- Espresso maker with 15-bar pump pressure and die-cast metal construction
- Chrome-plated commercial-quality brass brew group for brew-temperature stability
- Quick-heating dual boilers; rotating stainless-steel frothing arm; hot-water dispenser
- 2-liter water reservoir; easy-to-read dial gauges; drip-free system; cup warmer
- Measures 16 by 12-3/8 by 12-1/2 inches; 2-year replacement warranty
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Product Details
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Product Description
The KitchenAid Pro Line Espresso Machine is a professional quality tool for the home barrista. This machine is made of durable die-cast metal construction built to withstand the heaviest of use. Separate brewing and frothing boilers provide an optimal brewing temperature and abundant steam for frothing. Unlike single-broiler designs, the user can switch between frothing and brewing instantly. The portafilter and group head are chrome-plated brass for exceptional durability and brew temperature stability. An adjustable stainless steel frothing arm swivels horizontally and vertically for convenient use. There is a hot water dispenser through the frothing arm for Americanos, tea, hot chocolate, and other drinks. Easy to read dial gauges make this a easy machine to use, and backed by KitchenAid's 2-Year Hassle-Free Replacement Warranty, this is a machine that will provide years of enjoyment.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
119 of 125 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Two Gaggias put together,
By
This review is from: KitchenAid KTA-KPES100PM Pro Line Espresso Maker, Pearl Metallic (Kitchen)
The KitchenAid Proline is an impressive and sincere attempt at solving the inherent problems of virtually all sub-$2000 espresso machines. Commercial espresso machines found in most cafes use (at least) two large brass boilers: one is kept at steam temperature for foaming milk and the other is kept at a very precise 200 degree stable brewing temperature. Unfortunately it is very hard to replicate or even simulate that kind of 1) steaming power and 2) brew temperature stability on a home machine. You'd still need two large boilers kept at temperature most of the day. Sub-$2000 machines (with the only prominent exception being the Expobar Brewtus for around $1700) operate using one boiler. All espresso machines currently for sale on Amazon operate this way, IF they have a boiler at all (many Krups and other machines don't have boilers, just heating elements). The boiler heats the water to brew temperature(around 200 degress) or steam temperature, depending on whether the "steam" button is pushed or not. You have to wait in between settings. Also, if the boiler is tiny (like on a Briel or Delonghi or Krups), good luck getting much steam pressure. You just can't replicate a 1 liter brass boiler under pressure.
The "best of the lot" of single boiler (non heat exchanger) machines are the Gaggia line and the Rancilio Silvia. The Silvia uses a reasonable sized brass boiler, giving good steaming pressure and good temperature stability, but with the problem that it takes some time (sometimes more than a minute) for the boiler to get from brew temperature to steam temperature, and that's a lot of time to wait when you've got three or four cappuccinos to make. The Gaggia uses a unique system of using a small aluminum boiler (instead of a standard brass boiler) which has heating elements fused into it: it can go from brew temperature to steaming temperature much faster, but once you are steaming, it does not have quite the steaming pressure of the Silvia, nor of a more advanced machine. Some expensive machines between $600 and $1500 use a "heat exchanger" or "hx." I don't understand the physics of heat exchange, but crudely put, these machines use one large brass steam boiler, and they use a brass tube running through the bottom of the steam boiler to heat water to brew temperature. These machines have the advantage of near-commercial steam power (since they have a huge steam boiler!) and they actually have very good thermal stability for brew temperature, but many people find them very hard to get the hang of because 1) you need to flush out about 8 oz of water before pulling a shot, and 2) you kinda' need to leave them on for an hour to warm up. Kitchenaid deserves a lot of kudos for jumping into this fray. Make yet another single boiler machine that has limitations? Make a $1300 heat exchanger machine that most people can't master? Nope, they actually tried to make a dual boiler machine (like cafes have) on a budget, so the Pro Line puts together two Gaggia boilers in one housing. There's only one problem. The limitation of the otherwise remarkable Gaggia machines isn't overcome in the process! The problem with a Gaggia Carezza is that if you want to do a lot of steaming, the small boiler (which allows it to heat up quickly -- a benefit) runs out of power after one cappuccino. Since the Pro Line uses the same boiler for the steaming, it still runs out of power at the same point. In fact, the innovation of the Gaggia line is that they can steam only seconds after brewing, so it's not clear what the advantage is of having two boilers: a few seconds saved? I think Gaggias are some of the best home espresso machines available. The Pro Line is as good, and perhaps more attractive, than the other Gaggias. But it really isn't any better, though it makes an innovative attempt at providing a dual boiler machine at an affordable price. More compelling would have been putting two Silvia brass boilers in one housing. For this price range, a much, much better machine would be a Bezerra Pour Over. It varies in price here on Amazon, but often is less than $750. Item # B0006SG69U
45 of 49 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Beautiful to behold and wonderful to operate!,
By JanSobieski (United States of America) - See all my reviews
This review is from: KitchenAid KTA-KPES100PM Pro Line Espresso Maker, Pearl Metallic (Kitchen)
I just purchased this "tank" for my wife for Valentine's Day! I bought it in red in deference to St. Valentine! This baby is simply beautiful! I'd give it a 10 on the form factor and I am not aware of any competition in this category.
When you see this cast metal concoction you'll be thinking Hummer, Ferrari, Ford GT. This is built like an appliance you might have found in your grandparents' or great-grandparents' kitchen. All of the major metal parts are die cast. No cheap stamping in this unit. The quality of construction is just fantastic. The paint job is marvelous and all of the silver colored parts are stainless steel. The water reservoir is plenty big at over two liters. It is wonderful to touch and and a pleasure to operate. With two separate brewing and frothing boilers waiting is eliminated switching from brewing to frothing instantly. Sure, there are espresso machines out there with automated functions but none that have this quality of construction! Myself, I enjoy the process of making the espresso and cappuccino and this fine machine enhances the pleasure. Functionally, it works like a charm. The manual says it takes 6 minutes to fire up, but it seems to me to be faster. My ONLY gripe is that the machine is louder than I would like. Whether you want a latte, espresso, or cappuccino this machine delivers. In functionality I'd give it a 10 as well - remember there are no automated functions. This is the perfect gift for the coffee lover in your life, or splurge and buy it for yourself. Few of your purchases will deliver as much pleasure.
22 of 23 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
WOW,
By
This review is from: KitchenAid KTA-KPES100PM Pro Line Espresso Maker, Pearl Metallic (Kitchen)
I had researched espresso machines for several months and finally decided on this one. The selling point? Continuous dual pumps and large water resevoir. I can pull an espresso shot at the same time I froth milk. Kind of unusual for machines under $1,000.
I can honestly say that my "at home" result is as good as any Starbucks I've ever had. I wasn't sure if I'd use the machine often enough to justify the price... but I have I used it daily (without fail). I'd buy this one again!
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