Ihomekee CM6810 Espresso coffee machine: Full Review

The Ihomekee CM6810 is a countertop espresso machine designed for home use. It features a 15-bar pump pressure system and a Thermoblock heating element to optimize espresso extraction. With its streamlined design and compact footprint, the CM6810 aims to provide cafe-quality espresso drinks in a home-friendly package.

This single boiler espresso machine comes with a built-in milk frother, allowing you to make cappuccinos and lattes. It has a 1.5 liter removable water tank, a stainless steel boiler, and a portafilter with pressurized and non-pressurized baskets. The machine also has various convenience features like cup warming tray, rapid heating, and automatic cleaning alerts.

Overall, the Ihomekee CM6810 offers an affordable automatic espresso machine option for home baristas looking for consistent espresso and milk drinks with customization options. This review will provide an in-depth look at the key features, performance, and value of this espresso maker.

Design and Build Quality

The Ihomekee CM6810 has a sleek and modern design that looks great on any countertop. It is made of stainless steel and plastic, giving it a nice balance between aesthetics and durability. The stainless steel panels add a touch of style while also making the machine easy to keep clean.

The plastic components seem sturdy enough for regular use and the buttons have a nice tactile feel when pressed. Some users may prefer an all metal construction, but the plastic doesn't detract too much from the high-end look.

The steaming wand is made from stainless steel and swivels smoothly when moving it to froth milk. The portafilter also seems well-made from stainless steel and locks securely into place.

Overall, while not a commercial grade machine, the Ihomekee CM6810 has a good build quality suitable for home use. The design is visually appealing and the use of stainless steel gives confidence in the machine's durability. For an appliance-grade espresso maker, it hits a sweet spot between looks and functionality.

Another option to consider is the De'Longhi ECP3420. This machine offers a more traditional design with a mix of stainless steel and plastic components. Known for its reliable performance, the ECP3420 features a built-in frother, adjustable controls, and a durable stainless steel boiler. It is also easy to clean and maintain, making it a popular choice for home baristas seeking an affordable yet quality espresso experience.

Brewing Performance

The Ihomekee CM6810 uses a 15-bar pump to brew espresso at an optimal pressure between 9-12 bars. This pressure range helps extract the ideal flavor from the coffee grounds.

The thermoblock heating system brings water to the optimal brewing temperature between 195-205°F in just 45 seconds. This rapid heating provides consistent temperatures cup after cup.

The powerful steam wand delivers barista-quality froth for cappuccinos and lattes. It can quickly turn milk into a rich, creamy microfoam with tiny, even bubbles. The pannarello attachment on the wand makes it easy to get perfect froth without much technique.

The 3-in-1 portafilter allows you to brew single or double shots and has a frothing compartment too. Overall, the machine provides excellent brewing capabilities for home espresso making.

Another great option for home espresso enthusiasts is the Breville BES880BSS. This machine features an intuitive touch screen for ease of use and an integrated grinder that grinds just the right amount of coffee for maximum freshness. The Breville BES880BSS also offers customizable settings and an automatic microfoam milk texturing system, making it perfect for those who want convenience without sacrificing quality.

Ease of Use and Convenience

The Ihomekee CM6810 espresso machine is designed for convenient daily use. The control panel features an easy-to-read LCD screen and simple button controls, allowing you to select between 1 or 2 espresso shots and steam and hot water modes.

Maintenance and cleaning are straightforward on this machine. The drip tray, water tank, and portafilter handle are all removable and dishwasher safe. The steam wand can be wiped clean after use, and a cleaning pin is included for cleaning out the group head. Descaling is recommended every 2-3 months to keep the machine running optimally.

This espresso machine lacks an automatic cleaning or descaling cycle, so users will need to manually clean various parts regularly. The water tank and drip tray will need emptied and rinsed, the group head brushed, and the steam wand wiped after each use. While not too difficult, this does require an extra minute or two versus machines with automated cleaning functions.

Overall, the Ihomekee CM6810 offers convenient day-to-day use for making espresso drinks at home thanks to its intuitive controls and easy-to-clean design. Just be prepared for some simple manual cleaning to keep it running smoothly.

Machine Customization

The Ihomekee CM6810 has several customizable features that allow you to tailor the machine to your personal preferences.

• The grind size is adjustable via a dial on the top of the machine. Choose from 5 different grind settings to get the ideal texture for your beans and desired flavor in your shot. Finer grinds will result in stronger, more intense espresso while coarser grinds produce lighter coffee.

• You can adjust the volume of coffee dispensed from the portafilter by programming your ideal shot volume. Simply press and hold the 1-cup or 2-cup button to set the machine to stop brewing once your preferred amount is reached. This allows you to pull 1oz shots or longer 2oz shots for making drinks like americanos.

• The height of the coffee spouts is adjustable, so you can raise or lower them to accommodate different cup sizes. This is useful when switching between traditional espresso cups and taller latte glasses.

• The machine also comes with additional accessories like a stainless steel milk frothing pitcher and tamper to help you get the most out of the espresso maker and make customized drinks.

Overall the Ihomekee CM6810 provides a good amount of personalization through its grind size, shot volume, and height adjustments. This flexibility lets you brew your coffee exactly the way you like it.

Coffee Quality

The Ihomekee CM6810 produces espresso with a rich, full-bodied taste and a smooth velvety crema. The 15-bar pressure extraction consistently yields espresso shots with a balanced flavor that is not overly bitter or acidic.

The machine maintains a stable brewing temperature which allows for even extraction and consistent flavor profile across multiple cups. Each shot pulls with a hazelnut colored crema that is dense and lingers for longer than average.

The Portafilter has a pressurized single walled and double walled filter basket that helps optimize the brewing process. The pressurized portafilter allows you to achieve an authentic crema and espresso taste without needing to get the grind size perfect. This makes brewing high quality espresso more forgiving for beginners.

Overall, the Ihomekee CM6810 makes restaurant-quality espresso with thick crema and complex flavors that will satisfy espresso aficionados. The consistency in taste and crema quality across multiple shots is impressive for a home semi-automatic machine in this price range.

Value for Money

The Ihomekee CM6810 offers excellent value considering its price point and performance. This compact machine packs professional-grade features into an affordable package.

At around $200, the CM6810 is very competitively priced compared to similar espresso machines. You get an impressive 15 bars of pressure, a 1.2 liter removable water tank, a stainless steel boiler, and clever portafilter design. The 3-in-1 filter basket allows you to brew single or double shots, and switch to ground coffee.

For a mid-range consumer model, the CM6810 delivers cafe-quality espresso with thick crema and robust flavor. You can customize shots by adjusting the manual pressure knob. The rapid 25 second heat up time produces piping hot espresso.

The simple dial and button controls make this espresso maker easy for beginners to use. Yet it offers sufficient customization options for experienced baristas to pull great shots. Considering the performance and reliability, the Ihomekee CM6810 provides tremendous bang for your buck.

Advantages

The Ihomekee CM6810 has several notable pros that make it a compelling home espresso machine option:

• Compact, space-saving design: This machine has a small footprint, making it ideal for kitchens with limited counter space. The streamlined design still allows for a 0.53 liter water tank and easy access to controls.

• 15 bars of pressure for rich espresso: With 15 bars of pump pressure, this machine can extract espresso with a nice, thick crema on top. The high pressure helps bring out the oils and robust flavor of the coffee.

• Fast heat-up time: The thermoblock heating system gets the Ihomekee CM6810 heated up and ready to brew in just 45 seconds, reducing waiting time.

• Adjustable cup height: You can fit cups or glasses up to 5 inches tall under the portafilter spouts. This accommodates everything from espresso shots to latte mugs.

• Removable drip tray: The drip tray can be taken out for easy cleanup. This also allows you to brew into taller travel mugs.

• User-friendly operation: With just 3 buttons, this espresso maker is simple to use. The buttons let you brew espresso or steam milk with minimal effort.

Disadvantages

While the Ihomekee CM6810 has many benefits, it also comes with some downsides that are worth considering before making a purchase:

• The 60ml water tank capacity is quite small. You'll need to refill it frequently, which can be inconvenient. Larger water tank capacities like 80ml+ are preferable.

• No automatic milk frothing wand. You have to heat and froth milk manually if making cappuccinos or lattes. An auto frother saves time and effort.

• Build quality is decent but not amazing. Some parts like the portafilter and steam wand feel a bit flimsy or cheap. Durability over years of use may be a concern.

• There is no pressure gauge to help dial in the optimal pressure or monitor changes over time. Gauges are helpful for getting consistently great extractions.

• Requires coffee beans. You cannot use pre-ground coffee, which limits flexibility. Bean-to-cup machines that accept ground coffee are more versatile.

• Cleaning and maintaining the machine can be tedious due to the manual frothing wand, portafilter, and other parts that require disassembly and brushing.

Overall the lack of automatic milk frothing, small water tank, flimsy build quality in parts, and need for cleaning are the main downsides to consider. While not dealbreakers for everyone, these cons should be weighed against this machine's lower price when making a purchasing decision.

Conclusion

The Ihomekee CM6810 is a budget-friendly espresso machine that offers decent performance for the price. Its compact size and simple interface make it approachable for beginners, while its adjustable settings allow you to customize your shots.

The main advantages of this model are its affordable price point, easy maintenance, and fast heat-up time. It can produce restaurant-quality espresso when dialed in properly. The milk frother also performs well for a budget machine.

On the downside, build quality is mediocre and may not hold up over time. Temperature control could be better and some trial and error is required to pull consistent shots. The machine is also limited in terms of pressure and features compared to higher-end models.

Overall, the Ihomekee CM6810 is best suited for espresso drinkers on a tight budget who want something simple to use. It offers solid performance for the price, but may leave enthusiasts desiring more pressure, control and customization. If you're just getting into home espresso on a budget, it's a decent starter machine worth considering.