Cuisinart EM-200 Programmable 15-Bar Espresso Maker, Stainless Steel
Written by admin on August 18th, 2010
- Programmable espresso maker brews single or double espresso
- 15 bars of pressure; uses either ground espresso or pods
- Steam nozzle for cappuccino or latte; pre-programmed cup sizes
- 64-ounce reservoir; cup-warming tray; frothing cup and tamping tool included
- Measures 10-1/2 by 9-1/4 by 12-3/4 inches; 3-year limited warranty
Product Description
Single or double espresso? The choice is yours, with the Cuisinart Programmable Espresso Maker. Program a single of double espresso, then turn your drink into a luscious cappuccino or latte– just like the pros, The stainless stem nozzle and frothing cup make it easy. Features a cup-warming plate on top, and a removable drip tray and cover for easy cleanup. Professional-quality single of double espresso, cappuccino, and latte- without leaving the house! Professi… More >>
Cuisinart EM-200 Programmable 15-Bar Espresso Maker, Stainless Steel
Tags: 15Bar, Cuisinart, EM200, Espresso, Maker, Programmable, Stainless, Steel
August 18th, 2010 at 8:25 am
If the beans you like are oily, then read my review on the Breville Ikon Espresso/Cappuccino Machine BES400XL. This Cuisinart is a great machine, but in producing consistent espresso shots the Breville won hands down. If you are really serious I would look at the Jura-Capresso 13204 Impressa E9 Automatic Coffee and Espresso Center.
Rating: 3 / 5
August 18th, 2010 at 10:12 am
This under-powered espresso maker was a mistake for me to buy. The steam wand delivers a very light drizzle that takes forever to froth milk. The unit is lightweight and the construction is flimsy. It feels like you could accidentally break it with the slightest bump. The coffee basket and filter are cheaply madeCuisinart EM-200 Programmable 15-Bar Espresso Maker, Stainless Steel and under-sized. The filter clogs easily and it is impossible to clear.
DO NOT buy this machine! I have learned that you need higher wattage and more pump pressure than these cheap units offer. Don’t waste your money. Save your cash until you can afford a REAL espresso maker. That’s what I should have done in the first place!
Rating: 1 / 5
August 18th, 2010 at 1:00 pm
I was really excited to receive this machine — the housing was all stainless steel and Cuisinart has a good reputation. It arrived on a Tuesday, and I didn’t attempt to make coffee until Saturday morning (never enough time on work mornings). I watched the video and read the manual before attempting to use the machine. The coffee brewing mechanism works fine. So far so good! I then attempted to steam the milk. When first turning the knob, I thought it was very difficult. I also felt it steamed the milk very very slowly — it seemed to take forever to reach the desired temperature. When I tried to turn the knob off, it was ipossible with one hand. I literally had to pull the wand out of the milk quickly and risk a small mess. It took both my hands to turn the knob. I asked my husband to try it and he too felt it was stiff. We attributed it to the fact that it was new and thought it might loosen up, so he worked with it that morning. I attempted to use it one more time the following morning with the same problem. I packed up the machine and mailed it off the next day. I was extremely disappointed and feel Cuisinart needs to stop sales of this model until they improve the frothing knob.
Rating: 1 / 5
August 18th, 2010 at 2:52 pm
I was skeptical on the quality of this machine the moment it landed on my counter, mostly due to the flimsy-seeming accessories and the Very Weak Looking steam knob.
It did produce decent espresso for about a year, though. It doesn’t take too long to heat up and I can get a double shot latte out of it in about 15 minutes time, prime to finish.
Now that I’ve owned it for a year, it’s pretty much done for. I originally purchased it brand-new on ebay and I am very glad I bought a SquareTrade warranty with it since Cuisinart won’t touch it and Squaretrade is giving me my money back.
The problem? Here’s a couple:
The biggest and most debilitating issue as of the last week is the computer in the thing is almost fried. I say almost because it’s still turning on in the morning and if I HURRY can get steamed milk and POSSIBLy two shots out of it before it turns itself off and won’t wake up again for a few hours or the next day…very frustrating when that second shot doesn’t happen.
I have to pull my shots seperately because a while ago my double shot insert clogged up and I cant get it unclogged no matter how much vinegar or espresso cleaner I soak it in. The portafilter inserts for this machine are a pain in that they are difficult to clean to to their design.
Oh, AND you should know that you are not allowed by the cuisinart warranty to take the screen off the brew head and clean beneath it. Anyone who has worked commercial espresso machines (i.e. me) knows that in order to keep quality coffee coming through, you have to clean your brewhead everyonce in a while. Well I did this and oops lost the screw in the process, called cuisinart to get a new one, and was told that if I had a warrany through them, that would negate it. Vinegar wash only, people. Not good enough, in my opinion. Thankfully, I still had my retired Starbucks Barista machine (who does recommend cleaning brewhead and lasted 3 years) and the screw fit so I used it.
Anyway, this machine is NOT worth 400 [...]
I’m on a quest for a new machine and am disappointed Starbucks no longer sells the Barista. Saeco has an identical machine (i believe they have always been the manuf.) but i read in someone’s review of that peice that the Saeco customer service leaves a bit to be desired, so I’m looking harder at the Gaggias.
Good luck in your own quest.
Rating: 2 / 5
August 18th, 2010 at 4:21 pm
Bought this espresso unit before reading reviews. Started it up per manual and had the same problem many others report; no water pumping through the machine. No trouble shooting in the manual and no help from Cuisinart customer service. Returning it tomorrow.
Rating: 1 / 5