This isn’t just a coffee machine it’s a work of art. Practice makes perfect.KitchenAid Artisan Espresso Machine – Design Over successive espresso runs I found that I’d got the format about right, with less coffee grains, water drips and milk slops appearing in and around the machine. You’ll need to be dextrous to get your milk pitcher into position and maintain consistency, but this is more of a familiarity thing. The steam wand works well enough, though produces quite a lot of noise as you’re frothing. I like the way you can adjust the temperature to suit your taste.Īdding steamed milk is a little bit messy, but that’s often the case with espresso machines unless you’re a seasoned pro. Even better was the way the machine delivered the coffee, with a double espresso taking well under a minute to emerge. With practice though I found using the tamper and portafilter got easier. If you’re a novice user the portafilter takes a little getting used to, and some excess coffee spills are likely. Performance-wise, the KitchenAid Artisan Espresso Machine is quick and easy to use and delivers consistency too. The fourth button lets you start and stop any of the processes. I found that playing around with the function buttons also allowed me to customise my preferred settings, which is handy if you’re a creature of habit. If you live in a hard water area, which I do, another button operates a descaling function, which is likely to see good use. Depending on your size requirements and the time you’ve got, a second button can be pressed to dispense single or double shots of espresso. This makes the espresso-making process very straightforward, with quick selections including espresso, steam or hot water allowing you to get up and running in no time. There’s a power button on the back of the machine, with a sleep mode that kicks in too for an energy saving win, while core press button controls are at the front. You will need ground coffee beans though. In fact, it’s made even better if you’ve invested in the supplementary KitchenAid Artisan Coffee Grinder 5KCG8433, though it’s not an essential part of the process if you can’t stretch to the £199, or about $266 US dollars it costs. From start to finish I found the process very straightforward. The machine comes with a stainless-steel tamper, which is great for packing in your grounds. It features two temperature sensors, which help to deliver consistency on the temperature front and this, in turn, aids extraction. Central to the impressive performance is the 15-bar Italian pump that sits inside the machine. Ultimately, it’s all about the quality of the coffee and while the KitchenAid Artisan Espresso Machine looks the part, the good news is it’s a great performer too. (Image credit: KitchenAid) KitchenAid Artisan Espresso Machine: Performance What this means is that the KitchenAid Artisan Espresso Machine will appeal to a variety of users, from novice espresso makers through to wannabe baristas. Single and double shot options are complimented by a brace of single-wall baskets. Core features have been designed with practicality in mind, with a 1.4 litre/49 ounce water tank, a 260-degree steam wand and a cup warmer located on the top of the unit all adding to the appeal.Ĭareful attention has been paid to the stainless steel portafilter too, as this is very nicely made and boasts a 58mm diameter receptacle able to hold one of the four stainless steel baskets that are included. It feels quite hefty too, though as a result sits firmly on your countertop. This is a bigger espresso machine than you might be thinking, with dimensions of 28.6 x 16.2 x 36cm, or 11.3 x 6.4 x 14.2 inches in old money. It’ll sit very nicely alongside any other KitchenAid gadgets you’ve got too. The model I got sent to try out was finished in a fab cherry red, which together with the chrome flourishes and occasional black components works together to produce a stunning machine. KitchenAid also takes time to think about what its customers want from a machine, and so if you’re looking to buy an espresso machine you’re catered for with a raft of different finishes. It appears to have been very well made too, with a good combination of quality components promising plenty of espresso-making over the years to come. All of them have a very distinctive look, and the KitchenAid Artisan Espresso Machine is no exception. I love the feeling of consistency that you get with the KitchenAid range of products.
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