Still, we have to look at the Solo next to its successor, the Melitta Purista, which is why I believe this Melitta Caffeo Solo review deserves a proper update! There is a nice sense of symmetry in the design and a professional feel that isn’t over the top. The appeal grows with talk an intelligent system that is easy to use, but does it make good espresso coffee? The Melitta Caffeo Solo has three settings to choose from, this is less again than other bean to cup coffee machines. 3 grind options X 3 strength options means you have 9 possible settings. When you think the Sage Barista Express has a possible 180 different combinations, you can see this is not the most customisable machine. However, this only works if you don’t substitute rubbish supermarket coffee for proper beans. The Melitta Caffeo Solo may look smart, but it’s no magician. 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

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. Still, we do have to contrast one machine with the Solo — namely because it follows the same design concept. The Melitta Caffeo Solo vs the Melitta Purista? 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. While the factory presets are sometimes helpful, you will definitely notice a difference in the results if you set the grinder to its finest setting. Besides, coffee and espresso come out with a fuller body from beans that have been better extracted. 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.As one would expect, the stainless steel cone grinder on the Melitta Caffeo Solo has been set on too coarse of a setting at the factory. Still, my experience testing many Melitta fully automatic coffee machines has shown me that this factory setting continues to have value. Let’s move on to one of the elephants in the room: the question of whether this light version of a fully automatic coffee machine can deliver excellent espresso in your cup? If it doesn’t, this category of machine makes no sense at all. Overall the Melitta Solo is capable of producing a decent cup of coffee that will satisfy the majority of people. Notice how I said series and not coffee machine singular? Well as you probably guessed there are a few different models in the Caffeo Solo range. Fundamentally they are the same, the main difference is the milk frothing part. Basically you have the option of no milk system, and manual steam wand or an automated milk frothing system.

How do you like your coffee? A short, sharp, strong espresso in a tiny cup to give a jolt to your day, just the way the Italians love coffee? Maybe you prefer an indulgent cappuccino with a creamy, frothy top to give a mild pleasure to your taste buds? Everyone likes their coffee slightly differently, and this compact Caffeo Solo machine allows you to make a cup to your specific taste. However, its successor, the Purista, shows that a ‘dedicated’ brew group is a better choice for the ultra-compact class of coffee machines. In this case, the Solo is reaching a bit, which, in turn, produces somewhat of an inferior coffee. To make sure everything is clear, the display uses bean symbols and scales that even complete beginners could understand. Even though the size of the display is fine for most, some of you might want to fetch your readers first thing in the morning. The Scope of Delivery, Spout Height & Bean Hopper On top of that, the Melitta Caffeo Solo uses the same high-quality technology in the brew group, without any added costs, that you will find in older and posher versions of Melitta fully automatic coffee machines. Everyone is different and everyone has slightly different preferences when it comes to how they like their coffee to taste. The Melitta Caffeo Solo has you all covered, with its range of customisation options. Bean GrindingI did find it somewhat annoying to have to constantly empty, fill and clean the machine, even if it’s only designed for one person — max two — to use. If you drink a lot of coffee, you may be miffed by this as well. The Melitta Caffeo Solo: It's Not Just the User Manual That's Easy Most people will naturally think automatic is the obvious choice, but it is not that simple. Automatic does offer convenience, but the manually textured milk offers better quality. This leads to a general sense that this is a cheaper model, and this is also seen in the amount of noise made and the inconsistency in the release of the beans. Neither are a big problem, but they showcase the fact that this is a more affordable, entry-level model.

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. Summary: what do these issues mean for the final verdict on this Melitta Caffeo Solo Bean To Cup Coffee Maker? If you have not used a steam wand before, then it is a little daunting at first. But this is one is easy to start with and you only have the 1 dial to worry about. Costco Online UK Limited, UK Home Office, Hartspring Lane, Watford, Hertfordshire, WD25 8JS. Registered in England and Wales No. 8055444Having the grind adjustment lever situated behind the service panel definitely detracts from the idea of being so small and compact that the machine can be placed anywhere. However, keep in mind that you only have to set the grinder to the finest setting once and most likely will never mess with it again.

This coffee maker accepts coffee beans as its input, allowing users to grind their own beans for a fresher taste. It also features auto power off functionality, which automatically shuts off the machine after a period of inactivity, contributing to energy efficiency. The self-cleaning capability of the Melitta Caffeo Solo ensures ease of maintenance, making it convenient for users to keep the machine in optimal condition. 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. Upon activating the 0 watt switch, the Solodisconnects from the mains. And of course, your personal settings are kept. This on/off feature is also programmable and the appliance can be set to disconnect from the mains at the desired time automatically. Its compact size adds to its aesthetic appeal, so it really will be a valued addition to any household. Whether you like your coffee strong or mild, espresso or cappuccino, this will deliver what you want whenever you want it.The Solois one of the smallest automatic coffee makers in the world. And yet it provides enough room for high-grade Melitta technology. To Melitta’s credit, it has, for the most part, been kind enough not to jumble one’s brain with overly convoluted series numbers. However, when it comes to the Melitta Caffeo Solo, there is a small caveat with the colours.