Originally, I thought manual milk steaming was not possible, but I was wrong. So, I edited that part out of this video for clarity, and covered manual frothing in the "Advanced mode' video: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-vm2_fR2l44I.html Check availability and pricing at Ninja direct, as these are often OOS: ninjakitchen.pxf.io/LuxeCafe (Ninja affiliate link) Thanks to @horseshoe_nc for pointing it out!
@@gbriank1 Honestly, I think I'd take this one. Longevity needs yet to be proven, but I am very much liking the smart features, and it's a lot cheaper.
Owner's manual has instructions for manual milk steaming. Basically you leave the steam wand out and hold the froth button for 3 seconds to start. See page 16 of the owner's manual. You can also adjust the espresso ratio. (And some other settings.) See page 25 of the owner's manual. Default espresso ratio is 2.5:1 but can be changed to, 2:1 or 3:1. This is my first espresso machine and I'm really impressed with it. I haven't tried the cold brew coffee or cold pressed espresso yet. But I'm getting fantastic lattes from it.
@@TomsCoffeeCorner on the Ninja website along with the Manual they have Ninja Luxe Cafe Inspiration and quick start Guide. One of the most well documented espresso machines I have ever seen!
This Ninja truly is a game changer. Talk about a beginner friendly espresso machine ! And for $500 is a machine I can recommend to anyone looking to get into espresso.
@@carlotta120489its an appliance, not a machine. The key difference is in repairability and serviceability. Appliances are intended to act like disposable items with a limited lifespan; machines are built to be working for a lifetime. Farmers in the US were having this exact fight with the manufacturer of their machines; greedy cooperations tried to add software limitations and force repair through them. And farmers didn't like that.
Hi, just wanna say I just came across your video. I’m totally blind and I want to say thank you so so so much number one for reviewing this product I’ve been really wanting to know about it but most importantly, thank you for describing what things look like that really helps me out so thank you and I really really hope to hear from you. I hope you have an amazing day and thanks again
My buddy bought one (against my suggestion) and less than 2 weeks later, the weighing system is throwing errors. I hope you got extended warranty for this... or this is destined for the garbage sooner than you'd think.
Hi Tom. I see you already corrected the info re manually steaming. To further clarify, manual steaming only works when you set the steam style to "no foam", then extend the wand out from the body. Press and hold the steam button for 3 seconds and it will start. The reason is, the macine has a built in air pump that is used for low and high foam levels, pushing air through the wand as well as steam. Another point on ratios. The machine can be set to a 2:1 ratio, default 2.5:1 (so 18g in, 45g out), and 4:1 ratio in the advanced menu. That's in the manual too, though there was some early confusion because Ninja had a preproduction manual out and online that showed those settings via the front panel button above descale. That button now changes the brew temperature on the final production model, and you have to dive into advanced settings, find .h06, and set your ratio there for espresso output.
Thanks for that informative comment! I did end up finding these settings, and they really negate any cons that I mentioned. It's a sweet machine, and I think I will do a follow up video to showcase what I missed. I also turned the annoying beeps off, lol. Cheers!
Thanks for the updated information about the advanced settings. One month in and I really love this machine, now I’ll move on to fine tuning the settings thanks to your suggestions.
Ninja is actually a great company, they always find a way to impress, at an affordable price and in my experience their products are reliable and last, even with little to no maintenance and every day use. Whoever is in charge over there does such a great job bringing new things to market at an incredible price point for the the performance. I’d be willing to bet this machine can outperform a lot of the breville products and they’ve been making them for what seems like forever.
@@ChrisDavis333 I’m starting to think you’re right. Maybe I should try their slushy machine or ice cream machine, too. 😉 I’m really pleasantly surprised how well this machine has been working for me. Love the grind by weight, and now that I know how to do manual milk steaming, I’m a super happy camper!
They indeed are a great company. I've been using their blender for almost 10 years on a daily basis and it is the most robust blender I've ever owned. I burned out 3 Osterizer blenders over the previous 10 year period making daily protein shake drinks. They just couldn't handle the frozen fruits and ice. The Ninja blends it no problem. I also have their Coffee Bar drip coffee system. It's fantastic. Between the Ninja Coffee Bar and my Gaggia Classic Pro with the Eureka Mignon Specialita, I have most of the bases covered for coffee drinks.
I got this machine a week ago and have loved it. It's just super easy to use and it does a great job on espresso and regular coffee. I think your review is spot on.
#Luxe OK, after about 10-15 years of passion for espresso and everything related to it, from roasting to restoring old espresso machines, I have to admit that this thing has some potential. I've seen so many attempts to combine the simplicity of a fully automatic coffee machine with the quality of a manual grinder and machine setup, but most have failed in one way or another. There are 3 key elements that make the difference between a fully automatic and a manual machine. 1. Consistent grinding and dosing, which most fully automatic machines simply cannot do. Some machines are better at setting the values than others, but in the end it's always a blindfolded guessing game because you can't see inside and there's no scale to tell you. 2. proper leveling and compacting to avoid channeling, which automatic machines simply can't do. Combined with inconsistent grinding and dosing, this leads to poor extraction, you can compensate by using specific blends, but it obviously limits the variety of flavors. And the third and only point that some fully automatic coffee machines get right is the temperature. However, these fully automatic machines are not really good compared to a manual machine, but many people wouldn't be able to make a decent espresso with a manual espresso machine because they don't know how it works and not everyone is willing to become a barista just to make a decent coffee for breakfast. That's why I think a decent fully automatic coffee machine is still a good option if you use high quality coffee from a trusted roaster. Like I said, I've never seen a manufacturer address these exact issues to help people get a decent espresso with maximum control and options. There are only two things about the Ninja that I don't really like. First, it's a thermoblock design, BUT I know full well that it HAS to be that way to work for the people it's marketed to, those people don't want to wait 30-60 minutes for the machine to heat up, and that's fine if that's how this machine can achieve a consistent brewing temperature. The second thing is that the grinder and the scale are basically fully integrated. Again, it needs to be that way to work for the target audience, but they should have at least made it so that you can easily replace/repair it without taking everything apart... what if you need to replace the grinding cones or the scale stops working?
As an espresso nerd, I'm impressed! If I didn't already have a really nice machine and grinder, I would have considered getting one of these. Also, interesting approach to cold brew. Maybe I can try to imitate that process on my Decent!
Great review. It hit all the boxes for me and its more practical than my current basic manual set up, the espresso shot looks even creamier than what my machine can do. I’m getting one!
A very nice hands on review. Lots to like for a coffee/espresso drinkers early morning ritual. And a grinder and scale and suto frothing included. I can envision many people buying this.
I have been considering buying one of these. My neighbor just got one and I have to check it out the next time I go over there. It seems very well thought out and well made.
First and foremost #luxe . Secondly, this was a phenomenal review and I am extremely satisfied with all of the detail that you went through! Thank you for the great review!
I think it’s a really cool machine - I’d consider it over a Sage Barista Pro. I wouldn’t, however, swap it for my Bambino Plus and Baratza ESP combo. Gotta appreciate the option to upgrade your grinder should you wish.
you can manually steam with this machine, using your own milk pitcher (and I’ve tried this, and it works extremely well and is very fast). Just set the machine to ‘no foam’ mode, extend the wand, and start manually foaming and stretching your milk.
Месяц назад
A good competitor for Sage and Delonghi. Great review as usual, Tom! #Luxe
Thanks for the review, really detailed. Really moving towards getting this machine. The only thing that makes me nervous is Ninja almost always launches a new improved model of their appliances after 6 months to a year, hopefully that is'nt the case here 😅
This one isn't really on my radar, but I can see how it would be appealing to many. Regardless, I always enjoy the content. Thank you for continuing to provide us with your input!
Thanks for your feedback! This keeps selling out on their website and on Amazon, so I do think quite a few people are interested in the machine. I'm quite enjoying it. Cheers!
I'm a bit of a skeptic when it come to these lower priced all in one do it all machines (jack of all trades, master of none). I question their longevity, quality, and output performance, but of course, unless you own one for a few years it's hard to say. However, I can say that my Gaggia is going strong after all these years and has a proven track record of longevity.
As a fellow Gaggia classic owner, I will definitely not be switching to this. However, I'm still excited to see more competition enter the espresso market!
#luxe Great review. VERY interesting machine. I'm intrigued. Looks really pretty. The fact that it can make espresso, coffee, and cold brew coffee is a game-changer. I love that is has a built-in dosing scale. Built-in accessory holders. Seriously, what's not to like. I have a Nespresso Esennza Mini and absolutely love the convenience, but REALLY want an authentic basic model budget espresso machine. ( have my eye on the Casabrews 5418). I love the Bambino Plus but that's not in my budget. But if it were, I would have serious problems trying to decide between that and this. Thank you for the review.
#LUXE !!! thanks for the review.. at this price $499 i find it to be a steal... lets see how the grinder and scale hold up over time. I also like the breville barista pro now with the updated burr set from ESP.
Nice review. Packed with smart features which makes it easy to use for people who want to be barista without the learning curve. Design is not beautiful and not ugly either in my opinion. I don't know the brand very well so would like to know how the service is organized e.g. when you need spare parts.
great review, def buying this since it lets me dial in shots without effort :') also, for that pitcher id honestly just take some pliers and pinch its beak sharp for latte art.
I just got mine today , I think I’m going to overdose on coffee today….Im loving it and u can’t wait to have family and friends over to impress. I was considering the Breville Barista touch because my friend has it but, other than the price I like this one the most
#Luxe I can add that I have always had good luck with Ninja products in the past, as well as good experiences with Ninja service. When it is time for me to replace my old espresso machine this might be one to consider.
I have such a hard time buying Ninja products once they went back on the warranty on my vacuum. It HAD a 5 (or 7, can't remember, its been a while) year and they shortened it to a 3 year. I still do love my clothes iron they made. Maybe I should just get over it...
For the features and storage components this machine comes with for the price, I think its a home run for a coffee drinker that isn't that into making coffee for a hobby or craft. Im very interested and hopefully purchasing soon. Bye bye Starbucks!
Love this machine! The only issue I have is when I want to change beans between coffee or espresso, and caffinated or decaf, its a pain to change out the beans. Hopefully Ninja will release a compaion grinder so people can have a second type of bean ready to go, when brewing different drink types
@@user-gx3wq5kb7j We've been through a few of them already. They don't last and the firggen PODS are expensive. Can you send me an Espresso machine, Legs Diamond???? Thanks brah
#luxe You can change the brew ratio from the standard 2.5 to 1, to 2 to 1, or 3 to 1 in the settings menu. I went on a week vacation right after getting the machine and came back to some super sour espresso shots. I panicked and thought I needed to change my brew ratio. Don’t forget to rinse the group head after using the machine. To do this, I run a 6 oz coffee through the portafilter with no grinds inside.
@@TomsCoffeeCorner Thank you for the video! I was hoping you’d review this. It’s nice to see someone with extensive black espresso drinking experience confirm that the machine is pulling good shots.
I pull 4 shots a day on a cafelat robot. I love it. But this workflow looks pretty great for the rest of my family. Maybe me too. Ninja is good at building products based on what people like and then massively improving them. Very cool.
Thanks for your comment. This is only the 2nd Ninja product I've used, but yes it's designed really well for people to get into espresso, in my opinion.
@@TomsCoffeeCorner nice. I used to make fun of ninja until I tried their products. They seem to wait until patents expire and then improve on them. It’s a good model for them.
I was looking into a Phillips machine, but I'm going to take a look at this one. Also makes regular coffee, for my girlfriend that likes to keep using a Keurig that it's getting old
Tom, nice review. Comprehensive. Thanks! You said that the regular 10 oz coffee was "hot" (165 degrees F). What temperature setting did you have the machine set for? Could it be hotter (burn your lips hot)??? Thanks again. Jeff
What about the quality of the mechanism? How long is this machine expected to last and how often does it required to descale ? Also, can distilled filter water be used?
Grinder on mine worked for the first drink I made and on the second attempt, the grinder refused to grind the beans that are in the hopper. At first I thought it was maybe jammed so I cleaned out the burr and followed ninjas troubleshooting with no success. Ended up doing a live video chat with Ninja and they tried to walk me through a solution until they determined that the machine must be faulty. I’m seeing all these wonderful reviews of this machine so I am disappointed in what I received and experienced.
2:10 "Will either recommend that you grind finer or coarser" this of course not only depends on grind size, but also on how well you prepare your puck (channeling and that sort of thing), meaning this could possibly mislead beginners
Thanks for the review! Seems like a nice machine. How easy is it to fill the water tank if the unit is pushed back against a countertop with cabinets overhead?
