You can only be happy with this machine if the bad tasting espresso is lost in milk.
Positive Product Points
Low price. Pretty Crema
Negative Product Points
Espresso is a little watery, simple in flavor, a little bitter. I think all good tasting espresso has crema, but not all espresso with crema tastes good. Milk Frothing wand is too short. It won't reach into the bottom third of a coffee mug to froth milk.
Detailed Commentary
I bought this machine to make espresso only. I was hoping for espresso equal to that produced by automated machines at Starbucks or Panera Bakery. I even bought the same beans from Starbucks that they used in their espresso maker. But no, this machine doesn't come close. I have a Capresso Infinity Burr grinder, so I tried all grinds from fine to coarse. This machine can't handle a really fine grind. If the grind is too fine no water is comes through at all. I also tried different tamping pressures. I tried removing the pressure valve from the pressurized portafilter. That didn't seem to make much of a difference. So now my question is, what type of machine do I need to buy to equal Starbucks, or Panera? Can this machine do it, with a more experienced operator. Will a Gaggia Classic do it ($400). Will a Rancilio Silvia do it ($650)? I believe that the Panera Bakery has a Fanke machine, do I need to buy one of those ($7000 new)?
Buying Experience
I bought from Amazon. The price was excellent. I'm sending the machine back for a full refund and free shipping. No complaints here.
