Cuisinart EM-200 Review

Cuisinart EM-200 Espresso Maker

My Overall Rating:


Quality of Brew
Ease of Maintenance
Cost

The Cuisinart EM-200 is available at . CLICK HERE

This espresso machine review concerns the Cuisinart EM-200. It is an extremely popular and versatile espresso maker. As espresso machine reviews go, this particular model Cuisinart espresso maker has drawn extremely positive reviews primarily because of its ease of use and reliability.

It has 15 bars of pressure – that’s 15 times normal air pressure – which creates a pure, authentic espresso with an excellent foam head, or crema. It has a stainless steel steam nozzle which can turn your espresso into a beautiful cappuccino or latte, and it comes with a stainless steel frothing cup. The 64 ounce water reservoir is removable so you can fill it up easily.

What’s It Like?

The Cuisinart EM-200 progammable espresso maker allows you to have as much or as little espresso as you like. You can make excellent espresso with little or no effort, or, if you like, you can play barista and test your espresso making skills. It’s entirely your choice.

Program the Cusinart EM-200 for a single espresso (1.5 ounce cup) or a double espresso  (3 ounce cup), or program your own perfect serving size.

Use ground espresso and test your skill with the tamper, or just take it easy and use a pod.

Have straight espresso or a cappuccino or latte by using the steam wand. The steam heats the milk, and also mixes the milk with air to form a foamy texture  which makes a perfect cappuccino. This process is known as milk texturiing, and perfecting this fine art is both challenging and fun.

Here’s What Users Thought

Sookie 23

I was a bit hesitant about buying a low-end espresso machine (considering $200 low-end simply because these things go up to $2000+). The cuisinart does not disappoint. It makes amazing espresso – every bit as good as what I get at the neighborhood coffee shops. Great crema, piping hot and it makes a perfect 1.5 oz pour or 3 oz double pour right out of the box. The machine heats up quickly (approx 1 minute) and is easy to clean. Its best features are the built in “warming area” on top and the ability to easily reprogram the buttons.

Review paraphrased for size – view original review here

Rajani

I received this espresso maker as a birthday gift. I am a hard-core coffee drinker, drink multiple cups daily and very particular about my coffee. I’ve used it for about two weeks and have to say, this machine makes as good or better espresso, lattes and breves than I can get at my local coffee house. It put a reasonably thick caramel-colored crema on the top of the very first cup of espresso, but after experimenting with different grinds and types of coffee (yes, I have been playing with it a lot!) I’ve gotten it just about perfect with no bitterness.

Review paraphrased for size – view original review here

Kirk M.

…if I where Cuisinart, I’d be shouting this from the roof tops…

1. This machine has the most rock solid temperature across shots I’ve ever seen. Nothing else comes close.

2. This machine has integrated pressure relief. It’s not perfect, which is probably why they didn’t mention it, but even Gaggia’s solenoid freaks out from time to time too. Most every other manufacture with this feature charge double this machines cost. It’s a big deal.

3. I’ve been inside DeLonghis, Gaggias, and others, this thing is pretty well built. It also looks pretty nice on the outside, and has a water res that is easy to use, large enough, and above all else, leak free.

Review paraphrased for size – view original review here


What’s It Got?

A list of this Cuisinart espresso maker’s features would knock anyone’s socks off:

  • 64 ounce removable water reservoir has a lid and 2 options for filling with water.
  • Cup warming plate for traditional warm espresso cups
  • 15 bar pump for the needed pressure to make authentic espresso
  • Manual button allows for continuous pouring of espresso
  • 1 or 2 cup button can serve either a single or double serving of espresso
  • Program button allows you to set the number of ounces required
  • Steam button and commercial steam wand allows you to produce cappuccinos or lattes.
  • Portafilter Holder allows you to use either ground espresso or espresso pods. Cleans easily.
  • Removable drip tray for easy cleaning.
  • Stainless Steel Frothing Pitcher for steaming milk for lattes and cappuccinos.
  • Measuring Scoop/Tamping Tool – Should you prefer the ground espresso to pod espresso,
  • this tool is a measuring scoop on one side and a tamping tool on the other side.
  • Filter Baskets: 1-cup filter, 2-cup filter or pod filter baskets.

Who’s It For?

  1. Espresso or cappuccino lovers who enjoy a superior cup of espresso
  2. Anyone who is tired of leaving the home for a decent cup of espresso.
  3. Those who may be on a budget and would like to stop paying Starbucks for their daily cappuccino or espresso.

Why Buy the Cuisinart Em-200?

  • The Cuisinart Em-200 espresso maker is modestly priced at Amazon.com, at currently $195.00 – very reasonable for the features packed into this little unit.
  • The choice of either ground espresso or the espresso pods allows you to exercise as much or as little skill and control over your espresso as you want.  The machine will match your mood.
  • This Cuisinart espresso maker gets right to the point. It doesn’t dazzle you with expensive options that you don’t need and frankly can break down rather easily. You get right to the espresso.
  • It’s easy to clean up. The reservoir and related parts are removable and easily cleanable so you won’t have to hire a janitor to come along with the unit.
  • Save money on expensive trips to the Starbucks and enjoy your espresso or cappuccino in the comfort of your home.

The Good and the Bad

The Good
  • Fast and Easy. This Cuisinart espresso maker primes itself rapidly and there’s plenty of steam for the cappuccino. Reportedly you can have perfect cappuccino in less than 10 minutes from start to finish.
  • The steam wand is reported to work extremely well – better in fact than wands on other espresso machines that cost up to 4 times as much
  • Even temperature consistency between shots of espresso. Rare in a machine as reasonably priced as this one, and reportedly unmatched in other machines.
  • Solidly built. One user stated that the removable water reservoir on the Cuisinart EM-200  is easy to use and doesn’t leak. Believe it or not, other models do have leaking reservoirs from time to time.
  • The machine holds up over time.  Some users have reported 1 -2 years of excellent use so far with no problems.
  • It has an auto power down which is extremely handy whey you’re on the go. You’d be surprised how often you can simply forget to shut the machine off.
The Bad
  • Some have reported that the filter can get clogged occasionally. This can be avoided with correctly ground espresso. Also the Cuisinart EM-200 comes with special pins for clearing any clogs.
  • It can be a bit noisy.

Check Out the Video

The Cuisinart EM-200 is available at  . CLICK HERE

The Cuisinart Espresso maker comes from a tradition of fine home kitchen appliances. Cuisinart has been contributing to healthier living and a freer lifestyle for over 30 years, when they first introduced the now legendary food processor into the home kitchen.

Today, the Cuisinart espresso maker joints a long list of Cuisinart products designed to help people break their usual and boring routines and live the Good Life with family and friends.

We hope you have found this espresso machine review helpful, and that these facts and opinions help you narrow down your search.