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111 of 115 people found the following review helpful.
Great expresso but, a pain to clean frother
By atmj
This is my first expresso machine. I have no point of reference other than a standard drip coffee maker.
#1. It is easy to use. Add the water, the expresso, push the switch and you're ready to go.
#2. You can run out of steam for frothing. Since this unit uses the steam that makes the expresso also to do the frothing, you can wind up without enough steam to froth the milk if you wait too long into the expresso making cycle. It is something you learn after you use it a couple of times.
#3. The steam section is a pain to clean, with 4 little parts to mess with. You do have to clean them each time (unless you do an immediate subsequent use), as the milk scalds to the hot steam pipe. I have to use a little scrubber to do this, as a dish cloth is insufficient.
#4. The quality of the expresso is very good. I'm comparing this to expresso purchased at a Starbucks or other expresso place.
#5. It does not come with a frothing pitcher. This was a pain, as you have to get just the right size. I found a cheap little 1/2 cup stainless pitcher from Target worked well. It is too bad they didn't include one.
#6. The drip area will not hold more than about 1/4 cup of liquid, so be careful, if you are depending on it.
All in all a nice little unit.
51 of 52 people found the following review helpful.
Espresso--express-o!
By Tim E.
The Krups Bravo Plus is perfect for the type of espresso drinker who needs a serious caffeine buzz about once or twice a week. The four espresso-cup capacity will get about two people "high on bean" in about five minutes. The steamer works well too, but requires proper maintenance so that it doesn't get plugged with milk. The machine looks great and works great, but if you are an everyday drinker, or someone who wants to serve espresso to several people at once, I'd recommend moving to a higher capacity model. The general "bean-head" will be most pleased with this device as the price is right, and Krups is a well-known company that stands by each and every product.
51 of 53 people found the following review helpful.
Makes great lattes and mochas! Here's an easy way do it...
By Jim K
I've used this terrific little machine for about a year now.
1. Lightly pack filter with finely ground premium coffee to between the "2" & "4" marks. Don't pack too tightly because the tiny filter holes can clog.
2. Fill glass carafe with water to bottom of metal band - pour into boiler - turn switch counter clockwise past "cup" symbol - (takes 2 to 3 minutes to boil).
3. Microwave 8 oz. cold milk about 60 seconds.
4. Pour warmed milk into a stainless steel pitcher (ours holds 20 oz). After espresso has almost stopped brewing, insert steam tube into milk and rotate knob fully clockwise to "steam" position. Steam milk 30 to 45 seconds to warm and froth. I don't use the "Perfect Froth" attachment on the steam tube. It's a pain to clean and I feel it's not necessary if you occasionally lower the pitcher to let the steam blow air into the milk.
5. Rotate knob counter clockwise and let espresso finish brewing.6. Evenly pour steamed milk into two cups - add espresso, sweetener and/or mocha and stir. Spoon out foam into cups.
7. Immediately clean the hot steam tube with a very wet paper towel (cleaning is more difficult if the milk froth has hardened onto the cold metal tube - but there's no chance you'll burn your fingers!). There's probably a little steam left in the boiler...carefully turn knob back to "steam" postion and blow out any sticky milk froth from steam tube (again, don't burn yourself with hot steam!).
To make cafe mocha, we like the Ghirardelli brand "sweet, ground chocolate and cocoa". It comes in a 1 lb. can and is available at many supermarkets where the cocoa for baking is sold. Don't add too much cocoa...half a rounded teaspoon is about right for me. A little goes a long way!
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