Best Conair Cuisinart Em100

The Cuisinart EM-100 Espresso Maker

The Cuisinart EM-100 espresso maker

Cuisinart lets you prepare gourmet quality espresso at home! With a system that allows you to pre-select serving size, 15 bars of pressure for maximum flavor and the option of using ground espresso or pods, you’re in control. A separate steam function and stainless steel nozzle make it easy to froth milk for cappuccinos and smooth lattes. With a removable drip tray and cover, and a filter holder with a locking mechanism clean up is quick and easy.

The Quest for a Perfect Espresso

It is generally agreed that there are four basic elements critical to the perfect cup:

Element 1: WATER

When brewing espresso, make sure the water flows through the filter at the correct pace. The water flow can be adjusted by varying the pressure with which the coffee is taped in the filter or by altering the grind of coffee. If the speed of the water is slow the coffee will be over extracted and will be very dark and bitter, with a spotted and uneven creme (froth) on the top. If the speed of the water flow is too fast, the coffee will be under-extracted and the supreme flavor will not develop. The coffee will be diluted and there will be an inadequate amount of crème on the top.

Element 2: COFFEE

While the bulk of the liquid is water, all of the flavor should be from the coffee. To achieve the same great quality of coffee you receive at a cafe, you need to use the same quality beans. If you choose to grind your own beans, buy the beans fresh and whole, only about a two week supply at a time for maximum freshness. Once the coffee bean is broken, its flavor degrades very quickly. If it is not practical to buy smaller supplies, we recommend you separate larger amounts of beans and store them in airtight containers in a cool, dry area. They should not be kept for longer than 1 month as flavor will diminish. Do not refrigerate or freeze coffee beans.

Element 3: GRIND

The grind of the coffee is critical for proper flavor extraction. If using a pre-ground coffee, be sure to purchase an espresso grind that is specifically for espresso/cappuccino machines. If the grind is too fine, over extraction and bitterness will occur with a spotted and uneven crema on top. If the grind is too coarse, the water will pass through too rapidly and there will be an inadequate amount of crema on the top of the espresso.

Element 4: TAMPING THE COFFEE GROUNDS

If you choose to use ground espresso instead of pods, tamping the coffee is a very important part of the coffee making process. Use the scoop supplied to fill the filter basket, then using the tamping tool, tamp down the grounds with moderate pressure. Add more coffee and tamp again if necessary to bring coffee to level. Do not overfill the filter basket. The ground coffee should be tamped with moderate pressure. If the coffee is not tamped securely, there is a chance the water will flow through the coffee to rapidly and the coffee will be under-extracted. Note: if the coffee is tamped too firmly, the water will flow through the coffee too slowly and the coffee will be over-extracted.

The combination coffee scoop/tamping tool.

Features and Benefits

Cup warming plate.



Multi-function knob.

• Water reservoir lid
• Removable 53-ounce water reservoir
• Large cup warming plate
• 15-bar pump
• Heating light: Will illuminate indicating that espresso machine is adjusting the temperature of the heating system.
• Steam/Hot water knob: To use the hot water function, the Steam/Hot Water Knob must be turned the ‘double drip’ setting.
• Function knob: Three settings – steam, hot water, make coffee.
• Portafilter holder: Can be used with ground or pod espresso. Has two positions, lock and unlock, for ease of cleaning.
• Brew head: For easy fit of the portafilter holder.
• Commercial steam wand: Use to steam milk for cappuccinos and lattes.
• Removable drip tray: Removable drip tray with grate.
• Cleaning pins: Used to clean any excess milk that gets stuck inside the steam wand or any coffee particles that get stuck inside the filter basket.
• Stainless frothing pitcher: Used for steaming milk for cappuccinos and lattes.
• Measuring scoop/tamping tool: Use one side as a coffee scoop and the other to compact the coffee grounds in the filter basket prior to brewing.
• Filter baskets: Use the one cup filter for a single espresso and the two cup filter basket for the double espresso, and the pod filter basket for espresso pods.

Guide to the Perfect Espresso

1. You may want to preheat the cups by filling them with hot water; this will help preserve the crema of the espresso. Set the cups aside.
2. Select the appropriate filter basket and insert it in the portafilter handle.
3. Using the measuring scoop place finely ground coffee in the filter basket holder. Use one scoop for one cup and two scoops for two cups, or place espresso pod into filter basket holder.
4. Rest the portafilter handle with the filter basket in position on the countertop. Using the tamping tool, apply moderate packing pressure. Add more coffee and tamp again if necessary to bring coffee to level.
5. Brush any excess grounds form around the edge of the filter basket.
6. Secure the portafilter holder onto the brew head.
7. Check to see if the espresso machine is ready for use. Remember that if the heating light is on, the espresso machine is still adjusting the temperature of the heating system. Turn the function knob clockwise to the picture of the cup espresso setting to start the pour and turn it back to the off position to stop.
8. Check the espresso pour and serve immediately.

Milk steaming wand.

Guide to Milk Texturing

Milk texturing is the steaming of milk. The steam does two things: it heats the milk and mixes air with the milk to form a creamy texture. As with learning to make an espresso, perfecting the art of milk texturing takes time and practice. Easy to follow steps are outlined in the Instruction Booklet.

Using the Hot Water Function

When using the hot water function make sure that the steam/hot water knob is in the double drip hot water setting.

Place the cup or container under the steam/hot water nozzle and turn the function knob to the steam/hot water setting. Once you have dispensed the required amount, stop the hot water by turning the function knob to the off position. Remove the cup or container and swing the steam/hot water wand over the drip tray to catch any drips of water.

Easy-lock lid.

Mixing paddle.

Double-insulated freezer bowl.

Heavy-duty motor.

Frozen treats in 20 minutes or less.

Frozen Favorites in Minutes

The heavy-duty motor makes frozen yogurt, ice cream, sorbet – even frozen drinks – in 20 minutes or less.

Pure and Simple Indulgence

Add fresh ingredients to the mixing bowl, turn on the machine, and go. It’s fully automatic. Plus, cleanup is a breeze.

Perfectly Delicious

The large capacity mixing bowl lets you make up to 1-1/2 quarts of your favorite smooth and creamy frozen treats.

Features and Benefits

• Ingredient Spout Pour recipe ingredients through the spout. Also use to add ingredients, like chips or nuts, without interrupting the freezing cycle.
   
• Easy-lock Lid Transparent to let you watch the freezing process as it progresses. Lid is designed to easily lock to base.
   
• Mixing Paddle Mixes and aerates ingredients in freezer bowl to create frozen desserts or drinks.
   
• Freezer Bowl Contains cooling liquid within a double insulated wall to create fast and even freezing. Double wall keeps the bowl cool and at an even temperature.
   
• Base Contains heavy duty motor strong enough to handle ice cream, frozen yogurt, sherbet, sorbet and frozen drinks.
   
• Rubber Feet Nonslip feet keep base stationary during use.
   
• Cord Storage Unused cord is easily pushed into the base to keep counter neat and safe.

Freezing Time and Bowl Preparation

The freezer bowl must be completely frozen before you begin your recipe. Before freezing, wash and dry the bowl. The length of time needed to reach the frozen state depends on how cold your freezer is. It is recommended that you place the freezer bowl in the back of your freezer where it is the coldest. Be sure to place the freezer bowl on a flat surface in its upright position for even freezing.

Generally, freezing time is between 16 hours and 24 hours. Shake the bowl to determine whether it is completely frozen. If you do not hear the liquid within the bowl moving, the cooling liquid is therefore frozen. For the most convenient frozen desserts and drinks, leave your freezer bowl in the freezer at all times. Use the bowl immediately after removing from the freezer. It will begin to quickly defrost once it has been removed for the freezer.

Reminder: Your freezer should be set to 0°F to ensure proper freezing of all foods.

Making Frozen Desserts or Drinks

1. Use Cuisinart recipes included in the Instruction Booklet or use your own recipe, making sure it yields 1-1/2 quarts or less.
2. Remove the freezer bowl from the freezer and place on the center of the base. The bowl will begin to defrost quickly once it has been removed from the freezer. Use it immediately after removing from freezer.
3. Place mixing paddle in freezer bowl. It rests in the center of the bowl, with the circle side facing up.
4. Place lid on the base and rotate clockwise until tabs on lid lock in place on base.
5. Press On/Off switch to ON position. Freezer bowl will begin to turn.
6. Immediately pour ingredients through ingredient spout. NOTE: Ingredients must be added to the freezer bowl after the unit is turned on.
7. Frozen desserts or drinks will be done in less than 20 minutes. The time will depend on the recipe and volume of the dessert you are making. When the mixture has thickened to your liking, it is done. If you desire a firmer consistency, transfer the dessert to an airtight container and store in the freezer for two or more hours.

Adding Ingredients

Ingredients such as chips and nuts should be added about 5 minutes before the recipe is complete. Once the dessert has began to thicken, add the ingredients through the ingredient spout. Nuts and other ingredients should be no larger than a chocolate chip.