alonovo.com (beta 2.0)

Disappointing 2010-07-20

Reviewer: K. Steinmeyer

You really do get what you pay for with this machine. So I can't complain too much because it was so cheap, but... it is SO cheaply made that it might not last you as long as you'd like.

I actually can't speak much of the espresso maker, as I only used it twice. All parts for it worked and made fine espresso, but the main reason I got it was for the coffee maker portion (thinking sometimes I'd make espresso drinks for company but I always ended up being too lazy).

The machine itself worked, but the parts are such cheap plastic that they break SO easily. Within the first week, the lid to the coffee maker portion on my machine just snapped. It wasn't that big of a deal because the lid could still rest on top and it still made coffee.

The carafe's lid refused to stay down when pouring (a side of it also snapped), meaning I had to pour my coffee over a mug in the sink to catch spills. The water reservoir is removable, but it's hard to get off and REALLY hard to put back on so I never really bothered (you don't really have to remove it, I just wanted to rinse it out/clean it a little).

The machine broke entirely after 7 months of near-daily use. (The espresso side of the machine might still work, but the coffee side is kapoot). The showerhead (the wand that sprays the water onto the coffee) just popped out of its socket and I can't get it back in, so there's no way to make coffee. The parts on the machine are just a cheap plastic and so I'm not surprised it broke after 7 months.

If I were to do it again I would drop a bit more money on a machine like this, or buy them separately. It wasn't worth the money because I had to go out and buy a new one anyway.

Love It 2010-07-13

Reviewer: M. Mauldin

I was given this combo unit for Christmas and I love it. The coffee is tastes better than the last two machines I used. I love the convenience of still only having one unit. I hesitated to buy an Espresso Machine because I didn't want it buried in cabinets with all the other appliances I don't use. So because it is on the counter I use it daily. Great Buy!

Mr. Coffee ECM21 Coffeemaker/Espresso Machine 2010-06-26

Reviewer: Joseph Murphy

Purchased the Mr. Coffee ECM21 Coffeemaker/Espresso Macine to replace just a coffee maker. Wanter espresso capability. Although researched many brands, chose this one because of the cheaper cost (didn't want to spend a fortune) and the many reviews, most very positive. As for coffee, it makes a good pot and its hot and stays pretty warm on the warming. The removeable water reservoir is a plus for filling with water. The cone filter holder, also removeable is a plus. However, the decantor for the Coffee is a very poor design and when pouring from it, it will leak unless you poor very cafefully and slow. I must put a towel under it or pour over the sink. As for the espresso, it makes a good cup of expresso and the frothing tube moves out of the way. For a frothing pitcher it must be at least 5 inches high for the tube to fit in. Overall am pleased with the maching except for the decantor. Would recommend this one. Would of rated it 5 stars if it wasn't for the coffee decantor.

get something that does one thing well. 2010-06-26

Reviewer: Evelyn Toll

I was excited when my coffee maker arrived and started to set it. up. The directions said to run water through it to clean it out first. So I did the coffee maker side then started in on the espresso side. The water came out looking like I had just brewed coffee. It was so dark. I probably ran it through 20 - 30 times before I was satisifed that there was no more sludge or residue coming through. It took me 2 days of running it anytime I was in the kitchen.

The espresso is okay. I have to heat milk in the microwave before frothing it to get it hot enough because it is just not that hot coming out.

If I had it to do again I would not get a combo. I would do one or the other and get a machine that does one thing well as opposed to 2 things with mediocrity.

WE LOVE OURS 2010-05-27

Reviewer: Stephen August

WE PURCHASED OURS ABOUT 1 MONTH AGO. SINCE THEN HAVE PREPARD ABOUT 45 EXPRESSO'S AND IT WORKS GREAT. WE HAVE HAD 0 PROBLEMS TO REPORT AND THE COFFEE POT WORKS GREAT ALSO