Emerson Combination Machine

Wow! Can't go wrong for the money
Wow! I am a student, so money is not too abundant; however, my wife and I love coffee and dig good espresso, but don't like paying $4+ for a latte. When I saw this combo unit I was skeptical that I could make a good espresso. Machines that friends have are $500+. However, it does a great job.

Pros:

1. Coffee has an automatic brew timer.

2. Good sized water reservoir, especially if you are making a load of espressos.

3. Has a frother. The frothing wand could be longer.

4. The PRICE is the best out there for a good beginner espresso machine. I've had cheaper ones that break easily and do not produce a good espresso WITH crema.

5. Simple operation. You'll read some reviews about the instructions, but come on-it's not rocket science...it's coffee. Water in the water reserve. Check. Grounds in the mesh filter (no more paper-yah!). Check. Push the on button. Check = Coffee. For espresso: Water in reservoir. Push espresso on...

Great entry-level espresso machine
Okay, so the instructions are less than clear. Do yourself a favor, throw away the brown 'quick start' sheet that came in the box.

Using the instructions in the book, I had this baby up and brewing in no time. I wish the steamer arm were a little longer to reach deeper into my frothing pitcher, but c'est la vie.

I looked around all over for a reasonably priced espresso machine for a beginner, and I'm glad I picked this one. It brews well both on the drip side and the espresso side. The steamer works great, everything cleans up easily and it just looks cool sitting on my counter!

Updated review- after almost two years
Update- 1/2011
Would definitely not buy this machine again. The "start" button broke off inside so now I have to stick a pencil tip in the hole to turn the dang thing on. Again, it makes a decent cup of coffee but it's very poorly made. Pass on this machine. Spend the $ on something more substantial.

Update- 3/2010
A year on and I have to revise my review. It does make a decent cup of coffee on the drip side, but in retrospect I wish I had invested in a nicer machine. This one is fine for awhile, but like other inexpensive coffee makers, it doesn't hold up.

The most annoying thing about this is the reusable filter basket. It's a white mesh (not gold tone) filter that has fallen apart. I cannot find a replacement and the other reusable filters I've tried simply don't fit in this machine. The filter is oval shaped and other cone and basket replacements are round.

I've also had issues with the coffee not going into the pot...waking up to find...

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