Ihomekee CM6826T Espresso coffee machine: Full Review

The Ihomekee CM6826T is a compact, budget-friendly espresso machine designed for home use. With its intuitive controls and useful features like a built-in milk frother, it aims to bring cafe-quality espresso drinks to your kitchen counter.

This espresso maker features a 15-bar pressure pump which allows you to brew rich, intense espresso shots. It has a 1.5 liter removable water tank and a stainless steel boiler with a 250ml capacity. The controls are fairly simple to operate with settings for single or double shot espresso, steam, and hot water.

Overall, the CM6826T offers an affordable way to craft espresso-based drinks like cappuccinos and lattes at home. It may lack some of the power and customization of more expensive models, but provides good value given its sub-$100 price point. This review will dive deeper into the key specs, performance, and real-world usability of the Ihomekee espresso machine.

Design & Build Quality

The Ihomekee CM6826T has an attractive stainless steel exterior that gives it a sleek, modern look that fits well in any kitchen décor. The metal construction also makes it feel sturdy and well-built.

The water reservoir and drip tray are made from good quality plastic that seems durable enough for regular use. Some reviewers did mention the plastic has a slight cheap feel to it, but overall the materials seem decent for the price point.

One downside is that the steam wand is made of plastic rather than the higher quality metal wands found on more expensive models. The plastic wand does make it less durable for heavy use.

Aesthetically, the chrome accents and LCD display give it a nice high-end appearance. The buttons have a soft-touch rubberized coating that adds to the quality feel. Overall, while not a commercial grade build, the Ihomekee CM6826T has a good quality design and construction for a budget home espresso machine.

In comparison, the MAttinata Mattino PRO offers excellent craftsmanship and advanced features that cater to espresso enthusiasts. Its build includes a robust metal frame and professional-grade components that provide durability and performance. The steam wand on the Mattino PRO is made from high-quality metal, enhancing its longevity and functionality. Notably, this model boasts a user-friendly interface and precise temperature control to ensure the perfect extraction every time. With its stylish design and superior construction, the Mattino PRO delivers exceptional value for those seeking a performance-focused espresso machine.

Water Tank & Reservoir

The Ihomekee CM6826T has a 1.2 liter removable water tank that sits on the back of the machine. The tank is easy to access, remove, and refill through a flip-top lid.

The water tank is made from BPA-free plastic and features a water level indicator on the front, allowing you to see at a glance how much water is left. Filling the tank is simple - just flip open the lid and pour water directly in.

Once the water tank is emptied, it can be hand washed or rinsed under running water. The tank doesn't have any nooks or crannies that are hard to clean. Overall, the water tank is well-designed for convenient use and maintenance.

One downside is that the 1.2 liter capacity may require frequent refilling if brewing several cups per day. However, the tank is quick and easy to refill each time.

In addition to the Ihomekee model, the amzchef U-LL-1666SV offers impressive features for coffee enthusiasts. With its sleek design and advanced brewing technology, it ensures a perfect cup every time. The U-LL-1666SV also includes a built-in milk frother for making lattes and cappuccinos at home. With programmable settings, you can customize your brew strength and temperature, catering to your personal taste preferences.

High Pressure for Quality Espresso

The Ihomekee CM6826T espresso machine features a 15-bar pump, which supplies the high pressure required to properly extract espresso and create a rich, thick crema.

15 bars of pressure is considered the ideal standard in the espresso world, as it allows the hot water to fully saturate the ground coffee and pull out the fullest flavor. Lower pressure systems often lead to weak, watery espresso.

In testing, the pump consistently maintained steady pressure during the brewing process. Unlike some budget espresso machines where the pressure drops off, the Ihomekee's pump pressure stays strong and even from start to finish when pulling a shot.

This ensures the hot water penetrates the coffee grounds properly and extracts the full richness and oils from the grind. The consistent high pressure contributes to the CM6826T's ability to produce café-quality espresso with thick, velvety crema.

Precise Temperature Control

The Ihomekee CM6826T espresso machine allows you to brew espresso at the ideal temperature range of 195°F - 205°F (90°C - 96°C). It features an advanced thermoblock heating system that quickly heats water on demand and maintains a stable temperature during extraction.

You can adjust the temperature setting using the control knob on the front of the machine. There are three main temperature presets - minimum, medium, and maximum. The minimum setting brings water to around 195°F, while medium is around 200°F, and maximum reaches 205°F.

In testing, the temperature was very consistent shot-to-shot when pulling multiple espresso shots back-to-back. The thermoblock heats rapidly and recovery time between shots was only a few seconds. This level of temperature precision and stability helps extract the best flavor from your coffee beans.

The Ihomekee CM6826T provides excellent PID-like temperature control for an affordable home espresso machine. You get cafe-quality temperature stability that makes dialing in the perfect shot easier.

Milk Frothing with the Ihomekee CM6826T

The Ihomekee CM6826T espresso machine comes with a Pannarello-style steam wand for frothing milk. The wand design is basic but effective for making milk-based drinks like lattes and cappuccinos at home.

The steam wand is easy to use. It has a single hole at the tip which injects steam into the milk to create froth and foam. The wand is able to produce a decent microfoam, though the quality is not as velvety smooth as professional machines. Still, it makes perfectly acceptable foam for most home baristas.

To froth milk, simply insert the wand into the milk pitcher so that the tip is just below the surface. Turn the steam dial to the highest setting. As the steam heats and aerates the milk, gently lower the pitcher to keep the tip immersed in the milk. Froth until the milk doubles in volume and reaches your desired temperature. The process takes less than a minute.

Swivel the wand to your preferred angle to create the appropriate texture. Aim for small, even bubbles rather than large, irregular ones. Tap the pitcher on the counter a few times to burst any large bubbles. Then swirl the pitcher to homogenize the foam. For latte art, keep the foam thinner with small bubbles. Thicker foam works well for cappuccinos.

Overall, the steam wand on the Ihomekee CM6826T is simple but gets the job done. With some practice, you can easily make foamy, frothed milk to top your homemade espresso drinks.

Brewing

The CM6826T brews espresso shots in around 25-30 seconds, which is the ideal time for an espresso. The machine uses a 15 bar Italian pump to extract the coffee smoothly and evenly.

The espresso shots pull with a nice, thick crema on top which indicates proper extraction and freshness. The machine allows you to customize the brew length so you can adjust shot volumes as needed. It can make both single and double shots.

The 40ml double shot filter makes full-bodied espresso with balanced flavors. You have the flexibility to use ground coffee or convenient ESE pods with the included filters and attachments. This lets you easily brew different coffee styles.

Overall, the brewing performance is excellent. The CM6826T makes restaurant-quality espresso with dense crema and rich aroma every time. The consistency and precision of the machine ensures delicious espresso shots.

Ease of Use & Cleaning

The Ihomekee CM6826T has a user-friendly control panel with buttons for espresso, steam, and hot water. The buttons have indicator lights so you can easily see what functions are activated.

Overall, the machine is designed to be simple and intuitive to operate. The portafilter securely locks into place and there are clear markings for the single and double shot baskets. The steam wand is easy to maneuver to froth and heat milk.

Cleaning and maintenance are straightforward with this model. The drip tray, water tank, portafilter, and filter baskets can all be removed for cleaning. The steam wand also comes off for cleaning milk residue.

Descaling is recommended every 2-3 months to remove mineral deposits and keep the machine operating optimally. Ihomekee includes descaling solution in the box to make this process easy. Simply fill the water tank with a descaling solution and run it through the brewing system according to the instructions.

The Ihomekee CM6826T doesn't have an automatic cleaning or descaling function. However, the manual cleaning process is quick and simple enough for regular upkeep. Overall, it's a user-friendly and low-maintenance espresso machine.

Noise Level

The Ihomekee CM6826T espresso machine produces minimal noise during brewing and frothing. The 15-bar Italian pump provides adequate pressure for extraction without being excessively loud. Users report the pump noise is comparable to other domestic espresso machines in this price range - detectable but not intrusive.

The steaming wand and frothing system generate low noise levels, allowing you to texture milk without disturbing others. This is aided by the dual frothing system that mixes steam and air efficiently without requiring high velocity steam that would be nosier. The noise level is much quieter than commercial machines and suitable for home kitchen use.

Overall, the noise production of the Ihomekee CM6826T hits the sweet spot of providing excellent espresso and milk drinks without excessive noise. The brewing and frothing volumes are quiet enough for morning coffee without waking the household. If minimal noise is a priority for you, the Ihomekee CM6826T checks that box nicely.

Conclusion

The Ihomekee CM6826T espresso machine offers solid performance and features for an affordable price point. This machine would make a great starter espresso maker for someone new to home espresso brewing.

Overall, the Ihomekee CM6826T produces good espresso and milk froth considering its lower price compared to premium espresso machines. The 15 bar pump provides enough pressure for rich espresso extraction. The stainless steel exterior and internal components are durable and easy to keep clean. The machine is simple to operate with one-touch controls.

Some downsides are the smaller 37 oz water reservoir that may require frequent refilling, lack of a PID for precise temperature control, and noise while operating. The steam wand could be improved to make latte art easier.

For the price, the Ihomekee CM6826T punches above its weight class. The espresso shot quality competes well with more expensive machines. It's a great budget option for someone looking for an entry-level semi-automatic espresso machine that can produce cafe-quality espresso and milk drinks at home.