Does this unit produce a decent crema, or just make plain coffee?
1873713
Hi Ronald,Great question! While you probably won't be able to replicate the results of an espresso machine, crema is possible with some experimenting in the AeroPress. Check out our blog post about our favorite technique: http://www.kaffeologie.com/blog/2015/2/9/where-for-art-thou-crema?rq=CremaKateCustomer ServiceKaffeologie
1873714
It depends on the coffee and the grind, but typically there is very little or no crema, unlike the case with an espresso maker. Darn fine cup of coffee, though!
1873715
I've been experimenting with it daily and so far this is the best I come up with, the inverted method seen here at Stumptown's site http://stumptowncoffee.com/brew-guides/aeropress/ allows for an amazing flavor (beans best be good or it tastes no better than plain filter coffee) To answer your question, I have not had any crema made out of mine, but certainly the flavor has been really good- definitely not 'plain coffee'.
1873716
It makes great coffee like typical espresso although just a little crema when using the fine stainless filter so crema not its strong suit
233479
Sounds to me like the coarseness of the grind. Another symptom of too course a grind is that the coffee would be weaker than expected and the flow/output would be faster. I would recommend you experiment a little, timing carefully the grind time. Increase it in increments of five seconds or so and see the impact on crema and flavor. Once you find the grind time you like, you'll want to be fairly precise in repeating that time to get a consistent result.
1939002
I have used a Chemex to make it, which is not so different from the Melitt Pour-Over Coffee Maker in method of brewing I think... While I prefer to use my AeroPress for convenience, I think the results are not very different in taste.
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.
832559
Hi Joel, It really is a matter of trail and error, and taste. I find that the darker roast coffee's tend to give a better output. I use a fine/coarse grind. They work pretty well!
1118374
Looks like others found your answer. I have found buying espresso grind and paking the duck gives a pretty good cream layer...the more compressed the coffee, the more crema.
371479
No it does not make regular coffee. It only makes espresso coffee. I wouldn't recommend this machine though. My mother has it and she has had problems with it since the beginning.
1285335
I've had many mr. coffees...the JWX23 is a pretty decent unit...it's our second one...we get a couple years out of them...maybe a year and a half...we make a couple of pots every day.Every couple months we run vinegar through...keeps the brewing speed good...I tried black and decker...some of them are o.k...I tried the mr. coffee with the insulated decanter...never hot enough...we had one black and decker like that, and another black and decker that was super hot...Before you buy any coffee maker, smell the water chamber...some of the other companies use bad smelling rubber components...I'd recommend the JWX23...it's one of their better ones so far...If I didn't like it, I wouldn't have bought the 2nd one.... I've had many mr. coffees...the JWX23 is a pretty decent unit...it's our second one...we get a couple years out of them...maybe a year and a half...we make a couple of pots every day.Every couple months we run vinegar through...keeps the brewing speed good...I tried black and decker...some of them are o.k...I tried the mr. coffee with the insulated decanter...never hot enough...we had one black and decker like that, and another black and decker that was super hot...Before you buy any coffee maker, smell the water chamber...some of the other companies use bad smelling rubber... » Read More I've had many mr. coffees...the JWX23 is a pretty decent unit...it's our second one...we get a couple years out of them...maybe a year and a half...we make a couple of pots every day.Every couple months we run vinegar through...keeps the brewing speed good...I tried black and decker...some of them are o.k...I tried the mr. coffee with the insulated decanter...never hot enough...we had one black and decker like that, and another black and decker that was super hot...Before you buy any coffee maker, smell the water chamber...some of the other companies use bad smelling rubber components...I'd recommend the JWX23...it's one of their better ones so far...If I didn't like it, I wouldn't have bought the 2nd one.... « Show Less
1664376
My Suncana produces very good crema.... make sure all the parts are placed correctly ... Especially that little round filter....
1093295
It doesn't technically make espresso, because it can't build that many bars of pressure. It basically makes something sort of between espresso and coffee, so it's kinda like a strong coffee (hence the term 'moka'). I wrote a lengthy review on this product that includes instructions and tips, but here are some highlights: What I have found to be the best way, and also what Bialetti's website recommends, is to grind your coffee a step above espresso grind (so the lower end of fine drip) and then put it on the stove at LOW heat with the lid open. That takes about 11 minutes for me, so I set a timer for ten minutes so I am sure to be back in my kitchen in time (because once it starts brewing, it brews quickly and you want to remove it from the stove in time so the gasket doesn't burn). If it takes more than 13 minutes to brew on low heat, then your grind is likely too fine and it's having trouble building enough pressure to percolate (and it will probably taste a little burnt). If it takes 7-10 minutes on low heat, your grind is not fine enough. Do leave the lid open during brewing, both so you can see when the coffee brews and to avoid it burning. Don't use high heat, because you will very likely burn your coffee and the percolation spout (I call it a coffee volcano) could spew coffee outside of the pot and onto your stove. The handle should not be getting hot during brewing. I like to use an organic medium roast coffee bean. I've brewed some good coffee with dark beans as well, but mokapot coffee is so strong to start with that I find darker roasts are a little to rich for me.
1966416
Get a different machine. I bought a $20 stove top unit at IKEA that makes 6 cups of espresso. It's stainless steel and wonderful. My experience with the Espressione was awful too.
2023525
I use regular coffee. Be sure not to over fill the filter or else your machine will make a mess.
2080820
A dark roast, and a grind not so fine like the one used for real cappuccino. If You want some thing from the shelf, Illy is excelent. From my point of view You can't get microfoam from this maker, needed for a real cappuccino. With the Taylor & Ng Bellman CX-25 Stovetop Espresso Maker, You can.
2025468
yes, we use the unit more for regular coffee than espresso. this is a very good unit...i almost did not buy based on some of the negative reviews, but 15 months later, all is great and we are very happy.
1446824
I returned the machine. I love the small one and thought I'd trade up. I do remember the soupy basket was mentioned as "normal". My issue with it was it produced decidedly weak and inferior espresso despite the fact I tried 3 different grinds. Each time the cream was fine but the coffee strength wouldn't even pass muster in auto drip. I spoke with the company hoping I was doing it incorrectly. They didn't seem to know very much so I returned it and went back to the smaller one.
205882
Make sure you can return it if it fails. It did make good coffee while it worked, but I had 2 fail within 6 months before I gave up on it. Check out Bonavita coffe makers - very simple, even lacks a shutoff if you remove the coffee pot when it's brewing, but makes great, hot coffee at ideal brewing temp.
1664377
I've got three of these in 3 different locations and they all produce good crema. By good I mean about 1/4 thick. The amount of crema is affected by the type of coffee and amount of water. I use only Baronet and Melitta because that's what I like. Try reducing the amount of water to 5 or 8 ounces. If it doesn't produce crema to your satisfaction look under the outflow where the liquid coffee comes out and there is a little screen filter, slide it forward with your finger. Clean it under running water and put it back. If that doesn't work I would call Suncana at (855) 786-2262.