August 30, 2007

Briel ES35AF Chamonix Espresso Maker

The Briel ES35AF Chamonix Espresso Maker is a pump driven espresso maker from a big name in home appliances that offers some strong attributes in a basic semi-automatic espresso machine. The Briel Chamonix has a 15-bar pump for extracting espresso at the high pressure that pulls all the flavor out of the fine espresso grind. The pressurized portafilter creates enough backpressure to create a good crema on your espressos without the need to have a perfectly ground coffee or a perfectly tamped puck in the portafiler. The 1.5 liter water reservoir should be enough for plenty of espressos. The stainless steel boiler makes sure that the flavor is clean that is further enhanced by the in-line water filter that can filter out impurities. The Briel Chamonix is also programmable to create the size of espresso to your tastes every time (sizes from 2 – 8 ounces).

The unit also features the ability to brew from either ground coffee or ESE Espresso pods. While most do, I think that all semi-automatic machines like this one should offer the option to brew from ground or pods. I find that I just get a lot more use out of my machines when I can brew from a pod on a regular basis and then brew from ground when I want to sit down, take a few extra minutes to brew up a higher quality cup.

The Briel ES35AF Chamonix Espresso maker is available at Amazon