ChillyWino 
Barrel Racker
Posts: 1867
 | | 07-29-2008 03:15 PM |
| We're looking to upgrade from our standard coffee makers to something quite a bit nicer. We would like a fairly automated one that makes both coffee and espresso. Ideally it would grind and make the coffee on demand. Any recommendations? I've heard both good and bad things about Saeco so would love to hear about them. There seem to be some good priced machines on overstock.com.
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Daniel Bailey
Barrel Racker
Posts: 1534
| | 08-01-2008 08:24 PM |
| Our eight year old SAECO Magic Deluxe Superautomatic gave up the ghost about six months ago. We replaced it with a DeLonghi ESAM3500.N Esclusivo Magnifica Superautomatic. We like it and would buy it again. MSRP is $2,100 but street price is in the $1,400s. | | | |
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Dave
Wine Connoisseur
Posts: 5831
| | 08-01-2008 11:48 PM |
| A superautomatic automated Espresso machine may be the perfect machine for you, but it will never make a great cup of espresso. The real question is whether you want or need a great cup of espresso. The superautos make a decent cup and are much less work. There is no right or wrong here of course. It is like trying to explain to someone why you need to scratch and claw to get on the list to buy Bressler cabs via mail order when Silver Oak is readily available just down the street. To some it is worth the trouble and to others it is much ado about nothing. | | | |
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love_cab_chard
Master of Wine
Posts: 12771
| | 08-02-2008 03:42 PM |
| Dave is right.
And, Superauto is the way to go unless one really dives into "coffee". And, I mean, really really dives into coffee discovery, etc... But, that's a whole diff topic (that takes years to perfect, to learn, & many books later...).
I can't help since I only have knowledge manual/semi manual machines. Don't have great knowledge of Superautos. But, I will give coffee's most respected web sites. These sites provide a lot of info on machines. Do some research & decide which is best for you.
wholelattelove.com
sweetmarias.com
chriscoffee.com
coffeereview.com
coffeebeancorral.com
coffeewholesalers.com
&, of course, coffeegeek.com
These site will provide all the info you want & more re coffee machines on the market. |
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ChillyWino
Barrel Racker
Posts: 1867
| | 08-04-2008 01:31 PM |
| Hey guys, thanks for the thoughts and sites. We're definitely interested in a superauto type machine. Just dump in beans and fill with water and then push button for what you want. Time to do some reading. | | | |
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Drew
Sammamish, WA
Wine Bottler
Posts: 3411
| | 08-04-2008 07:04 PM |
| coffeegeek.com is my favorite on LCC's list. I needed a drip machine and bought a Technivorm Moccamaster based on their advice.
FWIW, LCC - I think of ya every time I hit Vivace now :-P | | | |
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Dave
Wine Connoisseur
Posts: 5831
| | 08-04-2008 09:20 PM |
| I am considering getting a superautomatic coffee maker (at least compared to my French press). Technivorm is my favorite as well (Thermo KB 741). | | | |
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Winetex
Austin, Texas
Master of Wine
Posts: 11423
| | 08-05-2008 09:13 AM |
| We have the Jura Capresso S9 superautomatic. We used to have a lower end model by Capresso that was recalled. When they offered us 50% off a new one as compensation we upgraded to this one. My husband says the key feature for him is the dual heating capacity - one for coffee and one for steam. This unit seems to get a whole lot hotter than the previous one with only one heater. You can make your coffee while steaming the milk. He also says the coffee quality is better with this unit. I can't comment on the quality as I don't drink coffee (yes, this is weird...). He can make coffee for an entire dinner party in a reasonable amount of time.
Something to check out with all models - these units are available at better prices reconditioned from the company. I have a couple of friends with reconditioned units and they are virtually perfect as far as they can tell.
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Dave
Wine Connoisseur
Posts: 5831
| | 08-05-2008 03:23 PM |
| My Superautomatic was a reconditioned Capresso. The Williams-Sonoma outlet sells them. | | | |
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love_cab_chard
Master of Wine
Posts: 12771
| | 08-05-2008 04:43 PM |
| You are lucky you can hit Vivace. Have you met David Schomer yet? | | | |
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J cocktosten
Grape Fermenter
Posts: 544
| | 08-05-2008 06:40 PM |
| You guys have far more patience and care far more than me- Nespresso machines are fine for me. With the rare french press for non-espresso | | | |
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Drew
Sammamish, WA
Wine Bottler
Posts: 3411
| | 08-05-2008 07:46 PM |
| Posted By love_cab_chard on 08/05/2008 4:43 PM
You are lucky you can hit Vivace. Have you met David Schomer yet?
Nope. I usually hit the one at Alley 24, which is really convenient for me... | | | |
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Drew
Sammamish, WA
Wine Bottler
Posts: 3411
| | 08-18-2008 08:27 AM |
| As an FYI - there was a big article in the WSJ about latte art, where they talk about Schomer at length:
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB121867495752039089.html | | | |
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kpak
Alaska
Wine Bottler
Posts: 3177
| | 08-18-2008 02:37 PM |
| Saw a similar article recently (possibly reprint) with some lovely photos... | | In theory, there is no difference between theory and practice. In practice, there is...
.ps - friends don't let friends eat farmed salmon. | |
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love_cab_chard
Master of Wine
Posts: 12771
| | 08-18-2008 08:35 PM |
| This is what they call, "latte art". I've seen all kinds of pics: animals, roses, flowers, faces, etc... Not that I can do it (yet). But, I will learn to do it. | | | |
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Drew
Sammamish, WA
Wine Bottler
Posts: 3411
| | 09-26-2008 05:28 PM |
| I made an amoeba the other day.
Or a bird dropping.
Ok, so I need some serious help with latte art. | | | |
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kpak
Alaska
Wine Bottler
Posts: 3177
| | 09-29-2008 02:08 PM |
| LOL
Rorschach Latte ? | | In theory, there is no difference between theory and practice. In practice, there is...
.ps - friends don't let friends eat farmed salmon. | |
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ChillyWino
Barrel Racker
Posts: 1867
| | 11-16-2008 04:36 PM |
| Well, we finally picked one up, the Saeco Odea Giro. It was on sale for $499, only one left was the floor model, so they gave us 30% off of that, plus they let us use a 20% off coupon. Hopefully it's worth the $300 we spent on it. | | | |
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Joiseystud
Grape Picker
Posts: 5
| | 12-07-2008 07:12 PM |
| Just for anyone else's information, I bought and love the Pasquini Livettia machine. I bought mine through illy(favorite espresso maker) and got a good deal. Basically you join the espresso club and commit to buying a years supply of their coffee and you get the machine for half price (normally over $1200). The machine is a commercial quality machine that can use E.S.E. Pods or regular ground espresso. My wife and I use the machine daily and have already made over 250 espresso/cappuccinos with it. | | | |
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