Customer Reviews

Espressione Cafe Roma Deluxe Espresso Machine with Built-in Grinder, Anthracite Grey

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

 

 

I have purposely waited for more than 3 months since my purchase to write a review, as I wanted to make sure the satisfaction lasted. I chose this model for the features, and for the appearance of being more substantially made than some similarly priced competitor models. It was easy to set up and get started. I do agree that the directions could be more helpful in the "how-to" department for novice espresso makers like me. I put this in my office for the purpose of replacing my daily mid-afternoon Starbucks latte purchase habit. After some experimentation with various beans, tamping pressure, and degrees of grinding, I was able to produce a product that easily rivals what I had been buying over the counter....And for probably .45 - .50 per cup! I have found that the temperature varies somewhat from one cup to another, probably depending on my performance as a barista. Since there is not a cup warmer included, I learned to microwave a cup of water in my latte cup while I'm grinding and frothing. I like my coffee very hot, so on the occasion that drink is still not hot enough, I simply stick the finished product into the microwave for 30 seconds (although I'm sure this probably horrifies espresso purists). All in all, a very good machine for the money. Everything continues to work as designed, and clean-up is very simple.

It was easy to set up and get going. I love the bean grinder. The doser is great too. You just have to keep and eye on it, it's small. It makes great espresso the first time. It has a disc to help with that. You can remove it and tamp hard the old fasion way. For the price range it's a good buy. I have 3 different types of coffee makers now. This is my favorite. I use it to make American's each morning instead of brewing a pot in the conventional machine

The first machine we received was faulty. It literally would not pump water through to the coffee. We shipped it back (had to pay for shipping) and then received a replacement about 3 weeks later. The replacement machine does not heat the espresso shots to more then luke warm. But, the biggest issue is actually the plastic water holding bin smells like plastic. It has such a strong plastic smell/taste to it that the steamed milk comes out with a slight plastic taste and smell to it. We have tried cleaning it, dishwashing it, etc but to no avail. I feel like we just threw over $300 out the door. We are past the 30 day return period and have lost interest in trying to fight for a new one. I am now turning my attention towards trying to keep people from buying this poorly designed and functioning machine.

I received the machine really fast, was very excited and had it up and running in no time. I like the look of the machine, it is impressive and fits nicely in my kitchen. The only problem I have is inconsistent results and I have tried many things. I wish the instructions were a little more detailed as to how fine to grind the beans, how far to fill up the filter, how much to tamp... these things are not second nature to people who were not raised with an espresso machine. I will be contacting the company to see if I can resolve some of the results and hopefully that will take care of my issues.

I searched for several hours to determine what unit would best fix my needs. The Espressione Cafe Roma Deluxe had the best price for the advertised features and functions that I wanted. Amazon shipped fast, and I was up and running. The grinder has worked well for me (I use fresh roasted True Blue Espresso blend whole bean from Louisana Roasting Co.) The unit heats up to coffee brewing temp fairly fast, and is ready to brew a Espresso shot quickly. However if you use cold milk for Cappuccino's and Lattes and use the froth function first, as you should get the milk hot before you pull a shot of coffee, you have to cool down the machine before you can pull a espresso shot at the correct temp. This takes using the coffee function and a cup of water running through the filter holder.(Before you put in the coffee.) The only draw back I have with the unit is, if you use cold milk and the froth function, it takes three or four heat cycles to get the milk to 170 degrees. And yes I agree with the other reviewers, the instructions are very much in need of more detail. However if you do some searching on the internet EHOW and others have some great instructions to glean and make your own custom procedures. I have not been to find specific info on the internet about who makes the unit, or who the USA distributor is, but Electra-Craft.com has repair and parts for the unit. Bottom line: My opinion of the unit is for the money spent it is a good product. I give only 4 stars because the steam/froth function operation is inadequate, although tolerable, for the units designed purpose.

I searched all over looking for a dependable expresso/capuccino machine. No reviews were available at the time I purchased this in January,2009. Seven months later the steam arm got overheated and stopped working. While it worked it made a great foam. It was lightly used most of the time so I was shocked when after 6 cups one morning it got overheated. Couldn't find the manufacturer's site where I can send it in for repair. I've been using the Aerolatte stainless steel frother which makes a great froth for my capuccino. I froth the milk after I heat it in a separate pot while the expresso is being made in the Espressione unit. If I knew how well the Aerolatte worked I would have never spent so much money on this combination. I'll never buy a multi-function unit again.

I am very pleased with this machine all around. I really labored over which espresso machine to buy! This unit looks handsome on the counter, and seems to be high quality and substantial. You can adjust several different variables as you learn: the coarseness of your grind; your tamping pressure, the amount of coffee you place in the filter; and the choice of beans themselves. After not too much work, I am already achieving flavor I like (and fine crema) with my beans brought back from Puerto Rico. If you need the grinder, this is a great choice. There is a lot of discussion about frothing. It is simple on this machine. I have made Cappucino, Espresso, and Americano already. Some highlights: the grinder gives about a dozen coarseness options on a disk very easily turned; you can grind into the filter OR into your own container. The water tank can be refilled two different ways, and the tank is large. It heats up quick, and you get good froth by simply submerging the pointer all the way into your mug and using full force until the foam rises. Easy. No complaints. I'm having fun, saving money, and feeling like a one-step-up gourmet in my own kitchen.

This machine is tops. Create your favorite espresso or coffee based beverage by selecting fresh beans, grinding them, tamp the coffee then brew a spectacular beverage...like the professionals do. We love not only the results but also the ambiance created daily when we "fire up" the Cafe Roma Deluxe. Bascially achieve the same result as one of the very expensive super automatic machines, at a fraction of cost and frankly I think...in a more nostalgic and charming manner.

WARNING: When unpacking this machine, we found a message from the manufacturer that it contains lead and product from this machine may cause birth defects. I returned it immediately. This should be noted - I would never have purchased it had I known ahead of time.

After owning this product for a year I'm frustrated with it's limitations.

First, the grinder can't make the grind fine enough. The grind it produces at it's finest would be acceptable for making brewed coffee. The doser works fine, but you can't easily open it up and put ground coffee back in. This is useful as often your first or second dose doesn't have the full amount. Instead of tossing these grounds or guessing on your amount, you ideally want to put them back into the doser.

The second problem is the machine is a single boiler design. If this is your first machine you probably don't know to look for a double boiler. What this means is that you can't steam and brew at the same time. It also means you have to wait when switching from one to the other. I usually steam first and then run water through the porta-filter until the temperature comes down for brewing.

The steam itself varies, as the steam temperature isn't very stable. You can't use the steam wand without the plastic attachment, and the plastic cone ensures you can only create bubbly froth. You can't stretch the milk to increase the volume. It's more like putting soap into a fountain.

Lastly, the portafilter is an odd shape. The tamper is to small for the filter and you can't use premade pods. Even with a very fine espresso grind, if you put in 14g it takes about 12 seconds to produce a double shot. This is too fast and you get no crema. Additionally, the machine doesn't measure the water. You have to press the start button and stop it when you think you have 1 or 2 oz.

If you are switching from drip coffee, this machine might serve your needs, but if you want to create coffee's like the cafe's in Europe, this machine comes up very short.