Never, in my wildest dreams did I consider purchasing a Mr. Coffee® Espresso-Cappuccino Maker. Sure, Sunbeam® makes sturdy home and commercial coffee makers under the ‘Mr. Coffee’ guise, but I always considered cappuccino a step beyond their area of expertise. I am no coffee snob, but I always thought the only companies producing pump espresso machines had names like Saeco, Bialetti, Dualit and Starbucks. For some reason Mr. Coffee never rolled off my tongue when talking latté.

All that changed this past holiday season when my handsome, genius of a husband decided to stop hanging hundred dollar bills on the Christmas tree. (I am really going to miss that!) Santa seemed to have taken over his brain and my personal elf actually braved the crowds to buy his honey, me, real gifts for the first time in years. Santa was not alone taking residence in Equal Half’s gray matter. For those of us who recall watching the first space flight or hearing John F. Kennedy’s moving inaugural speech live, my next statement will make sense. For the rest of you, give this baby boomer a bit of latitude.

Where Have You Gone, Joe DiMaggio?

The Yankee Clipper became famous for more than his prowess and agility in baseball. No, I am not referring to his never-ending infatuation with his former wife, Marilyn Monroe, even though I find that part of his history both charming and a bit eerie. My first memories of Joe DiMaggio stem from his appearances on The Donna Reed Show and a particular Mr. Coffee® commercial.

Way back in the dark ages, commercials were live events. One evening, I witnessed Joltin’ Joe brewing a pot of coffee during the first station break of some long forgotten live broadcast. Several minutes later, during break number two, our hero prepared to pour the steaming liquid into a clear glass cup. With a steady hand, he held the cup within inches of the camera lens for full effect. As the hot coffee filled the clear receptacle, an audible ‘chink!’ then a snap coincided with the cracking and shattering of the cup. Dark, rich fluid hit the floor and covered poor Joe’s hand as the screen suddenly blurred then filled with a row of dancing girls. This, my friends, was live TV at its best!

Why, dear readers, did I subject you to yet another useless bit of trivia? Was it fear of not achieving the mandatory minimum of one hundred words in this review? Was it to simply bore you beyond reason? No, I honestly wanted to give you a little insight into how my Equal Half’s mind works. He knew my one wish, after living in the Starbucks obsessed Seattle area for several years, was to own an espresso machine. In my love’s mind, Joe DiMaggio equals quality baseball and a class act, thus Mr. Coffee® equals quality espresso!

I’ll Have a Double!

To make a long story short, my favorite holiday gift is also my favorite kitchen appliance. The Mr. Coffee Espresso/Cappuccino Maker (Model ECMP10) is a solidly constructed, compact machine powered by a surprisingly powerful pump mechanism. All preconceived notions aside, Sunbeam Corporation® produced a low cost, high quality appliance. To my surprise, this system consistently produces above standard espresso often bordering on pure heaven. Ease of use and well-fitted components make brewing, frothing and clean up a joy. Within minutes of tearing the wrapping paper off the package, we enjoyed our first cappuccinos. The short instruction manual told me everything I needed to know within twelve short pages.

The Out of Box Experience:

• Espresso/Cappuccino Machine (Model ECMP10)
• Removable Water Reservoir
• Frothing Attachment
• Filter Holder
• Measuring Spoon and Tamping Tool
• 1 and 2-Cup Filter Cups
• Removable Drip Tray
• Overflow Grid
• Instruction Manual with Recipes
• One Year Limited Manufacturer’s Warranty
• Styrofoam and Cardboard Packaging Material

• Dimensions: 9” wide x 12” high x 8½“ deep
• Clearance: Up to a 3-½” tall cup (two at once)

Set up required washing all removable parts in soapy water. The manufacturer suggests running clean water through at least one brewing cycle before making espresso.

The Good:

• The flawless design of this machine allows each piece to seamlessly glide into place.

• The pump motor is powerful, allowing the creation of truly full-bodied espresso. After sampling the weak output of steam powered machines, the pump factors as a necessity.

• The inclusion of the removable water reservoir prevents lime and residue from building up and reduces the frequency of otherwise necessary de-liming. I choose to run several cups of vinegar through the system once a month to keep the pump assembly pristine. I attribute the fact that this machine never produced bad espresso to its power and our preventative maintenance.

• The lightweight but durable measuring and tamping tool has a good feel to it. After only a few uses, I became proficient at tamping the fresh finely ground espresso grind. Remember, perfectly tamped coffee results in the most desirable crema. A light touch produces the best results.

• The solid stainless steel filter cups and filter holder align and lock securely into the machine. My fears of escaping steam shooting out from between the gasket and the filter are eliminated with this model.

• The frothing arm is permanently attached, not a removable assembly, which can be dangerous if improperly fitted. The rubber attachment slides off for cleaning and remains secure while in use. I hate to sound like a Madison Avenue reject but it worked perfectly the first time and every time.

• Even with the small footprint, the system is designed to make two espressos or two cappuccinos at once. For this tiny, two-person household, it is ideal. When we have company, brewing up to sixteen cups, including frothing milk, requires very little time thanks to the adequate size of the water reservoir.

• The price is more than reasonable. Department and some discount stores sell this unit for anywhere from $69.00 to just under a hundred dollars, making it a real bargain.

The Bad:

The first system had a flaw that worried me. After several uses, the locking mechanism seemed harder to operate bringing out those fears of steam leaking out during the brewing process. The literature accompanying the system states:

“If Service Is Required, Do Not Return to Your Store.
For Service Call: 1-800-MR-COFFEE (1-800-672-6333)
8:30 AM to 5:00 PM, Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday”

I dialed the toll-free number and actively participated in a short bout of voice mail tag before reaching a customer service representative. After explaining my concerns, the representative informed me that my only recourse was to package and ship the entire system back to them for repairs or replacement. The shipping costs would be on me according to this individual. I explained that the entire package weighed in at just over twenty pounds and that paying the shipping cost for an inexpensive espresso machine purchased just weeks earlier was ridiculous. She countered, I countered, we countered like Fred and Ginger!

Finally, I pulled the ace out of my sleeve by requesting the correct spelling of her full name for my review. I asked if she was familiar with Epinions.com. She replied, “Yes,” and asked me to hold the phone for a few minutes. Several minutes later a customer relations supervisor introduced herself. She sounded genuinely concerned as she asked for my name, address, phone number and if I had a pair of scissors handy. To my surprise, she asked me to cut the cord on the espresso machine and mail it to her when I received my new machine. As I gushed on about wonderful service, she punched in the code to alert Federal Express of this most important shipment.

The replacement arrived the following day. It is perfect and my thanks go to Epinions for having clout, the supervisor for having the power to over-ride the company’s policies and to me for my ability to name-drop on a moment’s notice.

Hey Rocky, Watch Me Pull a Rabbit out of My Hat!

Just checking to see if you are still with me - I know, it is a cheap trick. My experience with the Sunbeam Corporation® and their product, the Mr. Coffee Espresso/Cappuccino Maker™ (Model ECMP10) has been nothing short of good. Seven months of daily use gave me a strong foundation for writing this review and placing a high recommendation on the system and service. While I probably would have chosen a different model by a manufacturer specializing in espresso machines, I am most content with the appliance I own. As always, my husband’s track record for finding the perfect gift remains flawlessly in tact. After all, who could question his taste when he chose so wisely when picking a wife? As I said, the man has impeccable taste. Wouldn’t you agree?


Recommended: Yes