Made in Italy, this 1,250-watt machine eliminates the fuss of creating espresso and espresso drinks at home by automating the entire process. With the push of a button, the machine grinds coffee beans without burning them, tamps the ground coffee into the brew group, brews a cup of espresso, and then dumps the spent grounds into a container--all in about 30 seconds. For creating a cappuccino or latte, there's a hot water/steam wand with a milk-frothing attachment. (With this model, there's a 35-second delay from brewing to steaming, and 15 seconds from steaming to brewing.) A button selects one or two cups, and a knob adjusts cup size up to 10 ounces. For safety, the machine shuts off if the grinder runs out of beans or the water tank is empty (control-panel lights indicate specific problems). The machine measures 15 inches high, 13 inches wide, and 13 inches deep; weighs 19 pounds; and, with a gleaming, marble-gray plastic exterior, looks great on the counter. The bean hopper holds about 12-1/2 ounces (8.8 ounces of espresso beans are included), the removable, transparent water tank holds 57 ounces, and the grinder adjusts from fine to coarse. For cleanup, parts remove easily. The machine comes with exceptionally thorough and clear instructions and carries a one-year warranty against defects.
