cuisinart em-200 espresso machine not working well

[circoObscuro]

Don't know how relevant this comment will be however, the perfect double shot is in the 18-23 second range so, assuming you have the right grind to tamp ratio a single shot should take half that time, I would suggest stopping it manually. I have the EM 100 which makes awesome espresso and exceptional crema.

[Finniganmydog]

Yeah, i found the machine worked quite well, until it stopped. no big deal. product still under warranty, so got a new one. Sadly, this brand new machine that we got DOES NOT WORK!!!!!!!!! no water is coming out at all. does anyone know what the problem is? please answer. please.

MVerma

[vinofilus]

Some really uninformed responses here. I'm no pro, but here's a bit of info that might help.

The EM-200 has a 3 way solenoid valve, so the backpressure and exploding comments about the EM-100 aren't relevant.

This is a semi-automatic machine, and if it seizes due to grounds too fine or tamp too hard, it will turn off the pump and beep continuously to indicate that it shut itself off. Press any button to stop the beeping and adjust your grind/tamp. With care, EM-200 makes surprisingly good shots.

[blingv007]

has anyone found anything better than this machine? - stainless steel and BPA free?

[aspiemamausa]

The boiler for this machine simply isn't big enough to pour a decent shot of espresso. I know this because I used to own $5000 + espresso machine that had too small of a boiler and it did the same thing! Unfortunately I bought this Cuisinart for my house and its doing the same to me! I will keep you updated on what I find works with mine if I don't end up taking it back. I'm going to give it a week or so.- Stacy

[dan9877a]

the grind was not pressed too hard. i lightly tamped it in to the filter.i used espresso ground, but not too smooth like flour. i used my burr grinder to grind the beans to about the same consistency as store bought espresso vacuum packed grinds.

[dan9877a]

the grind was pressed too hard. i lightly tamped it in to the filter.i used espresso ground, but not too smooth like flour. i used my burr grinder to grind the beans to about the same consistency as store bought espresso vacuum packed grinds.

[dan9877a]

i even tried a few descaler-cleansing pills to descale it; to no avail. didn't help! machine repaired twice at cuisinart canada but still can't make espresso any more. it can't produce the pressure to make it. i think the only solution is to buy a premium brand like saeco or some italian one with larger boilers; ie. $600 and up. any machine under $300 may not work i'm guessing?

[dan9877a]

machine can't make espresso in yr 2009. this machine is crap!

[rudfil]

sounds to me the coffee has been pressed too hard. The finer the coffee the less pressure when tamped.

[rcdrvrrc7]

I have the em-100 manual model. Only paid $60 for it new. You need to use medium pressure when tamping, not heavy. I use a medium even tamp with the finest ground coffee and it pulls a shot in about 20-23 seconds. That machine sounds like it has had a hard life of overtamped grounds. Especially if it takes 60+ seconds for a pull.

[Epiphanized]

i know this is 2 years late, but you shouldn't use lemon juice.

i used lemon juice on my (working) espresso machine and it's made the water run through slower. am hoping that after using some proper decalcifier (descaler) next week should fix it!

[twochaudio]

that,s whats wrong with reviews thay might not know what there doing and do more harm then good

[BENBASIL]

i think you people must be tamping the machine way too hard, its choking the machine, and you are allowing way too much contact time with the grinds, if your machine is taking a minute to make one shot than you shouldnt even try

[BATCH420]

does the coffee explode when you take the portafilter off?

[dan9877a]

I brought it in and got a new boiler unit for free (had to pay about $17 for shipping). I took it to a Cuisinart Authorized Service Centre and they did all the work. Since then (about 2 months ago), my new unit is working fine. so far so good. There are many service centers for cuisinart which is great.

[fishinglizard1972]

just watched your other video on the em200, must have been when it was new, didnt think this would happen to such a quality machine

[dan9877a]

In early May 2008, it only took 64 seconds to make a single shot. Now, about 2 months later, it takes 64 seconds and the machine is making non-stop beeping sounds afterwards....not to mention the excessive steam release coming out. The pump sounds like it's half dead. The grounds are all wet in the portafilter too (should be a dry puck). Not good. Cuisinart has a 3yr warranty so I can bring it in to an authorized repair center nearby which is fine I guess.

[renix]

@dan9877a GOOD LORD! It ONLY took you 64 seconds to make a single aka 1 ounce of espresso? It's supposed to be in the 20-30 second range. Hahaha! You will not get a dry puck on these cheesy machines, either. This is like watching a 12 year drive a car without lessons. Watch out everyone!