A Coffee Machine That's Worth Every Penny

I'm a self-proclaimed coffee aficionado, and I used to spend a small fortune on lattes and cappuccinos every day. That was until I discovered the joy of brewing my own coffee at home. My husband and I decided to invest in a high-quality coffee machine, and I'm glad we did. After doing some research, we settled on the Nivona NIRC 525, a machine that's a standout for coffee lovers like me.

The Nivona NIRC 525 has a sleek and sturdy design that's sure to impress. It's made in Portugal, and you can tell the quality is top-notch. The machine itself is a bit pricey, but it's worth every penny. The price tag of 35,990 rubles may seem steep, but when you factor in the cost of buying coffee every day, it's actually a cost-effective option in the long run.

One of the things that drew me to the Nivona NIRC 525 was its impressive features list. With a 2.2-liter water tank, 1455-watt power, and 15-bar pump pressure, this machine can handle even the most demanding coffee connoisseurs. It's also incredibly easy to use, with a user-friendly interface and intuitive controls. The machine comes with a built-in grinder, which allows you to freshly grind your coffee beans every time you brew. This ensures that your coffee is always at its best, with a rich and full-bodied flavor that's amazing.

Another feature that I love about the Nivona NIRC 525 is its ability to froth milk to perfection. The steam wand is designed to create a silky-smooth microfoam that's perfect for cappuccinos and lattes. I've been experimenting with different milk frothing techniques, and I'm thrilled with the results. The machine also comes with a built-in thermometer, which allows you to adjust the temperature to your liking. This is a huge plus for coffee enthusiasts who want to get the perfect shot every time.

Now, let's talk about the unboxing experience. The machine comes in a large cardboard box with a red and black design, featuring an image of a coffee cup and the machine itself. The box also has special handles for easy transportation, which is a nice touch. Inside the box, you'll find the machine itself, a user manual, a warranty card, a measuring spoon with a tool for installing the filter, one Claris filter, two cleaning tablets, and one water hardness test strip. The Claris filter is only included with the 530 series of this coffee machine, so be sure to check the manual to see if it's included with your model.

Setting up the machine is a breeze, and the user manual provides clear instructions on how to get started. The machine comes with pre-set settings, but you can also fine-tune them to your liking. One thing to note is that water hardness is a crucial factor to consider when using this machine. The test strip provided in the package will help you determine the water hardness level, and you can adjust the machine accordingly. I used tap water and tested it with a strip, and I set it to level 2.

Preparing the coffee is a straightforward process, and the machine comes with a built-in grinder that allows you to freshly grind your coffee beans every time you brew. You can adjust the grind to your liking, and the machine will automatically adjust the brewing time accordingly. The machine also comes with a built-in thermometer, which allows you to adjust the temperature to your liking. This is a game-changer for coffee enthusiasts who want to get the perfect shot every time.

Now, let's talk about making a cappuccino or latte. The steam wand has a special tube for frothing milk, which you can either insert into a cup or the milk container itself. I find it easier to just insert it straight into the milk bottle. Next, place your coffee cup under the steam wand and press the steam button. You'll see five dashes appear on the display and the S12 symbol will light up, indicating that the machine is ready to dispense steam. Turn the steam control knob to the right and froth the milk to your desired consistency. From here, you can experiment and find your perfect balance of milk and coffee.

One thing that's worth mentioning is that cleaning the machine is a multi-step process. The package comes with 2 tablets, but you'll need to buy more after that. If your machine needs a deep clean with tablets, you'll see the S11 symbol on the display. The S7 symbol will pop up on the display, and you'll need to use a special liquid to get rid of it. I've seen some videos online that claim this liquid is just a marketing gimmick, and that you can make your own by mixing lemon juice with water. Apparently, you can dissolve 2 teaspoons of lemon juice in 500ml of boiling water and use that to clean your machine.

Regular cleaning in manual mode is also essential. Make sure to regularly empty the drip tray and used coffee grounds container, and wipe down the exterior and interior of the machine with a damp cloth. You should also clean the brew group and steam wand every now and then, as dried-on milk residue can be a real pain to get rid of.

Overall, I'm thoroughly impressed with the Nivona NIRC 525. It's a high-quality coffee machine that's perfect for coffee enthusiasts who want to get the perfect shot every time. The machine is easy to use, with a user-friendly interface and intuitive controls. The built-in grinder ensures that your coffee is always at its best, with a rich and full-bodied flavor that's amazing. The steam wand is designed to create a silky-smooth microfoam that's perfect for cappuccinos and lattes. I highly recommend this machine to anyone who's serious about their coffee.

What's in the box:

Coffee machineUser manualWarranty cardMeasuring spoon with a tool for installing the filterOne Claris filterTwo cleaning tabletsOne water hardness test strip

Controls:

I made a detailed collage to help you understand where everything is. This info is in the manual, but it's not super convenient - it's spread across multiple pages. A collage makes it way more clear.

The main controls are pretty straightforward: Setup:After unpacking and setting up the coffee machine, you need to get it ready to go.

➡️ Filling the water reservoir and the bean container.

You open the left side panel and pull out the water reservoir. Fill it up with filtered water to the max line.

To grind the coffee beans, you need to open the lid on the right side and pour them in. Make sure to use only plain coffee beans, no added flavorings, or it might damage the grinder. My husband recommended trying the LEBO CLASSIC Arabica coffee, and I'm glad I did - it's a rich and flavorful coffee. However, it's not cheap, with a 1kg pack costing around 2000 rubles, so I started with a 250g pack.

➡️ Turning on the machine and filling the system.Plug in the coffee machine, then press the power button, located on the left side of the machine.

After a few minutes, the S12 symbol will appear on the display. Next, place a large container under the steam wand and hot water/autocapuccinatore Spumatore (L) to start the process.

and turn the valve handle all the way to the right. At this point, the system will be filled with water and a cleaning cycle will be initiated through the spout (autocapuccinatore). This process will complete automatically. Next, you'll need to turn the valve handle all the way to the left. Once you do, the S symbol will light up, and you can press the button (E) to start using the machine.

Setting up the coffee machine:

Although the coffee machine comes with pre-set settings, it's still a good idea to fine-tune them to your liking.

‼️ I want to stress that water hardness is a crucial factor to consider. It's no coincidence that a test strip for determining water hardness is included in the package. Many people overlook this aspect, but it's often the root cause of coffee machine malfunctions due to improper water hardness settings and neglecting to descale the machine regularly.

Let's take a closer look at how to determine water hardness and set the correct level in the machine.

Fill a glass with the water you plan to use, then submerge the test strip and remove it. Give the strip a gentle shake, and you'll see the dots start to turn red.

1 red dot / 1-7 = level 1.2 red dots / 8-14 = level 2.3 red dots / 15-21 = level 3.4 red dots / >21 = level 4.If none of the dots turn red, you'll need to set the machine to level 1. Check out the image below for more info.

I used tap water and tested it with a strip. One dot turned completely red, and the second one started to turn red too, so I set it to level 2.Along with adjusting the firmness, you can also tweak other settings like the auto-shutoff time, coffee temperature, automatic cleaning after shutdown, and even adjust the grinder (choose your grind).

Preparing the coffee:Now we're onto the main event - brewing the coffee. Depending on your taste, you can set the machine to three levels of coffee strength:

I'd say this coffee maker is perfect for a weak brew - just one coffee bean on the display is all you need for a coffee with milk or a cappuccino.For a medium-strength brew, you'll want to use two coffee beans on the display - that's ideal for a coffee with cream.And if you're a fan of strong espresso or a bold cup of coffee, you'll need to use three coffee beans on the display.You can also adjust the water level to your liking, using the regulator marked 'V' on the image.

As you can see, the left side of the regulator is for the minimum water level, while the right side is for the maximum. For more detailed instructions, be sure to check the manual.

I was excited to dive into the world of specialty coffee drinks, and this machine delivers. You can also use it to make tea by simply turning the water valve to the right and filling the reservoir. Once you've got the right amount, just turn it back to the left.‼️ Now, let's talk about making a cappuccino or latte – the real reason I bought this machine. The steam wand has a special tube for frothing milk, which you can either insert into a cup or the milk container itself. I find it easier to just insert it straight into the milk bottle. Next, place your coffee cup under the steam wand and press the steam button (E). You'll see five dashes appear on the display and the S12 symbol will light up, indicating that the machine is ready to dispense steam. Turn the steam control knob (C) to the right and froth the milk to your desired consistency.

From here, you can experiment and find your perfect balance of milk and coffee.Once you've got the right amount of froth, place your cup under the coffee dispenser and start the brewing process.

I chose a weak brew strength to avoid a bitter capuccino, just like the instructions suggested.

➡️ Here's how to make a capuccino:

🌱 Cleaning the coffee machine:I want to stress that cleaning the coffee machine is a multi-step process.

I've had some experience with the cleaning process on this coffee machine, and I wanted to share some of my findings.

Cleaning with tablets. The package comes with 2 tablets, but you'll need to buy more after that. If your machine needs a deep clean with tablets, you'll see the S11 symbol on the display.Removing scale buildup. The S7 symbol will pop up on the display, and you'll need to use a special liquid to get rid of it. I've seen some videos online that claim this liquid is just a marketing gimmick, and that you can make your own by mixing lemon juice with water. Apparently, you can dissolve 2 teaspoons of lemon juice in 500ml of boiling water and use that to clean your machine.Regular cleaning in manual mode. Make sure to regularly empty the drip tray and used coffee grounds container, and wipe down the exterior and interior of the machine with a damp cloth. You should also clean the brew group and steam wand every now and then, as dried-on milk residue can be a real pain to get rid of.Cleaning the brew group.‼️ You can find instructions for these cleaning tasks in the user manual.

It's also a good idea to check out the user manual for system messages that appear on the display, along with their causes and recommended actions.

One thing that's worth mentioning is that there are a few issues you can try to troubleshoot yourself, but if not, you'll need to send the coffee machine in for diagnosis and repair.

I also want to note that the warranty on this coffee machine is a year.

My take:

Honestly, I'm really impressed that I now have this awesome coffee machine at home. Sometimes you're just sitting around, craving a good cup of coffee, but all you have is instant. Now, that's a thing of the past for me. Every day, I whip up a few cups of delicious cappuccino and enjoy it. The coffee really is divine, especially the rich and long-lasting foam.

I've got to say, despite being a more budget-friendly option, this coffee machine brews coffee just as well as the high-end ones you'd find in coffee shops. The only difference might be in performance. If you're a coffee aficionado like me, I'd highly recommend this coffee machine.