Features:

  • Steam Heat feature forces hot steam through the filter for dark, rich espresso brew
  • Frothing arm makes creamy froth to top off your cappuccinos and lattes
  • Easy pour glass carafe serves up to 4 shots. To avoid espresso maker to be too noisy during operation make sure the water reservoir is full and properly fitted into its position
  • Removable, washable drip catcher collects coffee drips and keeps brew space tidy
  • Note: Instruction manual must be followed when attaching Filter Holder (pg. 8; To Brew Espresso, step 4.) and using Frothing function (pg. 9; How To Make Cappuccino, step 4.
My First Espresso Maker

This is a great little machine for an amateur. It's got a small footprint so it doesn't take up a ton of space in my galley kitchen, and it's shorter than my drip coffee maker, so it fits easily under the cupboard, even with the accessories stored on top of it. There is a bit of a learning curve in terms of steaming milk, but if you follow the included instructions, it's pretty simple. I was able to make a good cappuccino on the second try (I didn't steam the milk long enough on the first). One note: The instructions say to start steaming the milk once brewing has begun, but it works better if you wait until brewing is almost finished. Once you get the hang of it, it doesn't take any more time than brewing drip coffee. As my family knows, I'm a horrible cranky swamp monster until I've had my first cup of coffee, so time is of the essence in the morning! This machine is simple enough to work before I'm fully awake, and the result is worth it. Definitely worth the small investment, especially if you're a first-timer and aren't sure you want to make the $500+ investment in a more professional machine.

How to keep it working

It's been a year since I purchased this little machine. It was for sale at a cheaper price then, but I still think it's worth the price for which it's being offered now. I've had several espresso/cappuccino machines, most 4xs the price, and this has held up better than most. I write this review because one thing is really important....regular cleaning and maintenance are very important. I have discovered that if I put 1/3 vinegar with 2/3 water in the machine and run it like that weekly, I can keep using this without any issues. I also run that water through the steamer to make sure things run smoothly with that as well. The other thing that I have found works better is to simply remove the plastic cap on the steam wand. It produced bubbles and no froth. Without it I've been able to get a really nice froth.

No longer in the market

I was married to my second wife for almost twenty years. I've had my car for about twenty one years now. But my longest relationship in this life was with my Cappucino Machine - over twenty five years. So you can appreciate that I was upset when my Riviera finally broke for good. Actually that's not completely true. I could possibly have gotten it fixed yet again. But the machine is out of production. Some parts are still available but not all. One of the parts no longer available is one of the seals. The result of that missing seal has been that for about a year now when I try to make my daily cappucino it would spray boiling water in my face. Not a good feature. I would drape a paper towel over it so as to intercept the spray. It leaked elsewhere too. It still looked cool of course. Solid crome over solid brass with a pressure dial and an eagle on top. The last time I saw one on sale they were well over a thousand dollars. But in fact it was the maintenance that cost a lot not just the initial purchase price. I had sent it into the shop every two years for new seals. Each trip was about $150. So a week or so ago when it wouldn't turn on - probably a switch again - I called it quits. I resolved to get a new machine. I expected to spend about $800 (the cost of a new Pavoni). To my delight it looked as though I could get a "starter" automatic machine for only about $400. But as it happens my twenty year old car needed a new transmission and that cost $4,000. So I decided to get some sort of interim machine for now until my finances recovered. I knew as soon as I openned the box that I wouldn't send it back. That was because I immediately dropped the glass carafe on the kitchen floor, shattering it into a million shards. The other problem was that the directions require you to measure the water in that carafe. So I had to improvise my brewing procedure. Fortunately this is a truly simple machine. I have devised a procedure that makes a wonderful cappucino. I am no longer in the market for a more expensive machine. Like the song says "Ich habe genug". Considering what I have been accustomed to spending on my morning coffee, this machine is really cheap. I could just throw it away every year and buy a new one and still come out ahead. It is almost a disposable cappucino maker. My former machine, the Riviera, was all metal. This machine is all plastic. You could sneak it through a metal detector. It is very lightly built. But I think nevertheless that it will last. My sold brass Riviera had a big boiler that took a while to come up to temperature. I would turn it on first thing in the morning and leave it on all day. That meant that the rubber seals inside cooked all day. That's why I had to have them replaced nearly every year. This little machine has a little boiler that heats up fast. I fill it with water and turn it on. Then I quickly find a cup, get out the milk, grind the beans and tamp. These actions take about five minutes at which time the coffee starts coming out. When there's enough (but not too much) I switch it to steam and froth the milk. Then - and this is the important point - I turn it off. It takes me about six minutes to make a cappucino. The Mr. Coffee is only on for those six minutes. It makes a great cup of Joe. It has only one flaw. Chicks are not impressed with it the way they always were with my gleaming chrome Riviera.

Best little machine I have ever used.

I read the reviews and decided to give it a go. I have used many expresso machines, pump drive and drip like this one. I have an Ascaso Dream and believe it or not, I like this one better. This is why. * Someone wrote that the foam was really tight and they were right it is. The foam is really a nice consistency. * It heats water and drips quickly. What I really like about this machine is the knob has to be turned either to make expresso or steam the milk with the middle being off. There is absolutely no way to leave this machine by accident. I have done that and in retrospect, that is why I keep burning them up. * Also, after steaming milk, I clean the stainless frother with a sponge. The steam is very hot and I sterile my kitchen sponge every morning with the steam. Works great... Hope this helps.

Great espresso machine! Recommended!

Ignore all the naysayers! This was my first espresso machine I purchased. And I learned a lot! This machine make great coffee! You just need to learn how to make it correctly and use good quality coffee beans. It does not break easy, you just need to take good care of it! Overall, I loved this espresso machine! It also made me want to spend more money and get a better one. I recommend this espresso machine!

TERRIFIC ESPRESSO COFFEE MAKER

MR. COFFEE ECM160 IS A TERRRRRRFIC ESPRESSO COFFEE MAKER. YOU DON'T NEED TO SPEND YOUR MONEY ON A MORE EXPENSIVE ESPRESSO COFFEE MAKER. A WELL DESERVED EXCELLENT REVIEW FOR THOSE COFFEE LOVERS WHO LOVES TO DRINK A CUP OF JAVA IN THE MORNING. YOU CAN MAKE YOUR COFFEE ANY WAY YOU LIKE IT, STRONG OR SMOOTH TO YOUR TASTE. TOBY LIKES SMOOTH ESPRESSO COFFEE BY FOR INSTANCE FILLING THE STAINLESS STEEL WATER RESERVOIR CONTAINER IN THE BACK OF THIS COFFEE MAKER WITH A BOTTLE OF WATER AND THEN FILL THE COFFEE BASKET USING AN UNBLEACHED, BROWN COFFEE FILTER FILLED WITH VERY FINE GROUND POWDERLY LIKE "FLOUR" GROUND CONSISTENCY ESPRESSO COFFEE TO YOUR DESIRED COFFEE TASTE STRENGHT. THE RESULT IS A SOFT, SMOOTH, DELICIOUS FILL TO THE BRIM TALL CUP ESPRESSO COFFEE. FOR THOSE WITH WEIGHT PROBLEM, YOU CAN BREW VERY FINE GROUND "FLOUR" LIKE PERCOLATING COLOMBIAN ORGANIC RAW UNROASTED GREEN COFFEE BEANS TO HELP YOU LOOSE YOUR OVERWEIGHT PROBLEM BY SUPRESSING YOUR HUNGER PAINS AND CRABINGS WHILE STABILIZING YOUR BLOOD SUGAR ALL DAY LONG. YOU WILL SEE HOW YOUR FAT PROBLEM WILL MELT AWAY FAST. YOU CAN BUY ORGANIC RAW GREEN COLOMBIAN COFFEE BEANS FROM eBAY. A 25 POUNDS ORGANIC RAW UNROASTED GREEN COLOMBIAN COFFEE BEANS WILL COST YOU ABOUT $132.00+$28.00 FOR SHIPPING COST. HOW DOES GREEN COFFEE TASTE? IT TASTES LIKE TEA WITH LITTLE OR NO CAFFEINE SIDE EFFECTS. YOU WILL LIKE IT. TRY IT. IT IS WORTH LOOSING THOSE UNWANTED POUNDS FOR THOSE ROMANTIC MOMENTS YOU LOVE TO SHARE WITH A FAITHFULL FRIEND; HOPEFULLY, YOUR HUSBAND OR WIFE. GOD BLESS YOU ALL. JESUS IS COMING SOON IN THE RAPTURE FOR HIS BRIDE IN THE CHURCH OF FAITHFULL BELIEVERS WAITING FOR HIS PROMISED COMING IN THESE LAST DAYS. TOBY RODRIGUEZ FROM MIAMI, FLORIDA.

but it looks like it will work fine

This was my birthday present to myself, and I am thrilled. My parents have a higher quality one that i use constantly when I am at their home, and when they thwarted my attempts to sneak theirs into my house I decided to buy this one. It works very well! I haven't tried the milk frother yet as I'm still drinking cold coffee a summer end, but it looks like it will work fine. The only minor bummer is the reservoir cap doesn't have a pressure release thing, but it's pretty easy to release the pressure safely so this detail is very minor! For a cheaper product on the market this works fabulously!

I actually think it is quite user friendly and easy to operate after spending a little time reading the ...

I hesitated to order this when I saw the reviews, but now it's clear that most low ratings were from purchasers who expected too much from a bargain-priced machine or clearly did not read the instruction manual before operating it. I actually think it is quite user friendly and easy to operate after spending a little time reading the instructions. The handle did feel tight at first, as mentioned it might in the manual, but has gradually loosened up. It's important to clean the steamer after each use, which is easy enough. I just let the pressure release through the steamer after unplugging the machine and then wipe it with a mild cleaning detergent. Anyway, I love this thing! Highly recommend for first time espresso machine buyers or cheap folk like me.

I love it a Latte!

I suspect this product is keeping Mr. Coffee in business. You cannot expect a product at this price to perform well, yet this machine has not let me down. I have made a latte daily in my own house since 1998; usually two or three. A day. I have no shame. I have owned a variety of expensive machines, including pump machines. The volume at which they operate is ridiculous. Next door neighbors should not be able to HEAR you simply making coffee! The Mr.Coffee model shocked me when I gave it a try about five years ago. I could not believe how well it worked and at such a quiet volume. It makes a lovely latte and perfect foam. I am certain the machine was never designed for the use ...er ...abuse I put it through. After my two to three a day habit, the machine gives out in about 6 months. That's okay by me! For the price, it does not bother me to replace it. Also, be mindful that the first five or so drinks in the new machine may have a slight metallic/plastic taste. This is normal with this (and other) machines. It will go away.

very nice for the price

Given the price of this machine I was very hesitant to try it but we were pleasantly surprised! Makes decent espresso, I get crema every time, easy to use and clean. If you take the plastic frothing aid off the steaming wand I found it much easier to use and makes fabulous foam! There is a lot that goes into making good espresso including learning your machine, the freshness of the beans, the proper ground and tamp. Fit the people that have this machine such a poor reviewiI am assuming they didn't use it enough to get used to it and experiment with the different factors. My only negatives for this machine are that you cannot steam while it is brewing and there is way to see if there is water in the resivoir. These are not deal breakers for me, just personal preferences.

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