Dolce Gusto Coffee Machine

After using the Ariete Cafe Prestige daily for 2 years it finally conked out. I must say that I made some really great espresso drinks for those two years. I have had 3 other machines prior to this one but it has been the best. I researched buying a different machine to replace it but finally decided to get the same one again. For the price I would say it is a good investment. This time I am alo buying the Lello bur grinder as well. I considered another one with a timer, built in grinder and a few other perks for nearly 3X as much. But decided I would be really bumbed if it broke after 2 years. It is true you need to wait at least 10-15 minutes for it to warm up and get the best crema. The steamer wand needs to be clean to get good foam. I found a pokey thing under the water container that works to clean the steamer wand and the basket holes. Wish I found it earlier. I received the Cafe Prestige in January from Amazon. I've been using it for three months now and I would estimate that I've pulled a couple hundred double shots for myself and friends, so I think I have used it enough to give an accurate review of the performance of different aspects of the machine, if perhaps not the reliability. The pressurized portafilter: This has what Ariete calls its "Thermocream" system, which is a special portafilter designed to ensure good crema on your espresso by introducing air into the brewing process and regulating the pressure as the coffee is extracted. In the Cafe Prestige this is made of two part: a double-layer filter basket with only a single hole for the liquid to pass through, and a black plastic piece that is attached to the portafilter with a screw. This is great if you like to use pre-ground coffee and don't want to bother learning the nuances of grinding and tamping, because it essentially removes control of the extraction pressure and time from the hands of the user. Depending on your taste, this might produce acceptable shots, and can certainly do the job for a cap or latte. When using the pressurized filter basket I got the best results with a fine espresso grind and a very light tamp. I would tamp just a bit harder when making milk drinks to bring out some more flavor. Any harder tamping and the water would find channels through the espresso and over-extract some parts, leaving a bitter and undrinkable shot. All of the shots I pulled with the pressurized filter were thin and underextracted, only taking about 10-15 seconds. I was occasionally able to pull a tasty and well-balanced shot, but it wasn't repeatable and left me looking for something better. As it turns out, you can upgrade this to a commercial portafilter. The La Pavoni Millenium Edition MP-68 (51mm) filter basket fits the bill. I found it at an online espresso parts supplier. You just need to flatten the rounded lip with a hammer and it fits like a charm. Don't forget to take out the aforementioned black plastic piece as well, or it will still build up pressure and won't work the way you want it to. I just got one a couple weeks ago and it is blew me away how it transforms this machine. Get a decent tamper as well, and don't be discouraged if your first few shots come out horrible. The difference in body is ridiculous. I'm getting thick syrupy shots with more crema and sweetness. I'm still learning to get the grind (seems to be very fine for a 25-30 sec shot) and tamp right to balance out the shot, but the difference is incredible. Seriously, if you love coffee, give the commercial filter basket a shot. The thermoblock heater: Not too impressed here! I didn't know when I bought this that generally termoblocks are bad and true boilers are better. It leads to some major inconsistency in water temp and can be frustrating, but I've learned to work with it. The milk frother: Also very inconsistent, and too short! You'll only be able to use a 12oz. pitcher successfully if you're interested in microfoam. Also, toss the frothing attachment. I only got flat foam with huge bubbles when using the attachment. Microfoam, or something close, is possible with patience. Very cold whole milk makes it easier. Latte art is difficult because it takes so long to froth the milk that by the time it's done the crema has hardened and will just float on top. The water tank: It's handy that it's removable but mine, like some other reviewers' I have read, arrived cracked. However, the people at Lello were super nice and sent me a new one within a week free of charge. Their contact info is in the reviews here. The drip tray: As others have said, it does corrode right away. At first I thought it was mold, but apparently the acids in the coffee react with whatever the drip tray is made from (not stainless). Go figure. It doesn't really bother me because you can't even see it. Overall, this is a great starter machine, especially with the commercial portafilter upgrade. It's usually cheap here on Amazon (the price seems to fluctuate daily, so keep a lookout for the best deal) and if you're like me it will start you on a mission to max out what it can do. Pair it with a good burr grinder and some great beans and it's probably capable of making the best coffee you've ever had (unless you're super privileged). Now that's a steal!. I am back for my second machine! We purchased this espresso machine 18 months ago and it just stopped working this morning so we ordered another one. Like my husband says, for the price it isn't worth trying to fix it and we went for another one because I make ALOT of coffee and this machine worked and worked and worked. Is it the best on the market? Probably not. Is it the sexiest? No. It is an excellent, basic workhorse of a machine. received a used one of these from a friend who was moving and did not need it, and it has changed my life! well, mornings are so nice when you can make your own cappucino. I am continually impressed. a real solid machine, plus mine came with no directions, which is just not a problem, because it is so intuitive. A major defect: the inside of the dripping pan has a lousy chrome layer and corrodes very fast. I would recommend coating it with some protective layer when new. A couple of other recommendations: if you want to steam milk, first let the steam eject the water in the system, otherwise you will be adding several tablespoons of water to your milk. Unless your coffee is ground fairly coarse, wait a minute or so before removing the pod after you finished brewing your cup, otherwise the accumulated pressure will have not yet dissipated and will send coffee grinds flying.. 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