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Brand: Briel
Category: Kitchen
This item is no longer available
Avg. Customer Rating:  41 reviews
Sales Rank: 173004
Color: White
Number Of Items: 1
Batteries Included: No
Shipping Weight (lbs): 10
Dimensions (in): 12.5 x 10.5 x 8.4
MPN: ES15WF
Model: ES15WF
UPC: 786818002152
EAN: 0786818002152
ASIN: B00006JL0T
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| Customer Reviews:
 Great Pump-based Espresso Machine -- for the price... June 20, 2005
18 out of 18 found this review helpful
I've owned the Briel Lido for about two years now and I can say that it's the a phenomenal espresso machine for the price. You can't purchase another effective pump-centric machine for any less than this. It is capable of reliably producing fine espresso with beautiful crema and frothed milk to match -- with a few caveats...
Caveat 1: You'll need to buy an aftermarket non-pressurized portafilter. The pressurized portafilter that it comes with is how it "guarantees" crema -- even with stale beans. It may work for a while, but I found that in order for it to produce consistent results over time, it needs constant maintenance (cleaning) and adjusting (via the tightening screw at the bottom to regulate pre-release pressure). A non-pressurized aftermarket portafilter means you'll have to properly grind (or purchase properly ground) coffee and learn how to tamp the coffee with the right amount of pressure so you can consistently produce a good pull. Forget purchasing a fancy tamper unless you just like to "look" professional. The plastic disc with handle that it comes with does fine as a tamper... like anything else, you just need to put in the time to learn it.
Caveat 2: Pull all your espresso shots for as many drinks as you're serving BEFORE you froth your milk. Since this machine uses one heater element to both produce pressurized water for espresso pulling and dry-steam for milk frothing, you won't be able to pull a decent espresso shot without drawing a burnt taste after frothing milk... at least not until the machine cools down sufficiently, which can take quite some time.
Caveat 3: You must clean the machine regularly if you don't do an empty "cleaning" pull after you're done pulling your espresso shots. Residual oils from the coffee will build up and turn rancid contaminating your espresso over time. You'll notice this rancidness in your espresso shots when you're into the 2nd month, if you do absolutely no maintenance and/or cleaning. Don't blame it on the beans or the water as it's more than likely that you're machine just needs cleaning.
Two years into owning this thing and it still cranks out great espresso. What's happened since I bought the machine? The silkscreen on the top is now a bit worn, especially around the steam knob/lever. The steam knob/lever control has progressively slipped over time. It functions just fine, but is now off the original graphic marks that is on the machine.
That's it. It's a great machine, still pulling great espresso and rich, frothy milk for me. If you can't deal with all the work involved in pulling a good espresso shot with this machine, I'd suggest you try one of the semi-automatics or automatics up the range... say maybe one of the Saeco's, Gaggia's, or La Pavoni's. If you're willing to work within the tools provided by this machine and you purchase quality espresso-oriented coffee blends, it's guaranteed to be able to provide superb espresso and espresso-based drinks -- substantially better than any major chain and on-par with any professional barrista-led cafe.
Unbelievable for the price! January 21, 2005
8 out of 9 found this review helpful
The only reason I give this 4 stars instead of 5 is that the little strainer that the coffee grinds go into has notches on the sides that are supposed to hold it in place in the funnel thing that the coffee drips from, unfortunately when you twist the funnel on/off the unit, the strainer ends up twisting too and is quite difficult to get out of the funnel thing to clean out, I usually have to pry it out with a flat screwdriver. Other than that, I have no problems with this unit and it makes awesome expresso. My in-laws are from Italy originally and they asked me to get one for them for the holidays. They give the expresso two thumbs up! All in all, for less than $200 you get a machine that makes great expresso with an excellent crema, has plenty of pressure to make great cappucino and frothed milk, workes quickly (2 cups in about 30 seconds or so) and looks great on the counter. The problem with the strainer is minor in order to receive the other benefits of the unit. I will be calling the manufacturer to see if they have a fix for the problem, I'll update this review at that time.
 Poor performance with problems! January 17, 2005
9 out of 9 found this review helpful
The first few cups were good then there were issues with the seal for the cup and I started to get leaks. Now after about 1 month of use the steam is blowing out through the cup holder area and makes a complete mess. I have seen this issue in other posts and now mine has done the same. Also the steamer valve is too close to the counter and makes it hard to get a cup or small pitcher underneath for frothing. I am having to return this item after only owning it for 1 month so be aware of the issues if you are planning on purchasing this one.
You Get What You Pay For January 11, 2005
10 out of 10 found this review helpful
Based on the positive reviews here, I put this on my wife's Xmas shopping list for me. I'm a Lusophile and do whatever I can to support Portuguese enterprises. So I wanted very much for this product to work for the unbelievably low pump-drive price of $129. Wrong, all wrong! At $129, it delivers the same quality--poor quality--espresso as the non-pump-drive espresso units of about the same price. That is, the shots were weak and watery, the two-shot basket was too small for two shots, the steamer was awkwardly located and required meticulous angle calculation to get inside a steamer pitcher, and the basket and holder are so low a standard espresso cup has to be kept at an angle to get under it and filled. A call to the only number listed in the manual, a resupplier, to find out why I couldn't get a thick, strong shot, won me a confusing conversation with someone who had less idea than most people, including me, about what to do. I gave it my best shot, now I'm returning it. Altogether a very unsatisfactory espresso experience. You care enough to get this, spend another $70 and get a Gaggia.
 worked well the stopped a bit. November 28, 2004
4 out of 6 found this review helpful
this machine worked great for @ 7 months. The it started shooting steam out through the area where the coffee was meant to be espressed out--so the steamer lost pressure. i feel the market for espresso machines of this kind/low price is indicative of what you will get--good performance for a time and then a fade away.
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