Russell Hobbs Retro Espresso Machine, A Timeless Classic for Your Daily Dose of Espresso

Russell Hobbs Retro Espresso Machine, £74.99, www.johnlewis.comWhy can’t our sleek 21st-century appliances be more like this? Aged 12, I was sent off with luggage to spend the weekend with a family friend in London. In the weeks leading up to the invite, I’d been treated to shopping trips for a new summer suit. My parents had bought me suitcases, clothing and filler pairs of knickers, in case my host’s son had younger siblings. What we hadn’t prepared me for, though, was the weekend’s culture clash. What should have been an indoor adventure in the city instead turned into a wandering tour of our host’s neighbours’ homes.

Unveiling the Allure of the Russell Hobbs Retro Espresso Machine

But although the Russell Hobbs Retro Espresso Machine wears its makeup very well, under the hood we have something special. Its appearance, while beautiful, is only payload on a rocket vehicle: its 15-bar pump provides a pressure greater than what comes out of your machine at home – and a lot of punch for a purchase in this price range.

• **Style: Timeless Design with Perfect Would-be Retro Look** Simple yet effective. The chrome finish and sleek design gives this item a retro look that would be perfect in any kitchen. Stainless steel body and elegant curves give the already stylish look a touch of old-world charm. This is a piece that you can pull out for any occasion, be it traditional home entertaining or a modern dinner party. Want a little more character in your kitchen? Get the Russell Hobbs Retro Espresso Machine.
• **Easier brewing** – just press the button to make excellent espresso. I know as a novice coffee maker how difficult it is to make the perfect espresso and I always end up pressing it twice and guessing if the espresso is ready. If like me you are a novice coffee maker then this Russell Hobbs Retro 28251 is excellent as it has few controls and clear indications on how to use the appliance. You are not expected to be a coffee expert to make excellent espresso with this Russell Hobbs. Whether you have been a barista for years or you are just starting, Russell Hobbs Retro espresso machine is very simple and easy to use.
• **Flexible drink choices:** This machine allows you to make all type of espresso based drinks including espresso, cappuccino and latte. Play around with different milk texturing techniques to develop your very own latte art! Try moving the milk pitcher on the steam wand to create various designs to fit your personality. Try it out – whether it’s a simple espresso shot or a creamy cappuccino, the options are endless.
• **Durability in its Construction**: The Russell Hobbs Retro Espresso Machine is made of high-quality materials to guarantee durability, and it’s built from the ground up to last for a long time.The Russell Hobbs Retro Espresso Machine is an investment. A good espresso machine is an investment. But because this machine is durable and long-lasting, you can rest assured that you’re getting your money’s worth.
• **Cleaning is a breeze** : The Russell Hobbs Retro Espresso Machine makes cleaning a breeze. The removable parts can be cleaned in the dishwasher. You wont have to spend time cleaning it and you can enjoy more of your coffee. The Russell Hobbs Retro Espresso Machine is easy to clean, so you can spend more time enjoying your coffee.

Delving Deeper: The Russell Hobbs Retro 28251 Espresso Coffee Machine (Black)

With its sleek, black finish, the **Russell Hobbs Retro 28251 Espresso Coffee Machine Black** adds a touch of modern sophistication to any countertop! This model expertly combines classic styling with modern function to put the best of both worlds in the palm of your hand! It is perfect for the consumer that appreciates retro design with a modern edge. The black model can add a slightly edgier note to the more widespread vintage 50s look of the rest of our collection.

Weighing the Pros and Cons: An Objective Assessment

Like all products, the Russell Hobbs Retro Espresso Machine has its downsides to go with its ups. In the following, we will break down the pros and cons of the Russell Hobbs Retro Espresso Machine so that you make an informed decision.

Pros:

• Affordable Price Point: The Russell Hobbs Retro Espresso Machine provides extraordinary value for money to coffee lovers on a budget precisely. For an insanely affordable price you get to experience top notch quality espresso. As a matter of fact, when you take into account its fashionable look and tremendous power, the Russell Hobbs Retro Espresso Machine is quite worth the deal.
• **Usability: easy to use.** This machine has a very intuitive and easy-to-use interface. It feels like you have been using it all your life, as soon as you power it on. If you have never used an espresso machine and are looking for one to make your first cappuccino, this is the one for you. This factor is so important that you don’t even need an expert to be a barista for this machine. You are simply just a barista who enjoys the beverage and that is good enough for this machine.
• **Small and space-saving:** It has a petite design that is great for the smaller kitchens or flats with limited space. The machine sits nicely in any kitchen space with space not a problem. Russell Hobbs Retro Espresso Machine deserves to be in your small kitchen space.;
• **Stylish and Touchy-Feely:** For those more interested in the aesthetics, the Russell Hobbs Retro Espresso Machine is a chievre hors d’oeuvre of a kitchen appliance: a genuine statement piece with a classic design and a truly sleek finish. Your kitchen will never be boring with this elegant machine. Ok. It’s an appliance. It’s supposed to help you make coffee, which is a reasonable expectation to have from a coffee machine. But this thing is also a touchy-feely piece of furniture for your kitchen. And if it doesn’t even actually make good coffee, well, hey, you can look at it.
• **Superior Coffee Quality:** Even for the money, this makes really good espresso, largely because it has a good high-pressure pump, but also because the design is carefully engineered right down to the fine detail. This is not espresso for the wealthy, but the Russell Hobbs Retro Espresso Machine makes beautiful coffee that rivals the pricier machines.

Cons:

• The Russell Hobbs Retro Espresso Machine is not quite as feature rich as professional machines like the Rancilio Silvia. For instance, it doesn’t have programmable functions (preset buttons), no ‘auto milk’ option (to automatically froth milk), and no water reserve for quantity injection. As reviewed on Anoosh Taven’s Caffeine Evangelist blog and YouTube channel, these features are great to have if you’re serious about coffee. This Russell Hobbs is great for the person who only just wants every day coffee, but if you’re after more features, other machines are worth looking at.
• **The machine isn't as strong as top-end models:** it offers good but not super strong espresso; the machine doesn't offer the same wave of intensity you get from top-end models. CATERING FOR A CONNOISSEUR: a true espresso fan will want an espresso machine with real ‘crema’ to release the complex flavour profiles of coffee beans. But that isn't for every-day use, nor is it necessarily desirable: the Russell Hobbs machine offers a good ‘middle range’ of octane. THE BOTTOM LINE ON THE RETRO ESPRESSO MACHINE FOR ESPRESSO: While absolute novices can experiment with ‘crema’, for the moment, nostalgia is sweetest when you're just learning about what a quality cup of espresso can be.

Making the Right Choice: Is the Russell Hobbs Retro Espresso Machine Right for You?

Anyone looking for a stylish, easy to use espresso and cappuccino machine that won’t break the bank should consider the Russell Hobbs Retro Espresso Machine. This machine is particularly suitable for an individual or a small family that likes to have a cup of espresso or cappuccino perhaps once a week. Russell Hobbs Retro Espresso Machine is a great choice if you’re looking for an easy to use stylish espresso machine without breaking the bank.

But, if you’re a true coffee junkie in serious need of a machine with lots of bells and whistles that can perform at the highest level and give you more options for drinks, professional models might be a better bet. And, if you’re an espresso fiend who needs a specific set of features to create your ultimate cup of heaven and you have the cash to throw around, more expensive machines might be well worth your money.

Final Thoughts: A Timeless Classic for Your Daily Coffee Ritual

The **Russell Hobbs Retro Espresso Machine** or Russell Hobbs Retro 28251, and the Russell Hobbs Retro 28251 Espresso Coffee Machine Black is one of the most beautiful, yet affordable espresso machines around, and will transform your kitchen into a cafe in the heart of Milan. A practical, stylish and great value buy for coffee enthusiasts, this ‘Retro Espresso Machine’ fits beautifully into your kitchen.

Fusing the best of both worlds: coffee connoisseurs can benefit from classic aesthetics and modern functionality, yet not break the bank. Much like the country-kitchen coffee maker, you won’t find a real espresso machine here, but you’ll have no problem making stovetop coffee, a perfectly fine alternative. You’ll only walk away from this retro piece disappointed if you were hoping for the real thing.

However, if you want a very classic piece that delivers the appearance of an espresso while providing a perfectly adequate machine for the coffee ritual, there isn’t a better option, as long as you’re willing to pay the Russell Hobbs price. The Russell Hobbs Retro Espresso Machine is our recommendation for casual drinkers of coffee. For more information and some reviews, check out Amazon, or search online coffee sites. Explore coffee, home-brewing and your ideal cup!