Best Espresso ever! But should the portafilter be so difficult to twist into place? My wife worries we will break it. Should she?
1040376
Don't over tighten. The gaskets start out new and tight and after a while wear down which will make it easier. Then, depending how much you use your machine, they need to be replaced.
1040377
I agree with David, may be too much coffee in the portafilter or not enough pressure packing the cup (30lbs pressure).
1040378
there is a line in the portafilter that shows how high the coffee should be, it should twist on firmly but with much diffaculty
333227
You should be able to use this for entertaining. Once you load the machine since the water is in the back filled up. You fill the portafilter with your ground espresso or you can even use the pods. I have not used the pods yet, but my espresso after I fill mine once you hit the on button it has to warm up, then you will see the second light under the on button then when you hit this button it takes about four seconds to brew. I have my three ounce mugs under it to catch the great espresso. You can also make other drinks, I do not bother since I just take my espresso as it is with nothing in it I like mine very strong. Hope this helps You should be able to use this for entertaining. Once you load the machine since the water is in the back filled up. You fill the portafilter with your ground espresso or you can even use the pods. I have not used the pods yet, but my espresso after I fill mine once you hit the on button it has to warm up, then you will see the second light under the on button then when you hit this button it takes about four seconds to brew. I have my three ounce mugs under it to catch the great espresso. You can also make other drinks, I do not bother since I just take my espresso as it is with nothing in... » Read More You should be able to use this for entertaining. Once you load the machine since the water is in the back filled up. You fill the portafilter with your ground espresso or you can even use the pods. I have not used the pods yet, but my espresso after I fill mine once you hit the on button it has to warm up, then you will see the second light under the on button then when you hit this button it takes about four seconds to brew. I have my three ounce mugs under it to catch the great espresso. You can also make other drinks, I do not bother since I just take my espresso as it is with nothing in it I like mine very strong. Hope this helps « Show Less
439608
I do know that if you have the silver handle pushed DOWN and then'/try to push the coffee pod in it will bend and possibly break the middle! You handle has to be up, place the pod in then......Push down the handle to start the making!?
1938175
The VKTech 51mm Stainless is a near perfect fit for the portafilter. Unless you get the single-wall filter baskets from Breville it won't do much for your coffee, though it certainly feels nice in the hand when using.
2068380
I don't have a tried and true answer for you because I have not had a problem. But here are a couple of suggestions to try. Make sure you let it cool down before trying to dump it. Make sure to take it all apart (including the rubber gasket) and cleaning really good at least once a week or maybe more. Make sure you don't put more coffee in than you are supposed too. Make sure it's the right grind of coffee and not espresso grind. Hope you get the problem figured out.
91438
Ours has been noisy from Day 1, approx 6 months ago. Even half as noisy would be welcomed, but it works perfectly and makes excellent lattes & espresso, so we tolerate it. I believe the loud noise is part of its design, not a symptom of something wrong. Hope this was helpful. Happy holidays!
340135
Have you watched the video that comes with the espresso machine? That shows you exactly how to make a good espresso. It took me a few tries to get it right too.
1712968
Hey Jeremy B. I was also unable to twist the pump open. I ended up just opening the while led and scooping out with my fingers. I forgot about the lid difficulty when posting my review.
1628309
hello from Java Exotic Imports! This low cost espresso machine does a pretty good job. Check you water bin and make sure it is FULLY seated. There is a valve below the bin and the bin must go into that valve. We have noticed on occasions where the bin does not make full contact. Try dropping the water bin hard into the valve to be sure it is seated properly. If you can hear the pump running, it sounds like a seating or priming issue. Try priming again to be sure there is no air in the lines. Hope this helps!
1876770
I think the machine is just noisy... If the coffee is not coming out that easily.. Try unscrewing the strainer in the espresso cup and cleaning out the tiny hole in it... Also, perhaps you're packing the espresso too tightly?
1335462
Yes. We use this coffeemaker daily and are starting to have a lot of problems with it including the weird snapping sounds. I am so mad because we follow the manual to a t, decalcify it, and clean it out regularly. Grrr...
1717998
I've tried everything that a person could do without adding anything additional to the coffee maker, itself. Nothing works for me. However I did read where someone got a little rubber ring and added that above the gasket that comes down to seal the water when flowing from the coffee maker to the disposable cup. That will probably be my next attempt. It sounds like a lot of work/knowledge but when cleaning it, you'll see the little gasket and it comes off the maker very easily. An extra ring put on just above the gasket would bring it down further and that might just work. Stay tuned!
1853881
Hmm never messed with the stock portafilter on these machines. You can take the whole inside assembly out and put in your basket, tamp and run it unpressurized. It pulls a much better shot if you have a good grind and beans. Sorry I'm not more help!
1500791
We've had this pot for several years and we think it makes terrific coffee! I use a medium grind - it isn't as fine as you would use for espresso. I found it was something I simply had to experiment with. The finer grind takes longer to brew, longer to go through the cloth filter and making a stronger cup of coffee. This could be adjusted with the amount of coffee used. As we speak I am brewing another wonderful cup of coffee with it!!
543781
Espresso. FYI, assembly was a whiz (says my husband who is easily frustrated with any type of assembly, but this was a breeze for him). That was the deciding factor for purchasing this item; based on the reviews.
461106
I am having the same problem with the puck, and weak taste. I assumed that a $350 machine with high build quality would be designed for the enthusiast, not the amateur who wants easy espresso "crema" (reference to the pressurized porta filter). I am going to order the open filter which relies more on grind and tamp to create a real shot. Anything that is easy almost always introduces a compromise along the way.I replaced my broken EC100 (cheapo $125 unit) with this hoping for a real step up. On my old unit, I tore out the pin hole foam squirter and was actually making some splendid shots! But the pump and heating element are cheap on the Capresso. I am having the same problem with the puck, and weak taste. I assumed that a $350 machine with high build quality would be designed for the enthusiast, not the amateur who wants easy espresso "crema" (reference to the pressurized porta filter). I am going to order the open filter which relies more on grind and tamp to create a real shot. Anything that is easy almost always introduces a compromise along the way.I replaced my broken EC100 (cheapo $125 unit) with this hoping for a real step up. On my old unit, I tore out the pin hole foam squirter and was actually making... » Read More I am having the same problem with the puck, and weak taste. I assumed that a $350 machine with high build quality would be designed for the enthusiast, not the amateur who wants easy espresso "crema" (reference to the pressurized porta filter). I am going to order the open filter which relies more on grind and tamp to create a real shot. Anything that is easy almost always introduces a compromise along the way.I replaced my broken EC100 (cheapo $125 unit) with this hoping for a real step up. On my old unit, I tore out the pin hole foam squirter and was actually making some splendid shots! But the pump and heating element are cheap on the Capresso. « Show Less
903971
use the filter that is sized for one shot to get the right amount of coffee ground and put your espresso cup centered under both out "spigots" and the coffee will drop in the cup - scary the first time as you think it will not go in the cup but it does... Gravity is a great thing!