Description
The Mr. Coffee 2132815 is a steam driven espresso maker rated at 20 ounces, supplied with a stainless steel frothing pitcher, a marked water pitcher and a measuring scoop. Mr. Coffee describes the steam brewing process as producing dark, rich espresso suited to Cuban coffee, which is an accurate framing of what a steam machine actually makes. It measures 9.84 inches deep, 10.63 inches wide and 12.4 inches tall at 6.4 pounds.
The single most important thing to understand about this machine is that it is not a pump espresso machine. Steam brewers heat water in a sealed vessel until vapour pressure forces it through the grounds, reaching perhaps 1 to 3 bar rather than the 9 bar an espresso extraction uses. The output is strong, hot and heavily extracted, closer to moka pot coffee than to a cafe shot, with a thin and short lived crema at best.
How the Steam Method Shapes the Cup
Because pressure comes from steam rather than a motor, water arrives hotter and moves more slowly through the puck than espresso extraction wants. That combination pulls more bitter compounds out of the coffee and produces a heavier, darker drink. For anyone who grew up on cafe cubano, Greek coffee or a strong stovetop brew, this is the flavour they are after and the machine delivers it cheaply.
For anyone expecting a syrupy 25 second shot with a thick crema layer, no technique will get there. The mechanism will not permit it. That is not a criticism of this particular machine, it is the definition of the format, and the same applies to the Mr. Coffee 4 shot steam maker and to the Krups XP1020. If the pressurised result is what matters, a pump machine is the only route.
Capacity and the Water Pitcher
The stated 20 ounce capacity is a total brew volume rather than a count of espresso servings. The water pitcher carries measurement markings, which on a steam machine is functional rather than decorative: the water you load is the water that gets brewed, so the charge determines both the yield and how the boiler behaves. Overfilling changes the pressure profile.
Twenty ounces is enough for a few small strong cups or a couple of milk drinks. Published owner feedback raises one significant constraint here: the water tank is not detachable, so it has to be filled in place from the supplied pitcher rather than carried to the tap. That is a design decision typical of the format and it is worth knowing before buying, particularly if the machine will live under a wall cabinet.
Steam Wand and Milk
An integrated steam wand handles milk, and a stainless steel frothing pitcher is supplied, which is a genuinely useful inclusion at this price. Owner feedback reports that the wand works acceptably with both dairy and plant based milk, which is not always true of low pressure steam systems.
The consistent limitation reported is that steam pressure varies between back to back uses. That follows directly from the mechanism: the boiler is shared between brewing and steaming, and once the pressure is spent it has to rebuild. The practical approach is to brew, then steam, then allow the machine to recover rather than trying to run two drinks in quick succession. Foam from a machine of this type tends to be stiff and bubbly rather than the fine microfoam a pump machine can produce, so it suits a cappuccino better than a flat white.
Build, Cleaning and Daily Handling
At 6.4 pounds with a rounded stainless and black body, this is a light appliance that stores easily. The filter is reusable and permanent, so there are no paper consumables. A measuring scoop is included for levelling the dose.
Owner feedback identifies the filter basket handle as the component that shows wear first, which is common where a plastic handle carries the load of locking and unlocking a hot metal basket. Treating it gently and not overtightening extends its life. Cleaning is otherwise straightforward: the wand should be purged and wiped after every milk use, and the boiler needs descaling in proportion to local water hardness, since scale in a sealed heating vessel is the main long term failure mode on machines of this type.
Running Costs and What It Replaces
The running cost of a machine like this is close to zero beyond coffee. There are no capsules, no paper filters and no proprietary consumables, only ground coffee and periodic descaling solution. Over a couple of years that difference against a capsule machine is substantial, and it is the strongest financial argument for the steam format.
What it realistically replaces is a moka pot or a cheap drip machine rather than a cafe habit. The drink it makes is strong and concentrated, so a household that mostly drinks long black coffee will find it produces a base to dilute rather than a finished cup. Anyone whose real requirement is a mug of coffee in the morning will be better served by a filter machine, which makes a larger, milder drink with far less handling. The steam format earns its place when the drink you actually want is short, dark and intense.
Errors in the Listing Data
Three fields on this listing are wrong. The voltage reads 2.3E+2 volts AC, which is scientific notation for 230 volts; this is a North American 120 volt appliance and the figure is a data conversion error rather than a product specification. The operation mode reads fully automatic, which is incorrect for a manually operated steam brewer with no programming. And the product title describes it as a single serve coffee maker, which misrepresents a 20 ounce steam espresso machine.
The included components field reads simply Steam Espresso, which tells a buyer nothing. Also missing are the wattage, the bar pressure, the brew temperature, the cycle time, the boiler capacity and the warranty term. The first availability date of February 2021 sits alongside a manufacture year of 2023, which is normal for rolling production but means neither date describes the unit you receive.
Who It Suits
This machine suits someone who wants strong, dark, concentrated coffee and milk foam at the lowest possible entry price, and who understands they are buying a steam brewer rather than an espresso machine. For Cuban style coffee, for a first machine, for a dorm room or an office, it does the job and takes up little space. The included frothing pitcher and scoop mean nothing else is needed. The Bella 35105-043A steam espresso maker covers the same ground in a similar body.
It is the wrong machine for anyone expecting crema and microfoam, for anyone making several drinks in quick succession given the pressure recovery, and for anyone who wants to refill a tank at the sink. Buyers who want a pump machine should look at the entry models in the espresso machine category. Buyers drawn to the strong concentrated style specifically should also compare a Bialetti Moka Express, which makes a very similar drink on a stovetop with nothing electrical to fail. The De’Longhi EC155 is the usual first pump machine for that move.
