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Caffitaly Nautilus Coffee Machine Review

admin — Sat, 23 May 2009 13:12:55 +0000

The Caffitaly Nautilus is the newest member of the Caffitaly capsule system coffee machines. For those of you who are not familiar with the Caffitaly system, you are welcome to read about it and about other capsule systems in related posts. Bottom line, these machines make coffee using prepacked ground coffee capsules of the Caffitaly system (Like the Nespresso system, but with different capsules). The name Nautilus comes from its shape, which is designed after the unique marine creatures called Nautilus. These creatures are considered to be “living fossils” and have survived practically unchanged for millions of years.

Caffitaly Nautilus

The Nautilus coffee machine is perfect for making espressos and lungos, but it also has a milk steaming nozzle, so you can prepare more sophisticated beverages like cappuccinos and latte machiattos. I got my hands on a silver Nautilus unit and I have to say that I’ve really enjoyed it so far.

Caffitaly Nautilus Silver

The Nautilus looks very stylish when closed. You can see the large 1.2 Liter water tank which is very easily pulled out for refilling.

Caffitaly Nautilus Silver

In the photo above, you can see the empty capsules disposal container which fits up to 15 empty capsules, but you will probably want to pull it out and empty it a little sooner than that, just for keeping everything clean. Raising the silver lever, opens up the capsule base, where you place the full capsule just before making your beverage. When you are done with making your espresso, lifting the lever again automatically pops the capsule out right into the empty capsules container.

Caffitaly Nautilus Up Close

The Nautilus has 2 modes: Coffee preparation mode, and milk steaming mode.

Clicking on buttons “A” and “B” changes between modes. Because the boiler needs to be heated to a higher temperature for milk frothing, it is recommended to first brew the coffee, and then change to steaming mode. You may actually need up to 30 minutes for the boiler to cool down and go back to coffee preparation mode, so make sure you make all the coffee before working on the milk.

The knob marked as “C” controls the coffee brewing or milk frothing operation. It is a simple manual operation, so depending on the mode the machine is at, pull or push the knob to brew coffee or let out steam. When satisfied, just bring the knob back to the middle. There is no automatic dosing here.

The big lever marked with “D” opens up the capsule base (when lifting it). After placing a new capsule, you push it back down, and only then the machine is ready to brew the coffee.

The coffee flows out of the coffee pouring hose marked with “E”, and the steam for milk frothing shoots out of the nozzle marked with “F”. Take a look below at the steamer in action.

Caffitaly Nautilus Steamer

Here is a short video I took of the complete operation of making an espresso:

Another video – This time take a look at the making of a perfect cappuccino with the Nautilus:

To summarize, we are looking at a beautiful coffee machine for your home. It is perfect for making espressos and lungos. If your main beverage is cappuccino, then this machine is not the milk frothing device, but that is often the case with these machines. You can find great standalone automatic milk frothers out there, so don’t let that stop you from getting this beauty.

A technical summary of the Caffitaly Nautilus:

Uses the patented Caffitaly capsules system
17 Bar high pressure pump.
Thermoblock technology boiler
1.2 Liter water tank
15 empty capsules disposal container
Weight: ~ 5kg
Dimensions: W: 24cm H: 30cm D: 32cm

Caffitaly / Gaggia Service Contact

admin — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 17:54:22 +0000

If you have purchased a Gaggia machine, whether it is a Bean to Cup, Traditional or Caffitaly Capsule System machine, you may need the contact details for service.

Gaggia offers a phone number or a web form to fill out so they can contact you and collect the machine for repair.

The phone number is : 01422 330295

The form is located at this URL – Gaggia Service

Ecaffe

Caffitaly Capsules – Where to Buy

admin — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 21:15:09 +0000

Hey all !

You probably know what you need to know about the Caffitaly capsule system machines. And if you live in the UK, you also know that buying the capsules may be a bit more difficult than getting Nespresso capsules, for the Nespresso system, for example. Caffitaly opened its capsule system so that different manufacturers can prepare capsules with their coffee brand, so you can find coffee by Caffe Cagliari, Caffe Chicco Doro, Crem Caffe, Ecaffe and even more in different countries. So here are some good news for all you Caffitaly capsule machines owners. Caffe Cagliari just added 4 new blends to its capsule range, and you can find all of them online!

Caffitaly also has an online store where you can buy all these brands, but unfortunately it’s in Italian so I’m not sure how user friendly that would be to you. Furthermore I tried to order online and couldn’t seem to find the UK in the list… But maybe it was too late at night

Prices

0.287 GBP per capsule, sold in multiples of 100.

Capsule System Coffee Machines

admin — Fri, 26 Dec 2008 12:33:01 +0000

Capsule System

Coffee Capsules

Capsule systems for making coffee are a newer method than the traditional coffee handle machines, and are well fitted for home or small office uses. They offer a simpler, cleaner way for producing quality espresso and other coffee and tea beverages. Essentially, capsules which contain premeasured amount of sealed ground coffee are inserted in the compatible capsule system machines. The machines then pierce the top part of the capsule to allow the water to flow through. Following that, hot water is forced through the capsule with high pressure, extracting the beverage to the cup. Each capsule is used once and then disposed of.

Several capsule systems exist in the market, and each of them has a unique capsule technology which means the capsules have a unique shape and structure. For each capsule system, a limited variety of coffee machine, that are compatible with the system’s unique capsules, are available. For example, a Magimix Nespresso M100 coffee machine is made by Magimix for the Nespresso capsule system. This coffee maker may be a very good one, but it will not be able to handle a capsule from the Caffitaly capsule system.

So capsules are sold in many shapes and flavors. You can buy them in stores, or online. I wanted to put together this article, to make some things a little clearer for those of you who are thinking about buying a coffee machine for your home. Here is a summary of some of the most popular capsule systems available:

Caffitaly System

The Caffitaly System (or Caffita System) is a capsule system for making espresso and other coffee, and tea drinks in home espresso machines designed for the Caffitaly system. The system was developed by the Italian company Gaggia. The Caffitaly capsule has two small filters. The coffee is extracted as the high pressure water passes through the grounded coffee and the filters in the capsule. Caffitaly capsules are found in the world though different manufacturers, which brand the capsules in a different ways, but the capsules are always the same.

Among the Gaggia coffee machines which use the Caffitaly system you can find the K111d Gaggia Caffitaly, L’Amante Gaggia Caffitaly and the new Nautilus.

Read in more detail about the Caffitaly system here…

Nespresso System

Magimix M100

The Nespresso System‘s capsules are made of pressed aluminum foil. The top and sides are made of a thick layer, and the base is covered with a thinner layer. After the top is pierced and the machine activated, pressurized hot water runs into the top of the capsule, which in turn causes the bottom of the capsule (thinner layer) to bow out, and finally be pierced by the machine. This way the brewed coffee can flow into the cup.

Among the popular coffee makers which use the Nespresso system are the Magimix Nespresso M100, Krups Le Cube and many more.

Read in more detail about the Nespresso system here…

Tassimo System

The Tassimo System’s capsules have drinks that include milk, such as cappuccino. The capsules are called T-Discs and have a bar code printed on their label. The Tassimo machine read the bar code to calculate the amount of water, brewing time, and temperature for the specific beverage. The brewing process takes between 30-60 seconds. Discs containing milk use UHT milk, not powdered milk.

The newer coffee makers which use the Tassimo system include the Bosch Tassimo TAS4011GB Multi-Beverage Machine and other models by Bosch.

Pod Systems

There are more capsule systems, like the Keurig system with it’s K-Cup portion cups, and even more pod systems. Pods are tightly packed filter bags filled with coffee grounds (sometimes called pads). These pods fit in special machines for their system, or on special adaptors fitted in traditional coffee handles, so you can place the pods instead of actual coffee grounds. One of these pod systems is the Senseo system that makes pods for coffee makers made by Philips and Douwe Egberts. Models that utilize this system include among others the Philips Senseo HD7816/50.

Philips Senseo 7816/50

I hope this gives you some useful information about the capsule systems available. Follow the links to get more information about the different systems, and the relevant coffee makers.

Caffitaly System for Coffee Machines

admin — Thu, 25 Dec 2008 14:23:41 +0000

Caffitaly

The Caffitaly System (or Caffita System) is one of the capsule systems for brewing coffee beverages such as espresso, and other beverages as tea. In order to use capsules of the Caffitaly system one has to use the dedicated coffee machines designed for those capsules. The system was developed by the Italian company Gaggia.

Gaggia is also a coffee machine making company, so naturally Gaggia machines, such as the Gaggia Caffitaly K111D home coffee maker are compatible with the system. However, other machine makers such as Saceo with their Saceo Office machine are also compatible.

One of the important aspects of a capsule system is the technology behind its capsules. With Caffitaly the core of the technology is the use of two small filters inside the capsules. Water is forced with pressure through the first filter allowing an even contact with the tightly packed 8 grams (or 0.28 ounces) of coffee grains. When it passes through the second filter, the coffee is extracted and exits as a full-bodied, dense espresso, blanked with a consistent, compact cream.

I put together for you a list of most of the Caffitaly compatible coffee machines. I am personally reviewing the machines these days, so look for my reviews with my take on each machine and detailed specification:

L’Amante Gaggia Caffitaly

Let the allure of Gaggia L’Amante seduce you away from your usual Espresso. A distinctive aroma that will tantalize you every day, an attractive design composed of soft lines and fine details, an automatic capsule piercing and expulsion system that makes Espresso preparation a snap. Thanks to its pannarello, Gaggia L’Amante fulfills also your desire for cappuccino, tea or infusion.

L'Amante Gaggia

Baby Gaggia Caffitaly

Built with technologically innovative components, has an exclusive extraction system designed to use Caffitaly coffee capsules. It guarantees that you will always have a superb espresso. A high pressure pump extracts all the aromas from the coffee blend and gives the cream greater body.

Baby Gaggia

Evolution Gaggia Caffitaly

Created with particular attention to design, follows sharp clean lines using high quality materials and exclusive finishings. A design which is highly focused, particularly on the user: the front water tank that is withdrawn from the side, the large space to hold cups, the easy-to-use, exclusive controls all make Espresso Evolution a choice of style and tradition.

Gaggia Evolution

K111d Gaggia Caffitaly

Take a break and let the unique aroma of your coffee made by the Gaggia Caffitaly K111Dguide you. Thanks to its dosing system it’s possible to choose from Espresso, coffee crema and long coffee, but in any case always an authentic Italian coffee.

Gaggia K111d

K111 Gaggia Caffitaly

There has never been a simpler way to have a great Espresso. The new coffee machine K 111 is fitted with an innovative and practical capsule insertion system which ensures to prepare a cup of Espresso in a few seconds. Sober and elegant, K111 will ensure you a consistently high quality drinking experience everyday.

Gaggia K111

For the official Caffitaly representativec in Israel – Cotnact Espresso Club Israel.