Capresso 3011.01 4-Cup Glass Replacement Carafe with Lid for Mini Espresso Machine
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Kitchen and Housewares Reviews of Capresso 3011.01 4-Cup Glass Replacement Carafe with Lid for Mini Espresso Machine
Customer Review: DO NOT BUY! CAPRESSO DOES NOT HONOR WARRANTY!
Summary: 1 Stars
I purchased the Capresso 121.01 Ultima less than one year ago. The warranty period is touted as lasting two years. I kept the machine perfectly clean and performed maintenance to ensure no calcium build up or any other user related problems would occur since I paid over $300 total price and did not want to void the warranty. I am accustomed to working with delicate instruments and electronics so a coffee machine hardly represents a mechanical challenge for me. The removal of used coffee grounds from the brewing chamber is performed by squeezing a plastic lever on top of the machine as a first step prior to lifting the arm and rotating the carrousel. This lever snapped in half in my fingers. This item has never been in the dishwasher and should not have become brittle. The root cause of the problem probably pertains to jaming of the piston in the brewing chamber and insufficient robustnous of the locking mechanism, but we will never know for sure. I called Capresso and was informed this part is not under warranty and will cost me $97 to replace. Obviously I'm throwing it in the trash.
Don't waste your money on this plastic piece of junk, sold by a company with the morals of a unscupulous used car salesman.
Customer Review: 3+years (was 8 months) and going strong.
Summary: 5 Stars
Lots of reviews on how the Ultima performed in the first few rounds, so I though I would add my 2 cents on "longer term" performance.
This machine is dangerous. Dangerously addictive, that is. If you love espresso based drinks, you WILL feel like making a cup after every meal to accompany your dessert. And then the morning pre-breakfast cup and the afternoon one with an almond-hazelnut double-chocolate biscotti. Control, control...
It is super easy to make a drink, and not tamping and cleaning after each cup is a god-send. You have to try a non-automatic and know what a chore those tasks are to appreciate the simple advantages and joys of this semi-auto baby.
And the taste - ah, beautiful. For all of you living around a Trader Joe's store, I highly recommend the Roma Coffee Beans - less than 20 cents a cup gets you a coffee that rivals some of the best in Roma.
Hope it keeps running for along time, but it has served me and my guests well for over 8 months.
Cheers!
Edit after 3 years of use: Still runs like new and tastes as great. Unbelievable. Would have pride of place in my kitchen if only the body was made of metal instead of plastic....
Customer Review: Had my unit for 5 years, and still works!
Summary: 3 Stars
I was happy to see that this product is still selling. I got it as a Christmas gift about 6 years ago and about a year later the top got stuck and it was still under warranty so the company shipped me a new one. Well, here are my pros and cons:
Pros:
- Makes a great lattes, I can make it just the way I want, without paying a fortune.
- I like Starbucks coffee so I buy my coffee from them and have them grind it.
- Customer service was great!
- Steams milk perfectly, not sea form.
- Easy to use.
- Looks cheap, but has held up to 5 years of use.
Cons:
- I can't put 2 scoops in because the pressure handle won't hook correctly, ok with me because I usually only make one cup anyways.
- It doesn't make 2 strong cups of espresso (OK if you don't like your coffee too strong; as I don't)
- Cleaning takes a few mins, so I don't grind my own coffee because between grinding, making the espresso, steaming your milk and cleaning, it can take 10-15mins.
Gave this product a 3 because it isn't perfect, but I suits me, it doesn't leak, it makes lattes just they way I like it, and it still works! Good Luck!
Customer Review: I absolutely love this machine...
Summary: 5 Stars
I bought this machine to replace my Senseo because it can make a nice cafe crema with any coffee that I want and isn't nearly as messy as a regular espresso machine. The only thing that would make this PERFECT would be if you could select your cup size (2, 4, 8oz) and then come back to your full mug of cafe crema. If you're a purist, this machine doesn't make true espresso, but I don't mind making my cappucinos at home using cafe crema instead of espresso. I find that quite often I get a nicer cappucino at home than I do at one of the big coffee retailers. And when I don't feel like having a milk-based drink, I can use my own beans and just get an 8oz cup of fabulous coffee. Also this works great with plain-old ground coffee from the grocery store...though nothing tastes or smells as good as fresh ground. :)
In the long run, I do think this will save money...not having to buy expensive pods. And I only visit the large coffee retailers maybe once a month now as opposed to going a few times a week so at $3.50 per drink this machine will pay for itself relatively quickly.
Happy coffee and enjoy.
Customer Review: Very good everyday Epresso maker!!
Summary: 5 Stars
I got this espresso maker in February. And I have been making one cup (3 scoop in two installments) per day, unless I am on the road.
The best thing about this machine, is how quick you can make a cup of espresso.
I only have a few minutes each morning to get my latte and finish breakfast. Without this machine, it is impossible for me to enjoy latte every day.
As other reviewers pointed out, the foam/steam milk feature does drip some water in the beginning every time. My solution is simple: using a separate cup for the first 30 seconds, turn the steam milk function off, switch to the cup with milk and turn it on. it works for me.
I clean the tray every week and so far (March 29, two months since), I have cleaned up the machine once with white vinegar and water, as instructed.
I highly recommend this machine. it is one of the best investment I have made.
I have a question though: does anyone have a recommendation of good espresso coffee brand (those without the typical American coffee's bitterness), which hopefully is less expensive than illy's?
Thanks!