Espresso is extremely weak. There is no puck - just a watery mess. Frother isn't heating milk well, lukewarm w/large bubbles that "die" in 2 min. Why?
461105
The instructions indicate that the puck will be wet as a result of the high pressure, and to get a drier puck, leave in while using the steam wand feature. I found this to be true. During the brew process, for double shot filter, I count to 23, and for single shots I count to 12 and have been getting consistently good shots with nice crema.
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
461107
I can't say for sure, but it sounds like the heating element in your machine may have failed. I can tell you that I owned two of these machines, and the heating element in both of them failed after one year, almost to the minute. I abandoned the Breville brand and bought a Pavoni. It is less 'automatic' and costs about twice as much, but it will probably last about 20 times as long, or more. I like it a lot.
461108
Is the light for heating still red when you run the brew pump? Wait til it goes off to brew. You have to tamp the grind to get a puck. I tamp down pretty hard 3 times. Best foam is dry. Tilt your steam pitcher and just touch the surface of the milk with the steam wand; you want a soft hiss noise, not a gurgle noise. Don't dip the wand tip into the milk unless you want hot milk, not foamed milk. Start with very cold milk, it's the difference in temperature that makes nice dry foam. If finished brew isn't hot enough, put steam tip in the coffee first, and let it run several seconds.
461109
Bedford - yes, the pucks are sloppy, that's a known feature. You can also use the pre-formed single serve pods designed for espresso machines - you'll have to get a pod insert from Breville. Try grinding your beans at a finer setting if you are grinding yourself - I use an automatic stand-alone Breville burr grinder - works great! Or, make sure you are buying an espresso grind at the store. WRT frothing - I get great results from this Breville; I also have a Saeco that doesn't froth as well. Make sure your milk has milk protein - I find non-fat, "smart" milk with increased protein froths great. Good Luck. Bedford - yes, the pucks are sloppy, that's a known feature. You can also use the pre-formed single serve pods designed for espresso machines - you'll have to get a pod insert from Breville. Try grinding your beans at a finer setting if you are grinding yourself - I use an automatic stand-alone Breville burr grinder - works great! Or, make sure you are buying an espresso grind at the store. WRT frothing - I get great results from this Breville; I also have a Saeco that doesn't froth as well. Make sure your milk has milk protein - I find non-fat, "smart" milk with increased protein... » Read More Bedford - yes, the pucks are sloppy, that's a known feature. You can also use the pre-formed single serve pods designed for espresso machines - you'll have to get a pod insert from Breville. Try grinding your beans at a finer setting if you are grinding yourself - I use an automatic stand-alone Breville burr grinder - works great! Or, make sure you are buying an espresso grind at the store. WRT frothing - I get great results from this Breville; I also have a Saeco that doesn't froth as well. Make sure your milk has milk protein - I find non-fat, "smart" milk with increased protein froths great. Good Luck. « Show Less
776389
just got mine out of the box and i'm having the same problem. the filter holder is hot, the steamer seems to be working, but water isn't going through. i thought i tamped the grounds too much, so i have now tried with a loose tamp and with no coffee grounds at all. All I get is a horrible noise. I'm very frustrated!
1942949
Beth,Get ready to part with your machine for some time!I had my machine for 3 months and steam dial developed an in-out play! If I inadvertently pull the dial outward the pump/steam stops!? Just finished talking to Krups. To fix the problem, I would have to send the unit for repair - it takes 4-8 weeks to get the machine back. So, the tally is: 3 months of use, 1.5 month to repair for 600 dollars Espresso machine - UNACCEPTABLE(in my opinion)!
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
1446821
Have same issue. No suggestions. Doesn't seem to have any bearing on the quality of the mix.. I use it for latte's only. Makes a great Latte with Trader Joe's Dark Coffee Mix. The biggest problem I have is with vibration. If I do not hold on to the carafe, it will move away from the down spouts missing the carafe.
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.
410918
you might find you get better results overall if you use a small pitcher for the espresso and then add it into the cup after you have your milk in there (I don't have these cups, I just love coffee :D )
776394
I've had my machine for less than a year, and lately also have not been able to get the water to push through the grounds as it always has. I've taken the baskets apart, cleaned all the filters, made an attempt at descaling, and still, the water flow stops at the grounds. My espresso machine's constipated! I'll try what Bill says, but I'm doubtful. I think it may be time already to shell out more money for repair or another model.
1092529
Even at the Starbucks I work at, the puck is wet after the espresso is pored. Getting a dry puck is possible with the correct grinding and a better machine.
943389
patience is the key, at least for me. if i'm making 2 cu of espresso, i put in 3 cu of water, holding a whole cu of water for frothing. when i turn to the steam/froth setting i keep the tip pretty deep into the milk till I hear the machine really building up a full head of steam. the milk clearly thickens and rises in level. then i lift the end of the frother up a bit. frankly, i run out of space in the pitcher before the water is all used up, but then that leaves me enough water to steam clean the frothing arm. hope that helps. hang in there. it takes practice.
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
389793
Ive had Tassimos for more than a decade. I don't think the cleaning process for this one was any different than earlier models and it might be louder than some pod style coffee makers. I won't fret that much about it and just enjoy drinking coffees, expressos, lattes, teas etc that are miles better than anything that other inferior brewer that begins with a K can produce.BTW, I wouldn't buy the latte creamers that they sell, even the "skinny" variety that they eventually introduced. Just put the milk in a grande or venti size ceramic cup, microwave it for about 2-3 minutes until it foams and then add the expresso to the cup. Makes a better latte than using the relatively expensive creamers Ive had Tassimos for more than a decade. I don't think the cleaning process for this one was any different than earlier models and it might be louder than some pod style coffee makers. I won't fret that much about it and just enjoy drinking coffees, expressos, lattes, teas etc that are miles better than anything that other inferior brewer that begins with a K can produce.BTW, I wouldn't buy the latte creamers that they sell, even the "skinny" variety that they eventually introduced. Just put the milk in a grande or venti size ceramic cup, microwave it for about 2-3... » Read More Ive had Tassimos for more than a decade. I don't think the cleaning process for this one was any different than earlier models and it might be louder than some pod style coffee makers. I won't fret that much about it and just enjoy drinking coffees, expressos, lattes, teas etc that are miles better than anything that other inferior brewer that begins with a K can produce.BTW, I wouldn't buy the latte creamers that they sell, even the "skinny" variety that they eventually introduced. Just put the milk in a grande or venti size ceramic cup, microwave it for about 2-3 minutes until it foams and then add the expresso to the cup. Makes a better latte than using the relatively expensive creamers « Show Less
1671021
I was unable to get the coffee to brew without holding the lid down while brewing. Otherwise, the machine continued to say "not ready." When I did get the coffee brewed, it tasted awful and extremely weak (it was a dark espresso brew), however I have not tested the K cup yet to see whether the taste is the same.This is with the B70, which is about 2 years old. Ekobrew just purchased last week.
949218
I returned it when I realized it didn't make as good a cup as my cheaper Melitta espresso maker. But I'm sure you can run a de-scaling solution through it to clean it.
180118
I have not tried either, I don't actually recommend this unit but I highly recommend Capresso 202.04 froth plus! This unit is esthetically pleading but MUCH hard to clean, I recommend the less expensive model, I use mine daily but sorry, haven't tried anything but regular milk.
1568674
Machine always makes some noise. Maybe go to nespresso.com and find a place to see a demo first so you know what to expect.
2284143
sorry, returned this one. the espresso tasted too watery to me. Didn't use it for coffee, just espresso shots.