Capresso C1500 Fully Automatic Coffee and Espresso Center with FrothXpress and Claris Water Care System
by Capresso

List Price: $1,750.00
Category: Kitchen
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Product Summary

• Illuminated 2-line dialog system displays concise instructions
• Solid-steel conical burr grinder with 6 settings; stainless-steel-lined ThermoBlock unit
• Integrated pure-water system cleans brewing water, improves taste
• FrothXpress system steams and froths unlimited amounts of milk
• Measures 13 by 11 by 16 inches;1-year home use warranty, 6-month office use warranty

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Kitchen and Housewares Reviews of Capresso C1500 Fully Automatic Coffee and Espresso Center with FrothXpress and Claris Water Care System

Customer Review: TOO BIG...okay machine
Summary: 4 Stars

First of all, the dials on this thing are wonderful and very easy to understand, it is just not as convenient as pressing a button, but it is close. THE MACHINE IS TOO BIG. All if the Jura Capresso machines are plagued with monstronsity that is very unappealing. There are many super automatic machines that aren't plagued with the huge construction.

The froth Express is wonderful, and that can be a large motivation for buying the machine. Although you can't get the same quality as with a commercial style steamer, you get steamed milk very easily and if that is what is important, then this really is the machine for you.

One major thing that bites me about all the Capressos is if anything, anything at all goes wrong with the internal parts of the machine, you must send it in. Going off in a tangent, because the only access you have to the inside of the machine is to the dump box, you can't clean the brew group yourself. This can either be a good thing or a bad thing. It is good for you only have to put in one of Capresso's tablets in the bypass doser every two to four weeks. That bad thing is that the pills are expensive, you can only use their pills, and you must use their pills if you want the machine to last.

I again stress that the coffee from this machine is NOWHERE as good as the espresso that you get from a semi automatic machine. And I remind you that there are machines like the nespresso, and Francis Francis where you can use pods which make the extraction process easier. You can also get a specialized filter basket for the Gaggia's and the Rancilios so you can use pods. Pods allow you to use the convenience of a super automatic, but with a higher flavor, aroma and smoothness. All the shots that I pull from my Rancillio Silvia are much better than those from the Capressos (and super automatics in general).

In conclusion.... this is a good machine, it is about 400 dollars too expensive, and there are other machines (like the Syncrony series from Gaggia, and if you want to go with Saeco, saeco has a few machines with a double boiler, which allows you to go from steaming to brewing with no weight time at a fraction of the cost). Remember, all super automatics can give you the same quality coffee as long as they are about 500 and up. The reason why they differ in price is all about the features.

Keep in mind:

1. You can get better coffee from semi automatics. To make an espresso with a super automatic generally takes 3 minutes when espressos take 5 minutes on a semi automatic. So the tradeoff is quality for ease of use.

2. Although this machine is well made, like all super automatics, it has more parts and is much more likely to break than a semi automatic. Lives on super automatics are generally around 5-7 years depending on the use and care and semi's boast 10-15 years. So remember, no matter how much money you spend on a machine, inevitably, you will have to replace it in 7 years at max.

3. Finally price. This machine is overpriced and there are machines cheaper. So it all comes down to the features. I would look elsewhere before setting your mind on this one. If this one looks the best out of all of them, this is for you, otherwise continue researching.

4. MOST IMPORTANT - selection of a machine generally takes people 3-6 months, so do some research. There is a lot of information out there which will further assist you in your decision.

Too expensive
Nice features
Good BUT NOT great coffee
mediocre frothing quality

GOOD BUT KEEP LOOKING!

Description of Capresso C1500 Fully Automatic Coffee and Espresso Center with FrothXpress and Claris Water Care System

The control panel on the C1500 is a straightforward set up, with a menu that includes three strengths, two quantities, two temperatures, and a setting for pre-ground beans. A blue-lit, two-line, electronic display delivers simple instructions in six languages and prompts you when water is low, the filter needs changing, or the used grounds hopper has filled up. You can also fine-tune your machine for automatic shut-off times and local water hardness levels. For simple maintenance, the C1500 comes with a pre-programmed automatic cleaning cycle that ensures excellent flavor and prolongs the life of the machine.

A beauty on the countertop or under a kitchen cabinet, the C1500 features a silver metallic finish with chrome buttons and a stainless steel grid. It comes with an adjustable coffee spout, a separate funnel for pre-ground coffee, an 8-ounce bean hopper, and a 64-ounce water tank. It measures 13 by 11 by 16 inches and comes with an instructional booklet and video. A full one-year warranty covers home use, while a six-month one applies to office operation. --Emily Bedard

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