KitchenAid KES8557 Fully Automatic Espresso Machine Juniper

This machine sure is a beast! It is capable of fully making specialized coffee and espresso drinks with just the touch of a button as everything is already set up for you! The top compartment allows you to add either whole coffee beans, in which it grinds fresh for each drink, or gives you the option to add in a single serve of ground coffee. The milk compartment is also super convenient and easy to attach, you even have the option to directly place the milk tube straight into your milk carton of choice instead of using the provided milk container. The drink choices are also great (coffee, espresso, lattes, cappuccinos, even straight up frothed/steamed milk and hot water!), and allowing you to customize the coffee strength, temperature, volume, etc. is also a huge ... MoreThis machine sure is a beast! It is capable of fully making specialized coffee and espresso drinks with just the touch of a button as everything is already set up for you! The top compartment allows you to add either whole coffee beans, in which it grinds fresh for each drink, or gives you the option to add in a single serve of ground coffee. The milk compartment is also super convenient and easy to attach, you even have the option to directly place the milk tube straight into your milk carton of choice instead of using the provided milk container. The drink choices are also great (coffee, espresso, lattes, cappuccinos, even straight up frothed/steamed milk and hot water!), and allowing you to customize the coffee strength, temperature, volume, etc. is also a huge plus! The reason for 4 stars instead of 5, however, is the amount of water needed to constantly rinse the machine. The coffee machine uses water to heat up and rinse the spout in which the coffee comes out of, both when you turn it the machine on and off. If you’re making a milk-based drink, the machine also signals you to rinse the tube in which the milk comes in and out of as soon as you’re done using it. In total, you’re looking at 2-3 water rinse cycles, and if you’re only making 1-2 drinks a day, I noticed that the water reservoir empties out way too quickly. Nonetheless, this is a fully automatic machine, thus I understand the level of water usage to maintain a clean machine without much hassle—this is just something to keep in mind however! One more downside I’ve noticed is that if you have ground coffee already in the machine, and you leave it in for a while (let’s say more than ~5 mins as you’re choosing which drink to make), or if you add in your ground coffee while the machine is turning on, the machine will dump out your coffee out without brewing it! This happened to me a few times while I was getting used to the machine, but now I know to only add the coffee grounds when you’re ready to use or else you’ll be going through your coffee way too fast! Haven’t noticed this issue when using whole beans, however. Despite the two small downsides I’ve gathered, the convenience of this machine far outweighs them, and I love just how versatile and easy this machine is! Would definitely recommend it to someone who wants delicious coffee drinks without much hassle! ☕️🤎

I recently received this machine, and I have to say, as dramatic as it sounds, my life has changed forever. I previously had an espresso machine that was not automatic, and although I loved the beverages from it, I was so tired of the constant cleanup day after day. This machine is so self-sufficient, that it even cleans a lot of itself. Before you turn the machine off, it does a rinse cycle to clean out the milk line, and make sure that no coffee residue has been left behind. Everything including the grind and the water collects in a drip tray that is easy to remove and even easier to clean. There's so many amazing things about this machine. You can load both grinds or whole beans, and I usually choose the beans for the freshest taste. It's not even loud when it ... MoreI recently received this machine, and I have to say, as dramatic as it sounds, my life has changed forever. I previously had an espresso machine that was not automatic, and although I loved the beverages from it, I was so tired of the constant cleanup day after day. This machine is so self-sufficient, that it even cleans a lot of itself. Before you turn the machine off, it does a rinse cycle to clean out the milk line, and make sure that no coffee residue has been left behind. Everything including the grind and the water collects in a drip tray that is easy to remove and even easier to clean. There's so many amazing things about this machine. You can load both grinds or whole beans, and I usually choose the beans for the freshest taste. It's not even loud when it grinds, just a standard amount of machine noise expected with a coffee maker. It makes several different drinks, including lattes, macchiato, flat whites, Americanos espresso, coffee, and there's also the option to do steamed milk or hot water. The attached milk dispenser is very easy to use and clean. The front part where the espresso comes out of is adjustable so if you have a taller mug, you can raise it up to fit that mug underneath it. You can even create profiles on this machine, so that if you have made adjustments to drinks, including strength, temperature, and ounces of coffee and milk, You can save those to your profile for a one click customized brew. The size of this machine is actually perfect for my countertop. It doesn't take up much room at all! And it is so sleek and sophisticated looking that I don't mind having it out at all. The stainless steel finish matches the rest of my appliances, which I love. When I first got this machine, I was a little worried about getting it set up and figuring out how it works since I've never had a fully automated machine this complex before. However, upon turning the machine on for the first time it gave specific step-by-step instructions, even including pictures on the touchscreen. Once you completed one step you moved on by clicking the arrow, and it indicated your next step. This machine is so self-explanatory and the beverages it produces are amazing. I still love to just watch while my drinks are being made because it is still so new and exciting to me. As of right now there's not one thing that would change with this machine. It's absolutely fabulous and I get to enjoy Coffee from home every single day. I don't think I could ever go back to a standard coffee machine again.

[Rewarded Review] A Great Automatic Espresso Machine

The KitchenAid Fully Automatic Espresso Machine KF7,is a sleek, modern design. Its stainless steel exterior gives it a professional, robust look, while its compact size fits nicely on my kitchen countertop without taking up too much space. Looks aren’t everything—what really matters is how well it performs, and I have to say, this machine delivers quite an impressive experience.Setup for the KF7 was super easy and quick to set up, just plug it in and power it up and follow the step-by-step on the LED screen, with how to install the water filter, filling the water storage and how to set the grind size of the coffee beans. In the settings of the KF7 you can add multiple user profiles and save how you like your coffee from the amount of coffee that will come out, ... MoreThe KitchenAid Fully Automatic Espresso Machine KF7,is a sleek, modern design. Its stainless steel exterior gives it a professional, robust look, while its compact size fits nicely on my kitchen countertop without taking up too much space. Looks aren’t everything—what really matters is how well it performs, and I have to say, this machine delivers quite an impressive experience.Setup for the KF7 was super easy and quick to set up, just plug it in and power it up and follow the step-by-step on the LED screen, with how to install the water filter, filling the water storage and how to set the grind size of the coffee beans. In the settings of the KF7 you can add multiple user profiles and save how you like your coffee from the amount of coffee that will come out, temperature, and if you want milk added. This makes it perfect if you have multiple people in the house who like their coffee a certain way. The coffee hopper is very nice and allows you to remove the whole thing from the machine which makes it easier to refill, and change beans on the fly if you want. A nice little feature that KF7 has that I didn't realize at first is that it has wheels, which allows it to pull out if you have deep countertops. I do recommend running the KF7 a couple of times with coffee in it before consuming any coffee because the first cup I had tasted a little funky and ran it 3 more times and it tasted perfect after that.One of the best things about the KF7 is its ability to make a variety of coffee beverages with ease. Whether you're craving a simple espresso, a foamy cappuccino, or a creamy latte macchiato, this machine has you covered. With just the touch of a button, it can brew:Espressos: Rich, full-bodied, and with a perfect crema on top. The machine allows you to choose between a single or double shot, depending on your caffeine needs.Americano: If you like a smoother, longer coffee, the Americano option adds hot water to your espresso for a less intense flavor.Cappuccinos: The KF7 perfectly froths the milk for a classic cappuccino, giving you a velvety foam that balances well with the espresso.Latte Macchiatos: For those who love a creamy, indulgent coffee, the machine steams the milk to perfection before adding a shot of espresso, creating that signature layered look.Flat White: This is one of my favorites. The balance between the rich espresso and steamed milk without too much foam is spot on.Hot Water: Ideal for tea drinkers or other hot beverages.Each drink can be customized to your taste. You can adjust the strength of your espresso, the amount of milk froth, and even the water temperature. The machine also remembers your preferences for future brews when saved to your profile..This is a fully automatic machine, meaning it takes care of every step of the brewing process, from grinding the beans to frothing the milk. Here’s a rundown of some of the standout features.The Integrated Conical Burr Grinder works seamlessly to grind fresh coffee beans for each cup, preserving the flavor and aroma. You can adjust the grind size, which is great for tailoring the brew to your taste. For those who prefer pre-ground coffee, the KF7 also includes a bypass doser. The Automatic Milk Frothing System creates milk-based drinks with this machine. The automatic milk frother is detachable for easy cleaning and produces consistently rich foam. You can adjust the froth level depending on whether you want a cappuccino or a latte, I do wish the container top had a suction seal, it just sits on top of the container, this would have been ideal, because I could just store it in the refrigerator if there is any left over milk. The touch-screen interface is intuitive, and I can easily select the drink I want without navigating through confusing menus. Plus, the machine is quick to heat up, so I never have to wait long for my morning coffee. Self-Cleaning System: Maintenance is a breeze thanks to the machine’s self-cleaning capabilities. After each use, it automatically rinses the milk and coffee circuits, keeping everything hygienic. The removable brew group also makes deep cleaning easy. Double Boiler System: One of my favorite features is the double boiler system, which means I can steam milk and brew coffee at the same time. This significantly reduces wait time, especially when making multiple drinks back-to-back. Water Reservoir & Bean Hopper: The water reservoir is 2.3 liters, which is large enough that I don’t have to refill it often. Similarly, the bean hopper holds a decent amount of beans and has a sealed lid to keep them fresh. Adjustable Spout: The adjustable spout is a thoughtful feature, allowing me to use different cup sizes without worrying about splashing or drips, though my 16oz Ember tumbler wouldn't fit under it which was a tad sad but now just have to transfer my coffee to it, when I’m on the go.Pros and ConsPros:1.Wide variety of coffee drinks: From espresso to cappuccino, the machine makes everything I need with just the press of a button.2. Customizability: I love being able to tweak the strength, grind size, and milk froth levels to suit my preferences.3. Ease of use: The touch-screen interface is simple, and the machine operates very intuitively.4.Self-cleaning: The automatic rinsing system saves me a lot of time, and I don’t feel overwhelmed by maintenance.5.Quick brewing: Thanks to the double boiler, it’s fast, especially when making multiple milk-based drinks.6.Sleek design: The stainless steel finish looks great in any kitchen and feels durable.Cons:1.Price: It’s on the pricier side, so it’s more of an investment for serious coffee lovers.2.Milk frother cleaning: While the self-cleaning feature is great, the milk frother sometimes needs a more thorough manual cleaning to keep it in top shape, and lack of suction seal on the cap.3.Large footprint: Though not huge, it’s bigger than a regular drip coffee maker, so you’ll need some counter space.Overall, the KitchenAid Fully Automatic Espresso Machine KF7 is a fantastic choice for anyone who loves high-quality, café-style coffee at home. It offers an impressive variety of drinks, customization options, and convenience that make it a joy to use daily. While it’s a bit of an investment, if you’re serious about your coffee, it’s worth every penny. The ease of use and the ability to craft a perfect cup at home has definitely elevated my coffee game.

[Rewarded Review] AMAZING fully automatic coffee machine

This machine sure is a beast! It is capable of fully making specialized coffee and espresso drinks with just the touch of a button as everything is already set up for you! The top compartment allows you to add either whole coffee beans, in which it grinds fresh for each drink, or gives you the option to add in a single serve of ground coffee.The milk compartment is also super convenient and easy to attach, you even have the option to directly place the milk tube straight into your milk carton of choice instead of using the provided milk container. The drink choices are also great (coffee, espresso, lattes, cappuccinos, even straight up frothed/steamed milk and hot water!), and allowing you to customize the coffee strength, temperature, volume, etc. is also a huge ... MoreThis machine sure is a beast! It is capable of fully making specialized coffee and espresso drinks with just the touch of a button as everything is already set up for you! The top compartment allows you to add either whole coffee beans, in which it grinds fresh for each drink, or gives you the option to add in a single serve of ground coffee.The milk compartment is also super convenient and easy to attach, you even have the option to directly place the milk tube straight into your milk carton of choice instead of using the provided milk container. The drink choices are also great (coffee, espresso, lattes, cappuccinos, even straight up frothed/steamed milk and hot water!), and allowing you to customize the coffee strength, temperature, volume, etc. is also a huge plus!The reason for 4 stars instead of 5, however, is the amount of water needed to constantly rinse the machine. The coffee machine uses water to heat up and rinse the spout in which the coffee comes out of, both when you turn it the machine on and off. If you’re making a milk-based drink, the machine also signals you to rinse the tube in which the milk comes in and out of as soon as you’re done using it. In total, you’re looking at 2-3 water rinse cycles, and if you’re only making 1-2 drinks a day, I noticed that the water reservoir empties out way too quickly. Nonetheless, this is a fully automatic machine, thus I understand the level of water usage to maintain a clean machine without much hassle—this is just something to keep in mind however!One more downside I’ve noticed is that if you have ground coffee already in the machine, and you leave it in for a while (let’s say more than ~5 mins as you’re choosing which drink to make), or if you add in your ground coffee while the machine is turning on, the machine will dump out your coffee out without brewing it! This happened to me a few times while I was getting used to the machine, but now I know to only add the coffee grounds when you’re ready to use or else you’ll be going through your coffee way too fast! Haven’t noticed this issue when using whole beans, however.Despite the two small downsides I’ve gathered, the convenience of this machine far outweighs them, and I love just how versatile and easy this machine is! Would definitely recommend it to someone who wants delicious coffee drinks without much hassle! ☕️🤎

[Rewarded Review] Espresso made easy for all

The KitchenAid Fully Automatic Espresso Machine KF7 is the brand's commitment to quality and innovation. Designed for the coffee enthusiast, this machine offers a seamless espresso experience that rivals those found in high-end cafes. But more importantly KitchenAid Designed this set up for those new to the Expresso scene. The ease of use and multiple pre-sets makes this set up very user friendly for all. The added benefit of its self clean service also means its daily maintenance requirement is now made easy.This set up is equipped with a built-in grinder, the KF7 ensures that your beans are ground to the optimal consistency for a rich, flavorful espresso.The machine's temperature control system guarantees that your water is heated to the ideal temperature for ... MoreThe KitchenAid Fully Automatic Espresso Machine KF7 is the brand's commitment to quality and innovation. Designed for the coffee enthusiast, this machine offers a seamless espresso experience that rivals those found in high-end cafes. But more importantly KitchenAid Designed this set up for those new to the Expresso scene. The ease of use and multiple pre-sets makes this set up very user friendly for all. The added benefit of its self clean service also means its daily maintenance requirement is now made easy.This set up is equipped with a built-in grinder, the KF7 ensures that your beans are ground to the optimal consistency for a rich, flavorful espresso.The machine's temperature control system guarantees that your water is heated to the ideal temperature for extracting the maximum flavor from your beans.The integrated frothing wand delivers silky-smooth milk foam, perfect for creating lattes, cappuccinos, and other frothy beverages.With multiple programmable settings, you can tailor your espresso to your personal preferences, from grind size to water temperature.The KF7's modern and elegant design complements any kitchen decor, however keep in mind this a pretty hefty unit and it does tend to take up a decent amount of counter real estate.The KF7 consistently produces espresso shots with a balanced flavor profile, rich creme, and a velvety texture.The machine's versatility allows you to experiment with different beans and grind sizes to find your perfect cup.The frothing wand creates a dense texture that enhances the flavor and appearance of your latte or cappuccino.The machine's user-friendly interface makes it easy to navigate and adjust settings. When I say this is user friendly I mean my 12 year old daughter can work this machine with ease.The KF7 features automatic cleaning cycles to help maintain optimal performance and hygiene. This feature alone makes it a awesome buy as most automatic Expresso machines require constant daily cleaning and maintenance which can tend to require a lot of time. Regular descaling is essential for preventing mineral buildup and ensuring consistent espresso extraction. Over all the price tag is hefty but that's due to the amount of features present, and the ease of use and auto cleaning services provided. Quality and taste is key to any good Expresso machine. The built in water filter and water hardening test strips ensure that quality and taste will always be present as long as proper cleaning is maintained.Pros:Convenience: The fully automatic features make it easy to use, even for beginners.Quality Espresso: Produces rich, flavorful espresso with consistent results.Customizable: Tailor your drinks to your preferences.Stylish Design: Adds a touch of elegance to any kitchen.Cons:Price: It's a significant investment compared to other espresso machines.Cleaning: Requires regular cleaning to maintain optimal performance.

[Rewarded Review] Espresso without thought? yes please.

I have to admit, I never thought I'd own something like this, but to be able to make coffee shop level coffee without annoyance or the cost of the coffee shop is like a dream.Packaging:Pretty straightforward brown box, nothing special here. I'd usually talk about something that makes packaging stand out, but honestly, this is about as barebones as it gets. Maybe they saved the money here to apply it to the quality of the device, and I'd say with use it certainly seems like it.Setup:Straightforward, it's basically 3 main parts, the unit, the bean hopper that goes inside and the milk container. Plug it in and you're off. Settings are straightforward including cleaning, there's just not a lot of complication to a machine that is designed to make complicated ... MoreI have to admit, I never thought I'd own something like this, but to be able to make coffee shop level coffee without annoyance or the cost of the coffee shop is like a dream.Packaging:Pretty straightforward brown box, nothing special here. I'd usually talk about something that makes packaging stand out, but honestly, this is about as barebones as it gets. Maybe they saved the money here to apply it to the quality of the device, and I'd say with use it certainly seems like it.Setup:Straightforward, it's basically 3 main parts, the unit, the bean hopper that goes inside and the milk container. Plug it in and you're off. Settings are straightforward including cleaning, there's just not a lot of complication to a machine that is designed to make complicated drinks, so that's a very welcome thing. I know the higher end model has 'plant based' milk options which I suppose I should have considered, but this works well for me. Be sure to follow the directions for the water filter and testing your hard water. A note on the water filter later.Use:It has a bunch of built in recipes, I'll admit I haven't tried them all and probably wont ever, there's just some that don't appeal to me, like the 'flat white', but really it just makes a great espresso. I will say that even though it's labeled as a fully automatic espresso machine, to have a bunch of options including 'regular' coffee is great because to me I do feel like the miss in so many espresso machines is that it feels like all you can do with them is limited to anything espresso or espresso-based. With this you dont need to get creative to just have coffee. I wish it had come with multiple bean hoppers as that's part of what it touts itself as being a quick thing, to swap your coffee by swapping hoppers. I think it would be neat to have a bunch but I probably wont go out of my way to buy another.Cleaning:It'll tell you when it needs cleaning, you can also do it in the menus, I dont really know if the cleaning options are time or sensor based, but so far I've only run the milk cleaning option, I'm sure it'll nag me eventually to do the other ones, but at least it isn't excessively naggy. It comes with cleaning tablets and as I mentioned before, a water filter. I suppose it all makes sense, especially with excessively hard water, I just feel like the one thing that will eventually render this obsolete is the water filter. Eventually even if the machine continues to work, the filter will become either hard or impossible to find. As for the cleaning tablets, I guess that remains to be seen if they are easy to find, though I imagine any dissolvable coffee maker cleaning tablet might work.Overall:It's an exceptionally nice machine, having multiple options outside of just espresso makes it useful in a lot of situations. Barring the minor issues of the cleaning tablets or the water filter, it's still a wonderful machine, and honestly I'm being nitpicky with those. I just don't love proprietary things. I do however love the machine and heartily recommend it.

[Rewarded Review] Huge Emphasis on FULLY Automatic Here!

The KitchenAid KF7 is a FULLY automatic espresso machine designed for performance and convenience. Practically every aspect of drink creation is customizable through menu options - the only manual intervention you can make is for grind size (and I was unable to see any appreciable differences in drink quality along the spectrum of grind sizes). Even the milk steaming/frothing is done to order by the machine.Everything about the design and use of the KF7 is intuitive in hindsight, but because there are so many options and details that are important to understand, be prepared for a steep learning curve to fully appreciate this machine and utilize all its features. KitchenAid gave a lot of thought to the development of this machine.The hefty water reservoir is easy ... MoreThe KitchenAid KF7 is a FULLY automatic espresso machine designed for performance and convenience. Practically every aspect of drink creation is customizable through menu options - the only manual intervention you can make is for grind size (and I was unable to see any appreciable differences in drink quality along the spectrum of grind sizes). Even the milk steaming/frothing is done to order by the machine.Everything about the design and use of the KF7 is intuitive in hindsight, but because there are so many options and details that are important to understand, be prepared for a steep learning curve to fully appreciate this machine and utilize all its features. KitchenAid gave a lot of thought to the development of this machine.The hefty water reservoir is easy to extract sideways so that you can keep the machine under your cabinets and still remove and replace the reservoir with ease. Because unfiltered water can destroy a machine like this, the KitchenAid comes with a water testing strip and a filter for the reservoir. I go the extra step and use only bottled reverse osmosis filtered water in the machine – I don’t think that descaling is ever enough to protect a coffee machine from water deposits.The bean hopper is also removable so you can add/remove beans easily (makes filling the hopper easy when the machine is under cabinets!). Having an integrated conical burr grinder that is designed specifically for the espresso extraction in this machine is one of the central conveniences in the KF7. An interesting smart feature on this machine is a little trap door on top of the bean hopper where you can add a scoop of pre-ground coffee and use the machine to brew a “regular” cup of coffee in case someone prefers more traditional drip coffee – an unexpected convenience.Even the entire grinding/brewing mechanism can be removed for cleaning. The user has access to all the important mechanisms of the machine.Drinks are extremely customizable – each drink can be controlled for strength, temperature, body type, and volume - and any custom drinks you like routinely can be stored under your name for easy access. With my own experimenting, I found that the settings for strength and body type were genuinely useful in changing the character of my drinks, but I found the temperature control unhelpful (I could not detect meaningful variations in temperature).The guided setup is intuitive. And once the machine is operational, the menu system is also intuitive – though I say that after having combed through the lengthy (and poorly organized) user manual. Shout out to all of the cleaning features available on this machine!Overall, it is important to remember that this is a machine of convenience over perfection. It will never be able to create an expresso to compete with an experienced barista using a $15,000 Italian machine with matching grinder. But the KF7 cranks out drink after drink quickly and uniformly (and quietly!). I did find that the machine was kinda picky about the espresso beans that I used – I had to go through five different roasts before I landed on one that I really loved (so I recommend starting out with small amounts of several roasts and keep swapping until you find your groove). Remember that since everything is automated, you are going to have to submit to the whims of the mechanics you have rather than being able to tinker with the mechanics.This is more of a machine for a high-volume household rather than for a coffee snob. I think it can produce coffee drinks that can rival some chain drinks (once you get your beans right) and it can do it almost magically fast.FWIW: This model can only be used with dairy milk (no plant-based alternatives) and there is no Wi-Fi feature/connectivity (why would there be?).Ultimately, the selling points for this machine are (1) quality of design and manufacture, (2) customizability, (3) VERY good coffee drinks (not perfect), and most importantly (4) automatization. Enthusiastically recommended!

[Rewarded Review] Makes You a Barista in Your Own Home!

For more than four years, I’ve owned another brand of espresso machine and have used it near daily. However, I did not enjoy the laborious prep, brewing, and cleanup process. This amazing KitchenAid Fully Automatic Espresso Machine KF7 has changed all that for me. All I have to do is provide the input products: water, coffee, and milk, press the touch screen a few times, and then it does the rest. When it’s finished, you pull out and empty the waste hopper. The machine even cleans itself, including the milk lines!When I chose this machine, I did so because of the KitchenAid brand reputation and our experience with other KitchenAid products, yet in I still had my doubts as to just how fully automatic it was. But during our first week using it, I’m happy to tell you ... MoreFor more than four years, I’ve owned another brand of espresso machine and have used it near daily. However, I did not enjoy the laborious prep, brewing, and cleanup process. This amazing KitchenAid Fully Automatic Espresso Machine KF7 has changed all that for me. All I have to do is provide the input products: water, coffee, and milk, press the touch screen a few times, and then it does the rest. When it’s finished, you pull out and empty the waste hopper. The machine even cleans itself, including the milk lines!When I chose this machine, I did so because of the KitchenAid brand reputation and our experience with other KitchenAid products, yet in I still had my doubts as to just how fully automatic it was. But during our first week using it, I’m happy to tell you that I am completely impressed. So were our friends. We took another couple out to dinner last night to celebrate his birthday and when we returned home, we fired up the KitchenAid espresso machine. Our friends had nothing but good things to say about our new KitchenAid espresso machine and their lattes. My friend’s wife even remarked that her latte tasted better than the coffee shop she frequents.It’s not hard to set up, just follow the simple instructions. When you’re ready to make your first cup of espresso, dump the beans in the hopper, fill up the water reservoir, use the touchscreen to select your drink (cappuccino, regular coffee, espresso, latte, and more), and then sit back and wait for the machine to finish. When the KitchenAid KF7 is done, you’ll be treated to an espresso with the smell and taste of a professional barista-made coffee right in your home with little effort on your part.This KitchenAid KF7 is possibly the quietest espresso machine I’ve ever seen in action. I was pleasantly surprised by how easy it is to clean. The touchscreen is very high-end and is simply beautiful. I was also impressed with the adjustable spout that slides up or down to accommodate different cup heights. The KF7 is also fairly heavy with the trademark sturdy construction one would expect from a KitchenAid appliance. The KF7 is built to last, and I expect to be enjoying my investment for many years to come.If you enjoy gourmet and specialty coffees and are currently spending tons of money every day on them, then this is the machine for you. The price may seem steep at first, but if you’re spending $6 each working day for a professional, drive-through, specialty coffee, on your way to work, then you will break even on this machine in less than a year. Not many investments will yield you that quick of a break-even point in addition to skipping the long lines at your favorite coffee shop.The KitchenAid Fully Automatic Espresso Machine KF7 is highly recommended by me, my family, and even my guests.

[Rewarded Review] The automatic features make this really shine

I’ve had a few espresso machines in the past, including some fairly premium ones, but I always found some reason to stop using them after a while. This Kitchenaid has some automated features that to me really set it above any of the others I’ve used.The process from start to finish is pretty simple, and the screen guides you step by step, and is fairly intuitive. After inserting the beans, filling it with water, and connecting a container full of your desired milk, you can select a variety of different drink options, hit start and wait for everything to finish. Once it does finish, it provides instructions on how to clean the machine, which is as simple as detaching the hose from the milk container and inserting it into the drip tray, placing a cup under the main ... MoreI’ve had a few espresso machines in the past, including some fairly premium ones, but I always found some reason to stop using them after a while. This Kitchenaid has some automated features that to me really set it above any of the others I’ve used.The process from start to finish is pretty simple, and the screen guides you step by step, and is fairly intuitive. After inserting the beans, filling it with water, and connecting a container full of your desired milk, you can select a variety of different drink options, hit start and wait for everything to finish. Once it does finish, it provides instructions on how to clean the machine, which is as simple as detaching the hose from the milk container and inserting it into the drip tray, placing a cup under the main pouring point and pressing start. It’ll rinse out the milk line as well as where the espresso pours from. From there, you can empty the tray when it’s full of water, dump out the pucks of used espresso, and you’re ready to go again.On the drinks themselves, you have a number of different choices, ranging from a Macchiato or Cappuccino, to “coffee” or even just steamed milk. You can customize the number of drinks you want to make at once (1 or 2), and also have the ability to increase how much milk or espresso is used in each drink. There’s also an option to change the strength of the espresso, and one of my favorite options is the ability to change the temperature. I like to use the medium setting most of the time as it’s ready to drink. My wife prefers her drinks hotter, and if I’m going to add any creamer afterwards, I might use the hot setting occasionally as well. I usually brew “2 drinks” in one cup and it about fills a small-medium size coffee cup. There’s an option to increase the amount of milk included, and I might end up doing that in the future, but I’ve been trying out the default settings so far.Overall, I really can’t recommend this highly enough. My only complaints are pretty minor.1. When the beans are low, it doesn’t detect they’re low until they’re actually out. This means the last drink you make could end up with half a shot ground before it alerts you to add more beans. A sensor to notify you when too low to pull a full shot would solve this.2. The milk container is entirely separate. This isn’t really a problem or unique to this machine, but it would nice to have a sliding drawer or an attachment of some kind to hold the milk container in place, particularly between uses. It’s either sitting on the counter next to the machine or sitting on top, and it feels out of place instead of part of the set.3. While there are photos of the drinks on the screen to choose from, I’d love an option to view a more in depth description of exactly what the drink is. I ended up looking up each drink online, but anytime a guest comes over, they always have to ask what each of the drinks are.This is by far the best home espresso machine I’ve ever used. I’m making myself a drink at least once, if not twice every day now, and my wife who never even bothered to learn how to make a shot on our last machine is using this one nearly daily as well.

[Rewarded Review] Very solid well thought out quality espresso maker

Before I start the review I wanted to say that this is not my first or second fully automatic espresso maker. A had a number of them before. Over the course of time my initial impressions went from the typical “wow it does it all, no labor required to make a coffee drink” to “how good you’re really are from the standpoint of usability and coffee making abilities”. Not only how tasty the coffee is but also whether it is to live with over time (will it fit under the cabinet, how easy it is to access the coffee bin, add water, clean it without fuss and service the machine over time).The machine was packaged very nicely. There was nothing to put together, the only item not already installed into the machine was the water filter. The KF7 exterior is made out of steel, ... MoreBefore I start the review I wanted to say that this is not my first or second fully automatic espresso maker. A had a number of them before. Over the course of time my initial impressions went from the typical “wow it does it all, no labor required to make a coffee drink” to “how good you’re really are from the standpoint of usability and coffee making abilities”. Not only how tasty the coffee is but also whether it is to live with over time (will it fit under the cabinet, how easy it is to access the coffee bin, add water, clean it without fuss and service the machine over time).The machine was packaged very nicely. There was nothing to put together, the only item not already installed into the machine was the water filter. The KF7 exterior is made out of steel, good looking stainless steel grade, except the very top is made out of plastic which closely matches in color the stainless steel look below. It is 14 1/2 inches high, 10 1’4 inches wide and 18 3/8 inches deep, all sizes approximate. The front drip tray is 4 inches deep. The available range of the height for the cup is between approximately 3 1’2 and 5 1/2 inches.The power cable goes out in the rear, but it does not required much more extra space in the back, I would say having 19 inches available counter depth should work. The stainless steel body is not finger-proof type but the fingerprints can be clean easily with a moist cloth. The screen is also a fingerprint magnet, again relatively easy to clean.The top cover over the coffee bin is entirely removable and does not require much much extra space above the machine to remove it or put it back. The top does not offer a functional mug warmer. The top side door that allows access to the water container is hinged, meaning not removable and when fully open requires about extra 3 1’2 inches, making to max high of the machine at approximately 18 inches total with the water door in its most upward position. But in order to take the water container out you don’t need to open the top door completely up as the water container slides out sideways after being picked up maybe half an inch up.The water container can hold up to 2 liters of water or 64 oz with the water filter inserted. That large volume of water reduces the refilling frequency, which is great. The water container has a nice handle inside that makes grabbing it easy in order to take it out or put in. The handle folds down when not in use. There is a vertical narrow see through window that shows the water level. If the water level goes too low the machine will display a message to add water. In the water container there is a proprietary water filter that is screwed in into the water container with the measuring spoon attachment, very easy to install and remove. The manufacturer suggests changing the filter every 50 liters of water or at least four times a year.The power on/off button is on the right side. On the same right side there is a door to the brew unit. The door feels solid and is easy to open and remove and to put it back on and close. The start up process takes less than 10 seconds from the moment you push the power button to machine being ready to make a coffee drink. The start up process is very quiet.The coffee bin container is removable. That helps if we want to switch from one kind of coffee to another, makes it easier to empty the container and add new coffee type. There is also the so called coffee purge function that allows to remove the remainder of the prior coffee beans from the grinder so the new coffee bean type does not mix together with the prior one. What’s different with KitchenAid is that to adjust the grind level you don’t adjust it in the coffee container area (how it is typically done with many other espresso makers) but you have to open the side door on the right and use the adjustment there. The adjustment there does not provide any numbers to easily set your preferred grind level, rather it slides left or right and you need to eye ball where you want to set it. You can also alternatively put one spoon of ground coffee in the opening next to the bean container if you don’t want to use the beans.The milk container is relatively large, allowing to store up to 800 ml of milk (3 1/3 cup). The hose between the milk container and the unit detaches from both when needed, both ends look identical. There are two different cycles of cleaning the milk connection called Easy Milk Cleaning and Deep Milk Cleaning. The Easy is recommended after each use when a milk based drink was generated, the Deep one is recommended to be completed once a month. After you make the first milk based drink you will be asked on the screen if you want to clean the milk system now or later. If you select “later” then you will no longer be prompted to do the milk system clean and you will have to select the milk system clean from the menu manually. The advantage of having a larger milk container versus a smaller one is that with the larger container you can put more milk in and then when stored in the fridge the more milk you have in the container the less likely the milk will go bad soon.Regarding the automatic cleaning the machine cleans automatically at the machine start and before shutting. The amount of water used for cleaning is about 30 ml for the coffee only based drinks and about 120 ml for the milk based drinks when you clean the milk system with the Easy cleaning level. The Easy milk system cleaning starts first with running the water through the system (including the hose connecting the milk container with the machine) then pushing steam through it.For maintenance there is a dedicated icon displayed on the side menu that allows to select descaling, Easy and Deep Milk Cleaning, brew unit rinsing or cleaning, purging beans from the grinder and evaporating moisture from the unit (if we want to store the unit for longer durations and avoid the accumulation of water related issues like mold).Menu also allows for turning on sounds for button touching and alerts (on or off), selecting volume units (ml or oz), duration of the standby time (before unit shuts off itself after the last interaction) for either 8 minutes, 30 minutes, one hour, 4 hours or 8 hours. You can also select from 4 available colors of coffee progress display. There is menu for water filter operations and water hardness levels (unit comes with one water hardness test stick which is easy to use).The following drinks are available on the menu. Caffe latte, espresso, cappuccino, Americano, Macchiato, Latte macchiato, espresso lungo, coffee, cortado, flat white, frothed milk (only 120 ml volume), warm milk (same 120 ml only) and hot water with temps settings of low, medium and high and volume from 80 ml to 260 ml. The average puck size came to 18 grams in my experience.If it comes to the coffee drink customization the following options are available. Strength from 1 to 3, water temperature (low, medium, high), drink volume (for coffee drink and milk selected separately) with coffee minimum volume set at 30 ml, milk minimum from 30 ml for cortado only, 40 ml for caffe latte and cappuccino, 60 ml for flat white and latte macchiato. The maximum milk volumes are as follows, cortado topping at 100 ml of milk, cappuccino at 140 ml, latte macchiato at 190 ml and caffeine latte at 240 ml. For Americano the coffee volume goes from 30 to 45 ml and water volume from 80 to 260 ml. You can adjust volumes by either 5 or 10 ml up and down, which is nice as some other manufactures only offer levels (like low, medium, high) but not actual measurements.You can also set the body level from light through medium to strong. Finally for the milk based drinks you can define which one goes first, coffee or milk for certain milk based drinks. All of these personal preferences for each drink type can be added to the personal profile for easy access later on. The machine allows up to four different profiles. There is an easy access to the profiles menus from the front of the machine.If it comes to the quality of the drinks, I had a chance to compare the K7 drinks to my prior fully automated espresso maker. Overall the coffee drink flavor from K7 came out quite solid, however I was somewhat disappointed with the crema which was just okay, on the weaker side (again side to side comparison using the same beans in both machines). The milk froth came out nicely structured, though the foam was not as robust as I was hoping for, closer in structure to the steamed milk in my view. You cannot adjust the froth density like it can be done with other espresso makers. You also cannot adjust the milk level temperature though the milk gets somewhat warmed in the process, it is not very hot but it is warm once in the drink. Only regular type of milk (no almond or soy or the type of milk) can be used on the K7 as per manufacturer. For the other milk types consider the K8 model, which also offers even more drink types.The level of noise this machine generates is very low relative to other fully automated espresso makers I had a chance to work with. Grinding, making the drink or the cleaning process, they all are very quiet relative to other espresso makers in my experience.In conclusion, based on the initial impressions the KitchenAid K7 espresso maker looks like a well designed and quality product. It is also very quiet relative to other fully automated espresso machines which can help in the household settings with others present. The coffee based drinks taste great. The milk froth feels mostly right and it comes out warm, though not hot. There is a great range of drink customization and up to four profiles are offered to store individual preferences. The large sizes of the water and milk containers require adding water or milk less frequently, which in turn makes it easier on the use. Recommended.