I’ve been a pod girl for about 10 years now. I’d always thought manual espresso machines were a bit of a faff and as I’m barely awake when I make my morning coffee, pods were the easy option: insert capsule, press button, done. But then I got the opportunity to review the new KitchenAid Semi Automatic Espresso Machine with Burr Grinder. To be honest, initially it was a bit of a ‘challenge accepted’ scenario – can a home espresso machine render a coffee so delicious that I would ditch the coffee pods for good? Turns out, yes – it can. I haven’t touched pods in three months.
KitchenAid’s Semi Automatic Espresso Machine with Burr Grinder review verdict
- Our rating: 9/10
- Why we rated it a 9/10: This machine makes coffee that to my palate is as good as what I can order in a cafe, without leaving the house.
Pros
- The coffee beans sit in a removable bean hopper on top of the machine and are ground fresh for each coffee.
- The machine is clad in metal, not plastic, so it feels heavy duty and can withstand the knocks of daily use.
- Smart-dosing technology provides the ideal volume of coffee and water for one shot or two. Plus, there’s a hot water function to extend your long black or make a cup of tea.
- Available in four beautiful colours: Stainless Steel, Juniper, Porcelain and Cast Iron Black.
Cons
- The portafilter is commercial-grade, which is amazing, but I can’t get the damp grinds out with a hearty whack like the professionals do – I need to use a spoon to scoop them out each time. (User error?)
- The milk frother is a manual steam wand, so if you’re after fully-automated, this machine isn’t for you. Try the KF8 Fully Automatic Espresso Machine instead.
What’s so special about KitchenAid Semi Automatic Espresso Machine with Burr Grinder?
This little machine makes coffee that tastes as good as what you can get in any cafe. And believe me, even I’m surprised to get this result from a home appliance. I’ve used a variety of dairy and plant milks and the steam wand creates perfect foam every time. For the best results, I do recommend using quality beans. I get mine from my local cafe to make up for all the lattes I’m no longer buying.
KitchenAid Semi Automatic Espresso Machine with Burr Grinder materials and size
- Stainless steel construction.
- Dimensions: 39.5cm high, 33.5cm wide, 28.14cm deep and weighs 10.7kg.
- Water tank holds 2.5L and bean hopper holds 225g.
- In the box you’ll also get a 355ml milk pitcher, tamper, 1 shot single wall filter, 2 shot single wall filter, 1 shot double wall filter, 2 shot double wall filter, removable bean hopper with lid, water filter, water filter holder, brush and priming pump.
How to use KitchenAid Semi Automatic Espresso Machine with Burr Grinder
- The machine is fairly user-intuitive. Fresh out of the box you’ll need to insert the water filter and fill the water tank, pour coffee beans into the hopper and choose which wall filter you want to use in the portafilter (I use the two-shot double wall filter most of the time).
- To make a coffee, place the portafilter under the grinder, choose the dose you want and press grind.
- Next, use the tamper to press the grinds down into the portafilter, then manoeuvre it – handle from left to right – into position and press the function button to pour your shot.
- If you want milk, press the mode button to change from espresso to milk setting and wait for the white light to stop flashing. Then, immerse the wand into the pitcher of milk and press the function button to steam. Press the same button again to stop when your milk is ready.
- Finally, pour milk into your shot of coffee – latte art optional – and it’s ready to drink.
Results from our test
Though the intro to this article is a bit of a spoiler – yes, I’ve stopped drinking pod coffee – I felt it was worth mentioning why. It’s true that using this semi-automatic espresso machine takes a bit longer than a pod, but I’m a fan of habit stacking, and in the time it takes to grind the beans and pour the shot, I can blitz my son’s morning smoothie. So with time no longer a deciding factor in how I make my morning coffee, what’s left is taste – and boy is this coffee delicious. As for clean-up, a quick flush of the steam wand, wipe of the appliance and twice-weekly water-runoff empty is all it takes.
What do the experts think about KitchenAid Semi Automatic Espresso Machine with Burr Grinder?
In 2024, this coffee machine collection won a Red Dot award for its “functional diversity and elegant stainless steel design in various colour options”. Plus, in the same year it was certified by Quiet Mark as one of the quietest machines in its category.
Overall, is KitchenAid Semi Automatic Espresso Machine with Burr Grinder worth it?
At $999, this machine is similar in price to other brands in the category, but it does have the edge in aesthetics, which is important for an interior design obsessive like me. And considering my main reason for being a pod-monster all these years was to save time, the few extra minutes it takes me to make an excellent coffee is something I’ve come to enjoy. And, as I’ve mentioned about 47 times: the coffee tastes superb.
Where to buy KitchenAid Semi Automatic Espresso Machine with Burr Grinder
- KitchenAid, $999
- Myer, $999
- JB Hi-fi, $999
