If you're hooked, you need this!
Written: Dec 02 '02
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Product Rating:
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Pros: GREAT espresso, and the best milk steamer I've ever used.
Cons: LOTS of cleanup and it's expensive.
The Bottom Line: If you are REALLY into espresso drinks this is the craftsmans toolkit.
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| bplatt's Full Review: Estro Barista |
As I write this my wife and I have just bought our second Starbucks Barista. Our first gave us 5 years of impeccable service, right up until my lack of cleaning and priming caused the filter to clog and kill the pump through over-pressure. Obviously, you don't go spend 300 bucks again unless you love the machine. Right up until the end the machine was churning out latte's that were better than any of the other machines I've used or owned could make. Also, 5 years is longer than I or anybody I know has had a machine last, so I don't feel to bad about that timeframe.
Support from Starbucks is AWESOME (I called the 800# about 3 months ago when it clogged. Even though I freely admitted the machine was more than 4 years old they sent me replacements for nearly every moving part on the machine. Even photocopied the manual because we'd just moved and it was still in a box). Unfortunately we'd already damaged the pump, and it was just a matter of time til old faithful finally keeled over.
On to the machine itself. Both machines we've owned make the best espresso I've ever had outside a GOOD espresso shop. And somehow the steamer manages to froth milk PERFECTLY without any of those silly gadgets found on lesser machines.
If there's a dim spot, it's that the machine has a fairly elaborate priming routine. Also, for $299 (the stainless finish on sale), you start thinking that the machine should be closer to one touch. That said, using this machine reminds me of using any really high quality tool. You get a pure experience while working, and the finished product is just what you wanted it to be.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
bplatt
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Reviews written: 2
Trusted by: 0 members
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