Briel ES41BPG Apollo Espresso Machine
by Briel
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Product Summary
Manufacturer: BrielBrand: Briel
Product features:
- 15-bar pump pressure brews 2 cups in about 35 seconds
- Accommodates fresh-ground coffee or ESE coffee pods
- Thermostats for regulating coffee cycle, steaming process, and safe use
- Large removable water reservoir; no-drip system; VHS instructional video included
- Measures 12-3/4 by 10-1/2 by 13-1/4 inches; 10-year pump warranty
- Espressione Classic Espresso, 150-Count Pods
- Espressione 100% Arabica Coffee, 150-Count Pods
- Espressione Decaffeinated Coffee, 150-Count Pods
- Briel CG5B Java Heavy-Duty Coffee Grinder
Kitchen and Housewares Reviews of Briel ES41BPG Apollo Espresso Machine
Customer Review: Follow Up: Is Briel Apollo Made to Break ??? 4 Stars ???
Summary: 4 Stars
I got my Briel Apollo back from the repair shop last week (warrenty repair) the problem was taken care of in a timely manner. I wast told that a thermal fuse blew (very [inexpensive] to relace I didn't pay anything). The machine appears to be working fine. Although I was told by the repair center that the machine will continuously circulate water to provide steam they couldn't explain why the thermal fuse blew. Also the Briel WEB SITE says the machine can supply "a couple of minutes" of steam (very vague) this is not mentioned in any of the instructions that came with the apollo. To play it safe I would not recommend using the steamer for more than four minutes at a time (maybe less) that is about the same amount of time it took for my fuse to blow. After a few minutes I recomend that you reprime the boiler (heating block ??) this is done by simply activating the pump until you see water come out of the group head (thats where the coffee basket screws on). That is always done anyway between brewings. Considering that the unit brews two espressos at a time this would be adequate to froth two cups of milk back to back perhaps even more I am not sure (I did three tonight with no problems)But unlike my Briel First Class (an older machine) I suspect it cannot provide almost unlimited steam. So I wouldn't steam too many cups before repriming. Briel should clarify this in their instructions but they don't. If overheating while steaming could be a problem with the apollo they should use an easily accessable circuit breaker instead of a fuse. Perhaps even a steam timer. Or make the shutdown and reset automatic with reset after the unit is reprimed and cooler. Maybe these options are not cost worthy; but Briel please don't let us find out the hard way. Can the appollo provide near unlimited steam I am not sure nor willing to find out. But I will let you know if it blows under normal use. It would also be nice if Briel would CLEARLY define what normal use for this machine is. Other than that, the apollo does make good espresso and lattes for a machine of it's type and price range. I would give this product a five if it could provide plenty of steam time (Can it ????). A four perhaps if it provides merely adequate steam time (it probably does) AND Briel clearly documented these facts. As it is I don't know what to rate this machine. Briel can you help me in that area???
Description of Briel ES41BPG Apollo Espresso Machine
Briel's Apollo espresso machine is backed by the company's 30-plus years in the coffee business and it shows--this model's designed to deliver café-quality espresso and cappuccino to the home user. To get this high quality, the Apollo has a number of extraordinary features. The espresso is brewed at the required 190 degrees F, and the machine has 15 bars of pump pressure. It's speedy, brewing 2 cups in about 35 seconds. It also makes good cappuccino, because of its included frothing wand, and can be used both with ground coffee and with ESE coffee pods. Some other nice features include a patented Cremaker filter, which provides a richer crema on each espresso, a removable water tank, a no-drip system, two thermostats that regulate the coffee cycle and steaming process, and a third safety thermostat located on the pump that notices abnormal use. Made of sturdy black plastic, this machine won't shame any counter. It has 1,260 watts of power and a 10-year pump warranty. --A.J. RathbunEditor's note: This item may arrive with water inside from the manufacturer's pressure test. This is a normal occurrence and doesn't point to a problem with the machine.
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