Customer Reviews

Capresso C1500 Fully Automatic Coffee and Espresso Center with FrothXpress and Claris Water Care System

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

it's expensive but this is a great machine and i would probably spend this much at a place like starbucks over the course of a year or so.

the interface is straight forward, the video tape runs through the operations clearly, it looks really nice on the counter, it's easy to clean, it's easy to maintain (for the past two months that i've had it anyway) and it makes about as good a cup of espresso or coffee as i've ever had. not much i can say further about the espresso and coffee, it produces nice crema, is quick and just does an excellent job -- if there is any opportunity to taste it a friend's or neighbor's, you'll know its worth.

the c1500 makes coffee from regular to x-strong for either one or two cups at a time. the size setting goes in 0.5oz increments from 1oz to 7.5oz. per cup and the burr grinder can be adjusted from fine to corse (have to do it while it's grinding, though and i believe the dial has 7 increments) and there is a separate intake for pre-ground so you can easily brew decaf (yuck) instead. there are adjustments for water hardness, alerts for decalcifying based on this, an included claris filter (which negates the need to decalcify) and a decent frother.

the control panel will alert you when the water tank (64 oz removable tank) needs refilling, when you need to refill coffee beans, when you need to decalc or change filter, when it needs to do a self purge or rinse (it always requires a rinse at startup) -- and there is a little cheat sheet in a the hidden panel where you set the little use options -- water hardness, language, coffee temp, etc.

a wonderful machine that will get a lot of use in anyone's kitchen, simple to use and a pleasure to own.

First of all, I would like to point out that the only Saeco that isn't likely to break within its first two years is the Saeco Royal Proffesional, otherwise the Capresso will surely outlast the Saeco.

First of all, the dials on this thing are wonderful and very easy to understand, it is just not as convenient as pressing a button, but it is close. THE MACHINE IS TOO BIG. All if the Jura Capresso machines are plagued with monstronsity that is very unappealing. There are many super automatic machines that aren't plagued with the huge construction.

The froth Express is wonderful, and that can be a large motivation for buying the machine. Although you can't get the same quality as with a commercial style steamer, you get steamed milk very easily and if that is what is important, then this really is the machine for you.

One major thing that bites me about all the Capressos is if anything, anything at all goes wrong with the internal parts of the machine, you must send it in. Going off in a tangent, because the only access you have to the inside of the machine is to the dump box, you can't clean the brew group yourself. This can either be a good thing or a bad thing. It is good for you only have to put in one of Capresso's tablets in the bypass doser every two to four weeks. That bad thing is that the pills are expensive, you can only use their pills, and you must use their pills if you want the machine to last.

I again stress that the coffee from this machine is NOWHERE as good as the espresso that you get from a semi automatic machine. And I remind you that there are machines like the nespresso, and Francis Francis where you can use pods which make the extraction process easier. You can also get a specialized filter basket for the Gaggia's and the Rancilios so you can use pods. Pods allow you to use the convenience of a super automatic, but with a higher flavor, aroma and smoothness. All the shots that I pull from my Rancillio Silvia are much better than those from the Capressos (and super automatics in general).

In conclusion.... this is a good machine, it is about 400 dollars too expensive, and there are other machines (like the Syncrony series from Gaggia, and if you want to go with Saeco, saeco has a few machines with a double boiler, which allows you to go from steaming to brewing with no weight time at a fraction of the cost). Remember, all super automatics can give you the same quality coffee as long as they are about 500 and up. The reason why they differ in price is all about the features.

Keep in mind:

1. You can get better coffee from semi automatics. To make an espresso with a super automatic generally takes 3 minutes when espressos take 5 minutes on a semi automatic. So the tradeoff is quality for ease of use.

2. Although this machine is well made, like all super automatics, it has more parts and is much more likely to break than a semi automatic. Lives on super automatics are generally around 5-7 years depending on the use and care and semi's boast 10-15 years. So remember, no matter how much money you spend on a machine, inevitably, you will have to replace it in 7 years at max.

3. Finally price. This machine is overpriced and there are machines cheaper. So it all comes down to the features. I would look elsewhere before setting your mind on this one. If this one looks the best out of all of them, this is for you, otherwise continue researching.

4. MOST IMPORTANT - selection of a machine generally takes people 3-6 months, so do some research. There is a lot of information out there which will further assist you in your decision.

Too expensive
Nice features
Good BUT NOT great coffee
mediocre frothing quality

GOOD BUT KEEP LOOKING!

I'm on my second C1500. My mother has the same unit and is getting ready to return it to the store after a bad customer support experience with Capresso Phone Support. She's on #2 going to #3! A store manager where I bought my unit has the same problem...

After about 800 cups, the whole bean coffee comes out very weak. The tamper quits working.The only thing that works is the "pre-ground" method. Very disappointing. Funny that we all have had the same bad experience.

Nice overall look and simple controls. But one must question the mechanics of this system. Not reliable.

This is my second Capresso coffee maker. The first one lasted 5 years till the heating element burned out. Capresso 453.01 CoffeeTeam Luxe 10-Cup Electronic Coffeemaker with Conical Burr Grinder, Black. Love it but really wanted a coffee center. Tried the Cuisinart DGB-600BC Grind and Brew but what a mess. Every pot had to completely take apart and wash. This one makes me a cup of coffee when I want it and I only have to clean once a day. Steam never gets back up in the grinder. Instructions were very easy to follow. From the time I opened the box till I had my first cup of coffee was about 1/2 hour. Could have been faster but wanted to make sure I followed the instructions perfectly. Now it is just a snap. Press a button and in about 30 sec have a fresh cup of coffee. Thanks Capresso.

This coffee maker cost more than my first car. However, I purchased it because of all the money I was spending at the local coffee shop. This makes fabulous coffee, with the options of fresh ground, as well as a spout for preground so that you can have flavored or decaf. With proper maintenance and cleaning it has been trouble free for over a year now. The one time I ran into a problem (that turned out to be with the filter and not the machine), I found the telephone support to be more than helpful.

When my B&D drip machine crapped out, I was determined to buy a Capresso coffeetec or other mid range machine. After a few weeks of internet research, I decided to try and score a used "Super Automatic".

Unfortuantely, the machines are very popular on ebay and command high prices. So I found a local kitchen store selling a refurb. Then I decided one last time to search the internet, and found Amazon selling new units for less than the price of the refurb.

I got the machine and when it arrived, I started making coffee immediately. The machine is easy AND fun to use. Very easy to clean and maintain, makes decent coffee - and excellent esspresso with a thick frothy layer of crema. (The "coffee Americano" is just an esspresso shot, followed by an increasingly dilute water stream)

Steaming/frothing the milk is simpler than using a traditional steam wand, though the cleanup is a little bit of a pain.

One downside - you WILL start drinking coffee like a fiend. The machine is so much fun to use and so cool to play with, it's hard to walk by it without making a cup. I am at #140 in two weeks! and have blown through about 2 lbs. of coffee. Time to switch to decaf.

I am certainly concerned that due to the machines complexity, it is bound to require servicing, and I'm hopeful I don't experience the pre-mature failures of some of the other reviewers. I have read reviews on other sites, and there is nowhere near the level of problems reported here.

I've had my capresso c1500 for several months now and have had no problems with it whatsoever. I've made cappucinos, expresso, hot chocolate, tea, and of course coffee with it. Every cup has been as good as the last. I haven't noticed any deterioration in the quality over time.

Not only does it produce quality coffee, but it's easy to operate and requires almost no cleaning on your part. "Cleaning" consists of changing the water filter every 6 months or so (when the machine tells you to) and placing a cleaning tablet in the machine (when it tells you to) about that often as well - the machine takes care of the rest. I couldn't be happier!

Finally an espresso maker for the mechanically disadvantaged. This machine does it all and is so easy to operate. Absolutely perfect crema on every cup of espresso and coffee. Great frothing and steaming capability. It is even great for dispensing hot water for soup and tea. We use this every day in our office and it is practically idiot proof. It needs to be watered and cleaned like any good pet and it will tell you when it's time to clean or add water.
We first saw these in Switzerland and then were delighted to see them in the U.S. We have one in the office and are adding one at home. We love this unit!

i was very excited to push a button and have a fresh brewed cup of coffee but it was too good to be true.
after one week of use it broke. i sent it back for a replacement (very good customer service, by the way) now the replacement has stopped grinding the coffee and i cant get the steamer to work properly. i have the maker for two months and it is not worth the hassle. a friend who has one also has sent hers back for trouble too.

Great machine 7000 cups and still going. More than paid for itself could not live without it. I will never use coffee pot again.