1. GETTING STARTED
After installing and connecting the unit, the user is guided through a short menu can be set in the language and time. This is done by means of rotary switch (rotary switch with a button in the middle) everything completely intuitive and easy. The bluish display is approximately 5 x 2.2 cm size is sufficiently large and easy to read. The rotary switch in chrome style not only looks good, it also works very precisely.
Of course it is advisable to take at hand the very very easy to understand and clear operating instructions when using the device. After beans and water were introduced, there you go already, the first two cups should however be tilted away. Do not be surprised if before the first use are coffee and water remains in the machine, which originate from the functional test at the factory.
2. PROCESSING
The machine consists mainly of plastic, however, makes an absolutely beautifully finished impression. At the controls particularly the Rotary Switch and the valve switches make a good impression, which act four buttons in the middle maybe a little wobbly and also react not always as straightforward as one might wish.
3. HOW TO USE
3.1 Water tank
The water tank with a capacity of just over 1.5 liters is easy to remove by means of a fold-out bracket. Before pouring of water it is recommended that the supplied Melitta Pro Aqua Filter cartridge (Shelf life: 2 months / 350 cases) to use. Additionally, you can also using test strips to test the water hardness and adjust accordingly in the machine menu.
Oddly developed after filling the water after about two months puddles under and around the device, but only sometimes. The origin thereof has not yet been determined.
3.2 Bean hopper
The bean container has two compartments with a capacity of 135 grams each. This is a very practical and useful feature, however, must be considered (is also listed in the manual) that after turning the Kippreglers after about two cups complete the desired coffee is produced, as the remains of the other bean can be located in the grinder ,
3.3 Coffee preparation (We tested the machine with Eduscho Gala Espresso and Dallmayr Espresso d'Oro)
After switching on (and off) is flushed through the coffee unit. Thus, you have to wait until the preparation for a few seconds. Now the machine has the option to select the coffee strength. This can be preset from the menu, or set using special key individually in front of the grinding process. To select, there are extra mild, mild, normal, strong and extra strong. Now can be adjusted if you wish an espresso or café crème. Pressing the button twice, two cups are successively prepared. Additionally, you can also set the reference amount in the menu (30-220 ml). Also possible is an adjustment of the temperature (Nierdrig - Normal - High). All this can be set individually for espresso and café crème in the menu. You can set the reference amount with a rotary switch and stop the reference by pressing a button even during coffee dispensing. The coffee unit can be the way to adjust to a height from 9.5 to 13.5 cm.
In short, the machine offers the ultimate in control. You can prepare your coffee individually. It probably requires some trial and error to get the desired coffee, but the many setting possibilities are clearly a big plus of the machine.
In addition, there is also the possibility to prepare coffee with ground coffee. It should be noted that no more than one teaspoon can be filled and only a cup can be filled.
You can also also prepare only hot water to the steam pipe.
Now for the milk froth. These are indeed a coffee machine, but milk foam must be prepared manually. However, this is a fairly simple process: On the left side of the machine, a fold-out, height-adjustable agitator is mounted. By pressing the steam draw button, the machine heats a few seconds, then gives you the whisk in the milk and rotate the valve to switch. After a few seconds the milk is hot enough and by moving up and down this is a very good lather. The steam tube of the agitator is then quite hot, so be careful. The twisting could go a little easier, but you can feel also that it sits very stable. Cleaning can be done under running water or in the dishwasher, the inner part may also be removed. Thoroughly rinse and dry but rich experience, from easy.
The coffee production takes a few seconds, the volume is normal for a coffee machine. With the getesten beans - and this is most important in a coffee - the coffee tastes really excellent. The crema in espresso succeeds really well. My favorite setting for Cappuccino is 110 ml Café Crème, about one third of milk at normal temperature and mild intensity.
Unfortunately, the display does not indicate if the bean container is empty. Pressing still on the draw-off key, the machine tries to grind anyway, but nothing comes out. If the water tank to empty ergolgt a warning, just as if the drip tray needs to be emptied. Warnings appear when the machine needs to be cleaned.
4. MENU
As mentioned above can be set individually coffee strength, temperature and reference quantity from the menu for Café Crème and Espresso. There is also a sub-menu to care (see point 5) and energy-saving mode. Here you can specify whether the device should switch to 5, 15, 30, 60 or 120 minutes in energy-saving mode or if it is activated at all. In addition, there is also an auto-OFF function where you can set whether the device to an exact time or after 30 minutes or 1,2,4 or 8 hours or not at all to switch off. In the submenu you can choose between water hardness soft, medium, hard or very hard water. Additionally, you can also view the number of existing references and even after the machine has been disconnected from the power supply. Of course you can also set time and language at any time. As a nice gimmick machine greets depending on the time of day with "Good morning", "good day" or "Good evening".
5. CARE
It is strongly recommended to regularly thoroughly clean the drip tray. Especially the pulp container to collect the coffee residue is naturally very susceptible to mold. According to the manual, the brewing unit is per week rinse under tap water you get, the removal and insertion of this is but child's play.
The device also features an integrated cleaning program, through which one is carried out step by step. This is necessary after 200 cups or two months of operation. According to the manual, the device warns if necessary, but that is not going to happen with me after three months of use and 245 references. For this purpose, a cleaning rod is necessary, which is however included. There is also an integrated descaling program, to be carried out for all three months. For this count the same points as in the cleaning program.
6. CONCLUSION
The Melitta 202 966 Coffee Machine Caffeo Gourmet E965 - 101 makes after three months of continuous use just fun. I have long wished for such a device and it has not met all expectations. Thanks foolproof operation, no problems have arisen to date and the corresponding coffee beans and the right personal settings obtained a really good coffee. Top!
