Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
CremaMaster waives the rules!, January 19, 2005
In the winter of 1991-92, I worked at an Army gym where we had a little combo style coffee machine for the staff -- drip on one side, espresso on the other. I was an instant espresso convert. I have pined for years, but still had never purchased my own machine -- until now.
After comparing dollars to donuts on *many* machines, then surfing the Briel website -- I decided on Artemis. I have drunk quite my share of espresso, and I have only ever seen crema like this twice! Little combo machines just can't build enough pressure like a good pump machine such as the Artemis.
Out of the box, I rinsed everything, reassembled and fired it right up for some of the best espresso I've ever had. A new brick of Jacobs Krönung didn't hurt. Feed your machine good coffee. Not even the best machine in the world can make bad coffee grounds produce good coffee. Briel waives the rules and gives you thousand dollar coffee and ease of operation for the tiny little price of Artemis.
"Artemis for Dummies": This is a 5-star HOME machine -- as long as you FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS. Removal of the water reservoir is indeed a bit stiff at first, but it does break-in soon. You MUST NOT overfill the filter. When you first set the machine up, place a filter in the filter holder and put the holder into the machine. Note how far the handle turns when empty. If you can't turn it that far when the filter is loaded with coffee, it is overfilled and the filter holder WILL leak. Do NOT "pack" the scoop. My first cup was from a freshly opened brick and the coffee was still too compacted -- this led to overfilling, and the filter holder leaked EXACTLY as the manual said it would. Thankfully, the drip tray is very easy to remove, and well grilled to prevent sloshing or spilling. The first few times you load the filter -- tamp it, mount it on the machine, then remove it and look at the grounds. If the grounds have flared high around the sides, the scoop was packed too full and the machine will leak. While the frothing nozzle does seem a little bit low at first, it is really quite adequate, and if need be -- the machine can be easily sidled up to the edge of a sink, or raised atop that never-used breadboard.
The last time I was this positively giddy over a fabulous appliance choice was when I got my 5qt Kitchenaid mixer!
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16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
A Good Little Machine, December 29, 2004
Having been wooed by the price break over the list cost, I was hoping for something better than the old cheapie Krupps I once owned, and the Artemis delivered. It cranks out the espresso in a flash, and the quality was wonderful.
One thing that really bugs me about this machine is the placement of the cappuccino frother. Because of its position, you cannot set a frothing cup comfortably below it without moving the machine to the edge of your counter. That aside, it's really a nice little machine.
Pros:
Removable water tank which is easy to fill and replace
Speedy brewing system
Beautiful quality espresso
Mega-easy to operate
Easily fits two Corelle coffee cups so double shots in each cup is no problem
Cons:
Plastic construction feels cheap - not like a $200 list-price machine (I know there are $thousand machines out there, but as a cosumer on the hunt for a bargain, I'm not shelling out that kind of moolah)
Pump is quite loud
Cappuccino frother in an awkard position
All in all, I'm quite pleased with this purchase, and look forward to seeing if this machine stands up over time.
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10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Works great - equals much more expensive machines., February 22, 2005
My parents have a $300+ Starbucks Barista (Saeco) - and this Artemis pulls espresso shots that are just as good. It does not have the metal, tank-like build of the Saeco machine. Even though the housing is plastic, it is high quality, and it appears it will last. The 'stainless steel' front trim is a nice touch.
For best results from this machine, follow the simple instructions included, exactly. As others have said, do not overfill the coffee holder, or the excess coffee will prevent a proper seal, and the holder will leak.
Another reviewer here said to tamp the coffee to 30 lbs. (!!??) and the coffee should come out in a hard 'puck.' No, NO! Just tamp the coffee lightly - no harder than if you were pressing a button. The included scoop/tamper works just fine. After you pull your shot and remove the holder, the coffee grounds in the holder will be soupy, with water sitting on top. If you had an old Krups steam driven machine before, which produced hard, dry pucks, this will take some getting used to.
Tips:
Froth your milk first. Then, pull your shot(s).
Get a shot glass with markings, so you can measure and pull consistent shots. If you let the pump run too long, the coffee will gradually run clear from the holder, and you will get a weak shot. Another reviewer here complains of weak or flavorless shots, this is most likely the reason.
The steam function on my machine is sometimes peculiar. When the green 'ready' light comes on, I don't always get steam when I pull the lever forward. In that case, I simply pull the lever forward, slowly, until the green light goes out, then I stop. The soft 'click' indicates the boiler has switched on again, for steam production. Wait 20 seconds, pull the lever forward to purge the water, then steam your milk.
My frothing pitcher will sit right on the machine's base, with out me having to hold the pitcher while frothing. Very handy!
Don't forget to refill the boiler after steaming, before you pull your shot, as indicated in the instructions. Just turn the switch to the pump position until you get water, switch off, wait for the green light, fill holder with coffee, and pull your shot.
This all may sound complicated, but it is really easy, and it makes sense when you actually do it.
I highly recommend this machine.
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