Pros: Great Espresso, Looks Very Cool on the Kitchen Counter, No More $4.00 Mochas!
Cons: A Little Pricey, but So Worth It.
The Bottom Line: A sturdy machine that makes a great shot. Toss the Krups, and make room for this one your kitchen counter! You won't regret the investment.
Here's why I think the Starbucks Barista Espresso Machine is so similar to a Kate Spade Bag: 1) You know you want it, 2) The design is a great combination of classic/off-beat, 3) It is borderline prohibitively expensive, but 4)
You will use it (and love it) every day. Oh, and 5) Your friends will want one when they see yours!
I recently splurged on the Barista during Starbucks' biannual sale, and I have not regretted this purchase for one moment. Before I bought the machine, I was running into Starbucks a couple times a day for iced mochas. I realized that, in the end, this purchase would end up saving me money! But you're here to learn about the Barista-not my caffeine habit-so please read on...
When you first purchase the Barista, you may be worried: "Oh no...did I just waste 300 dollars?" No need to worry. When you remove the machine from the box, the first thing you're going to notice is the sheer heft of the thing. Nothing at all like those cheap, light, and disappointing Krups machines we've all tried! To me, that's the first sign of a well-made product-when you have to flex some muscle to pick it up!
Now you're probably feeling nervous: "How do I work this thing and how long will it take me to ruin it?" Again, no worries there. Each machine comes with a little instructional video to help you get through your first couple of shots/steams, cleaning info, etc. Also, there's an instruction pamphlet with a great troubleshooting guide. And if you get really confused, there's even a 1-800 helpline number printed on the machine itself (I've found my local Starbucks barista friends to be very helpful, too).
Here's a little overview of the brewing process, just to give you an idea: 1) Fill the water tank with the right amount of water, depending on the number of shots you're making. The tank has a 96-ounce capacity, which seems huge compared to other machines I've used. This is great if you're pulling shots for a crowd (and you will be when your friends find out that you have this!). Turn the machine on (all of the necessary buttons are huge and impossible to miss). 2) Now it's time to Prime. Priming is essential for the health of the machine's pump, so don't forget! (This is a pump-driven machine rather than steam-driven, and you'll be glad when you taste the final product.) To prime, hit the brew button, and allow about 4 ounces of water to pour into your shot glasses. Then hit the brew button again to stop the water flow. You have just eliminated any air or stale water from your machine...Good Job! 3) You're ready to brew. Remove the filter from the brew head and fill with your grounds (1/2 full for one shot, almost-to-the-top for two shots). Attach back to the brew head and check to see if the little green "Ready" light is on. When it's on, hit the brew button again. You'll hear some Cool Jazz come out of the machine (haha just kidding!), and in a few seconds, the espresso will pour. Enjoy watching the shot as it pours out; it looks like a miniature Guinness Stout. In other words, beautiful! When you have the amount of espresso you want, just hit the brew button again to stop the flow of espresso. Hit the On/Off button to turn the machine off, as it does not have an auto-off function. That's it! It's incredibly simple, really!
Cleaning the machine feels more like a ritual than a chore; it's the same feeling you get when polishing a nice antique, or similarly taking care of something that you treasure. I just scoop out all of the used grounds, remove the basket from the filter, and hand-wash these components. Usually, I just use running water with little or no soap. You're also going to want to clean the brew head (that's where you attach the filter to the machine). Just wipe it with a wet rag until you're not seeing any more little coffee ground bitsies. Also, the machine comes with a brew head cleaner that actually reaches up farther into the machine than you and your rag can. I use that maybe once a week. If you try to clean any part of the machine in the dishwasher, I think that a Starbucks employee will personally come to your house and take away your Barista Espresso Machine...hand wash only, OK?
At my local Starbucks, the espresso shots are a little on the sweet side (which I love). Here are some tips to help you achieve your favorite type of shot: For a sweeter shot, fill the filter basket with your grounds and tamp them with all your might! Compressing the grounds will produce a slower, sweeter shot-it should take about 25 seconds to fill a 2-shot glass. For a more traditional shot, tamp the grounds only slightly. It should take about 18-22 seconds to fill that same shot glass. If you want a bitter shot, use a Krups! I'll give you mine!
When you buy the Barista, you will be offered a choice between a free 1/2 lb. of Espresso Roast or a box of Espresso Pods. Don't fall for the pods! They don't allow you to really learn how to use your new espresso machine, you can't play with the strength of the shots, and they're really expensive (in case you get hooked on the convenience). Your Barista Espresso machine is your friend...it wants to please you. Let it play with real coffee grounds!
Thanks for reading my review...you won't regret buying this one, but wait for the sale. (It costs $100 less!) And don't forget to buy that Kate Spade Bag with the savings you'll enjoy by dropping your daily Starbucks habit!
(I prefer iced drinks, so I can't comment on the ease or functionality of the steam wand...please check other reviews...)
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