Saeco Vienna Digital SuperAutomatic Espresso Coffee and Cappuccino Machine
by Saeco
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Product Summary
Manufacturer: SaecoBrand: Saeco
Model: 30511
Product features:
- Rapid-Steam frothing and brewing without waiting or changing the temperature
- Opti-Dose allows adjusting the coffee amount to be ground, from 6 to 9 grams
- Fully accessible brew-group for easy cleaning; aroma system optimizes flavor extraction
- Programmed feature runs an occasional, convenient rinsing of the micro filter screens
- Ships within US only; does not ship to Canada
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Kitchen and Housewares Reviews of Saeco Vienna Digital SuperAutomatic Espresso Coffee and Cappuccino Machine
Customer Review: Cappuccino's so good you will be spoiled
Summary: 5 Stars
Having owned regular Espresso machines from Solis, I was skeptical about the so called SuperAutomatics. But I hated the mess the regular espresso machines made (grinding the coffee, dumping the grounds etc). I was also skeptical whether you could tune the superautomatics to the point where you could get a good shot of espresso since thats the most important part of a good drink.I got the Saeco Superautomatic and I was very pleased with it, there are 18 grind settings so you can get the right grind. A good shot of espresso should take between 12-14 seconds. If it comes too fast its weak or too slow its bitter. With the Saeco you can adjust it, you can also adjust the amount of coffee that comes out.
The Steaming wand has this plastic sleeve called the Panerello, it really helps in getting the thick velvety foam thats so important to making a good Cappuccino. As any true Cappuccino lover knows you don't pour milk and scoop foam over it like all the dummies at Starbucks do (they do need lots of training, all they do is push buttons and act yuppy), you actually scoop the foam and the milk combined to make a creamy cappuccino.
There are some minor annoyances, you will find that the water reservoir tends to be a bit small and you have to check to make sure you have not run out of water. It also makes a fairly loud noise when its making the espresso (the tamping and the dumping etc).
Check the following each time you make an espresso:
1) Check the container holding the used coffee grounds to see if its time to dump it, it can get full pretty quickly depending on how much you are using the machine.
2) Check the water level
3) Check the coffee beans to make sure there are enough.
I liked it so much I bought one for my sister, she likes it a lot as well. We use coffee from a private roaster, anything other than Charbucks coffee would work fine. Peet's is a good alternative.
Please buy Fair Trade coffee, that way the poor farmers are getting a decent price. Did you know that coffee farmers get 10-12 cents for every dollar, and the chains like Starbucks who also roast and sell the coffee make 80-85 cents per dollar.
Description of Saeco Vienna Digital SuperAutomatic Espresso Coffee and Cappuccino Machine
This top of the line super-automatic machine from Saeco comes in an elegant metallic champagne color and will suit the serious espresso drinker. Dump in the beans, press a single button, and in minutes you will have the rich and intense espresso, or the smooth yet robust coffee of your dreams. This machine is equipped with all sorts of patented technology designed to ensure the perfect espresso. Best of all the machine needs barely any input from you! The Aroma System injects a little bit of hot water into the freshly ground beans letting them soak and swell briefly before brewing commences. It has a patented Easy Clean design featuring a brew group that is entirely removable for thorough sanitizing. The Opti-Dose system allows you to adjust the amount of coffee to be brewed for each cup. It also has an automatic decalcifying system, a wash/cleaning cycle, and can electronically program the level of coffee per cup. Super automatic machines have dual heating systems for brewing and steaming so there is no need to wait. These models also offer the Cafe Crema option; this is coffee made in a pressurized system but diluted to regular coffee strength resulting in a robust coffee without bitterness.Made in Italy, this 1,250-watt machine eliminates the fuss of creating espresso and espresso drinks at home by automating the entire process. It grinds coffee beans without burning them, tamps the ground coffee, brews, and then dumps spent grounds into a container--all in about 30 seconds. For creating a cappuccino or latte, there's a hot water/steam wand with a milk-frothing attachment, and there's only a 10-second delay from brewing to steaming. This model also permits precise adjustments for variables such as water hardness, water temperature, the pre-brewing process (moistening coffee grounds), the amount of coffee ground per dose, and the type of coffee (American style, medium strength, or espresso). The LCD screen warns when the water system requires descaling, which can then be performed automatically, as can the rinsing of the coffee-dispensing system.
Selection for one or two cups is also possible, as a button allows different-size cups--up to 10 ounces--to be filled; a "standby" function saves energy; and English, Italian, German, Portuguese, Spanish, or French can be displayed on the screen. For safety, the machine shuts off if the grinder runs out of beans or the water tank is empty (the screen specifies problems). The machine measures 15 inches high, 13 inches wide, and 13-1/4 inches deep; weighs 19 pounds; rotates on a swivel base; and, with a gleaming, taupe plastic exterior, looks great on the counter. The bean hopper holds about 12-1/2 ounces (8.8 ounces of espresso beans are included), the removable, transparent water tank holds 57 ounces, and the grinder adjusts from fine to coarse. For cleanup, parts remove easily. The machine comes with an exceptionally thorough and clear instruction booklet and video and carries a one-year warranty against defects. --Fred Brack
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