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CASABREWS 3700 Essential Stainless Steel Espresso Machine with13.0*6.5*12.1 inches8.14 poundsCheck on Amazon
The Capresso EC100 is a compact pump espresso and cappuccino machine with a stainless-lined ThermoBlock heater, a 15 bar pump, pressurized filter baskets and a swivel steam wand. It is aimed at beginners who want real espresso and steamed milk from a small, plain machine rather than a feature-packed model. Skip it if you want a built-in grinder, a pressure gauge, fast back-to-back milk drinks for a busy household or a design that rewards experimenting with dose and grind.
Quick Verdict
- Good for: first-time buyers, small kitchens and occasional latte or cappuccino drinkers who want a straightforward machine from an established small-appliance brand.
- Helpful design choices: pressurized sieves for forgiving shots, a 46 oz removable tank and a stainless-lined heating path.
- Limits: it is a basic machine with indicator lights, no gauge, plastic housing, a one-year warranty and a modest feature set.
- Close rivals: a newer budget pump machine with a gauge may look more modern, while a step up such as the Capresso Cafe Select adds a metal body and a stronger build.
- Buy it if: you value simplicity and a proven, no-fuss design. Look elsewhere if you want a strong upgrade path.
Key Specs
| Spec | Capresso EC100 (116.04) |
|---|---|
| Pump pressure | 15 bar |
| Heating system | Stainless-steel-lined ThermoBlock; water does not touch aluminum, per the maker |
| Water tank | 46 oz, removable |
| Filter baskets | Pressurized sieves for one or two cups; single sieve can also take pre-packed pods |
| Steam | Swivel frother with separate positions for steamed and frothed milk |
| Cup warming | Removable stainless cup-warming platform |
| Drip tray | Removable stainless steel |
| Housing | ABS plastic with stainless accents |
| Dimensions | Roughly 8.25 by 10.25 by 11.75 inches; retailers disagree on which figure is width and which is depth |
| Weight | Approximately 9 pounds |
| Warranty | One year, per retailer descriptions |
| Cleaning | Hand wash only; parts are not dishwasher safe |
Who It Is For (and Who Should Skip It)
Who benefits most
The EC100 suits a person making their first jump from drip coffee or pods to a true pump espresso machine. The pressurized sieves help hide small mistakes in grind size and tamping, which makes it more forgiving than a machine with traditional baskets. A household that drinks one or two cups a day and values a small footprint will find the layout easy to live with.
It also appeals to people who want a known brand with a straightforward manual. Capresso is a long-standing seller of grinders and coffee machines in the US market, and parts and guidance are generally easy to find. Check the listing for current support information.
Who should skip it
- Coffee hobbyists. Pressurized baskets limit how much you can learn about extraction, and without a gauge you have little feedback.
- Households with heavy milk-drink demand. A single ThermoBlock machine of this type needs time to switch between brewing and steaming.
- People who want an all-metal body. The housing is mostly ABS plastic with stainless accents.
- Buyers who expect modern touches. You will not find a gauge, pre-infusion setting or programmable volume here.
What It Does Well
Forgiving filter baskets
The pressurized sieves are the main reason this machine works for beginners. They add resistance so that even moderately ground coffee produces some crema, which keeps early shots drinkable. For someone buying pre-ground coffee, that forgiveness is helpful. The single sieve also accepts pre-packed pods, according to retailer summaries of the product description, which gives an additional low-effort option.
Practical water tank
At 46 oz, the removable tank is generous for a machine of this size. You can refill at the sink instead of pouring from a jug, and one fill is enough for several rounds of drinks. Regular rinsing and fresh water keep the tank clean and the flavor clearer.
A real steam wand
The swivel frother has separate positions for steamed and frothed milk, which suits cappuccinos and lattes. Capresso describes the steam output as unlimited in practice, meaning you can continue steaming as long as water remains, once the machine has switched modes. Frothing by hand is a skill; expect to waste some milk while you learn.
Simple interface
Two indicator lights show power and the coffee or steam mode. There are no menus, which can be a relief. An automatic rinsing cycle reduces waiting between brewing and steaming, according to retailer descriptions.
Stainless-lined heating path
The maker emphasizes that its ThermoBlock lining keeps water away from aluminum during brewing. If that matters to you, it is a distinguishing detail compared with many budget machines, though you should verify the claim on the manufacturer page.
Getting better shots from a pressurized machine
A few habits make a noticeable difference on any machine with pressurized sieves. Preheat the portafilter and cup by running hot water through them before the first shot, because a cold metal basket pulls heat out of a small brew. Use fresh beans ground for espresso rather than a coarse drip grind, and level the grounds before a light tamp. Stop the shot when the stream turns pale instead of letting it run to the maximum, since the last part of the pour is thin and bitter.
For milk drinks, purge the wand briefly before and after steaming to clear condensation, then wipe it right away so dried milk does not block the tip. Wait for the machine to settle between modes as the manual describes. These small routines matter more on a basic machine than any accessory you could add, and they cost nothing.
Where It Falls Short
Plastic build and basic controls
A light machine at roughly 9 pounds is easy to move but can slide when you lock in the portafilter. The ABS housing keeps weight and heat down, yet it does not feel premium. There are no volume controls, so you stop shots manually.
No pressure gauge or temperature feedback
Newer budget machines frequently include a gauge, even if it is only loosely informative. Here you rely on taste and the look of the pour. For beginners that can be fine; for people trying to improve, it limits learning.
Mode switching delay
Because the machine uses one heating block for coffee and steam, the transition from brewing to steaming and back requires a pause. Lattes are possible, but back-to-back milk drinks will take time.
Pressurized baskets cap quality
The same feature that helps beginners also limits the ceiling. Pressurized sieves rely on a restrictor to build pressure rather than on the coffee bed. You can get decent crema, but the result will not show the nuance of a non-pressurized basket on a better machine.
Limited warranty and hand washing
A one-year warranty and hand-wash-only parts are reasonable for a basic machine but less comforting than longer coverage. Confirm the current warranty on the listing.
How It Compares
| Feature | EC100 | Cafe Select | CASABREWS CM5418 | Capresso 305.01 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Pump machine | Pump machine with boiler | Pump machine, thermoblock | Steam-driven, no pump |
| Pressure claim | 15 bar | 15 bar | 20 bar on listing | Steam pressure; confirm on listing |
| Water tank | 46 oz | 42 oz | 34 oz | About 10 oz boiler |
| Gauge | No | No | Yes | No |
| Body | ABS with stainless accents | Die-cast stainless | Stainless steel exterior | Glass carafe design |
| Best for | Simple beginner use | Sturdier build | Modern budget features | Very small, low-effort coffee |
The EC100 is a middle option. The Cafe Select adds weight and a metal body. The CM5418 adds a gauge and a more current look. The 305.01 is a different technology entirely, a steam-driven maker that cannot deliver pump-style pressure.
Alternatives Worth Considering
Capresso EC100 – the reviewed machine
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This is the 116.04 model covered above, listed in black and stainless with a 46 oz tank. It remains a straightforward way to get a pump machine with a steam wand into a small kitchen. Confirm the dimensions against your cabinet clearance, since the listing figures vary on width and depth. If you will mostly drink lattes at home and want little complexity, it deserves a spot on your short list.
Capresso Cafe Select – the sturdier step up
The Cafe Select keeps the same brand and 15 bar claim but moves to a die-cast stainless body, a boiler-based design and a 42 oz removable tank, according to retailer specifications. It is heavier and looks more serious. One independent write-up reports a 51 mm portafilter, though that comes from a single source, so confirm on the listing. Choose it if you like the EC100’s simplicity but want a firmer feel and more metal.
CASABREWS CM5418 – modern budget features
This compact stainless machine lists a 20 bar pump, a built-in pressure gauge, a steam wand and a 34 oz removable tank. Manufacturer pages mention a 1350 W thermoblock and a 51 mm portafilter, while reviewers note it ships with pressurized baskets. It gives you a gauge and a more current appearance at the expense of a smaller tank. Be aware that the 20 bar figure is a pump capability figure rather than brewing pressure at the puck.
CASABREWS 3700 Essential – another compact gauge-equipped option
The 3700 Essential offers a 20 bar Italian pump, a steam wand and a 43.9 oz removable tank on the listing. Its tank is close in size to the EC100’s, which makes it a better match for users who dislike frequent refills. Retailer information describes a 1350 W thermal block system and a 51 mm portafilter with single and double baskets. It is a strong alternative if you want a larger tank in a stainless body.
XIXUBX Espresso Machine – a compact milk-frother model
This listing describes a 20 bar pump, built-in pressure gauge, steam wand and milk frother for cappuccino and latte. Little independent information is available compared with the better-known brands, so rely on the listing for details such as tank size, wattage and included baskets, and read the return policy carefully. It may appeal to shoppers who want a similar feature set to the CASABREWS models. Confirm all specifications before choosing it.
Capresso 305.01 Steam Espresso Machine – a different kind of device
This is a steam-driven four-cup unit with a glass carafe, 800 W power and a boiler of about 10 oz, according to the manual summary. It has no pump, so it makes a strong, moka-like coffee rather than pressurized espresso. Pressure claims in some listings are marketing figures and should be treated with caution. It suits someone who wants a very simple, small device for occasional coffee and steamed milk.
Questions
Is the Capresso EC100 a good beginner machine?
Yes, mostly because of its pressurized sieves and simple controls. They make shots more forgiving and reduce the learning curve, although they also limit how much you can improve technique.
Can it use ESE pods?
Retailer summaries of the product description say the single sieve can take pre-packed espresso pods as well as ground coffee. Confirm that your pod type matches the format named in the manual.
Does the EC100 have a pressure gauge?
No. It uses two indicator lights, one for power and one for coffee or steam mode. If a gauge matters to you, look at models such as the CASABREWS CM5418.
How do I clean the EC100?
Capresso says the parts are not dishwasher safe, so wash them by hand. Rinse the portafilter and sieves after every use, empty the drip tray regularly and descale the machine on the schedule in the manual.
What is the difference between the EC100 and the Cafe Select?
The Cafe Select has a die-cast stainless body, a 42 oz tank and a boiler-based design, while the EC100 has an ABS housing with stainless accents and a 46 oz tank. The Cafe Select is heavier and feels sturdier; the EC100 is lighter and simpler.
Is 15 bar better than 9 bar?
Not by itself. A 15 bar figure describes the pump’s peak capability, while espresso extraction is usually targeted near 9 bar at the coffee bed. The pump figure matters less than grind, dose and basket design.
Update History
- October 21, 2026 – Initial publication; specifications checked against manufacturer documentation where available.
- Check the product page for current specifications and availability before buying.
Sources
- Capresso product pages and instruction manuals for the EC100, Cafe Select and 305.01.
- CASABREWS manufacturer product pages for the CM5418 and 3700 Essential.
- Retailer listing titles and specification fields for each product named above.
- Independent coffee-equipment write-ups for supporting detail on the Cafe Select and CM5418.
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