In the world of coffee making the word "Mr Coffee" brings out thoughts such as cheap and poor build quality, then why on earth am I recommending it as a decent entry level machine!? Find out more in this Mr Coffee Cafe Barista review.
Pros:
Cons:
So...What Is it?
You might think this is a stupid question to ask at the start of a review, but what what is the Mr Coffee Barista? I mean this in a classification sense as the Mr Coffee is a hybrid coffee maker - half way between a manual and super automatic espresso machine.
It's manual in the sense that you have to pull your own espresso shots just like a barista does at your local cafe, super automatic in the sense that the machine automatically froths and pours steamed milk into your beverage.
This makes the Mr Coffee Barista ideal for those who want to drink fresh espresso but don't want to go through the hassle of leaning how to froth milk properly.
It's pretty convenient for a machine under the $200 price bracket, making it perfect for the person that wants to grab an espresso machine without blowing the budget.
Let's dig deeper by exploring its technical features.
Inside The Mr Coffee Barista Espresso System
Specifications | |
---|---|
Machine Type: | Hybrid |
Boiler: | Single |
Steam Wand: | Automatic Milk Frother with Mini Wand |
Measurements: | 12 x 14 x 12.2 inches |
In terms of tech the Mr Coffee Barista covers all the basics of a super automatic coffee maker.
- Automatic milk frother - check.
- Milk density adjuster - check.
- Pre-set beverage buttons - check.
At the heart of the machine is a single pump boiler that is responsible for extracting the espresso and frothing the milk.
This means you'll have to alternate between the two modes to finish your coffee, rather than being able to do both at the same time.
Nonetheless the boiler is powerful enough produce your morning coffee. Just don't go thinking of using it for high volumes as it won't keep up with the pace. It's an entry level espresso machine after all. If you need more power I suggest looking into The Infuser or Barista Express.
You'll also notice when frothing your milk the Mr Coffee is equipped with a mini manual steam wand. This wand is more so a secondary tool used to further heat up the milk rather than something that should be relied upon.
Other interesting features include the pre-programmed extraction and beverage buttons. This allows for a one touch coffee solution (after extracting your espresso).
How's The Coffee Taste?
In terms of taste quality the Mr Coffee Barista is best suited for those that enjoy frothy cappuccinos and milkly lattes.
The automatic milk frother produces dense, frothy foam. You can also tone down the froth with the froth dial, but unfortunately you won't be able to make latte art with this machine - you'll need a commercial style manual steam wand for this.
When it comes to espresso the Mr Coffee does a respectful job, although it can be inconsistent at times. This is due to the temperature stability of the boiler. You tend to find this a common issue with entry level espresso machines.
But if you're mainly going to be making cappuccinos and lattes I would say this doesn't matter as much. Just remember to use freshly roasted beans ground with a good grinder to get the best results.
Should You Buy The Mr Coffee Barista?
When I started this Mr Coffee Barista review the first thing I did was ask myself "who is this espresso machine for".
In the world of coffee making there is dramatic price fluctuation from humble $150 machines to $2000+ coffee monsters.
The Mr Coffee occupies the space of the entry level coffee maker and is best suited for a person who loves to drink frothy cappuccinos and is looking to buy their first coffee machine.
When you look at other super automatic espresso machines most are start at the $500 mark. This is the best option within this price range that mirrors these more expensive machines.
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