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A coffee machine that features a whole bean system helps you save on the number of appliances you need and can save you some time too. Instead of using a separate appliance to grind your beans and then transferring those beans to your coffee machine, you can complete those steps in a fraction of the time. While an automatic and complete system will cost more than a standard coffee maker, you can make drinks like espressos and cappuccinos that your old machine cannot. We really like the Miele CM 5100 White Countertop Coffee System.
With its modern design, this machine comes with a white finish and some chrome accents that add to its contemporary look. A steam wand in the front functions like a milk frother and comes with an adjustable knob that you turn to choose the type of foam you want. That wand has its own hose for filling the included milk canister too. With the Miele CM 5100 White Countertop Coffee System (View on Amazon.com), you can now grind your own beans and make yummy coffee drinks at home.
Features
Stainless-Steel Milk Flask
The includes stainless-steel milk flask features a double-wall of steel to keep the milk stored inside colder for longer. It can keep milk at the perfect cold temperature for up to 12 straight hours. Use the attached hose to hook that flask up the machine when making cappuccinos and similar drinks.
Designated Bypass Chamber
Coffee beans contain caffeine, which can affect some users, which is why Miele added a bypass door that sends ground coffee into a bypass chamber. This brews that decaf while keeping the residue from older beans away from that coffee. The bypass door also snaps shut when not in use.
Electronic Valve
The electronic valve located on the front can produce hot water or steam. Simply turn that knob to choose which one you want. You can use that steam to add a frothed texture to the top of your espresso or to fill a cup with hot water for making tea.
Intuitive LCD Display
Its intuitive LCD display helps you easily make all the selections you need for a cup of coffee. This display shows two lines of text and walks you through the process of brewing a cup. It shows you when to choose a coffee type and when to make other selections.
Adjustable Spouts
With adjustable spouts on the front, you can use this Miele model with all the mugs in your home. It drops down for use with espresso shot cups and lifts up to accommodate traditional coffee mugs. Adjusting those spouts can cut down on splashes and spills too.
Removable Brewing Chamber
Cleaning your brewing chamber is the key to making each cup taste as great as the next. Miele includes a removable brewing chamber that you can easily pull in and out for cleaning. Regular rinsing and cleaning will remove residue, old beans and other debris.
Built-in Cup Warmer
Located on the top of the CM 5100 is a built-in cup warmer. This warmer retains some of the heat that the machine produces to keep the mugs stored on top hot. Not only will this help you get more flavor in each cup, but it also helps coffee stay hotter for a longer period of time.
Automatic Timer
If you like having coffee when you first wake up, you’ll like that the 5100 comes with an automatic timer setting. You can use this setting to have the machine come on right before you wake and get ready for work. It also lets you set an automatic time for the coffee system to turn itself off.
Large Tanks
A 61-ounce water tank can make more than seven cups of coffee and more than 10 espresso shots. You’ll also like the larger bean hopper that holds more than nine ounces. Those larger tanks can hold more beans and water for making more cups.
Automatic Prompts
Remembering to add more water or beans can be a pain in the neck, but Miele has you covered with automatic prompts and reminders. The LCD display will show you a reminder when the water tank or bean hopper drops below a suitable fill level.
Waste Container
The CM 5100 will also notify you when it’s time to empty the waste container. This container sits near the brewing chamber and accumulates all the waste created by the machine. It comes out for easy dumping and rinsing.
Drip Tray
Thanks to the drip tray on this model, your coffee will never splash over and damage your counters. The drip tray catches any drips, and it comes with an alert feature that tells you when to clean it.
Pros
Automatic Reminders: We really like all the automatic reminders that come with the CM 5100. Some of those reminders help you keep track of regular maintenance like when to clean the drip tray and waste container. Other reminders alert you when the bean hopper or water tank need refilling.
Coffee Heat Retention: This model comes with two features for better retention of your coffee’s heat. The integrated cup warmer increases the heat of the cup before you pour in any coffee. It also comes with a dedicated hot water spout for rinsing out that mug and further increasing its heat.
User Interface: The user interface on this model is pretty great, especially compared to other models. It works effortlessly with the rotary dial and shows you each selection you make and then all the options or settings available for those selections.
Modern Design: Its modern design adds a contemporary touch to any dining room or kitchen. The white finish of the coffee system works perfectly with the chrome accents, and black accents around the steam wand and rotary dial highlight the bright white finish. That finish can make this coffee center the focal point of any room.
Cons
Shows Fingerprints: As much as we like its modern finish, we don’t like that the CM 5100 shows so many fingerprints. You may need to wipe down the machine with a damp cloth to get rid of those spots a little too often.
Cooler Water Temperature: While the dedicated hot water spout does put out enough hot water for a cup of tea, you may find that the water comes out cooler than you would like. It may take some time for that water temperature to rise.
Final Verdict: Should You Buy This Model?
Miele has a great reputation for producing coffee machines suitable for home and business use. It even makes some built-in models that restaurants and other food service businesses use permanently. If you like the reputation of the company and want a smaller model for home use, seriously consider the Miele CM 5100 White Countertop Coffee System.
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We recommend the CM 5100 for those who want a coffee machine that is easier to use. The reminders and prompts that come across the LCD display help you know when to add more beans or more water and when to clean the waste container or drip tray. With removable components inside, an integrated cup warmer and ample coffee settings, the CM 5100 can save you time and energy.
Comparable Models to Consider
Philips Saeco Chrome Espresso Machine
Make the best cappuccinos and espressos with this Philips Saeco machine. Specifically designed for making those drinks, it comes with a rotary knob on the front that lets you choose between those drinks and decide on the cup size you want to use. The manufacturer added a classic bean hopper on top that comes with a lid for locking in the flavor of those beans and ceramic grinders that won’t leave behind that burnt taste that others do. With the memo function, you can even save your settings for making those same cups in the future.
Jura ENA Micro 1 Automatic Coffee Center
With a sleek design and a compact shape, the Jura ENA 1 Automatic Coffee Center is perfect for anyone who wants to make coffee at home without losing counter or kitchen space. Jura designed this machine for making a single cup of espresso at a time, and it produces that thin layer of crema that you desire on the top of each cup. The ENA Micro 1 comes with an intelligent pre-brewing heating system that lightly toasts the beans before brewing them and a locking lid for keeping beans fresher for longer.
Gaggia Brera Superautomatic Espresso Machine
If you love espresso but need a more affordable way to make that drink, this Gaggia model is a good alternative to the Miele. It has a shorter and more compact design that helps you save on space and a digital display surrounded by helpful buttons. One button turns it on and off, and the button beneath lets you change the strength of your brew. One of its more impressive features is its filtration system. The Brera actually sends your water through four different filtration stages to remove as many impurities from your water as possible.