If you love espresso drinks but don’t have the luxury of time in the mornings then a super automatic espresso machine may be the perfect choice for you. These machines are made for busy people who have busy mornings. Jura introduced just such a machine, the Impressa C5, in the spring of 2010. You do not have do much more than add coffee, water, turn the dial, choose your drink, one or two cups and click. Fast and simple!
You do not need a college degree to operate the Jura Impressa C5. In fact they include a ‘cheat sheet’ to help you get started that sits right in its own pocket on the machine.
Appearance
- Modern in appearance, this sleek, shiny, black 13.5 x 11.5 x 15 in. machine is a well-constructed, solid looking machine. It is a good fit for a compact kitchen.
Cost
- Best price is found on Amazon at $998.95 new
Best Features At A Glance
- easy to use rotary switch
- red display lights provide easy visibility
- height-adjustable coffee spout – will make between 1 – 16 oz. cups
- 4 pre-programmed espresso or coffee settings that will grind, tamp and brew your coffee
- despite it’s compact footprint the Impressa C5 boasts a large 64 oz. water reservoir and a 7 oz. bean container
- it is able to handle roasts from light to dark using 6 different fineness levels
- a separate funnel lets you use whatever type and flavor pre-ground coffee you may prefer
- the attached Dual Frother Plus delivers unlimited amounts of steam for the preparation of Cappuccino and Lattees
- the hot water function is immediately available for the preparation of hot chocolate, tea and soup
- As well, the easy removal of the Dual Frother Plus (just pulls down) allows for the use of taller cups and glasses under the steam nozzle
Under the Hood of the Impressa C5
- an integrated solid steel, industrial grade, conical burr grinder grinds beans to the preferred fineness
- the stainless steel lined ThermoBlock prevents water from coming in contact with aluminum and allows you to brew coffee immediately after frothing (no purging is needed)
- the Pre-Brew Aroma-System along with the 18 bar pressure pump ensures optimal coffee extraction and will finish every cup not only with a rich layer of “crema”, but fills the surroundings with a wonderful aroma
- a water hardness monitor that allows you to set the hardness of your water (water hardness strip is included)
- Clearyl Blue Water Filter Cartridge, which must be activated to work, reduces hardness up to 75%, and removes up to: 75% chlorine, 90% lead, 95% copper and 67% aluminum (from Jura C5 manual)
- www.jura.com has a well-designed and consumer friendly website. Find and select the Jura product and there you will find all the info you need with regards to instructions for use, tech data, tips and facts, maintenance and tips and facts – text and video
User Reviews
One of the main complaints about the Impressa C5 the inability to increase the temperature; others seem to have no problem with it. Jura recommends preheating the cup with hot water while the coffee is brewing.
Other reviewers say:
The frothXpress is great and I use it only when I am making a few cappucinos. It comes completely apart and cleans easily. Gregory G. Caiazzo “ggenec” Amazon
You have to read the manual before use it if you want hotter coffee just pre warming the cup with the hot water feature, this it takes around 5s… but I’ve never needed to do that and my coffee always as hot as a Starbucks espresso. VP
I have owned every brand out there and I am SOLD on JURA! DEPENDABILITY!!! Book A. Holic Amazon
It has paid for itself many times over compared to buying coffees at the local Starbucks. ColoMom
I love espresso but don’t have the time or patience to grind/tamp/brew myself as some people do. Some die hard espresso lovers will laugh at this machine but for me it’s perfect.
The main problem is the shots are just not that great. They tend to be thin with not enough crema, and are consistently sour. Alexander Devine “sashaman”
The coffee dispenser is not high enough above the tray to fit a travel mug. A 16-ounce coffee cup is about the tallest that will fit. So to fill a travel mug, you have to hold it tilted while the coffee is dispensed …. the coffee is wonderful. Long Beach Native
Summation
The majority of users were very pleased with the quality of the coffee and the functionality of the machine. On the whole, those that were not happy were looking for something less automatic, where they could be more ‘hands on’ in the preparation of their brew.
Final Thoughts
This is a machine built for busy people who just want to quickly make their coffee without a lot of fuss. It would fit well in the home or small office.
With it’s affordability, accessibility, programability and capacity you get a lot of ‘bang for your buck’, with the Impressa C5.
Click here to get the best price for the Jura Impressa C5
