Customer Reviews

Kalorik EXP-20737 Aqua Line 1250-Watt 15-Bar-Pump Espresso Maker

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(12)

 

 

For the price, this is a great machine. Aesthetically, the units chrome and stainless looks adds greater appeal than the normal cheaper black plasic items that you find in this price range. I have used this unit numerous times to make both espresso and cappucino, and the coffee comes out great after you get familiar with its operation.
The only negative item that I can mention is regarding its manual. In order to find out how to properly operate this machine, I had to do a bit of research such as reading the manuals from other manufacturers. In addition, I have sent Kalorik some questions regarding the fiters mentioning the fact that the manual was lacking in any detail. Kaloriks response was to send me a PDF of the manual.
For the customer that mentioned that they where unable to get the machine to produce hot coffee, this again is due to the lack of information in the manual as I have had that as an initial experience and was first very disappointed by the machine. The item missing from the manual is the fact that you need to prime the machine prior to making the coffee, especially if this is the first time using it. The manual mentions that this is a cleaning process which is partially true when the machine is new, but you also need to do this to prime the boiler whenever you use the machine. Bascially, this just involved opening the steam valve for a short time to purge the water, and then let the pump put out some water. After this step, you will find that the coffee output is very hot.
Bottom line, a very good machine, but an incomplete manual.

I spent WAY too much time trying to figure out which machine to buy. The only time I ever made my own espresso and foamed milk was with a friend's unit that was of the lever variety (and neither of us actually knew how to work it very well).

After hours of research, I decided to get.....the pretty one :-)
(kind of. It looked nicest to me, was the right price and had the smallest footprint of all the ones that were realistic for me, plus the reviews were pretty good, so I took the chance.)

Its perfect for me. I was really nervous that I would somehow mess it up (things don't often go very well when I'm precaffeinated) and burn myself with a face full of steam my trying to make my first cup of morning latte. So, I practiced the night before, and no burn units were needed.

The pros:

water is ready for use within a minute or so of turning it on.

Counting to 6 while watching the espresso drip out is really easy (even before coffee!)

The steamer works beautifully (even better than my friend's expensive lever unit)

The resulting beverage is super delicious!

Have I mentioned how pretty it is and how well it fits in a small kitchen?

The cons:

The steam attachment is a bit on the short side. I use soymilk (a hefty portion) and the metal container I steam in is just the right size for the finished/steamed/frothy milk...but since I can only fill it halfway at the beginning, its sometimes a bit difficult to get the steam more than a half inch past the initial surface of the milk. Given that I don't know what I'm doing, this may or may not actually be a problem.

I don't like that I have to remove the coffee holder before I can steam. The less I have to do in between steps the better. Especially when my precious, freshly expelled espresso is sitting right there and I invariably forget to remove it before starting to take out the coffee holder.

The water reservoir is a bit small, but that's minor. I used to have to fill my coffee maker each time I made coffee, so my having to fill the reservoir every 4 cups of beverage (which is less than once a day) is really pretty good.

I hate cleaning the steam wand each time, especially since I have ti pull off the rubber attachment (the thick milk gunk that gets under there after every use is gross,....and when it comes to being fussy, I really ain't)

Being a total novice, I was worried that I wasn't going to do it right....and I'm quite sure that I'm not. I use the plastic tamper that came with the unit, and I'm making espresso with the 4.99/lb coffee that I ground at my local grocery store (espresso roast, since that's what I used in my coffee maker anyway). Crappy coffee, not a great grinder, not a fresh grind, and yet I've STILL gotten some crema in every shot of espresso. Not much, but I figure after some more practice and some decent coffee I'll have a lot more crema. As it is, I get just a light skimming of it at the top.

An important piece of advice I read from another reviewer here: You HAVE to "prime" it each time you use it. You just have to run the machine without coffee in the holder one time before you use it, and run the steamer into an empty cup prior to steaming (or the water that condensed or was left in the arm from the last use will pour out and dilute your milk). I thought this would be a much bigger deal than it is, but its really simple and already a part of my morning coffee routine.

All in all: after a week of use, I give it two thumbs up.

The Kalorik Aqua Espresso Maker makes an excellent latte. It requires less steps to make the beverage and is much easier to clean than our last few machines. The Kalorik is well made and looks great on your counter. The only problems... and they are not really problems unless you want them to be are: There is no carafe to brew into... (use a cup or buy one locally) and it takes a while to get the grind right for this pump. Once your preference is found just enjoy a predictable cup every time.

I highly recommend this maker as the best in it's class of under $150 makers.

Picked this up on woot as well for 65$. Mine was DOA, but woot replaced it for free (apparently there is a simple fix for leaking machines that can be found on woots blog for it). After the initial disappointment I was very surprised how easy it was to exchange through woot~!

I previously owned a krups stemer which made good strong 'faux-espresso-coffee' but it doesn't hold a candle to the good stuff that I can make with this machine. The proper grind (local market grinder at one click above turkish) and decent coffee provides great taste and a fair amount of crema (better than starbucks for sure). Other reviews have said the espresso comes out cold or thin, my advice; read the directions!

Coffee snobs will say somthing like this is too cheap to consider, but I can say the final product holds up to some professional machine if used correctly. Yes Virginia, there will be coffee.

I will keep an update on durability (my only worry)

I searched a while for a machine. I wanted something that would make great coffee; but it is my first espresso machine and I worried it would be one of those things you buy and it sits on your counter in non-use, so I wasn't up for paying an arm and a leg. I read every review I could find on machines ranging from $40 to about $250 spending way more time than a rational human would. I will say that I'm a latte/cappuccino fan so it was almost more important that the steaming wand worked well then the machine produced award winning crema. Now, I am not expert, though I did work for starbucks for years in college, I'd give this crema an A! I'd give the micro foam an A+.

This was one of the prettiest machines I saw and the price was right. I couldn't be happier with it! I use espresso pods, and it takes a little getting use to (making sure the attachment is locked in correctly etc) but I can make a micro foam cappuccino in 4 minutes or less.

I had read reviews of machines being loud, so I was a little worried. I have never used a steam based espresso machine so I don't have much to compare it too, but while this isn't a church mouse, it isn't "loud" at all in my opinion.

BUY from AMAZON!
I made the mistake of buying the machine not from Amazon, (I'll be honest, I was lured by the free shipping promise, this machine isn't available for super saver shipping) I bought it from factoryoutletstores.com, besides saying they had the machine in stock and than taking three weeks to ship it because it was back ordered, they advertize "brand new" machines and what I got was a used one that hadn't even been cleaned very well. Their customer service wasn't great, though I actually laughed when after being on hold for 12 minutes, the lady picked up only to ask me to hold for another 3. AVOID Factoryoutletstores.com but get this machine.

This is probably the best looking espresso machine you can get for such a reasonable price. I bought a used one for $75.00, and can't even tell it's used because of its solid construction. Real glass & metal, some plastic, but not much. You can stick magnets to this thing, like your refrigerator!

That being said, it makes a pretty damn good espresso too. It is only my 2nd espresso machine, my 1st one was a Mr. Coffee steam type, so that is the only thing I can compare it to, and it is definitely a huge improvement.

It is very fast, you don't have to wait more then a minute, or so, for it to warm up.

The benefit in not using steam is that you can use it to brew yerba maté, or other herbal concoction, without overcooking them, which can cause them to lose some of their beneficial properties. Since I drink yerba maté more then coffee, this is a huge plus.

It doesn't come with any containers, or cups to hold the finished product, but my old ones fit, so that's not a problem (for me). It also comes with a tamp/scoop combo tool, that's just the right size.

Overall, I'm very happy with it, can't think of anything I'd change.

I looked at all the reviews, many of then with negative components prior to buying my machine. I purchased it on-line. When I got the machine I was surprised by it's basic overall quality and some of the features that had never been mentioned in the previous reviews.

The PORTAFILTER:

The Portafilter (holder/ handle for the metal filters) and the filters themselves are NOT the type that automatically make "crema." The Portafilter and filter inserts are very similar to any professional coffeehouse ones. Included are three inserts. A single cup flat filter that holds either grounds or the flat circular discus shaped pre-filled pods (E.S.E. design); A deeper cone shaped single cup filter that also holds either grounds for one cup or one of the "truncated cone shaped" "k-cup" pre-filled series. I have used a "generic" K-Cup brand, and I suspect there are three different variations on the truncated cone-shaped pre-filled dilters, as such I suggest a person buy or borrow only one or two of any brand they might wish to try and see how well it fits prior to going out and buying a big quantity of some brand that may not fit well. And lastly, a two cup filter holding grounds for espresso doubles.

Because the maker comes with old fashioned portafilter (not a fake crema producing system) and simple loose inserts you do not get the FAKE CREMA one gets with some of the machines designed for the beginner coffee enthusiast. Crema is produced the old fashioned way, by using proper grounds and proper tamping.

ABOUT LEAKS:
Some machines are designed with a pressure release system where over pressure within the pump and boiler are sent back to the water reservoir. Others, route the excess pressure to an outside drain, and still others like this machine route the liquid to the Drip Tray. If the tray is inserted properly and the internal drain is positioned over the tray extension then the machine Does Not Leak on the counter. If however the tray is not properly in the machine or if in rough handling or shipment or in rough use the drain may become loose and then the machine could leak on the counter. If through rough handling your drain hose becomes loose, a simple fix is done by disassembling the machine enough so you can position the drain over the drip tray extension.

Overfilling the water reservoir will also cause the machine to leak. I also do not remove my water reservoir, because if it seats incorrectly it could leak from that location. I simply carefully fill it from the top with a Brita Filter pitcher.

The machine makes good steam and also if one uses the steam wand first and then the portafilter side, the machine will give a burst of steam to the portafilter grounds and give a better shot of espresso.

I do worry about the pump and boiler combination where I seem to sense the pump not pumping sufficient volume, and thereby not having the boiler filled completely if the machine has been on standby for some time. On most machines one can open the steam valve and turn on the pump without also turning on the steam portion of the boiler and end up with a filled boiler and have hot water from the steam tap, in this machine one cannot and one primes or tops off the boiler by removing the portafilter and running the machine on the coffee side for a few moments.

Overall this seems to be a great little machine. Only time will tell if it is as durable as the 1o year old Barrista.

I've only had the machine for a month now, but it hasn't failed to impress. What people have said about it being a little loud is true, but the sounds aren't unpleasant; for me, they sound like the sounds behind the counters of my favorite cafes.

The manual isn't fantastic, but where it fails, the machine makes up for it. The stainless steel and the glass accent the already perfect-sized machine for a classy, modern, do-it-yourself caffeinated experience.

Espresso = easy and awesome.

Cappuccino = 30 seconds more to coffee-lovers heaven.

I actually use Starbucks ground coffee even though the manual recommends using something finer-ground. But, as I've mentioned, the manual doesn't help a whole lot. I've never failed to get crema on the top of my delicious espressos, and I can't imagine how fantastic the resulting beverage would be if I used actual espresso grounds.

The steam wand is a tad short, but it contributes to the compact design of the whole machine. Make sure you have an extra cup around to get the pre-steam water out before you steam the actual milk. *Hint for hotter espresso: get the steam wand to steam before making the espresso; somehow it gets the espresso water warmer. I, like another reviewer, use soy milk, and I was pleasantly surprised when it kept getting frothier as I let it churn (so much better than my handheld frother). Keep the rubber steam nozzle clean (just rinse it with hot water after every use) to avoid any chunking up, which I haven't experienced yet and don't plan to.

Besides the compactness of the steam wand and the force required to make sure the filter holder locks in, the machine doesn't have many cons. As with all of my coffee machines, I wish I could somehow hook them up to main water lines because I need to refill the tanks so often, but for an espresso machine, this one can hold me for at least one day and usually two.

Buy one; impress your friends and yourself with the class and deliciousness of this machine as you reap the savings of leaving your specialty-coffee drink-making to yourself.

The plus of this machine is its form- and style. However, the biggest complaint I have is that it does not get the espresso hot enough. It is easy to use and does not take as much room up on the counter as some other models I have seen.

Many were sold on Woot, and a huge number of them were leaking and/or DOA. Mine turns on but does not produce steam or water. They were advertised as NEW, but since the machine is no longer on the Kalorik website, they must have been closeouts. My old steam cheapie finally gave out after 14 years of flawless use. Sometimes what you get is inversely related to what you pay for. Pay more or less - just pay for a different product.