldn't leave the machine on for longer than you need to. This is not an always-on model like my rich friend has.

-You cannot brew directly into most mugs; I use a small enamel cup. Shot glasses also work, but tend to cool the espresso too much because glass has such a high heat capacity. This is not unusual for espresso machines; most commercial espresso places brew into shot glasses.

-The steam nozzle drips like crazy while you're brewing. I keep a spoonrest underneath to catch the drips.

-You have to hit the brew button after foaming to let out the super-hot steam enough that the coffee doesn't get scalded (if you foam before pulling the shots, which I do).

-The basket needs to be filled to the proper level. You should loosely scoop it about 7/8 full, then tamp it with the built-in tamper. You should get a firm but not hard surface on the grounds. If you can't press the top of the basket against the machine, it's too full. If the tamper doesn't make a complete disc on the top of the grounds, it's not full enough. This machine is not meant to be given a hard-packed pellet of espresso grounds, nor is it meant to be used with less than a full basket.

-This machine does not produce a hard grounds puck like most machines. I believe this is because of the kind of filter/gasket combination is has to give a good crema. Therefore, when emptying it between shots, I recommend rinsing it in the sink rather than banging it over a puck can. I never take the basket out of the handle, and I haven't had any problems with it. If you grind your coffee right, it won't clog your kitchen drain. If you're getting a clogged drain from doing this, you're probably also getting bad coffee from too coarse a grind.

-Don't let it run out of water or it makes a horrible sound. I've done this at least five times, but it's never caused damage.

-The shot size is not consistent. I always watch the pull and stop it when it's reached the amount I want.

So, as you can see, this is not a pro machine, and I'd probably be annoyed by the above characteristics if I'd dropped eight hundred bucks on this thing. But this is an inexpensive machine, and you can't beat that with a stick for a pump machine.

If you see other reviewers that said this machine doesn't make great espresso, they're doing it wrong, and it's really not hard. You just have to not pack the ground so tightly.

This review was originally written in July 2004.

UPDATE 10/1/06: This machine is still going strong after nearly five years, and I'm very happy with it.

There's one thing I'm sure of: to make really good espresso/cappuccino drinks, you've *got* to get a pump-driven machine (the steam machines don't generate the thick, rich creme that you want, nor do they provide enough steam to froth a sufficient amount of milk for a cappuccino or latte). After researching pump machines, I decided to give this model a try, based on its (largely) excellent reviews and apparent value. It arrived fully intact (the faceplate was firmly attached to the unit), but the filter holder was poorly soldered and didn't hold the filter properly. Kudos to Briel: I called their customer service number and they shipped me another holder free of charge. The machine now works perfectly and produces terrific espresso and espresso drinks! The only remaining irritant is that although the box states that an instructional video is enclosed, it wasn't. Instead, they enclosed instructions to FAX them a mailing address to which they would ship the video. Unfortunately, when I tried to do that, I found that the FAX number had been disconnected. :-( Overall I'm pleased with this machine and I recommend buying one if you're looking for a great value in a pump espresso machine. All others I've found cost 2-4 times as much and I'm not convinced they produce any better coffee. Enjoy!

First, to expose my bias -- I am a purist and love traditional Italian espresso, without any "Americano" bastardization. This machine brews an outstanding Italian-style espresso, with some of the best crema I've ever had either side of the Atlantic. The temperature is just right; my previous German-brand machines didn't get the water hot enough. It is delightfully simple and straightforward to use. My very first brew was spot on. The price is a true bargain.

The Chamonix, however, is not perfect. I join the chorus of complaints regarding the deceiving label claiming an instructional video was enclosed. There is none. This is inexcusable. Fortunately, a video is not necessary for operation of this machine.

My front panel is firmly attached.

I understand there can be residual water from the factory pump tests, so I was not surprised to find it. I have also found it in other espresso machines.

The overall feeling of the unit is "plasticy." Construction in some areas is on the flimsy side; the Auto Espresso Flow control knob and the metal drip tray grid especially so. I suppose any unit in this price range will be similarly constructed. I just couldn't bring myself to spend $500 on one with more metal, knowing the espresso wouldn't taste any better.

The Briel AquaStop System, claiming elimination of most of the annoying dripping found in espresso units, falls far short. The Chamonix drips as much as any of the other units I've owned.

The Auto Espresso Flow doesn't impress me. It's difficult to gauge just how much water is going to be delivered. This required a lot of hit and miss brewing. I don't feel it provides any real benefit. I'd rather switch off the flow of water when I say so. Fortunately, this is an option.

The "turbo-jet" frother was equally unimpressive. Frothing was still on the difficult side. I've never owned an espresso machine that really made frothing easy. I note that the owner's manual mentions an optional Quick Froth Cappuccino accessory. If you intend to froth much, you might want to check the accessory out. Fortunately for me, I usually just brew straight espresso. I found the frother's nozzle to be difficult to remove for cleaning, and poorly made. But the Chamonix delivers where it counts -- in your demitasse cup!

I love espresso. However, I usually make what Starbuck's calls an "Americano". This is espresso with extra hot water.

Usually, I use the max amount of coffe that the machine will hold. I also leave the selector slide switch all the way up. This gives me an 7-8oz cup of great stuff.

The Chamonix makes the perfect "Americano" for my tastes. The only complaint I have is that I like to use a regular sized coffe cup to hold the 7-8oz brew I prefer. Most won't fit under the spigot even with the metal tray/plate removed.

Also, after 5 years I finally have a problem with my unit. I don't know what is wrong but it is dead. It sure has made a heck of a lot of coffe in those five years. I am going to try to use the warranty (10 years on the pump).

Even if they don't fix it, I would not hesitate to buy another. I may do that anyway so I can have a machine in the basement!

I think I have talked myself into something.....

I guess I got the last item before Amazon ran out of stock on this (I hope this is temporary.) First impressions:

0. The most important thing: Great Espresso, with thick crema, perfect temperature. Milk frother is astounding, endless supply of steam. Automatic Espresso measuring is a great feature.

1. The face plate design is flawed. Just like Mr Gould, I waited for more than 2 weeks for this machine and the first thing that happened when I took it out of the box was the metal face plate came partially unglued. I pushed it back on but after I ran a first batch of water through the machine it fell off completely. Only then did I realize that the whole back surface of the face plate is covered with a thin layer of glue, so I pushed the whole thing back on harder than the first time. We'll see if it stays there.

2. The outside of the box says that "VHS Instruction tape is included in the box". Not that I cared too much for the tape but it is NOT included. A sliver of paper in the instruction manual tells you that you have to "FAX" your request for the tape to a toll number. Not a good way to build customer loyalty.

3. The plastic walls in the water tank and the spill tray frame are thin and flimsy-feeling

4. The cut-outs in the bottom of the unit through which you are supposed to feed the power cord are very poorly designed and don't hold the power cord so if you lift the machine (and you have to if you want to move it) you have to fuss with feeding the power cord through the hole again.

5. Despite of what the Amazon site says, the unit is not manufactured in Italy, it's made in Portugal.


February 2007 Update
With over six years of use, this machine is still making great espresso!
The front aluminium faceplate is no longer there though (it finaly came unglued and I never bothered to glue it back)
The O-rings on the frothing wand needed replacement (bought two 3/8 x 1/4 x 1/16 #5 O-rings for a total cost of 50c at a local hardware store.)
Average use was 2-3 times per week for morning latte (quad espresso and frothed milk) on the weekends and sometime midweek.