The KitchenAid Semi-Automatic Expresso Machine is a great design in that the end product, or form of the product, is a result of the function of the product. It is a beautiful design in appearance and the footprint it takes on the kitchen countertop is miniscule compared to similar espresso machine. It is definitely well worth every inch of space it takes of your counter space because it will allow you to enjoy professionally brewed espressos, lattes, or cappuccinos in your own kitchen in a few seconds. Everything you could possibly need to make a great refreshment is included in the box with the exception of the coffee itself. The machine comes with a portafilter that holds one of the four different filler baskets. The different filler baskets have been designed as single or double baskets for either 1-shot or 2-shot cups, a coffee scoop, tamper, milk pitcher, and steam wand. The water tank is attached to the rear of the machine and is removable with a handle. The main power button rest beneath the water tank on the rear. After the power button has been engaged the machine will automatically pump water into the heater and start heating. Within in seconds, the lights on the front panel will stop blinking and the Espresso Machine will be ready to use. The different filler baskets are necessary because the single wall baskets are for freshly ground whole bean coffee and the double wall baskets are for pre-ground coffee. KitchenAid markets this product as, “the first residential espresso machine that features dual, smart temperature sensors, that maintain the perfect brewing temperature shot after shot”. The ‘thermocoil’ technology in the product heats water up to the ideal brewing temperature in less than 45 seconds. This and the low-pressure pre-infusion work together to create the perfect rich, textured crema desired of these drinks. A nice feature is that both the group head and steam wand can be flushed with plan hot water. This is important to me because it aids in maintaining the machine by keeping it clean. I found the steam wand on the machine to be very efficient and easy to maintain. I also like a cup of hot tea from time to time and used the steam wand to make a cup of hot water to steep tea. The unit does come with a separate Milk Frother attachment which can be secured to the main machine in place of the single steam wand. This is well designed and gives you many options. It can be filled with milk and easily released from the main unit and stored in the refrigerator. It has many parts and is well suited if you use the Espresso Machine to make several cups of refreshments at once. I love to make Irish Coffee after dinner in the cold weather and this worked great for doing that, but on a daily basis I still prefer to use the single steam wand and froth the milk in the pitcher. The KitchenAid Semi-Automatic Expresso Machine presents the opportunity to perfect your personal beverage choice and make it exact for your taste. The machine even has programming functions that allow for changing the pre-programmed Water Temperature and pre-programmed Water Hardness. It will also allow programming of the exact amount of Espresso and/or Water needed to fill your favorite cup. The Espresso Machine also has a built-in descaling program which encourages routine cleaning, is simple to use, and will definitely aid in the longevity of your machine. Probably one of my favorite features of this particular machine is the warmer on top of the unit that allows for warming your cups before use. I have used several methods to warm my cups in the past, but this is unique and presents an effective and easy solution that is built right into the product and adds a streamlined look to the overall design. I definitely recommend this Espresso Machine. It is designed and manufactured with high quality standards and materials. It is pretty or aesthetic and very functional at the same time. KitchenAid stands behind this product with a one-year Full Warranty that is Hassle-Free. That means that should your product fail in anyway during the first year of its use, KitchenAid will replace it will a new unit that will also bear a one-year warranty. If you are in the market for an Espresso Machine, or even if you have not given it much thought before, you should treat yourself with this one and give it a try. It is an exceptional buy for the quality that it is.

This Kitchenaid Semi-Automatic Espresso Machine with the top cup warmer and Automatic Milk Frother Attachment is a great companion at home with one caveat. Quality is outstanding and well-built, and size is compact and does not take much space, and includes all the required attachments to make espresso, latte, and cappuccino at home. This machine offers smart dual temperature sensors that heat water and brew coffee ideally in seconds. The flat portafilter has a flat design, and two spouts are flattened for easy tamping. The steam wand is removable and can be turned in 360 degrees for better pouring. The Milk frother is a portable attachment that can be attached and snapped into the steam wand. The frother is designed to be a storage container to store unused milk in the fridge to use later and has a locking door to keep it fresh. The frother attachment must be snapped carefully into the steam wand and at the bottom of the machine base, which requires attention. If the frother is not fully engaged in the machine base, the machine will display an error and won't function (Steam and Water selection will blink simultaneously). Other than that, it is a lovely machine and great for my espresso drink. What comes in the box: (1) Espresso Machine, (1) Portafilter, (1) Coffee Scoop, (1) Tamper, (1) Steam Wand, (1) Milk Pitcher, (1) Water Tank, (4) Filter Baskets/ different shot size, (1) Drip Tray, (1) Automatic Milk Frother Attachment, (1) Milk Tank, (1) Cleaning Brush.

KitchenAid Semi-automatic espresso machine is one of the small size espresso machine in its class that our family have ever owned. We had Breville, Calphalon , De’Longhi machines that are huge and took more counter space on our kitchen. The compact design and ease of use brings espresso-making into the home with professional quality. What’s in the box: Espresso Machine with water tank, Stainless Tamper, Milk Pitcher, Portafilter(58mm), Steam Wand, 4 filter baskets (single wall 1 shot, single wall 2 shot, double wall 1 shot, double wall 2 shot), Milk Frother attachment. Packaging is top notch. Every part is individually wrapped and the machine is double wrapped with plastic and cloth bag. Took few minutes just to unpack before setup and very impressed. Set up is very simple. Just rinse all the removable parts before first use and fill the water tank with fresh water(distilled or mineral water is not recommended per instructions), insert the steam wand if not using automatic milk frother attachment. Select your filter basket to your choice and press into the portafilter, add coffee (pre-ground or freshly ground), tap the portafilter to level using tamper and insert it to the machine until its locked. Toggle the mode button to select espresso and select the number of shots (1 or 2) and press on button to make your espresso. Machine takes less than 45 seconds to preheat due to its fast-heating thermocoil technology and this is fast considering most home espresso machines took much longer that I owned. This machine offers a lot to at-home baristas during this work from home situations and for anyone who is new to making espresso with its ease of use. This semi-automatic machine is fast with its startup, heating and automatic milk frother attachment and is the first residential espresso machine that features dual, smart temperature sensors. Like professional espresso machines this machine has 15-bar pump to make a thick crema delicious coffee with the automatic temperature control. Automatic Milk Frother Attachment that is included with this is for anyone who likes to froth the milk automatically or for hot milk. Tried using this attachment and prefer to use the wand for single cup and would use the attachment if making coffee for guest of 3 or 4 and will come handy during that time considering the cleanup after usage. Its very easy to setup. Just fill the milk tank with max of 17oz with the cold milk or you can also directly immerse the hose to any container or cup or bottle with milk. Align the steam wand of attachment to the machine, adjust the function knob to froth function and toggle on the espresso machine to steam mode and press the on/play button on machine. Froth level adjustment can be done by rotating the knob on the top of the attachment for variable micro-foam and texture. Taste of espresso that this machine makes is great and depends on the type of coffee ground and personal preferences. This machine has filter basket for fresh ground whole bean coffee (single wall) and pre-ground coffee(double wall). The portafilter is heavy and is flat which makes tampering good unlike other competitor brands. Pros: Small footprint/ compact targeted for basic entry barista skill level for use at home, removable/adjustable steam wand for milk texturing, removable drip tray, automatic milk frothing attachment, 4 filter basket, heavy duty tamper. Cons : Cleanup of milk frother is little time consuming, smaller water tank capacity, no stainless finish for its price point. Overall, recommend this for any coffee lover who is looking for reliable espresso machine with automatic milk frother for home use at professional result.

As someone who loves good coffee, this past year of mostly staying home has encouraged me to learn to make things at home that I would normally go out for. However making espresso drinks myself always seemed like a daunting task to undertake because there are a lot of ways to get it wrong. While finding a good bean and achieving proper grind size are certainly variables in that equation, having the right equipment to make espresso shots is equally as important. Since the KitchenAid Semi-Automatic Espresso machine is my first, there was a bit of a learning curve for me, but after a bit of research and many “test” shots, I was able to produce great tasting espresso that I would have gladly enjoyed at a coffee shop or after dinner at a restaurant. The KES6404BW includes both the espresso machine and automatic milk frother attachment, though the espresso machine already has a “manual” milk frother/streamer wand included. The housings of both devices are constructed using a lightweight plastic with a matte-black sheen that, unfortunately, picks up fingerprints and mars/scratches easily. I was expecting at this price point that the material quality would have been more durable or have a higher-end finish like stainless steel, though at least the units are fairly compact and not heavy and can be easily moved on the countertop. A clear plastic water tank sits at the back of the machine and is detachable with a lift handle, so you can monitor water levels and remove the tank easily for refilling and cleaning. The 58mm portafilter (part that holds the coffee grounds) is commercial-grade with a heavy weight and flat bottom. This design allows you to press the grounds with the included tamper on a flat surface, like a countertop. Inside the portafilter base are dual channels that direct the flow of espresso into two streams which flow out of the bottom. The machine comes with 4 filter baskets which snap easily in and out of the portafilter for both pre-ground and freshly ground beans in single or double shot sizes. As soon as you turn the machine on, it primes the water pump and pre-heats the water in less than a minute, so that when you’re ready, pulling the espresso shot starts nearly instantly. The machine has three operating modes: making espresso, dispensing hot water, and creating steam to froth or heat milk. For either hot water or espresso modes, you have the option to select a one or two shot volume (both are adjustable for more or less liquid). After making your selections, operation is “one-touch” by pressing the start/stop button. What’s interesting about this machine is that it has dual sensing temperature control, which measures the temperature of the water at both the intake and output in order to ensure that the water is heated to an optimal temperature for extracting espresso; this helps to pull a smoother tasting espresso from the grounds without producing an overly bitter or sour taste and isn’t a common feature in consumer-grade espresso machines. I tried both the manual milk frother wand and automatic milk frother attachment and while both produced a good amount of foam there were some key differences. Manually, using the steam wand, depending on your skill level you may end up with a mix of large and small bubbles in your forth and droplets of milk can splash out of your container as you move the wand around. The manual wand is harder to clean as the milk proteins tend to cake and crust onto the hot nozzle. It also requires you to use at least half a cup of milk each time, and you can’t reuse the leftover milk to create foam again, since it has already been heated, which I consider a bit wasteful. However, you do have a lot of control over the quantity and fineness the resulting foam and can pour it to craft beautiful “milk art” atop your drinks. The automatic milk frother on the other hand has a detachable milk storage bin (or you can drop the intake hose directly into your milk container), and since only the milk being dispensed is steamed/heated, you can refrigerate the leftover milk for use later. It tended to produce less airy, though consistent, milk froth; however, note that you might get a splash of hot milk/water in your cup at the very beginning before foam starts to exit the nozzle. Also, the attachment cannot be used as a standalone unit since it requires the hot water input from the espresso machine to operate, making the whole setup take up more counter space. However, I did like that the auto milk frother has a storage bin in the front for things like the included coffee scoop and other filter baskets and that I can dispense the milk right into my coffee mug rather than using a separate vessel. Setting up and prepping the machine is the easy part, and as with every piece of precision equipment, some calibration may be necessary to determine what works best for you based on your needs and tastes. For example, the machine allows you to choose your water hardness (low, medium, high) and adjust the pre-programmed water temperature (low, medium, high). The part that requires the most practice is applying the right amount of force with the tamper when compressing freshly ground coffee beans in the filter basket. If using pre-ground espresso from a package, the accompanying filters are pressurized and precise tamping pressure is not as important. The machine dissembles quickly for cleaning and drip tray has a small red indicator float so that you know when it’s full and time to empty it. I do empty it after each use anyway since it actually collects a surprising amount of liquid from just one drink. There’s also a four part head de-scaling cycle that should be run when the indicator light for that function illuminates to keep the machine running in tip-top shape. Once you get the hang of it, making consistent, great tasting espresso becomes second nature. I’m now able to pull shot after shot with perfect crema, bold full flavor, and creamy rich mouthfeel. When I want a latte or cappuccino, it’s easy enough to pull the shot then dispense the hot milk/foam directly into my cup using the automatic frother. You can also use the hot water function to make an Americano-style coffee drink or simply for brewing hot tea, pre-heating your cups, or cleaning. I also like that the top of the espresso machine doubles as a cup warmer, and the size of the machine is countertop-friendly if you don’t have a lot of space.

I have purchased and used Kitchenaid appliances, large and small for over 45 years. This Espresso machine is very nice and works as it should. A steamy cup of espresso when you want it. The Milk frother is a nice bonus, but is not as good as a stand alone frothing machine. Otherwise an overall good buy. I have tried other products but always come back to Kitchenaid. Worth the cost.