Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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103 of 109 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Two Gaggias put together, December 14, 2005
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
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43 of 47 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Beautiful to behold and wonderful to operate!, February 14, 2005
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.
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21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent value, with minor flaws., January 3, 2007
While not perfect, I applaud KitchenAid's efforts to produce an espresso machine that operates as well as this in the sub-$1000 price range. I shopped around for several months, reading reviews and specifications before purchasing and I narrowed my choices down to three: 1) this KitchenAid, 2) the Expobar Office, and 3) the Rancilio Silvia. Based upon reviews, price, value, looks, warranty, and KitchenAid's legendary customer service, I chose the KitchenAid.
Making espresso with this machine is a pleasure. I'm not an espresso expert, but used to work in the food service field and have pulled my share of shots using high-end commercial machines. Living in Seattle, I've tasted some excellent coffee (we have much better coffee than Starbucks, by the way), so I know what a good cup of coffee tastes like. Although the KitchenAid doesn't quite compare in power and timing, I have been able to acquire the knack for pulling perfect or nearly perfect shots of delicious espresso. The portafilter, the steam wand, and controls and dials are identical with or very similar to those on a commercial grade machine, making this an easy and comfortable process.
Power isn't quite that of a commercial machine, however, no matter what the literature states. I've found that waiting at least 5 minutes for the machine to warm up is essential in order to build enough power, pressure, and heat to pump the water from the reservoir and through the grounds as well as to froth the milk. Although steaming and pulling the shots can be done simultaneously, I don't recommend trying. Both processes are better accomplished when doing one or the other singly. However, I can produce a fairly rapid succession of drinks without waiting in between each of these single frothing and pulling processes and this is more than I can say of other home espresso machines I've tried. KitchenAid makes much of the dual boilers of this machine, but a single boiler with higher power might be able to accomplish the same process. The time gained by this system is minimal.
The steaming wand moves in 360 degrees, so it's very flexible and can be used with just about any pitcher size. Although the tip of the wand isn't steel, the removable plastic tip is designed for focused frothing, does an excellent job of it, and is easily removed and cleaned. There is an O-ring gasket which seals and holds this tip in place and although I haven't yet done so, I plan to call KitchenAid for an additional ring -- one isn't going to last a long time because it needs to be removed in order to fully clean the milk solids from the wand's steel shaft and a daily exposure to heat and moisture will eventually undermine its ability to maintain a seal and hold the plastic tip in place.
The rail around the warming tray is easily inserted and, unfortunately, just as easily removed. It's too bad it doesn't 'snap into place' rather than just sit on top of the machine.
I use a filtered water pitcher to fill the reservoir and the reservoir's location make this procedure a bit tricky. Located in the back of the machine, you need to slide the reservoir to the side, then position the pitcher's spout just so that the water pours gently into the small opening. The reservoir cannot be slid to the side too far because the water pipes into which the pump pulls the reservoir's water might come loose, a problem another reviewer has apparently had.
The machine is certainly not quiet. The steam mechanism makes the expected (and pleasant) whining and bubbling noises, but pulling the shot causes the machine to emit a loud rumbling. This is not offensive, but certainly wasn't expected the first time I tried using it. I've found that making sure it's fully warmed up keeps it a bit quieter, though not much.
The machine is easy to clean, having a steel tray and plastic receptacle that includes an overflow indicator. Just remove, wash and rinse, replace, and it's done. A quick wiping of the exterior is enough to keep this handsome machine looking that way. If you have a small kitchen like I do, beware this will take up some counter space. If under cabinets, make sure your upper cabinets are high enough to allow full use of the cup warming area. The portafilter will need enough space to allow a full range of insertion and removal motion. Sliding the reservoir to the side will require a certain amount of space, also.
The instructions are extremely well-written and anyone without any prior espresso experience can acquire the skills necessary to operate this machine. I would recommend that any consumer products company study how these instructions are designed and written.
I also purchased the matching Proline grinder and have been extremely pleased with its performance. If you are considering an espresso machine, make sure you get a grinder that can grind beans to the consistent fineness and consistency that only a burr grinder can. In this way, you're giving your espresso machine a fighting chance to produce true espresso and live up to your expectations.
Overall, this is a good machine for the money. No, it's not a commercial-level machine and although the name might imply that it is (Proline), it does pull actual espresso shots and can froth milk as well as any albeit it takes more time. If you've tried home espresso machines and have been disappointed because they produce strong coffee rather than actual espresso, consider giving this one a try. I've been satisfied thus far.
Recommended.
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