Customer Reviews

Briel ES41BPG Apollo Espresso Machine

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(7)
1 star:		(7)

 

 

I am in receipt of the new BRIEL APOLLO machine. This item is a home run! We have a BRIEL combination pump espresso machine and built-in coffee machine from their Multi-Pro series and have much success. However, we needed a smaller unit in size, that still made a powerful espresso, for our beach house.

This modular design which combines all the great features that are found on our higher priced machine from Briel (strong pump pressure, Crema Master filter for consistent genuine crema and easy-to-clean water tank and drip tray), with innovative new developments which are guaranteed to make the production of espresso and cappuccino at home easier than ever before. We really like the fact, that even at this lower pricepoint, the machine features the ESE adaptable feature for use with both traditional ground coffee or coffee servings (pods) which produce a rich coffee extraction each and every time. This machine produces a greater amount of powerful dry steam for frothing milk than any other machine we've owned or tried.The machine is incredibly easy to use.

We recommend this machine highly for lover's of espresso coffee that don't have a lot of counter space or who need an additional machine for another home or property. At this price, I'm tempted to buy a couple more for gifts, which would make a couple of people very happy.

We just received our Briel APOLLO machine. It's nothing short of fantastic!

The extraction of the espresso is rich and at the perfect hot temperature. It's virtually instant that you can froth the milk for creating a rich, thick froth. The machine is very powerful.

It's a great feature that the machine can be used with either traditional ground espresso or the new innovation of the coffee pod serving. We obtained the ESPRESSIONE coffee pods from amazon.com and they are fantastic.

Now we can avoid the expense of having to leave our house in the evening to have a rich, hot cappuccino or latte. The BRIEL APOLLO does the trick and the machine pays for itself quickly if you are a frequent espresso drinker.

We highly recommend the machine and have found BRIEL products very reliable in the past.

Dear Consumers,

I have to say, this is one of the best espresso machines I have ever owned! The machines two thermostats regulate the coffe cycle and steaming process, with a third thermostat located on the pump so the machine can operate safely under continuous use. The steam supply of the machine is excellent as well, it provides enough steam for 6 cappuccinos. The steam supply is ready in a matter of minutes, after the machine is turned on. This machines produces a perfect espresso every time, getting my day off to a wonderful start. For these reasons I can truely call this machine my new best friend!

Consumer

After much deliberation on which machine I should buy, I decided on this one. But on my third usage (yes third), the know for that controls the steam frother broke off the machine. The frother was now permanently on spewing water and steam everywhere.

I tried reconnecting it, but the small plastic pieces that attached it had been sheared. What happened to metal?

My first two lattes were great, but I just thought the whole machine wasn't made very well and didn't have that solid feel.

So my search continues for a better machine...

This espresso machine has two faults that I cannot abide. First, the steam wand does not come off for easy washing. I cannot see carrying the whole machine to the sink for awkward washing and there's nothing worse than rank, spoiled milk on the steaming wand! Second, you cannot fill the filter cup with more than two scoops from the rather small scooper/tamper that comes with the machine. If you put in more, the handle will not move into the correct position. I found the two scoops to be a weak coffee. Also, the manufactured crema is misleading because it appears with the first drip. When I worked as a barista on an older cafe-model in Seattle in the early nineties, we learned that the espresso was not ready until the crema appeared. Finally, although the manual is cutely translated (the unit is referred to as "she"), there is a mistranslation in the espresso section. You do not wait for the green light to turn off, you wait for it to turn on ("lorsque...s'allume").

I think I cannot afford a machine that makes the quality coffee I want.

I got my Apollo a couple weeks ago, and I couldn't be more impressed by it. Weak coffee? No way! I'm using the packaged pods and I'm talking perfect espresso everytime! I can smell the valleys of Tuscany with this machine!

Others have complained about the crema filter and how difficult it is to get it apart. If they're talking about the two-cup filter, I can see how that might be true. The small filter holder, however, is made so that you just pop the screen out and have full access to it all. I bought this for my office (I have a Chamonix at home, which I'm totally happy with after more than 18 months), and I wasn't expecting the top quality machine.

I'll say this, however, I got a heck of a lot better espresso maker than I dreamed possible for [the money]! Consider that many disgruntled shoppers return here to lodge complaints--the happy ones are less likely to be looking for a place to vent. The 3/5 stars on this one has be scratching my head.

I absolutely love this machine! I read other reviews and did a lot of research, and this machine is definately priced right for the home user. It is easy to use, easy to clean, and doesn't take up much cabinet space. I use it at least twice a day and have had no problems whatsoever. The frother makes better froth than my friend's much more expensive model, and the espresso is excellent whether using the pods or ground coffee. I recommend getting some accessories such as a frothing pitcher, thermometer and espresso jiggers to make your experience easy, enjoyable, and delicious.

For its price, this is a great machine. True, no video, but if it's as badly produced as the printed instructions, they're actually doing you a favor [grin].

Pros: good pressure; easy to use and clean; makes great coffee (with fresh beans properly ground).

Cons: steamer arm is short and hard to reach and hard to disassemble to clean (the instructions offer not one word on the topic; the secret is, press the black tabs toward the middle and gently pull down); did I mention the instructions are written in pre-school Martian?

I'd buy another, unlike the two Capressos I have donated to the landfill.

This is my first espresso machine, and I wanted something high quality, made in Italy (after all, they invented espresso) and not too expensive, but also having the capability to use both ground espresso and espresso serving pods. This one makes great tasting espresso with great crema and is easy to operate. The steam nozzle is high quality; I think I need a bit more practice to get the hang of it but it gives out plenty of hot steam. The instructions are a bit hard to understand, being obviously translated from Italian. I got a laugh over the line that said to be sure the unit is plugged into an "earthed outlet" (grounded, that is). Also, the instructions make the "pod" attachment look like it is in two pieces, a filter that fits into a holder, but in fact it is one piece, with the filter already part of the holder and not separable. Overall I am very happy with the item.

I bought one two months ago. The price was right for a first time buyer. The pod feature is very convenient when you are only making one cup.

The quality was not good. It came with a cracked plastic in the coffee filter holder that made it leak. I called Briel customer service, and they referred me to the sales office to get a new one. The sales office never returned my call. When I called customer service again, they said fax them the receipt and they would send me a new filter holder. Again, nothing. This filter holder was for the ground coffee (not pods) so I figured because I didn't use feature very often I would live with it. However, yesterday the heating element apparently burnt out and nothing heats. I dread dealing with customer service again; the aggravation may not be worth it... You get what you pay for.