DeLonghi BAR32 Pump Espresso/Cappuccino Maker, Includes the Sempre Crema Filter Holder Black

Pros: Excellent espresso and especially latte's. You froth a 1/4" of milk and end up with a half cup of froth.

Cons: Just doesn't make enough. Yes I know it's espresso.

If I had been home I would have sent it back because of the packaging. It looked as though it had been opened several times and poorly taped back together. Contents, OK, everything there.

Other Thoughts: My steamer did not make as good espresso as this but it could make a pretty good half a mug at a time.

Pros: Great item for the price. Very happy with the purchase.

Cons: I also suffered the same shipping issue as others have commented here. The item ships in only its retail display box without any tape holding the bottom closed (and many stickers all over the box making it very unworthy as a gift.) The first one I received arrived broken with the 2 required filters missing. The item had obviously fallen completely out of the box since the box was OK where the damage occurred to the units base. Somehow the entire top of the box (with the UPC symbol needed for the rebate) had also been replaced with plain cardboard. Still no tape on the folded together bottom. The 2nd unit arrived OK but still with the bottom not taped shut as I had strongly requested.

Other Thoughts: Thanks to Newegg for resolving my issue completely. But all for the lack of any tape on the fold-to-close bottom while the top is fully taped shut.

Pros: My first espresso maker. It's easy to use & clean. Just take a little time to understand what it takes to make a good cup. Selecting the proper grind, tamp, machine pre-heat, and run time are all you need. Search on Espresso Guy for a good guide to these essential elements to a good cup. I have not tried the ESE pods yet, but they would make the brewing process and clean-up a little simpler.

Cons: None.

Other Thoughts: I got a real bargain on this at NewEgg, and received it promptly.

Pros: Easy to use, sometimes an excellent crema.

Cons: Frother gets in the way, moves 'back' to an annoying place. Crema has been inconsistent (considered sending it back, but wasn't sure if it was the machine or the pods.) Portafilter when using any pod is pretty darn snug. Really have to get a grip to turn it. Counter placement needs to take that into consideration. Probably not great choice for someone with low hand strength (my mom can't snug the portafilter into place, for example.)

Other Thoughts: Have been using Italian ESE pods only, and from pod to pod of the same type, the crema hasn't been consistant. Flavor usually excellent though. Will experiment with running water shots thru first - maybe temp with the pods is even more touchy. Have owned older pump machine (saeco - pre ese pod adapters), nespresso, lavazza espresso point, moka... eh... minor coffee obsession, but lazy.

Pros: small

Cons: got it as a gift for someone, it was shipped within 24 hrs but I got it in half open ORIGINAL box, which looks unpresentable after rainy day. Not even sure if it complete set anymore. so upset. S/b a good product but do not buy it from Newegg..

Pros: Been making perfect cremas since day one. I have not messed up a shot yet. I add 1 tsp of sugar to the bottom of the shot, then filler up. Perfect. For the money this thing can't be beat. I fill it up from the back. I never remove the water holder.

Cons: The frother gets in my way. I move it out of the way, but it slowly moves back. I do not use it. Not my style either.

Other Thoughts: Don't need a cup warmer being I do shots. So I do not miss the fact it does not have one. Grounds cake is also hard to remove. That 15 bars really packs them in.

Pros: Have been using this for 6 months. Very happy with it. Low maintenance, easy to use. So far only had to clean the check-valve once. Easy to do. This only has to be done when flow slows down.
Have owned anything from a full blown commercial unit to several stovetop Mokas. Real nice compromise.

I use this at least daily for 6 months

Cons: None so far.

Other Thoughts: I use Lavazza Crema e Aroma coffee beans that I buy online. Nice crema, taste and aroma.

Pros: great espresso

Cons: takes a long time to heat

Other Thoughts: you will love this machine according to your patience

Pros: If you're coming from a department store steam espresso maker like I was, this thing is going to blow your mind. Obviously it doesn't compete with thousand-dollar-plus commercial machines, but only deluded snobs would make that comparison. Very simply, the BAR32 will obliterate your steam maker and get you to stop throwing money at big franchise coffee chains.

What you have here is an affordable and surprisingly reliable pump espresso maker that, when prepped correctly, puts out incredibly rich, smooth coffee with ridiculous amounts of crema. Honestly, I don't even use the steam wand thanks to the half-inch of crema foam I consistently get with this thing (use a good dark roast and you'll see what I mean). Playing with roasts, ratios, and pull times gets you a wide range of flavors and strengths.

Did I mention I practically stopped using sugar? The coffee this thing puts out is almost SWEET thanks to the non-scorching pump. Save money and cut calories!

:-)

Cons: People wanting to switch from steam (or drip) should know beforehand that you're just not going to get the same volume of drink as you did with that Mr. Coffee. Of course, this fact just comes with the espresso territory.

That said: the pump lets you make cup after cup without having to wait for pressure to die down. So, you CAN get a bellyful of espresso if you want it; it just takes more shots.

Also, if you fill the big basket up properly, you can let the brew go on longer. Just stop when the drip becomes whitish-yellow. (Note: the "big" basket isn't huge.)

Yes, the taste is stronger at demitasse sizes, but you can experiment and get more liquid (3-4oz+) without losing all the flavor. Bean type, grind, heat time, pull time, and luck all count.

People have blasted the built-in tamp, but I thought it was usable. It's not as flimsy as it looks; it's attached from the inside. A separate tamp is best, but this one will do if you apply reasonable pressure...

Other Thoughts: Here's a big tip: the green "OK" light only means the coffee is ready to begin -- it doesn't mean it's ready to brew a full cup quite yet. For the strongest pull, you need to wait for the water to heat a few minutes longer (some folks wait up to 15-20 after the green light appears, but this is probably excessive). You'll get the hang of all this.

Another tip for longevity: make sure you slide the portafilter in firmly but GENTLY, holding it near the basket base (don't cram it or it could eventually twist and leak).

Other than that, be sure to do a quick rinse of the filter parts between cups. Never turn on without water in the tank. Use darker beans, preferably with a burr grinder (finer is better). Filtered water is supposed to be good for the machine, but I can't really vouch.

The bottom line is this: for the money, you'll be VERY satisfied. Read the instructions and treat the BAR32 right, and it should make creamy espressos for years.

P.S. Mine came fast and complete!

Pros: Great Deal for a great machine

Cons: none that we have found so far. Besides that lack of espresso cups and milk container that most come with.

Other Thoughts: Pump is the way to go