Cuisinart's Programmable Espresso Maker EM-200 takes a lot of the guesswork out of making espresso. This unit has several smart programming features, including the ability to customize the preset function buttons. The rectangular power base is constructed from professional grade brushed stainless steel. It measures 9 inches wide by 10.5 inches deep and stands just less than 13 inches tall. The brushed finish provides a clean, bright appearance that hides fingerprints.

Standard equipment for this model includes the power base, a removable 69-ounce transparent water reservoir, Portafilter with three sieves, removable drip tray, steam wand, measuring scoop/tamper and stainless-steel frothing pitcher.

The unit's control panel consists of six pushbutton function selectors. There is a power on/off button, a Manual button, two preset brew buttons (1-cup and 2-cup), a Program button and a Steam preheat button. Most are self-explanatory but what we liked best was being able to brew a single or double shot by just pressing a button. The brew time is preset so the machine dispenses exactly 1.5 ounces (single shot) or 3 ounces (double shot) of espresso into your cup and stops automatically. If you prefer to start and stop the brewing yourself, the Manual button gives you that ability. And, the Program button lets you change the preset amount to your preferred ounce measurements.

We found this machine incredibly easy to use. Pressing the on/off button activates the internal heating mechanism. The initial preheat cycle takes about a minute and a half. This unit uses a powerful 15-BAR pump pressure system to deliver heated water through finely ground coffee. It also utilizes a two-step brewing process whereby the grounds are wet, the machine pauses for a few seconds, and then continues brewing. The process allows for full extraction of the coffee flavor. The result is a hot and flavorful beverage. The espresso from this model was noticeably hotter than that from other machines.

We were somewhat disappointed in the amount of crema, which appeared to be minimal, when using the preset function buttons. We tried different combinations of harder versus softer tamping, as well as more or fewer grounds in the filter sieve. We had more success with the Manual button and actually achieved the most crema when we re-programmed the single shot to dispense 2 ounces of espresso.

The steam wand produced an abundant amount of steam, perfect for preparing light, frothy milk. We were very pleased with the quality of the cappuccino and latte drinks, especially since the hotter espresso brew is cooled just a bit by the addition of the frothed milk. We also loved the inclusion of a stainless-steel frothing pitcher, which most machines lack. After steaming, the Cuisinart EM-200 runs an auto-cool down cycle to return to the correct brew temperature. During the cycle, which takes less than a minute, you will hear the pump working and see some steam being released.

You can also use the steam wand to dispense a stream of very hot (180 degrees Fahrenheit) water for tea or instant beverages. Other desirable features include a built-in cup warming tray atop the machine

The Cuisinart Programmable Espresso Maker EM-200 has sophisticated programming and many desirable features. A bonus advantage of this machine is the detailed instruction booklet, which includes many recipes for delicious specialty coffee drinks.


Pros: 15-BAR pump, brushed stainless-steel housing, preset function buttons, customizable settings, includes stainless-steel frothing pitcher
Cons: Very hot coffee with minimal crema, machine gets quite warm, especially near the top

Warranty
3 years, limited