Miele CM 5510 Review

The Miele CM 5510 Silence is a top-tier super automatic espresso machine offering quiet operation, exceptional milk frothing, and extensive drink customization options.

The Miele CM 5510 Silence is a standout in the crowded market of automatic espresso machines. Renowned for its understated elegance, this machine combines sleek design with advanced features to deliver an exceptional coffee experience. Let’s delve into the various aspects of the Miele CM 5510, from its design and user interface to its performance and comparison with other leading models.

Quiet Operation: Soundproofed grinder ensures a quiet brewing process.
Excellent Milk Frothing: Consistently produces high-quality milk foam.
Customizable: Adjustable coffee strength, temperature, and milk froth levels.
User-Friendly: Simple text display and sensor buttons for easy operation.
Easy Maintenance: Removable brew group, water reservoir, and frother parts.
Sleek Design: Minimalist design available in attractive color options.

No Touchscreen or App: Lacks modern interface features.
Limited Profiles: Only two user profiles available.
Expensive: Higher price point compared to similar models.
Pot Function: Not as effective as a dedicated drip coffee maker.
Maintenance: Regular cleaning and descaling needed.

Overview and First Impressions

The Miele CM 5510, retailing at $1,899, is a mid-range offering that justifies its price with a blend of style and functionality. Known for its minimalist design, the CM 5510 is available in Obsidian Black, Tayberry Red, AluSilver Metallic Finish, and Rose Gold Pearl Finish. The machine’s clean lines and boxy shape make it a visual enhancement to any kitchen.

On initial use, the CM 5510’s user interface might seem basic, with sensor buttons and a text display. However, this simplicity contributes to its ease of use. Unlike other modern machines, it lacks a touchscreen or app connectivity, focusing instead on delivering high-quality coffee.

Key Features of the Miele CM 5510

The Miele CM 5510 Silence is packed with features that set it apart from other automatic espresso machines in its class. Here, we’ll explore these key features in more detail to give you a comprehensive understanding of what makes this machine a standout choice for coffee enthusiasts.

1. Grinder and Noise Reduction

Stainless Steel Conical Burr Grinder: The Miele CM 5510 is equipped with a durable stainless steel conical burr grinder. This type of grinder is preferred for its ability to produce a consistent grind size, which is crucial for achieving the best flavor extraction from coffee beans. The grinder’s conical shape ensures that the beans are ground uniformly, which helps in maintaining the integrity of the coffee’s aroma and taste.

Soundproofing: Miele has made significant improvements in reducing the noise generated by the grinder. The soundproofing measures make the CM 5510 much quieter than its predecessors, living up to the “Silence” in its name. This is particularly beneficial for early risers who want to enjoy their coffee without disturbing the rest of the household.

Grind Adjustment: The grinder offers five official settings, allowing users to choose the coarseness of the grind according to their preference. Although there are only five settings, the adjustment dial feels almost infinitely adjustable, providing a high level of customization. The adjustment dial is located behind a service panel, which may seem unusual but helps maintain the machine’s sleek appearance.

2. Milk Frothing System

Automatic Milk Frother: The CM 5510 features an automatic milk frother that produces consistently excellent milk foam. This frother is designed to be user-friendly and easy to clean. The milk pipe attaches directly to the machine’s dispensing spout, allowing for seamless preparation of milk-based drinks without moving the cup.

Milk Types: While Miele recommends using cow’s milk for the best results, the frother can handle various non-dairy alternatives. However, it’s essential to strain plant-based milks to prevent clogging the milk pipe. This flexibility makes the CM 5510 suitable for users with dietary restrictions or preferences.

Specialty Drinks: The machine can create a range of milk-based drinks, including latte macchiato, cappuccino, and flat white. Users can adjust the amount of milk and foam to suit their taste, ensuring a personalized coffee experience every time.

3. Specialty Drinks and User Profiles

Drink Customization: The Miele CM 5510 allows for extensive customization of drinks. Users can adjust the temperature, strength, and volume of their coffee, as well as the amount of milk and foam. This level of customization ensures that each user can tailor their drinks to their exact preferences.

User Profiles: The machine offers two programmable user profiles, allowing different users to save their customized drink settings. This feature is particularly useful in households with multiple coffee drinkers, as it prevents the need to reprogram the machine for each use.

Brew Group and Pre-Infusion: The brew group is a critical component of any espresso machine, responsible for the coffee brewing process. The CM 5510’s brew group includes Miele’s Aromatic System, which features a dynamic brewing chamber that expands as water enters. This expansion allows the coffee grounds to mix thoroughly with water before brewing, resulting in a richer and more aromatic espresso. The pre-infusion function dampens the coffee grounds before brewing, ensuring even extraction and enhancing the coffee’s flavor profile.

4. User Interface and Ease of Use

Simple Interface: The CM 5510’s user interface consists of a small text display and a few sensor buttons. This minimalist approach makes the machine easy to operate, even for those who are not tech-savvy. Navigating the menus is straightforward, and the lack of a touchscreen means fewer components that can potentially malfunction.

Ground Coffee Bypass: For those times when you want to use pre-ground coffee, the CM 5510 includes a ground coffee bypass chute. This feature is convenient for making decaf coffee or for using specialty pre-ground blends. The bypass doser is located next to the bean hopper on top of the machine.

Adjustable Spout Height: The machine’s dispensing spout is adjustable, accommodating cups of various sizes. The spout can be lowered to 3.1 inches for espresso cups, preserving the crema, or raised to 5.3 inches to fit taller travel mugs.

5. Cleaning and Maintenance

Daily Cleaning: Maintaining the Miele CM 5510 is relatively simple. The automatic milk frother has a self-cleaning function, but it’s still necessary to clean the parts with warm water at the end of the day. The removable brew group, drip tray, and used grounds bin should also be cleaned regularly to ensure optimal performance.

Descaling and Deep Cleaning: Descaling the machine is crucial to prevent the buildup of mineral deposits, which can affect performance and longevity. The CM 5510 will alert you when it’s time to descale, guiding you through the process with step-by-step instructions. Miele recommends using their descaling tablets for this procedure. Additionally, the brew unit should be degreased periodically using Miele’s cleaning tablets to maintain its efficiency.

6. Pot Function and Safety Features

Pot Function: While super automatic machines are generally designed for single servings, the CM 5510 includes a pot function for making larger quantities of coffee. However, the machine does not come with an accessory pot, and purchasing Miele’s insulated coffee pot can be expensive. For those who frequently need to make larger batches, a separate drip coffee maker might be a more practical solution.

Child Safety Lock: The CM 5510 includes a child safety lock, which is a thoughtful addition for households with young children. Activating the safety lock prevents accidental operation of the machine, protecting both the machine and curious little hands from harm.

Warranty and Support

Warranty: Miele provides a two-year warranty on the CM 5510, reflecting the manufacturer’s confidence in the durability and quality of their products. In the unlikely event of a malfunction, Miele’s customer service is known for being responsive and efficient in handling repairs.

The Miele CM 5510 Silence is a top-tier super automatic espresso machine that excels in both form and function. Its quiet operation, exceptional milk frothing capabilities, and extensive customization options make it a standout choice for any coffee enthusiast. While it may lack some high-tech features like a touchscreen or app connectivity, its performance, reliability, and ease of use more than make up for it.

Using the Miele CM 5510

Setting up the CM 5510 is straightforward. After cleaning the removable parts and filling the water reservoir, users can start brewing by pressing the drink icon buttons. The machine’s user-friendly interface and programmable features make it easy to adjust settings like coffee strength, temperature, and milk froth.

To ensure the best results, Miele recommends using freshly roasted beans and adjusting the grinder to a rather fine setting. The machine’s cleaning process is also simple, with daily tasks including rinsing the milk frother and brew group, and monthly tasks like descaling and flushing the coffee circuit.

Comparison with Competitors

1. Miele CM 5510 vs. Miele CM 5310: While the CM 5310 is slightly cheaper, the CM 5510 offers additional features such as programmable user profiles and a hot water function, making it a better choice for those who value customization.

2. Miele CM 5510 vs. Jura E6: The Jura E6, priced at $1,699, features a color display and Jura’s Pulse Extraction Process (P.E.P.), but its milk frothing system is limited to cappuccino foam. The CM 5510, with its versatile milk frother and superior espresso quality, offers better overall value.

3. Miele CM 5510 vs. DeLonghi Dinamica Plus: At $1,349.99, the DeLonghi Dinamica Plus is a strong contender with its color touchscreen and integrated LatteCrema system. However, the Miele CM 5510’s quiet operation and refined espresso make it a compelling alternative.

Final Verdict

The Miele CM 5510 Silence is a remarkable machine that prioritizes quality over flashy features. Its sleek design, user-friendly interface, and excellent coffee and milk froth make it a worthy investment for any coffee lover. While it may not have the high-tech elements of some competitors, its performance and reliability set it apart.

In conclusion, if you’re looking for a mid-range espresso machine that delivers superb coffee with minimal noise, the Miele CM 5510 Silence is an excellent choice. Its combination of thoughtful design and robust functionality ensures a satisfying coffee experience every time.