Product Description

The high-tech boiler design of the Capresso mini-S 4-Cup Safety Espresso/Cappuccino Machine reduces warm-up time to under 2.5 minutes. The Capresso mini-S makes up to four Cappuccinos or Lattes at a time. The mini-S comes with an advanced safety boiler cap with built-in safety valve, red indicator light and dishwasher safe glass carafe.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #33607 in Kitchen & Housewares
• Brand: Capresso
• Model: 302.01
• Dimensions: 9.00" h x 11.00" w x 12.00" l, 5.00 pounds

Features

• Unique dual frother for frothing cappuccinos or steaming for lattes
• 3-way safety switch; choose between full pressure and maximum steam output
• 4-cup capacity, dishwasher-safe, glass carafe
• Includes instruction video and measuring scoop
• Measures 10 by 7 by 9 inches; 1-year limited warranty

From the Manufacturer
This four-cup safety espresso/cappuccino machine makes whipping up your favorite hot drinks easy! Once the water is hot, it is forced through the filter holder, brewing espresso coffee into the glass carafe. During this time steam starts collecting in the boiler. When the coffee has reached the "steam" marking on the glass carafe, you can stop the brewing and switch to frothing milk. It's just that easy.

Features:

• Boiler cap with built-in safety valve.
• Patented three-way safety switch for choosing between full pressure for brewing espresso and maximum steam output
• Red indicator light and dishwasher-safe glass carafe
• Stops brewing or steaming in the "0" position
• Dual frother lets you steam or froth milk either in a pitcher or right in your cup
• Instructional video shows how to produce espressos and cappuccinos in three easy steps

Includes:

• 12-ounce carafe
• Easy "how-to-cappuccino" video
• Measuring scoop

Customer Reviews

Excellent for first time users!
I purchased this machine after much research and to my surprise; it has far exceeded my expectations. Why? Well first let me inform you that I had absolutely no espresso/cappuccino machine experience and that this Mini-S is in fact my first machine. So back to why?

1. Capresso does an excellent job with the instructional video and so you can feel very confident when making your first cup.

2. During my research I kept reading that some of the other less expense machines don't get up to a high enough temperature - well this is NOT a problem with this machine. BUT if you are making cappuccino MAKE sure that you froth/steam the milk enough to bring it to the right temperature or you will in fact experience a cooler cup of cappuccino.

3. Another complaint I heard about other machines is that the frother/steamer is too low to put a proper sized frothing pitcher. NOT the case with this machine. I purchased the Krups 085 - 20-ounce frothing pitcher and I have plenty of room.

4. This machine doesn't require a tamper - I don't know why but it doesn't and so that is one less item to buy!

5. IT MAKES AN EXCELLENT CUP OF CAPPUCCINO!! My wife and I purchased Espresso from Starbucks and had them grind it (so no need to buy a special espresso grinder) then we compared the cappuccino we made using the Mini-S & Starbucks brand espresso and the cup of cappuccino we had Starbucks make and they were identical!!!! (BTW - DO NOT use regular coffee so do make sure you buy real espresso and have it ground up for you)

I'm certain there are cons to this machine but being a first time user I have to say that I haven't found one yet and that is why I give this machine 5 STARS.

Good luck with your pursuit of a great cup!

Excellent Value for Money - Great Cappuccino
I bought this to break myself of going to Starbucks and because I'm cheap. This is not a state of the art, hot shot machine, but it is 1/3 the cost of anything nearly as good as far as I can tell, and I like it a lot.

To make cappuccino you follow these steps:
1. Pour water into carafe to top of metal rim, then pour it into the boiler and close the boiler tight (easy)
2. Put espresso into filter (marked for 2 or 4 cups) and then put into machine (easy)
3. Put carafe into position (only goes one way and incredibly easy)
4. Turn to cup setting and wait until it drips to steam line, meanwhile prepare 2/3 cup of milk (skim is better) (very easy)
5. Put frother into milk, turn dial from cup to steam, steam milk about 10 seconds (easy), then drop the steam cover to start frothing (very easy) and froth for another 10-20 seconds
6. Turn control back to cup and wait until enough coffee has dripped through (either you have enough or it starts steaming). (easy but it takes attention).
7. Turn machine to off, pour your coffee and steamed milk and foam into your cup. Drink (easy)
8. Let the rest of the water drip into the carafe, then let steam run out into (another) empty cup. Very easy
-- You are done --
Clean up is even easier. You can put just about everything into the dishwasher, the only tricky part is to unscrew the frother and wash it to keep it clean. Incredibly easy.

Did I mention it is easy?

The cappuccion so far is better than I was buying at Starbucks for $4.25 and as far as I can compute it, it is costing me about < $0.50 / cup using the expensive Green Mountain Espresso + skim milk. Not a bad savings.

The one thing they don't tell you is that if you are making 1 serving (2 cups), stop brewing (turn from cup to 0) at 2 cups, pour out your coffee, and then let the rest of the water pour through.

All in all, it couldn't be easier. Time from start to finish, including clean up is about 4 minutes.

==============
Here's a follow up some months later. I finally decided that the foam and espresso I was getting was not consistent enough, the parts were a bit fragile, and, most important, a steam-based machine will never quite give me what I truly want.

I decided to to step up and I bought the Starbucks Barrista (during their annual 25% off sale) and there is no comparison (in quality or in price!)

So, I'd modify my review just to say that the Capresso is great for its cost, and great for getting started, but if you want the flavor of a truly well made cappuccino you need a machine with a pump, and one with separate controls for steaming and for making the espresso.

Just like Dutch Bros.
I wasnt sure about this machine because it is so cheap for an espresso machine, but it really does work well. My drinks made at home taste just as good as Dutch Bros. and Starbucks! It isnt noisy, and is easy to clean ... the frother/steamer is also very powerful. For the price, it is well worth it.