Main operating characteristics of the Vitek model coffee maker

If you love coffee, then you definitely need to have a coffee maker at home. Gone are the days when getting a high-quality invigorating drink was something incredible, and people only drank good coffee in restaurants. Now everyone can create their own mini-coffee shop in their home using just one multifunctional device. Naturally, we are talking about a coffee machine. This device is indispensable for those who cannot imagine their life without coffee, but do not want to drink instant coffee. Of course, you can always pay attention to various Turks and French presses, but a coffee maker is a completely new level, and we are talking not only about the speed and convenience of preparation, but also about the quality of the final result. Nowadays there are a large number of offers on the appliance market, but in this article you can learn about one specific device that really deserves to take pride of place in your kitchen. This is a Vitek VT 1511 coffee maker. If you want to make a very important purchase, then first of all you should pay attention to this option. Why? From this article you will learn why the Vitek VT 1511 model is so good.

What kind of coffee maker is this?

The Vitek VT 1511 is an incredibly efficient coffee maker that produces espresso coffee at 15 bar pressure. It is due to this high pressure that the unforgettable taste and incredibly high quality of the final drink are achieved. To prepare, you need to use ground coffee of any brand. The coffee maker itself has a very ergonomic and stylish design, so it will fit successfully in any kitchen and will look more than harmonious. As for its features, it has absolutely everything that is necessary for a high-quality device of this type. There is both a power indicator and a water level indicator. You can also froth it here to make cappuccinos and lattes. Of particular note is the special cup warming function, which can be used if you were unable to drink a hot drink right away and it got cold. And given the presence of high-quality lighting for making coffee in the dark and a special removable tray for collecting drips, you can be sure that you are purchasing a product of the highest quality that will serve you for many years and will allow you to enjoy the taste of the best coffee in the world all this time .

Now you know the general information about the Vitek VT 1511 coffee maker, so it’s time to move on to a more detailed analysis of this model. Most people are interested not only in what the device is, but also in how exactly it should be used, and this is what will be discussed below.

How to make cappuccino in a Vitek coffee maker

In a coffee maker you can brew not only aromatic espresso, but also delicious cappuccino.

Instructions for preparing it for the Vitek VT-1511 model are provided below:

1. Before using for the first time and after each use, rinse all detachable parts with running water and dry.
2. In a horn-type device, fill the container with water up to the MAX mark and insert it into the groove on the body.
3. Fill a glass flask for a drip coffee maker halfway with water and pour into a container.
4. Make sure that the supply of boiling water and steam is turned off.
5. Pour freshly ground coffee powder onto the filter mesh at the rate of 1 full measuring spoon to prepare one serving of the drink, slightly compacting the powder.
6. Insert the coffee filter into the coffee machine.
7. The horn model involves turning the horn handle to the right until it stops.
8. Place pre-warmed cups and start the brewing process with the ON/OFF button. When the indicator light comes on, it means that the appliance is ready for cooking.
9. Turn on the water using the button and monitor the filling of the cups or flasks with ready-made coffee.
10. At the end of cooking, press the water dosing button and turn off the machine with the ON/OFF button. The indicator light should go out.
11. Rinse the filter to remove coffee residues.

Security measures

Naturally, before using the Vitek VT 1511 coffee maker, as with any other electrical appliance, you first need to read the instructions and figure out exactly how to use it. And, of course, you need to start with basic safety measures to avoid injury while using the device, as well as to maximize its service life.

So, first of all, you need to make sure that the operating voltage of your outlet matches that of this device (namely 220-230V). Considering the fact that this coffee maker has a fairly high power, it is not recommended to turn on many other electrical appliances at the same time, so that this does not lead to network overload.

When you leave the appliance, always unplug it and do not leave it on unattended. Always ensure that the cord does not touch wet or hot surfaces to avoid possible damage. Please also note that the coffee maker should never be washed in the dishwasher, but should be cleaned by hand. Instructions regarding cleaning will be given a little later.

About the brand

Vitek was previously clearly perceived as a European company, but today more consumers know that this is not the case. This is a completely Russian brand, created in 1999. To promote it to the market, they chose cooperation with the Austrian marketing company, and the name of the new brand – Vitek Austria – was written on the boxes. The country of production was China. After some time, when the technology became popular, and “Austria” together with “China” began to raise questions, the name was shortened to “Vitek”.

The brand offers Vitek drip and carob coffee makers, but all of them are made in China, and factories that work in OEM format are selected for this. This means that they copy existing European brands, offering several design options, colors, button placement, and element layout.

Vitek has its own “daughter brand” - Maxwell (the same thing, but even simpler and cheaper), as well as technical clones - Clatronic, Polaris, Scarlett, Endever, Redmond, Bresko and many others.

The company has a huge number of service centers throughout Russia and even in neighboring countries - just select your city and you will see all the options. The site is in Russian, everything is very convenient.

How to use the coffee maker?

When it comes to using the coffee machine itself, you should first of all make sure that it is on a level and stable surface, and also check that the water container is not damaged. The water itself for making coffee should be cold or at room temperature; do not use hot water or boiling water to make coffee. Also, you should not turn on the device if there is no water in the container at all, as this may harm it. Likewise, it will harm your coffee maker if there is too much water in it. Always pour water according to the directions on the coffee maker itself. During use, do not touch the appliance and try to avoid the clouds of steam that appear from it, as they can cause severe burns.

It has already been said above that this coffee maker is intended for using only ground coffee, but this point can be repeated again. Other types of coffee, in particular bean coffee, are not suitable for making a drink from it. You need either another type of coffee maker or a coffee grinder to turn coffee beans into ground coffee.

Of course, you should never attempt to repair the device yourself. You can check its integrity, as well as the integrity of the cord and plug. But if there is something wrong with the coffee maker, you better take it to a workshop so that specialists can inspect it and fix it.

As you can see, if you want to use the Vitek VT 1511 coffee maker for a long time and always get a high-quality and tasty drink, you will have to follow a large number of different rules. However, you need to understand that this is simply necessary, otherwise you may suffer not the most pleasant consequences. Moreover, the instructions indicated are not exhaustive. If you continue reading the article, you will learn what you need to do before using the coffee maker for the first time, how to prepare a particular drink in it, how to clean it, and so on.

Thermostats remain the same: at 90°C and 130°C

And if there are no questions about the steam thermostat, then about the “coffee” thermostat... This is the main weak link, the Vitek 1502 coffee maker is not able to produce the water necessary for proper extraction, simply because the heating is turned off earlier than necessary according to the original recipe. I described this in detail in “Megatest - a comparison of cheap and more expensive carob coffee makers.”

A new one has been added to the old disadvantages - loose fit of the horn to the “shower” of the boiler

The boiler shower is a mesh from which hot water is supplied to the coffee horn. According to reviews, the horn is inserted loosely on many copies, which is why when serving coffee, it begins to ooze “over the edge” of the horn. This can be achieved on any model if you do not clean off the remaining ground coffee from the edge of the filter when adding it, but the Vitek 1502 coffee maker has a weak structural fit.

First use

A review of the Vitek VT 1511 would not be complete if it did not tell us what to do before using this device for the first time. Some of the points you will need to repeat constantly, and some only apply the first time. Either way, this is incredibly important information that should not be ignored.

So, when you just purchased this device, you will need to use it without coffee for the first time. Yes, unfortunately, you will not be able to immediately enjoy the taste of the invigorating drink. But this is necessary to clean the entire structure, and in particular the boiler in which the water is heated.

First of all, you need to take the water container and fill it to the maximum level, and then put it in place. Next, take the coffee filter, place it in the filter holder, and then place the holder itself inside the coffee maker, securing it firmly with the appropriate handle. That's all, your coffee maker is ready to use, all you have to do is place the cup on the tray. After this, turn on the device and press the button to supply water to the boiler. When water starts to flow into the cup, turn off the heating and wait, then turn on the heating again and now wait until the mug is completely filled. Pour out its contents, return it to its place and repeat until the water in the boiler runs out. Now you can safely use the Vitek VT 1511 coffee maker. The instructions, of course, do not end there - you still have to learn how to prepare espresso and cappuccino.

Making espresso

If you think that the Vitek VT 1511 Black coffee maker is some kind of miracle of technology, and you will have to study each coffee preparation point for hours, then you are mistaken. The beauty of this device is that it is incredibly simple and easy to use. To make regular espresso coffee, you need to repeat almost everything you did when you first turned on and cleaned the boiler. Only this time you need to pour ground coffee into the filter, and also do not drain all the water. The fact is that now it will no longer be water, but the drink itself, so just make sure that the machine makes the right amount of coffee for you, then turn it off and enjoy. As you can see, you will only have to use the instructions for Vitek VT 1511 a couple of times, because soon you will be able to easily prepare all the drinks yourself.

Models, principles of their operation

Coffee makers require human participation in the process of preparing the drink (unlike coffee machines).

Vitek offers:

• Drip coffee makers. In this type of coffee maker, water at 90-98 degrees passes through a layer of coffee powder and is fed dropwise into the cup. The result is a drink that is ready to drink and has undergone filtration. Preparation takes no more than 5 minutes. Drip coffee makers include models “VT-1503”, 1506, 1509, 1510, 1512.
• Carob coffee makers (they are also called pump coffee makers). They use ground coffee. The peculiarity of carob coffee makers is that it is not water that goes into the ground coffee. Steam is passed through it under high pressure. It is enriched with the smell and taste of ground beans, condenses in a special chamber and is converted into the desired drink. With the help of such coffee makers, cappuccino is brewed, since this model includes built-in equipment for producing foam. Carob models include VT-1502, 1504, 1511, 1513, 1514, 1515, 1516, 1517, 1519, 1525.
• Capsule coffee makers. These coffee makers brew espresso, cappuccino, and capsule-based lattes. Using capsules eliminates the problem of grinding coffee, choosing a dosage, and possible spillage of powder. The capsules contain ground coffee, packaged in 7-9 grams. To prepare coffee, you need to place the coffee capsule in a special unit and press the start button. After this, the mechanism pierces the capsule and water flows from the boiler. It flows through the capsule and the finished drink is poured into the cup. “VT-1510” belongs to this type

For those who want to get the drink instantly, it is better to purchase a capsule model. For those who like to experiment and independently participate in the cooking process, carob or drip options are more suitable. Drip models are the most in demand these days.

All models are distinguished by a special unique design and compactness. They are very simple and reliable in operation, equipped with clear indicators.

Making cappuccino

When it comes to cappuccino, things are a little more complicated. You should start by preparing regular espresso. Just don't wait until the whole cup is poured, as you'll want to leave some room for the frothed milk or cream. However, you need to use a special cappuccino tube, which must be lowered into a container with milk or cream, and then turn on the steam supply. As a result, you can froth the milk into a fine, creamy froth, which you can then add to your coffee.

Secrets of delicious coffee

Many reviews of the Vitek VT 1511 BK report that the drinks prepared in this coffee maker are incredibly tasty. But not everyone turns out that way. As a result, unjustified negative reviews about the Vitek VT 1511 coffee maker appear. That is why in this article you will find some secrets that will allow you to make the perfect drink, and its taste will delight you every day.

First, you need to buy only high-quality coffee, preferably freshly ground. Also make sure that it is marked to indicate that it is intended for espresso coffee makers. Naturally, any ground coffee will suit you, but these are the varieties that will give you the best drink.

Secondly, you should compact the coffee that you have already poured into the filter a little so that it fits as tightly as possible. Well, the last secret is to choose the right grind for your taste. Some people like strong coffee, others like a milder taste. So a lot depends on what kind of coffee you buy, and not on the device itself.

Review of the budget drip coffee maker Vitek VT-1521 BK

The Vitek VT-1521 BK drip coffee maker is a typical representative of coffee makers from the lower price segment. Cheap plastic, somewhat clumsy design - can this serve as an excuse for a rather low price (just over 1.5 thousand rubles at the time of preparing this review)? Let's figure it out.

Characteristics

Equipment

The coffee maker comes in a cardboard box decorated in white and blue colors. After examining the box, you can see photographs of the coffee maker, as well as learn about its main technical characteristics and key features (presence of an anti-drip system, heating, etc.).

The contents of the box are protected from shock using cardboard inserts and plastic packaging. The box does not have a carrying handle.

Having opened the box, inside we found:

• the coffee maker itself;
• glass jug;
• plastic filter;
• plastic measuring spoon;
• instructions;
• warranty card.

At first sight

Visually, the coffee maker gives the impression of a cheap device, which, in fact, it is. Let's take a closer look at it.

The body of the coffee maker is made of black glossy plastic. It looks frankly inexpensive and initially emits a distinct technical smell.

Below you can see rubberized feet, a ventilation hole, warning notices and a sticker with the technical characteristics of the device.

The only control element on the front of the coffee maker is a backlit mechanical switch button. Above the button there is a heated “base” on which a glass jug is installed.

The water reservoir is located on the back side. A translucent window through which you can control the water level is located on the right. This means that our coffee maker is “one-sided”, and this must be taken into account when choosing a place to install it. The window is marked with graduations: 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 cups.

The tank closes with a regular plastic lid without any additional mechanisms.

The coffee brewing compartment is opened by turning it 90 degrees to the left. Inside the compartment there is a nylon filter with a handle.

Below you can see the anti-drip system - a spring-loaded “spout”. This module can be easily removed and installed back, so it can be washed from coffee residues under running water.

The coffee filter looks completely ordinary.

The jug is made of glass. It has a plastic handle and a plastic lid that opens by pressing a protrusion button. Coffee enters the jug through the central hole.

The measuring spoon also looks completely ordinary. It holds about 4.5 g of ground coffee.

Instructions

The instructions present a sheet of white matte paper folded several times. The Russian language accounts for two columns in it.

The contents of the instructions are standard: recommendations on safety measures, rules for making coffee, cleaning and care, etc.

Control

The coffee maker is controlled using a single mechanical button, which starts the coffee preparation process and turns on the heating of the jug. When in the on position, the button is highlighted in red.

The coffee preparation process continues until the water in the tank runs out. But the heating does not turn off automatically. You will have to monitor this yourself.

Moreover, in the instructions you can find a warning that when there is no longer a need to heat the jug, the coffee maker must be turned off. If an empty jug is left in the heating mode, the glass may crack.

Exploitation

Before first use, the manufacturer recommends rinsing the device by running a full brewing cycle without using coffee - that is, simply spilling hot water on the coffee maker in automatic mode.

Our experience with the device was average: it was quite easy to fill the coffee maker with water and add coffee. We did not encounter any difficulties with the daily care of the coffee maker. However, several points upset us.

First of all, as we said above, the need to remember that the heating must be turned off manually. The coffee maker does not give any signs, so it is quite easy to forget that there is coffee left in the jug, which will be heated until it is remembered (or until it evaporates).

The second unpleasant moment is the not very convenient process of installing the jug, which clings to the coffee spout. After some training, we managed to find the appropriate angle of inclination, at which the jug falls into place immediately. However, for an unprepared user, it every now and then tries to get caught on the spout and, what good, break it. This design solution looks neither convenient nor reliable.

Finally, if you put too much coffee into the filter, it can “splash” over the edge of the filter and get into the anti-drip system, thereby blocking it.

Care

Caring for your coffee maker involves cleaning the external surfaces with a soft damp cloth and then a dry cloth. Mild cleaning agents can be used to remove dirt, but metal brushes and abrasives cannot be used. All removable parts can be washed in water and a neutral detergent.

To remove scale, you can use any approved means. After using them, you need to rinse the coffee maker several times by running it without coffee.

Our measurements

We measured the main parameters that characterize the process of operating the coffee maker.

First of all, we were interested in such characteristics as electricity consumption and temperature at various stages of coffee preparation.

Measurements showed that in the coffee preparation mode the coffee maker consumes up to 540 W, which is not much different from the declared power of 600 W.

The device spends 0.02 kWh to prepare 2 servings of coffee. Water is consumed in 2 minutes and 30 seconds. You need to give the coffee maker about 30 more seconds for the rest of the finished coffee to flow into the coffee pot. The total preparation time for the drink is therefore approximately 3 minutes.

If you leave the coffee in the heating mode for half an hour, the temperature of the finished drink will be 68 °C.

With the maximum volume of water (6 servings of coffee), the coffee maker spends 0.06 kWh on preparation, and the total time is more than 9 minutes.

If we leave the coffee pot in warm mode, after 30 minutes the total electricity consumption will be 0.075 kWh. Upon completion of heating, the temperature of the drink was 67 °C.

The temperature of the drink immediately after preparation is 72 °C. The temperature of the water at the time of feeding into the funnel with ground coffee does not exceed 83 °C, and even the coffee maker does not reach this level immediately, warming up gradually as hot water passes through the entire system.

It should be noted that our measurements, of course, have a certain error: for example, to measure the temperature of the water supply, we used an external thermometer, onto which water flowed. However, you can get a general idea of ​​what and how happens in this coffee maker.

Practice tests

All the numerical values ​​we obtained during testing are given above, and in this section we will compare them with the recommended standards and share our subjective impressions of the quality of the finished coffee.

In order to be able to judge objectively, we, as usual, will turn to the recommendations of the Specialty Coffee Association of America (SCAA). Let us remind you that the ideal coffee in a drip coffee maker, according to these recommendations, will be obtained if you take 90-120 g of coffee per 1.9 liters of water. This proportion is easier to remember if you calculate that the weight of water should be about 15 times the weight of coffee. It is easy to calculate that our coffee maker will require 40 g of coffee for 600 ml of water. The temperature of the water at the moment of contact with the coffee should be 93 °C. The preparation time for the drink should be from 4 to 8 minutes.

Let's see how this compares with the results we got during testing. The water temperature on our thermometer did not rise above 83 °C, and it did not even reach this mark immediately: at the beginning of preparation, the water turned out to be colder due to the fact that the heat was wasted on heating the surrounding elements of the coffee maker. The preparation time for a full 0.6 liter jug ​​of coffee was 9 minutes, which is significantly higher than the recommended values.

The tasting fully confirmed our measurements: when preparing a small amount of coffee (2 cups), the result was frankly unsatisfactory: the drink was watery, without a distinct taste. Insufficient water supply temperature had an effect.

When preparing a full jug, the situation partially improved: the average water temperature was higher, and the additional pouring time provided additional extraction. The finished coffee now has at least some taste. However, it is impossible to talk about any adequate temperature conditions in this case either. This is easy to guess by simply paying attention to the temperature of the finished drink, which is only 72 °C. The resulting coffee drink is suitable for satisfying caffeine cravings, but the taste sensations are out of the question.

conclusions

Unfortunately, we cannot find positive words to describe the Vitek VT-1521 coffee maker. Even an extremely low price is not able to act as an argument that outweighs the identified shortcomings. The main one is insufficient water temperature, and as a result, insufficient extraction. It turned out to be simply impossible to prepare a cup or two of coffee using this coffee maker, but brewing a whole 600 ml jug and still getting more than mediocre results is not an acquired taste.

After this, talking about such nuances as the not very convenient design of the anti-drip system and the lack of automatic heating shutdown is no longer very interesting.

We can advise readers not to chase too low a price and pay attention to drip coffee makers costing from 4-5 thousand rubles. Among them there are quite adequate models that do not greatly violate the standards of coffee preparation.

pros

• low price

Minuses

• low water temperature
• inconvenient jug installation design
• no automatic heating shutdown

Cleaning the coffee maker

Cleaning is a very important step in using this coffee maker, because if you do not clean it, its service life will be much shorter than you would like. As already mentioned, the coffee maker itself cannot be washed in the dishwasher, but you can easily place the filter there. It is better to wash other removable parts by hand under warm water, and wipe the body of the coffee machine with a soft cloth and never get it too wet. It is also worth noting that the removable drip tray also makes cleaning the coffee maker much easier.

Are Vitek coffee makers worth buying?

Judging by our reviews, online customer reviews and expert opinions, Vitek coffee makers are not always a good purchase, but they are often good value for money. Much depends on the specific series and production features - pumps may fail, rotary switches may break. The service changes them easily and quickly, but these are not the emotions that we would like to get from new technology.

Our opinion: you can buy, but before doing so, look for detailed expert reviews and read reviews from real customers. If there are analogues, compare prices for them, look for promotions.

Reviews

It has already been said above about reviews of the Vitek VT 1511, but what are they like among clients in general? On average, the model is rated a solid “four” on a five-point scale, but the reason for this is a large number of negative reviews from those people who buy cheap, low-quality coffee and expect the coffee maker to make it a heavenly drink. If we take objective reviews of the Vitek VT 1511 BK coffee maker, they highlight the high-quality and reliable operation of the device itself, the convenience of the cappuccino maker, as well as the low price for a product of such high quality. On the manufacturer’s official website you can order a product for seven and a half thousand rubles, but if you buy from official representatives, you can wait for a discount of up to five thousand rubles.

Carob coffee makers Vitek

On the site it seems that there is a large selection, but often the models are very similar both in appearance and in their functions. There are both successful and not very successful models, and many have almost one hundred percent copies under other brands.

VT-1511-BK, 1519-BK and 1523-BK

The same filling in three design variations. Quite a popular solution, and at the same time the cheapest of all the brand’s offerings.

• 1511 - 1.5 liters, power 1050 W, has heated cups. Analog – Clatronic ES 3584.
• 1519 – 1.25 l., power 1350 W, new foam frother handle.
• 1523 – 1.5 l., 850 W, with a container for ground coffee and lighter in weight.

Prices are about 8,750 rubles, but since they are considered outdated, stores are often offered at a discount.

VT-1513-BK, VT-1502 and VT-1518

Continuation of the same 1511, but with some improvements. These Vitek carob coffee makers are a little more expensive, but technically everything is the same.

• 1513 is the “top” of the series, with a good cappuccino maker, it drains the remaining water not back into the tank, but into the pan. They adjusted the temperature so that the drink turns out very hot: experts believe that this is wrong, coffee is not brewed with boiling water, and users note a more bitter, burnt taste.
• 1502 – but here the cappuccino machine clearly failed, it’s more difficult to whip up the foam. The cone has been changed, now it has fewer plastic components, it is easier to clean, but the foam-cream is clearly less fluffy. That is, this model is for those who prefer black coffee and rarely make cappuccino.
• 1518 - again the same thing, but with a screen, albeit in a mini format. An adequate option for two, it froths milk quite confidently. Cooks quickly. Very compact.

There is a very cheap 1502 available - previously a drip type was produced under this article number, so be careful what you choose! Online stores often do not distinguish them in their descriptions!

The cost in online stores is approximately 9,000 rubles, sometimes there are discounts up to 6,500 rubles.

VT-1526 and VT-1524-GD

Structurally, the Vitek carob coffee maker is the same (and again the entire platform from 1511), only it looks different. The manufacturer separately highlights the ability to program the volume of water spilled. When turned off, the settings are saved, but they are easy to change. The cappuccino maker is good in both models.

• 1526 – with manual water flow, clamp and hold as long as necessary.
• 1524 - notable only for its Gold-colored body, it looks unusual, there is no manual pouring.

The price is up to 9900 for Gold and about 10,500 for 1526.

VT-1514-BK and VT-1522-BK

At the end of 2021, the flagships of the brand are positioned by the manufacturer as milk machines, but in fact they are semi-automatic machines; you still need to at least form a coffee tablet (or even grind the beans), clean the cone, unless the milk is whipped in a container.

• 1514 is a carob-type coffee maker model from Vitek, technically similar to the same 1511, with a not-so-comfortable horn and not entirely intuitive controls. But with double portions, you can press the button once or twice. It can supply hot water and automatically rinse the cappuccino maker.
• 1522 – improved 1514, with more adequate controls (all drinks are on different buttons), in a metal case. With an enlarged milk tank and portion programming. But the automatic washing of the cappuccino maker has been removed, and this must be done manually every time. There is no hot water for Americano or tea either. Redmond has a complete analogue - model RCM-1511.

In terms of prices: the manufacturer recommends selling these Vitek carob-type coffee makers for about 17,000 rubles, but in stores they sell for about 13-14,000, because for 17-19 there are already much more interesting grain machines or solutions from more premium brands.