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We have had this unit for several years and over time have used it more and more. the size of a double shot. This means you can make an espresso much quicker than any other type of coffee that I know of. Less than one minute brings the unit to temperature. Store them in your freezer to help them stay at their peak. Machines like this can be very sensitive to calcium build-up and descaling the machine can shorten the machine's life.
I recommend using distilled water to side-step this problem all together. The beans should be as fresh as possible. This is a good starting point for learning to make espresso. Espresso seems to be an addictive passion. The boiler in this unit is only about two ounces. Because of the small size, this unit heats very quickly. My next machine will be a totally manual machine which is much simplier (and more expensive) but will easily last the rest of my life.
Lower priced blade grinders won't give you a consistent grind. There are three ingredients needed for espresso: The espresso machine, properly prepared coffee beans and water. This is not a very fancy machine. The results of your machine will depend largely on the consistency of the grind. Beyond these basics, the last item you will need is a tamper, used to compress the grounds.Given care, this machine will produce consistent espressos with excellent crema. I haven't had to service it yet so I don't know what it's useful life will be. But as a first machine, I am happy with this unit.
I really liked the espresso machine while it was working. I finally did get to speak to someone (I happened to be free when they called) and they promised to send me paperwork that I needed to fill out to get it fixed. When I finally got to speak with someone else, they told me the same thing. I tried for 3 months to get it fixed, but unfortunately Saeco support does not answer their phone. I emailed it back immediately and waited another 3 weeks (with several follow-up emails asking when they were going to respond) before I took it back to the retailer for a refund. If you stay on hold (even if you wait an hour), you eventually get a recording that asks you to leave your number. Unfortunately, after a few months, every time I turned it on it blew the fuse at my house. I never got that email so I started all over again trying to get their call when it was convenient for them.
They call you back at THEIR convenience (usually in the middle of the day when I was in a meeting). When I complained about this, they did not seem to think this was a problem. This time I stayed on the phone with them until I received the email. I can't believe a company that does not support their products can stay in business.
I now am more careful when frothing the milk and position the pitcher and arm so I have more room to work. I recommend that you buy a nice tamper, Rattleware makes a great one, buy a naked portafilter and invest in a burr grinder for best results.The frothing device did break after only a few months of use; as much due to me not being careful.
It was worth every penny. I have been using the machine now for two years without issue.I must say that I follow the priming instructions to the letter and prime it each time.
After reading several reviews at Coffeegeek and here I picked up a unit off Ebay for about 250. I know mine do.
I run only water that has been run through a Brita filter as well. Excellent shots each time.the grind and the tamp impact the quality of the shots and once that is mastered your shots will probably taste better than what you will find locally.
The position of the arm does not leave much room to maneuver a frothing pitcher and I think I hit it hard a few times and the plastic failed. So far so good.Other than the position of the steam tube/frothing unit the Aroma is an excellent value for the price.Cheers.
Great cup of espresso. All 4 of them before it stopped heating and simply died.Had to wait a week during Xmas before could figure out who so send it to for a return,Still waiting to see if we are going to get a replacement as SAECO is out of stock.
I'm really worried that even if the new portafilter solves the problem, I'll have other issues as described by other users as time goes by.Well. After spending most of my morning reading the instructions, priming and getting ready for my first at home extraction, I found that water would not pass thru the portafilter. I was concerned about purchasing this Saeco based upon other negative quailty reviews, but decided to go ahead and hoped that they were exceptions. I've got to admit, Saeco didn't waist any time getting the new portafilter to me and now the problem is solved. After calling Saeco, they promptly offered to send me another portafilter no questions asked. They also explained that I would need to send the machine out for repair if this wasnt the problem. I think It arrived within 3 working days and the machine does make a very nice espresso. I'll hope this is the only problem.
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