Kwister CM5403F-N Espresso coffee machine: Full Review

The Kwister CM5403F-N is an espresso machine designed for home use. It features a sleek and compact design that aims to provide cafe-quality espresso drinks while taking up minimal counter space. The CM5403F-N utilizes a 15-bar Italian pump and stainless steel boiler to produce rich, bold espresso shots. It comes equipped with a manual milk frother wand and drip tray to accommodate making cappuccinos and other milk-based drinks. This fully automatic machine has preset one-touch buttons for brewing single or double shots of espresso. With its rapid 25-second heat-up time, the CM5403F-N is always ready when you want your morning coffee. Its intuitive interface and removable water tank make operation straightforward even for beginners. Overall, the Kwister CM5403F-N aims to deliver semi-commercial performance and convenience in a household espresso maker. This review will examine its key features, brewing capabilities, ease of use, and value for money.

Design and Build Quality

The Kwister CM5403F-N has a sleek and modern design with a mix of metal and plastic components. The exterior housing is made of brushed stainless steel which gives it a premium look and feel. The drip tray is plastic but seems sturdy enough for regular use.

Overall, the machine feels well-built and solid. All the buttons have a nice tactile feedback and the portafilter locks into the group head securely. The steam wand and hot water dispenser also feel sturdy with metal construction.

Some users may find the plastic parts like the drip tray to be a fingerprint magnet. The metal panels can show some light scratches over time. But the exterior keeps clean with regular wiping down.

While it may not have the all-metal build of higher-end espresso machines, the Kwister CM5403F-N still looks attractive on the counter with its combination of stainless steel and black accents. The minimalist styling should fit into most modern kitchen decors.

Ease of Use and Interface

The Kwister CM5403F-N espresso machine features an intuitive control panel with buttons for single and double shot espresso, steam, and hot water. The buttons have indicator lights that let you know when the function is activated. There is also a dial knob to control steam output when frothing milk.

The buttons provide tactile feedback when pressed and are easy to operate. The steam dial allows you to finely adjust steam pressure for optimal milk texture. The control panel is angled upwards for easy visibility.

There is no digital display or preset programming options. Operation is manual via the buttons and steam knob. This makes the interface straightforward without too many settings to adjust. Those looking for more advanced programmable features may want to consider other models.

Overall, the interface is simple and user-friendly. The tactile buttons and angled control panel make operating the Kwister CM5403F-N a seamless experience for beginners and experts alike.

Brewing Performance

The Kwister CM5403F-N delivers excellent brewing performance for an affordable semi-automatic espresso machine. It uses 15 bars of pressure and a brass boiler and thermoblock heating system to ensure consistent temperatures around 200°F for espresso extraction.

The machine pulls rich, flavorful shots with a nice crema layer on top when using freshly ground coffee. The brew process is fast, allowing you to make shot after shot quickly when entertaining guests. The amount of pressure, temperature control, and fast heating combine to produce espresso with balanced flavors and aromas.

Shots from the Kwister have a beautifully textured crema that isn't watery or thin. Tamping the portafilter firmly is important to achieve an ideal extraction time of around 25-30 seconds for a double shot. The machine comes with single and double shot filter baskets for versatility. Overall, the brewing capabilities allow you to make cafe-quality espresso drinks at home.

Milk Frothing

The Kwister CM5403F-N comes with a steam wand that swivels 360 degrees, allowing you to froth milk in any direction. The steam wand is easy to use, producing smooth, rich foam consistency in about a minute.

The steam pressure is excellent, injecting sufficient air into the milk to create a creamy, microfoam texture. Many users report obtaining latte art quality milk foam with a bit of practice. The stainless steel steam wand remains cool to the touch even after extended use.

Frothing milk on the Kwister is simple and straightforward. Just insert the steam wand into the milk pitcher, turn the steam knob, and let the machine do its work. The process is fast, taking about 60-90 seconds to froth enough milk for 1-2 drinks.

One downside is the steam wand can sputter initially before producing a steady stream. But once going, it delivers consistent results. Overall, the steam performance exceeds expectations for a budget model and makes frothing milk nearly foolproof.

Cleaning and Maintenance

The Kwister CM5403F-N has a relatively straightforward cleaning and maintenance routine.

Descaling should be performed every 2-3 months to remove mineral buildup. Kwister includes descaling solution in the box, and the process involves running the solution through the brewing system. It takes about 10 minutes.

Disassembly for cleaning is easy with the removable drip tray, water reservoir, portafilter, and steam wand. The drip tray and reservoir can be rinsed under running water. The steam wand unscrews for cleaning the interior milk pathway. The portafilter basket and grouphead area should be wiped clean with a damp cloth.

Backflushing should be performed weekly by inserting the included blind filter and running a short brew cycle. This forces pressurized water through the brewing system to flush out residual oils and particulates.

Overall, the maintenance procedures on the CM5403F-N are simple and quick. The machine gives reminders for descaling and backflushing to help keep the workflow on track. With regular cleaning, the Kwister espresso machine will deliver consistent performance and longevity.

Capacity and Outputs

The Kwister CM5403F-N has a reasonable capacity for a home espresso machine. The 37oz (1.1L) removable water tank allows you to brew multiple coffees before needing a refill. The water tank features a handle and clear markings to easily monitor the water level.

The used grounds drawer can hold the pucks from around 10 espresso shots before needing emptying. This is fairly typical for this style of brewing, as the pucks are quite compressed and condensed. The grounds drawer slides out smoothly when you need to empty it. However it would be nice if the drawer had a sight window so you could easily see when it needs emptying without pulling it out each time.

Overall the Kwister CM5403F-N has adequate capacity for an espresso machine intended for home use. The water tank and used grounds drawer won't need emptying too frequently for everyday use. Just be aware the grounds drawer fills up quicker when making many coffees back-to-back.

Additional Features

The Kwister CM5403F-N espresso machine comes with several convenient additional features beyond just espresso and milk frothing abilities.

One handy feature is the ability to program and customize your brew. You can program the shot volume to be single or double. There are also options to program the temperature, pre-infusion, and extraction time. This allows you to dial in the perfect customized shot.

Another useful extra is the hot water outlet. This allows you to dispense hot water on demand for making americanos, tea, hot chocolate, or other hot beverages. The water tank capacity is 1.1 liters, so you can pull multiple shots or make multiple hot water drinks before needing to refill.

So if you're looking for an espresso machine with versatility beyond just espresso and milk drinks, the programming and hot water outlet on the Kwister CM5403F-N provide added functionality.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Compact and lightweight design makes it portable and easy to store
• Fast heat up time means you can brew espresso quicker
• 15-bar pressure pump provides optimal espresso extraction
• Easy to use control panel with programmable options
• Milk frother makes creamy cappuccinos and lattes
• Removable water tank for easy filling and cleaning
• Built-in cup warming tray keeps cups hot

Cons

• Small 37oz water tank requires frequent refilling
• Single boiler can't steam milk and brew espresso simultaneously
• Small drip tray may overflow and make messes
• Noisy operation during brewing and steaming
• Short power cord limits placement options
• Plastic exterior feels flimsy and cheap
• Only makes single shots of espresso at a time

Conclusion

Overall, the Kwister CM5403F-N is a capable espresso machine that delivers solid espresso and milk frothing for an affordable price. It's easy to use and has a compact footprint, making it a good choice for home use.

The thermoblock heating system provides fast warm up times, and the 15 bar pump produces decent pressure for extraction. The steam wand makes it easy to froth milk for cappuccinos and lattes. While espresso quality is not on par with high-end machines, it's very good for the price.

Build quality is decent but not outstanding. The mostly plastic construction makes the machine lightweight and prone to some vibration. Longevity may be a concern with heavy use over time.

For someone looking for an entry-level, super automatic espresso maker that doesn't require a huge investment, the Kwister CM5403F-N is a solid option to consider. It delivers rich, aromatic espresso and milk based drinks at the touch of a button. Just keep your expectations realistic for a machine at this price point.