Mr. Coffee 2132815 Espresso coffee machine: Full Review

The Mr. Coffee Cafe Barista is a moderately priced espresso machine designed for home use. This semi-automatic 3-in-1 machine can brew espresso, cappuccino and latte with the touch of a button. With a 15-bar pump pressure, it provides sufficient power for extracting flavorful espresso shots. The milk frother allows you to top your espresso with frothed or steamed milk to create cafe-style drinks. While it may lack some of the customization options and build quality of higher-end machines, the Barista offers an affordable at-home espresso and specialty drink solution. Its simple interface and included accessories make it accessible for beginners looking to craft cafe favorites without breaking the bank. This review will examine the key features, performance and ease of use of the Mr. Coffee Cafe Barista to provide an overview of what this budget-friendly machine can deliver.

Design and Build Quality

The Mr. Coffee 2132815 espresso machine features an attractive stainless steel exterior that looks great on any countertop. The metal construction gives it a sturdy, durable feel that should hold up well over time.

The controls and handles have a chrome finish that complements the stainless steel nicely. The materials used in the construction seem high-quality, with no flimsy plastic parts.

The water reservoir is made of clear plastic, allowing you to easily see the water level at a glance. The portafilter, drip catcher, and tamper are made of thick, durable plastic that should withstand daily use.

While not the most elegant or sophisticated looking model, the Mr. Coffee espresso maker has an understated design with nice chrome and stainless steel accents. It looks like a quality appliance that takes up minimal counter space.

The overall build quality seems solid, with no major weaknesses or parts that raise durability concerns. For a mid-range semi-automatic espresso machine, the construction and materials meet expectations.

Another notable product is the Breville BES450BSS1BUS1 espresso machine. This model boasts a sleek, brushed stainless steel exterior that adds a touch of sophistication to any kitchen. Its compact design ensures it doesn't take up too much counter space, while the quality of its materials promises durability. The Breville machine features user-friendly controls and a clear water reservoir for ease of use. Overall, both the Breville and Mr. Coffee machines offer solid build quality and reliable performance, making them excellent choices for coffee enthusiasts.

Brewing Performance

The Mr. Coffee 2132815 espresso machine delivers excellent brewing performance for its price point. It can brew espresso, cappuccino and latte with 15 bars of pressure, which is considered the ideal pressure range for extracting espresso.

The thermoblock heating system helps maintain optimal water temperature between 195-205°F, hot enough to extract the flavors and aromas from the ground coffee. The water pump is consistent in delivering the right amount of hot water at the desired pressure into the portafilter during extraction.

The 3-in-1 filter holder with removable single and double shot filters allows you to brew single or double shots of espresso. The espresso has a nice, thick crema on top indicating proper extraction. The brew is rich, concentrated and packed with flavor without any bitterness. Overall, the machine brews espresso and espresso-based drinks with the expected attributes like thick crema, balanced flavor and aromatic shots.

For those interested in another excellent option, the IMUSA GAU-18202 is also worth considering. This machine is known for its user-friendly design and consistent performance. It offers a durable build and can produce excellent espresso, cappuccino, and latte with ease. With its powerful steam nozzle, creating frothy milk for your beverages is hassle-free. The IMUSA GAU-18202 ensures a great cup every time, making it a reliable choice for coffee enthusiasts.

Ease of Use

The Mr. Coffee Espresso Machine is designed to be very user-friendly. The controls are straightforward with buttons for single shot, double shot, steam, and power. The buttons have indicators so you know which mode is activated.

Cleaning and maintenance are also easy on this machine. The drip tray, water reservoir, and portafilter handle are all removable and dishwasher safe. The stainless steel exterior can be wiped down with a damp cloth as needed.

There is an auto-clean function that guides you through the descaling process. This helps remove mineral deposits from the internal components to keep your machine running smoothly. Simply fill the water reservoir, insert the cleaning disc, and press the clean button. The machine will automatically run hot water through itself and alert you when the cleaning cycle is complete.

Overall, the Mr. Coffee Espresso Machine is designed for simplified use and maintenance. With straightforward controls, dishwasher safe parts, and an automated cleaning mode, it's easy for beginners to achieve cafe-quality espresso drinks at home.

Milk Frothing

The Mr. Coffee automatic espresso machine comes with a steam wand for frothing and heating milk. The steam wand is easy to use - just place the tip into the milk pitcher and turn the knob to produce hot steam.

The steam wand delivers adequate pressure and volume to produce froth quickly. While the froth quality is decent, it's not as thick and creamy as higher end espresso machines. The texture is a bit on the thin side. Still, it's sufficient for making cappuccinos and lattes. With some practice, you can create presentable foam and milk texture.

Overall, the steam wand works reasonably well for an affordable home espresso machine. Just don't expect professional barista-style microfoam. But it handles the basics of steaming and frothing milk with little effort.

Cup Warming

The Mr. Coffee 2132815 has a convenient cup warming tray located on top of the machine. This is a handy feature that allows you to pre-heat your cups or mugs before brewing your espresso.

Pre-heating cups helps maintain the optimal temperature of the coffee once it's brewed. Hot espresso poured into a cold cup will quickly lose heat and the flavor can be impacted. With the cup warming tray, you can simply place your cups on top of the machine while it heats up. The cups will be nicely pre-heated and ready for your freshly brewed espresso.

The cup warming tray has space for 2-3 small espresso cups or mugs at a time. While not the largest warming tray, it's sufficient for most home use. The warming function works well to evenly distribute heat across the tray. Just be sure not to leave cups on the tray for too long after brewing as they can overheat.

Overall, the cup warming tray is a handy addition that helps optimize the coffee drinking experience. It's an expected feature for an espresso machine in this class and the Mr. Coffee 2132815 executes it well.

Capacity

The Mr. Coffee Barista Espresso and Cappuccino Maker has a decent capacity for a home espresso machine in this price range. It has a substantial 42 ounce water reservoir that can make multiple espresso shots or cappuccinos before needing a refill. The water tank is easy to access and refill.

Each brew cycle can pull a single or double shot, allowing you to make 1 or 2 ounces of espresso at a time. With its 42 ounce reservoir, you can make over 20 single shots on one fill. This is enough capacity for brewing several espresso-based drinks in one session for a family or having friends over. The number of shots will be reduced if making milk-based drinks that require steaming milk after each shot. But it still has sufficient capacity for most home use.

Accessories

The Mr. Coffee Espresso and Cappuccino Maker comes with a few handy accessories to help you make the perfect espresso or cappuccino drinks at home.

It includes a measuring scoop so you can portion your coffee grounds properly. The scoop is sized to provide the right amount of grounds for a single or double shot of espresso. No more guessing how much coffee to use.

A tamper is also provided to help you tamp and compress the coffee grounds evenly into the filter basket before brewing. Tamping is an important step to ensure optimal flavor extraction. The tamper fits perfectly into the portafilter for consistent results.

Several filter baskets come with the machine as well. You get a single shot filter for making espresso and a double shot filter for more volume. The double shot filter can be used to make regular coffee too if you want more than just a shot. There's also a separate filter for use with ESE coffee pods.

With the accessories included, you have everything you need to start crafting delicious espresso drinks like a pro. The tamper and coffee scoop ensure you use just the right amount of grounds, while the filter baskets accommodate different drink styles and sizes.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Brews full espresso shots, not just concentrated coffee
• 15 bar pump provides excellent pressure for rich espresso extraction
• Easy to use control panel with programmable cup sizes
• Large 64oz removable water reservoir for less refilling
• Includes steam wand for frothing milk
• Cup warming plate keeps cups hot before use
• Can brew double shots for stronger coffee
• Durable stainless steel and black plastic construction
• 1 year limited warranty

Cons

• Milk frothing could be better, wand is difficult to use
• No option to control brew temperature
• Small grounds basket and filter, can't fit large amounts of grounds
• Cleaning and descaling requires some disassembly
• Tends to be noisy when brewing and steaming

Verdict

The Mr. Coffee Cafe Espresso Maker delivers reliable espresso and milk frothing performance in a compact and easy-to-use package. For an accessible entry-level semi-automatic espresso machine, it's a solid option with good value.

The 15-bar pump provides enough pressure for rich, crema-topped shots, though experienced baristas may want more fine-tuned pressure control. The automatic milk frother makes frothy cappuccinos and lattes with minimal effort. While experienced users may want more customization, it's perfect for beginners looking for push-button convenience.

The simple controls, removable water tank, drip catch tray, and included portafilters and tamp make the daily operation relatively fuss-free. The heating time is quick, it brews at an ideal temperature, and the cup warming tray helps maintain serving temperature. The generous 64oz water tank allows brewing multiple drinks before refilling.

For the sub-$200 price point, the Mr. Coffee Cafe Barista scores points for being an uncomplicated, user-friendly semi-automatic that can deliver quality beverages. It's ideal for someone new to specialty coffee looking for an affordable at-home upgrade from a pod brewer. While it may leave hardcore espresso aficionados wanting more, it should satisfy most everyday home baristas on a budget.