Imagine a cup of your favorite espresso, cappuccino or latte – hot, rich, fresh and flavorful- anytime you want it. The stainless steel Cuisinart Espresso Maker is the real thing and looks like the professional it is. Make espresso in your own kitchen, then use the stainless steam nozzle and frothing cup to turn it into cappuccino or latte. You can even heat the cups on the warming plate on top-just like the pros! 15 bars of pressure guarantee perfect results!
From the Manufacturer
The Cuisinart EM-100 Espresso Maker
The Cuisinart EM-100 espresso maker
Cuisinart lets you prepare gourmet quality espresso at home! With a system that allows you to pre-select serving size, 15 bars of pressure for maximum flavor and the option of using ground espresso or pods, you’re in control. A separate steam function and stainless steel nozzle make it easy to froth milk for cappuccinos and smooth lattes. With a removable drip tray and cover, and a filter holder with a locking mechanism clean up is quick and easy.
The Quest for a Perfect Espresso
It is generally agreed that there are four basic elements critical to the perfect cup:
Element 1: WATER
When brewing espresso, make sure the water flows through the filter at the correct pace. The water flow can be adjusted by varying the pressure with which the coffee is taped in the filter or by altering the grind of coffee. If the speed of the water is slow the coffee will be over extracted and will be very dark and bitter, with a spotted and uneven creme (froth) on the top. If the speed of the water flow is too fast, the coffee will be under-extracted and the supreme flavor will not develop. The coffee will be diluted and there will be an inadequate amount of crème on the top.
Element 2: COFFEE
While the bulk of the liquid is water, all of the flavor should be from the coffee. To achieve the same great quality of coffee you receive at a cafe, you need to use the same quality beans. If you choose to grind your own beans, buy the beans fresh and whole, only about a two week supply at a time for maximum freshness. Once the coffee bean is broken, its flavor degrades very quickly. If it is not practical to buy smaller supplies, we recommend you separate larger amounts of beans and store them in airtight containers in a cool, dry area. They should not be kept for longer than 1 month as flavor will diminish. Do not refrigerate or freeze coffee beans.
Element 3: GRIND
The grind of the coffee is critical for proper flavor extraction. If using a pre-ground coffee, be sure to purchase an espresso grind that is specifically for espresso/cappuccino machines. If the grind is too fine, over extraction and bitterness will occur with a spotted and uneven crema on top. If the grind is too coarse, the water will pass through too rapidly and there will be an inadequate amount of crema on the top of the espresso.
Element 4: TAMPING THE COFFEE GROUNDS
If you choose to use ground espresso instead of pods, tamping the coffee is a very important part of the coffee making process. Use the scoop supplied to fill the filter basket, then using the tamping tool, tamp down the grounds with moderate pressure. Add more coffee and tamp again if necessary to bring coffee to level. Do not overfill the filter basket. The ground coffee should be tamped with moderate pressure. If the coffee is not tamped securely, there is a chance the water will flow through the coffee to rapidly and the coffee will be under-extracted. Note: if the coffee is tamped too firmly, the water will flow through the coffee too slowly and the coffee will be over-extracted.
The combination coffee scoop/tamping tool.
Features and Benefits
Cup warming plate. Multi-function knob. Water reservoir lid Removable 53-ounce water reservoir Large cup warming plate 15-bar pump Heating light: Will illuminate indicating that espresso machine is adjusting the temperature of the heating system. Steam/Hot water knob: To use the hot water function, the Steam/Hot Water Knob must be turned the ‘double drip’ setting. Function knob: Three settings – steam, hot water, make coffee. Portafilter holder: Can be used with ground or pod espresso. Has two positions, lock and unlock, for ease of cleaning. Brew head: For easy fit of the portafilter holder. Commercial steam wand: Use to steam milk for cappuccinos and lattes. Removable drip tray: Removable drip tray with grate. Cleaning pins: Used to clean any excess milk that gets stuck inside the steam wand or any coffee particles that get stuck inside the filter basket. Stainless frothing pitcher: Used for steaming milk for cappuccinos and lattes. Measuring scoop/tamping tool: Use one side as a coffee scoop and the other to compact the coffee grounds in the filter basket prior to brewing. Filter baskets: Use the one cup filter for a single espresso and the two cup filter basket for the double espresso, and the pod filter basket for espresso pods.
Guide to the Perfect Espresso
You may want to preheat the cups by filling them with hot water; this will help preserve the crema of the espresso. Set the cups aside. Select the appropriate filter basket and insert it in the portafilter handle. Using the measuring scoop place finely ground coffee in the filter basket holder. Use one scoop for one cup and two scoops for two cups, or place espresso pod into filter basket holder. Rest the portafilter handle with the filter basket in position on the countertop. Using the tamping tool, apply moderate packing pressure. Add more coffee and tamp again if necessary to bring coffee to level. Brush any excess grounds form around the edge of the filter basket. Secure the portafilter holder onto the brew head. Check to see if the espresso machine is ready for use. Remember that if the heating light is on, the espresso machine is still adjusting the temperature of the heating system. Turn the function knob clockwise to the picture of the cup espresso setting to start the pour and turn it back to the off position to stop. Check the espresso pour and serve immediately. Milk steaming wand. Guide to Milk Texturing
Milk texturing is the steaming of milk. The steam does two things: it heats the milk and mixes air with the milk to form a creamy texture. As with learning to make an espresso, perfecting the art of milk texturing takes time and practice. Easy to follow steps are outlined in the Instruction Booklet.
Using the Hot Water Function
When using the hot water function make sure that the steam/hot water knob is in the double drip hot water setting.
Place the cup or container under the steam/hot water nozzle and turn the function knob to the steam/hot water setting. Once you have dispensed the required amount, stop the hot water by turning the function knob to the off position. Remove the cup or container and swing the steam/hot water wand over the drip tray to catch any drips of water.
Product Features
- Espresso maker with 15 bars of pressure for perfect coffee drinks
- Brews 1 to 2 cups from either ground espresso or pods
- 53-ounce removable reservoir; porta-filter holder; cup-warming plate.UC Cubic Feet: 1.04
- Steam nozzle; frothing cup; removable drip tray; tamping tool included
- Product Built to North American Electrical Standards
- Note : Please check user manual ( Page number 2 and 3), trouble shooting document and Video for set up and trouble shooting steps for the usage and set up instructions for smooth usage of the product.
Modifications => GREAT MACHINE With a few improvements this machine competes with $400+ machines. The single-wall filter basket is a huge improvement over the pressurized filter. Drilling out the bottom of the portafilter holder results in more crema. The steam wand is an easy fix for anyone who is mechanically inclined. It’s also a good idea to have an extra group seal on hand. Also, clean the machine every 6 months or so with citric acid or the Keurig cleaning solution. I use 1/4 cup or so in a tank, run it through and let…
Very disappointed with EM-200 Espresso Maker and the customer service! I usually don’t write reviews, because I just don’t have time for it, but this time I decided to write one. We were very happy with the product when just got it, but in about a year or even less the steam wand broke. We were told to ship the whole machine back to the company for the repair, so we did. They “fixed” it and sent it back to us in a few weeks. After they “fixed” the steam wand, it started making a very loud noise while frothing the milk, that it wasn’t making it…
Plastic connector for steam wand will fail! NOT WORTH 1 Star. Great machine if you DON”T use the steam wand!2nd machine to have steam wand fall out! Poor design, wand connector is made of Plastic!! 1st lasted 9 months the second lasted only 6!! Sorry I LOVE a real cappuccino so I NEED the steam wand to work! I tried to be ever so careful with the second one but it didn’t matter! Buy the Espresso Machine Aicok, Cappuccino and Latte Coffee Maker, 15 Bar Espresso Maker with Independent Milk Frother, Stainless Steel Coffee…