Imagine a cup of your favorite espresso, cappuccino or latte - hot, rich, fresh and flavorful- anytime you want it. The stainless steel Cuisinart Espresso Maker is the real thing and looks like the professional it is. Make espresso in your own kitchen, then use the stainless steam nozzle and frothing cup to turn it into cappuccino or latte. You can even heat the cups on the warming plate on top-just like the pros! 15 bars of pressure guarantee perfect results! From the Manufacturer The Cuisinart EM-100 Espresso Maker The Cuisinart EM-100 espresso maker Cuisinart lets you prepare gourmet quality espresso at home! With a system that allows you to pre-select serving size, 15 bars of pressure for maximum flavor and the option of using ground espresso or pods, you're in control. A separate steam function and stainless steel nozzle make it easy to froth milk for cappuccinos and smooth lattes. With a removable drip tray and cover, and a filter holder with a locking mechanism clean up is quick and easy. The Quest for a Perfect Espresso It is generally agreed that there are four basic elements critical to the perfect cup: Element 1: WATER When brewing espresso, make sure the water flows through the filter at the correct pace. The water flow can be adjusted by varying the pressure with which the coffee is taped in the filter or by altering the grind of coffee. If the speed of the water is slow the coffee will be over extracted and will be very dark and bitter, with a spotted and uneven creme (froth) on the top. If the speed of the water flow is too fast, the coffee will be under-extracted and the supreme flavor will not develop. The coffee will be diluted and there will be an inadequate amount of crme on the top. Element 2: COFFEE While the bulk of the liquid is water, all of the flavor should be from the coffee. To achieve the same great quality of coffee you receive at a cafe, you need to use the same quality beans. If you choose to grind your own beans, buy the beans fresh and whole, only about a two week supply at a time for maximum freshness. Once the coffee bean is broken, its flavor degrades very quickly. If it is not practical to buy smaller supplies, we recommend you separate larger amounts of beans and store them in airtight containers in a cool, dry area. They should not be kept for longer than 1 month as flavor will diminish. Do not refrigerate or freeze coffee beans. Element 3: GRIND The grind of the coffee is critical for proper flavor extraction. If using a pre-ground coffee, be sure to purchase an espresso grind that is specifically for espresso/cappuccino machines. If the grind is too fine, over extraction and bitterness will occur with a spotted and uneven crema on top. If the grind is too coarse, the water will pass through too rapidly and there will be an inadequate amount of crema on the top of the espresso. Element 4: TAMPING THE COFFEE GROUNDS If you choose to use ground espresso instead of pods, tamping the coffee is a very important part of the coffee making process. Use the scoop supplied to fill the filter basket, then using the tamping tool, tamp down the grounds with moderate pressure. Add more coffee and tamp again if necessary to bring coffee to level. Do not overfill the filter basket. The ground coffee should be tamped with moderate pressure. If the coffee is not tamped securely, there is a chance the water will flow through the coffee to rapidly and the coffee will be under-extracted. Note: if the coffee is tamped too firmly, the water will flow through the coffee too slowly and the coffee will be over-extracted. The combination coffee scoop/tamping tool. Features and Benefits Cup warming plate. Multi-function knob. Water reservoir lid Removable 53-ounce water reservoir Large cup warming plate 15-bar pump Heating light: Will illuminate indicating that espresso machine is adjusting the temperature of the heating system. Steam/Hot water knob: To use the hot water function, the Steam/Hot Water Knob must be turned the 'double drip' setting. Function knob: Three settings - steam, hot water, make coffee. Portafilter holder: Can be used with ground or pod espresso. Has two positions, lock and unlock, for ease of cleaning. Brew head: For easy fit of the portafilter holder. Commercial steam wand: Use to steam milk for cappuccinos and lattes. Removable drip tray: Removable drip tray with grate. Cleaning pins: Used to clean any excess milk that gets stuck inside the steam wand or any coffee particles that get stuck inside the filter basket. Stainless frothing pitcher: Used for steaming milk for cappuccinos and lattes. Measuring scoop/tamping tool: Use one side as a coffee scoop and the other to compact the coffee grounds in the filter basket prior to brewing. Filter baskets: Use the one cup filter for a single espresso and the two cup filter basket for the double espresso, and the pod filter basket for espresso pods. Guide to the Perfect Espresso You may want to preheat the cups by filling them