Saeco Classico in Black Espresso and Cappuccino Machine
by Saeco
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Product Summary
Manufacturer: SaecoBrand: Saeco
Model: 30054
Color: Black
Product features:
- 15-bar pump; brews 1 or 2 cups of espresso with the push of a button
- Hot-water/steam wand with milk-frothing attachment for cappuccino or latte
- Uses ground coffee or coffee pods; removable 86-ounce water tank; heated cup storage
- Includes 2 espresso cups and saucers, 12 espresso pods, instruction video, and coffee book
- Ships within US only; does not ship to Canada
- Thermos Nissan Ultimate 20-Ounce Stainless-Steel Desktop Mug
- Espressione Classic Espresso, 150-Count Pods
- Dualit 2-Slice Toaster, Chrome
Kitchen and Housewares Reviews of Saeco Classico in Black Espresso and Cappuccino Machine
Customer Review: Exchange the Portafilter, and you have a ******Winner
Summary: 5 Stars
Not having an Espresso machine in my office wasn't an option (I am European after all, but I don't smoke - so what other breaks but espresso breaks can I take? Wine breaks?). But a Rancilio or an Isomac (we have that at home) was overkill, also price-wise. And despite what coffeegeek.com and every other aficionado says, the Gaggia Classico and I do not get along. At all.
Turns out the Saeco Classico with a bit of an aftermarket tune-up is the little locomotive that could. Stock, it comes with a terrible contraption: a cheap and lightweight (aluminum?) pressurized portafilter that you can't even use to hammer a nail into a drywall. It (supposedly) guarantees Crema for Dummies, and that's how it tastes too. Espresso for Dummies. Yuck.
So I took the stock pressurized PF apart and gutted it - still no comparison. Save yourself the effort.
But as soon as you equip the Saeco with a naked heavy portafilter (non-pressurized, chrome-plated heavy brass), the results take a 180° degree turn from mediocre to excellent. Just don't ask me why. Probably fitting are Solis PFs as well as Nemox PFs. Amazon may sell it; Saeco did at some point, as well as cerinicoffee.com or espressoparts.com. I bought mine from kaffeegenuss24.com for 19 Euros and brought it with me to the US.
Otherwise the machine is great: small footprint, simply built, good solid switches, large drip pan, large water reservoir which is easy to check (are you listening, Isomac?), good pressure. The only I can't judge are steaming qualities, since I never made any Lattes etc. with it.
With the stock PF, I'd rate the machine ***, certainly no more. With a non-pressurized heavy PF, it deserves ******.
Description of Saeco Classico in Black Espresso and Cappuccino Machine
A real classic, that matches SaecoÆs top quality and a beautiful black metal body to give your espresso corner elegance and flair! Featuring a 15-bar pump, a pod adaptable pressurized filter holder for use with ground coffee or pods, a cup warming surface, an exclusive pannarello milk frothing device and a removable 80 oz water tank. Extra Value Bonus Starter Kit comes - 12 Espresso pods, 1 hard cover ôEspresso, Cappuccino & Coö book, 2 white espresso cups and saucers and an instruction video.With this traditional pump-driven, made-in-Italy machine, all it takes is a push of a button to brew one or two cups of espresso. You can then use the hot-water/steam wand with its milk-frothing attachment to convert the espresso into a cappuccino or latté. For convenience, the filter holder accepts either ground coffee or preground coffee pods, and the 1,250-watt machine requires no waiting time between brewing and frothing. Stylishly clad in black plastic with stainless-steel accents, the machine is a compact 11-3/4 inches high, 8 inches wide, and 9-1/4 inches deep and weighs 17 pounds. It has a removable, transparent 86-ounce water tank and features heated cup storage on the top. Cleaning the removable parts requires nothing more than soaking in soapy water, rinsing, and drying, and the exterior cleans with a damp cloth. Included with the machine, which carries a one-year warranty against defects, is a starter kit containing two espresso cups and saucers, 12 espresso pods, an instruction video, and a coffee lore book. --Fred Brack
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