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Average Customer Review
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The most helpful favorable review
The most helpful critical review
69 of 72 people found the following review helpful:
Good machine + good price = Great deal!
I've used this machine for two years now, and would buy it again in an instant. I'll add these comments to those previously written:
* Crema varies with coffee bean; shiney fresh beans give more crema and have more (but subtle) flavors. I don't get the best crema with Starbucks beans. Peets is great though, so is Nicholas. Even the generic beans ($5/lb when on...
Published on December 20, 2005 by K. Butler
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12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
Quality deteriorates very quickly
We bought this machine and initially loved the espresso it produced. Less than 10 uses later it started producing a watery brew that is completely unrecognizable as espresso.
PLUS, water started to stagnate in the coffee holder attachment, making a mess every time we tried to remove it. Hamilton Beach customer service did not respond to email and could not...
Published on November 23, 2006 by voidstar
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69 of 72 people found the following review helpful:
Good machine + good price = Great deal!, December 20, 2005
This review is from: Hamilton Beach 40729 Espresso/Cappuccino Maker with Pod Holder (Kitchen)
I've used this machine for two years now, and would buy it again in an instant. I'll add these comments to those previously written:
* Crema varies with coffee bean; shiney fresh beans give more crema and have more (but subtle) flavors. I don't get the best crema with Starbucks beans. Peets is great though, so is Nicholas. Even the generic beans ($5/lb when on sale at the local grocer) work OK. Remember, these espresso machines extract more flavor from coffee beans (than perk or drip machines); it's the nature of the pressure (vs temperature) process.
* For a great double shot (actually, 4 oz), I fill the fresh-grounds filter to level (not heaping) with whole beans, grind them for 8 seconds in a cheapo spice grinder, and tamp them (not too hard, not too soft). The tamped grounds come up almost to the #2 line in the filter. I run the pump for 30 seconds after liquid starts coming out of the nozzel. The machine has been turned on and heating for only about 5-10 minutes prior to this.
* I've used Starbucks pods. It does takes two (at 15 seconds of pumping per) to make a double shot. It tastes good (but not as strong as when I use fresh-ground.) Pods are quicker, but more expensive, than using grounds. You do need to be careful to press the pod in the filter so all water goes through, not around, the pod. Be aware that this machine comes with two different stainless steel filters; one for grounds, and a smaller one for pre-packaged pods.
* These machines use ***PRESSURE*** not temperature to extract flavors. This results in smoother taste, but not scalding temperatures. If you want your espresso law-suit hot, nuke it afterward.
* The included plastic tamper is too flimsy for the tamping pressure I've found works best; get a sturdier one (I got an aluminum one from a local kitchen store.) If you don't tamp hard enough, grounds float up and coat the nozzel that high-pressure water comes out of. If you grind and tamp just right, the used grounds will maintain their hockey-puck shape when you shake them out of the filter.
* Coffee mugs don't fit under the spouts. Its not like this machine will make enough espresso in one batch to come close to filling a standard 10 oz mug. I just want to drink a strong brew from a manly mug ;-) I've had to resort to using the shorter, dainty, coffee cups from the fine china set. (Don't tell my buddies.)
* If you're the analytical type, check out "The Complexity of Coffee" in Scientific American June 2002, Vol 286 Issue 6 p86. It contains good info you can use to perfect your brew.
* Use some of that cafeine buzz to clean the machine after each use, and it will last for a long time. There was a recall (on the older 40714 version) because some people weren't cleaning milk off the frother, which resulted in scalding when the plug of old dried curdled milk suddenly erupted. Use common sense, keep this puppy clean, and it will make cup after cup of great brew.
* The frothing wand is not the easiest to use, due to the funny angle, short length, and low height above counter. I had to search for a stainless pitcher of just the right size; 10 oz to the brim. Disclaimer: I don't use the frother much so this doesn't detract from my rating of this machine.
* After years of use, hard water deposits build up on the nozzle just above where the coffee grounds sit. I noticed that water was spraying, rather than dripping, from here (during cleanup). There's no need to run special cleaners through the machine; I successfully remove deposits by rubbing the nozzel with a hand towel after every use. It's become part of the espresso-making ritual.
* I've been burned on other items when chosing the cheapest, but not on this one. It has some drawbacks, but for the price I can easily overlook them. It has kept my picky self satisfied!
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31 of 31 people found the following review helpful:
Perfect (for me), May 24, 2006
This review is from: Hamilton Beach 40729 Espresso/Cappuccino Maker with Pod Holder (Kitchen)
Ok, so here was my conundrum. I'm a soldier deployed to Iraq and during midtour leave visited Italy and became addicted to espresso. I drank it over there many times a day and really liked the effects. The bad news is that I had to come back to Iraq for 7 more months and I'm too lazy to walk to the Greenbeans Coffee Shop (yep, we have one) and I didn't really want to pay .75*6=4.50 every day. So, I knew I had to get a machine.
Now, given that I am in Iraq, the main things that I wanted were convenience and easy to clean. Given that I'm too lazy to walk to 50 or so yards to the bathroom to clean the thing, pretty much I have to rely mostly on water bottles.
I'm not a huge coffee snob and I just learned about crema, so quality might not be a consideration.
I bought this model, paid the exorbitant shipping costs and I've had it about a week. I seriously don't see any negatives. I am surprised to read other reviews about the temperature because my shots come out extremely HOT. There must be quite a lot of variation on models, wonder if Hamilton Beach is aware of this? It's convenient, cleans up nicely. I hate that I have to dump the grate at the bottom but that's just because I'm ...lazy.
I will say that it takes some experimentation. I read about the crema so I worked to achieve this perfection. Let's just say that it's a work in progress. I don't have much access to coffee, so I have some Starbucks and some other Italian brand. Pre-grind because I don't have access to a grinder. My last pull which is sitting on my desk as we speak did have a nice crema head that I achieved by 2 scoops of coffee jammed down into the filter using that great plastic tool that they provide (tamper). Unfortunately...or maybe fortunately...I'll have to have an operation later to uncurl my toes.
I haven't had any problems with leakage and I'm going to take the advice to use a black marker to mark the water lines on the tank. I don't really use the frother except to warm the cafe au laits that I sometimes make.
The only other problems that I have are that I shake constantly, am jittery, can't sleep. But that's just because of the addiction. haha.
I would highly recommend this machine to the average coffee drinker. It's cheap, easy to use and clean, and FAST. It might not be for the coffee snob who might benefit from a little more upscale model.
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57 of 62 people found the following review helpful:
Works fine for me!, March 1, 2005
This review is from: Hamilton Beach 40729 Espresso/Cappuccino Maker with Pod Holder (Kitchen)
I'm not sure what the below reviewer is complaining about with the machine's heating element. I've had this for two weeks now and have made many great tasting cappucinos with it (I don't like straight espresso).
The espresso shots come out perfectly hot (but not too hot) and the steamer froths and steams milk beautifully. My only gripe with the steamer is that I need to run it once, let it heat up again and then run it through a second time in order to get my desired results. The whole process is no more than a minute or so which is very tolerable considering the price.
I had read reviews on other sites that mentioned that this machine (actually an older model) did not produce decent crema. Well, I had no experience with making espresso in the past (I'm a home roaster for regular coffee) but my first try produced a great cup of espresso with a nice caramel colored froth on top. And this came from store bought, pre-ground espresso coffee!
Cleanup is very easy and the unit is small enough to store away when not in use. It comes with a measuring spoon that stores away in the unit and the machine accepts both ground espresso and pods (never used them). For the amateur and social drinker of espresso and cappucinos, this machine should suffice. I would not be able to justify spending any additional money on an expensive machine.
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32 of 34 people found the following review helpful:
5 stars for a beginner and even a pro?, June 18, 2006
This review is from: Hamilton Beach 40729 Espresso/Cappuccino Maker with Pod Holder (Kitchen)
I've had this machine for 24 hours and have gone through a pound of coffee learning how to make espresso for the first time. So far I am very impressed with this machine. It really is as good as machines many times the price. However, the advice you hear everywhere is true: The grind and your technique matter much, much, more than the machine.
I did a lot of research online and talked to friends with home espresso machines. It seemed as if you had to pay $200-$500 dollars to get a good machine. I wasn't sure I wanted to pay that much. I ran across some postings about this machine and it sounded worth a shot, especially for the price.
I started with good fresh roasted coffee ground in the store on the "2" setting which is supposed to be the standard espresso grind. I went through 3/4 of a pound trying to get a good cup and couldn't. Light tamp, hard tamp, medium tamp, nothing worked. It was soupy in the portafilter, tasted bad, and even exploded over the counter several times.
Next I went to a coffee shop to buy more beans and asked the barista for some advice. They said a "3" grind might be more forgiving. They said to tamp it *very* hard. Also, the coffee left in the portafilter after brewing should be very dry and "brick-like". When you scrape a spoon across the used grounds, they should cake into clumps. The advice about the stream to look for was the classic "the tail of a mouse with the stripes of a tiger", which sounded strange at the time but was right on when I got my best cups.
I went home and tried again. I filled the portafilter and made an improvised tamper out of a 1/4 cup measuring cup. I pressed down hard with most of my weight. After the tamp the coffee came up to the double shot line. I started the pump and counted 25 seconds from the point where the stream started to flow and then shut it off. The stream looked just like it was supposed to and the coffee tasted great with a lot of crema! I then made half a dozen cups and they were all great. I made straight shots, lattes, and cappuccinos. The machine has plenty of steam to make good frothed milk. Once again, a beginner should expect some practice to get good. The steam alone doesn't make good froth.
This is a great machine for someone looking to give espresso at home a try. In my research I found that it uses the same pump as popular $500+ machines. As long as you don't mind plastic housings, I don't think moving up to a more expensive machine will give you better coffee.
All in all, a great machine. Here are my tips:
1) Start with the coarsest espresso grind and a heavy tamp. The "3" setting worked everytime for me. The "2" setting never worked.
2) Get a good tamper. I think the portafilter is the standard 58mm size so it should be easy to get a different tamper. Given the heavy tamp needed, the included tamper is worthless.
3) Practice. There is a lot of technique involved. I couldn't believe the variation possible when I tried different grinds, tamp pressures, and brew times.
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31 of 33 people found the following review helpful:
Great Machine, Great Espressos/Lattes... What more can you ask for?, November 2, 2005
This review is from: Hamilton Beach 40729 Espresso/Cappuccino Maker with Pod Holder (Kitchen)
This is one GREAT machine. I was looking for an espresso machine that could substitute the local Starbucks in the morning. I really couldn't justify spending $7 everyday on a latte. So... I researched these espresso machines to find that the KitchenAid Proline is the highest rated, however, I just couldnt shell out $899.00. That to me sounded ridiculous. So, my search continued. Much of what I heard of other brands such as DeLonghi, Illy, Braun, and etc. was that the craftsmanship of the machine was poor. Gaskets broke, pumps burnt out, and etc. I was not about to spend $150 on a machine I would have to replace in a month or two. So... I then moved onto Hamilton Beach products and let me tell you, it was the SMARTEST move I have ever made. This machine is GREAT. Its easy to use, its sturdy, the water reservior is enough for what you need. Many people like larger water reserviors, however, I like *fresh* water in my coffees, so I change it each time rather than leaving it. Who would normally drink water that sits around? Not me. Plus, this pump is GREAT it really can press out some great espresso. Here is my tricks with the machine. Load your ground espresso or pod into the handle. Turn espresso shot on... wait until you see the stream. Count 10 seconds. Turn off. Then you want to get yourself a froth can AND thermometer (avail at Starbucks) and froth the milk to 160 degrees. Combine espresso shot with milk, scoop off the top of froth and VOILA! You can save yourself $7 a day. Therefore, after ten lattes the machine is already paid off. How can you lose? Don't look anywhere else.. this machine is the one. Other reviewers may have complained about this or that but keep in mind, this is no professional machine. Smart buy.
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19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:
Amazing for the money, September 24, 2006
This review is from: Hamilton Beach 40729 Espresso/Cappuccino Maker with Pod Holder (Kitchen)
I wanted to enter the world of espresso at home without spending a bundle. I figured if I used it a lot, I'd upgrade to a better maker later. I decided on this model after reading reviews here and elsewhere. I've had this model for about a month now and I love it. It is simple to use and simple to clean and makes good espresso.
Here are some tips I've gathered from various places on the net and from personal experience.
1) The steamer works well if you do it right. I don't use it often since I like straight espresso. However, I do like the occasional Mocha. Get a good stainless pitcher (the Krups 20oz fits this maker perfectly) and store it in the freezer for a few minutes before adding the milk and steaming. For frothing, hold the steaming head near the edge of the pitcher just barely under the surface of the milk until it gains volume. Then plunge the steaming head deeper to finish steaming and heating the milk. This gives me great results.
2) Preheat the maker and run a "blank shot" of just water through the system before making your first shot. This gets everything heated properly and will help ensure you get that nice crema head (see #5).
3) Make sure you have a proper grind. This maker likes a very fine grind. The manual says if you're having your coffee ground at the coffee shop, have it ground a couple marks coarser than the espresso grind. I don't know why they say this. If you do, you're shot will pull too fast and be week and bitter. Finer is better. Don't buy a cheap grinder or you're just wasting your money. If you don't want to spend a bundle on a grinder, just buy 1/4 or 1/2 pound at a time from your local roaster and have them grind it. Store it sealed air tight in the dark. It keeps about a week.
4) Tamp your grounds down properly. The standard says tamp to 30 pounds of pressure. Put your filter on a towel on your bathroom scale if you need to see what 30# feels like. You may not be able to achieve this pressure with the plastic tamper that comes with this model. If not, get a stainless tamper. I bought a stainless tamper with a slightly convex bottom and it helps a lot. If you shop around, you can get one for under $20. Fill the filter to just above the 1 or 2 shot line, tap the filter a couple times to settle the grounds, and then press straight down hard with your tamper. Just before you lift it back up, twist it slightly so that none of the grounds stick to the tamper when you remove it. Remove any loose grounds from the filter rim or inside above the compaction line.
5) And now, for my #1 tip - if you want to get that nice head of crema on top of your shot, USE FRESH ROASTED, FRESH GROUND espresso roast beans. I was never able to get crema on my shots until I bought some fresh roasted espresso beans from a local coffee shop. The shots tasted Ok without the crema, but didn't have that coffee-shop texture or visual appeal. Now they look and taste just like espresso from a real coffee shop.
Well, I won't be upgrading my espresso maker. There's no need to spend $200 (or $800!) when I'm getting the results I want from this model for much less.
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24 of 26 people found the following review helpful:
Best Value in Sub-$100 Espresso Makers, January 15, 2006
This review is from: Hamilton Beach 40729 Espresso/Cappuccino Maker with Pod Holder (Kitchen)
If you want to save the time and money it takes to patronize overpriced coffee hang-outs or you are simply seeking the convenience of espresso, cappuccinos and lattes in your own home, the Hamilton Beach 40729 will do the job without taking up a lot of kitchen real estate or breaking the bank. Most espresso/cappuccino makers in this price range only produce steam from the contents of an insulated thermos-like water reservoir, which you cannot open and refill during operation without threat of serious burn. With the Hamilton Beach 40729, however, you will be able to refill the water reservoir without having to wait for the unit to completely cool, which makes it the right choice if you suspect you'll be called upon to make gourmet coffee drinks for social gatherings - and you will after your friends and family get a taste of the results! (Contrary to the editor's description, the water reservoir holds far more than two cups - nearly a liter, in fact.)
At 15-bars of pump-driven pressure, the HB 40729 rivals machines that cost four times as much (excluding the boiler - the documentation doesn't say whether this unit has a true boiler or a cheaper and less revered thermablock heat coil). I have only three gripes that are particular to this machine: 1) You can only steam about six ounces of milk at any one time due to the shallow stainless steel pouring pitcher you will need in order for the short steaming wand to reach the depths of your pitcher [try Bed, Bath & Beyond for such accessories], and 2) The steaming indicator light - which lights up to indicate that the unit's temperature needs to rise further to create adequate steam - tends to illuminate once or twice before you've brought the milk up to 150 -160 degrees Fahrenheit, at which point you may shut it off and wait 30 seconds or so for the light to go out or continue steaming and frothing at the risk that the milk may become diluted by water that is only partially steamed. 3) I had to return the first unit because the rubber gasket that holds the plastic sleeve over the steaming wand broke so that the sleeve, which is necessary for the steaming wand to function, would not stay attached. I hope this isn't a design flaw or the makings of a future recall. Regardless, for the reasons stated, I can only give this espresso maker four stars out of five.
I am not a coffee connoisseur, and only came to appreciate coffee when I discovered the mega-calorie, mega-pricey "coffee" concoctions at Starbucks when the chain began appearing in my area years ago (that's the other advantage of making your drinks at home - YOU control the cost and the caloric content). So it was with some amusement that I discovered that there is a whole art and science to making coffee. I used to wonder why Starbucks sends their new hires to "Starbucks School". Now I know. There IS a learning curve to gourmet coffee preparation. And this machine is no different. YOU time the length of the shot, which means that if you don't dispense exactly one or two ounces into your cup - or a shot glass specifically designed to measure out your espresso - you risk ruining the whole thing. Other factors that separate the look and feel of espresso from ordinary coffee include tamping pressure, a compaction process which ensures the grounds are evenly infiltrated by water, using a grind that is too coarse or too fine, and the relative freshness of your espresso beans. (Though I have yet to personally vouch for this, "stale" is apparently defined as coffee beans stored at room temperature for over a week, and grounds more than two days old!) In the coffee world, you don't acquire the name "barista" by accident. Gourmet coffee aficionados, in fact, take their pasttime as seriously as wine tasters.
Some tips if you purchase this machine: You want the components hot before you begin. Though the manual doesn't specifically require this step, it may be helpful to turn the unit on, without pressing the espresso or steam button, to preheat the internal components for about five minutes (this will also heat the cup warming tray on top - but good luck trying to fit both of your cups on top while you are busy preparing the espresso and milk; not only is it a tight fit but there's little to prevent them from being knocked off). If you don't want to wait for the machine to preheat, you may opt to run the porta filter and your serving under hot tap water. Alternately, if you typically add flavored syrup to your cappuccino or latte, add the desired quantity of syrup to your cup and microwave it to get the whole thing hot before you pull your shot of espresso and steam your milk. Additionally, it is helpful to buy an aluminum tamper. The plastic tamper that comes with the unit is adequate, but a weighted tamper is touted to make it easier to obtain the holy grail of espresso making: a layer of brown froth known as "crema." (To that end, you should also consider purchasing a temperature gauge to verify that the brew is hot enough to extract the flavors fully - roughly 150-160 degrees in the cup - as opposed to near boiling as the water infiltrates the espresso grounds). Naturally, the coffee has to be fresh, but of equal importance the grind most recommended for espresso should be achieved via a conical burr grinder. Since a quality burr grinder is going to run you two or three times the cost of the HB 40729, the next best alternative other than grinding your beans at the store, though it is hearsay to the coffee purist to suggest such, is to grind your espresso with a conventional blade grinder, such as the Hamilton Beach Custom Grind Deluxe, model 8384. (With respect to this particular grinder, it may be necessary to run the coffee beans on the "espresso" setting TWICE for the ultra fine sand-like texture that is necessary for proper maple-syrup colored espresso extraction.) Last but not least, cleaning the unit, including monthly or quarterly de-scaling depending on the hardness of the water in your municipality, is essential to consistent results over time. Regardless, for the sake of safety, don't forget to release the steam build up when you are finished frothing milk into an empty cup. (You might think this step is self-apparent, but Hamilton Beach recalled the prior model, 40714, after receiving a handful of reports of users scalding themselves when pressure blew dry, encrusted milk off of steam wands, which seemingly had not been properly maintained.)
With a little experimentation and a lot of practice, you will obtain results that are most pleasing to your palate. Better yet, this machine will pay for itself in no time - and you will be sure to wow your friends and family, too.
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17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:
Not worth the money... Amazon wouldn't let me rescind my previous rating should be 0 stars, July 25, 2006
This review is from: Hamilton Beach 40729 Espresso/Cappuccino Maker with Pod Holder (Kitchen)
I have to rescind my previous review. This product is horrible, it worked well (with tinkering) for a few months then the heat pump went bonzo either frying the espresso or not quite getting hot enough. Then one day it decided to leak all over the place. It now sits in the corner of my basement in shame. coughed up the cash and got myself a Francis Francis x5 which is a beautiful machine. I know its tempting to by a cheap espresso machine but that is exactly what you get a CHEAP machine or now known as a door stop. Just save up what you would have spent on this machine plus what you would spend at the coffee shop replacing the nasty coffee you made with the HB machine and buy yourself a machine that can actually make espresso... Sorry for the crap advice before.
OLD REVIEW BELOW - before it crapped out.
Ok, it's not the swankest machine on the market - but I got it for my birthday and I have to admit it does a good job. I worked in a coffee shop as a barista all the way through college and have used some beautiful Italian machines. This isn't one of those - but it makes a good shot of espresso from both the ground coffee and the pod with a decent crema (make sure to tamp it down really well). To all of those out there who are complaining about the temp, remember this is a pump driven machine not a boiler so if you want it hotter, hit the froth button for a few moments to increase the temp, but remember that can also scorch the coffee.
There are two major drawbacks to the machine - one is that clearance for the cup - its really tight requiring a smaller cup (not a big deal).
The other is the frother arm is pretty short! I have to admit I had to buy a new frother cup that was shallower. Also not a big deal, just a little messy. Just keep the water res. full, tamp nice and hard, make sure you clamp everything tight before using and you should have a good experience with it -
I have to admit I am a coffee snob and this is an OK machine that gives GOOD results. More really depends on your coffee and your timing with the machine. Anyone can mess up an espresso if they don't know what they are doing. But over all I have had good luck with this machine, like I said it's not my dream machine but it's a champ for the price.
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13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
Lots of machine for the money, February 9, 2007
This review is from: Hamilton Beach 40729 Espresso/Cappuccino Maker with Pod Holder (Kitchen)
I bought one of these for my office when I want an afternoon shot or have to come in early and don't have time at home for my morning ritual. Though the machine is cheap, it has features you normally can't find for this price. First off, and there's been a lot of confusion on this point in earlier reviews here and elsewhere, this is definitely a true single-boiler pump-driven machine. It is NOT a thermoblock machine. Like most manual single boiler machines, it's simple to operate, with 3 switches: power on/off, pump on/off for actually pouring espresso shots, and steam heating on/off.
While the shell is cheap plastic (remember it's a cheap machine), the guts are really quite capable. It has an aluminum boiler that's pretty decent size -- no markings so I can't tell if it's Chinese or European in origin. The boiler is bolted to a cast aluminum grouphead. The portafilter has a plastic handle mated to a cast aluminum filter holder and stainless steel basket. The filter holder is plated, likely with either chrome or nickel. The pump is a standard 15-bar Italian-made Ulka Model E, standard on many models in the $300 range, and surprising to find in this inexpensive of a machine. All of the internal plumbing is made of soft plastic tubing (not so surprising).
There are three indicator lights, again standard for this type of machine. One is a power on light. Another indicates when the boiler heating element is on. The light comes on when the boiler is heating, so essentially this is a "not-ready" light. When the light goes out, it's ready to brew espresso, or steam, based on which mode you're in. The third light indicates that the steam switch is depressed. Finally, it has a fairly small water reservoir that is removed from the side for filling.
So how does it work? I was surprised at the results I get from it. I generally stick to cappucino, so I can't rate the straight shots for you hard core drinkers out there. But the cappucino is every bit as good as I get at home from my Star$$ Barista (by Saeco) machine. One complaint I have about brewing is that it will continue to drip once I've shut the pump off and switch to steam mode. That stops once done steaming and I release the remaining steam pressure. Cleanup is easy with a solid puck that easily knocks loose from the filter.
Steaming is fairly impressive as well. Expect to clear some water from the steam wand initially, but that's common with all single boiler manual machines like this. After that, this machine provides plenty of dry hi-powered steam -- testament to the size of the boiler. Frothing is a cake walk. I have removed the froth attachment and steam straight from the wand, and I can't *not* froth the milk well.
One item to note -- I originally purchased the very first model they shipped, and that model was recalled. Hamilton Beach made it simple to get an updated version, and didn't even require return of the original. The reason for the recall was that internal components would burst under certain conditions, specifically if the user pressed the brew switch while the machine was in steam mode. You really shouldn't be doing that anyway, but I did notice that a couple earlier reviewers suggest doing just that to increase the temp of your brew. The hazard's been fixed in all current models, but I still wouldn't recommend doing that "trick".
BOTTOM LINE: You actually get more than you pay for in functionality with this machine. It'll never win any style awards, and your coffee snob friends may look down your nose at you, but you'll have the satisfaction of knowing you got such a good price on such a capable machine.
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12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
Quality deteriorates very quickly, November 23, 2006
This review is from: Hamilton Beach 40729 Espresso/Cappuccino Maker with Pod Holder (Kitchen)
We bought this machine and initially loved the espresso it produced. Less than 10 uses later it started producing a watery brew that is completely unrecognizable as espresso.
PLUS, water started to stagnate in the coffee holder attachment, making a mess every time we tried to remove it. Hamilton Beach customer service did not respond to email and could not be reached on the phone.
Do NOT buy this product if you intend to make more than 8 good lattes with it.
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