Showing posts with label espresso machines. Show all posts
Showing posts with label espresso machines. Show all posts

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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4/09/2010

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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