Perfect home machine if you plumb it and replace steam tip.
Positive Product Points
Easy Operation High Quality Parts Looks Steam tip has great access, swivels on 2 axis.
Negative Product Points
Commercial style steam tip makes too much steam for a single drink Water reservoir access is difficult, especially if placed under a cabinet
Detailed Commentary
I am upgrading from a Solis SL 90.
Steaming Milk - an essential upgrade/hack
The steam tip on this machine has 4 holes which would be suitable for a coffee shop steaming large quantities of milk. For a single or even 2 drinks it is very hard to make microfoam and very easy for the milk to get scalded. You have about 20 seconds to get it right for a single drink. I ordered an aftermarket steam tip from Chris Coffee Service with only 2 hole and the holes also appear smaller which seems to create an incredible amount of turbulence. Now I can steam microfoam better than I have ever seen anywhere... amazing! The part is NEW2HSTIP "New" Isomac 2 Hole Steam Tip.
Filling Water
Quite simply it is a real pain in the ass! The reservoir does not slide in or out very easily but why would you take it out? it has a small round opening in the middle which makes it impossible for me to get under my filtered water spout. I have to slide this thing out from under my cabinet and carefully fill it in place. There is also no way to visually check the water level except to look down the reservoir. I plan on plumbing this thing in to solve this problem.
Drip Tray
The drip tray is huge!! Awesome.
Espresso
Unbelievable, I have a crappy burr grinder and it still pulls a decent shot, please, someone help me not justify spending $500 dollars on a new grinder.
