I lived for several years with the well-known coffee-makers. However, these operate with significantly lower pressure than "right" espresso machines, so that one gets very little or no crema on the espresso.
In order to finally be able to occasionally make espresso and its variants quickly and with good quality, I was therefore looking for a better solution, which should not be too expensive.
I tried it first in the context of testing weeks with Braun Tassimo. Although this machine is made very clever, I was disappointed that on the espresso, to the Tassimo prepared, in my opinion no real Crema is but a brown foam of medium to large bubbles collapse in a short time. No marbling. Apart from the real to Crema divergent optics, arises another drinking experience. My expectation would be that a real Crema never so bubbly and would look not so fast completely coincided in itself as the Tassimo. Another shortcoming of the Tassimo is her milk foam. Apparently it is produced by the flushing of hot water and air through a capsule with evaporated milk several times more foam, with the multiplication of the volume fails far greater than in the conventional production of milk foam. This is most astonishing, but milk is not the same as milk, and I found the milk foam watery (although the strong espresso macchiato flavor contributes to the overall impression of the whole being strong-tasting bar). (However, I rule out the initial evaluation of my review of the Tassimo that they certainly found their fan base.)
So what to try next? Arguably one "correct" machine. Espresso Machines or fully automatic?
And just before I ordered a portafilter (because I wanted to have no great machine my horror arguments had taken on fully automatic cleaning for the heart and there's not a price advantage between portafilter and mill one hand, and fully automatic machine was on the other hand be recognized), I stumbled on the outstanding reviews for its predecessor AEM 3000 B.
A quick research revealed that the new ESAM 3000 B would have to be fundamentally the same, except for a quieter grinder and a more resistant brewing unit, and with internet prices below EUR 350, - for both devices, the decision was as good as gafallen - so much would have the portafilter cost, mind you without mill. An attempt was worth all! And the comparison with the two law-devices in my environment, I'd be able to carry out.
And now she stands there and therefore makes a good impression and good drinks. It's amazing how much has been done properly in this machine.
- The housing acts through its use matt and reflective black plastic surfaces overall good. The buttons and knobs are well chromed plastic. The drip tray is made of metal and has a consistent and never cheap. Only the silver-gray deposit of the regulator revealed on closer inspection a glitter effect, which would fit more for the autograph book painted hearts. At first glance, but there is an unobtrusive, harmonious overall impression. To me enough.
- The often mentioned disconnectable hotplate could criticize. However, my ammeter the ESAM 3000 certified B switched to forcibly ongoing hotplate a power consumption of 2 watts. The Tassimo had, according to the same meter indulged 4 watts in standby and thereby warmed no cups - because I let'd rather run the DeLonghi ... But I can not, unfortunately, guarantee the absolute correctness of my measurement; I would be more interested in burning readings.
- According to the measuring instrument is the current consumption in the "power-down" state below the measuring range; it is a manufacturer of printers, scanners, PCs, monitors, TVs, stereos, etc may still take an example (it is a soft, not a mechanical switch that separates the machine from the mains - that also would not, because a few things need to be done when switching off, must be available for current).
- The often mentioned forced rinsing of the machine during connection and disconnection, and the automatic turning off, by running in the water, I find not so wrong. When you turn on the water, you can take very well to warm the cups of the first preparation. When switching off residues are washed away clearly what would have done anyway. So why not.
- The whole machine is easy to operate from the front and top.
- The water tank can be viewed at a glance from the right.
- The machine can work with espresso beans or ground coffee - a nice touch. The scoop is housed in the lid compartment. One must not only get the idea ground espresso in the off state to fill.
- Grinding fineness, coffee quantity and water quantity are well regulated in many areas.
- For two cups of the machine doubles the amount of water; Unfortunately it seems the amount of coffee to double not quite, so that overall a slightly weaker coffee. For that matter, I'm still busy with tests.
- The grinder I find not noisy. The pump is quieter than the Tassimo, which gave even more vibrations at their stand space.
- Operation and display are achieved clear and understandable for me.
- The espresso is as it should be. The milk foam succeeded me right away.
- When Tassimo flushed out of the run is called for before any preparation Pause; regularly the holder for the capsules must be cleaned; the grade change the cleaning disc should be used. Plus emptying of the collecting container (where you have to guess when it's full) and at longer intervals to clean the casing of the front portion. I venture to say that by eliminating the necessary cleaning after each drink (except for Zuebereitung milk foam) ultimately for Tassimo almost the same cost as for a fully automated results, even if the full cleaning of a fully automatic means work. The float in the drip tray, the ESAM 3000 B prevents superfluous handles.
- Cleaning of the inner life easily performed from the front.
- At least my copy is Made in Italy - and I think that makes the overall concept noticeable. The many reviews about the long-term reliability of the previous model, as well as a warranty of three years or 5,000 cups I find absolutely fair for a domestic mid-range device.
My conclusion: Thoughtful, fine device with very few edges and widely unbeatable price-performance ratio.
