Mr. Coffee ECM21 4-Shot Espresso Machine and 8-Cup Coffeemaker Combo, Black
by Mr. Coffee
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Our Price: $45.00
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Category: Kitchen
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Product Summary
Manufacturer: Mr. CoffeeBrand: Mr. Coffee
Release Date: 2004-10-19
Model: ECM21
Color: Black
Product features:
- Espresso/coffee machine brews up to 8 cups of coffee and 4 cups of espresso
- Brew-strength setting; variable steam control for frothing or steaming milk
- Removable cone filter basket; removable water reservoir; brew-pause function
- Dishwasher-safe glass carafe; removable drip tray; measuring scoop included
- Measures approximately 10 by 12 by 11 inches; 1-year limited warranty
Kitchen and Housewares Reviews of Mr. Coffee ECM21 4-Shot Espresso Machine and 8-Cup Coffeemaker Combo, Black
Customer Review: Great! Until...
Summary: 5 Stars
I was initially scared by the mixed ratings this appliance got from everyone, but I bought it anyways, because there are days I want coffee, and days I want espresso/ lattés and mochas, and this mixed the two machines together. I might add that as I write this review, I'm enjoying some of the coffee from this very machine.
On the coffee side of it all:
The coffee comes out nicely. I haven't a single trouble with it at all. The coffee tastes just like every other kind I get and have drinking from all sorts of machines, like at friends' houses, or at coffee shops. It's not my personal problem, but I figured that I would point it out that the coffee isn't boiling hot. I personally love the temperature that the coffee comes out at, but I think it could still be a little hotter. I felt an extreme need to also include this in my review like everyone else: My carafe DOES NOT leak whatsoever. I have no idea what everyone is having trouble with (are you pouring it upside down?). I make about 4-6 cups each time I brew with it, and I have yet to spill a droplet of coffee. The coffee side gets a 4 star rating: because of coffee temperature.
On the latté/ espresso side:
I must admit that I am no pure-espresso lover. I know that a good thing of pure espresso tastes like what I'd imagine a tire to taste like. As such, it tastes just as much like a tire as the other coffee shops I go to. The steamer is very nice. I would recommend removing the steam wand's cover, unless you want bacteria getting you sick. That cover is just a nesting ground for those bacteria. The instructions are very clear for the pressure in the water canister for this side, as well as how to clean the frothing wand. This machine hasn't let me down a bit for my lattés. I bought mocha sauce, and peppermint flavors online, to start out my flavor collection. This machine is a good part of making a killer Andes Candies latté (my description for the flavor of it). The frother makes up for any lack in espresso temperature (remember, I don't drink it plain, so I have no clue how hot it is). If you let the milk froth in a pitcher (bought separately for a couple bucks) your lattés can be extremely hot. So if my rating was for the latté portion only, it'd be a 5 out of 5 easily.
Overall:
I still work at a coffee shop, but I really hate the high prices of drinking lattés and the like, so I know what to look for in a machine. This machine could be a little better with temperatures, or a faster-heating frothing wand, but you gotta remember this machine is cheap ( I got mine for about $65 including shipping) compared to coffee shop makers that cost thousands of dollars. The most surprising thing is that the end result of both machines taste about the same! Just about 10-15 stops to a Starbucks for example, will pay for this machine. In the long run it's so much cheaper and convenient. If you must have boiling hot coffee, consider a different machine, but if you don't mind having just pretty hot coffee, and great espresso, I'd definitely recommend this machine, and I think you'd be hard pressed to find a better machine for a comparable price!
UPDATE AS OF 1/4/10
I would definitely lower my overall rating, due to the fact that this machine is going pretty downhill.
First off, the coffee side is still the same as it was; I rarely use it, and it's just ok coffee. I have a smaller Mr. Coffee coffee maker that makes considerably better coffee, so it voids the use of the right half of this appliance.
But since most of my initial review was on the espresso side, I will continue the reasoning in regards to only this side. So, the cap to the compression chamber...thingy, is very touchy. Sometimes it seems to think I twisted too tightly or not enough, not exactly sure which, because it lets steam escape. I don't feel this is my error, because I make sure the lid is tight, and that the letters are facing the same direction every time. When steam escapes, it makes the machine very loud, dangerous (I tried to take off the cap too soon, and it launched) and you have to wait for a long while for it to cool down and loose all the pressure. Secondly, the espresso itself is tasting less delicious, and I haven't done anything differently. Likewise, I have always lightly tamped the espresso to about the same degree everytime I use it, but sometimes steam comes out of the portafilter, and the espresso comes out tasting like mud, instead of that really welcome tire flavor I mentioned earlier. Also, the portafilter has gotten pretty nasty looking despite all of the regular hand washing I do to it. I don't even know how to describe the way it looks other than "not what I'd really want to serve espresso with." Everything else is in decent condition, but the flavor of my lattés seems to be rapidly deteriorating, and due to this, I fear I'll need a new machine. Based on the loss of need of the coffee side, and the relative short-livedness of this machine, I'm definitely not buying another one of these.
I'd still give this 3 or 4 stars, because I certainly got my money's worth, but I am still a little disappointed. After the whole kit and caboodle, I'd say this machine is great for people willing to take the plunge into espresso without having a coffee maker already, and might rather make coffee most of the time and have cappuccino occasionally. It's also a great machine to learn the basics on, in case you've never made espresso before. Since the price is so cheap, it's pretty forgiving if you make a mistake and need to replace the machine or a part (though that'd have to be a pretty serious mistake to do that).
However, if you are finally comfortable with making espresso drinks, and/or are in need of a more serious machine, I'd suggest a pump driven machine (this is steam-driven). You will need more money for a pump driven machine, but it has better results.
More Mr. Coffee ECM21 4-Shot Espresso Machine and 8-Cup Coffeemaker Combo, Black reviews:
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Description of Mr. Coffee ECM21 4-Shot Espresso Machine and 8-Cup Coffeemaker Combo, Black
Indulge creating your specialty coffee drinks at home. You can have fun serving Espresso, Cappuccinos and Lattes to your guest while conveniently being able to also make regular black coffee. Show off with your Combination Coffeemaker and Espresso/ Cappuccino Maker machine. Coffeemaker has a removable cone filter basket, removable water reservoir and 8 cup capacity. Espresso/ Cappuccino Maker is a steam-driven unit with a variable steam control, powerful frothing aid and 4 cup capacity.Coffee, Tea & Espresso
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