Calphalon temp iq espresso machine with grinder review

Description

Calphalon Temp IQ Espresso Machine Review 

Product Name: Calphalon Temp IQ Espresso Machine

Product Description: The Calphalon Temp IQ is one of the best coffee makers in the market today. It is the perfect machine for those who love to drink of espresso, cappuccino, and latte but have no barista experience. With its advanced features, modern and chic design, this machine is even more attractive because of its price tag, very reasonable.

Offer price: 225-275

Currency: USD

Availability: OnlineOnly

  • Build Quality
  • Performance
  • Features
  • Easy to Use

Summary

If you are a beginner, we advise you to start with this coffee machine. With its automatic function, you don’t need barista skills to create the perfect cup of coffee. Just focus on the manual and don’t be afraid to make mistakes. You might not get it right the first time but that is part of the fun. You will be getting amazing coffee in no time just like we all did. We were impressed by its technology which makes coffee brewing not just easy but delicious.

Pros

Stainless steel machine with simple yet stylish design
Double-pouring spout to make two cups of coffee simultaneously
Thermoblock heating and PID digital temperature control for a warmer coffee and perfectly-extracted coffee
Comes with a milk frothing pitcher, tamper, and cleaning pin
Best for coffee lovers with basic brewing skills

Cons

Some parts are made of plastic
No coffee dosing spoon
Does not produce even grind
Attaching portafilter is quite difficult
Pouring spout is placed too low which makes it hard for large cups to fit in

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Calphalon Temp IQ Espresso Machine with Steam Wand Review 

Extraordinary Price-to-Value Ratio 

For those who own a coffee maker, they will tell you that it is a smart move to own a coffee maker. Why? Not only that you save a lot of money from buying coffees but it also helps you broaden your knowledge about coffee-making. Most people will say that the feeling of creating your coffee is unique and amazing, and enjoying that first taste from the first coffee you ever make at home is simply priceless. Let’s see whether the Calphalon Temp IQ Espresso is a worthy contender for that role.

Overview

We live busy lives, our schedules are busier than ever, these days buying coffee from coffee shops and café bars has almost become the norm. The idea of making our own coffee, operating the coffee machine itself, well, it is all a bit intimidating. Putting our worries aside, automatic coffee machines such as the Calphalon Temp IQ are super easy to use and will put anyone’s concerns to rest. It does not need any barista skills as we were able to get a perfect espresso time and time again. We are sure that with a little passion and dedication, anyone can make great-tasting coffee quickly and effortlessly. Queue in, the Calphalon Temp IQ.

The Calphalon Temp IQ is one of the best coffee makers in the market today. It is the perfect machine for those who love to drink of espresso, cappuccino, and latte but have no barista experience. With its advanced features, modern and chic design, this machine is even more attractive because of its price tag, very reasonable. Rest assured that you will get the same high-quality coffee than with other more expensive coffee makers. Brewing coffee at home or the office is now easier, faster, and more convenient because of its precision heating technology. It also uses thermoblock heating, PID temperature controller, and pre-infusion technology for a lesser preheating time while extracting coffee. Additionally, the powerful steam wand creates creamy and foamy froth to enrich the flavor of cappuccino, latte, and more.

It is significantly less expensive than more robust Breville Barista or DeLonghi LA Specialista espresso makers. On the other hand, one would expect that the Calphalon Temp IQ Espresso machine would be around twice the price you would pay for a Nespresso machinesuch as the Breville Nespresso Vertuo or De’Longui Essenza mini.  However, the Calphalon Temp IQ provides much more flexibility in coffee brewing (plus, no need to use capsules) than any Nespresso ever will.

Key Specifications
  • 15-bar Italian pump for delivering a coffee with maximum flavor extraction
  • One-touch dial interface for selecting different operations
  • Large portafilter to hold more coffee grounds
  • Thermoblock heating, PID temperature control, and pre-infusion technology for a strong espresso flavor
  • 2-litre removable water tank with hinged lid
  • Cup warming tray
  • Brewing time for only 30 seconds
  • Frothing steam wand
  • 15.3 in. x 13.9 in. x11.6 in. dimensions
  • 15 pounds of weight
  • 58-mm portafilter
  • Additional tools such as tamper, cup filters, stainless steel milk pitcher, and cleaning pin
  • Serves as a hot water dispenser for tea, hot chocolate, or soups
  • Noise level is within acceptable limits
Design

Temp IQ’s stainless steel exterior with a black plastic accent will look and feel attractive to anyone. We love how sophisticated it looks while at the same time offering very simple operation. We were surprised by the fact that this machine has no grinder and yet, it managed to deliver delicious coffee every single time. It may have a single pouring spout, but it can accommodate two cups at the same time which is actually very helpful. The frothing steam wand at the right side of the spout can make foamy and creamy froth perfect for cappuccino or latte. And on top of the spout, you will see the machine’s control panel, an ON/OFF toggle switch and a dial button for brew sizes, milk frothing, or to dispense hot water. It took us a while to get used to its dial but like everything in life, with frequent use we got used to it.

A cool and unique feature of the Calphalon Temp IQ Espresso machine is its cup warming tray that is on top of the machine along with the tamper station. It is not uncommon to misplace the tamper with other kitchen utensils. It is nice to finally have a coffee machine with an allotted spot for the tamper so you know where it is at all times. The machine has a large big 2-litre removable water reservoir which is a very welcome feature to avoid the annoying constant water refills. Its dimensions are 15.3 in. x 13.9 in. x11.6 in. (38.9cm x 35.3cm x 29.5cm), which means it can fit most traditional-size kitchens.

Features
Thermoblock Heating System

The good news here is that the Calphalon Temp IQ is one of the few automatic espresso machines that features a thermoblock heating system. What this revolutionary feature does is to heat up the water very quickly in order to make the brewing time shorter than most coffee makers. Annoyingly, we noticed there was a certain tendency to leaking over time. We didn’t know what to do at first but then we decided to replace the unit’s gaskets to avoid further damage. This is the piece that creates the seal for the portafilter and needs to be replaced every 6-12months anyway, depending on usage. We just went and did it and we didn’t experience the issue again. It goes without saying that having a coffee machine that heats up the water almost instantly speeds things up a lot and it means no waiting for your coffee. However, if you want this to remain the case, you need to ensure you have descaling routine in place. Descaling the machine is essential for thermoblock technology to remove calcium deposits that build up over time. Limescale build-ups can affect the taste of coffee and the life span of the internal components, so it is worth bearing this in mind.

PID Temperature Controller

The Calphalon Temp IQ will always give you water at the right temperature during the extraction process through its digital temperature control or PID. The temperature fluctuates over time, it is common in all machines, but what the PID does in this machine is to control its irregularity. While the thermoblock heats the water quickly, PID makes sure to keep it on that temperature throughout the brewing process. This is really cool, for anyone who really appreciates coffee as you will always get coffee at the right temperature, whatever the time of the day, not too hot, not too cold, just right.

Pre-Infusion Technology

Making the portafilter bigger than the typical standard allows for more water to come in contact with coffee grounds. With the help of pre-infusion technology, the Calphalon Temp IQ makes the coffee grounds expand which means that you get an even richer and more intense flavor from your espresso. This is very helpful since we find that for the average person, tamping can be a little complicated to get right. This technology is fantastic as it will even out any inconsistencies in the tamping that you make while distributing the coffee grounds to the portafilter. Very neat!

15-Bar Italian Pressure Pump

This is exactly the bar amount that is needed for a solid espresso machine. We brewed coffees for several days throughout the day and everyone’s coffee at our testing site had always a nice and intense flavor. The keyword here is consistency. You need to bear in mind though that even if other coffee makers claim that a 15-bar pressure pump makes the best-brewed coffee, it doesn’t guarantee by itself a better quality of the espresso. Getting a great espresso comes down to good quality coffee beans to start with, and a great coffee machine to match the quality of the coffee beans. The Calphalon Temp IQ is a fantastic coffee machine that will raise to the challenge and will give you the best-tasting coffee consistently, all the time.

Milk Frother

If you like a creamy and foamy froth as most people do, the Calphalon Temp IQ can help you with that and more. To some, cream on top of our coffee may look like a pretty decoration but it actually adds a lot of flavor to the coffee. We loved this part of the process so much as it can be quite relaxing too. We were able to froth some milk using the frothing wand and we were amazed by the result. So easy to do, consistent and using the steam power meant not only that everyone enjoyed café-drinks such as cappuccino, lattes, and other milk-based coffee drinks but that we all enjoyed the process of making it.

 Operation

Amongst a range of complicated coffee machines, one could argue that the Calphalon Temp IQ is one of the most simple to use coffee makers in the market due to its rather easy operation. It has plenty of features to help you get creative but making a cup of coffee is really quick. In just about 30 seconds, your coffee is good to go. Now, think about the convenience in your life this can bring, even on days when you are rushed off your feet to go to work you will still have time to make your coffee, just the way you like it. It is definitely way quicker than getting a coffee at your local coffee shop. This machine would be great for people who love espresso and espresso-based drinks, but who might not have a lot of, or any, experience with coffee brewing. If you are someone who has already experience and wants to experiment and customize coffee, this machine might not be for you as you will find it too “simple” for your advanced skills.

How to Make a Coffee
  1. Use good quality beans and put in the bean hopper.
  2. Fill the water tank with filtered water for better results.
  3. Fine-tune the grind size by turning the hopper counter clockwise for coarser ground and clockwise for finer ground.
  4. Fill the filter basket with the desired amount, then tamp it.
  5. Press the button either 1 shot or 2 shot, then the machines start to brew your coffee.
Maintenance

When it is time for cleaning the machine, you should start, first and foremost, by cooling down the machine and make sure it is unplugged. Then, remove the water tank, tank lid, and filter basket. Wash them with soap and warm water and let them dry before putting back into the machine. The process is relatively simple and straight forward. Remember not to use abrasive cleaners and materials to avoid potentially damaging the surface while at the same time protecting the quality of the coffee as there are no traces of any heavy chemicals left behind.

Steps in Descaling
  1. Fill the water tank with 5 cups of water and 5 cups of vinegar.
  2. Close the water tank lid and push the ON/OFF button.
  3. Once done, remove the solution from the water tank.
  4. Pour 10 cups of freshwater into the water tank and push the ON/OFF button.
  5. When the brewing cycle is complete, take the water off from the tank and clean it with soap and water, then dry.
Conclusion

We believe that the Calphalon Temp IQ’s price matches its features and functionality well. It is less expensive than other popular coffee makers but provides the same functionality and quality if not more. Making coffee every day will be fun using the Calphalon Temp IQ. It is the perfect choice for coffee drinkers that want an easy operation while enjoying the best coffee to satisfy their caffeine addiction.

If you are a beginner, we advise you to start with this coffee machine. With its automatic function, you don’t need barista skills to create the perfect cup of coffee. Just focus on the manual and don’t be afraid to make mistakes. You might not get it right the first time but that is part of the fun. You will be getting amazing coffee in no time just like we all did. We were impressed by its technology which makes coffee brewing not just easy but delicious. As a final word, we believe that the Calphalon Temp IQ is one of the very few reliable espresso machines at this price that we have ever tested.

Wondering whether this is the right coffee machine for you? Why not check out our section of grinding coffee machines? If the process seems too complicated and you want something a little simpler and easier to operate, you should certainly consider Nespresso one-button coffee machines. Happy coffee making!.

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