An attractive, low maintenance hot beverage machine (Braun Tassimo Hot Beverage System TA 1400)

Member Name: HonestBob

Product:	Braun Tassimo Hot Beverage System TA 1400
Date:	13/09/08 (166 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Makes hot chocolate and tea as well as a variety of coffees

Disadvantages: Can seem noisy, discs expensive in comparison to instant drinks

I've had this machine for 3 years and it fulfils all my requirements in terms of variety of functions, ease of use and good looks.

It has to stay on display on my kitchen surface so must look good. Admittedly the pictures displayed on websites often make it look as if it is has a metal casing when in fact it is silver (or maybe red in the case of newer models) plastic, but as this is easily cleaned I'm happy.

This is a great little machine. It makes Hot chocolate and tea as well as the expected espresso coffee, using well known brands, Kenco, Suchard and Twinings. There are a variety of coffees available, including cappuccino and Cafe Crema and the website tassimo.co.uk has a range of recipes available for use with this machine, including some delicious recipes involving alcohol!

The machine is easy to use, simply involving filling the water tank, inserting the disc, closing the lid firmly, connecting to a power source and pressing a button once the water has heated to the necessary temperature.

Downsides include the noise (it can seem quite loud compared to a standard kettle, but not to any other coffee machine) and the fact that it only makes one cup at a time.

Discs retail at £1.99 for 8 on the website but sell for around £2.99 for 16 in most supermarkets. Various offers can make these cheaper. It may seem expensive compared to instant coffee but for near coffee-shop quality coffee at home and delicious, smooth hot chocolate (keep this info away from the kids!) it's well worth it.

The most recent model retails at £99 from John Lewis and is a great little asset to any kitchen but would also make a useful addition to the office.

I'm particularly pleased with how easy it is to clean this machine. It comes with a cleaning disc which I recommend using weekly, the parts come out and (most importantly!) fit back in again with ease. Just remember to take the used crema discs out after use as they smell a bit after a week or so!

Summary: A great little machine for at home if you love coffee=shop coffee

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