Review on 15-Bar Pressure Espresso and Cappuccino Machine by KLARSTEIN Passionata Rossa: Steam Frother, Milk Frothing, Hot Drinks Preparation, 0.33 Gallon Capacity (6 Cups) by Dan Rivera

Like others, I was looking for an express car in this price range with a 15 or more bar pump. I found Klarstein semi-accidentally (customers saw it too) when I was looking for something different. After reading many reviews I decided to roll the dice and give it a try. I didn't pay much attention to the installation and managed to leave the blue plastic over the water tank where it connects to the rest of the machine and it seems to work. but the work is terrible. Come to find out, the pump is so powerful that despite my mistake it was sucking water around the blue plastic and into the car. I removed the plastic from the end where the water tank connects to the car and it's been nothing but love ever since. I've noticed reviews that say this machine doesn't make ground coffee in a portafilter. Here's how I achieve it. First, get a stone grinder. (I have these: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Bodum-Grinder-Electronic-Continuously-Adjustable/dp/B0043095WW">Bodium Bistro Grinder with Burrs</a>), then set it on. to the best settings. Grind some coffee and pour it in so that the coffee forms a mound on top of the portafilter, then use your pinky to press the coffee into the portafilter until it flattens out. Finally (most importantly) get a real metal tamper for a small size. portafilter and press down on the coffee with all your weight, twisting slightly at the end before releasing the pressure. Now pull out the shot. The 20 bar pump handles extra coffee - don't worry. I use pucks after shots as fertilizer in my garden. It smells better than other species and has a high nitrogen content. As for frothing milk - I removed the stupid plastic end on the steam wand. While this will likely work for people who have never made espresso in a coffee maker, I didn't like it. My only complaint is that the tube could have been a bit longer - not a deal killer. I still get great results when making froth or frothing milk. The pump delivers all the pressure I need - only about 10 seconds to build up the pressure. I only have one minor (non-killing) complaint. The plastic cup (with a metal lid) under the portafilter that the espresso is poured onto (the drip tray) is too small for the amount of liquid that is poured into it. I usually make two to three drinks a day and after the third drink I have to finish it. When it's full, it's easy to spill because of the design. I want it to be deeper so it doesn't spill onto the counter as often. In general, the machine is very satisfied. I wasn't expecting to be so happy with a car in the $100-$150 range.