Calphalon Espresso Machine Review in 2023

What can be more delightful for a coffee lover than a top-of-the-line coffee machine that is perfect for home use and isn’t breaking the bank simultaneously? Does this sound like you?

Well, the good news is, I’ve got an espresso machine that is specifically made for home use and produces a perfect espresso shot with just a push of a button. Yes, I’m talking about the Calphalon Temp IQ Espresso Maker.

I’ve been using this machine for 3 months and I’m literally amazed by its results and ease of use. That’s why I decided that my next review will be of Calphalon Espresso Machine Review.

So, let’s get to it and dig out why I’m so happy with this semi-automatic espresso machine.

Overview of Calphalon Espresso Machine

Calphalon comes with a 15-Bar Italian pump, which provides the ideal amount of pressure for maximum flavor extraction and produces a beautiful layer of crema. 

To ensure freshness, you can grind your beans to your preference using the integrated conical burr mill grinder, which offers 30 adjustable grind settings.

The machine comes with pre-programmed settings for single and double shots, as well as a dial interface for selecting steam or hot water. 

It also includes single- and double-shot single-wall filter baskets. Additionally, Temp IQ utilizes thermoblock heating technology and PID temperature control to deliver even heat for consistently great-tasting Espresso. 

The gentle pre-infusion process helps to bloom the espresso grounds for optimal extraction.

The 58-millimeter cafe-sized portafilter can hold more ground and ensures even water dispersion and extraction for a perfect flavor. 

Not only this, but the Calphalon also features a removable 2.8-liter water reservoir with a hinged lid for easy filling, as well as a cup warming tray to keep your cups espresso-ready.

Another big thing that impresses milk-based drink lovers is its Steam Wand. The steam wand froths milk for creating cappuccinos, lattes, and other drinks, just like in coffee shops. 

The machine comes with a stainless steel milk jug, tamper, cleaning disc, cleaning brush, and cleaning pin for easy maintenance.

Calphalon Espresso Machine Review

It’s time to break down Calphalon Espresso Machine Review into features that make this machine stand out among other espresso makers with the same price tang.

Design and Build

The design and build of the Calphalon Temp IQ Espresso Machine are both stylish and functional. The machine has a sleek, modern look with a brushed stainless steel finish that will look great in any kitchen.

 Its stainless steel exterior with chrome accents is both sleek and high-end. The black plastic on the top and sides doesn’t take away from the design; instead, it complements the stainless steel finish and gives it a modern look. 

The overall build quality is solid, with solid construction and high-quality materials used throughout. The machine is relatively large but not overly bulky and will fit comfortably on most kitchen countertops.

All features of Calphalon seem thought through. You will find the removable water reservoir at the back of the Temp IQ, which makes it easy to access.  

At the front of the machine, you’ll have your Steam wand for milk frothing and a spout in the middle where you can place two espresso cups. 

Calphalon is easy to use, with a dial button to choose your favorite drink or operate the machine.

Grinder of Calphalon Temp IQ Espresso Machine

Calphalon Espresso Machine Review will be incomplete without mentioning its amazing grinder. The Calphalon Temp IQ espresso machine comes with an integrated conical burr mill grinder that has 30 adjustable grind settings.

These settings allow you to choose the perfect grind size for your coffee beans. Moreover, you can grind your coffee beans fresh, giving you great-tasting espresso every use. 

The grinder is easy to access and use, grinding the beans quickly and consistently. You can adjust the grind size by turning the dial located on the front of the machine. 

This conical burr grinder is also easy to clean, which is an essential aspect of maintaining the quality of your coffee.

Portafilter of Calphalon

Let’s discuss the Portafilter of Temp IQ in our Calphalon Espresso Machine Review.

The Calphalon Temp IQ espresso machine is equipped with a 58mm Portafilter, the standard size for commercial espresso machines. 

What’s the use of commercial portafilter?

58mm size allows for even water distribution and extraction of the coffee grounds in the portafilter basket. 

While most home machines have a smaller brew head, the larger size of this machine ensures optimal extraction and a rich, robust flavor.

The portafilter of Calphalon is  58mm wide and about 2.5 inches deep, which makes it cafe-sized and perfect for achieving even water dispersion. The portafilter’s ability to hold coffee grounds also contributes to a more flavorful espresso.

Dual Wall Filter Baskets

And guess what? Calphalon is the true name of the household.

The Calphalon Temp IQ espresso machine has two pressurized filter baskets, one for single shots and the other for double shots. These separate baskets make it easy for beginners to get the desired results with no hassle.

So, pressurized baskets are a good choice for you if you’re a beginner home barista since they allow for more flexibility in the grind size. Even if the grounds are too fine or too coarse, the resulting espresso will still be enjoyable. 

So, you don’t need to much worry about the grind size as the filter basket will manage it for you and will give you a perfect espresso shot.

Thermoblock Heating System

The Calphalon Temp IQ espresso maker also has a thermoblock heating system, a common choice for home espresso machines. A thermoblock is a small, compact device that heats water on demand as it flows through the system. 

It means the water is always fresh and at the ideal temperature for brewing espresso.

The benefit of a thermoblock system is that it heats up quickly, so you don’t have to wait long before brewing your espresso. The downside is that it may not be as durable as other heating systems, such as a boiler.

However, the Calphalon Temp IQ machine has a solid build quality, and the thermoblock system works efficiently.

It heats the water quickly and maintains a consistent temperature throughout the brewing, crucial for producing high-quality espresso.

PID Controller and Pre-Infusion Techniques

Both of these features are found in High-end machines like Jure’s top espresso machines. These Techniques ensure the maximum taste and aroma in your espresso shot.

The Temp IQ works with a pre-infusion function that wets the coffee grounds before full extraction to ensure even saturation and flavor extraction. This feature helps produce a better-tasting espresso shot.

Furthermore, the Calphalon has a PID controller, which stands for Proportional-Integral-Derivative. 

It is an electronic mechanism that precisely regulates the water temperature, ensuring consistent and accurate brewing. 

With the PID controller, you can set the temperature to a degree, and it will maintain that temperature throughout the brewing process, resulting in a high-quality espresso shot.

PID controller regulates the temperature and prevents it from fluctuating during brewing, ensuring consistency extraction. 

Steam Wand of Tamp IQ

What makes Temp IQ so special? The Steam Wand. You may prefer any automatic milk frothing system, but the quality of frothing by steam wand can’t be ignored.

When I used the steam Wand of Calphalon, I was amazed by the creamy texture and thickness of the milk foam. It produces the perfect foam for Latte art.

The steam wand of the Calphalon Temp IQ espresso machine is located on the right side. It has a traditional design with a black plastic knob on the end that you can use to open and close the steam flow. 

The wand is made of stainless steel and has two small holes at the end for steaming and frothing milk.

To use the steam wand, you’ll need to turn the dial button on the control panel to the steam option, then wait for the machine to heat up. Once the machine is ready, place the steam wand into a pitcher of cold milk and turn the knob to start steaming.

The wand is easy to control and produces a consistent stream of steam that you can use to create microfoam for latte art or to simply heat and froth milk for cappuccinos and lattes.

Volumetric Shot Control

Another amazing feature of Temp IQ is volumetric shot control. It allows you to easily select between single or double shots by turning the dial button. 

The Calphalon’s auto-shot volumetric control measures and pours the precise amount of water according to your need for your chosen shot, then automatically stops.

Now, what makes the Calphalon super easy to use is its auto-shot volumetric controller. 

It eliminates the need for you to manually calculate the coffee-to-water ratio or adjust the shot time to get a great-tasting espresso. If you want, you can customize the preset volume to make your shots larger or smaller.

Coffee Quality of Calphalon Espresso Machine

The Calphalon espresso machine is equipped with a 15-bar high-pressure pump, a standard pressure level for most espresso machines on the market.

The pump’s purpose is to push hot water through the coffee grounds in the portafilter basket, to produce a rich and flavorful shot of espresso. This high-pressure pump ensures the best quality espresso shot.

Moreover, with the 58mm portafilter, dual-wall filter baskets, and pre-infusion features, the Calphalon is capable of producing a delicious shot of espresso with a rich crema.

PID controller that helps to maintain the optimal temperature for brewing, which is important for achieving consistent espresso shots.

Overall, the quality of espresso produced by the Calphalon Temp IQ espresso machine is quite good. You’ll be happy after testing Calphlon’s espresso shot.

Tips for Optimum Extraction

Maintenance of Calphalon

Like other espresso machines, keeping your Calphalon machine clean is essential for maintaining its quality and extending its lifespan. 

The good news is that the machine is straightforward to clean and maintain.

After each use, remove the portafilter and rinse it under running water. Use a clean towel to wipe down the machine’s exterior, and clean the steam wand with a damp cloth.

Empty the machine’s drip tray and clean it regularly, and the water reservoir should be refilled as needed. 

It’s also recommended to descale the machine every 2-3 months, depending on how often you use it. You can use a commercial descaling solution or a mixture of vinegar and water to remove any mineral buildup inside the machine.

Learn more about how to clean an automatic espresso machine.

The Calphalon Temp IQ espresso machine has a cleaning pin that fits behind the drip tray for easy storage. Use it to clean out the holes in the group head if they become clogged.

Overall, the Calphalon Temp IQ espresso machine is relatively easy to clean and maintain, and with proper care, it should provide you with great-tasting espresso for years to come.

How to Use Calphalon Temp IQ Espresso Machine

To use the machine, start by turning it on and waiting for approximately 40 seconds for it to preheat. You will know that it’s ready to pull a shot once the “Ready” light illuminates.

Select the filter basket that is suitable for a single or double shot and then insert it into the portafilter.

To prepare your coffee, measure out 13-15 grams of ground coffee for a single shot or 20 grams for a double shot.

Attach the portafilter to the group head by lining up the tabs on the portafilter with the notches on the group head and turning it to the right.

Once the portafilter is attached, move the dial to the one or two-shot position. This will activate the machine’s pre-infusion process, and coffee will start flowing from the spout. 

The machine will automatically stop once it has dispensed the pre-set volume of water for the selected shot size.

To prepare an Americano, move the dial to the hot water position, place your cup under the steam wand, and hot water will be poured over the espresso. If you’d like an espresso-based drink, froth the milk after pulling the shot.

However, I recommend going through the user manual in order to avoid any hassle if you’re using an espresso machine the first time.

Final Words

I’ll conclude the Calphalon Espresso Machine Review by saying that Temp IQ is an excellent choice if you want a high-quality, easy-to-use machine. 

Its features, such as the Thermoblock heating system, PID controller, and automatic shot volumetric control, ensure that you can make a perfect cup of espresso every time. 

The machine is also easy to clean and maintain, which makes it a great investment if you want to enjoy delicious espresso drinks at home.

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