Capresso 471.01 CoffeeTEC Digital 10-cup Coffeemaker with Stainless-Steel Vacuum Carafe and FrothXpress, Black
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Kitchen and Housewares Reviews of Capresso 471.01 CoffeeTEC Digital 10-cup Coffeemaker with Stainless-Steel Vacuum Carafe and FrothXpress, Black
Customer Review: Best for the price point
Summary: 4 Stars
I think when people are complaining about the coffeemaker breaking down after 18-24 months, they forget that the basic coffeemakers around this price point also break down after the same amount of time. I was drawn to this machine because for not more than what I had previously, I got a well-brewed cup and the frothing. And, I could make 10 cups instead of just one at a time. Prior to this machine, I was frustrated because I was buying a new coffee maker every couple of years. Either they made crappy coffee, or they broke (as my espresso machine did after a year). I can't afford to get some expensive latte machine that everyone thinks is "cool." And, I make at least one pot of coffee a day.
I'm a big fan of this coffee machine, but I will say that after having mine for about five years, I can't make lattes anymore. As for the leaking issues mentioned, I did have bits of coffee get lodged and cause a problem but I just check it before I use it. I also don't let water sit in the steamer well. This might be why it lasted longer than what some are saying. That said, now that the steamer is broken, I'm missing my froth and am trying to decide if I should get a new one.
I would love to get a new one but would like to see Capresso admit to some of the problems and make some improvements or at least give instructions on better care for the machine.
but, having said that, I'd buy it over the Krupps or Cuisinart equivalents.
Customer Review: not good enough for $
Summary: 2 Stars
after much reading and hand wringing (did i really want a $ coffee maker?) i took the plunge and bought a coffeetec. have read the reviews and occasional frustrations with the frother. i felt confident i could handle it...on the up side, the machine makes great coffee. i tend to be a bit on the fussy side about my coffee and was very happy with what i got.
but... my biggest complaint is that the carafe did not do a good job of keeping the coffee hot. before buying this machine my method was to use a plunge (press) pot and transfer to a stainless thermos. that has always worked fine and i expected good results from a machine they say 'keeps coffee hot for 5 hours'. not quite. if the carafe was not completely full it stayed hot for perhaps 1.5 or so. not nearly so good as my thermos, so why not buy a good drip machine and transfer to a termos myself, saving $ in the procsss?
complaint #2 is the frother. no problem with fitting the parts or turning the dial, my problem was that a) it gave up steaming too quickly, b)it spat a lot of water into the milk. the adjuster they provide is a joke. like the carafe, a nice idea but not as good as one might expect for the bucks.
net result, i sadly determined it needed to go back. i am replacing it with a regular glasss carafe drip machine and will just transfer coffee to the thermos. no coffee sitting on a hot plate for me!
Customer Review: When it froths it's OK. Coffee fine.
Summary: 2 Stars
We purchased this machine for two reasons: 1)it is a coffe maker that can make up to 10 cups, and it has an automatic timer; and 2)it can froth chocolate milk, so that we can make something like a Coffee Mocha. The coffee machine works fine: we have no problem with the timer or the quality of the coffee brewed. But this machine is supposed to do both of the jobs that we purchased it for. The frothing mechanism is inconsistent; sometimes we have to wait several minutes before the pump kicks in and starts spurting out the frothed milk. Sometimes we have to turn it off and then back on to get it to start at all. In addition, there are 4 or 5 small pieces involved in the frothing process that have to click together perfectly in order to make a complete seal that allows the frothing to occur. If any single joint is not tight--no frothing occurs. The cleaning process is relatively easy--in spite of the fact that there are so many pieces to clean. And we have to admit that when the frothing does occur, or finally occurs, it does a very nice job. Overall, however, we give this machine a low rating because we believe that we paid for a machine that is supposed to do everything that it claims it will. Paying this much money for a good coffee machine is not reasonable when it is also supposed to froth milk quickly and efficiently, but does not do so.Customer Review: Sometimes it's hot...sometimes it's not...
Summary: 4 Stars
This review isn't about the taste of the coffee or all the other finer points of this Capresso machine. I am simply addressing the temperature issue several reviewers have mentioned.
I have owned this coffee maker for a couple of years. Let me come right out and say I'm not a coffee drinker. I reach for a Diet Soda every morning. That being said, I have made numerous pots of coffee for my houseguests with the Capresso CoffeeTec. In most cases, by programming it to come on at a certain time. By the time the coffee is brewed, the water would be at room temperature so we can't blame cold water on the problem. I always use room temperature, filtered water anyway. And, I don't think it's that it goes off and sits around for hours before anyone grabs the first cup. If anything, my guests get up before it is ready.
Still, I have always been perplexed by occassional complaints of "lukewarm" coffee. Last time it happened, I paid closer attention and noticed the lid wasn't screwed on tightly. It was actually pretty loose. My educated guess is the heat was escaping through the lid.
Bottom line, make sure the lid is screwed on tightly. Makes sense and it's certainly worth a try!
Happy coffee drinking!
Customer Review: A RIP OFF!!
Summary: 1 Stars
I would strongly discourage anyone from buying the Capresso 471-01. The workmanship is very poor compared to Capresso's top lines, or other less expensive competitors such as Krups. It requires constant disassembly and cleaning (which is nearly impossible due to design flaws), and the coffee, if a full pot is made, is terrible! You can't fill the grounds basket with sufficient grounds to make a full pot any stronger than weak tea. If you do, the grounds overflow and clog the drip catch valve and it floods coffee and grounds all over the countertop. The steamer is very, very poorly designed and it is both difficult to operate without burning your hands, and also requires disassembly and cleaning with each and every use. If you want to make 3-5 cups of straight drip coffee, it's fine, but you can do that quite well with a ... Krups, and you won't have to spend all your time cleaning the damned thing. I am very upset with having spent ... more than I needed to and not getting a working steamer. The problem with buying it at Amazon, though I am an Amazon fan, is once it's used you can't return it (as you can with most department stores) so I am stuck with it. Won't make that mistake twice!