Review of Siemens TK54001 espresso maker

GH Institute

Coffee machines

Features

Bean to Cup. 15 bar pressure. 1.8L removable water tank. Bean and ground coffee. Removable drip tray, Cup warming area, measuring spoon. 250g bean container, variable cup size and coffee strength, grinding regulator, cleaning programme, descaling programme.

Comments

This contemporary machine takes up a lot of worktop space. It is fully automatic and has a digital display and controls. Espresso produced had a well developed crema and the stronger coffee setting has good body. Coffee was well balanced, but lacked dimension. Machine is very easy to use, but it takes some trial and error to change all the settings to your preference.

Rating: 84/100

Price: £399

Stockist: 0870 840 3300 - http://www.siemensappliances.co.uk

GHI Test Report - May 2008

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Review of DeLonghi Icona coffee machine

Features
Takes ground or pod coffee. 15 bar pressure. 1.0 litre removable water tank. Manual. Removable drip tray. Scoop. Built in tamper. Dimensions: 315 x 210 x 280mm. Colours available: red, blue, white or black. Price for pods: £5.49 for 18. Price per cup: 31p for pods or 7-15p for ground
Comments
Good points: Steam spout well designed to allow for easy access with jug. Easy to use controls and useful cup warming area. Good crema but a little light. Coffee flavour good.
Drawbacks: drips after brewing. Would benefit from own ground coffee.

Rating: 74/100

Price: £150

Stockist: 0845 600 6845 - http://www.delonghi.co.uk

GHI Test Report - September 2010
Review of Bosch Tassimo T20 coffee machine

Features
Multi beverage pod machine makes coffee, tea and hot chocolate. 1.5 litre removable water tank. Automatic and can be topped up manually. Removable drip tray with two height options. Auto descale. Dimensions: 280 x 200 x 290mm. Extra colour kits available in red, black, blue or yellow costing £14.99. Price for T Discs: £3.29 for 16. Eleven flavours. Price per cup: 21p
Comments
Good points: Bright and clear indicator lights. Back plate can be customised in four different colours.
Drawbacks: Automatically dispenses and the espresso is a double shot. Crema could be thicker.

Rating: 72/100

Price: £99.99

Stockist: 0844 892 8979 - http://www.bosch-home.co.uk

GHI Test Report - September 2010
Review Lavazza a Modo Mio coffee machine

Features
Pod machine with steam arm. 15 bar pressure. 1 litre removable water tank. Manual. Removable drip tray with two height options. Used capsule container. Dimensions: 200 x 332 x 170mm. Colours available: black, white, red, blue, green, orange, fuchsia pink. Price for capsules: £3.59-£4.59. Seven flavoursPrice per cup: 22-29p
Comments
Good points: Neat integral waste capsule container. Good espresso with thick crema and clean flavour.
Drawbacks: has to be primed before use if idle for a while. Indicator lights are not bright enough. Lacks enough steam to froth milk effectively. On control is at the back of the machine.

Rating: 72/100

Price: £119

Stockist: 01895 209 750 - http://www.lavazzamodomio.co.uk

GHI Test Report - September 2010
Review of Cuisinart espresso machine

Features
Takes ground or pod coffee. 15 bar pressure. 2 litre removable water tank. Manual or set size options. Removable drip tray with full indicator. Tamper and scoop. Stainless steel milk pitcher. Dimensions: 310 x 230 x 250mm. Brushed stainless steel finish. Price for coffee pods: £5.49 for 18Price per cup: 7-15p for ground or 31p for pod
Comments
Good points: Clear indicator lights and large instinctive press controls. Easy to follow step by step instructions with useful recipe section at the back.
Drawbacks: Coffee flavour a little lacking but would benefit from using own ground coffee.

Rating: 70/100

Price: £180

Stockist: 0870 2406902 - http://www.cuisinart.co.uk

GHI Test Report - September 2010
Review of Dolce Gusto Circulo coffee machine

Features
Multi drink pod machines makes coffee and hot chocolate. 15 bar pressure. 1.3 litre removable water tank. Manual. Removable drip tray with 3 height options. Auto shut off after 20 minutes. Used capsule container. Dimensions: 320 x 320 x 190mm. Colours available: red, white, anthracite. Price for pods: £3.28 for 16. Nine flavoursPrice per cup: 21p
Comments
Good points: Very simple to use machine with only two controls. Flavour improved possibly due to running at a higher temperature than the Melody 2. Can be used to make tea and hot chocolate in addition to coffee variations. Stylish modern design.
Drawbacks: Instructions are pictorial and could be more comprehensive

Rating: 67/100

Price: £159.99

Stockist: 0845 602 1545 - http://www.krups.co.uk

GHI Test Report - September 2010
Review of Dolce Gusto Melody 2 coffee machine

Features
Takes ground or pod coffee. 1.25 litre removable water tank. Manual. Removable drip tray. Scoop and tamper. Dimensions: 315 x 200 x 250mm. Colours available: black. Price for coffee pods: £5.49 for 18Price per cup: 7-15p for ground or 31p for pods
Comments
Good points: Easy to use controls which are on the top of the machine for easy viewing. Heavy, professional style filter holder.
Drawbacks: the filters are hard to tell apart. Espresso lacking in flavour, under extracted by fast flow. Would benefit from own ground coffee.

Rating: 65/100

Price: £129.99

Stockist: 0845 602 1545 - http://www.krups.co.uk

GHI Test Report - September 2010
Review of Gaggia Espresso Pure coffee machine

Features
Pod machine. 19 bar pressure. 1 litre removable water tank. Choice of two sizes of cup. Removable drip tray. Used capsule container. Dimensions: 252 x 166 x 291mm. Colours available: silver, fuchsia, orange, blue, arctic blue. Price for pods: 27p each. 12 flavoursPrice per cup: 27p
Comments
Good points: Wide choice of coffee flavours available. Best for espresso lovers. Produces good crema. Compact, well designed and very easy to use. Choice of two sizes of coffee.
Drawbacks: Coffee pods have to be ordered online as part of a club. No steam arm for cappuccino. Pours a little fast. No maximum mark on the water tank. Cannot accommodate a mug.

Rating: 65/100

Price: £199

Stockist: 0800 331 6015 - http://www.cafegaggia.co.uk

GHI Test Report - September 2010
Review of Magimix M100 Essenza coffee machine

Features
Pod machine. 19 bar pressure. 1 litre removable water tank. Choice of two sizes of cup. Removable drip tray. Used capsule container. Dimensions: 252 x 166 x 291mm. Colours available: silver, fuchsia, orange, blue, arctic blue. Price for pods: 27p each. 12 flavoursPrice per cup: 27p
Comments
Good points: Wide choice of coffee flavours available. Best for espresso lovers. Produces good crema. Compact, well designed and very easy to use. Choice of two sizes of coffee.
Drawbacks: Coffee pods have to be ordered online as part of a club. No steam arm for cappuccino. Pours a little fast. No maximum mark on the water tank. Cannot accommodate a mug.

Rating: 61/100

Price: £120

Stockist: 01252 727755 - http://www.magimixspares.co.uk

GHI Test Report - September 2010
Review of Dualit Espressivo coffee machine

Features
Takes ground or pod coffee. 15 bar pressure. 1.5 litre removable water tank. Manual. Removable drip tray with full indicator. Tamper and scoop. Filter holder for spare filters. Dimensions: 205 x 285 x 325mm. Colours available: cream or polished steel. Price for coffee pods: £15 for 50. Three flavoursPrice per cup: 34p
Comments
Good points: Useful holder keeps the loose filters neatly stored at the side of the machine. Clear instructions.
Drawbacks: Malty,rather lifeless flavour and could be hotter. Would benefit from using own ground coffee. Drips after pouring.

Rating: 61/100

Price: £172.16

Stockist: 01293 652 500 - http://www.dualit.com

GHI Test Report - September 2010