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1 of 1 found the following review helpful:
 I don't get itSep 14, 2008
I've had my machine for about 5 years now and I'm still getting great espresso. My Briel gets heavy use, but the only thing I've had to replace is the brew screen (and that was $5). My guess is some people don't know what they are doing. Here's a few pointers:
1. Don't leave the basket mounted after you brew.
2. Keep your steam wand clean. Clean it each time you use it!
3. After steaming milk, if you want to brew another batch, turn off the steam button and dispense some water until the temperature light turns off. It's important because if you don't do this, you'll get burnt espresso from your water being to hot.
4. Keep your machine clean. Run a few batches of vinegar/water every once in a while to get rid of any mineral build up.
5. Spend the money on a conical grinder. You won't get consistent espresso if you're using a $20 coffee grinder.
The pump has a 25 year warranty (not that I've needed it). Spend some time on the Internet if you don't know what you're doing.
2 of 2 found the following review helpful:
 Nice little machine, till it breaks and you need service.Mar 03, 2008
If I had written this review 6 months ago, I would have rated this machine 5 stars, I loved it! Made excellent Latte's and was easy to operate. But then it started dripping out of the steam value, the day I discovered a plastic seal completely melted off the machine. I got in touch with the service agency Electra-Craft Inc. However when my "repaired" machine came back 3 weeks later, it was covered in ice, as they hadn't drained it properly after testing. The cover was warped, the entire pump section had exploded with ice forcing the front plate completely off hanging on only by the wires. 3 weeks of calls,emails and promises of replacement only to be changed a day later. I received my broken machine back still with the top plate broken and the front somehow magically reattached - even though all the chrome and plastic screw mounts were completely cracked...the best part, now they claim it was never really broken just wet! Nice little machine until it breaks and you need service.
Work well, mostly with podsAug 19, 2007
I agree with most of the reviews. In the beginning, the machine works well, but then starts leaking. Oftentimes, it is because of the way you grind the coffee. If ground too thin, it will leak. And if ground too coarse, nothing will happen. It can be very very messy at times.
But it works very very well when I use pods. Illy or Lavazza pods work well, and the crema is still good. Definitely a decent purchase....but don't expect to keep it for ever. You'll want to upgrade. Then you can use the Briel Cadiz for the office with pods (avoid the mess!), and keep a better one for home.
6 years and still brewing great espresso!Jun 06, 2007
I have owned this machine for 6 years and honestly, it has worked great for me. I have cleaned the filters three times so far and it continues to brew great espresso with a thick crema on top. I only use pods, so I get a great cup of coffee every time.
We recently had a birthday party and I set the machine up for all of my italian relatives and they all raved about the coffee. They all asked me where I got the machine and I told them "Amazon.com" about 6 years ago. They could not believe that a six year old machine could still look good and perform as well.
I have read all of the negative reviews and frankly, I am very surprised. In general, making espresso is about 50% the machine, 25% the coffee & water AND (most importantly) 25% the person brewing the coffee. If you have no idea what coffee to buy, how to set your machine for a nice strong cup of espresso or how to froth milk, buy yourself a tassimo or give it up and just go to starbucks!
2 of 3 found the following review helpful:
not durableFeb 08, 2007
the product was not durable and had to be repaired 2 times in 18 months...1 time was not under warrenty.
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based on 35 reviews
