There is a reason why a lot of people pay for coffee-styled drinks like cappuccinos, lattes and others at local coffee shops. These drinks combine steamed milk with quality espresso. At first thought, you would think that these drinks are just coffee, but in reality, they more labor-intensive than standard cups of drip coffee. If you want to learn how to do this tricky process and enjoy tasty results at home, you can study it for hours and hours. But there’s an easier option. Just get an espresso maker, particularly the Mr. Coffee Cafe Barista espresso maker. Not only will you save time, but it will also save you money in the long run. Because of spending much more in coffee shops, you can just make it at home. Here’s why the Mr Coffee Cafe Barista is a good option.
Main Characteristics
Like a lot of other espresso makers in the same price range, the inner elements of the Mr Coffee espresso maker are protected in a special black plastic housing. This semi-automated machine has a certain touch of luxury due to its front panels are using stainless steel. The buttons are easy to use, so you won’t need to worry about how to operate it. With just a simple push of a button, it’s possible to pick either a double or single shot of espresso. You can even choose either latte or cappuccino. If you hold the button for a few seconds, you can either get the following extra options:
- Adding more frothed milk
- Customize your favorite espresso
- Clean the espresso maker
Before you can start enjoying different espresso drinks, you need to prime this unit. Don’t worry, this process may sound a bit complex to some consumers, but you will be able to follow it easily because it’s described quite clearly in the manual. All you have to do is fill up its water and milk tanks with enough water to run a few different cycles. The Mr Coffee Cafe Barista espresso maker also includes extra accessories like a milk reservoir, portable filter, water tank with a special lid, filters for single and double shots, measuring tamper and book with tasty espresso recipes.
In terms of technology, the Mr. Coffee Barista espresso maker will cover all the basics of a super automatic coffee maker. And at the heart of the machine, there is a single pump boiler that is responsible for extracting the espresso and frothing the milk. That means you’ll have to alternate between the two modes to finish your coffee. The boiler is powerful enough to produce your morning coffee. Just make sure you don’t use it for high volumes as it won’t keep up with the pace. It’s an entry level espresso machine after all.
Special Features
The control panel of this espresso maker has 9 different functions and iis divided into 2 basic parts:
- The left side buttons are for choosing either double or single espresso shots
- The right side buttons are designed for manual features like cleaning or extra frothing
Each side is surrounded by a green LED light that flashes or lights up based on a specific cycle or step. Plus, you will see small icons with LED lights that light up for every button pressed. This makes it easier for the user to choose their preferred espresso choices. The milk and water reservoirs also have clear visible lines for maximum fill level. Lastly, the Mr. Coffee Barista espresso maker uses dishwasher-safe parts. The user can wash almost all machine elements in their dishwashers. This makes it very convenient because this feature is a time saver.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Elegant design
- Easy to use
- Easy to clean
- Versatile
- Inexpensive
- Automation between steaming and brewing is seamless
- Good-sized milk and water tanks
- Versatility of its volume control
- Adjustable height under a brew head
Cons:
- Might not the best espresso maker for true purists and enthusiasts
- You have to push milk reservoir firmly into its slot before starting to brew, or it may leak occasionally
- A bit loud
- Some machine parts don’t have the necessary specs
The Verdict
If you look at the prices of coffee makers, there is dramatic price fluctuation from $150 machines to $2000+ coffee monsters. The Mr. Coffee Barista espresso maker occupies the space of the entry level coffee maker and is most suited for people who love to drink frothy cappuccinos and are looking to buy their first coffee machine. This espresso maker does what it advertises and more. Plus, it isn’t expensive so it won’t be a huge investment. So overall, it is a good buy.
