Mr. Coffee stainless steel programmable Cafe Barista coffee maker Review

We purchased the Mr. Coffee Cafe Barista so our reviewer could put it to the test in her kitchen. Please keep reading for our full product review. If you’re in the market for an espresso/cappuccino machine, there is a wide spectrum ranging from low-budget to top-of-the-line options.

Some espresso machines are manual and require much time and energy but leave plenty of room for customization. Others function completely automatically. One middle-ground option is the Mr. Coffee Cafe Barista. We spun this semi-automatic machine and made many drinks with it to determine how well it delivers on quality, setup, ease of use, cleanup, and price. Take a look to see the final results.

Cafe Barista coffee maker Design: conveniently designed

We found that the overall design of this mr coffee stainless steel programmable coffee maker was well thought out because all its parts are clearly labeled. It helped a lot when we started using the machine. Also, all parts are removable, which is convenient for cleaning and refilling.

The buttons on the front of the machine are clearly labeled with the corresponding drink, and there are manual and automatic options. The milk reservoir fits conveniently inside the unit and is removable, so leftover milk can be stored in the fridge when not in use. The frother also has a clearly labeled knob that controls the amount of froth that goes into each drink. A measuring spoon is included that doubles as a tamper used to press the coffee grounds into the portafilter. Two filters fit into the portafilter: one for a single shot and one for a double shot.

In addition, there are two drip trays. A tray sits inside the unit below the portafilter, serving full-size mugs. The second tray pulls out from below the milk container, creating less room for espresso to spill for those who prefer a smaller cup. The water tank at the back is removable, so the user can easily fill it, throw out excess water after use and clean it.

As far as aesthetics go, this machine is sleek and modern looking. The silver version has black accents, which fit easily with the rest of our kitchen appliances.

Cafe Barista coffee maker Setup process: simple and straightforward

We found the setup of the Mr. Coffee Cafe Barista to be simple. This was partly due to the machine’s simplicity, but it can also be attributed to the included instructions, which were easy to understand. Before using it for the first time, we needed to wash all the removable parts with warm soapy water. We also had to mr coffee stainless steel programmable coffee maker prime the machine, running it through a few water cycles. So the machine was ready to go.

More

To make an espresso, we chose the filter size we wanted, single or double, and placed it in the portafilter. Next, we placed our grounds in the filter and pressed them down with the tamper until they were about ⅛ inch below the top of the filter, as recommended in the manual. We attached the portafilter to the machine and placed a small cup on the removable drip tray. Then we hit the top button, or the Espresso button, once for a single shot, twice for a double, and let the machine do its thing.

Testing insight:

Although the process is easy and fun to watch, the espresso itself was weak.”

To make a cappuccino or a latte, the process remains much the same as making a shot of espresso. Except there’s the added step of adding milk to the milk reservoir. After placing the portafilter with ground coffee in the machine, we fill the tank with milk. The manual does not suggest a specific amount. The mr coffee stainless steel programmable coffee machine dispenses the right amount of milk foam based on the selected drink. We also used the tray, which created more space in the unit so a full-size mug could fit under the portafilter.

Next, we ensured the frothed milk dispensing tube was directed into our cup. We also adjusted the foam control knob to control the amount of foam added to the drink. Then we press the “Cappuccino” button once for a drink, twice for a large coffee, and let the machine do its work. The process is the same for a latte, except you press the button.

Cafe Barista coffee maker performance: fast results mr coffee stainless steel programmable coffee maker

The process of making an espresso shot or espresso drink with Mr. Coffee Cafe Barista is quick and easy because it is mostly automatic. We were impressed with our results, considering the lack of effort involved. This machine can make espresso drinks at the touch of a button, which is a huge plus. We made espresso shots, lattes, and cappuccinos.

For espresso drinks use the Cappuccino or Latte buttons. The machine froths the milk in the reservoir and dispenses it into the cup. Then, he makes a shot or two of espresso and adds it to the cup. We found, however, that while the process was easy and fun to watch. Their coffee stainless steel programmable coffee espresso itself was weak. We mostly notice this when drinking cappuccinos and lattes because the added milk further dilutes the espresso flavor.

Testing insight:

This machine can make espresso drinks at the touch of a button, which is a huge plus.”

This could be attributed to the machine adding too much volume of water to the espresso shot when using the automatic function. However, this machine can be manually controlled by pressing and holding the drink buttons. But still, the user can only control the amount of espresso not the ratio of water to espresso or the amount of milk added to their drink, which didn’t make much of a difference to the taste. Weak espresso could also be due to tamping pressure. The tamper is made of plastic, which didn’t allow us to apply a lot of pressure to the coffee grounds.

When the coffee grounds are not tamped down firmly enough for a shot of mr coffee stainless steel programmable coffee espresso. The water flows through the grounds too quickly and therefore not much is extracted. We weren’t able to apply as much pressure with the included tamper. So our grounds were probably too loose, creating that weak flavor as well.

Cafe Barista coffee maker Ease of cleaning: requires thorough cleaning after each use

After using Mr. Coffee Cafe Barista, thorough cleaning is required to care for it properly. We found the entire cleaning process quite time-consuming because it required running the machine several times to clean its internals.

We remove the portafilter and discard the espresso grounds to clean it after making an espresso. A lift-up lever on the handle of the portafilter clips onto the filter. So it doesn’t fall out when dumping the grounds. We found it very useful. Next, we rinse both the portafilter and the filter with warm water. Then, we put the portafilter back in the unit with no coffee grounds and ran it through a single mr coffee stainless steel programmable coffee espresso cycle. The manual says to remove the portafilter after running it through a cycle.

Testing insight:

We found the whole cleaning process to be quite time-consuming because it required running the machine a couple of times to clean its internals.”

If a milk-based drink is prepared, it is also necessary to clean the milk container. To do this:

1. Leave excess milk in the reservoir and place a large cup under the frothing tube.
2. Set the froth control knob to the clean position. Then press and hold the “Latte / Clean” button until the machine starts up.
3. Once the machine stops, discard the contents in the cup and any remaining milk.
4. Thoroughly wash the milk container and all its parts.

mr coffee stainless steel programmable coffee maker part and the lid are dishwashers safe.The manual also recommends dumping out any excess water left in the water reservoir between uses. Then clean it with soapy water. The water tank, filter holder, and filters are not dishwasher safe.

Cafe Barista coffee maker Price: An inexpensive semi-automatic system

Mr. Coffee Cafe Barista retails for around $250, an affordable option for a home espresso machine. Compared to some of the cheaper alternatives, this one wins because it’s semi-automatic. With this machine, it’s easy to make cappuccinos and lattes at the touch of a button. Other machines often require a much more complicated process.

Conclusion of mr coffee stainless steel programmable coffee maker

The Mr. Coffee Espresso and Cappuccino Machine Programmable Coffee Maker is an exceptional coffee machine that easily brews rich and flavorful espresso and cappuccino. It is perfect for coffee enthusiasts who want to enjoy cafe-style coffee from the comfort of their homes.

One of the most remarkable features of this mr coffee stainless steel programmable coffee maker is its programmable setting. With the programmable setting, you can set the machine to brew coffee at a specific time, so you wake up to a freshly brewed cup. The machine also has an automatic shut-off feature that turns off after two hours of inactivity, making it energy efficient.

The Mr. Coffee Espresso and Cappuccino Machine Programmable Coffee Maker is easy to use. It has a one-touch control panel that allows you to choose between single or double espresso shots or cappuccino. The machine also features a frother that froths milk perfectly, giving your coffee the perfect creamy finish.

The mr coffee stainless steel programmable coffee maker also has a removable water reservoir that is easy to fill and clean. The water reservoir has a capacity of 55 ounces to brew several cups of coffee without refilling. The machine also has a removable drip tray and is easy to clean.

The Mr. Coffee Espresso and Cappuccino Machine Programmable Coffee Maker is made of high-quality materials that ensure its durability.