My Own Private Starbucks

I'm a coffee and cappuccino addict. I've cut back on my caffeine intake dramatically recently but I still love a hot cup of coffee or a latte in the mornings. I've wanted an espresso maker for a while but had never bought one because I just wasn't convinced that I would use it often. My mother finally bought the Krups Espresso Bravo for me for Christmas, and I luckily proved myself wrong. I love it and use it all the time!


The Machine

The Krups Espresso Bravo is a great little espresso maker. Krups is a well respected name in coffee makers and one of the reasons my Mom chose this machine for me. The Espresso Bravo is one of the least expensive models in the Krups line. The product boils the water you put in at a very high temperature, which forces the hot water through the coffee grinds. The end product is a rich, strong espresso.

The Espresso Bravo can also be used to make cappuccino by use of its "Perfect Froth" attachment. The "Perfect Froth" is basically Krups patented milk frother. It's a little wand that hangs down from the side of the machine. Steam is forced out through the wand, and that is what froths the milk for cappuccinos and lattes. While I have not use any other espresso maker to decide if this patented wand is better than the others, I have to say that it is easy to use, and I get great results every time. You can also purchase replacement attachments which I have seen at Bed, Bath, and Beyond.

Included in your Krups Espresso Bravo box is the espresso maker, a 4-cup carafe, a coffee scoop, and a little attachment that allows you to brew directly into demitasse cups. This attachment clips on over the filter basket. Demitasse cups and a milk frothing pitcher are not included. Both are relatively inexpensive to purchase separately at either coffee shops or a store like Bed, Bath, and Beyond.


Use

It took a couple of attempts to get really comfortable with how the machine works. To make espresso, determine how many cups you want then fill the carafe to that level. Pour the water in to the machine and replace the lid tightly. The filter basket slides out of the machine and is pre-marked so it's very easy to tell how much of the espresso grinds to add. Fill the basket with grinds upto the level of cups you are making and slide it back into the machine. Turn the machine on. The espresso begins brewing within minutes.

To make cappuccino, follow the same directions as above but add more water. There is a guide in the instruction manual which tells you how much water to use, but basically use one more cup than the number of cups of espresso you are making. One shot of espresso makes a very tiny cappuccino, so I like to use 2-3 shots of espresso to make just one cappuccino. Once the espresso begins brewing, you turn the little switch to the side to allow the steam to come out. Raise your frothing pitcher to the wand and steam. It takes around a minute to froth the milk.

For cappuccino, use 1/3 espresso, 1/3 steamed milk, and 1/3 foam. For latte, it's 1/2 espresso and 1/2 steamed milk with a bit of foam on the top. You can add flavorings and syrups to these.

With this machine, you are also able to froth milk without making espresso first. Slip the included round metal lid over the filter basket and slip it into place. Pour your water in and follow the same procedure to steam the milk.


Clean Up

Cleaning up is simple. I dump the grinds from the filter basket and wash it along with the carafe in the dishwasher. As soon as my milk is done frothing, I wipe the frothing wand down with a wet paper towel. If the milk is allowed to dry on the wand, it's a bit more difficult to remove.

One thing that you must do is to clean the frothing wand after every use. The small holes have a tendency to get clogged. When they get clogged, nothing comes out except for droplets of hot milk. I use a thin needle and poke it into the holes. This clears them well.


Quality

I don't consider myself a true espresso connoisseur but I do like a good cup. The Krups Espresso Bravo produces a good quality espresso. True connoisseurs may be more pleased with a more expensive machine, but I highly recommend this machine for the average person wanting an affordable espresso maker.

Thanks for reading!
Stacy