Customer Ratings & Reviews

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.

The overview: I really love this machine. It works really well, is simple to operate, and has a good number of features that allow for flexibility without being overwhelming. The learning curve is not too steep, and the resulting product is consistent and pleasing. I think the quality of the espresso is good without being too difficult to make, but I think over time I’ll be able to tweak it and make it even better. I enjoy using the manual steam wand and frothing my own milk, but the automatic frother offers convenience for those who are made nervous by the steam wand or who want to make a number of coffees at once. It also can quickly and easily offer up a quantity of hot milk, which is a nice feature if you’re just looking to make lattes, or, I’d imagine, hot chocolate. I really love being able to pull an espresso anytime and make a lovely coffeehouse drink for a pick-me-up. As the adults are working from home in our household, it’s a quite nice thing to have a coffee house at home. When the machine first arrived, I even bought some fancy pastries to go with our espresso experiments. I was not disappointed! Operation: The main espresso machine includes a large removeable water tank and a drip tray beneath the main head that can be pulled out and emptied. This is really important, it turns out, water and steam end up focused over the drain and the tray once making coffees. The removeable tank is great. Once filled, you can feel secure you’ll easily be able to pull your shots and make steam or add hot water as needed, and easily know when you need to add more water. While the coffee shop may have an inline water connection, this is the next best thing. When the water runs low, just pop the tank out and fill it and place if back on the unit. The unit is not that large, though it will take up some real-estate on you counter. It’s still smaller than many units while doing all you need. Yet, it is *heavy* and definitely gives on confidence that this is a serious machine capable of serious pressure and heat. By contrast, many years ago I had a cheap, early “home” espresso machine from a major US brand. Granted, I got it second hand and didn’t have a manual for it, and I didn't really know what I was doing. However, after trying to use it a few times, I became pretty terrified that it would blow up in my kitchen and was not safe. This may or may not have been true, but it is CLEAR that the KitchenAid is light years beyond such an amateur machine. It’s very solid, very heavy, and quite professional. The automatic milk frother is an attachable unit that has a removeable tank (for the milk) and a connection that snaps into the machine (it plugs into the steam wand port). This little unit is well designed, though it has a number of parts to make sure to keep clean. It’s good that one can remove the milk tank and just pop it in the fridge if there is still milk in the tank. Also, the tank can be removed, and one may just put the milk hose directly into a milk container, jug, or jar. The unit clips securely to the main machine while it’s in use, and then unclip when finished. It can also be taken completely apart to be cleaned. (Which I did when the machine first arrived.) There are directions in the handbook for how purge out milk and steam between major cleanings. It’s not too hard to purge the milk with hot water when done, and then be able to rest assured that nothing is going to go sour in the frother. Operation of the main unit is simple once one reads the instructions. The portafilter (basically the handle that holds the coffee filter and ratchets into the machine) is very, very heavy and locks very securely into the espresso maker. Four different filters come with the machine—single and double shot filters for coffee that is “fresh ground” and coffee that was pre-ground. The appropriate filter is snapped into the portafilter, and then, one is ready to add the espresso grounds. Again, the manual is helpful for explaining what filter to use and how to dose the coffee. The manual offers suggested ranges by weight for single and double shots. It’s important to note that to make good espresso, one almost certainly needs a scale. Measuring finely ground espresso by a scoop is not going to give the precision needed. The manual suggests, for example, 18 to 20 grams of coffee for a double shot. This suggestion has worked as a measure for me, and I use a digital scale to measure. This makes the individual shots pretty predictable, though there are still other factors to consider: after measuring the grounds, one must level it and then tamp it. The tamp is included, and it’s a hefty, well designed piece, though I wish it were just slightly wider, to get just a bit tighter to the edges of the filter. Still, it works well, and one can adjust and try to get the tamped coffee as level as possible. Then, the portafilter is locked into the machine, and, after allowing the machine to heat and pressurize, a press of a button will pull a lovely shot with nice crema if one has measured well and used good grounds. The “pull” for this machine is about 25 seconds, which seems to work pretty well. However, there is an option to customize the pull. So, one can experiment as well. I have not done this yet, as I’m afraid of making a worse rather than better shot. However, the option is nice, and eventually I will try this out and see if I can tweak it further. While the automatic milk frother is nice, I have to admit I really like using the regular steam wand and milk pitcher. I have experimented with regular milk and with almond milk, and both will make a nice froth. I’ll admit, I watched some videos on you tube to learn a bit about how to make good milk foam and what proportions to use for various drinks. Mostly, I just love foamy milk, and it makes me quite happy. It is a little scary to use the wand at first, and it does get quite hot. But the directions in the manual, again, while basic do clearly walk one through the first use of the wand. From there, it gets easier. The automatic frother attachment is an easy to use option, though I find it a bit messier. The operation of the attachment again requires some reading of the manual. It is not difficult, but when one is dealing with super hot steam, one wants to know how the gadget will work. There is a setting dial on the front of unit to select hot water, hot milk, or foamy/frothy. However, if one selects foamy, then one also controls the milk’s frothing with a knob on the top of the unit. This definitely takes a bit of trial and error to get right, but it does work for getting milk and froth onto the espresso. I’d say it’s not quite as pretty, or that it’s as easy to get proportions right, but it works. It’s pretty nice for just doing hot milk, which is a little smoother than using the steam wand to heat the milk but not froth it (if you want a latté, for example). One other thing: I’m sure it helps that I got some good espresso from the local coffee shop and had them grind it for espresso. I’m using fresh, lovely coffee and that’s likely to matter. The dark roast classic Italian espresso I got produces exactly the shot one will expect. I also got a medium dark espresso, and have tried grinding that in my hand-crank espresso grinder. This also works, though I will admit that the ease of using the professionally ground espresso has meant I have not much explored the other espresso or perfected hand cranking.

Espressos that taste as good as the neighborhood coffee shops. For comparing the results on this machine, I'd like to use either Illy or Lavazza coffees. For reference, I'm using Lavazza's 'Crema e Gusto' classico. Two shots produce a smooth but strong coffee with plenty of crema. As advertised, this machine claims to have a more precise temperature control, and indeed the coffee has a smooth taste without the bitterness that's produced when the water is too hot. The crema is a byproduct of the oils in the coffee. The machine first moist the basket, lets it simmer and then applies pressure. Because the beans are already ground, used the double-wall portafilter, resulting in an excellent cup. For frothed milk, can either use the steam wand or the fully automatic milk frother, which has adjustable froth levels. The machine itself is nicely built, and looks in the right place near a KitchenAid mixer. The espresso basket has a hefty feel to it, and inside has coffee guides to control the drip. It comes with four portafilters: One and two shot traditional filters and a set of double-walled portafilters which add pressure and are recommended for pre-ground coffee. The press also has a nice weight to it with a flat polished base and a textured handle. For milk, as mentioned earlier, comes with a fully automatic frother, the traditional steam wand, and it also comes with a stainless steel jar I use when frothing milk manually. It's all removable and simple to wash. The milk container can be removed and stored separately in the fridge, or can connect the milk hose directly into a milk container, which I prefer by putting a small amount of milk in a glass to make cleaning easier. I was impressed how quickly is warms up within a few seconds. Out older machines needed several minutes. This turns on right away. The controls are a few buttons that are very easy to understand: One button for mode: Espresso, steam or hot water. Then the shots button (Also amount of milk before it stops): 1 or 2. A cleaning button and the start/pause. Water tank is on the back, removable and holds a good amount of liquid. It's also programmable by holding different combination of buttons as per the manual. The amount of coffee and water can be set for each 1 or 2 position. Water temperature and water hardness also have three settings each. The dedicated clean button starts the descaling cycle (which requires a descaling solution). Normal clean the frothing wand by running it without milk. Daily cleaning is fairly simple as the wand and frother are removable. The frother can be fully disassembled and all the parts in contact with milk are washable. However keep in mind that the water tray doesn't hold as much water. It does come with a handy water level to know when it's getting full. I find that very practical. It's an easy to use machine, quick to warm up, solidly built, simple to clean, and most important, espressos come out great. More crema than other machines I used years ago.

Right out of the box I could tell this was going to be a special experience. EVERY component was individually wrapped and protected. It was like christmas morning, I could not wait to unwrap the next item. As I unwrapped each piece I could tell these were high end components. They were extremely sturdy in weight. My excitement to make my first espresso was growing with each unwrapping. After I got everything out of the box and washed it was finally time to put this machine to the test. I was not disappointed. For my first espresso I used the built in frother, I did not use the attachment yet. I read through the instructions just to make sure I had everything ready to go. Thankfully they were easy to follow. If this is your first time or you are an experienced pro, the instructions were quite helpful to make sure I had everything put together properly. Be sure to run a water cycle through once to make sure all the lines are clean from shipping. Then you are ready to get started. I like that I have options of 1 shot or 2. I opened my bag of S Bucks espresso and put in two shots. I tamped them down and was ready to brew. The settings are clearly marked and easy to follow. I used the built in steamer to froth my milk. I used a thermometer so I knew how hot the milk was getting. I stopped mine at 140 degrees. Be sure to used ground coffee. I did experience a little issue with getting the portafilter locked in place. It is easy enough to get started but we sure had to apply some elbow grease and hold the machine while we locked it in place. Unlocking was the same experience, it seemed we needed more pressure than I was expecting. Perhaps this will become easier the more we use it but the first few times it was quite stiff to lock and unlock in place. The positive of the portafilter is that it is flat on the bottom which makes setting it on the counter to fill and tamp very convenient. Nicely done with the design of this attachment. I really appreciate the extra accessories, the single and double shots and they come in single and double walled variations. You can really fine tune to your taste. The extra Milk Frother attachment is fantastic. I really appreciate having this as a side attachment. And you can easily store it in the fridge when not in use without having to waste or find a way to pour back any used milk. It can work stand alone, or it can be attached to the unit. The unit also has dual sense temperature sensor that allow it to heat water and coffee perfectly each time especially for repeated use one cup right after another. I like that it has a clean function to help eliminate any build up. Clean up in general was pretty straightforward as well. We will definitely be using this more and more as part of our weekly routines, I can’t wait for my daily espresso.

KitchenAid - Semi-Automatic Espresso Machine and Automatic Milk Frother Attachment KitchenAid has managed to deliver an impressive, precision engineered Espresso machine while keeping it comfortably simple to operate. They even included a Milk Frothing feature that we’re still training on. So much about this Espresso Machine is well thought out that you wonder why you may have thought that these counter appliances were fussy and complex. SETUP: KitchenAid beats the competition when it comes to instructions. Simple. Diagrammed in a useful way with sufficient text to increase your confidence you’ve got it right. A nice multi-language Quick-Start for each component (Espresso Machine and Frother). And, then, of course, the full instruction guide in the box. The instructions are surprising complete, explaining each step and each tool’s purpose for the novice. Of course, it helps that the functions are logical and the controls do what you’d expect. (This may seem obvious to those of you who haven’t explored some other machines out there, but we’ve been dumbfounded by some non-intuitive designs and opaque instructions.) Thank you KitchenAid for keeping it simple. The Espresso: As a wannabe home barista, I suppose you could immerse yourself into the science and learn the numbers: xx ml of liquid, pushed through yy grams of properly ground coffee at zz degrees temp of water under so much pressure (BAR) for just the right brew time. And then there’s the frothed cream. Or, let this KitchenAid do that all for you. The KitchenAids Dual,Smart Temperature sensors are accurate and repeatable for Espresso after Espresso. Excepting for the grinding, the KitchenAid has everything else covered in this kit. (It’s worth adding a high quality grinder to your tools). We know enough to bring the right ingredients. We’ve got a very fresh, medium espresso roast, which we’ve ground ourselves. Grind size has the biggest influence of the final flavors, and the short brew time typically requires a fine grind. We use carbon filtered tap water (KitchenAid does NOT want you using distilled water) to fill the large and very convenient reservoir in the back of the machine. This Espresso machine manages all those variables I noted earlier, while giving us some control to suit our tastes. And, it’s fast. Out Expresso cups were filling in under a minute. We’re still experimenting, but before we change any of the KitchenAids settings we’ll vary our grind size and tamping. The KitchenAid’s has all the necessary tools and an easy-to-understand control panel. Four (4) different filter baskets and the included tamper get you started. For our fine grind, we’ve settled on the double wall basket. Placing the commercial-grade (heavy) Portafilter up and locked into place feels right. (Be sure the basket is fully seated. It snaps into place) Select the Espresso MODE on the panel (STEAM or HOT WATER are the other modes). Select how many shots (DOSE 1 or 2) and see if a pre-programmed setting works for you. (That same DOSE toggle selects how much milk is released from the frother if/when you select the STEAM function). First and only CON for the ESPRESSO machine: The KitchenAid prevents us from cheating with cup size. We know our Espresso shot is the first step in the beverages we’re aiming for: the latte or Cappuccino or whatever results we concoct. So, we’d like to use the final cup on that cup tray. Nope. We can’t use our 16 or 12 oz cups. We probably have to stay with the proper Espresso cups (3 oz), and a few sizes up to a maximum of 10 oz cups. Shape and height are the determining factors because the KitchenAid has a low hung coffee filter and an overall shallow design. The metal flat top is not a mistake. It keeps your next shot cup warmed and ready to go. All pre-programmed settings can be adjusted, and adjustments are saved even if power is removed. You can modify the volume to reflect your cup size. You can extend or shorten the Espresso dose. Temperature is adjusted (low, medium, high). You can even enter your water hardness. And, of course, you can restore the default setting. These settings are “hidden” behind the right combination of button presses, which is never my favorite approach, but as long as I don’t lose the instruction book, I suppose I’m safe. And, let’s not forget the integral Milk Frother. The Espresso machine is coupled to it. KitchenAid has thoughtfully enabled the machine to pull milk from it own dispenser or any other container you prefer, including a milk carton/bottle. It seems that the steam created by the Espresso machine creates a vacuum and pulls milk, heats it, and injects it with steam. The Milk Frother replaces the Espresso machine’s Frother wand and you’ll use its wand, instead. Simply toggling the MODE button to STEAM, and the MODE's DOSE setting is controlling the amount of milk that’s dispensed, while you’re directing the foam with the wand. We most often use soy milk and we’re still practicing to get our foam perfect. A couple of CONs for the milk Frother attachment: Right now we’re having a love hate relationship. Firstly, the protective front protective cup/reservoir appears to have no purpose but to get in the way. The milk holder/cup/reservoir in the rear is also inconvenient. The feed hose must be removed to remove the milk holder, which is, again, too snug to the Espresso machine. [This could all be about my fat fingers. That admission out of the way …] As you think about what you’re working with, it seems that a fully exposed and moveable steam/pour nozzle is all that’s needed up front and a hose for siphoning milk is all that’s needed in the back. Did form over-rule function, or are my fat fingers the culprit? You be the judge. We love the short cut to steamed, properly foamed milk for our drinks, we just wish it was less cumbersome. The Espresso: Our first shots of Espresso had a flavor we’ve come to expect, with slight bitterness, and a rich coffee flavor. We had a nice layer of crema, indicating that we were getting the correct pressure during the extraction. I’m not quite sure I’m a fair judge of flavors at this stage, because we’re unlikely to stop there. The milk Frother is an important part for us, and we can make it work. It’s just that the design gets in the way here. We are working around it. It is a rare Espresso or coffee machine that doesn’t require becoming familiar with. We can easily layer the milk foam onto the Espresso, well past the official definition of LATTE, or even a Cappuccino as we choose. The resulting foam is getting to where we like it, as we get more experience. As you can see, we’re having fun. The KitchenAid probably lacks all the fine adjustments to really declare ourselves as experts but the resulting Espresso is flavorful and easy-to-achieve. The more advanced beverages are coming along. It’s a nice approach to creating Espressos at home.

The KitchenAid Semi-Automatic Espresso Machine provided me with the best espresso I have ever made at home. The set-up took some time but the instructions were carefully put together and even offered pictures. It did take me about 2 or 3 times to fully understand the machine but it's worth it. I made espresso and chocolate mochas and everybody thought I bought them from Starbucks. This machine can save so much money if you're buying coffee out because it is just as good if better. The milk frother works great and there are so many options that can create the drink you want perfectly or just how you like it. The machine its self also doesn't take up much room on the counter which I'm pleased about because I have limited counter space. However, cleaning the frother is not easy as the instructions state to take it apart but feels as if it's going to break trying to do so. Also, the instructions need to be more organized because it feels everything is bunch up together in the booklet but I was still happy about the provided pictures. Overall I recommend this product to anyone who loves coffee. It has definitely given me one of the best espresso experiences I ever had and the company I have over also agreed.

This espresso maker and milk-frother combo have been an absolutely stellar addition to my coffee-addiction arsenal. Joining my Keurig and Ninja coffee maker, it now sits in a place of honor on my kitchen counter. The big deal with this espresso maker that I can't stress enough is how utilitarian yet elegant and thoughtfully made this machine is. The water reservoir on the back is very large and lends itself to ease of use with the all-in-one supply of water to pull espresso shots, steam dairy, and dispense hot water through the self-same steamer wand for the making of tea, hot chocolate, etc. The portafilter basket on this machine is amazing in its design too in that it is flat on the bottom by design with recessed spouts--therefore making it nice and stable for tamping your espresso grounds with the portafilter placed on your counter with the included heavy-duty tamper. I am not an accomplished barista by any stretch, but this flat portafilter and tamper make it far easier than I could have hoped. A lot of the thoughtfulness I mentioned at the beginning of my review comes in the small touches on this machine. Examples are the cup heater plate on the top of the machine: very nice and high-end. The removable drip tray is easy to remove and clean in comparison to a previous espresso maker I had where you have to maneuver the whole machine to clean it up. Another aspect of thoughtfulness is how generous Kitchenaid was in the quantity and quality of accessories included. You get a tamper, coffee scoop, cleaning brush, milk pitcher, four portafilter baskets (two double wall and two single wall baskets of 1 or 2 shot variety). Not to be left unmentioned in my review is the automatic milk frother; a truly sophisticated albeit limited accessory. My thought here is with its ability to dispense multiple servings of frothed dairy with ease, it is perfect for hosting breakfasts etc. as you can make a lot of frothed dairy quickly. However, the product of what comes out is average. I much prefer using the steamer wand on the main machine for making my steamed milk and foam just how I like it. Thus, your desire to purchase this bonus accessory would be best informed by how many espresso beverages you consume on a routine basis and/or how often you host and plan on making beverages for your guests. Of note, it comes with pre-programmed temperature settings etc., but in the instruction booklet there are directions for how to adjust settings such as this to your preference. Overall, this machine is an absolute win and stands out among my favorite kitchen appliances to date. Get yourself this espresso maker and get caffeinated!

Kitchen‘s newest semi automatic espresso machine looks and feels like a premium espresso machine and even has a premium price tag to match. This espresso machine looks and feels premium, everything about it is high-end, everything from the buttons, the plastics, and the stainless steel trims. With a very good 15 bars of pressure, this is special machine uses ground coffee. It has a milk frother attachment which is perfect for also making cappuccinos and lattes. Featuring dual sensing temperature controls, your beverages always come out consistent, making the espresso taste just like it should. there’s only a few buttons in the front, very easy to operate and comes with instructions. The top of the machine is used as a cup warmer, and the milk frother is an extra attachment that attaches to the side and comes included.

Making cappuccino's and latte's is an art, and needs lot of patience to experiment and find the right settings to match your taste, and at the same time you need a really good espresso machine and milk frothing process. I have experimented with 6 espresso machines (manual, semi-automatic (milk frother), and fully automatic) over the last 10 years that ranged between $500-$2700 and nothing is more satisfying than using a manual/semi-automatic espresso machines as you can control the process to match your tastes. I have never been happy with milk frothers that come with the machine or the ones that you can buy off the shelf, as nothing comes close to using the steam wand where you can control the froth and milk texture to your desire. Everything starts with picking the right beans and make sure you get the "expresso grind". Anything other than expresso grind makes your shots weak and you can tell right away as you won't see much crèma. Now getting to the machine itself, KitchenAid semi-automatic espresso machine is well-built and equipped with 15 bar pump, which is common spec on non-commercial espresso machines, comes with 4 filter baskets (1 or 2 shot option with single wall or double wall option) and an automatic milk frother. Comes with all the accessories you need to get started. Make sure you pick the fine grind option to get the best espresso shots. I summarized my experience with this new semi-automatic espresso machine below. • Ease of operation - 4/5. Can take about 10 minutes to make a good cappuccino/latte and clean-up afterward. It can get a little messy and you have to have good patience to clean the machine, filters, and drain the water after every use. Takes about a minute or two for the machine to warm up, primes and heats up pretty quick. Make sure you set your desired temperature and water hardness the first time you set-up the machine. Automatically powers off after 10 minutes. Has descent size water container and milk container to make 7-8 cappuccinos/lattes. The portafilter is a little heavy and made of solid steel, needs to withstand the 15 bar pressure. It can get noisy when it primes and not recommended for office use ;-) • Automatic milk frother - 3/5. Tried playing with different settings, turning the knob on top to adjust the density of the foam, but nothing comes close to manually frothing using the steam wand. It's more of a personal choice on how you like your milk foamed for your lattes and cappuccinos. I typically use the steam wand to froth my milk and it adds another 3-5 minutes to the overall process. • Espresso shots - 4/5. Pulling a right shot is an art. I always used fine grind and double walled filter with 2 dose filter and setting. You can see the thick honey colored crema on your espresso shot and you can tell when you stir it a little, it springs back to its original shape - you know you pulled a perfect shot! If its thin you under extracted or didn't use the right grind, or didn't tamp it well enough. This machine matches my expectation on its ability to pull the perfect shot, takes about 20-25 secs for 2 shots. I experimented with the four filter baskets and I like the 2 shot double wall filter. I still haven't perfected it on this machine to get the best shot with dark honey colored thick crema. I would say it makes descent enough espresso shots for the price you pay for this machine. • Coffee - 5/5. You can run through the double shot espresso option couple times to make yourself the best coffee and it still tastes good compared to normal coffee machines. Value for your money - 3/5. I like the espresso machine itself, but would rate the milk frother as average. The machine will pay itself in an year, if you are patient enough to use it every day

I got this product for my wife, here is her review: I am a coffee connoisseur. One might call me a coffee snob. I’ve drinken coffee in Italy and France and come home trying to make coffee here that tastes the same. This machine delivered and beat my Nespresso in several ways. What this machine does well is make Espresso, Americanos, and hot Lattes. I am more an Americano drinker. This machine took me back to breakfast at an Italian Agriturismo where they make “American” coffees that taste just like this. You just use the milk frother attachment with water in it, brew your espresso, then toggle to water and get that Americano with the light “froth’ on top the way it is supposed to be (that you don’t get when you just add hot water to espresso). See picture. If you want a Latte, the milk frother attachment works well to add hot milk straight to your cup. Pretty straight forward if you follow the “Hot Milk” instructions. It is hard to get a good froth top to "suspend" a drizzle of something, though. Even following the "froth" instructions, I just haven't been able to get much foam. If you want a Cappuccino the way the Italians make it, which is just the foam, this machine doesn't cut it. The “froth” function only sprays steam in your cup. So, basically you have to add the hot milk and then you can do the froth on top, as long as you’ve added enough milk up to the nozel. I don’t want that much milk. I also tried frothing with the steam wand and milk pitcher but cannot get a good foam. The other problem is that the instructions first start with frothing, then hot milk. If there were recipe instructions that didn’t just tell you how to function the machine but how to make a latte, how to make a cappuccino, etc., it would help. The Quick Start guide provides a website for recipes and tips that does not have anything for this machine presently. I imagine they may say to do the hot milk first and then froth, but the instructions provided are misleading and confusing. I won’t evaluate how good it makes espresso. What is there to say? It makes espresso. How good your espresso is, is highly dependent on the bean you use. One other limitation is that you really can only make a small beverage. The max shots is 2 and you can’t use a “taller” cup by removing the drip tray (as I can with my Nespresso). So, if you’re wanting a bigger drink to take to school or work you have to work in batches which increases the likelihood you’re going to have to rely on the microwave while the first drink gets cold when you’re making the second. These beverages are best savored immediately at home. One other thing that I’ll say the Nespresso can do that would be a great addition to this machine, especially as summer approaches, is the ability to cold froth. This lets you make iced lattes with that foaminess instead of just plain ol’ milk. I don’t understand the science of it but it does make a difference. If this machine had better instructions, was able to accommodate larger cups, and made a good milk foam, it would be a 5. You do have to experiment a bit to find the right brew, but if you’re a true coffee connoisseur who drinks to savor a good cup of coffee, not just get a caffeine kick, then you’re going to play around to find the perfect cup for you anyway. Maybe with a bit more time and experimentation, I may get to that 5 but out of the box, I’m not quite there yet.

I’ve had the pleasure of enjoying the KitchenAid Espresso Machine and Automatic Milk Frother for several weeks. I’ve been very pleased with the quality of the espresso this machine makes. The espresso comes out rich and creamy though I’ve found it does come out a little blonde. As for the automatic milk frother attachment, I have mixed feelings. The frother works well enough, but I’ve found that to get the ideal pour, I need to turn the aeration knob all the way to the right to start (closed) and then slowly open it up as the milk is frothing / pouring. That in itself is not a big deal, but I’ve found the milk doesn’t heat sufficiently when using the automatic frother, and when I make espresso for my wife with the milk attachment, she ends up throwing it in the microwave at the end, which really doesn’t do justice to the latte produced. I’ve found myself pulling shots and adding creamer and syrup straight to the shot for a hotter, more concentrated beverage. I’ve also increased the temperature of the machine, following the included instructions, and it just doesn’t get hot enough when using the milk frother. As it stands, I would recommend picking up the espresso machine without the frother attachment, but since this is for a combo product, I wouldn’t recommend this version specifically.

Kitchenaid has made having a cappuccino at home easy. Having this machine to help you in your craft of making a great cup of espressos, lattes, and cappuccinos is worth it. The automatic milk frother is nice to have but it does a mediocre job at frothing. With all the accessories and the finish of the machine it looks and feels like a premium product.

I'll start with the good stuff. Refilling the water tank is so easy thanks to the handle to pull it out! I love this. It makes great espresso and the portafilter is a commercial sized one. It heats up very quickly and has a good strong steam wand. The water temperature has 3 settings for extraction. The hottest one yields a solid 165°F/73°C at the cup (after all the heat loss from the fall, the portafilter, etc) Things that were not so good: The machine goes to sleep after some time spent idle. I make a cup in the morning, and a few hours later I want to get another one. The machine is asleep. It takes less time for it to heat up for extraction that it takes to grind the coffee, so that part is covered fine, but the cup warmer went to sleep as well!? A cup warmer that does not keep my cups warm defeats the purpose of a cup warmer... I honestly could forego the frother. The steam wand works perfectly fine and I was able to do a better job than the frother (with just 3 minutes invested watching a video on how to do it) The hot water function seems to not work if the frother is attached. According to the manual it should work, so maybe it's just a defective unit, I don't know. I don't mind at all since I put the frother away. What broke the deal for me was that you cannot program the extraction as wanted. The owner's manual (which I read online prior to purchase) states that the extraction can be programmed by hand by keeping a button pressed until you get your desired espresso volume in your cup. Turns out it has pre-programmed hard limit of 6 oz that is not documented anywhere in the owner's manual. I learned that by speaking to their customer service asking for product support. Sadly I'll return this item for that last reason. There is no way to make a "cafe crema" with this machine, or to pull a long espresso. I'd say that it is a very good machine if you're not looking for long extraction, and if you can forego the cup warmer. However for this price point, that shouldn't be the case.

In line with the other reviews, good espresso maker for the price. The setup doesn’t take up much counter space. Only draw back is that it can be quite loud, which might be existed from all espresso machines; not a deal breaker.

Such a good value for the price. So happy with this purchase especially since it's so easy to use. i like that it has a frother too!

This machine makes some great espresso shots and is very easy to use and just as easy to clean. Part of the reason I chose this brand is because I trust that the build quality will be good, and I was not disappointed at all. Not only does it appear to have quality materials and build, but it is put together in such a way that should any part fail the entire unit can easily be taken apart with a simple phillips head screwdriver and be repaired. This machine was built with the intention that it would be maintained for many years, not discarded/replaced. The only reason I have not given this a 5 star rating is that the milk frothing attachment is unimpressive so far. I may need more experience with it to get the results I want, but my attempts so far have left me with the impression that its not worth paying more for the attachment. You are better off getting a separate milk frothing unit and paying less. I happened to get the bundle on sale for a lower price than the machine by itself, which is the only reason I gave it a shot.