Hello there, fellow coffee lovers!
I'm a self-proclaimed aficionado, and there's nothing quite like a perfectly brewed cup of joe to start the day – minus the hassle of leaving the house, of course!
I've always been obsessed with lattes and cappuccinos, and I used to rely on my local coffee shop for my morning fix. But now, we've got a coffee shop right around the corner, and even better, I can make my own coffee at home with the Vitek vt-1514 vk.
After putting this baby to the test for a while, I'm excited to share my honest review.
Key details:
Drink types: espresso, latte, cappuccino
Price: 14,990 at the time of purchase (now it's cheaper)
Where to buy: marketplaces, MVideo, DNS – that's where we bought it
Country of origin: China
Warranty: 1 year from the manufacturer
Type: Conical
Pressure: 15 bar
Power: 1300W
Coffee type: Ground
Packaging
The packaging is pretty standard – a sturdy cardboard box with an eye-catching image to grab your attention.
VITEK VT-1514 BK espresso machine
Inside the box, you'll find a warranty card and user manual. The coffee maker itself is securely wrapped in plastic inserts to prevent any damage during shipping.
The machine comes mostly assembled, with only a few parts to attach – the water and milk reservoirs, and a quick coffee refill. Before using it for the first time, I carefully read the manual and followed the instructions to the letter!
Kit Contents
Kit Contents, Espresso Coffee Machine VITEK VT-1514 BKCoffee MachineUser ManualTempering Spoon for Coffee Tablet PreparationHolder
Two-Cup Coffee FilterSingle-Cup Coffee Filter
Design and Build
First, let's talk about the design – this coffee machine is a real showstopper. It's finished in a sleek black and silver color that'll fit right in with any kitchen decor. The design is straightforward, but it's also super functional.
At the back of the coffee machine, there's a removable water reservoir with a 1.5-liter capacity.
The automatic frothing system has a 0.5-liter capacity. It comes with a dial that lets you adjust the level of milk frothing, and you can also switch it to a cleaning mode for the frothing system.
I've got to say, the capuccinatore is super easy to take apart, the lid comes off, and you can remove the tube – it's a game-changer for cleaning all the nooks and crannies after brewing a cup of coffee.
The machine comes with a built-in cup rest that's also dishwasher safe, plus a removable tray for smaller cups.
The top surface of the machine doubles as a cup warmer.
There are three buttons on the display – espresso, cappuccino, and latte – each with a different press duration to choose from. One press gets you a single shot, one latte, or one cappuccino. Two presses get you double the dose, and holding it down gets you automatic water flow (espresso button), extra foam (cappuccino button), or self-cleaning mode (latte button).
How the machine works and brews coffee
Before I even used it for the first time, I ran a cycle with just water to get it nice and dry, then reassembled everything.
First things first, I add coffee grounds to the filter basket.
I use 3.2% milk most of the time, occasionally switching to cream for a thicker foam – the rule of thumb is, the higher the fat content, the thicker the foam.
VITEK VT-1514 BK Espresso Maker ReviewFirst thing I do is flip the power switch on the side. As soon as I do, the buttons start flashing until the boiler heats up. When they stop flashing, the machine is ready to go. In the meantime, my cup is warming up too, so the coffee stays hot for longer.
Now everything is ready, and I can choose my drink. My go-to is a latte.
I was eagerly waiting for the delicious coffee to be made. The machine is a bit loud, but it's not annoying. The loudest part is when it's frothing the milk, but even my little kid got used to it and doesn't even notice it anymore.
The coffee is made quickly, and it turns out as a beautiful three-layered drink, just like in a cafe. Of course, the taste also depends on the coffee beans and the type of milk you use. But as you can see from my photos, it's clear that the machine gets the job done. The best part is that the foam is super thick and doesn't settle, even when the coffee has cooled down.
VITEK VT-1514 BK Espresso Maker, Latte
Latte, VITEK VT-1514 BK Espresso Maker Cappuccino, VITEK VT-1514 BK Espresso MakerMaintenance
The only thing that needs cleaning is the milk reservoir with the tube and holder. After each use, I immediately turn on the cleaning function to get rid of any remaining milk residue. It's a one-button process, and then I just rinse the parts under running water.
I've found that I need to occasionally drain, rinse, and dry the water tank to prevent it from getting clogged. If needed, it's super easy to remove and clean the drip tray. Maintenance is a breeze, which is exactly why I chose the Vitek vt-1514 vk.
My verdict on this model after 1.5 years of constant use!
I'm glad I went with this coffee maker. I've been using it daily and loving it.
The coffee turns out delicious, just like you'd get at a coffee shop, and the upkeep is minimal. It's been a workhorse without any issues, and it has some great features:
It looks sleek and stylishThere's a display light, which is a nice touchIt's super easy to use with just three buttonsIt's got an automatic frothing systemIt can make three different types of coffeeThe crema is thick and doesn't settleCleaning is a breezeMy only gripe is that it can be a bit loud during brewing, but you get used to it quickly, and the coffee is ready in no time!
I wholeheartedly recommend the VITEK VT-1514 BK coffee maker.
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Thanks!