Melitta Bean to Cup Machine, With Adjustable Coffee Intensity, Adjustable Double Outlet for One or Two Cups, Cup Warming Function, Self-Cleaning Option, SOLO, Sandy-Grey, E950-877

Product Information

However, you do have to leave room to remove the water tank and need clearance above it to pour in your coffee beans. Even at first glance, this chic little machine shows off its advantages in terms of size. In case you are unaware: Melitta is big in the football business and is also the ‘official coffee partner’ of Borussia Dortmund. Here we’re going to look at the prices you can expect to pay for products from the Coffee machines category. we’re opted to use Currys PC World for this comparison, as they offered the most competitive prices for MELITTA Caffeo Solo E950-103 Bean to Cup Coffee Machine. The left-hand knob regulates the amount of coffee brewed, ranging from between 30 milliliters and 220 milliliters (1 ounce and 7.43 ounces), while the right-hand knob is the power switch. In between, there are buttons for single-cup brewing, double-cup brewing and to set the strength of coffee to be brewed. To make it fit into the confines of a single machine, all of the parts that require filling — the bean hopper, water tank and drip tray — will seem somewhat chunky. There are some who might think of these as too chunky.

There is no option on the Melitta Solo series to use pre-ground coffee. This is not an issue for me, if you are investing in a bean to cup coffee machine, then you really want to be using fresh coffee beans or whats the point? The small Krups EA811K040 (UK) / Krups EA8150 (USA), which I chose as a sparring partner for the Melitta Caffeo Solo during my first review in 2016, is more proof of how many compromises you have to make to design an affordable fully automatic coffee machine that wants to be able to do everything at once. See for yourself in the comparison video: ‘A Comparison of Fully Automatic Coffee Machines — Krups EA8108 or Melitta Caffeo Solo’. Note: This video is in the German language. As far as most buyers are concerned, this machine provides a great cup of espresso with minimal fuss and at the strength required. There is also the added bonus of the cup warmer to maintain the temperature a little more. The machine is limited on the type of coffee it can make but there is a different version out there with a milk steamer for those that want more variety. Another interesting selling point with this model is the fact that this is relatively good for the environment. As green appliances become more and more desirable in the home, any attempt to save energy is welcomed. This is an Energy Class A product with a series of energy saving features. As this is sold as a fully automatic coffee maker, there are high hopes from users about the ease of use with the espresso making process. There are plenty of options here to ensure that users get the type of drink that they want, such as the height adjustable spout, the adjustable temperature and the adjustable brew strength. Even so, it is designed to be easy to use with the simple controls and component.One great thing about the Melitta Caffeo Solo is that even beginners will have no problem getting great results out of the machine. Whereas other machines have to include a whole encyclopaedia to explain how to use them, the operating instructions for the Solo are user-friendly. An Overview Generally speaking, an Americano is always a better idea with a fully automatic coffee machine as an extended espresso. However, you would then have to use an external kettle to get your hot water because, understandably, there’s no hot water nozzle on the Solo. Aside from some complaints about the manual, the two biggest customer concerns here regard the longevity of the product and its size. The size is a benefit when trying to find a space-saving device for a kitchen. However, the inclusion of the bean container does mean that the water reservoir is a little small and needs to be topped up too regularly.

The Melitta Solo is one of the narrowest fully automatic coffee machines on the market. The purist design and the experience of aromatic enjoyment will impress those who love pure espresso and coffee. While Melitta recommends cleaning the brew group once a week, I recommend daily cleanings. It doesn’t take long to rinse it under running water, and doing so will prolong the life of the machine. Yes, the main function of a coffee machine is to produce great tasting coffee on a consistent basis, but that doesn’t mean that looks aren’t important as well. Everything in your home should complement the overall aesthetic. If you’ve worked hard to create a beautiful clutter-free kitchen then you certainly don’t want to ruin the effect by having a huge coffee machine dominating the work surface and fitting in with nothing else around it. Compared to its successor, the Purista, the Melitta Caffeo Solo still has room for improvement, especially when it comes to the quality of coffee brewed. Still, if you look at it on its own, the Melitta Caffeo Solo does almost everything right. It’s easy to clean thanks to its simplicity, easy to descale and sells for an affordable price.So, if you happen to come across a Melitta Caffeo Solo at a good price in a factory outlet, for example, it’s just as good today as when it first launched. Just keep in perspective that the Melitta Purista really does deliver better results. Though I’m sure we’ll be saying similar things about the Purista’ss successor when it hits the market as well.

Otherwise, when I take a look at what’s available on the market in my fully automatic coffee machine test 2023, there aren’t many options available in the entry-level price range. Even if we put the entry-level test winner, the DeLonghi Magnifica ECAM 22.110, up for discussion, then, of course, you get a ‘complete’ machine there, but you have to live with somewhat of lower coffee quality. By the way, I love the fact that the Melitta Caffeo Solo does not include a ground coffee compartment, directly eliminating a ‘laziness trigger’, as well as a source of dirt. The Solo is a true bean-to-cup coffee machine, not a pre-ground shortcut maker that has lost all flavor. The fact that this is seen as a cheaper entry level model is interesting. On the negative side, there are those longevity risks, the cheaper materials and the sense that this doesn’t really do as much as some of the more expensive models. At the same time, it is still quite adjustable and smart for a cheaper option in terms of its programming, energy efficiency and brewing process.Adjust the grinder to its finest setting. Note that it’s important to do this while the machine is turned on. The bean hopper holds 125gram of coffee beans, although I always advise to not fill it up, maybe half is enough. You can then keep the rest of the beans sealed in an airtight container to preserve their freshness. Extraction process A fully automatic coffee machine cannot make filtered coffee, and a regular coffee machine cannot make espresso. Not only because of the pressure required but also because of ‘incidental’ things like filters. In other words, the Melitta Caffeo Solo and a modern Moccamaster cannot effectively replace one another.