Another Appliance I Put on the Shelf
Written: Mar 11 '01
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Does make wonderful espresso and Cappuccino at home and machine was a reasonable price.
Cons: So many directions! So many steps. So much attention. A coffeehouse is more fun.
The Bottom Line: This machine is for a cappuccino lover, with the focus of a computer programmer, but who is too poor for an expensive machine.
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| jdrum's Full Review: Krups Bravo Plus 872 Espresso Machine |
I thought the Mr. Coffee espresso/cappuccino maker Model ECM3,would be one of those fun appliances. It seemed more entertaining until I got tired of reading the instructions every time I used it. I found I had to carefully follow the directions to get the espresso and the cappuccino right. And the instructions for cappuccino are on a different page!
First you have to grind the coffee just right, that's not too hard. Then you fill the water tank (many instructions for this). Then fill the filter basket(more instructions). Now insert or place filter holder on machine. This takes practice. A lot of 'make sure' instructions for steam control now. You are turning things off and on, causing you to check the instructions several times. The milk frothing part of the Cappuccino takes practice. If you do not follow directions carefully, the machine will not work properly. Following these instructions is more complicated than cooking a fancy French recipe. And you have to do it every morning and evening!
The worst part is you must stand over this machine because you have to focus on the procedure. You can't be doing the six other things you usually try to do in the morning.
While I was using the machine I began to wonder how many people would read the instructions that carefully and focus on the procedure. I asked around and sure enough many people wondered why they couldn't get the milk to froth.
It was a bit of a bother to clean but no worse than a regular coffee pot. It looks like every other espresso machine under $100, not too bad.
I lost interest in the espresso maker and the usage dwindled down to a precious few until my husband said, "Aren't you going to use that thing?" That settled it. I put it a high shelf along with the breadmaker. The next step is selling it or donating it, not because there is anything wrong with it but just that I've become bored with its intricacies. It doesn't bring back happy memories of Rome anymore. Ah well, I'd rather go to the Starbucks in the neighborhood than deal with it.
The best thing about this appliance is I did not have to pay very much for my mistake. It worked very well but was just not for me.
Recommended:
No
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Epinions.com ID:
jdrum
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Reviews written: 101
Trusted by: 2 members
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