Basic machine with all the professional features inside: Brass boiler, big portafilter, good temp regulation
Positive Product Points
Brass boiler, Commercial-size plated brass portafilter High steam volume Reliable pressure and heat Single, double, and pod portafilters provided, as well as baffled holders for more reliable pours
This machine has been in a public area for 6 months now, probably making 20-40 cups a day, with amateur users, and no problems what so ever.
it is not a beauty, and the fit and materials leave something to be desired in my opinion.
However, with good coffee, ground correctly, and tamped, it makes great coffee with a good, long lasting (15 minutes+) crema.
At the price, and with the quality internals (Brass boiler), and externals (solid brass portafilter, multiple baskets and coffee options), I'd buy it again.
Unlike the other reivewer here, I have had no leaks whatsoever. Also, the comment that if you put it on steam you have to leave it for an hour before using is not true in my experience: Yes, there is just one boiler, so the steam setting does raise the water above the coffee temperature. Simply running off 50-100 mls of water through the portafilter gets the machine back to the normal 92 or so water supply in less than a minute.
Also, the machine has great thermal mass - nice solid temperatures when it has warmed up.
Buying Experience
ebay, easy
Three Month Followup
After a year, this machine is still running as well as ever: still making 20-40 cups a day, with amateur users, and no problems, no rattles, no leaks, just lovely crema-laiden espresso...
We are using the 2-cup baffled portafilter to make over-stuffed singles. As with any good system, the results largely reflect the quality of the coffee. Makes a better brew than any of the 3 three Starbucks, 5 independents, and 2 sidewalk vendors within 4 minutes walk :-)
Newbies use it routinely. I printed three simple labels: 2 in green - "on/off" and "coffee", and one in read "steam". Amazingly, the portafilter o-ring, buttons, water delivery etc are all withstanding the daily trammeling :-)
