Coffee machines

KitchenAid Semi Automatic Espresso Machine with Burr Grinder (KES6551) review

KitchenAid Semi Automatic Espresso Machine with Burr Grinder (KES6551)

CHOICE Expert Rating

69%
What is the CHOICE Expert Rating?
Good points

Good Points

  • Very good milk frothing score.
  • Drip tray full indicator.
  • In-built grinder.
  • Can accommodate taller cups easily.
  • Has a 58mm commercial size filter basket.
  • Although manual machines are more complicated and require more practice to make a good espresso, they allow for more customisation and control.
Bad points

Bad Points

  • Only OK taste test score.
  • Only OK coffee temperature consistency score.
  • Need to use an included plastic pump to prime the machine before first use.
  • Comes with both dual wall filters and standard single filters. Dual wall filters give more room for error when preparing the grind, tamp etc because it will add extra pressure and help get a good shot, it is usually used in more consumer machines. Using our test beans, I was unable to get the grind fine enough in the in-built grinder to use the single filters I use in most other machines. Only the dual wall would work well leading me to believe the grinder doesn't have enough range or grind fine enough to use the single filters.
  • Unit is light, need to have one hand on machine to stop it from moving on the bench when locking and unlocking the group handle.

Type

Machine type
Semi-automatic

Recommended products

Recommended

Test results

CHOICE Expert Rating
69%
Taste test score
65%
Ease of use score
76%
Milk frothing score
80%
Coffee temperature consistency score
60%
Measured heat-up time
40 sec
Time taken to froth 200mL milk
1 min 9 sec

Sustainability

Brand reliability score
N/A
Brand satisfaction score
N/A
Warranty (years)
3
Country of origin
China
Shop Ethical rating
D

Related products

Availability
Tested model

Cost

Price
$999.00

Specifications

Capsule type
N/A
Type of heating system
Thermoblock
Water reservoir capacity (L)
2.5
Stated pump pressure (bar)
18
Dimensions (cm, HxWxD)
40 x 28 x 32
Weight (kg)
9.7
Contents of packaging
Espresso machine, literature, double portafilter, filter (2 cup), filter (1 cup), filter dual wall (2 cup), filter dual wall (1 cup), milk jug, cleaning brush, metal tamper and priming pump
Website
kitchenaid.com.au

Features

Standby mode
Automatic power turn-off
Removable water reservoir
Water tank empty reminder
Hot water nozzle
Yes (separate nozzle)
Removable drip tray
Cup warming plate
Recycle scheme
N/A
Cord storage
Programmable coffee quantity
Digital display
Espresso pressure or milk temperature gauge
Yes (pressure gauge)
Adjustable water temperature for coffee making
Adjustable steam pump rate
Jug for milk frothing
Milk frothing
Steam wand

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