Do your shots look like regular coffee? Mine do I cant see how they can say this machine makes espresso when it doesnt. I have tried almost everything and I cant get a real espresso shot (thick and syrupy, redish color). I get what appears to be a regular coffee shot with 1/4 inch of crema on top. If I am missing something please chime in and let me know how you are getting espresso out of this machine. Do your shots look like regular coffee? Mine do I cant see how they can say this machine makes espresso when it doesnt. I have tried almost everything and I cant get a real espresso shot (thick... » Read More Do your shots look like regular coffee? Mine do I cant see how they can say this machine makes espresso when it doesnt. I have tried almost everything and I cant get a real espresso shot (thick and syrupy, redish color). I get what appears to be a regular coffee shot with 1/4 inch of crema on top. If I am missing something please chime in and let me know how you are getting espresso out of this machine. « Show Less
1125995
This piece of crap stop working 15 days after using it, now AMAZON is using the purchase cart date as the date of purchase, not the day I received it. Stop buying from AMAZON!
277374
Honestly, the only way you're going to get a good cup of espresso and get a nice puck to pop out when you're done is to use a good burr grinder. Blade grinders will slice the beans unevenly and not produce a good cup o' espresso. I picked up a Breville Smart Grinder along with this machine and have been enjoying perfect shots of espresso every time. Trust me...it's well worth the investment.
793287
I had to look this up too, but the truth is that I do not believe you will be able to make espresso with your kcup machine at all and the filters won't help much. This type of coffee is a finer grind and not even close to espresso coffee, you can't even get close to the espresso taste and texture you would like to have for espresso.
1035695
This makes excellent espresso! This easily makes two very large "shots" of espresso. We easily make two drinks with it, keeping in mind that an espresso shot is considerably smaller then a cup of coffee.
333224
I don't think this machine is made to continue making shots back to back. We tried it a couple of times when we had visitors and it took longer the second time.. Once we made our coffee, we had to wait about 5 min before we can start making the next round... After entertains our guest numerous times, the machine started going slower.. In my opinion the expresso machine is pretty good, however, just for two.. Hope this helps.
1790748
I looked back at the picture shown and it isn't quite "that" espresso. It may take on a bit of a cherry tone, but also not true cherry. I hope that makes sense!
19916
Our machine seems to make it hot (hot enough that I can't hold the glass cup bottom). I will say, though, that the FIRST espresso after we turn it on seems cooler than the subsequent attempts (still very warm; just not hot). I imagine there is some water in the lines that isn't heated, but I don't know that.
1048234
I suspect that you're not putting enough coffee grounds in. First, grind very fine, espresso grind (powder, as fine as you get get it). Then put 2+ heaping Tablespoons of grounds for every 6oz of water you pour through. This means, when I make a cup of coffee, normal mug, I use 4 heaping Tablespoons of grounds -- my mug comfortably holds about 12 oz of coffee with a bit of room at the top. When I make two cups, one for my wife and one for myself, I use 5 heaping Tablespoons of grounds. It nearly fills up the #2 filter, but I pour the water slowly and keep the water topped up throughout the pouring process. If you let it go down and fill again, the filter tends to get clogged and it takes *forever* for it to brew and flow through. My wife likes a slightly weaker cup of coffee, so the second cup is hers. If you are looking for strong, add more grounds. Hope that helps!
244417
There's plenty room in this machine for you to use any cup you want. However, regular espressos shots are small. I like to use 2 ounces cups half full. So, one shot is 1 ounce. Anyway, you must keep in mind that gourmet espressos are difficult to achieve using a manual espresso machine, but if you succeed, you'll have an amazing espresso (and this machine is able to do that) which is impossible to achieve with an automatic machine.
815023
Daily use 5yrs+. Pull shots back to back, no problem, IMHO. By the way I never froth milk with steam. Put milk in 2 cup measure, micro wave, and froth with little hand held Swedish frother. Makes "thick paint" consistency for several cups in seconds. I think it's a total waste using a boiler's steam. Incidentally I never sully my espresso with milk, nor do Europeans except at breakfast sometimes. Of course as you prefer but try straight, yes, a little sugar, for a while. Ever notice European espressos are served in cups too small for lattes? Great espressos are always served straight unless you drink like it's desert? Happy Trails Daily use 5yrs+. Pull shots back to back, no problem, IMHO. By the way I never froth milk with steam. Put milk in 2 cup measure, micro wave, and froth with little hand held Swedish frother. Makes "thick paint" consistency for several cups in seconds. I think it's a total waste using a boiler's steam. Incidentally I never sully my espresso with milk, nor do Europeans except at breakfast sometimes. Of course as you prefer but try straight, yes, a little sugar, for a while. Ever notice European espressos are served in cups too small for lattes? Great espressos are always served... » Read More Daily use 5yrs+. Pull shots back to back, no problem, IMHO. By the way I never froth milk with steam. Put milk in 2 cup measure, micro wave, and froth with little hand held Swedish frother. Makes "thick paint" consistency for several cups in seconds. I think it's a total waste using a boiler's steam. Incidentally I never sully my espresso with milk, nor do Europeans except at breakfast sometimes. Of course as you prefer but try straight, yes, a little sugar, for a while. Ever notice European espressos are served in cups too small for lattes? Great espressos are always served straight unless you drink like it's desert? Happy Trails « Show Less
398916
I assume that the reason for this falls to the brand of espresso. By its nature, espresso is dark-roasted. Try different brands until you find one you like.
1939664
Hey there. I, like maybe yourself, am a gadget type of guy... I bought this machine in hopes that it would be the best espresso machine that I every purchased. I found out, like all other intricate gadgets, that this machine is very finicky. I had the same problem when I got mine unfortunately. Be forewarned that the machine will also do this if it is left on too long. Don't worry, I will get to the point of how to solve the issue soon. To keep this from happening, make sure to turn off the machine after brewing the amount of espresso or coffee that you want. I haven't timed it, but I know that the machine can stay turned off for up to 15 minutes before needing to go through another warm-up and rinse cycle. So... To solve the issue: 1. Remove the water container from the back of the machine 2. Carefully remove all screws holding the back and top of the machine together 3. Find the boilers and press the resets found under them 4. Put everything back together and it will be good Hopefully this helps. Taking the machine apart is a little confusing, but I have a system down, if it would help. Give me a shout if you need more help. 509.439.3019 -Josh
965923
I think espresso is darker, you problem could ask them to send you a picture to your email of both wood stains.
396327
What kind of coffee are you using. I find that problem with regular coffee but not with espresso beans.
19918
For a few cycles we ran two water only shots through the machine, at which point everything had a chance to warm up and hot to the touch. Then the espresso turned out really hot. We no longer run two water cycles through, however we do usually do one, if I'm making a latte or something of the like I don't bother as I can steam the milk hot enough. Good Luck, we certainly LOVE our machine and have saved tons because we don't buy fancy named things that don't taste as good! :)
914021
I purchased the Coffee Duck refillable pods, and they worked marginally but made EXTREMELY weak coffee with no crema (the espresso foam) on top. We were so bummed! We have a custom grinder and played around with setting it to super fine, medium fine, etc. and nothing seemed to help. We tried packing the pods tight, leaving a little room, etc. and still the coffee sucked. Stick with the capsules; they're expensive up front, but worth it in the end. Plus, Nespresso's capsules are Rainforest-Alliance certified, which is the highest certification for both sustainability and fair-trade. You can also recycle your pods now by turning them into Sur La Table. Hope that helps! I purchased the Coffee Duck refillable pods, and they worked marginally but made EXTREMELY weak coffee with no crema (the espresso foam) on top. We were so bummed! We have a custom grinder and played around with setting it to super fine, medium fine, etc. and nothing seemed to help. We tried packing the pods tight, leaving a little room, etc. and still the coffee sucked. Stick with the capsules; they're expensive up front, but worth it in the end. Plus, Nespresso's capsules are Rainforest-Alliance certified, which is the highest certification for both sustainability and fair-trade. You can... » Read More I purchased the Coffee Duck refillable pods, and they worked marginally but made EXTREMELY weak coffee with no crema (the espresso foam) on top. We were so bummed! We have a custom grinder and played around with setting it to super fine, medium fine, etc. and nothing seemed to help. We tried packing the pods tight, leaving a little room, etc. and still the coffee sucked. Stick with the capsules; they're expensive up front, but worth it in the end. Plus, Nespresso's capsules are Rainforest-Alliance certified, which is the highest certification for both sustainability and fair-trade. You can also recycle your pods now by turning them into Sur La Table. Hope that helps! « Show Less
1951693
It says espresso but it's not super dark. It has some warm tones and is on the darker side. Definitely not light but not dark espresso either.