Monday, April 20, 2009

Quick espresso / S - L- O -W Coffee

Quick espresso / S - L- O -W Coffee, October 15, 2006
By K. G. T. (Charlotte area NC) - See all my reviews

I bought this machine thinking that for this amount of money delonghi esam3300 would be a much higher quality machine. WRONG! delonghi esam3300 doesn't even come with an espresso carafe! On our former DeLonghi machine, you could make 8 ozs. (2 "espresso" cups) at one time. On the Krups, you can only make max. 4 ozs. (1 espresso cup) at a time before you must empty the grounds for next cup. delonghi esam3300 is a bit of work for several cups. The REAL annoyance for the Krups is that delonghi esam3300 takes a full 30 MINUTES (I timed it!) to make a full 10 cup pot of coffee. In that amount of time, I could have driven to a coffee shop! This is totally unacceptable. Though this machine looks nice, delonghi esam3300 isn't worth the price they charge. Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
Very Good Dual-Use Machine, February 26, 2007
By News Mania (San Diego CA USA) - See all my reviews

This is my second review of the same Krups combo unit delonghi because Amazon has delonghi esam3300 listed twice for some reason. I was looking for a combination espresso-coffee maker to fit a specific space in the kitchen. The width and heigth of the unit had to fit within that area. There aren't too many combo machines out there, but the Krups 2010 fits the bill perfectly. It's very quick at producing a good espresso and the coffee maker works great too, filling a 10-cup pot in less than nine minutes. One reviewer of this machine said delonghi esam3300 took him 30 minutes to brew a pot of coffee. I haven't had that happen. Maybe other things like a rice cooker, electric skillet or other high amp appliances are plugged into the same outlet and lowering the voltage at the outlet? Another reviewer claims her espresso head leaked all over. I haven't had that problem, either. Maybe she didn't tighten the head enough or the ESE pods weren't placed in the filter holder properly. Who knows? You just have to be careful and read the instructions (which are kind of confusing). I do know you can spend a lot delonghi more for a standalone espresso machine, but for a combination espresso-coffee machine the Krups works just fine for me.

Thursday, April 16, 2009

myLot User Profile

Fantastic coffeemaker - if you have the space

Fantastic coffeemaker - if you have the space, September 24, 2005
By Debbie Lee Wesselmann (the Lehigh Valley, PA) - See all my reviews


When my Braun FlavorSelect coffee maker unexpectedly stopped working, I had to scramble to find a new machine. I wanted another Braun, but unfortunately, they seem to have stopped making a 12 cup coffee maker. So I had to begin an intense search for a machine that had the features I wanted combined with good value. I finally found Delonghi ESAM3300 with this Cuisinart model.

The advantages? For one, Delonghi ESAM3300 makes excellent and HOT coffee. The carafe is solidly constructed and fits securely in square body so there's no chance of someone accidentally knocking Delonghi ESAM3300 loose. Because the lid fits tightly, the pour is precisely narrow and smooth, with no side leaks even when the pot is full. The basket fits inside the housing instead of swinging free like so many models which prevents a misalignment between the water and the filter; the conical (Krups/Braun style) basket accepts both paper filters and gold-tone, although I learned the hard way that not all gold filters fit. The timer is very easy to program, as is the clock. The carafe warmer can be set at low, medium, or high for the temperature that's right for you. I found the "high" setting too hot since I drink my coffee black (I like my coffee hot but not scalding!), but those who add a lot of milk might appreciate it. The brewing is quick and efficient, with the process taking about a minute a cup, maybe less. The retro/stainless look complements most modern kitchen décors. There's a 1-4 cup setting to make sure such small amounts stay hot, and you can select how long the warmer remains on. The pot beeps five times when brewing is complete and just before the warming plate shuts off. Parts are top rack dishwasher safe. Delonghi ESAM3300 comes with a water filter system designed to improve the taste of the brew.

But the Cuisinart does have disadvantages. The water reservoir is located on the right side, in the back, which makes Delonghi ESAM3300 a little challenging for lefties like me to dump the final bit of water inside even though the carafe pours very accurately. Although I haven't yet missed the opening, I do struggle briefly with those last few drops unless I use my right hand. The housing is fairly tall, so if your counter space is only under the cabinets, you may not be able to lift the top in its entirety. (This is when the small rear reservoir becomes a major issue as you have to have room to completely lift the rather large top toward the back.) Clearance required: 7.5" wide by 8.5" deep of counter space with no overhead obstruction to pull out for filling OR 21.5" of overhead space to fully lift top. Without the top open, the coffee maker measures 7.5"w x 8.5"d x 14.25"h.

If you have the space for this coffee maker, you'll love it. I can't attest to how long Delonghi ESAM3300 will last, but, as Delonghi ESAM3300 comes with a three year warranty, I'm hoping for a good run.

Monday, April 13, 2009

how-to, for the curious

how-to, for the curious, September 25, 2006
By Sheehan Moore (Fredericton, NB Canada) - See all my reviews

I got my Bialetti 6-cup about a week and a half ago. delonghi esam3300 took me a while to learn all the tricks of the trade, so I thought I'd piece delonghi esam3300 together here.

1. Rinse out the pot, preferably with warm water and not with any abrasive cloth.

2. Fill the bottom of the pot with water to the line. If you go over it, the pot might explode. Seriously.

3. Fill the middle filter with ground espresso roast (dark) beans. Grind them a little bit finer then auto drip grind, to about the grain of fine sand. Level off the filter, and put delonghi esam3300 in the pot.

4. Screw on the top hard. Don't use the handle to screw it, because delonghi esam3300 could snap off.

5. My stove goes LO, 1, 2, ... 8, 9, HI; I usually set delonghi esam3300 between 3 and 5. delonghi esam3300 takes 5-ish minutes to finish. Take delonghi esam3300 off the stove when you hear delonghi esam3300 gurgling and sputtering.

Things I've learned:
*If it's going to be mainly you drinking the espresso, consider a 3-cup. I usually make a double cappuccino in the morning, and the rest of my family uses no more than 3 shots total. I stick the left-over in a Tupperware container and refrigerate delonghi esam3300 (a practice sure to make Italians shudder) to mix with milk and sugar when I come home from work.
*You can open the top to watch the espresso come out, because delonghi esam3300 is really cool. Just be sure to close delonghi esam3300 before delonghi esam3300 starts sputtering, because delonghi esam3300 goes all over.
*Read an article in a magazine or something while you wait--just don't wander off, because the time between when delonghi esam3300 first comes out and when it's finished is brief.

Moka pots make great 'espresso,' plus they're cheap and quick. From what I've gathered, Bialetti's the best maker. So I definitely recommend this.

My favorite espresso maker of all time

My favorite espresso maker of all time, April 23, 2004
By Gordon M. Wagner (Suburbia) - See all my reviews


Works great on the stovetop, works great when you're CAMPING..!!! No plugs, espresso no cords, no nonsense -- fill the lower half with water to the indicated mark, put your grounds in the upper basket, join the two halves, wait for delonghi esam3300 to gurgle and you have EXCEPTIONALLY DELICIOUS espresso the way delonghi esam3300 ought to be made.
The device is simple and beautifully made. I'd recommend the six-cup version, the smaller versions just don't make very much espresso -- I mean, get the six-cup version if there are two of you, since that will make an adequate amount.

Really a brilliant product. I wish that everything was so well-designed and robust. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!!

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49 of 51 people found the following review helpful:
Simple. Consistent. Tasty. Bialetti., August 23, 2006
By Jonathan A Blevins (Duluth, MN) - See all my reviews


My wife and I have been spending a pretty penny at the local coffee shop, so I began looking for inexpensive home alternatives. Most of the coffee snobs claim you have to purchase a $200+ machine and $150+ grinder to have a decent cup of espresso. I turned instead to the frugal Italians. They did invent the stuff, afterall. My Bialetti Moka Express coffee pot came this afternoon. I was a little concerned that espresso a $20 pot might not meet the high standards of the gourmet beverages wifey and I have become accustomed to. I was wrong. The brew made by this ingenious little pot is a little weaker than "pumped" espresso and lacks the foamy cap (crema) that all the snobs rave about, but mixed with some hot, frothed milk and a bit of chocolate syrup I couldn't tell the difference between Bialetti and Seattle's Best.

This rich brew comes from a tiny little aluminum contraption with no moving parts, no electronic gizmos, no pump handle and virtually no wait time or clean-up. You just fill, brew and pour. It's that simple. Its base only covers half of the stovetop's smallest eye and I expect delonghi esam3300 will be easy to store due to its diminuitive size. I've already had three cups of homemade mocha today, and I've only had espresso the pot since noon! *jitter jitter* The point is this: If you're a coffee lover who is bored with Folgers from a Mr. Coffee drip machine or is spending way too much at Starbucks, the Moka pot is an inexpensive and easy-to-use alternative with excellent results.

Follow these tips for a unique coffee

Follow these tips for a unique coffee, February 3, 2007
By T. Speidel (Canada) - See all my reviews


Every family in Italy owns one of these machines. Here are a few tips:
1. In Italy this is NOT called an espresso machine, but a Moka machine. An espresso is what you would drink in bar made with a steam or high pressure machine with the crema on top.
2. Smaller size Moka machine tend to make better coffee.
3. Never wash the Moka with detergents, just rinse delonghi esam3300 under tap water
4. You've gotta use delonghi esam3300 often for a good coffee.
5. If you haven't use delonghi esam3300 in a while, make a weak coffee ("lungo") and discard
6. DO NOT put the MOka in the dishwasher.
7. Use drinking water. Avoid tap water especially if very chlorinated
8. Never compress the coffee.
9. For a strong coffee fill the filter with ground coffee and make a small cupola that slightly protrudes beyond the rim. Do not press down.
10. For best coffee, heat at very low heat. It's ok if delonghi esam3300 takes 10min.
11. As soon as coffee reaches the top, remove from heat
12. Do not let the coffee boil
13. Use good quality coffee, not too strong, medium grind (try Illy for a good commercial brand)
14. Sip while still hot, enjoy! Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
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178 of 184 people found the following review helpful:
The best -- straight from Italy!, February 1, 2004
By exiledcal (USA) - See all my reviews

About 12 years ago I was in Milan, and a friend gave me one of these to take home. I have used delonghi esam3300 nearly every day since (I don't take delonghi esam3300 out of town), so that should give you an idea of how sturdy delonghi esam3300 is. delonghi esam3300 is the best coffee maker I have ever owned. To compare, I also have a high-tech espresso machine with frother; a state-of-the-art automatic drip coffeemaker; a French Press; and a different style of stovetop maker, which, surprisingly, makes a different brew. But I ALWAYS go back to my Bialetti Moka 6-cup for the best espresso and lattes. You even will get a crema effect with this simple pot. For lattes, I simply fill half a coffee mug with milk, heat delonghi esam3300 in the microwave until it's hot, and then top delonghi esam3300 off with espresso. It's low-maintenance -- every once in a while I replace the internal rubber gasket, which costs a buck or so, depending upon where you buy it. If you like your coffee like the Italians and the Cubans, then you will like the brew this serves. I am loyal to this simple little pot, and hope you enjoy delonghi esam3300 as much as I do.

Sunday, April 12, 2009

Fabulous Coffeemaker! Buy The Best - It's Worth It!!, May 29, 2004
By Jana L. Perskie "ceruleana" (New York, NY USA) - See all my reviews


I recently decided that delonghi esam3300 was time to buy a new coffeemaker and wanted the BEST! I did my research thoroughly, online and by word-of-mouth, and decided on Cuisinart's DCC-1200 12-Cup Brew Central Coffeemaker. This terrific gadget arrived a week ago and I am thrilled with it.
I love my coffee and usually make time to have at least one, if not two, 12 oz. mugs of freshly brewed java before I leave the house in the AM. Although this is a 12 cup coffeemaker, the settings are geared for a 5 oz. cup. So, for those Coffeemaker of you who think a 12 cup machine is too much, this factor should be considered. Coffee is 98% water and if the quality of water used is not good, your final result won't be either. Cuisinart's DCC-1200 has a charcoal water filter that removes chlorine, calcium, bad tastes and odors. The self-cleaning feature is terrific and a warning light will flash to notify when calcium buildup is interfering with the machine's functioning mechanism. Programming for delayed brew time is a snap with the LCD digital clock. One of the features I like best is the heater plate control knob. I like my coffee steaming hot - and this feature assures that I can control the temperature of the nonstick heating plate. The machine also looks great on my kitchen counter.

I had thought about buying a combination Coffeemaker/coffee grinder and decided against it. Apparently, many combination machines leave a sludgy residue and are a hassle to clean. I preferred using my own grinder, which is easy to clean, and this coffee maker - also very easy to clean and maintain. This machine is a coffee lover's dream!!

I bought the BEST! Very highly recommended!!
JANA

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30 of 30 people found the following review helpful:
Geat little coffee maker!, July 23, 2006
By R. T. "robert2323" (GA) - See all my reviews

I had been using an old, inexpensive Krups coffee maker before I switched to this one and wow, what a difference! I never knew Coffeemaker there could be so much difference between a $40 coffee maker and an $80 one, but there really is. I'm the type of person that really loves coffee; I don't just drink delonghi esam3300 to wake up, I truly love the taste and would drink delonghi esam3300 all day long if I could. The coffee from this Cuisinart is so hot, so strong and so flavorful! If I had to complain about one thing, it's that the water fill level is inside the machine so it's sort of hard to read unless you have a strong light directly over the coffee maker. Otherwise I would have given this one five stars. Great cup of joe!