So glad I don't have to suffer corporate coffee anymore!

We purchased this machine last year after reading reviews here, and as I was not very experienced in making espresso at the time of purchase I wanted to wait till I could write an educated review. So here's my experience.

The short of it, I love this machine! We've been using it daily to produce at least two espresso drinks (though usually about four) and it's doing well. We've made 4 back to back drinks with no loss of steam pressure or heat--I think that's decent. It makes excellent espresso with perfect crema every time, and we have noticed the quality is greater than many fine restaurants in the area. Of course, that could be the beans we use. I'm glad to not have to deal with inferior coffee shops anymore--it's part great machine, part using excellent beans! The machine has paid for itself by now--almost a year later.

It's pretty consistent--meaning there are days when the steam is stronger than others, but in the end, my milk is frothed so I don't get upset about that. As the machine has gotten more use on it, I *have* had some clogging problems, but cleaning is simple with the included tool. Takes an extra 30 seconds, and if wasn't so lazy, I'd do it every time to make sure there is no clogging (it wastes the grounds).

Keeping the machine clean is simple--can't imagine it could be any easier, actually. The extra water from the steam is drained into the tray along with any extra espresso drips, and you need to empty the tray every few days as the convenient indicator will tell you. Other than that, you dump out spent grounds and wipe off the steam wand (you want to do that ASAP or else the milk gets really stuck to it), and occasionally poke the single hole on the bottom of the shot 'cup'.

I love how beautiful this machine is--it definitely adds to my kitchen. I love having the ability to make a mocha or espresso anytime I want. I love how easy this machine is to use.

The only snag, and it's not a big deal to me, is the clogging issue. Again, if I poked that hole more often, I doubt I'd have a problem. It happens after we've been lazy and left grounds in the cup overnight, or after making several cups of espresso.

So, that's my experience after almost a year. This is a solid, beautiful machine that makes excellent espresso.

UPDATE: Still going strong. Solved the clogging problem--it's caused by the grounds being too fine. I now just grind to 'fine' as opposed to the two clicks beyond fine and have had no problems at all with clogging. I've even misplaced the pokey-tool and have had no issues at all, so just watch your grounds. Make sure they aren't too fine and there should be no clogging.