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| Brand: KitchenAid
List Price: $899.99
Buy Used: $319.00
You Save: $580.99 (65%)
Rating:  23 reviews
Color: Pearl Metallic
Shipping Weight (lbs): 36.8
Dimensions (in): 12.5 x 12.1 x 15.8
Model: KPES100PM
UPC: 050946933627
EAN: 0050946933627
ASIN: B00030IEKU
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 6-10 of 10
 2 cents April 6, 2007
L. R. Grim (Greensboro, NC USA)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
No, wait...this puppy cost a great deal more than 2 cents, and for a person frugal like me I can't say I'm 100% satisfied with this purchase!
Sure, she's pretty, & sure the TLC customer service SOMETIMES treats me like royalty, but all I really wanted was a step up from my sweet little Briel. Had I known what a headache it would be I would have dealt with my faithful frother until she spat her last latte.
Yes, I'm aware I could have spent 1000's, but with a name like Kitchenaid you expect the best, and although the brew seems to work pretty well ( a little pickier about grinds than the under $200 Briel) the steam wand is soooo finicky I avoid hot drinks almost entirely!
I've turned the machine on long in advance to make sure it's really charged, brewed extra shots of espresso, and simply poured my espresso over ice to dodge frustrating, wimpy, and often unfruitful attempts at a creamy/foamy, piping hot, caffeine filled mochas.
The best advice I was given by the customer service Representatives was to "Prime" the steamer by turning the steamer on full blast, shooting out a little water, turning water & steamer off, waiting a second, then frothing...it seems to have worked, but it also seems FAR more complicated than waiting for the green light to come on on my "Puny" model from by-gone days. All this after having the first machine replaced entirely and asking 3-4 different Proline "Specialists" for suggestions.
That's what I get for my grass-is-greener mentality...
It does look nice though. Apparently the props department for "The Departed" movie agree ;)
Good, but could be so much better March 26, 2007
Dr. Tracy Punshon (Hanover, NH USA)
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
I bought a refurbished model in Empire Red a couple of months ago, and I have mixed feelings about it. I agree with all of the other reviews on this page, both good and bad.
The designers have incorporated all the elements of the KitchenAid stand mixer's enduring style in this machine; I hear that Gaggia themselves are responsible for the double boiler design.
However, like a previous reviewer, this machine cannot make espresso with the finest ProLine burr grind (unadjusted) number 8 and the recommended 30 lbs of tamping pressure. Backing down to grind #7 and 30lbs tamp gave a wonderful espresso with thick crema...and a puddle of water on the floor.
Heartbroken, I called KitchenAid, hoping to speak to the wonderfully helpful people I'd read so much about, and got a rather snippy woman who had no desire to talk to me about the machine or offer tips about how to use it. She said that they would replace it, immediately, only not with a red one, because they were out of stock (basically they don't make them in red any more it would appear). I had held out for and paid extra for a red one. I asked if I might get the machine repaired, which of course I'd pay for, since the leak was perhaps just a loose seal somewhere in the water pump that was failing under the high resistance of the hard-tamped coffee. She told me that KitchenAid did not repair anything - ever. I was stunned.
Even though 'refurbished' suggests that someone in KitchenAid's employ is fixing machines, it's not their policy to repair anything. You can pay nearly a thousand dollars for this machine and after the 2 year warranty expires, there's nothing you can do if something goes wrong with it. I've got a lot of KitchenAid stuff in my kitchen, because I've been trying to buy things that are built to last and I thought KitchenAid were famous for it. Their 5-ply stainless cookware is excellent.
However, when someone buys a machine at this price, new or refurbished (which is still $450-$500) I know that most people are hoping to have bought their last espresso machine. Things wear out: KitchenAid needs to provide a repair service for these ProLine items.
The speed with which KitchenAid replaced the machine was fast and they should be proud of that aspect of their customer service, however, the replacement - another refurbished machine - was in worse shape (both in appearance and performance) than the red one (which had miraculously stopped leaking while I routinely pulled creama-laden espresso shots on 7.5 with a reasonably light tamp, and delicious cappucinos with the milk frothed at the same time the espresso brewed). Naturally I kept the red one - mainly because it doesn't leak any more, and I was getting good espresso and...because it was red and in great shape.
My advice to KitchenAid - who perhaps have brought out this ProLine range on the strength of their stand mixer's reputation and style - is to be very careful they don't lose the consumer confidence they have won over the years.
The reviews I've read suggest that they've won people over on the design of this machine (and I love just looking at mine...) but the performance, which is why we all loved our stand mixers at the end of the day - needs improvement. People who've paid a lot for these machines need to get them fixed if they are broken, and that's all there is to it.
 Excellent value, with minor flaws. January 3, 2007
P. Blackburn (Seattle, WA United States)
20 out of 20 found this review helpful
While not perfect, I applaud KitchenAid's efforts to produce an espresso machine that operates as well as this in the sub-$1000 price range. I shopped around for several months, reading reviews and specifications before purchasing and I narrowed my choices down to three: 1) this KitchenAid, 2) the Expobar Office, and 3) the Rancilio Silvia. Based upon reviews, price, value, looks, warranty, and KitchenAid's legendary customer service, I chose the KitchenAid.
Making espresso with this machine is a pleasure. I'm not an espresso expert, but used to work in the food service field and have pulled my share of shots using high-end commercial machines. Living in Seattle, I've tasted some excellent coffee (we have much better coffee than Starbucks, by the way), so I know what a good cup of coffee tastes like. Although the KitchenAid doesn't quite compare in power and timing, I have been able to acquire the knack for pulling perfect or nearly perfect shots of delicious espresso. The portafilter, the steam wand, and controls and dials are identical with or very similar to those on a commercial grade machine, making this an easy and comfortable process.
Power isn't quite that of a commercial machine, however, no matter what the literature states. I've found that waiting at least 5 minutes for the machine to warm up is essential in order to build enough power, pressure, and heat to pump the water from the reservoir and through the grounds as well as to froth the milk. Although steaming and pulling the shots can be done simultaneously, I don't recommend trying. Both processes are better accomplished when doing one or the other singly. However, I can produce a fairly rapid succession of drinks without waiting in between each of these single frothing and pulling processes and this is more than I can say of other home espresso machines I've tried. KitchenAid makes much of the dual boilers of this machine, but a single boiler with higher power might be able to accomplish the same process. The time gained by this system is minimal.
The steaming wand moves in 360 degrees, so it's very flexible and can be used with just about any pitcher size. Although the tip of the wand isn't steel, the removable plastic tip is designed for focused frothing, does an excellent job of it, and is easily removed and cleaned. There is an O-ring gasket which seals and holds this tip in place and although I haven't yet done so, I plan to call KitchenAid for an additional ring -- one isn't going to last a long time because it needs to be removed in order to fully clean the milk solids from the wand's steel shaft and a daily exposure to heat and moisture will eventually undermine its ability to maintain a seal and hold the plastic tip in place.
The rail around the warming tray is easily inserted and, unfortunately, just as easily removed. It's too bad it doesn't 'snap into place' rather than just sit on top of the machine.
I use a filtered water pitcher to fill the reservoir and the reservoir's location make this procedure a bit tricky. Located in the back of the machine, you need to slide the reservoir to the side, then position the pitcher's spout just so that the water pours gently into the small opening. The reservoir cannot be slid to the side too far because the water pipes into which the pump pulls the reservoir's water might come loose, a problem another reviewer has apparently had.
The machine is certainly not quiet. The steam mechanism makes the expected (and pleasant) whining and bubbling noises, but pulling the shot causes the machine to emit a loud rumbling. This is not offensive, but certainly wasn't expected the first time I tried using it. I've found that making sure it's fully warmed up keeps it a bit quieter, though not much.
The machine is easy to clean, having a steel tray and plastic receptacle that includes an overflow indicator. Just remove, wash and rinse, replace, and it's done. A quick wiping of the exterior is enough to keep this handsome machine looking that way. If you have a small kitchen like I do, beware this will take up some counter space. If under cabinets, make sure your upper cabinets are high enough to allow full use of the cup warming area. The portafilter will need enough space to allow a full range of insertion and removal motion. Sliding the reservoir to the side will require a certain amount of space, also.
The instructions are extremely well-written and anyone without any prior espresso experience can acquire the skills necessary to operate this machine. I would recommend that any consumer products company study how these instructions are designed and written.
I also purchased the matching Proline grinder and have been extremely pleased with its performance. If you are considering an espresso machine, make sure you get a grinder that can grind beans to the consistent fineness and consistency that only a burr grinder can. In this way, you're giving your espresso machine a fighting chance to produce true espresso and live up to your expectations.
Overall, this is a good machine for the money. No, it's not a commercial-level machine and although the name might imply that it is (Proline), it does pull actual espresso shots and can froth milk as well as any albeit it takes more time. If you've tried home espresso machines and have been disappointed because they produce strong coffee rather than actual espresso, consider giving this one a try. I've been satisfied thus far.
Recommended.
 KitchenAid Espresso Maker - Very Disappointed August 5, 2006
AJ
0 out of 12 found this review helpful
We bought one of these machines over a year ago (and they're not cheap). The machine worked well for the first few months. We used to change the water by removing the water container, emptying and filling up again. Over time, this caused the black pipe at the back to work loose. We contacted KitchenAid who said this had not happened before with anyone else (which I was surprised about). We eventually got a replacement when KitchenAid and their courier company got their act together.
The replacement which has worked well, although not as good as the first one. We have followed the instructions for cleaning and now we cannot get the side that creates the foam to work (nothing comes out). We are about to contact them again to get it repaired.
We also had problems with the grinder, in that too eventually ground to a halt for some reason, and always had a burning smell.
These machines are expensive and have proved to be very disappointing. The whole design is flawed - why should water have to travel upwards to come back down again. Their machines have not been properly tested in my opinion.
Very disappointed with KitchenAid. Next time we will go with a company who knows how to make coffee machines.
Don't buy appliances from Amazon!!!!!! June 19, 2006
Gold Domer (Southeast)
4 out of 22 found this review helpful
Goodbye to buying on Amazon, atleast appliances or electronics! Buy from anyone with a better policy for higher cost items. Amazon is using their wonderful 30 day return policy [may be fine for books] but not for an $800 espresso machine! Within 6 months, the Kitchenaid "on" button broke - not a great sign for quality. Though Kitchenaid will exchange it, we don't see this as Kitchenaid's best product. Most stores would credit you, but not Amazon. We've spent alot of money with these guys, but not now.
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