Briel ED132AFB Sintra Espresso Machine with Drip Coffeemaker

Not the worst machine in the world.....

Our Sintra is going on 5 years old now. It must have made ~2000 pots of coffee and easily that many espresso's. It makes fantastic beverages and that's the only reason I keep repairing it.
Words of caution:
The distributor is hopeless. Don't try getting parts or an email/callback from him.
There is a thermal fuse in the hotplate / drip boiler which, although ubiquitous in Europe, requires a trip to an electronics specialty store in N. America to obtain for that day when the light comes on but no coffee comes out.
The older machines have a 2-part lid which hinges on 2 different axes. The slip joint eventually gives out, or the house-sitter breaks it. No replacement, perhaps it's been redesigned.
The cup size selector knob loses it's internal detent and will allow the machine to either short-cycle or run till the reservoir is empty. Take the machine apart, set it to wide open, and watch your espresso like any other machine.
Words of praise:
This thing is a workhorse. Consistent coffee and espresso, cup after cup. Not the fastest drip machine out there, but well brewed and not over extracted. It's lasted longer than many machines we've had. And it looks darn good doing it, although the design is a bit dated at this point (2009).

Rating :

Great coffee and cappaccino maker!

This is a quality machine with sleek lines. Very nice looking and small, fits on the couter nicely. Coffee and the the cappaccino taste fantastic, much better than our last machine. The only issue I have is pouring the water into the back of the coffee machine, the lid gets in the way and spills a little bit.

Overall I would highly recommend this machine for any home or office!

Rating :

Disappointed

I spent some time looking at reviews for combo coffee/espresso machines, and this one got the best reviews. But the negative comments I read were 'spot-on'. There are some basic design flaws that just don't make any sense:

- Adding water to the coffee maker is tough because the top only opens to a certain point. You can't use the coffee pot to measure and add water as you would with most coffee makers because you can't pour all of the water out of the pot. Its hard to explain, but a major design flaw.

- The area below the express maker is too high for an express cup and too low for a standard express pot. Still haven't found something that fits properly.

- The steaming element is very short and it is impossible to remove your espresso without hitting this very hot element.

- The espresso is never very hot.

This is not my first machine and I'm disappointed. Still looking for a great coffee/espresso combo

Rating :

Went into the garbage - unfixable

I knew something was up with this machine when I received it and found that all the "chrome" was mostly painted plastic. The first thing to go out on the machine was the lid for the basket filter for the coffee maker. A plastic hinge (connecting the inner lid to the outer) cracked, separating the two lids from each other.As a result, inner lid would not to slide in the groove it's attached to with the outer one, ensuring that the top lid would never close properly again - a strange engineering flaw. The machine still made good drip coffee - but for the price of this machine, the lid shouldn't have failed this fast.

For about the first six months, the espresso side made fairly good espresso. The frother worked fine. After about six months, I began having problems (with only once a week use). The machine needed scaling and I found it difficult to descale properly. It had clogged to the point it wouldn't pump the descaling solution effectively (I waited too long to descale). This resulted in the pump work less and less efficiently over the next year until it wouldn't work at all. It then went on the shelf as I couldn't toss such an expensive machine away. By this point, it was out of warranty.

After sitting on my shelf for about a year, I tried fixing it by taking it apart, to no avail. FYI -- The wiring in it is indeed stout. The buttons are heavy duty as well. The boiler unit for the espresso is indeed heavy brass (a good point). Unfortunately, the system is just way to constricted to work efficiently (especially for descaling).

Bottom line, this is not a horrible unit -- it's just not worth such an expensive price. At a lower price point, I might consider it again - knowing to descale more frequently and realizing I'll have to put up with some poor design.

Rating :

Do NOT buy this machine...

After reading multiple bad reviews, I thought, well... I love the slick look, and those terrible things won't happen to me.

Oh it will and did. One year and 3 days later. I have a $400 dollar average coffee maker.

The pump mechanism is exceptionally, scares the cat, noisy. The espresso and foaming features of this machine are no longer working. I'd say I got about 20 cups of decent espresso from it this year. At $20 a cup, I think I'll go to a coffee house. (I could be a hero and treat my friends everytime at that cost). Additionally, the foaming feature is really poor, I could probably make better bubbles with a plastic straw and microwaved milk.

Unfortunately, while company is a big name in Europe, I live in the States. So parts and repair shops are very few and far between. The near impossible to find support line is 1-800-763-6699. Trust me you'll need it.

What a let down, please don't be taken in by this piece of junk.....

Rating :

More reviews...

Nespresso D185-A Cube Aluminum Coffee & Espresso Machine With Swissmar Capstore Vista 20 for Nespresso Capsules
Price : $279.00
Features :

Nespresso Cube Aluminum Coffee & Espresso Machine
Swissmar Capstore Vista 20 for Nespresso Capsules

Average Customer Rating :

Editorial Review :

Nespresso has developed a unique extraction system specially adapted to capsules. It controls every vital setting when preparing a perfect espresso. Nespresso machines have been designed with renowned partners and designers, and bring out the taste and aromas of coffee by combining quality of design with ease of use. The Nespresso C100 Essenza Automatic Machine is part of our compact line, which features a modern, compact, and practical design. The machine deploys technology essential for preparing an outstanding Espresso, and is exceptionally easy to use: Automatic control of the amount of coffee in the cup. A high pressure pump (19 bars) extracts all the aromas and develops a smooth crema in the cup. A thermobloc which heats water to 187°and 196° during extraction and empties the remaining water after each use so that the water is fresh for each preparation. A simple system which perforates the capsule and soaks all the ground coffee to optimally filter the coffee. A functional handle system, which allows for easy coffee preparation.Automatic ejection of used capsule.

This Set Includes
* Nespresso Cube Aluminum Coffee & Espresso Machine
* Swissmar Capstore Vista 20 for Nespresso Capsules

Customer Review :

Nespresso - What else?

I did some of the basic net searches for best espresso machine etc and this model kept coming up. I was looking for something simple to make a great espresso or lungo, basically to be able to exceed the "$4 bucks" coffee shops at home. I have used one arm Pavoni's and Krups models in the past. I also lived in Italy for 3 years. We had daily doppio's and capuchi's at the O-Club for lunch and dinner. Yes it was a tough life :) It's something that I have missed for a while. After cleaning out the garage, I found my old Krups machine. Plugged it in and it didn't work. So I caught the bug again and ended up purchasing all 3 of these items (Aeroccino not pictured)

I will say that [...] has the best deal now on the D185 with the Aeroccino @ $249.00, $100 cheaper than the Zon deal. Their customer service is also outstanding. If you do purchase the Le Cube you will be amazed at the ease of use and quality of the coffee by Nespresso. Yes, you have to join their club to get your coffee, BFD. It's excellent, top notch, world class coffee from the best hand picked coffee beans on the planet. The old saying "you get what you pay for" holds true here. I've seen a few You tube video's of people trying to use their own coffee in these machines and all I can say is, you've got to be kidding me. You buy a $200 plus top of the line espresso machine and you can't afford a .50 per cup Nespresso capsule? The company has been in business since 1976, providing some of the best coffee from around the world, if not THE best.

When you purchase any Nespresso system, from their site, get the welcome package for $110.00 It gives you 200 capsules of every type coffee they offer. The Decaf versions don't seem to fit for me, they just don't make sense for the purpose of a great espresso or lungo. Included is a very nice black wood capsule display case that holds 36 capsules and gives a display description of each coffee.You also receive a nice "coffee table" book that explains the entire process of how Nespresso starts from the bean harvest to ending up in your capsules. I was amazed at the detail they take to produce the coffee. Just check out their website,
[...]

I probably should not have had a Ristretto before starting this review, it's the most powerful espresso in the bunch!! So let me wrap up. The Aeroccino Plus is the BEST. Forget units that have a "milk frother" unless you just need to burn cash. This bad boy will make the best foam any cappuccino would love to have on top! It completes the process in one minute, that all. Trust me it's beautiful and silent in operation. Get this unit in the deal or alone to improve your coffee and be hassle free for perfect foam.

So with the Nespresso "welcome package" just realize you'll get the nice display box. I also ordered the Swiss metal display stand for the capsules which may be overkill for some, but looks great on the counter. So now I have the box for guests to decide with the descriptions of each coffee and the tall metal stand. The Bodum double walled glasses are the best, I also have the glasses with the wired handles.

I like the Bodum's the best in espresso and lungo size, they are Swiss made and keep the coffee hot since they are double walled. They allow you to see the coffee, excellent crema that Nespresso provides, and the excellent milk foam from the Aeroccino, with chocolate powder on top. Trust me, you'll feel like you are at any $4 bucks best coffee house for .50 cents each! Warm the glasses in the micro for 45 sec or place on the D185 for 30 min, before guests arrive on the warming plates. The Le Cubes have warming plates on each side. The espresso cups fit perfect, 3 to a side, the lungo's maybe 2 each side.

Nespresso has top of the line machines and in my opinion after reading their process of producing some of the best coffee in the world, you can't go wrong with their program. Their customer service is "top shelf". I'm highly impressed and would recommend any of the machine models without a stem attachment; with the Aeroccino...all your foam will be perfect in one minute. Get with the program........."Nespresso.........What else"

Rating :

Remanufactured Jura-Capresso 13171 Impressa F9 Fully Automatic Coffee and Espresso Center, Chrome
Price : $2,250.00
Features :

Remanufactured automatic espresso machine with touch-screen technology
Commercial conical burr grinder; stainless-steel-lined ThermoBlock unit
Integrated pure water system cleans brewing water for improved taste
64-ounce water tank; Dual Frother Plus for steaming or frothing manually
Measures 12-1/2 by 11 by 16 inches; 1-year limited warranty

Average Customer Rating : Not yet rated

Customer Review :

No review yet

Ariston Built-in Automatic Coffee Center: Non-Plumbed - No Water Line Access
Price : $2,385.00
Features :

Built-in home unit made in Italy.
Brews coffee, espresso, cappuccino, latte, tea or hot water.
Over 20 programmed functions available from the LED display with 7 language selections.
Grinder, frothing system, temperature controls and water softener built-in.
Overall Dimensions: 23.43"W x 18.11"H x 11.89"D.

Average Customer Rating : Not yet rated

Editorial Review :

These automatic coffee centers are an indulgence that you can enjoy every single day! Transform your kitchen into a true Italian style café with a built-in espresso coffee center that also brews delicious cappuccinos, lattes, tea and hot water. Customized brewing by the cup makes it easy to offer your family and your guests the beverage that they want, exactly how they like it. Simply preset the coffee strength to your preference then increase or decrease it with the turn of a dial. Need to make hot tea while you're brewing a perfect espresso? No problem! This coffee center can multi-task. With two heating element systems, you can prepare two drinks at once. First-class entertaining has never been easier! The stunning ergonomic design features multiple height adjustment options and a fully automatic grinding system. With over 20 programmed functions at your fingertips, it's truly a luxury unit that you'll love to use! Features: Built-in home unit, made in Italy. Brews coffee, espresso, cappuccino, latte, tea or hot water. Highly ergonomic design that is 100% front accessible. Control buttons and drip tray made of stainless steel. LED display with 7 language selections. Over 20 programmed functions available. 2 Dispensers and 2 heating units for preparing multiple beverages simultaneously. 3 Height options for adjustable coffee dispenser. Available with or without direct plumbing for water line access. Pre-brewing and pre-grinding options. Fully automatic grinding system with controls. Water reservoir with built-in water softener. Frothing system with steam temperature controls. Flavor, temperature and strength controls. Automatic rinsing option. Stand-by timer. Specs: Overall Product Dimensions: 23.43"W x 18.11"H x 11.89"D. For detailed specifications, click here. Ships by freight truck, express shipping unavailable. One year warranty on parts and labor.

Customer Review :

No review yet

Ariston Built-in Automatic Coffee Center: Plumbed - Water Line Access
Price : $2,495.00
Features :

Built-in home unit made in Italy.
Brews coffee, espresso, cappuccino, latte, tea or hot water.
Over 20 programmed functions available from the LED display with 7 language selections.
Grinder, frothing system, temperature controls and water softener built-in.
Overall Dimensions: 23.43"W x 18.11"H x 11.89"D.

Average Customer Rating : Not yet rated

Editorial Review :

Customer Review :

No review yet

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Questions & Answers

Question : espresso machine?
im going to buy my first espresso machine.are there certain features i shouldnt go without with a new espresso machine purchase?i want a lower end one for affordability reasons....but i still want a decent one.Suggestions?

Answer:
Having owned more than one, I'm happy to share my opinions with you--my current model, a Hamilton Beach that was highly regarded by Consumer Reports, is pathetic!Also, maybe you want a little guidance on how to make the best espresso with whatever machine you buy?So let's talk in general terms--I agree that you want a pump-driven machine, at least 15 psi. Another thing I've observed is that the filter screen and the tamper are important.Get a model with a deep filter screen--my Hamilton Beach has one that's very shallow, and I'm convinced that the steam doesn't stay in contact with the grounds long enough to accumulate flavor. Now, there will come with the machine a tamper, a little plastic thing that you use to pack the grounds into the filter screen--if the tamper is much smaller than the filter screen (like my HB) then it's difficult to pack the grounds properly.Also, they come with the little steam vent for frothing milk to make capuccino--some of the vents have a special tip that incorporates air automatically, others are just plain pointed steel tubing. The air-injector models make it easier. If you're going to be steaming milk, know that skim works best, and get one of those stainless steel pitchers so you can feel the temperature of the milk through the bottom--when it's very hot but not too hot to touch, the frothing is completed.To make really good espresso, you need the best beans. Try to find beans that have been roasted super-dark (of course) but that have an oily sheen on their surface--some places burn the beans and dry them out (Starbucks); the oils in the beans are essential to flavor and also to the creation of that smooth brown "crema" that floats atop the best espresso.Of course, the very best way is to buy whole beans, keep them cool and dry, and grind them just before use. I have a Braun grinder that adjusts to a very fine espresso grind, it works well.And you need to learn to pack the grounds tightly; most good baristas will try to put 35 pounds of pressure on the grounds, and they practice using a bathroom scale.

Question : Where can I rent an espresso machine from in Southern California?
I'm having an espresso bar at my wedding and want to rent an espresso machine just for a day or two. The only place I could find wanted to send a barista with it, which of course would cost more. I already have a barista lined up to do it, but can't find a place to get the espresso machine from. Thanks!

Answer:
Party Rental CompaniesSmart n Final

Question : I have an espresso machine I never use. Are there any alternative uses for an espresso machine?
I do not drink coffee and don't want recipes for using espresso in any way, shape, or form. Surely there has to be some cool use for an espresso machine besides making espresso or hot water? I can make hot water for oatmeal or tea in the micro. If I'm going to keep this machine around, it needs to fulfill a purpose. Is there, perhaps, some practical use for its parts?

Answer:
??? I'm sorry, I don't know what to tell you as far as gutting the parts and building some other practical machine or anything, but I would consider using freecycle.com to find someone who would love to have it.If you feel the need to keep it, I guess depending on the attractiveness of the machine, you could remove the inside parts and use the casing as a planter. Just a thought.

Question : How much coffee ground for an espresso machine do I use in a drip machine?
I bought some coffee that was pre-ground to a fine texture for espresso machines. How much should I use for my drip machine? Half of what I would use with a coarser grind?

Answer:
I would say temper it to your taste, but definitely use less. because the coffee is ground finer there is more surface area exposed to the water so more flavor is extracted from the coffee. depending on the coffee and your personal taste this can be a good or bad thing. it most likely will make your coffee taste bitter since the grinds are in contact with water for a longer time than if you were brewing it with an espresso maker. I would either get a stove top espresso maker (relatively cheap) or junk that coffee and get something ground for your type of machine. Ideally, you will get your best cup of coffee if you buy whole beans and get a grinder and grind just what you need right before you brew it.

Question : Is it okay to fill an espresso machine with milk instead of water?
If I fill the water compartment of my espresso machine with milk instead of water will it clog/ruin the machine? I'm not talking about the frother, which is used to frothe milk. I'm talking about the water compartment that you put water in, which makes steam, which makes espresso. Anyone who's ever owned an espresso machine will know what I'm talking about. Any help would be really appreciated. Thanks!has anyone actually done it?

Answer:
That'll boil your milk, I mean scald it.Yuck!Why??

Question : What is the best espresso coffee machine?
Im looking to buy an espresso machine but I don't know what kind of brand to go for or model. I have had a look but there are so many out there! Im looking to spend about £300. Can anyone suggest one?Thanks Does anyone have any suggestions?I looking for suggestions on key brand and features- for example what dos a nespresso coffee machine do?

Answer:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Bialetti-Electric-Mukka-Express-coffee-espresso-machine_W0QQitemZ300355749333QQc mdZViewItemQQptZSmall_Kitchen_Appliances_US?hash=item45ee9905d5 They have many more on ebay just look around. I see some nice ones there

Question : What is a good, somewhat inexpensive espresso machine?
I am considering buying an espresso machine for my dorm room next year, yes my dorm room. My college's coffee shop is disgusting. They use pre-ground Folgers for the espresso, among many other things. I've been a barista for two years and know the difference between a really good latte and one that tastes like mud, so quality is important to me.What is a good, relatively inexpensive (less than $300) espresso machine with a steaming wand that I could buy?

Answer:
There are a few really inexpensive (under $100) espresso machines that use pump . They all have some pros and cons - you can read about that here:http://www.espresso-machines-and-coffee-makers.com/inexpensive-espresso-machines.htmlWith your budget, I would recommend that you get one of the lower end Gaggia machine. Gaggia Carezza is a good starter espresso machine and you can get it for around $200:http://www.espresso-machines-and-coffee-makers.com/gaggia-carezza.htmlFinally, do not forget that you will need a good burr grinder. Without a good grinder you cannot really make good espresso. Since the burr grinders are quite expensive, I think that the best options for you is either a good manual grinder (like Zassenhaus) or Breville Ikon or Capresso Infinity:http://www.espresso-machines-and-coffee-makers.com/capresso-infinity-burr-grinder.htmlHope this helps.

Question : How do I start my Breville espresso machine?
I just got a Breville espresso machine for my birthday and I don't know how to start it. I cleaned it, I put in fresh cold water in the water tank and when I turned on the machine I waited for the heating light to turn off. When the heating light was off I switched the machine from standby to espresso and all I got was a loud noise but no water coming out. Can anyone help?

Answer:
Does it have a detachable water tank?if it does this is probably where the problem lies, you have an air bubble between the water tank and the brewing components. jiggle the tank a bit to make sure the connection is secure and try again. the noise shoud go away. If it doesn't or your machine doesn't have a detachable tank call breville's customer service line- it is a fairly common problem with new machines.

Question : How can i tell if an espresso machine uses pump or steam?
Was just wandering if the espresso machine has a removable water tank, does this mean that it uses a pump to exert the pressure to make the espresso. The machine im interested in is the Russell Hobbs rh-1915, I've looked all over but cant seem to find out if it uses steam or a pump to exert pressure.

Answer:
I don't know what description you're reading, but it is a pump model (15bar). Often you can also tell by the price, as a pump costs more than a steam device.The Russell Hobbs is supposed to be a pretty good espresso machine. It looks a little like my Rancillio.

Question : Why does a home espresso machine cost as much as a computer?
Even when the body is made out of plastic they are still hundreds of dollars. The components of the machine can't be that expensive. Is there some snobbery factor involved in the pricing since before Starbucks, "everyday people" weren't drinking much espresso.

Answer:
I suppose that would depend on the type of computer you're pricing :-) Some automated home espresso machines cost upwards of $2000. Some reasons why an automated machine would cost so much include:- Construction quality (many heavy duty fabricated components)- Integrated electrics / electronics (an "automated" machine must regulate water temperature and pressure, provide a consistent grind, have durable components, be self cleaning, etc.)- Custom manufactured components (water boilers, pumps, regulators, valves, group heads, etc. are custom manufactured for each machine model, of which few are sold)- Long life (I've owned a $200 Krups machine for 10 years - I would expect a more expensive machine to last for decades, if well maintained)For $200 to $400 you should be able to find a good pump espresso maker (minimum 1200 watts, 15 bars pressure) that will last for years, make consistently good espresso, and be aesthetically appealing). Make sure to complement your purchase with a good burr grinder (about $100).

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