Chefman RJ54-SS-15 Espresso coffee machine: Full Review

The Chefman Easy Brew is a single-serve espresso machine that makes authentic cafe-style espresso, cappuccino and latte drinks at home. This lightweight and compact machine features a one-touch control panel, 15 bars of pressure for rich extraction, a stainless steel frothing pitcher, and a removable 26oz water reservoir.

With the Easy Brew, you can brew 1 or 2 shots of espresso at a time directly into the included shot glasses or other small cups. The 15 bars of pressure and stainless steel components help extract bold, aromatic espresso with a nice crema layer. There's also a manual milk frother to make creamy cappuccinos and lattes.

Some key specs of the Chefman Easy Brew include:

• Single-serve for 1 or 2 shots
• 15 bars of pump pressure
• 26oz removable water tank
• Stainless steel components
• Manual milk frother and frothing pitcher
• One-touch control panel
• Compact footprint (8.5 x 5.5 x 12.2 inches)
• 1 year warranty

This affordable and straightforward machine aims to deliver authentic espresso drinks without taking up much space on your kitchen counter. Keep reading for an in-depth review on how well it performs.

Design

The Chefman Espresso Machine has a sleek and modern stainless steel design that will look great on any kitchen counter. It has a solid metal housing and stainless steel accents that give it a high-end look and feel.

The machine is compact in size at 11.5 x 7.5 x 12.2 inches, so it doesn't take up too much counter space. The stainless steel finish gives it a nice mirrored look and minimalist aesthetic.

The machine body is made of stainless steel and plastic. The water reservoir is BPA-free plastic while the portafilter, drip tray, and steaming wand are stainless steel. The use of metal in key components ensures durability.

This espresso maker is available in three color options: black, red, and stainless steel. The stainless steel option has a mirror finish that complements modern kitchen decors. The black and red versions have a matte finish.

Brewing System

The Chefman RJ54-SS-15 uses a 19 bar pump espresso machine brewing system to produce cafe-quality espresso. This produces adequate pressure for rich, full-bodied espresso with crema.

The 15 bars of pump pressure combined with the 4 bar of manual pressure from the portafilter produces the optimal 19 bars of pressure. The 3.5" portafilter has a single spout to evenly distribute hot water through the coffee puck.

The RJ54-SS-15 heats water in its 26 oz reservoir to the ideal 195-205°F to properly extract espresso. An indicator light lets you know when the optimal temperature is reached. The brew head also gets hot enough to evenly extract espresso and produce thick crema.

Brewing espresso is straightforward with the RJ54-SS-15. After heating up, simply add ground coffee to the portafilter, tamp, attach it to the group head, and press the brew button. The 19 bars of pressure automatically extract 1-2 shots of espresso into your cup in 25-30 seconds.

Milk Frothing

The Chefman RJ54-SS-15 espresso machine comes with an automatic milk frother for making cappuccinos and lattes. It uses a special attachment that connects to the steam wand to froth milk with the touch of a button.

The frother is fast and efficient, with an auto-off function to prevent overheating. It can produce silky microfoam on par with more expensive espresso machines. The froth is smooth and creamy, though some users note it could be improved by using colder milk or a finer steam tip. Overall, the frother delivers good quality foam for homemade specialty coffee drinks.

Some downsides are that the frother cannot be used while pulling espresso shots simultaneously. It also requires disassembly and cleaning after each use to prevent buildup. But for an automatic frother at this price point, it performs well above expectations.

Espresso Quality

The Chefman RJ54-SS-15 produces espresso with a rich, bold flavor and a nice layer of crema on top. The 19 bars of pressure ensure good flavor extraction from the coffee grounds.

The espresso comes out hot, usually around 190-195 degrees Fahrenheit. This is the ideal temperature range for drinking espresso, hot enough to bring out the aromas and flavors properly.

The machine is able to produce a nice golden crema layer on the espresso. The microfoam crema has a creamy texture and lasts for a minute or two before fading. The crema contributes to the espresso's aroma and helps trap volatile flavor compounds.

Overall, the espresso from the Chefman has an authentic cafe-quality in terms of rich flavor, proper temperature, and crema production. The high-pressure extraction and metal parts that get hot enough lead to an espresso that would satisfy espresso aficionados.

Ease of Use

The Chefman RJ54-SS-15 espresso machine is designed for easy, intuitive operation. The front panel features clearly labeled buttons that allow you to select single or double shots, steam, and start/stop brewing. There is also an LED display that shows when the machine needs to be descaled.

The controls are straightforward and simple to use even for beginners. Once you insert the portafilter and select your shot size, a single button starts the extraction. There are also dedicated steam and hot water buttons for frothing milk or Americanos. The buttons have LED lights that indicate when each function is active.

Cleaning and maintenance are also simple on this model. The water reservoir and drip tray are removable for quick cleaning. The metal parts like the portafilter and steam wand can be rinsed under running water. The machine will also alert you when it's time to descale, which helps prevent mineral buildup and keep your espresso tasting its best.

Overall, the Chefman simplifies espresso brewing with its intuitive controls, easy maintenance, and descale alerts. The front panel provides clear guidance on how to use the machine properly for consistently great tasting shots.

Capacity

The Chefman RJ54-SS-15 has a large 51 oz water reservoir capacity, which is enough to brew multiple shots before needing a refill. The tank is removeable for easy filling.

With its 15 bar pump pressure, this machine can pull up to 4-6 shots per water tank filling. The large capacity means you can make coffee for the whole family or entertain guests without constantly refilling the reservoir. Depending on your usage, you may only need to refill the tank once a day or every couple of days.

The generous reservoir capacity reduces the hassle of frequent refilling, making the Chefman a convenient option for households that consume multiple cups of coffee daily. Overall, the high capacity water tank and ability to pull several shots per tank fill make this an ideal machine for frequent coffee drinkers.

Noise Level

Most espresso machines utilize electric pumps that can be quite loud, especially cheaper models, so noise is an important consideration for many. The Chefman RJ54 utilizes a 15 bar Italian pump that is designed to brew espresso quietly and without much vibration.

Users report that the Chefman is surprisingly quiet for an espresso machine in its price range. The pump noise is present but quite muted, without any high-pitched whining or rattling sounds. It operates at around 60 decibels, which is comparable to normal conversation levels. This makes it suitable for use in settings like an office or apartment where you don't want to disturb others.

Some key reasons the Chefman maintains lower noise levels:

• The 15 bar pump is engineered to operate smoothly, without vibrating or pulsating excessively. It provides adequate pressure but doesn't overpressurize unnecessarily.

• The machine has a stable base and internal housing which minimizes sound reverberation.

• The portafilter, steam wand, and brewhead are well-fitted to avoid leaks or sputtering sounds.

So in summary, while not silent, the Chefman produces far less noise and disturbance than most budget espresso machines. The smooth 15 bar pump and stable internal construction render it quiet enough for a wide range of environments.

Accessories

The Chefman RJ54-SS-15 comes with a few handy accessories to help you make great espresso drinks at home. It includes a stainless steel tamper, which is essential for tamping down the ground coffee in the portafilter to prepare the espresso puck before brewing.

It also comes with a plastic measuring scoop, which is useful for portioning out the right amount of coffee grounds. The scoop holds approximately 1 tablespoon of ground coffee, which is a good starting point for a single shot of espresso.

The machine comes with 2 filter baskets - a single shot filter and a double shot filter. This allows you to brew one or two shots of espresso at a time. The filter baskets are stainless steel and fit into the included portafilter handle.

Some other accessories included are the drip tray which catches drips and spills, the water reservoir which holds the water for brewing, and a cup warming tray on top to keep your espresso cups nice and warm before use.

Overall, the Chefman comes with all the basic accessories you need to get started making espresso drinks at home. The inclusion of the tamper and measuring scoop is a nice bonus not always found with home espresso machines in this price range.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Compact design takes up minimal counter space
• Easy one-touch operation for brewing espresso
• Built-in milk frother for cappuccinos and lattes
• Large 51oz water reservoir for brewing multiple shots
• Removable drip tray for easy cleanup
• Produces good quality espresso with thick crema
• Reasonably priced for an entry-level machine

Cons

• Smaller brew head may limit cup size
• Steam wand can be tricky to master at first
• Louder and slower than prosumer models
• Espresso shots can become bitter if left brewing too long
• Short power cord limits placement options
• Accessories like tamper and shot glasses sold separately