I have only just upgraded from this to a super-auto machine (Gaggia Titanium), but have used it on a daily basis for 5 years, and it had a previous owner before that, so it has certainly been a reliable workhorse.
I used it mainly for the filter coffee side which was flawless and has an anti-drip operation enabling coffee to be taken from the jug before the process is complete without the coffee still in the machine leaking all over the hotplate.
The finish for the price is good - far better than the Delonghi and Morphy Richards models which look cheap. You can also get a digital version of this model now which enables you to program the machine to come on / off automatically.
The steamwand is good, but slow as are most of this type of machine - only having a single boiler, the water needs to heat up to a higher temp for the steam facility. The nozzle doesn't swing out or high enough, so you need to be careful what kind of jug you are using to hold the milk. It also has a tendency to clog very easily (easy to remedy by sticking a pin into the wand to unblock it.) The wand also comes with a strange attachment which is supposed to make it easier to create froth, but I removed it as it looks a bit naff, and I didn't see any difference to the results.
The main niggle with the Espresso side, is that the dispensing of coffee is very inconsistent, in that sometimes the coffee comes out at a nice normal speed, but often comes out at a slow drip, drip, drip. By the time the cup is full the coffee is cold! Another problem is that you cannot fit any cup under the dispenser larger than a regular coffee cup - which means if you want a mug of Espresso-type coffee you need to first use an espresso cup and then decant this into the mug before topping up with hot water. Bit of a pain!
The machine is very easy to clean, and as I say, very reliable - it never needed a repair in the whole 5 years I had it.
Advantages: Large water tank, Speedy, Compact, Easy to customise and use Disadvantages: Body finish could be better for the price; Brew unit (plastic) is not very sturdy
sarobin 26.04.2005 (01.08.2005)
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