1. Automatic accurate tamping.
2. 1200 Watt ThermoCoil System
3. Frother with Latte setting lets you steam or froth.
4. Brews any size espresso or coffee between 1-1/2 oz. to 12 oz.
5. Automatic clearing of brewing chamber.

Editorial Review :

Capresso "Ultima" eliminates all the inconvienent and sometimes difficult steps of conventional espresso machines: no more complications with filling, cleaning and rinsing baskets, tamping and hot filter holders. Just fill in pre-ground coffee to your liking (7 to 15 grams), pull the coffee lever down and turn the pump on. Within seconds the Capresso "Ultima" brews any size cup from one espresso to two six ounce cups of coffee always with wonderful crema on top. The double coffee spout even adjusts to accommodate different size cups.

Customer Review :

I have been using the Ultima for over 4 years......

I enjoyed the taste of lattes having lived in San Francisco for many years and found myself in withdrawal when I had to return to St. Louis rather unexpectedly. I purchased the Capresso Ultima about the end of 2002 or early 2003 and was and have been fairly satisfied with this product from the get go. Here are a few things I've found in having brewed well in excess of a 1000+ cups and probably 75+ or more pounds of coffee in this machine:
1. Your coffee selection is key. If you like the Starbucks or Peet's or Border's latte taste, purchase a good dark roast.
2. Buy a burr grinder so you can get the right grind, not too fine and certainly not course. I use the DeLonghi. One word of caution, after using the finest turkish grind on my burr grinder for several cups, one day I discovered the coffe would not flow no matter how long I left the pump on. By the way, don't do this because your excess coffee simply flows into the overflow tray and gets wasted. To fix the problem I called the factory in New Jersey (I think) and was told to just return the central unit--nothing else. For $65, my charges, they sent back a new unit even though I had almost 2 years of use on it. It was returned within about 10 days. Excellent customer service.
3. If you like milky, thick foam then stick with 1 or 2 percent to get the best froth which you cannot get with whole milk or soy or rice milk for that matter.
4. DO NOT OVERHEAT THE MILK!!! This breaks down the fat molecules within the milk making it impossible to build a good froth.
5. Use a small colletor to gather the espresso and not the cup you used to steam the milk. I use this to collect the espresso and then pour it into the steamed milk. After a few cups you will quickly determine how much coffee to brew. Also, if you want an absolute great surprise, make a cappacino and let the machine brew the "crema" that seems to be the rage in espresso circles. The Ultima does an excellent job making crema.
For those who don't know, it's the tasty lighter coffee that is brewed at the end of the brewing cycle and has a wonderful milky-coffee taste.
6. The coffee is always HOT, HOT, HOT so please be careful when initially drinking it.
7. The hot water heater works wonders for the likes of hot chocolate mix.
8. I should add about the frother that you will experience a lot of steamiing water which probably shouldn't be there and disappears if you let the steamer run for a few minutes--do this in a separate container and dump the water, the steam will follow. Also the frothing wand is a two stage affair that generally heats the milk at first and then after a slight adjustment on the wand will produce a thick froth. Also, I move the cup with the milk around the wand to get good even heat to the milk.
9 From a cold start, to finished cup takes about 3 minutes--the heating element works extremely fast.
10. Always use distilled water not tap. This will result in a calcium deposit which will destroy the unit. If you drink a lot of this coffee, I'd recommend buying your own countertop water distiller.
11. All in all, I could not be more happy with this machine. My son who lives in Brooklyn uses a much more expensive model, over $1,000, and it produces a great cup of espresso---the Capresso Ultima does the same at almost one-fourth the price.
12. It is because of the water wastege that I gave this unit a four star rating.
13. To ensure consistent coffee taste, do take off the top, very easy procedure, and then rinse it under the faucet. The black, grounds container on the bottom tray should be emptied and rinsed daily after
each use.
14. If and when the time comes to replace, I'll go right back to the same unit--Love it, love it.
15. Finally, the plastic water container holds near perfect amounts of water to make approximately 7 cups of coffee.


Rating :

Excellent product

Ease to use after studying the detailed instructions a bit. Every cup of coffee tastes fresh and is perfectly hot. I feel like I waste a lot less coffee, because you make it as you go versus brewing a full pot of coffee and dumping half of it down the drain because it is cold or old. The machine is easy to clean. I clean all the removable parts about once a week. On the downside, it is a little bulky for my small countertop. Also, I wish it had an indicator for low water level beside the fact that coffee no longer fills your cup. Not a big deal though. Otherwise, excellent product!!!

Rating :

Amazing at home espresso drinks

Be sure to watch the 10 minute dvd about the machine as soon as you unpack it. Follow the start up directions and don't try to just "figure it out by winging it". The DVD is very helpful to understand the process of using this coffee/espresso maker and its parts. My two favorite parts are the disposal bin for the used grounds (no more filters!) and the frothing wand. The heat is fantastic with both the water output and the steam/frother. My only complaint is that while the espresso dispenser is adjustable to accommodate taller cups, it does not accommodate a travel mug size. So if my husband wants a full 16 ounce travel mug, he has to brew 2 8 oz small mugs then pour the coffee into his mug. The maximum amount of grounds you can brew are two scoops (the scoop is provided for you) which is two servings. If we have company, though, it is not a hassle to reload with two more scoops to brew more espresso and the frother is ready to use again in only 90 seconds. Essentially for the price, this machine produces a great cup of espresso and frothy milk or coffee which makes this a great multitasking machine that still fits (with clearance) under your cabinets. I am glad we got this instead of a tassimo or keurig. We don't have to worry about buying the pods or k-cups and all the plastic waste from the cups.

Rating :

Great machine, better service from 1st in coffee.

I purchased this as a refurbished machine. When I set it up and used it a few times I found It to have a water leak. I e-mailed the vendor and he immediately sent out a replacement and arranged a UPS pickup for the defective unit. I contacted the vendor on a Monday, the old machine was picked up on Tuesday and the new machine arrived on Thursday. In other words, this vendor shipped a replacement before he had received my return. Wow!!! I couldn't ask for better service than that.
The replacement machine works perfectly, makes delicious espresso and is a great and easy to work with semi-automatic coffee maker. I replaced a standard style espresso machine with this and I could not be happier with my choice.

Rating :

loving lattes

I thank my husband everyday for buying this machine for me. It makes the best tasting coffee so easily. At first, I thought he'd spent too much, but I'm actually saving money now by not buying $3.00 coffee drinks at the store. It's an incentive to get up early, just so I can brew my own on this machine.

It heats up quickly, is a snap to clean, and very easy to use. Don't give it a second thought unless you can afford the more expensive, fully automatic version of this machine.

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More reviews...

1. Dual-purpose machine brews 10 5-ounce cups regular coffee, 4 cups espresso
2. Separate water tanks coversimultaneous coffee and espresso brewing
3. Milk frother for making cappuccinos and caffe lattes; brew-pause for mid-brew pour
4. Strength selectors: both regular and espresso coffee
5. Measures 16 by 13-1/2 by 9 inches; 1-year warranty

Customer Review :

Dont Buy

I bought this product about a month ago because I really enjoy coffee and I thought an espresso/cappuccino maker [...] isnt bad. when I received it in the mail I was really excited. About a week later was the first time that I actually had time to use it. The espresso part of the machine didnt work. The knobs to adjust the how strong of coffee you want didnt turn. It just looks nice in my kitchen. So basically I paid [...] for just a regular coffee maker. It doesn't have a timer on it so when you wake up in the morning the coffee is already ready. It doesn't have anything special about it. This was really a waste of money.

Rating :

Have used this coffee maker since 2002 and it is still working

I purchased this model from Fry's in 2002 and today I'm still enjoying my morning cup of joe today like I have for 7 days a week for 7 years. There have been some issues like the water leaking out of the basket, but the fix for that is to clean the spray hole and the problem went away. We use the espresso side about 4-6 times per month and never had a problem with it. We get our coffee green and roast it at home and this coffee maker has been the best brewer, spoken from a true coffee snob..:) When I saw the low star rating, I had to provide my review to show that there are some longer lasting models out there. When or if my machine breaks, I'll be replacing it with this same model: DeLonghi BCO70 Caffe Nabucco Espresso, Cappuccino, and Coffee Bar

Rating :

DeLonghi Listened

I am happy to say this company listened to the consumer. They have fixed the caraffe that dripped so badly. This coffee pot is great! My original coffee pot was purchased for me 6 years ago. The heating element finally went out. I purchased a less expensive one and hated it. I bought a new one of these and discovered that DeLonghi listened. On the steamer side I heat my water to use as steam for hot cocoa or a latte and can use it as I need to. It does not drip out as the water does in cheaper models. This is one product that you definitely get what you pay for. I can say 6 months of the local coffee shop costs will be saved if you buy this and use it at home.

Rating :

Such a deal!!

I just bought a BCO 70 coffee maker at our local thrift store for $5.00 because they said the steamer didn't work. Seems to work fine for me!! Now I have two espresso machines, one in the house and one in my garage/workshop. What a deal!!

Rating :

Great coffee frother

This is the second exact coffee maker I purchased. I love to have a coffee lattee every morning and this maker provides that with ease. I loved mine so much I purchased the second one as a birthday present for my daughter. The fill tank is convienent and clean up is a breeze. I don't drink expresso so this part of my machine has never gotten used. I have not had any problem pouring with this machine nor has any thing broken and I use it every day,

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Editorial Review :

The Via Venezia is a combination of elegant style, with its stately all black finish, and durable commercial characteristics. This unit has been a long time favorite due to sturdy construction and ease of use. This traditional pump driven espresso machine makes perfect espresso, cappuccino and lattes every time. The electric pump system and unique pressurized portafilter enable the user to make a perfect cup of espresso without being an expert barista. The Via Venezia features an exclusive pannarello milk-frothing wand to make lots of tasty frothed milk for lattes and cappuccinos. It also features a heated cup-stacking surface, which preheats the cups to make the perfect cup of espresso.

Customer Review :

No review yet

1. "Keep warm" plate will keep coffee warm for 2 hours with automatic shut-off, Pause and serve feature lets you enjoy a cup of coffee before brewing has finished, 1-touch espresso and cappuccino buttons , Built-in steam nozzle to create froth for cappuccinos, Digital clock with timer , 14 7/8" W x 14 5/16" H x 10 3/16" D, Includes 12-cup glass carafe, filter basket, measuring spoon, nylon filter, es

Editorial Review :

EMERSON COFFEE/ESPRESSO ANDCAPPUCCINO MAKER PROGRA MACHINE

Customer Review :

Fire hazard! Beware!

my wife and i bought this thinking it was a great deal. after the third time using the espresso side, we noticed the frother was not producing steam. in fact the steam was being released INSIDE the unit. after that the coffee heater would stay on as long as the unit was plugged in! this could have burnt down our house had we not caught it! Be warned, this product is dangerous!

Rating :

Pump fails after one week

I've owned three espresso machines in my lifetime. Each one last eight years. This one lasted one week. The pump fails to deliver the espresso.

Rating :

No Espresso Carafe?!

I just got this at Target, unboxed it and... NO ESPRESSO CARAFE!!!!!! Are they kidding me? Maybe I'm spoiled because this replaces a DeLonghi but come on... I looked at the instructions, briefly and they looked pretty incoherent to me. I still can't get over no espresso carafe... I'm taking this thing back. I had misgivings about buying an Emerson anything - especially something so different than they're known for (cheap stero systems). The plastic is weird on this machine...more like toy plastic than something that has to withstand high temperatures. Uh Uh, it's going back, tonight.

Rating :

Great Price, Terrible Product!

We purchased this machine to free up counter space taken up by two machines. I did not try the coffee maker so I can't comment on it. I did try the expresso side and followed instruction carefully. It stopped making "crema" on the 3rd try. The expresso was weak. The machine continued to "leak" long after it was done so it made a mess each time I used it. It also has started to leak around the seal. AVOID this machine. It's going back to Target!

Rating :

Looks great, but the espresso side didn't work

We bought one of these at Target for $95. The drip coffee side worked as advertised, but the espresso side doesn't steam and no water will come out of the espresso cup. We're taking it back & getting something different.

A combo machine for this price would be great, but only if it works. With all the bad reviews (here & at Target), my guess is they have some problems with the design or manufacturing process.

Buyer beware.

Rating :

More reviews...

1. Professional quality espresso and cappuccino
2. Pump driven (15 bar)
3. Heat ups in a few minutes
4. Cup warmer
5. Pod or ground espresso coffee

Editorial Review :

Features The Aroma is a marriage between Saeco's legacy of Swiss quality and Italian styling. Give your countertop an espresso machine with performance and good looks. The Aroma features a powerful 15-bar pump, a pod adaptable pressurized potafilter, a cup warming surface and a steam and hot water wand with an exclusive Pannarello milk frothing device. Pannarello frothing device Pod adaptable filter holder 15-bar pump Cup warming surface 85 ounce removable water tank Steam and hot water wand Color: Black Power: 950 W Housing cover material: Stainless steel Machine housing material: Metal

Customer Review :

Saeco Aroma Espresso Coffee Machine Black

I received it at a cost around $300.00. It came without a pod adaptor. I found inside the box an empty container for 2 ceramic espresso cups pictured as included on the outside of the box. I got a pod adaptor by calling Saeco in Ohio. I primed the machine as usual and placed the portafilter. I pressed the brew button to warm up the component, it stared leaking all around the portafilter. I found out that the water or coffee has no exit out of the portafilter because of blocked tiny hole inside filled with a small white plastic nob pressed in place by a spring in the bottom of the portafilter. By disassembling the portafilter and removing the spring the leaking stopped but the quality of coffee or pods is worse than drip coffee. The steam wand is dangerous because the plastic extension is so loosely attached so by any pressure from steaming it can blow out. This is a similar problem to the first Hamilton Beach first espresso machine which made big noises all around.
Hey guys: My conclusion after playing with more than 10 different machines from superautomatic to the cheap Hamilton Beach is the following:
Do yourself a favor and stick with a pod or capsule machine like Nespresso or Francis until you have enough money to move up to a Quickmill machine + a grider at least a Rocky. Mazzer mini or Compak is even better. This will save you a lot of headache dealing with a variety of junk machines at different prices. This is what I am doing now. No more experimentation with junk.

Rating :

A magnificent semi-automatic espresso machine

After my old, cheap combo drip/espresso coffee maker gave up the ghost, I decided to invest in a serious espresso machine. I followed the advice given by Alton Brown from his Good Eats episode on espresso and wound up with the same machine that he uses. It's a lovely semi-automatic machine. By semi-automatic, I mean that the machine pushes water through the portafilter to make coffee as long as the switch is on; it's up to you to decide when to shut it off. Same goes for the milk frothing attachment. But the frother attachment is a big, wide plastic tube which is easy to clean, the water tank has enough capacity for a week's worth of espresso, and the pump can make for a lovely shot of espresso with a beautiful head of crema.

I think I would have preferred the design esthetic of a previous model, where the brewing and frothing switches were on/off switches as opposed to up/down buttons, but that quibble aside, this is a lovely machine for do-it-yourself espresso and cappuccino.

Rating :

Fantastic machine for the money!

I have owned this machine since Dec '08 and it has performed beautifully. We make 4 shots a day, 7 days a week and it makes a wonderful double shot of espresso with perfect crema each time. It also makes good frothed milk, but does take a little longer than some of the more expensive espresso makers on the market (however, I rarely use the frothing feature so it's not a big drawback for me). I'm not sure what the other reviewer meant by it being a "manual" machine. Possibly - and I'm just guessing - "manual" means that it does not have a built-in grinder so you have to grind the beans with another machine and then pack the the portafilter yourself. If so, most espresso machines are like that and it's not a big deal for the majority of espresso drinkers. I do want to add that I did not buy this machine in a "new" condition from Amazon. I bought it used on an auction internet site (you guess which one:) for only $139.00! I also bought a used Saeco burr grinder from the same site and I am very happy with that too (see my other review). Either way, new or used, I would recommend this espresso machine as it makes great espresso shots and is hundreds less than many of the other machines (even at full retail price).

Rating :

Sturdy, easy to use and clean, makes great espresso. Will buy this over Saeco Spidem Villa

Update on 10/30/09: I found the price fluctuating so much and I am compelled to update my review. Reviews are generally given for a certain price range. This is a great value under 200USD, about right at 250, and becomes expensive at over 300. In general, espresso machines are significantly more expensive than they should be.
This machine is easy to use and clean, and makes great espresso. It does not grind coffee beans so you need a stand-alone grinder or may buy ground coffee (for espresso machines). It has a small footprint and is aesthetically pleasing. At about half the price of the fully automatic Saeco Spidem Villa, this sure is a better buy.

Rating :

Great product, until it breaks

I really liked the espresso machine while it was working. Unfortunately, after a few months, every time I turned it on it blew the fuse at my house. I tried for 3 months to get it fixed, but unfortunately Saeco support does not answer their phone!!! If you stay on hold (even if you wait an hour), you eventually get a recording that asks you to leave your number. They call you back at THEIR convenience (usually in the middle of the day when I was in a meeting). When I complained about this, they did not seem to think this was a problem. I finally did get to speak to someone (I happened to be free when they called) and they promised to send me paperwork that I needed to fill out to get it fixed. I never got that email so I started all over again trying to get their call when it was convenient for them. When I finally got to speak with someone else, they told me the same thing. This time I stayed on the phone with them until I received the email. I emailed it back immediately and waited another 3 weeks (with several follow-up emails asking when they were going to respond) before I took it back to the retailer for a refund. I can't believe a company that does not support their products can stay in business.

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