Mr. Coffee ECM20 Steam Espresso Maker
I picked this product up at a local store for mid $20's after getting sick of making my coffee with a stove top espresso machine. I couldn't see spending $100+ for something conceptually as simple as an espresso machine. I know someone who got a simple Krupps machine for about $40 years ago and it still works just great. But since I couldn't find anything else in the sub $40 range, I settled on this one.
It makes a fine cup of coffee if you just want to use prepackaged coffee grinds or you use a basic coarse to medium grind. BUT, when I tried to use a very fine grained "espresso" grind on my beans, almost nothing came out. It seems that too fine a grind stops up the filter holes and the machine just doesn't have the oomph to force the water/steam through.
Also, it does suffer from
- a very difficult to turn knob (don't get this product if you have arthritis)
- a caraf lid that won't stay on let alone stay properly oriented
So basically, it's good for making a medium to fairly strong cup of coffee (by my subjective measure), but if you really want something strong and sludgy, this machine won't do the trick unless you want to wait for an hour for it to eventually push enough liquid through.
I guess now I understand why espresso machines aren't cheap. Years of using a really simple stovetop espresso maker led me to believe that they're really simple machines. But perhaps when you try to package it up as an appliance it isn't so straight forward.
As other reviewer says, main knob is difficult to turn, and the
reservoir lid is very difficult to use according to the
instructions (which say to make sure it is very tight).
2 other things, which IMO are more serious problems. (1) The
product is not made very hot. Something is wrong with the design.
I have had "hot" espresso before, but it is impossible to get hot
espresso from this thing. Immediately after brewing, it is "warm".
If you let it sit in the maker for 10 minutes, it's "luke warm".
(2) The flimsy handle of the caraffe "falls apart". We are now
ordering our second replacment from the mfg.
I used to have an espresso machine that I loved (don't recall the brand) It was quite old and finally gave out a little while ago. I have wanted to purchase a replacement, but just never quite got around to it. I stumbled on this one on sale for about $26, and figured it wouldn't be great - but figured that it would "get the job done".
The knob on the side to turn the machine on and switch between brewing the espresso and steaming the milk is horribly difficult to turn. The conical shape of the water tank cap makes it very difficult to twist on or off. All in all, it feels very poorly (cheaply) constructed.
I can get around most any inconvenience in most any product and I don't like returning things. That being said - this machine was so horrible that after one use, it went back into the box and back to the retailer.
First of all....
CONS
- Neither it makes good espresso or cappucino with its present design (so, if this what you want it for...DON'T BUY IT)
- does not heat up your espresso or coffee with the steamer / frother, it is a piece of junk
- very hard to turn the knob
Pros
- makes excellent lattes
- no need for filters
But if you like strong coffee (lighter than espresso) or caffe latte (adding milk to the brew) this does a very good job. Better than all the other coffee machines I have used ($15 - $25 ones you find at walmart)
My wife likes only lattes (with stong brew and milk), she never used to like it from any other coffee maker. But this was an instant hit with her.
One hint - you do have to REGRIND the coffee powder you buy off the shelf to get the thick strong brew. This is the way to check it - If the coffee drips ar more than half a cup in one minute, your powder is too coarse, you need a finer grind.
This makes excellent Madras Kaapi (might help any south Indian from tamilnadu)
I couldn't believe the price on this unit ... and I can't believe the great expresso that it produces!
I've made a latte every morning for about 2 months now ... much better than a charbucks, and I've saved about $200.
I have my own stainless steel container for the steamed milk, and had to get a tamper. Use good coffee beans and good milk and you won't have any problems.
Highly recommended.
Given this costed in the 20's, there was no expectation on my part. My main goal was to break even by making more than 15 espresso drinks before it broke. Well, I made more than 30 now. And it is still working. The knob on mine is not too tight to turn, and the handle is still in its place. I made Latte and Americano, Americano most of the time, but it makes very good Americano. Even better than some Espresso stands, given you can get to pick the coffee you use. The quality of the Espresso varies obviously by the beans you use, and the coarseness of your grind. I am very satisfied with the machine.
This unit is cheap, poorly designed, and it is understandable why it costs a measly twenty-some bucks. I also found that the coffee it produced, be it espresso or otherwise, had a slight pewter or metallic taste to it. I held on to it for a couple months with periodic use but finally the frother stem ceased to work despite cleaning and tampering.
I've had two of these machines. The first was replaced thinking I'd gotten the lemon and the second would be better. HaHAHAA Here's the progression of dissatisfaction:
first, the top is hard to open, especially if you tighten it like the manual tells you. The knob is hard to twist to even turn the machine on. After a few uses, the outer part of the handle will break off. After a few more uses the clips holding the lid will break off, rendering the lid to the pot useless. Then the rest of the handle will break off about the same time the handle to the filter basket gives way. If you're stubborn and still need espresso like I did and keep using the piece of junk anyway the glass pot will break.
Both machines I've had did this, I don't think I got the two lemons MrCoffee made.
I'm not sure if it was user error so I'll add as a footnote that I also had a problem with main water reservoir. I had to make sure it was completely drained or the water would turn a chalky mineral white. I'm not sure what that was about, I've used two different cities' municipal water and rural well water and had the problem at each location. Once I also had the steamer vacuum rather than blow steam. It sucked up my milk I was intending to froth and made it a complete mess.
As far as I'm concerned Mr Coffee espresso machines are junk. I'm ordering something else this time.
I have read so many negative reviews of this wonderful little moka machine, I must put in my 2 cents. First, this is a stream machine, meaning it makes moka not espresso. If you like Bialetti but want cappuccino instead of cafe latte, then this is perfect. The grind must be close to espresso, finer than for Bialetti, and you must tamp it down, but no tamper included. There is only 1 knob, yes it is stiff, but i don't have arthritis. The round design makes it easy to handle even though it is very light. It descales with...vinegar! How about that, actually a traditional machine. The panarello works, just put in extra "cup" of water for steaming. Make 2 "cups", not 1 or 4, and always start with cold machine, or use very, very cold water. Stop the brewing as soon as moka hits 2 "cups" or it starts to steam instead of brew, then switch the knob to steam for the milk. If you don't, coffee will taste slightly burned. I have owned espresso and moka machines from USD5 to USD1,000 over a period of 40 years. If you like moka, don't waste money on anything more expensive. But, like any machine, read the manual, and experiment if things don't work the way you want. Finally, garbage in garbage out. If you want great cappuccino, use good organic coffee and organic milk.
One of the biggest complaints with this machine is that the reservoir lid is difficult to open. The manual tells you to release the remaining pressure by turning to either coffee or steamer. Then it opens easily. The knob to select steamer, off, coffee gets easier to use once it is broken in, but I agree, if your hands are not dry, it is a bit slippery.
The manual also gives clear details how to make different types of coffees and a troubleshooter. The frother makes long-lasting tasty foam, and I found the coffee to be plenty hot. I cools quickly because there is no hot plate to keep it warm, but you are only making one cup at a time--why wouldn't you drink it right away?
The coffee I liked in my previous coffee maker didn't taste the same in this machine. I had to experiment with a variety of brands and finally decided on Bustello. Someone else I talked to raved about LaVazza, but I didn't share her enthusiasm for the taste. It's all about individual preference.
I like that with one machine, My husband can make his espresso, and I can have my weaker American style coffee by simply adjusting the amount of coffee vs the water.
I have had my machine almost 6 months and my handles have not broken. Perhaps the other folks contributed to theirs breaking by banging the coffee basket against something to release the grounds. This may have weakened the handle? The glass is thin and you do need to take reasonable care not to break it. The metal parts are not Stainless Steel (except the inner grounds basket)and I found the finish on the frothing tube began wearing off (to what looks like brass or copper? )when I used a scrubby to clean off the dried milk. I have since steamed water with it right after use, use only a sponge and finger nail to clean and have not noticed more wear.
This machine is the same one sold at Walmart as Mr. Coffee (same model #)for $25 and at Walgreen as Signature Gourmet for $20 (the one I bought). It is not going to be made with the finest materials, Folks!
It does make very good coffee, is extremely affordable, simple to use, takes up minimal space on your counter and has held up almost 6 months so far. That's why I gave it 5 stars
One of the biggest complaints with this machine is that the reservoir lid is difficult to open. The manual tells you to release the remaining pressure by turning to either coffee or steamer. Then it opens easily. The knob to select steamer, off, coffee gets easier to use once it is broken in, but I agree, if your hands are not dry, it is a bit slippery.
The manual also gives clear details how to make different types of coffees and a troubleshooter. The frother makes long-lasting tasty foam, and I found the coffee to be plenty hot. I cools quickly because there is no hot plate to keep it warm, but you are only making one cup at a time--why wouldn't you drink it right away?
The coffee I liked in my previous coffee maker didn't taste the same in this machine. I had to experiment with a variety of brands and finally decided on Bustello. Someone else I talked to raved about LaVazza, but I didn't share her enthusiasm for the taste. It's all about individual preference.
I like that with one machine, My husband can make his espresso, and I can have my weaker American style coffee by simply adjusting the amount of coffee vs the water.
I have had my machine almost 6 months and my handles have not broken. Perhaps the other folks contributed to theirs breaking by banging the coffee basket against something to release the grounds. This may have weakened the handle? The glass is thin and you do need to take reasonable care not to break it. The metal parts are not Stainless Steel (except the inner grounds basket)and I found the finish on the frothing tube began wearing off (to what looks like brass or copper? )when I used a scrubby to clean off the dried milk. I have since steamed water with it right after use, use only a sponge and finger nail to clean and have not noticed more wear.
This machine is the same one sold at Walmart as Mr. Coffee (same model #)for $25 and at Walgreen as Signature Gourmet for $20 (the one I bought). It is not going to be made with the finest materials, Folks!
It does make very good coffee, is extremely affordable, simple to use, takes up minimal space on your counter and has held up almost 6 months so far. That's why I gave it 5 stars
I couldn't believe the price on this unit ... and I can't believe the great expresso that it produces!
I've made a latte every morning for about 2 months now ... much better than a charbucks, and I've saved about $200.
I have my own stainless steel container for the steamed milk, and had to get a tamper. Use good coffee beans and good milk and you won't have any problems.
Highly recommended.
Given this costed in the 20's, there was no expectation on my part. My main goal was to break even by making more than 15 espresso drinks before it broke. Well, I made more than 30 now. And it is still working. The knob on mine is not too tight to turn, and the handle is still in its place. I made Latte and Americano, Americano most of the time, but it makes very good Americano. Even better than some Espresso stands, given you can get to pick the coffee you use. The quality of the Espresso varies obviously by the beans you use, and the coarseness of your grind. I am very satisfied with the machine.
This unit is cheap, poorly designed, and it is understandable why it costs a measly twenty-some bucks. I also found that the coffee it produced, be it espresso or otherwise, had a slight pewter or metallic taste to it. I held on to it for a couple months with periodic use but finally the frother stem ceased to work despite cleaning and tampering.
I've had two of these machines. The first was replaced thinking I'd gotten the lemon and the second would be better. HaHAHAA Here's the progression of dissatisfaction:
first, the top is hard to open, especially if you tighten it like the manual tells you. The knob is hard to twist to even turn the machine on. After a few uses, the outer part of the handle will break off. After a few more uses the clips holding the lid will break off, rendering the lid to the pot useless. Then the rest of the handle will break off about the same time the handle to the filter basket gives way. If you're stubborn and still need espresso like I did and keep using the piece of junk anyway the glass pot will break.
Both machines I've had did this, I don't think I got the two lemons MrCoffee made.
I'm not sure if it was user error so I'll add as a footnote that I also had a problem with main water reservoir. I had to make sure it was completely drained or the water would turn a chalky mineral white. I'm not sure what that was about, I've used two different cities' municipal water and rural well water and had the problem at each location. Once I also had the steamer vacuum rather than blow steam. It sucked up my milk I was intending to froth and made it a complete mess.
As far as I'm concerned Mr Coffee espresso machines are junk. I'm ordering something else this time.
I have read so many negative reviews of this wonderful little moka machine, I must put in my 2 cents. First, this is a stream machine, meaning it makes moka not espresso. If you like Bialetti but want cappuccino instead of cafe latte, then this is perfect. The grind must be close to espresso, finer than for Bialetti, and you must tamp it down, but no tamper included. There is only 1 knob, yes it is stiff, but i don't have arthritis. The round design makes it easy to handle even though it is very light. It descales with...vinegar! How about that, actually a traditional machine. The panarello works, just put in extra "cup" of water for steaming. Make 2 "cups", not 1 or 4, and always start with cold machine, or use very, very cold water. Stop the brewing as soon as moka hits 2 "cups" or it starts to steam instead of brew, then switch the knob to steam for the milk. If you don't, coffee will taste slightly burned. I have owned espresso and moka machines from USD5 to USD1,000 over a period of 40 years. If you like moka, don't waste money on anything more expensive. But, like any machine, read the manual, and experiment if things don't work the way you want. Finally, garbage in garbage out. If you want great cappuccino, use good organic coffee and organic milk.
First of all....
CONS
- Neither it makes good espresso or cappucino with its present design (so, if this what you want it for...DON'T BUY IT)
- does not heat up your espresso or coffee with the steamer / frother, it is a piece of junk
- very hard to turn the knob
Pros
- makes excellent lattes
- no need for filters
But if you like strong coffee (lighter than espresso) or caffe latte (adding milk to the brew) this does a very good job. Better than all the other coffee machines I have used ($15 - $25 ones you find at walmart)
My wife likes only lattes (with stong brew and milk), she never used to like it from any other coffee maker. But this was an instant hit with her.
One hint - you do have to REGRIND the coffee powder you buy off the shelf to get the thick strong brew. This is the way to check it - If the coffee drips ar more than half a cup in one minute, your powder is too coarse, you need a finer grind.
This makes excellent Madras Kaapi (might help any south Indian from tamilnadu)
I picked this product up at a local store for mid $20's after getting sick of making my coffee with a stove top espresso machine. I couldn't see spending $100+ for something conceptually as simple as an espresso machine. I know someone who got a simple Krupps machine for about $40 years ago and it still works just great. But since I couldn't find anything else in the sub $40 range, I settled on this one.
It makes a fine cup of coffee if you just want to use prepackaged coffee grinds or you use a basic coarse to medium grind. BUT, when I tried to use a very fine grained "espresso" grind on my beans, almost nothing came out. It seems that too fine a grind stops up the filter holes and the machine just doesn't have the oomph to force the water/steam through.
Also, it does suffer from
- a very difficult to turn knob (don't get this product if you have arthritis)
- a caraf lid that won't stay on let alone stay properly oriented
So basically, it's good for making a medium to fairly strong cup of coffee (by my subjective measure), but if you really want something strong and sludgy, this machine won't do the trick unless you want to wait for an hour for it to eventually push enough liquid through.
I guess now I understand why espresso machines aren't cheap. Years of using a really simple stovetop espresso maker led me to believe that they're really simple machines. But perhaps when you try to package it up as an appliance it isn't so straight forward.
As other reviewer says, main knob is difficult to turn, and the
reservoir lid is very difficult to use according to the
instructions (which say to make sure it is very tight).
2 other things, which IMO are more serious problems. (1) The
product is not made very hot. Something is wrong with the design.
I have had "hot" espresso before, but it is impossible to get hot
espresso from this thing. Immediately after brewing, it is "warm".
If you let it sit in the maker for 10 minutes, it's "luke warm".
(2) The flimsy handle of the caraffe "falls apart". We are now
ordering our second replacment from the mfg.
I used to have an espresso machine that I loved (don't recall the brand) It was quite old and finally gave out a little while ago. I have wanted to purchase a replacement, but just never quite got around to it. I stumbled on this one on sale for about $26, and figured it wouldn't be great - but figured that it would "get the job done".
The knob on the side to turn the machine on and switch between brewing the espresso and steaming the milk is horribly difficult to turn. The conical shape of the water tank cap makes it very difficult to twist on or off. All in all, it feels very poorly (cheaply) constructed.
I can get around most any inconvenience in most any product and I don't like returning things. That being said - this machine was so horrible that after one use, it went back into the box and back to the retailer.