Top 10 Recommended Cuisinart Espresso Maker Review

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.

The Cuisinart DGB-700BC Fully Automatic Burr Grind & Brew Coffeemaker

The Cuisinart Burr Grind & Brew Coffeemaker

The first thing you’ll notice about the new Fully Automatic Burr Grind & Brew is the quality of the coffee. A burr mill extracts maximum flavor from beans, and easy-to-use controls let you choose the strength of the brew. With the bigger bean hopper, fully programmability, and Cuisinart simple cleanup, it’s never been easier to make a great pot of coffee.

The Quest for a Perfect Espresso

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

Making Coffee with Whole Beans

12-cup glass caraffe

1. Fill the Water Reservoir:
   Open the reservoir lid. Pour the desired amount of water in the reservoir using the water level window indicator. Close the reservoir lid. Note: Do not exceed the 12-cup line; doing so may cause the carafe to overflow.
2. Add Beans:
   Lift the hopper lid, using the recess on either side. Fill the hopper with beans. It is recommended keeping the hopper at least halfway full. Be sure that you have a sufficient amount of beans in your hopper for the amount of coffee you intend to brew (maximum capacity is 1/2-pound. Do not over-pack the hopper. Over-packing may result in jamming the grinder.) For easy filling, the hopper container can be taken out by turning the hopper container release knob to the unlock position. Note: Do not put any water in the unit once the hopper container has been removed. If the water gets into the grinder motor, the motor may become damaged and may malfunction. Put hopper lid back in place.
3. Lock Hopper:
   If you have removed the hopper from the unit, be sure that the hopper container release knob is in the unlocked position and place the hopper container back in the unit. Turn the knob to locked position. This unit is equipped with a safety interlock system. The unit will not operate grinding function if the hopper container is not in place. If you try to turn on the unit for grinding with the hopper out of place, the unit will beep continuously until the missing part is installed. The brewing process can be restarted by pressing the On button. Restarting the process will not affect coffee results.
4. Insert Coffee Filter:
   Open filter door by pressing filter basket door release button. Remove filter basket cover and place a #4 basket paper filter or Cuisinart’s commercial style permanent filter in the basket. The unit is equipped with a safety interlock system. The units will not operate if the filter basket cover or filter basket are not in place or if the filter door is not closed. If you try to turn the unit on while the filter compartment is out of place, the unit will beep continuously until the missing part(s) are installed.
5. Brewing:
   • Immediate Grinding and Brewing:
     1. Turn the Grind Control Knob to select the number of cups you want to brew. The coffeemaker will grind the corresponding amounts of beans. The unit will automatically adjust for low cup settings.
     2. Press the Strength Control button to set the coffee strength. MILD, MED or STRONG will show on the LCD display.
     3. Press the On button. The indicator will light and process will begin.
   • Programmed Brewing:
     Press the Program button. The indicator will light and the display will show the programmed time for as long as the button is depressed. The display reverts back to the time of day once the button is released.
     1. Turn the Grind Control knob to select the number of cups you want to brew. The Coffeemaker will grind the corresponding amount of beans. The unit will automatically adjust for low cup settings.
     2. Press the Strength Control button to set coffee strength. MILD, MED or STRONG will show on the LCD display.
     3. The coffeemaker will begin brewing at the programmed time.
6. During and After Brewing:
   The Brew Pause feature allows you to remove the carafe from the heating plate during mid-brew. The brewing process does not stop during this period; only the flow of coffee from the basket stops. Do not remove the carafe for longer than 20 seconds or the coffee may overflow the basket. While Cuisinart offers this feature, it is not recommended that you pour coffee before the cycle has reached completion, since the coffee brewed at the beginning of the cycle has a flavor profile which is very different from the coffee made at the end of the cycle. Removing the cup during the brewing cycle will alter the flavor of the finished pot. When the brewing cycle is completed, five beeps will sound. Coffee will continue to stream from the filer for several seconds.

Making Coffee with Pre-Ground Beans

Simple operation control panel

1. Fill the Water Reservoir:
   Open the reservoir lid. Pour the desired amount of water in the reservoir using the water level window indicator. Close the reservoir lid. Note: Do not exceed the 12 cup line; doing so may cause the carafe to overflow.
2. Add Coffee Grounds:
   1. Open filter door. Add ground coffee to the permanent or #4 paper filter.
   2. Place filter basket lid in place and close filter door.
3. Brewing:
   • Immediate Grinding and Brewing:
     1. Press the Grind Off button. When this function is activated, an amber LED will be illuminated.
     2. Press the On button. The indicator will light and the process will begin.
   • Programmed Brewing:
     Press the Program button. The indicator will light and the display will show the programmed time for as long as the button is depressed. The display reverts back to the time of day once the button is released.
     1. Press the Grind Off button. When this function is activated, an amber LED will be illuminated.
     2. The coffeemaker will begin brewing at the programmed time.

For additional product information, see the reference manual above.