4/20/2010

Durgol 0296 Express Multipurpose Decalcifier 3 Pack Review

Durgol 0296 Express Multipurpose Decalcifier 3 PackI live on a well system and find calcium deposits on anything where I use the well water.Durgol really helps to remove the deposits and return things to their original condition.It cleans out shower heads, coffee pots, and removes stains from sinks.

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Product Description:
Heated or standing water causes lime deposits to form. These deposits build up over time and compromise the life of your items. Durgol Express is the ideal multi-purpose decalcifier for countless household items: coffee machines, ceramic tiles, faucets, steam irons and more. Ready to use and simple to use; no need to dissolve in water before application (unlike powders and tablets).

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4/19/2010

Jura-Capresso IMPRESSA E9 Super Automatic Coffee Center Review

Jura-Capresso IMPRESSA E9 Super Automatic Coffee CenterMy wife and I purchased this for each other approximately 2 years ago for ~ $1200.We named it "ChrisAnnie" as it cost enough to be another child, and it combined as a Christmas and Anniversary gift.

From the start, the coffee was a little bit off, with temperatures not quite getting high enough resulting in slightly bitter coffee.They get to about 190 (should be closer to 200-205), but Jura tech said that was 'normal' for their machines.This was a little disappointing for coffee affectionados and home-roasters.

Despite meticulously reading and re-reading the manual and watching the video and paying attention to cleaning schedules, etc. this thing started breaking down and popping up with unsolvable error codes after about 6 months.We had to do several procedures (wasting expensive cleaning tablets and filters, at our expense) in following tech support's directions.Finally they agreed to replace it since the issues could not be solved.I don't know if we got the same unit back or a refurbished job, but it started having the problems again after about 6 months.This time it was out of warrantee.

You should know this:THEY CHARGE OVER $200 PLUS SHIPPING JUST TO TAKE IT BACK FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST after your warrantee expires!Then repairs (they ran >$100 for us) and our shipping to them increased the costs to over $400.We fell for this once.Then the machine died again.It sat on our counter for several months while we agonized over going through the same thing again.

Rather than acting like the Proverbial "dog that returns to his own vomit", we decided discretion is the better part of valor, and we boxed it, threw it up in the attic, and bought a $160 Cuisinart with a burr grinder.

My wife still misses the lattes every now and then but it is not worth the thousands of bucks to get them.It just seems it should work better and not be so expensive to maintain after you pay so much for the initial purchase.

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Product Description:
Cappuccino and espresso without compromise (tm) this hi-tech, high-pressure Capresso coffee center is the coffee connoisseurs must-have machine. Sleek styling and superb one-touch results define this do-it-all unit, decked out with a silver-metallic front and exquisite chrome details. Two-year warranty. Model 13204.

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4/18/2010

Capresso Ultima Coffee and Espresso Review

Capresso Ultima Coffee and Espresso / Cappuccino MachineI enjoyed the taste of lattes having lived in San Francisco for many years and found myself in withdrawal when I had to return to St. Louis rather unexpectedly.I purchased the Capresso Ultima about the end of 2002 or early 2003 and was and have been fairly satisfied with this product from the get go.Here are a few things I've found in having brewed well in excess of a 1000+ cups and probably 75+ or more pounds of coffee in this machine:
1.Your coffee selection is key.If you like the Starbucks or Peet's or Border's latte taste, purchase a good dark roast.
2.Buy a burr grinder so you can get the right grind, not too fine and certainly not course. I use the DeLonghi. One word of caution, after using the finest turkish grind on my burr grinder for several cups, one day I discovered the coffe would not flow no matter how long I left the pump on.By the way, don't do this because your excess coffee simply flows into the overflow tray and gets wasted.To fix the problem I called the factory in New Jersey (I think) and was told to just return the central unit--nothing else.For $65, my charges, they sent back a new unit even though I had almost 2 years of use on it.It was returned within about 10 days.Excellent customer service.
3.If you like milky, thick foam then stick with 1 or 2 percent to get the best froth which you cannot get with whole milk or soy or rice milk for that matter.
4.DO NOT OVERHEAT THE MILK!!!This breaks down the fat molecules within the milk making it impossible to build a good froth.
5.Use a small colletor to gather the espresso and not the cup you used to steam the milk. I use this to collect the espresso and then pour it into the steamed milk.After a few cups you will quickly determine how much coffee to brew.Also, if you want an absolute great surprise, make a cappacino and let the machine brew the "crema" that seems to be the rage in espresso circles.The Ultima does an excellent job making crema.
For those who don't know, it's the tasty lighter coffee that is brewed at the end of the brewing cycle and has a wonderful milky-coffee taste.
6.The coffee is always HOT, HOT, HOT so please be careful when initially drinking it.
7.The hot water heater works wonders for the likes of hot chocolate mix.
8.I should add about the frother that you will experience a lot of steamiing water which probably shouldn't be there and disappears if you let the steamer run for a few minutes--do this in a separate container and dump the water, the steam will follow.Also the frothing wand is a two stage affair that generally heats the milk at first and then after a slight adjustment on the wand will produce a thick froth.Also, I move the cup with the milk around the wand to get good even heat to the milk.
9From a cold start, to finished cup takes about 3 minutes--the heating element works extremely fast.
10.Always use distilled water not tap.This will result in a calcium deposit which will destroy the unit.If you drink a lot of this coffee, I'd recommend buying your own countertop water distiller.
11.All in all, I could not be more happy with this machine.My son who lives in Brooklyn uses a much more expensive model, over $1,000, and it produces a great cup of espresso---the Capresso Ultima does the same at almost one-fourth the price.
12.It is because of the water wastege that I gave this unit a four star rating.
13.To ensure consistent coffee taste, do take offthe top, very easy procedure, and then rinse it under the faucet.The black, grounds container on the bottom tray should be emptied and rinsed daily after
each use.
14.If and when the time comes to replace, I'll go right back to the same unit--Love it, love it.
15.Finally, the plastic water container holds near perfect amounts of water to make approximately 7 cups of coffee.


Click Here to see more reviews about: Capresso Ultima Coffee and Espresso / Cappuccino Machine

Product Description:
Capresso "Ultima" eliminates all the inconvienent and sometimes difficult steps of conventional espresso machines: no more complications with filling, cleaning and rinsing baskets, tamping and hot filter holders. Just fill in pre-ground coffee to your liking (7 to 15 grams), pull the coffee lever down and turn the pump on. Within seconds the Capresso "Ultima" brews any size cup from one espresso to two six ounce cups of coffee always with wonderful crema on top. The double coffee spout even adjusts to accommodate different size cups.

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4/17/2010

Jura-Capresso 66314 IMPRESSA Care Kit Review

Jura-Capresso 66314 IMPRESSA Care Kit for Jura-Capresso Automatic Coffee CentersIf you have a Jura, the next thing you should buy is this kit.It has all the components you need to maintain the Jura in top notch working order.

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Product Description:
This care kit will provide you for many months with all the necessary supplies to keep your IMPRESSA Automatic Coffee Center from JURA-Capresso in top shape.Proper, timely maintenance will reward you with, better coffee, better frothing results and longer life of your machine. This Care Kit includes: 3 Clearyl Water Filters, 6 Cleaning Tablets, 1 32-ounce bottle of Cappuccino Cleaner Concentrate and a Container to hold frothing accessories while cleaning.

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4/16/2010

Jura-Capresso 7520 Claris Water Care Cartridge Review

Jura-Capresso 7520 Claris Water Care Cartridge... I had some trouble purchasing from the Capresso Web site... and this was just perfect.

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Product Description:
The Claris Water Cartridge reduces water hardness up to 75% and eliminates decalcifying.It removes (if present) up to 85% Chlorine, up to 90% lead, up to 95% copper and up to 67% aluminum.Fits Jura/Capresso models C1000, C3000, F9, S7, S8, S9.

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4/15/2010

Urnex Cleancaf Coffee Maker & Espresso Machine Cleaner and Descaler 3 Pack Review

Urnex Cleancaf Coffee Maker & Espresso Machine Cleaner and Descaler 3 PackThe product is amazing.It thoroughly cleans your machine with minimal effort on your part (just running the solution through your machine to clean it and then a few clean water flushes and you're done).But don't buy from these guys, the shipping is a total rip-off (you pay over half of he item's price again in shipping).Buy Cleancaf, but just do it from someone, or somewhere else (there are lots of other resources online that sell it with REASONABLE shipping rates).

Click Here to see more reviews about: Urnex Cleancaf Coffee Maker & Espresso Machine Cleaner and Descaler 3 Pack

Product Description:
Great tasting coffee at home again! When brewing takes forever and coffee tastes bitter, Cleancaf can help. Non-toxic, biodegradable and odorless, Clean Caf is a quick and easy way to keep coffeemakers and espresso makers clean, fresh and odor free.

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4/14/2010

Jura 67083 Cool Control Milk Cooler Review

Jura 67083 Cool Control Milk CoolerA colleague had ordered this and we both have nearly identical Jura automatic espresso machines. We both work from home, so I wanted something that would make my machine a little more automated.

I've purchased wine coolers and other machines which use the same type of induction technology, and I've been 'burned' by them all - breaking down early, not keeping the right temperature, etc.

I've had this device for six months now and I'm still just as pleased with it as the day I unboxed it. Milk is truly kept cold consistently and it's incredibly quiet.

Cons: If you're a Skim milk drinker, and you wait a couple days before using it, I've noticed that the milk can sometimes freeze up or develop ice crystals. I've been able to mitigate this by filling the outer tank with barely just enough water for it to reach the brim when the container is inside of it.

Also, the tube can be a hassle to clean. Sometimes the suction power pulls milk through and lets it sit there in the tube. You have to be conscientious to clean it thoroughly after each use or each day.


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Product Description:
The Cool Control Milk Cooler keeps milk cool, fresh and always available for your favorite coffee beverages.Cool Control from Jura-Capresso keeps milk cool and fresh as long as in any refrigerator.The CFC-free Peitier cooling system cools milk down from room temperature to 39-degrees Fahrenheit and keeps the temperature constant.Milk will never freeze or warm up.The removable 41-ounce stainless steel milk container is dishwasher safe.The low wattage, low noise motor cost just pennies a day to run.The compact Cool Control is the ideal accessory for all Jura-Capresso Automatic Coffee Centers.Completely equipped, the Cool Control connects directly to the frothXpress automatic frothing systems.

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4/13/2010

Jura-Capresso 13214 Impressa Z5 Automatic Coffee Center Review

Jura-Capresso 13214 Impressa Z5 Automatic Coffee CenterYes, you'll flinch when you see the price tag!Right now this is the king of super automatics.My work hours are all over the place and many times there is just no time to devote to pulling the perfect espresso from a manual or semi machine.Add to that I drink cappuccino's or lattes 95% of the time.This machine was made for those who drink mostly cappuccino's or lattes and it couldn't be easier.Many long time aficionados on the coffeegeek.com forums will tell you that you cannot pull anything close to a "god shot" from a super automatic and they are correct.But what you get is pretty darn good especially if you love the taste of espresso but don't want to devote your life to making perfect shots every pull.The Z5 is the model of simplicity and produces consistent very good shots of espresso and excellent latte's & cappuccino's every time with little time.I had this machine programmed, up and going just 10 minutes out of the box.I am not an expert on pulling shots manually.Setting the knob to the hottest setting, strongest espresso and finest grind yielded a very tasty shot that was far better than any I have had at Starbuck's.I used Coffee Emergency espresso roast.The crema was good and the temperature excellent.I used a Capressa S9 a year ago and was not happy with the temperature of the shots coming out of the machine.They are much improved on the Z5. Back to cappuccino's...Fill the milk thermos with your choice of milk...set knob to cappuccino and hit the button.A gorgeous cappuccino was produced on the very first try.I didn't have to move the cup...it was all automatic!It took me ages to learn to make a decent cappuccino onsame thing manually.Again...much better than at Starbuck's and any of the local coffee houses. The Z5 has a timer that can be set to turn the machine on and off when you want it to. Settings for water level, brewing time, amount of heated milk and foam, can all be pre set or adjusted with a knob live as your beverage is being made.The unit is whisper silent even when grinding beans.It is a well built piece of equipment that is UL approved for both residential and commercial use.I couldn't be happier with it.Should you get this machine? Bottom line is that if you want to make espresso's as a hobby and are going for that ultimate "god shot" every time don't even think about this machine.If you are a working professional who just wants a great cappuccino, latte and espresso with absolute minimum fuss that will beat Starbuck's and your local coffee shop.... think about buying this machine.

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Product Description:
A coffee lover's dream: put down your cup, push one button, make perfect cappuccino--without moving the cup! The Impressa Z5 is the first automatic coffee and espresso center with professional technology and one-touch cappuccino system for home use.Beans are ground, and fresh cold milk transforms into hot, frothed milk and pours into your cup. With high pressure, hot water is forced through the perfectly ground and tamped coffee. Now, espresso flows through the thick layer of milk froth: pick up your perfect cappuccino and enjoy. In the meantime, the used coffee grounds are discarded and you can immediately start dreaming about another cappuccino, latte, espresso, or any other hot, large cup of crema coffee. The Impressa Z5 features eight preset beverage buttons. All your coffee drinks are now just one pushbutton away. Use the pre-programming or change coffee strength, coffee volume, and the amount of steamed/frothed milk while the Z5 prepares your preferred coffee beverage. The informative three-line LED display makes using the Z5 extremely user friendly.

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4/12/2010

Jura-Capresso 66281 Descalling Tablets Review

Jura-Capresso 66281 Descalling Tablets for Jura-Capresso Automatic Coffee and Espresso Centers, 9 PackWe LOVE our Jura! And what can you say about these, other than they do their job and they keep our machine making good coffee. We used to get them at Williams-Sonoma which is within walking distance and it's a good evening walk excuse. But I believe they've discontinued Juras there? At any rate, they usually don't have them now, although they can special order. It's easier to just pop online and order them here.

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Product Description:
Use these Jura-Capresso Decalcifying Tables should your Jura-Capresso Automatic Coffee and Espresso Center indicate that decalcifying is required. This pack of 9 tablets works for Jura-Capresso Fully Automatic Coffee & Espresso Centers: Impressa Z5/Z6, S7/S9 Avantgarde, F7/F8/F60, E8/E9

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4/11/2010

Jura-Capresso 13531 Impressa C5 Fully Automatic Coffee Center, Piano Black Review

Jura-Capresso 13531 Impressa C5 Fully Automatic Coffee Center, Piano BlackI have purchase the new Jura-Capresso Impressa C5 before it had been released. So I had to wait for several weeks for its delivery. Once it arrived it took a good couple of hours to read through the manual, (the machine operation is not intuitive). It had all kinds of warnings for grinding: no oily beans, no flavored beans, and so on. (You could grind such beans in separate grinder and use it in the grinded beans compartment. I have not tried this yet). So, I have followed the instructions closely, and for about 5 to 7 days it worked fine. However, one morning, after the first cup of coffee I made, I could not make a second one. (There was no coffee coming out of the spouts). I try different approaches to solve the issue myself, however eventually called the company. The representative had walked me through some steps, basically squandering more and more of my good beans, but was not able to solve the problem. To his credit, once he realized he can not resolve the issue he offered to replace the body of the machine. The way it worked; the company has sent the new body and a label to send the old one back. (I had to remove all the removable parts: water tank, spout for cappuccino, and such)It took about a week for a new one to arrive. On arrival, I have noticed that the spout on the new one did not feet as well as on the old one, but I did tried to froth the milk yet. (I hope it works)
As far as quality of the coffee it makes, it is not bad; it is still not a commercial quality, but the machine makes a creama that is somewhat resembling of a good European café coffee. I have tried several different kinds of beans and came to the conclusion that quality of beans make a bigger difference than the machine itself. (I tried the good beans in the cheap espresso machine and the coffee was almost as good).The best beans I found were at the "Whole Foods" store.
Overall, I think it is way overpriced, and I would not purchase it again.



Click Here to see more reviews about: Jura-Capresso 13531 Impressa C5 Fully Automatic Coffee Center, Piano Black

Product Description:
Combining a compact design with user-friendly front-panel controls, this fully automatic coffee machine makes it easy to enjoy cafe-quality coffee drinks from the comfort of home. Its commercial-grade conical steel burr grinder offers six fineness settings for any type of bean for light to dark roasts, while a separate funnel for pre-ground coffee allows for making no-hassle decaf or flavored coffee drinks. To help ensure a perfect cup of coffee, the appliance comes equipped with a 1450-watt stainless-steel ThermoBlock heating system, a 15-bar high-pressure pump, and the Intelligent Pre Brew Aroma System (I.P.B.A.S.). Its I.P.B.A.S. delivers freshly ground coffee beans to the infusing cylinder as a powder from the grinder where it gets optimally compressed. Prior to brewing, the powder receives water moisture, which allows the pores to swell and flavors to be released. From here, aromatic, flavorful coffee dispenses into a cup automatically, complete with a thick layer of crema on top. The unit's variable brewing chamber holds between 5 and 16 grams of ground coffee, making it possible to brew a variety of coffee drinks--from a single 1-ounce ristretto to two 8-ounce cups of coffee at a time; the height of its coffee spout can be adjusted between 2-5/9 and 4-3/8 inches (65 and 111 mm) to fit any size cup. Even more, the machine's Connector System allows for using the Easy Cappuccino Frother, the hot water nozzle for tea or instant cocoa, and the optional two-stage frothing nozzle or the Professional Cappuccino Frother (both sold separately) to make perfect milk foam or hot milk.
Choose between coffee and espresso, and one or two cups, by simply turning the rotary dial (icons illuminate in red), then press the control for coffee in seconds. The rotary dial also offers on/off (standby), maintenance, pre-ground coffee, and steam options, and its three light segments illuminate to indicate the current coffee strength and water amount (turn the dial to adjust). Below the rotary dial and behind a concealing panel door, the machine offers a range of maintenance buttons with corresponding illuminated displays for the water tank, coffee-grounds container, bean container, and the cleaning, descaling, and filter buttons. Other highlights include a removable water tank; a bean container with an aroma-preservation cover; built-in memory that permanently stores settings and activities; self-monitoring rinsing, cleaning, and descaling programs; up to eight-hour automatic shut-off for safety and energy savings; and a Clearyl water-filtration system that purifies water and eliminates the need for decalcification. Accessories include a measuring spoon for pre-ground coffee, a milk pipe, a hot-water nozzle, a CLARIS plus filter cartridge, Jura Auto-Cappuccino cleaner, Jura cleaning tablets, Aquadur test strips, a quick reference guide, and a detailed user manual with recipes. A sleek-looking addition to any kitchen counter, the coffee machine measures 15 by 11-1/2 by 13-1/2 inches.

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4/10/2010

Jura-Capresso 67879 Clearyl Water Care Cartridge Review

Jura-Capresso 67879 Clearyl Water Care Cartridge for ENAThere are several different water filter types for capresso machines.This one is specifically for the skinny ENA models.I bought the wrong one the first time.

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Product Description:
The Clearyl Water Care Cartridge is an important part of the cleaning process for your Jura-Capresso ENA Automatic Coffee and Espresso Center. It removes chlorine, lead, aluminum and copper for a better tasting coffee. A special organic additive removes almost all carbon and practically eliminates decalcifying. Each cartridge filters 60 liters of water. To ensure that you always have the best water possible change the cartridge when the indicator light on your ENA Coffee Center illuminates.

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4/09/2010

Jura-Capresso 13299 Impressa Z6 Automatic Coffee and Espresso Center Review

Jura-Capresso 13299 Impressa Z6 Automatic Coffee and Espresso CenterI recently purchased the new Z6 after seeing one at William's Sonoma around Christmas.I resisted the temptation to purchase until a friend of mine called and told me he found one under the Christmas tree!We both purchased the Capresso 1500 about 3 years ago and thought those were the "Cat's Meow".Now fast forward to 2007 and the Z6 is here as the super automatic on steroids.

After unpacking I sat down and watched the included DVD twice.Once with my wife and once alone as I set up the machine.After you get through the initial setup and programming the machine is very easy to operate and maintain.Making a coffee drink is as simple as pushing one of 8 drink buttons on the front panel. I like the idea of the thermal milk storage tank but it's recommended that you don't store milk in it after use.I find this a little inconvenient to have to pour the milk into another container.With my previous C1500 I just put the plastic milk jug in the refrigerator and used it the next day.

I bought this unit to replace my C1500 for two major reasons. The first was my C1500 struggled to make a really hot coffee drink.I found myself drinking the beverage too quickly to avoid it getting cold or putting it into the microwave to heat it back up.The Z6 makes a hotter beverage that is much improved but still could be a few degrees hotter in my opinion.The second reason I purchased the Z6 was to get a bigger cup under the spouts.The C1500 was limited in what size cup I could place under the spouts and the Z6 allows me to put virtually any reasonable sized cup under the spout.

The Z6 is a beautiful piece to look at sitting on your counter and will be the envy of many a guest.However it has a chrome finish which appears durable but I would caution you to take extra precautions not to scratch the finish as it would be permanent.I place a paper towel on the lower tray when using ceramic type mugs to avoid scratching.

Update on 05/26/2008

I would like to say that the Z6 has been performing flawlessly for the past year and a half.As long as you perform the routine maintenance the Z6 will provide many years of trouble-free performance.I've also been putting the thermal milk container in the refrigerator with milk in it with no issues.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Jura-Capresso 13299 Impressa Z6 Automatic Coffee and Espresso Center

Product Description:
The Jura-Capresso Impressa Z6 Automatic Coffee and Espresso Center gleams with a high-polish chrome plated metal front housing, a unique mirror LED display and a hand-polished zinc die-cast oversized tray.A coffee lover's dream, the Impressa Z6 has professional technology and one-touch cappuccino system. Beans are ground, and fresh, cold milk transforms into hot, frothed milk and pours into your cup. With high pressure, hot water is forced through the perfectly ground and tamped coffee. Now espresso flows through the thick layer of milk froth: pick up your perfect cappuccino and enjoy. In the meantime the used coffee grounds are discarded and you can immediately start dreaming about another cappuccino, latte, espresso, or any other hot large cup of crema coffee.

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4/08/2010

Jura-Capresso 13215 Impressa S9 Avantgarde Automatic Coffee Center Review

Jura-Capresso 13215 Impressa S9 Avantgarde Automatic Coffee CenterFor a little information about me, I'm not a connoisseur of coffee. I like sweet coffee's (Carmel lattes) and never drink my coffee black. I like a nice sweet coffee in the morning as something smooth in the morning to get the day started, and occasionally at night when it's cold and if we are just relaxing I like to have a nice warm something or other. My wife will drink her coffee black and with almost no sweetener, she's a cappuccino person.

We've gone to Starbucks on and off for years and recently a little coffee house opened up down the street. We have been going there every morning for the last month. We always get small coffees and at $6 a visit it was a shocker when we realized we had spent about $120 in a month on coffee... that's when we started looking around.

Luckily a friend of mine had gotten the Jura-Capresso Z5 last year and couldn't stop talking about it, so I started my search there. After a lot of research on the web, and seeing the $1k difference between this machine and the Z5 which essentially only adds the One-touch cappuccino we decided to go with this machine.

So far we've had the machine a few days and within the first few hours I was making sweet/frothy/creamy drinks that were on par with any coffee shop I had ever been to. It's really easy.

The pre-sets are pretty good if you aren't too picky, but I'm *really* picky about my coffee even though I'm not a fancy burista or anything. The S9 comes with the frothXpress attachment so if you are into just hitting buttons and drinking coffee with no effort, you can totally do that. But I use the default manual frothing attachment and like to froth my coffee a certain way and my wife likes it another way.

We also use the hot water spout to make tea at night sometimes.

I'll admit that looking at this for $2500 then looking at some of the other machines that *seem* to have the same attachments for $400 is hard to swallow. The real magic of this machine is a combination of all the automation (push a button, drink coffee) as well as the fine-tuned control over everything and lastly over how exactly the items are heated, pressed and filtered. If you are curious, search for the S9 review on CoffeeGeek, the guy knows more about coffee than an entire country. He reviewed this machine after having it for over a year and loaning it out to people and restaurants. He got into the detail of how much pressure is used to brew the coffee (apparently very important) and also how hot and how fast the milk is heated (which is important I guess as well so you don't kill the naturally sweet proteins in the milk)... it's a ton of detail but at the end of the entire thing he gave the S9 his rank of favorite super automatic and I agree.

If you go to Starbucks or a local coffee shop that is run by relatively normal/educated people and you are someone that doesn't mind spending some time or take pride in making a good drink, I don't think you would have any problem recreating that quality of drink with this machine, it's fantastically easy.

If you are lazy and just want drinks handed to you so you can drink them and have a fairly wide range of acceptable tastes for your coffee, you can probably just spend the $2500 at Starbucks and let someone else do it.

Overall the machine is fantastic. The finish is plated plastic which I thought was cheap feeling, but it looks fine because it's sort of brushed and not super shiney. That only bothered me for about 5mins, then I just forgot about it and drank the coffee.

Another thing I like is that the machine is really intelligent about keeping itself clean. It tells you when it needs to rinse and does it once or twice a day, keeping everything in tip top shape. It also monitors the levels of everything in the machine (grounds, beans, water, filter, etc.) and tells you exactly what to do on the screen. Also, I didn't mention this in much detail, but you can control and adjust the values of everything in the setup menu. How strong you want your coffee or espresso to be, how much water is in it, how much steam in the milk, the temperature, how finely ground the beans are, how hard your water is and just about everything else that can effect coffee.

The only cleanup after making coffee to speak of are the parts that touch the milk. For me that's just the wand that steams the milk. I just pop it off, rinse it and let it air dry for the next time. So that is something to consider if you think that you can just get this machine and push a button every morning and never need to think about it again. There are little things you need to do (like empty the grounds and the drip tray) every other day if you are making around 4-6 coffees a day. If it's just you or you are only making around 2 coffees a day, you can probably let it go 4-6 days between just rinsing it out, maybe 30 seconds worth of work.

So my take-away advice for anyone reading this is:
A) If you like coffee from anywhere (Starbucks, McDonalds, your house, etc.) this is totally overkill. Just stick to a normal brewing coffee maker and call it a day. This is like not being able to tell the difference between a Honda Civic and a Lexus GS400... if you can't tell the difference, then save all that money and get the Civic. Some people just can't tell.

B) If you like good coffee, and get frustrated when you get the same coffee every single morning from a store like Starbucks and some mornings it's good, and other mornings it's not and you are paying good money for it (like I was) and you feel cheated on the mornings it stinks, then you'll love this machine. It will give you the chance to perfect your cup of coffee and make it whenever you want with perfect accuracy. It's also handy to make simple things like hot chocolate and tea with, so it has more functions than just the espresso or cappuccino.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Jura-Capresso 13215 Impressa S9 Avantgarde Automatic Coffee Center

Product Description:
In a class of its own!Grind, tamp, brew and clean in under 60 seconds-with a push of a button.Make perfect espressos, cappuccinos, lattes and crema coffee..every time.The Impressa S9 Avantgarde is one of the fastest and most versatile Automatic Coffee and Espresso Centers on the market today.With its 96-ounce capacity, two stainless steel lined thermoblock heating systems, a traditional frother and the automatic frothXpress Plus system it produces coffees, espressos and unlimited amounts of hot frothed and steamed milk for cappuccinos and lattes with no down time.Four pre-set beverage buttons and a unique "a la carte" button give you endless possibilities of creating your own coffee fantasies.A separate hot water spout for tea, a separate ground coffee funnel and a stainless steel warming tray on top make this a complete hot beverage center.With its UL listing for household and commercial use the S9 Avantgarde is the right machine for home, office and any small restaurant.

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4/07/2010

Jura-Capresso 13289 Impressa S7 Avantgarde Automatic Coffee and Espresso Center Review

Jura-Capresso 13289 Impressa S7 Avantgarde Automatic Coffee and Espresso CenterNot sure if the first reviewer is misdirecting his dissatisfaction. Sounds like the spending of the vacation money was the real problem. Because this machine is perfect, and I have nothing bad to say about it. Other than that it does look a little Spartan, but only in a minor way.

It brews an wonderfull espresso, with thick, golden, foamy crema. It brews it absolutely perfectly, and consistently everytime. Overall the functionality of this machine is superb, and very customizable. Each button can be programmed to YOUR specifications, so easily a monkey could do it. The cup warmer is genious, the clean-up is easier than ANY drip maker I have used/owned. Overall the machine is also very quiet.

The 'Foofy' drinks (as I like to call them) are top notch! My wife prefers the lattes, Chai teas,etc. The frother on this machine has it's own dedicated thermoblock boiler, so there is no lag time, and the froth is excellent. Micro-bubbles as good as any Barista. Water filtering system is great, easy to activate, grinds, tamps beans which is excellent. Also has a chute for already ground coffee, good for Decaf, or flavored.

I guess you could complain about the plastic on the outside, but this does not bother me at all. and frankly seems easier to keep clean, which is a concern since milk etc splatters on the machine when you froth. Also keeps the machine lighter and enables you to move it without breaking your neck.

The ONLY difference between this machine and the S9A is the following:

Exterior look, S7A has black accents, S9A has the same plastic accents, but in silver.

S9A comes with the Frother X-Press, which quite honestly is useless unless you are entertaining and brewing several milk drinks at once. Anyway, frothing in the cup is fun.

The cup warmer on the S9A has stainless tray, whereas the S7A is plastic.

Otherwise, the functionality and insides of the machines is the same. And this is where both of these machines shine, on their functionality. They brew excellent, hot, delicious, rich, coffee in less than 60 seconds. They are tried and true, well-reviewed models.

If you are in the market, don't think twice about a Jura, the quality is fantastic, and end result brew is second to only a Semi-Auto.

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Product Description:
Combining dramatic aesthetics with advanced technology, this fully automatic coffee and espresso center grinds, tamps, brews, and cleans in under 60 seconds--with the simple push of a button. The unit's integrated, professional, solid-steel conical burr grinder offers quiet operation and six fineness settings for any type of bean, while a separate pre-ground funnel accommodates pre-ground coffee, which is great for making decaf or flavored coffee drinks when entertaining. A two-step pre-infusion cycle moistens and conditions the ground coffee for maximum flavor extraction with perfect crema topping. The machine features an 18-bar power pump with a dual 1250-watt stainless-steel lined ThermoBlock heating system where water and coffee never come in contact with aluminum, along with two frothers, the Dual Frother Plus and the frothXpress PLUS system, which allow for completely automated or manually controlled steaming and frothing.
Behind the door is a rotary dial with a black button, which allows for controlling any of the 15 functions, like water hardness, rinse, temperature, coffee strength, and steam. The machine provides four one-touch individually programmable beverage buttons, all with an override option for temperature, strength, and cup-size while brewing, along with an a la carte button for creating individualized cup size and strength just before brewing. For added convenience, its two-line LED display dialog system gives short, simple instructions like "select product", "fill water", and "clean unit". Selecting from "continuous-on" or "auto-off" from 1/2-hour to 15 hours in 1-hour increments makes sure the machine stays on as long as needed.
Other useful features include a 96-ounce removable water tank, a 10-ounce bean container, a height-adjustable coffee spout, a separate hot water spout for tea or hot chocolate, and a five-level water-hardness selector. In addition, its Clearyl water-care system removes chlorine, lead, aluminum, and copper for better tasting coffee, and an electronic water-level sensor ensures the machine never operates without water. Designed in matte-black housing with silver-metallic accents and a chrome-plated coffee spout, the coffee and espresso machine makes for a beautiful addition to any home or small office. The unit measures 15-3/4 by 14-3/4 by 13-3/4 inches and carries a one-year limited warranty.

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4/06/2010

Jura-Capresso 13339 Impressa Z5 Automatic Coffee Review

Jura-Capresso 13339 Impressa Z5 Automatic Coffee/Espresso CenterI have owned Capresso machines for about the last 8 years or so.Just replaced my Z5.It is expensive but if coffee is important to you, it's worth it.
I can't tell you how much coffee we wasted making a pot at a time the old way. That drove me crazy. Single serve is the way to go.I finally figured out how to make capuchino's with the Z5 and it is so easy!I've got a family of 5 and everyone drinks them now so our machine gets alot of use.I'd venture to say 10 cups a day on average.

We started with a less expensive Capresso model and it worked great but we felt the coffee was not hot enough.We needed more horsepower.The very first Z5 we bought was a lemon and had to be returned.The next one was good for about 3 years until we got the dreaded "Error 8".I did alot of internet research on the best machines available.There was one that seemed very similar to the Z5 but was twice the price.There were others at a lower price but I either did not like the appearance or they did not have all the features.So we stuck with the Z5.

For the more math oriented, here's the way I look at it.If the machine costs $3 grand and lasts 3 years and you make 10 cups of coffee per day, the cost of the machine per cup is under 30 cents each.Then you need to add to that supplies, coffee, water, creamers etc.

Be warned that if you are new to this type of machine it takes some time to master its use.

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Product Description:
Make cafe-quality beverages at the press of a button using this fully automatic coffee center. The machine features eight pre-set beverage buttons for creating great-tasting cappuccinos, lattes, hot chocolates, hot teas, one or two cups of ristretto, espressos, cafe lungos, and large cups of crema coffee. Use the pre-set programs or make customized beverages by adjusting the coffee strength, coffee volume, and the amount of steamed or frothed milk. Thoughtfully designed, the unit automatically grinds coffee beans, tamps and brews the coffee, then discards used coffee grounds--all with an exceptionally low level of noise. The coffee center also provides an easy-to-read three-line LED display, a one-touch cappuccino system for making cappuccino or latte without ever moving the cup, and an invisible beam that senses the amount of beans in the bean container and indicates when it needs a refill. A 32-ounce triple-insulated thermal milk container, which effectively keeps milk chilled for up to eight hours, comes included. Made in Switzerland, the coffee center measures 16-1/2 by 12-1/2 by 14 inches and carries a two-year warranty.

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4/05/2010

Remanufactured Jura-Capresso 13185 Impressa F7 Automatic Espresso Machine, Black and Silver Review

Remanufactured Jura-Capresso 13185 Impressa F7 Automatic Espresso Machine, Black and SilverAfter having read many reviews I decided on the Jura F7 refurbished, thinking that it is expensive enough to expect the best. The machine arrived damaged, the first several initial test runs left me with a major flood across the kitchen counters. The customer service (Mo- Fri ET) requested me to contact Capresa to trouble shoot before a return can be scheduled, another hour wasted. At this point I requested a full refund. Now the customer service offered to email a return UPS label, it NEVER arrived, another call and I was informed that they need to contact Capresa who will mail it. After one week, still no return UPS label. Another call to Kitchen Kapers, being put on hold too long and dealing with arrogant, knowledgeable staff I requested to speak with a manager. He assured me UPS pickup will be scheduled and a refund will be made as soon as the package arrives at Capresa. BUT within two hours I received an email from Kitchen Kapers informing me that a replacement machine had been shipped to my address. This is the sloppiest, unreliable, untrustworthy and questionable customer service imaginable. Now I not only wait for the refund but am also forced to tackle another unwanted shipment.
My final verdict: DO NOT SHOP AT KITCHEN KAPERS it is not worth the savings you think you might get. This is the most disappointing shopping experience, not to be wished for anyone else.

Re-manufactured Jura-Capresso 13185 Impressa F7 Automatic Espresso Machine, Black and Silver

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Product Description:
Factory-Reconditioned with all new equipment and a 1-year Limited Warranty. Sophisticated design with professional results! The Impressa F7 Super Automatic Coffee Center grinds, tamps, brews and cleans in under 60 seconds..with a push of a button! Makes perfect espressos, cappuccinos, lattes and cr-me coffee..every time. Jura-Capresso Impressa F7 has a stainless steel ThermoBlock system (no purging): water and coffee never come in contact with aluminum. This super automatic coffee center has a 64 ounce water container with water filtration and a commercial grade, solid-steel conical burr grinder with 6 fineness settings. The cup size selector allows you to choose from 1 ounce to 16 ounce of water and has three coffee strength settings (mild, normal, strong). There is unlimited hot water and steam output that is programmable. Silver metallic with black accents, chrome buttons and stainless steel grid.

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4/04/2010

Capresso 115.01 Capresso Cafe 1050-Watt Pump Espresso and Cappuccino Machine Review

Capresso 115.01 Capresso Cafe 1050-Watt Pump Espresso and Cappuccino MachineI TRIED EVERYTHING WITH THIS ESPRESSO MACHINE. IT DOES NOT MAKE A DECENT CREMA. I GAVE ITAWAY IN TWO WEEKS.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Capresso 115.01 Capresso Cafe 1050-Watt Pump Espresso and Cappuccino Machine

Product Description:
Brew cafe-quality espressos, cappuccinos, and lattes from the comfort of home with this easy-to-use countertop appliance. The unit features a ThermoBlock heating system with 16 bars of pressure for perfect brewing, plus it can deliver continuous steam for hot frothed milk when making cappuccinos and lattes, with no downtime or purging necessary. Its two-part frother consists of a frothing sleeve for injecting hot steam and air into milk for frothy cappuccinos and, with the frothing sleeve removed, a steam tube for injecting hot steam only into milk for lattes. Even more, its swivel frother allows for frothing directly into a tall glass or frothing pitcher. Be sure to clean both the frothing sleeve and steam tube thoroughly after each use to keep them in good working order. For added convenience, users can alternate between the espresso/cappuccino function and the steam/hot-water function (great for teas and cafe americanos) with a simple flip of the selector switch. Other highlights include a removable 48-ounce water tank (35 espressos) with a self-locking valve, a self-locking filter holder with a thumb guard, handy "warm up" and "ready" indicator lights, an integrated metal cup-warming platform, an easy-to-clean removable drip tray with a water-level indicator, two sieves for producing one or two espressos at a time, a concealed spare sieve-storage compartment, and cord storage to help keep countertops looking tidy. A measuring scoop comes included. The 1050-watt UL-listed espresso machine measures 8 by 11-1/2 by 11 inches and carries a one-year limited warranty.

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4/03/2010

Jura-Capresso 13332 Impressa J5 Automatic Coffee and Espresso Center, Matte Black Review

Jura-Capresso 13332 Impressa J5 Automatic Coffee and Espresso Center, Matte BlackWhere to begin? This machine can do it all, from a strong shot of espresso to a flawless cappuccino, all in under minute. If you can tie your shoes, you can use one of these machines.

I looked in to this machine after using an older Capresso model at a friend's house. I was always impressed by how easily and quickly he could make a variety of drinks for guests, not to mention the quality of their appearance and flavor.

This machine comes with two different frothing systems, one is a more traditional bullet style frother, while the other can automatically steam or froth milk. This is where the J5 really shines. In no time you can froth yourself milk that would make the most seasoned barista jealous, and then push a single button to instantly brew piping hot coffee.

The machine starts with whole beans of your choosing and grinds them just for the drink you are making. This ensures that you'll get the freshest tasting coffee cup after cup.

What I like most about this machine though is the variety of drinks it can make. If you have a guest over who isn't a big coffee drinker you can use the machine to make instant hot water for tea, or my favorite trick: run chocolate milk through the steamer for instant hot chocolate. Of course for the rest of us, the pressure brewing system in this machine will allow you to say goodbye to expensive coffee drinks, and become your own favorite barista.

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Product Description:
Equipped with an 18-bar pump and 1450-watt stainless-steel-lined thermoblock heating system, this automatic coffee and espresso center can produce cup after cup of coffee with no down time in between. The machine's unique two-step pre-infusion cycle ensures every brew delivers optimal flavor extraction and a creamy crema layer. In the first stage, freshly ground coffee gets compressed, then injected with a small burst of hot water, causing the moist grounds to expand. In the second stage, brewing water courses through the engorged coffee grounds.
This user-friendly appliance combines not only powerful performance, but also a simple, elegant design with easy-to-use controls. Its front panel offers six buttons in the shape of a ring: two buttons for espresso (single and double), two for coffee (single and double), one for hot water, and one for steam. All of these functions are individually programmable. For example, the strength, temperature, and size of each of the coffee buttons can be set, as can the amount of water delivered in a hot water cycle, and the amount of time a steam cycle lasts. The 10-digit alpha-numeric LCD display clearly communicates all functions and settings in any one of five languages. The top of the unit provides three more controls: two buttons (one for power, the other for maintenance) and an illuminated rotary control dial for overriding any settings for coffee and steam. Choose from 11 programming options by pushing the integrated rotary button.
The coffee and espresso center also showcases several other innovative features. Its new ceramic-valve technology shortens the flow of coffee, resulting in a hotter temperature and more crema in the cup. The machine's three hot-water temperature settings produce a hotter Cafe Americano, pre-warm coffee cups faster, and accommodate a larger variety of tea preparation. It also provides a dual, butterfly, coffee-spout design that moves up/down and in/out to accommodate a larger range of cups.
Other highlights include a commercial-grade, solid-steel conical burr grinder with six fineness settings and low-noise operation; a 9-ounce bean container with aroma cover and low-level bean indicator; a self-adjusting brewing chamber, which holds from 5 to 16 grams of ground coffee to make up to two 8-ounce cups of coffee at a time; a sensor-activated pre-ground coffee funnel; a clock/timer with programmable auto-on and auto-off capabilities; and a 71-ounce removable water container with a Clearyl water-filtration system and low-water indicator. Even more, the machine provides two interchangeable frother systems, which include a Dual Frother Plus for manual operation and a frothXpress for automatic frothing and steaming. A concealed compartment neatly stores the measuring scoop and the Dual Frother Plus attachment. The coffee and espresso center measures 16-1/2 by 11 by 13-1/4 inches and carries a one-year limited warranty.

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4/02/2010

Jura-Capresso ENA 3 Automatic Coffee Center Review

Jura-Capresso ENA 3 Automatic Coffee CenterI purchased this machine for my husband and myself after Christmas to replace our 2 yr. old Gaggia Coffee Deluxe. We had so many problems with the Gaggia we gave up on making a good non stovetop espresso. We found it in the ENA 3. We chose the ENA 3 because it was affordable and we really didn't need the express frother and the few other features the ENA 5 had.

We are thrilled with the ease of use and the easy to follow instructions. We have tried several different beans and they have all produced a great cup of espresso with great crema.We have made espresso, cappuccino, lattes and hot chocolate. They have all turned out superb. The machine is almost self cleaning. It rinses after heating just before making the first cup and when you shut the machine down. You only have to dump the grounds and clean the drip trays from the rinsing. A very easy process.The unit came with a great DVD, clearyl water filter and 2 cleaning tablets.

We now start our day with an espresso and another in the afternoon. It is just so simple to use and we are really enjoying our cups of coffee.

We would highly recommend this machine.

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Product Description:
The Jura-Capresso ENA3 is the world's slimmest Automatic Espresso and Coffee machine, only 9.5-inches wide.If you want the freedom to choose any coffee bean you like, the genuine flavor of the bean in your cup and the option to adjust the strength of the coffee to suit your taste….then look no further.Make ENA, which comes from the Greek meaning number ONE, your first choice..The ENA3 is environmentally friendly and economical to useWith an innovative zero energy switch the ENA3 draws no standby energy and when the unit is used infrequently the Energy Save Mode can be switched on to reduce power consumption to an absolute minimum.ENA3 has single button operation.Simply turn and push a button and enjoy. Programming the ENA3 is simple and intuitive.The programming and maintenance buttons are concealed behind an elegant panel.With the Rotary Switch and the interactive display, navigating through the programming mode or the automatic cleaning and maintenance program is a snap.The ENA3 has an All Black body.

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4/01/2010

Jura-Capresso 13413 Impressa F8 Automatic Coffee and Espresso Center Review

Jura-Capresso 13413 Impressa F8 Automatic Coffee and Espresso CenterI received this as a Chirstmas gift, I could not fathom spending this amount of money on something for myself.At any rate, I love coffee, espresso and all other coffee flavored drinks so trust me when I say,
"this was a wonderful surprise" for a true coffee lover.In the long run, not only was I worth the price, but it has actually paid for itself with the money I have now saved not going to coffee houses, @ $5.00 and up per cup, and for a much better cup than those they were selling.This is definitely for the coffee lover, not occassional drinker, who has everything else. Oh! space helps too, it not a small item.Extremely well packaged, dependable, and sturdy.FYI. I waited a year and a half before leaving this review, I received it Dec.25, 2008.Used everyday, multiple times per.The filters are a bit expensive but you get a good length of time on them, the can be purchased cheaper online and in bulk.

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Product Description:
Sophisticated design with professional results.The Jura-Capresso Impressa F8 Automatic Coffee and Espresso Center grinds, tamps, brews and cleans in under 60 seconds with a push of a button.Makes perfectespressos, cappuccinos, lattes and crème coffee every time.Jura-Capresso Impressa F8 has a stainless steel ThermoBlock system (no purging): water and coffee never come in contact with aluminum.This super automatic coffee center has a 64-ounce water container with water filtration and a commercial grade, solid-steel conical burr grinder with 6 fineness settings.The cup size selector allows you to choose from 1-ounce to 16-ounce of water and has three coffee strength settings (mild, normal, strong).There is unlimited hot water and steam output that is programmable.Silver metallic finish, chrome buttons and die-cast Coffee Spout, plus Coffee Brewing Illumination.The F8 features two frothing systems: the frothXpress for automatic siphoning of milk for lattes and cappuccinos and a Dual Frother Plus for manual frothing.

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