KitchenAid - Semi Automatic Espresso Machine with Burr Grinder, KES6551 - Stainless Steel
Model: KES6551SX
SKU: 6583014
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Overall, this is an excellent espresso maker. I prefer systems that allow the user the greatest amount of flexibility in the creation of coffee beverages. You can easily adjust the brewing temperature, size and amount of coffee to ground to your taste. I felt the manual was a bit cumbersome but after a few attempts and adjustments I was able to produce beverages pleasing to me. The only gripe I have is minor and concerns the heating system. After powering on I ground the desired amount of beans after which I must wait until the heating system heats the water. LEDS flash while temperature rises to the desired temperature (highlighted for temperature in red and operational mode in blue in photo) After dispensing the hot water to brew the coffee another wait until the temperature is adjusted for hot water and, or the frothing system. A minor inconvenience which forces me to wait for my delicious coffee. This could be an annoyance if one is preparing one or two beverages. I was apprehensive about purchasing such a system but I have been using it almost every morning since purchased a month and a half ago. For me, this well built machine was worth the splurge.
Posted by GeoFLL
I love coffee, but up until now I had been intimidated to try making my own espresso and learning the ins and outs of pulling a good shot. This Kitchen Aid Semi-Automatic Espresso Machine has changed everything for me. I have learned what it takes to make a decadent shot of espresso and have been making all kinds of concoctions while trying out different beans every day just because I can now. I’ll admit, I was still confused about the process after reading the manuals provided but luckily Kitchen Aid and Best Buy both provide easy to follow instructional videos that helped get me going and I highly recommend watching those. The manuals are very detailed and provide additional necessary info about the machine, so definitely don’t skip them. Once the machine is up and running, there is a trial-and-error period of figuring out the grind to quantity size that pulls a shot within the depicted “espresso range.” The booklet gives details on how to adjust depending on the pressure pointer’s direction. I suggest using a single shot for this to waste less beans in the process. The bean hopper has an airtight lid which means all the beans loaded into it remain fresh. The top burr can be customized beyond the standard settings to get eight finer grind sizes. The machine is surprisingly low profile at just over a foot all around and the internal storage, overhead space, and drip tray help keep all of its components neatly stored within its space. There are two wheels in the back that make it easy to move back and forth and clean around it. It is extraordinarily easy and quick to wipe down clean after each use and the drip tray shows when it needs to be drained and cleaned. The froth wand simply gets cleaned by spraying it into the drip down tray, I also clean it while cleaning out the group head by running hot water through and keeping the froth wand underneath it and then wiping both with a cloth. Once the tray displays it is full, I drain, wash, and then dry it. I find making espresso is both incredibly messy and easy to clean. And when you are well-caffeinated, nothing is really that much of a chore. The machine heats up as soon as it is turned on, coming to temp in about a minute. There are three temperature settings for shot. I chose warm or hot for my hot lattes and mochas and the lowest temperature to make iced drinks. Kitchen Aid includes 4 basket options, two single-walled and two double-walled. The manual explains uses for each and the dose each holds in grams. Also included are the Portafilter, tamper, stainless steel milk pitcher, and a two-sided bristle brush. There is one water filter for the water tank included that should last two months. This espresso machine is honestly perfect for coffee aficionados. It is easy to learn with for beginners and perfect for those already versed in pulling espresso shots. It pulls full-bodied, aromatic, crema-rich shots that are better than what a coffee-shop provides and froths/steams milk all faster than it takes for my coffee maker to finish brewing. It’s hard not to look like you are an actor in a cheesy commercial when you sit all alone actually savoring every sip with a slow blink and a smile because that is how good this machine works.
Posted by Akire
I have never used an espresso machine prior to using this one, and having this in a home is such a treasure! This KitchenAid Espresso Machine is a sleek, highly-useful (even for tasks not related to coffee making!) and feature-rich kitchen appliance; a must have for cafe-drink lovers! The build quality of everything on and in the machine is phenomenal! All elements have satisfying, high-quality hefts and weight to them, the buttons are tactile and responsive with indicator lights, and the stainless steel used on the exterior-facing elements looks fantastic and are built to last! The instruction guides or videos are a must when setting this machine up; the quick start guide and the owner’s manual paired together cover everything you need to know about the machine clearly and concisely (such as installing the water tank/filter, priming the machine with water, etc.). It won’t require much reading which is nice, and the steps to assemble and prep the machine are very low stakes/easy! I would only say this has a slight learning curve; it took me around 40 minutes from the start of setup to have my first cup of espresso! It may take some testing beyond the 40 minutes to produce a correct espresso brew to your liking though! Getting to the fun part, using the machine! The machine is “semi-automatic”, meaning you have to move the coffee beans through the “espresso making” process, from bean grinding into the included portable and swappable handheld “portafilter”, tamping the coffee grounds to evenly distribute the grounds using the included tamper, then pouring (filtering) heated water through the concentrated grounds to create your espresso! The built-in (and very impressive) burr grinder grinds the coffee beans perfectly to your liking, and to the exact amount you specify on the grinding knob! This is an extremely satisfying step to watch! The actual espresso pouring step has temperature settings and output amount settings as well, and is very easy to initiate! There is also a steaming option using the built-in movable steam head (this works great for steaming or frothing milk!), as well as a hot-water spout for quick access to hot water! The heating elements are very quick to heat, and the steaming/hot water features are extremely convenient for not just espresso-making, but also for making hot chocolate, tea, etc.! I’m happy to report as well that running the machine, from grinding, to steaming and to pouring espresso is only around a quiet to occasional moderate noise level, and the device is extremely easy to clean, as all parts are disassemblable! A few important final things to note! First off, the top of the unit, which is flat, open space and has no warning imagery or signage on it, gets very hot during and after use, so be careful to not place flammable things on this surface or burn yourself! Second, if you happen to spill liquids onto the flat, non-grated surface behind the metal pour surface tray (like I did, oops!), liquids can seep into and get stuck between cracks in the machine, where it is extremely difficult to get between to clean. The stainless steel exterior is also a major fingerprint magnet and might require extra cleaning to buff out fingerprints after use. None of these impact usability in any significant ways though!
Posted by RAM2060
Customers highly value the KitchenAid Semi Automatic Espresso Machine with Burr Grinder, KES6551 for its user-friendly design and efficient burr grinder. Users appreciate how easy it is to operate and clean, making it a convenient choice for daily use. The built-in burr grinder is also praised for delivering a consistent grind, enhancing the overall espresso-making experience.
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