I purchased the Briel Chamonix as a step-up/replacement for my Krups steamer. After brewing a couple of shots, I realized the flavor I was missing while I was using my trusty Krups. I feel I’ve made a reasonable purchase with this machine, with these positive observations:
- This is a _great_ value for the money I spent.
- Consistently positive reviews on Amazon (4/5 stars, 56 reviews)
- Nice compact form
- The machine heats up very quickly
- Contrary to a couple of other reviewers’ experience, the espresso produced is very hot, with no need to re-heat the coffee.
- Excellent steam for frothing.
These were/are some draw-backs:
- The distance under the brew-head to the base of the machine is, indeed, short. A shot glass fits comfortably, but nothing any taller. I need to find a short container that holds two shots because:
- When making two shots, the dispensor does not fill two individual shot glasses evenly. The right glass _always_ fills up before the left. I like double-shot lattes, so I find this an inconvenience.
- The frothing wand is at a rather odd angle…
Neutral thoughts and experiences:
- The package arrived with excessive moisture on and around the machine, packaged inside a plastic bag, just as this web-site and other reviews have noted. No surpise here.
- As several reviewers experienced, the stainless steel front panel had come apart from the machine and was laying loose in the box. I attribute this to the aforementioned excessive moisture in the package and probable tempurature swings the package was subjected to before arrival at my doorstep. I carefully cleaned the machine surface and removed the water droplets from the steel panel (used a blow dryer) and afixed it back to the machine. Seems to be holding fine.
- Following the enclosed instructions, it took three attempts to prime the pump.
- Having previous experience with espresso makers proved to be valuable in working with this machine. I think a beginner might not find the instructions very intuitive.