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There are three ingredients needed for espresso: The espresso machine, properly prepared coffee beans and water. Machines like this can be very sensitive to calcium build-up and descaling the machine can shorten the machine's life. the size of a double shot. 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. The boiler in this unit is only about two ounces. This means you can make an espresso much quicker than any other type of coffee that I know of.
This is not a very fancy machine. Store them in your freezer to help them stay at their peak. But as a first machine, I am happy with this unit. Espresso seems to be an addictive passion. The results of your machine will depend largely on the consistency of the grind. We have had this unit for several years and over time have used it more and more. I recommend using distilled water to side-step this problem all together.
Lower priced blade grinders won't give you a consistent grind. 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. This is a good starting point for learning to make espresso. The beans should be as fresh as possible. Less than one minute brings the unit to temperature.
When I complained about this, they did not seem to think this was a problem. I can't believe a company that does not support their products can stay in business. I never got that email so I started all over again trying to get their call when it was convenient for them. I tried for 3 months to get it fixed, but unfortunately Saeco support does not answer their phone. This time I stayed on the phone with them until I received the email.
Unfortunately, after a few months, every time I turned it on it blew the fuse at my house. They call you back at THEIR convenience (usually in the middle of the day when I was in a meeting). 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. 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. I really liked the espresso machine while it was working.
If you stay on hold (even if you wait an hour), you eventually get a recording that asks you to leave your number. When I finally got to speak with someone else, they told me the same thing.
I know mine do. I run only water that has been run through a Brita filter as well. 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. It was worth every penny. So far so good.Other than the position of the steam tube/frothing unit the Aroma is an excellent value for the price.Cheers. 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.
I now am more careful when frothing the milk and position the pitcher and arm so I have more room to work. After reading several reviews at Coffeegeek and here I picked up a unit off Ebay for about 250. 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. 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.
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 think It arrived within 3 working days and the machine does make a very nice espresso. I'll hope this is the only problem. 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. They also explained that I would need to send the machine out for repair if this wasnt the problem. 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. After calling Saeco, they promptly offered to send me another portafilter no questions asked. I've got to admit, Saeco didn't waist any time getting the new portafilter to me and now the problem is solved.
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