Calphalon BVCLECMP1 Temp iQ Espresso Maker (Without Grinder)
The Good about Calaphalon Espresso Machine
- Makes flavorful espresso
- Powerful steam wand
- Easy to use with minimal experience after setting up
- Easy to clean
- Dual-walled single and double baskets included
The Bad about Calpahlon Machine
- First time set up takes time
- Heavy-duty metallic tamper not included
- A bit loud when brewing or steaming
What is Included with the Calphalon Espresso Machine?
- A plastic tamper
- Stainless steel milk pitcher
- Dual walled single and double filter baskets
- Cleaning pin
- 58mm portafilter
- 2 liters removable water tank
- Removable drip tray
Are you tired of lining up in a coffee shop to get your Joe? Making espresso drinks at the comfort of your home will not only save you some bucks and time but it’s also a great way to control the quality of your drink. You get to use your favorite coffee beans and be your own barista.
When shopping for an espresso coffee machine for your home, you want a machine that is not super-complicated to set up and makes great espressos for the money. It should also be easy to clean.
Calphalon BVCLECMP1 Temp iQ espresso machine is a popular coffee machine for home use and we have reviewed various aspects of it.
Design
The Calphalon Temp iQ coffee maker without a grinder has a stylish stainless steel housing with BPA-free plastic sides. The machine has a wide base for stability and weighs about 14 pounds so you are able to lock the portafilter in without the machine moving a lot.
It has a good cup clearance under the group head to fit regular cups up to 4″ tall. It has a wide drip tray with a water level floater to warn you when the tray needs emptying. There is also storage space behind the drip tray that fits the cleaning pin, filter baskets, and spoons.
The top of this Calphalon espresso machine is a flat plastic that acts as a mug warmer. You can place the coffee mugs upside down to prewarm them before making coffee.
Initial Set Up Process
The setup process is not overly complicated but can be arduous for people without experience with espresso machines. It takes about half an hour to fully set up.
First, you want to place the machine on a sturdy flat table or countertop. Remove the power plug from the base of the water tank.
Clean all the removable parts of the espresso machine in warm soapy water. including the portafilter, filter baskets, water tank, tamper, and drip tray grill. The removable plastic parts are not dishwasher safe. Dry the removable parts using a clean cloth. Replace the drip tray grill.
Next, you want to prime the machine. fill the water tank with fresh filtered water or bottled water and put it back in the machine. Ensure the dial knob is pointing to the “READY” setting.
Insert the power plug into a power source and press the “ON/OFF” button. This button flashes to indicate the machine is warming. The machine is ready when both the ON/OFF and READY lights illuminate.
Insert the double basket in the portafilter and lock the portafilter into the group head of the machine. Turn the dial knob to the “2 SHOT” setting.
The machine will run water through the portafilter until the READY light goes off when you should return the knob back to the READY setting.
Repeat the 2 SHOT dial one more time and the machine is now primed to make espresso and steam milk.
Performance: Makes Great Espresso and Velvety Milk Froth
The Calphalon BVCLECMP1 Temp iQ espresso machine surprisingly makes great espresso with thick crema. The machine is already preset to pull 1oz and 2oz for single and double shots respectively but you can program the shots to your choice of volume.
Brewing temperature, time, and pressure are also preprogrammed and all you have to do is dose the right amount of coffee and tamp correctly. We found that dosing 10 grams for single shots and 18-20 grams of ground coffee for doppio had an even flow and proper extraction.
Although a bit loud, the steam wand delivers a smooth velvety froth. It has enough pressure to foam milk. Some users have stated that the steam wand tends to blow and spill the milk from the pitcher but we found that this could happen if you don’t tighten the head of the wand.
See how to foam milk with a steamer wand here
A loose head allows some of the pressurized steam to escape through the joints and blow the milk in all directions. So during setup, ensure the steam wand’s head is tight.
Calphalon Temp iQ espresso maker without a grinder is a budget machine so, it is a bit noisy which is expected for its price point. You can not steam and make espresso at the same time which is expected for budget espresso makers.
Is Calphalon Espresso Machine Easy to Clean?
Calphalon BVCLECMP1 Temp iQ espresso maker is easy to clean. It has adequate cup clearance which is a plus when cleaning the group head. The drip tray has a water level indicator that is visible through the holes on the grill. So you are able to empty and clean when the tray before it overflows.
The machine comes with cleaning needles hidden behind the drip tray. The small needle is for cleaning the pressurized baskets and the longer one is for cleaning the holes of the steam wand.
The only gripe we have with this machine is that most of the removable parts such as the plastic tamper, drip tray, portafilter, and water reservoir are not dishwasher safe. However, they are easy to clean with soap and water.
The steam wand is stainless steel which is easy to clean by wiping and purging after steaming.
Calphalon Temp iQ espresso maker should be descaled once every 4-6 months to maintain it in tip-top shape. Descaling takes about 10-15 minutes.
Price
For the price of less than $400, the Calphalon BVCLECMP1 Temp iQ espresso maker is a bargain considering its strong performance. It makes espresso and foamed milk that compares to premium espresso machines.
It also comes with a 3-year limited warranty which adds to its value.
Features and Specs
| Product Name | Calphalon BVCLECMP1 Temp iQ Espresso Machine |
| Pump Pressure | 15 Bars |
| Brand | Calphalon |
| Water Tank Capacity | 2 Liters Removable |
| External Finish | Stainless Steel and Plastic |
| Dimensions | 12.2 x 9.84 x 12.8 inches |
| Weight | 14.62 pounds |
| Warranty | 3-Year Limited |
| Voltage | 120v |
| Power | 1350 Watts |
| Auto-off | Yes |
Final Verdict
The Calphalon BVCLECMP1 Temp iQ Espresso Machine is a great bang for the buck. It is an easy-to-use home espresso maker that makes superb espressos and smooth foam for your lattes.
It has a beautiful design and a stainless steel front-finish which makes it an excellent addition to your kitchen.
