The V-Tech Espresso Uno is an extremely tough machine boasting a 55W pump, dual boilers (a thermo-block for steam and a brass heating unit for coffee and hot water), 3-way valve (anti-drip valve), touch button hot water, and an energy savings mode.
Coffee: By using a solid brass heating unit for coffee and hot water gives the Uno great thermal consistancy that is extremely close if not better than the Rancilio Silvia. furthermore there is a detachable espresso cup stand that minimizes the distance between the portafilter handle spouts and your espresso cups. This helps eliminate a lot of splashing and cleaning.
Hot Water: Hot water is easily extracted via a seperate button operated stainless steel hot water valve. It can be used for americanos, hot chocolates, and teas. Since the hot water has its own spout, little to no coffee odor is transfered into the dispensed hot water.
Steam: For steam the Uno had a seperate thermo-block boiler (larger than the V-Tech Milano Coffee Pod) that gives it instant steam and eliminates any time delay between brewing and steaming. This the key advantage the Uno has over the Rancilio Silvia since it can steam and brew simultaneously at a price that is much lower than many conventional heat exchanger systems.
Besides having a sturdy frame and an amazingly brilliant finish, the Uno is smart. It has an out of water light that illuminates if the water tank is depleted, furthermore the power is cut to the heating elements at this time to prevent damage due to the lack of water! The Uno is eco friendly since you have choiceof completly shutting off either the steam, coffee, or both saving you on your energy bill and doing your part in sustaining the environment.
For coffee addicts living in areas with scaled water, the Uno comes with a water softener that you simply wash under the tap then place at the bottom of the water tank.
In addition brewing up ground coffee, one can also use pods by placing them into your single basket then locking your handle into you grouphead as you normally would with your ground coffee.
A quick exert from the review written by Colin Newell at Coffeecrew.com
shots pulled with the VTech Uno dual boiler espresso machine were killer from the get go - surprisingly so at the time because I was unaware of the internals when I started making my observations. I was mistakenly under the impression that the VTech Uno dual boiler espresso machine was a dual thermal block machine (must ask next time!) None the less, it was immediately obvious that the double shots of espresso were as good as any that my Silvia produced. Doing a quick three-way comparison, the Silvia shots and V-Tech Uno ones were equal in intensity and overall quality. Shots pulled with an HX Giotto had a definitive edge. Shots from the Nuova Simonelli Oscar were "just noticeably better" - The Giotto II HX were significantly better - best of the group that is.
Canada: 1 Year Parts & Labour Warranty by Espressotec and a 2 year pump warranty. Telephone support by Espressotec qualified technicians.
USA: 1 Year Parts Warranty and a 2 year pump warranty. Telephone support by Espressotec qualified technicians.
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(604) 244-7989 Showroom Location
