Nuova Simonelli Oscar Espresso Machine & Coffee Maker

First let me say that I really like my Oscars! It makes a great shot, time after time, thanks to the heat exchanger (HX). And the steam capacity of this machine is awesome - you'll run out of milk before you run out of steam. Plus, it looks good sitting on the counter top (although it is a little large).

But for all that, there are things about the Oscar that drive me nuts. For one, there is no hot water dispenser, a standard on machines from every other major maker. For another, it's a hard pull to remove the water reservoir from the machine & if you try to fill it in the machine you're pouring water at shoulder height into an opening the size of a half-dollar.

So why do I own two, you say? Because it is a very serious espresso maker for the serious home barista. For making espresso shots for groups of people it is far superior to the Rancilio Silvia & the consumer machines from Gaggia.