An Open Letter
Jan. 4th, 2010 15:12![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
mapsedgeAn open letter to the engineers who design home espresso machines:
My understanding of an espresso machine is this: it makes espresso, natch', and it steams (presumably milk, but one never knows). The overall purpose is for the average Joe like me to make coffee-based drinks like lattés and capucchinos.
I have one of your machines, a more expensive model that came to me for Christmas, and I love how it makes espresso. I finally worked out my particular machine's little quirks, so now I get a rich, full brew with a nice heavy layer of crema on top.
However, I would like you to explain something to me: if the other purpose of my machine is to steam milk, in whose ergonomics meeting did it make sense to place the steam wand in such a way that it is impossible to set and remove the pitcher without tilting and spilling its contents?
Seriously, dudes, on every machine I looked at, the ratio of cost to inconvenient wand placement was in direct and astonishing proportion. Following the directions that came with my machine, which are to use 8oz of milk and hold the pitcher just so, foaming the milk raises the level of liquid until, removing the pitcher, it spills. My $30 P.O.S. espresso machine has the steam wand directly out to the side of the unit, and is slightly higher than the pitchers it is designed to use. Low cost = extremely convenient. My more expensive machine places the wand over the drip tray, an inch shorter than the pitcher it came with. Higher cost = very inconvenient.
One inch, up or out. That's all it would take. One inch more horizontal extension, or one inch higher on the steam wand and all these issues go away. One lousy inch.
There must be a point where the ratio turns. that at some point, if you pay enough money, you get a conveniently placed steam wand. As of today, however, I can't afford to buy a Starbucks.
Don't get me wrong. I love the drinks I'm making with the new machine. My counters, however, do not.
My understanding of an espresso machine is this: it makes espresso, natch', and it steams (presumably milk, but one never knows). The overall purpose is for the average Joe like me to make coffee-based drinks like lattés and capucchinos.
I have one of your machines, a more expensive model that came to me for Christmas, and I love how it makes espresso. I finally worked out my particular machine's little quirks, so now I get a rich, full brew with a nice heavy layer of crema on top.
However, I would like you to explain something to me: if the other purpose of my machine is to steam milk, in whose ergonomics meeting did it make sense to place the steam wand in such a way that it is impossible to set and remove the pitcher without tilting and spilling its contents?
Seriously, dudes, on every machine I looked at, the ratio of cost to inconvenient wand placement was in direct and astonishing proportion. Following the directions that came with my machine, which are to use 8oz of milk and hold the pitcher just so, foaming the milk raises the level of liquid until, removing the pitcher, it spills. My $30 P.O.S. espresso machine has the steam wand directly out to the side of the unit, and is slightly higher than the pitchers it is designed to use. Low cost = extremely convenient. My more expensive machine places the wand over the drip tray, an inch shorter than the pitcher it came with. Higher cost = very inconvenient.
One inch, up or out. That's all it would take. One inch more horizontal extension, or one inch higher on the steam wand and all these issues go away. One lousy inch.
There must be a point where the ratio turns. that at some point, if you pay enough money, you get a conveniently placed steam wand. As of today, however, I can't afford to buy a Starbucks.
Don't get me wrong. I love the drinks I'm making with the new machine. My counters, however, do not.