Briel ES62AF L'Expresso Automatic Cadiz Espresso Machine

It's January of 2012. Time to check back. I still am looking at higher-end espresso machines even though money is a little tight. If I can get one (such as the Rancillio Silva) I'll probably take this one to work. My colleagues still think that what they are served at Starbuck's is coffee. I continue to use filtered water, I have my beans mailed to me from Peet's and Graffeo in the SF Bay Area and I grind them each morning in a good burr grinder. I don't know what else to say. I think I must have gotten that rare machine built to last forever. I added two pictures up on the top of the page and I think they speak for themselves. The machine still looks almost new and the coffee it makes is pretty darned good. I use the machine every morning, seven days per week and I can't complain. Even if it were to die next week I couldn't complain; just mourn. Now that it's 2009, I thought my espresso machine deserved another star to celebrate. It seems I can't click on the fifth star, so just imagine it's there. I recently started using filtered water from my refrigerator dispenser. This should cut down on deposits in the boiler. I ran a vinegar sol'n through it recently and everything is working as it did when I took it out of the box. If it ever does die, I suppose I'll have a ceremony of some kind. It's now nearing the end of 2008. I still use the machine daily. One of the lights blinks a bit but I'm getting better espresso and cappuccino than when it was new. I attribute this to the increase in my skill level as the machine is still operating as it did when it came out of the box. I suppose I need to add another star. I'm still not able to quite duplicate the taste of a shot in Rome or from the now-just-a-memory Forum at Telegraph and Haste in Berkeley but it's not bad. It's now about 4 years since I originally reviewed this item. It's still going strong and still does an excellent job. I'm adding one more star for longevity. (I was able to get an excellent burr grinder that grinds fresh beans perfectly) This machine has been worth the money. I've used the Briel Cadiz for almost a year and it is the best performing espresso machine I've had to date. I solved the filter clogging problem by not grinding my own coffee any more. None of the home grinders priced for those of us who don't have a "Bil Gates" income deliver a really good dependable espresso grind. I buy my coffee pre-ground (espresso) from Peet's in Berkeley CA. They are reliable and quick--even to Hawaii. The roasting date is stamped on every bag. (on-line ordering is simple; type "peet's coffee" in google) A small plus, mine shipped with a stainless steaming head rather than a plastic one. I like it very much and it's quite easy to clean. Until I can afford to be around when a commercial espresso bar auctions off its equipment, I expect to remain quite staisfied with this machine.

I agree with most of the reviews. In the beginning, the machine works well, but then starts leaking. Oftentimes, it is because of the way you grind the coffee. If ground too thin, it will leak. And if ground too coarse, nothing will happen. It can be very very messy at times. But it works very very well when I use pods. Illy or Lavazza pods work well, and the crema is still good. Definitely a decent purchase....but don't expect to keep it for ever. You'll want to upgrade. Then you can use the Briel Cadiz for the office with pods (avoid the mess!), and keep a better one for home.

As of this month, I've been using my Briel Cadiz for two years. I make 3 cappucino's every day, so I guess you could say that the machine has gotten a very thorough test by now! Over 1000 cups! It still performs very well. The espresso is second to none -- perfect temperature, very aromatic, and with a beautiful thick head of crema. The steam wand has lost a little power over the years (maybe 20%), but still performs well enough to give me a nice foamy cappucino. One trick I learned about maintenance: after the first 6 months, I noticed a big degradation in the quality of the espresso and the crema. I tried a few things -- won't detail them all here -- but the solution turned out to be unscrewing the screw that secures the brew head screen, then pulling the screen and out and cleaning it. The screen holes are TINY -- the best way I found to clean them was by using a sewing needle and painstakingly pushing the residue out of each hole. It takes 15-20 minutes to do this. But VOILA! When I reassembled it, the espresso was back to its rich, foamy perfection! I find that I have to perform this little maintenance task 2-3 times a year, even though I use filtered water. Oh well, not such a big deal I guess -- especially for such delicious espresso! I'm very happy with this machine

I was happy with my Briel Cadiz at first. Nevertheless, after 4 months, the unit started excessively leaking steam and water. I sent it in to Briel's service center in New Jersey in May - as of today (Sept. 21) I still don't have it back. I have called, been promised that it is shipping in a few days, more times than I can count. So, I've waited 4 months (and counting) for warranty repair of a unit that was only 4 months old. I've sent a letter to Briel's HQ in Portugal requesting that they send me a new unit, but have had no response. I am not going to purchased a Briel product again. Maybe even more discouraging is that Amazon has been completely unwilling to help in this manner. I am very surprised that Amazon will not hold their vendors to higher standards of customer service. So, if you buy a Briel product - pray that nothing ever goes wrong.

I have mixed feelings abut my Briel Cadiz. When I first received it, I became more popular than the local Starbucks. Everyone wanted one of my rich, creamy, foamy cappuchinos. A year and a half later, I wish I hadn't purchased this machine. It still makes excellent expresso shots, particularly since I've mastered all the little details that get it to turn out just right. However, the head of the milk foamer broke off, the button that switches the boiler heater to steam is broken, and of course the warranty is expired. I'm reduced to heating milk in the microwave and making lattes...but they still taste great! The best part about this machine is its ability to turn out excellent expresso shots thanks to a nice little pump unit, perfect temperature regulation, and nicely engineered parts (some, not all!). The worst part is that underneath that gleaming exterior, its nothing more than a collection of rather tiny (and quite fragile) plastic parts, electric connections, a pump, and a brass boiler. Don't open it up - it will destroy the illusion that you own a real Italian coffee machine!!! Buy this if you want to turn out excellent coffees and don't want to spend more than $250...this year. Buy something with a lot more quality engineered inside if you plan on using your machine for more than twelve months. By the way, I read all of those positive reviews before I bought my Cadiz. A year later I'm seeing a lot of negatives that weren't there a year ago. I say...buyer beware!!!

This machine rocks!!! It has the cool Stainless look to it and is very easy to clean. I have had this machine for 5 months now and I love the look and how it performs. THe coffee is nice and hot, the crema is sooo thick, I feel like I am back at my favorite cafe in Italy. The machine is also very easy to use, I had it going in about 5 minutes. It works well with pods & ground coffee, so it makes everyone in my house happy. All in all, a great machine for a great price. You can't beat this one for the price!!!

I have purchased 3 of these machines over the past 10 years. They are all still working perfectly and make espresso/cappuccino equal to Starbucks . . . and better than the cappuccino in Italy.

I bought the Briel Cadiz after much research over which of the affordably priced espresso machines was right for me. Being an artist, style is very important to me, and I needed to have a nice looking machine. But I also needed one that worked well, and was affordably priced. The Briel Cadiz was the only model that fit my needs. So I bought one. The first few shots of espresso that I made sucked. I'll be honest. IF YOU ARE NOT PATIENT, DO NOT BUY THIS MACHINE!! You need to experiment and find the right combination of grind and tamp. The machine, like any other machine priced under 8 billion dollars, IS NOT GOD! This being said, after I bought a nice Solis Maestro burr grinder to get a nice grind, and learned how to properly tamp, this machine delivers VERY consistent and delicious espresso. Once I learned the ins and outs, I was in love! There is a neat little door that flips up on the top of the machine that houses a filter basket and a nice scoop, and also acts as the door to the opening where water can be poured to fill the tank. The frother works pretty well too. Not fantastically, but with a little patience, it can make great froth for lattes, cappuccinos, and other hot and frozen espresso delights. If you have patience and love espresso, this machine is a perfect match!