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KitchenAid Semi-Automated Espresso Machine two-minute evaluation
In a crowded market the place there are such a lot of incredible espresso machines, the KitchenAid Semi-Automated Espresso Machine stands out by being one of many better-looking choices available on the market. Not solely does it look premium, nevertheless it feels it too. This machine is solidly constructed, and the provided equipment together with the detachable bean hopper, porta filter and tamper, have an honest quantity of weight to them, additional including to the general premiumness of the machine.
It’s accessible in a variety of colours, however I really feel my evaluation unit in Porcelain (white) would be the best to match with kitchen decor (though I’ve to confess taking a flowery to the Juniper inexperienced, too).
If you wish to get hands-on together with your coffee-making course of, it makes the method simpler by means of a flat-bottom porta filter that I feel ought to turn out to be customary on all espresso machines of this kind. This design selection is a stroke of genius, providing you with a far higher capability to use a very good quantity of tamping strain, important for extracting a very good shot of espresso.
Whereas it does have ‘semi-automatic’ in its identify, this solely actually applies to the quantity of espresso grounds it would dispense into the porta filter. You determine how a lot that’s, the grind measurement and, if you would like milk together with your espresso, that’s a guide course of too.
Determining the optimum settings on your private style will, due to this fact, require some trial and error, however in the event you’re contemplating shopping for a espresso machine like this one, that’s doubtless one thing you’ve already thought-about and are joyful to get entangled with.
Some help is given, akin to a perfect window of strain proven in a strain gauge, so that you’ll know in the event you’ve put the correct quantity of espresso and utilized the correct quantity of strain when tamping. When you’ve accomplished these steps, the KitchenAid Semi-Auto produces an exquisite shot of espresso. Taking all of this into consideration, I think about it to be among the best bean-to-cup espresso makers.
It’s not in need of competitors when it comes to value and options, and there are different fashions that supply higher usability, akin to sensible tamping and dosing methods — the De’Longhi La Specialista Contact, for instance. Regardless of that, I feel it’s competitively priced and might frequently be discovered with a reduction, which solely provides to its worth.
(Picture credit score: Future / Max Langridge)
- KitchenAid Semi Automated Espresso Machine With Burr Grinder (Black) at Amazon for $599.95
KitchenAid Semi Automated Espresso Machine evaluation: Worth & availability
- Launched in 2024
- Checklist value of $699.99 / £699 / AU$899
- Usually accessible with a reduction
The KitchenAid Semi-Automated Espresso Machine launched worldwide a few years in the past in 2024. It stays on sale at the moment and most of the time, for a similar value as when it launched. With an inventory value of $699.99 / £699 / AU$899, it’s pretty priced, however is arguably higher worth in Australia in the event you take direct forex conversions into consideration.
This KitchenAid machine is comparatively gentle on options, providing simply the fundamentals of at-home espresso making, within the type of an built-in burr grinder, steam wand and sizzling water spout. When it comes to value, it’s not in need of competitors, however some price-comparable alternate options supply extra in the way in which of options.
These embrace the Breville Barista Specific (Sage Barista Specific within the UK) for $699.95 / £629 / AU$599, the Ninja Luxe Cafe with a price ticket of $599.90 / £549.99 / AU$799.99 and the De’Longhi La Specialista Arte Evo costing $699.95 / £499 / AU$649. In Australia, it positive factors one other competitor within the type of the Sunbeam Origins Sense, which is now frequently accessible for underneath AU$700.
All supply a built-in grinder, various ranges of customization and a built-in steam wand. The Ninja and De’Longhi machines are in a position to produce cold-brew espresso, for instance, one thing not on the KitchenAid’s menu. The Ninja Cafe Luxe additionally takes care of the grinding and tamping course of for you, providing a extra hands-off strategy.
Nonetheless, on the time of writing, this KitchenAid machine is on the receiving finish of reductions of as much as 30% direct from the maker within the US, UK and Australia.
KitchenAid Semi Automated Espresso Machine evaluation: Specs
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Title
KitchenAid Semi Automated Espresso Machine KES6551
Kind
Bean-to-cup
Dimensions (H x W x D)
15.6 x 13.2 x 11.1 inches / 39.5 x 33.5 x 28.1cm
Weight
23.6lbs / 10.7kg
Water reservoir
84.5 fl oz / 2.5 liters
Milk frother
Sure, built-in steam wand
Bars of strain
15 – 18
Person profiles
None
KitchenAid Semi Automated Espresso Machine evaluation: Design
- Flat-bottom porta filter is a revelation
- Enticing, retro seems to be in a variety of colours
- Clear controls
(Picture credit score: Future / Max Langridge)
The KitchenAid Semi-Automated Espresso Machine is a comparatively compact equipment with dimensions measuring 39.5 x 33.5 x 28.1cm (HWD), making it splendid for small kitchens or those that merely can’t spare the countertop house. At 23.6lbs / 10.7kg it’s fairly a heavy unit, although, however its weight provides it added stability that stops it from transferring round when inserting and eradicating the porta filter.
KitchenAid is understood for its stylish colour selections throughout its wider vary of home equipment and that’s the case right here too. My evaluation unit was the Porcelain (white) colour with gloss end, which is a standout for me, being simply matched with any kitchen decor. Different colours embrace Solid Iron Black, Sweet Apple (pink), Juniper and Stainless Metal.
This espresso machine is comparatively gentle on button depend, with the few accessible serving multiple goal. The facility button is on the left, whereas the beginning/cease button is on the other facet. The center is the place a lot of the magic occurs. The highest left button will doubtless be used essentially the most because it cycles via features to pour the espresso shot, pour sizzling water and activate the steam wand.
There are additionally buttons to pick out a single or double shot, and to regulate the temperature of the water. Lastly there’s a button to make use of when cleansing the machine.
The opposite primary management is a silver dial that units the dosage quantity of espresso to be floor into the porta filter, and a lever to regulate the grind measurement. Urgent the central button begins allotting the chosen quantity of espresso.
As with all espresso machines that require a hands-on strategy, determining the grind measurement and grind quantity for each single and double espresso is a part of the enjoyable, however requires loads of trial and error. It is because the kind of espresso beans you employ will impact the yield and, additional to that, how they behave when being brewed. For instance, a darker roast tends to carry out higher with a coarser setting than a medium roast because of the approach it breaks aside when going via the grinder.
I used medium-dark roast espresso beans for this evaluation and located turning the double shot dial to round 4 o’clock, and the grind setting to 5 traces from the fitting, yielded good outcomes. Whilst you can put money into scales to make sure you get the best quantity — round 8g of floor espresso is commonly thought-about a very good start line for a single shot of espresso and 18g is taken into account optimum for a double — KitchenAid has added a small line within the porta filter baskets to point the best level the place the espresso ought to line up as soon as it’s been tamped.
You don’t need to go over this line, as doing so will create an excessive amount of strain through the brewing course of, leading to your espresso dripping out of the porta filter. A strain gauge on the entrance of the machine exhibits a perfect window for a very good espresso shot and, on a few events throughout my testing, the needle did transcend it, ensuing within the aforementioned drip pour.
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(Picture credit score: Future / Max Langridge)(Picture credit score: Future / Max Langridge)(Picture credit score: Future / Max Langridge)
Talking of the porta filter, I didn’t understand {that a} completely flat-bottomed one might be such a revelation! Each different porta filter I’ve used has two spouts protruding out the underside; right here, they’re built-in. This small design contact meant I might be much more assured when tamping, planting the porta filter firmly on a desk and permitting me to use drive to pack the espresso grounds tightly sufficient. Porta filters with protruding spouts, nevertheless, require cautious balancing when tamping.
This flat-bottomed porta filter is a commercial-size 58mm, and is satisfyingly weighty, which gave me added peace of thoughts that the KitchenAid machine has been made with care. The 58mm measurement has a number of advantages, together with getting used with quite a lot of instruments and equipment — akin to weighted tampers — to assist obtain a well-extracted shot.
The two.5L water tank on the rear of the machine options an built-in deal with that will help you take away it. This is likely one of the largest water tanks I’ve personally come throughout in a espresso machine, greater than the Breville Oracle Jet’s (Sage within the UK) 2.3L tank. A water filter is provided, which clips right into a separate plastic deal with. I had slightly bother at first getting the 2 items that maintain the filter in place to clip collectively, regardless of following the directions to go away the filter soaking in water for five minutes. I left it out of the water for just a few days, after which all of it clipped collectively as meant.
(Picture credit score: Future / Max Langridge)
The KitchenAid Semi Automated Espresso Machine additionally options an built-in steam wand with a silicone deal with for safer dealing with, and a sizzling water spout. The steam wand is a standard one, that which means there’s no built-in thermometer such as you’ll discover on different machines such because the De’Longhi La Specialista Contact and Sunbeam Origins Sense, so that you’ll must depend on bodily contact with the milk pitcher, or a use a separate food-grade thermometer, to find out when your milk is prepared.
Within the field can also be a detachable bean hopper, tamper (which can also be effectively weighted), a 355ml milk pitcher (which does admittedly really feel cheaper in comparison with the opposite equipment), single- and double-wall filter baskets in single- and double-shot sizes, and a cleansing brush.
A walnut wooden accent equipment is that can be purchased individually for $249.99 / £229 / AU$349. This equipment features a bean hopper with a walnut-wood lid, and porta filter and tamper set with walnut-wood handles.
KitchenAid Semi Automated Espresso Machine evaluation: Efficiency
- Nicely-extracted espresso achievable after some experimentation
- Intuitive controls with visible aids
- Fast heat-up time
The KitchenAid Semi-Automated Espresso Machine is a really succesful machine, and can brew a well-extracted espresso shot with a very good crema — it simply requires a good quantity of trial and error to attain it. Just about all guide and semi-auto machines will want that little experimentation, although, so it’s in no way a dealbreaker. Nonetheless, the place some machines just like the aforementioned De’Longhi or the Ninja Luxe Cafe will help you in recommending the best grind and dosage settings, the KitchenAid leaves you to your individual gadgets.
After loading your beans within the hopper on prime of the machine — which inserts as much as 225g price — you’ll want to regulate the dosage quantity and grind measurement. If you happen to’re brewing a single shot of espresso, you’ll transfer the front-mounted spherical to the left to regulate dosage, and to the fitting for a double (icons are readily available to indicate this). A lever just under this dial will regulate the grind measurement, from coarse on the left to positive on the fitting. Notice that the dial and lever must be completely aligned with the graphic dots; in the event that they’re not, the machine received’t function.
You’ll be able to personalize the quantity of espresso grounds produced by urgent and holding the central button till it reaches the specified quantity.
(Picture credit score: Future / Max Langridge)
When you’ve chosen your settings, press the button built-in into the dosage dial to set the grinder in motion. This KitchenAid machine, just like the model’s totally computerized fashions such because the KF8, is QuietMark licensed, which means it must be whisper quiet when the grinder is in movement. And certain sufficient, it’s. The Philips LatteGo 4400 that I exploit each day is ‘SilentBrew’ licensed however, in reality, I discover it to be comparatively noisy, and measured 69dB utilizing the Decibel X app in comparison with 64dB registered by the KitchenAid when the grinder was in movement.
As soon as the grinder has completed, give the porta filter slightly wiggle to assist settle the bottom espresso earlier than eradicating it. This machine makes use of anti-static expertise to assist guarantee nothing spills over the sting and it really works like a dream, not like the Sunbeam Origins Sense that dribbled some espresso throughout my testing regardless of claiming to additionally profit from comparable tech.
One of many key highlights of this machine is its flat-bottomed porta filter, which lets you plant it on a flat floor to use tamping strain utilizing the provided tamper with out disbalancing it. When you’ve inserted and locked the porta filter in place for brewing — which is one other easy and fuss-free course of — use the buttons on the entrance of the machine to pick out a single or double shot, then set the water temperature to one among three settings. Lastly, press the play/begin button and your espresso will start brewing.
One other key spotlight of this machine is that it pre-infuses earlier than brewing. This wets the espresso puck earlier than full strain hits it, which makes the water movement via the grounds extra uniformly for higher extraction.
If you happen to’ve adjusted the dosage and grind settings accurately and supplied sufficient tamping strain, you’ll be rewarded with a ravishing shot of espresso with a stunning crema. It’s unlikely you’ll get the very best settings in your first strive (I actually didn’t), so be ready for some trial and error.
As with the grind settings, you’ll be able to personalize the quantity of water used for each single and double photographs by urgent and holding the beginning/cease button till the specified espresso quantity is reached in your cup. These water quantity settings might be saved for future use. To reset to manufacturing facility settings, press and maintain the dose button for 3 seconds. All indicator lights will blink to point settings are restored.
Nonetheless, the machine doesn’t have profiles, nor can it retailer totally different settings. In case you have a number of espresso drinkers at residence preferring totally different beverage sorts, you then’ll must manually set the grind and dosage quantities every time. In that case, I’d advocate holding a word of the optimum settings someplace.
(Picture credit score: Future / Max Langridge)
If you wish to use the steam wand for milk foaming, you’ll first want to attend till the espresso has completed brewing as this machine doesn’t characteristic a twin boiler. Then press the button to modify from espresso to steam and wait just a few seconds for the boiler to reheat. You’ll know when it’s completed by means of a white LED on the left of the machine’s entrance panel. When it turns strong, you’re good to go. From right here, press the identical play/begin button and steam will start popping out of the wand.
As talked about earlier, the steam wand right here doesn’t have a built-in thermometer, so that you’ll must depend on contact to find out when the milk is finished. I’ve had combined outcomes with ‘fundamental’ steam wands like this up to now, as some don’t present sufficient strain to successfully foam milk. That’s not the case right here. I used each full-fat cow’s milk and oat milk throughout my testing and I used to be in a position to create a stunning textured foam every time. As with all steam wand, you want to angle it within the milk pitcher for the very best outcomes, however in case you have the approach proper, you’ll as soon as once more be rewarded with good milk.
The KitchenAid Semi-Automated Espresso Machine has a descaling program to assist maintain it working at its greatest. You’ll know when it’s time, as a Clear Cycle gentle will blink. This didn’t occur throughout my testing, so I used to be unable to check the characteristic, however full directions are supplied within the person guide.
Must you purchase the KitchenAid Semi Automated Espresso Machine?
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Attribute
Notes
Rating
Worth
Competitively priced, however some price-comparable fashions supply extra in the way in which of options
4 / 5
Design
Beautiful seems to be, premium equipment and a transparent button structure make this an espresso machine you’ll need to showcase
5 / 5
Efficiency
After a short interval of experimentation, you’ll be rewarded with stunning espresso, and the steam wand produces completely foamed milk.
5 / 5
Purchase it if…
Do not buy it if…
KitchenAid Semi Automated Espresso Machine evaluation: Additionally think about
KitchenAid Semi Automated Espresso Machine evaluation: How I examined
I examined the KitchenAid Semi-Automated Espresso Machine over the course of a few weeks, utilizing medium-dark roast espresso beans I picked up from my native grocery store. I’ve examined just a few guide and semi-automatic espresso machines earlier than, together with the Sunbeam Origins Sense, so I used to be aware of the method required for hands-on espresso making.
I needed to experiment with the grind and dosage settings to search out the best yield to make sure the espresso photographs brewed with optimum outcomes. I used the built-in steam wand to foam cow’s milk and oat milk, and located it produced glorious outcomes with the proper approach.
Learn extra about how we check
First reviewed Could 2026
KitchenAid Semi Automated Espresso Machine With Burr Grinder: Worth Comparability
