Recommendations for new coffee machine?
 

I have had a Capresso C1500 superautomatic since 2003. It's starting to leak a bit and is making some odd noises, so I decided to replace it.

I quickly decided on a Saeco Syntia this morning. Seems to have everything I want and, most importantly, does so for under $1000. The machines I'd buy if I had all the money in the world would cost $3000+.

Anyone have any experience with Saeco? I know it's the same company that makes Gaggia.

Anyhow, it will be delivered tomorrow (gotta love $3.99 next day with Amazon Prime), so I guess I'll find out soon enough.

This one works great.

RichMSN, please report back on how you like it. Mrs. PTravel would kill me if I spent that kind of money on an espresso machine, so I have a Brevia which I find reasonable enough. However, sometimes I get lucky when I go to Las Vegas, and I consider it bad luck to save gambling wins, so . . . maybe next year. I'm a bit of a coffee snob, and a decent machine in the under $1,000 category is always of interest.

If you want to drink dirty water, sure.

I bought the Capresso in 2003 and it lasted me over 8 years. But the reviews of their customer service lately left me concerned about buying another one.

If this lasts me 5 years, I consider it a good purchase. I work from a home office and having good coffee is a nice way to start (and continue) the day.

The Syntia arrived today. There was an insert in the box encouraging me to call a "white glove concierge service" to walk me through the setup. A few oddities, but I got some good tips and got everything up and running in about an hour.

The machine rocks. I was able to test my water hardness and adjust the filter accordingly. I was able to set the grind (fine to coarse). I was able to program how much I wanted in each cup of coffee for two buttons on the machine.

Not only was the rep I talked to completely knowledgeable about the unit, she is sending me an appreciation kit that includes coffee, a frothing cup, some espresso cups, and some coupons.

So far, so good.

http://www.seattlecoffeegear.com/Sae...p/scg10487.htm

I ordered it from Amazon, though, cause I got next day delivery for $3.99 with Prime. Tempted to get it from the above place, though, cause they extend the warranty to 2 years -- although repairing it would involve shipping it to them.

A Dutch friend of mine takes his coffee very seriously (as do most good continental types :)). He has a Saeco and has always had Saecos.

I'm on 5+ years with my Delonghi Rialto and very happy.

The trick i've found and sure it applies to others is to descale regularly. It really makes a difference in terms of froth flow and overall taste.

If my current machine (Rancilio Silvia) were to die, I'd buy this baby. I actually went and visited it the last time I was in a Williams Sonoma. Double boiler.... sigh.

I bought 6 packets of descaler. I have soft water (the city softens the water centrally and I tested the water to confirm it) and even though the company recommends once every 3 months for my water, I'll do it once every two.

I didn't mention it, but I moved to decaf about 3 years ago. I was having health issues (heart palpitations) from caffeine. Caribou's Sumatra is my normal choice, but I just ordered some Lavazza Dek Decaf beans that got amazing reviews and costs less than $12/pound when I buy 6 pounds in one shot.

Just made another cup. I really love this Syntia. A solid machine, it seems.

Rancilio Silvia and a Rocky grinder come in at right under $1k.

If you're moving into that price range the Pasquini Livia may be a better choice...it's a bit more, but worth it :)

I was only looking at the superautomatics. I want one where I can press a button and have a high quality coffee with minimal work.

Those semi-automatics are great machines, I know, but simply not what I was looking for.

That's a lot of Las Vegas winnings for me. ;)

I have a Capresso burr grinder that does a pretty good job, and a "lesser" Breville:

http://www.brevilleusa.com/media/cat.../s/esp6sxl.jpg

It does a nice job -- good crema on the espresso and plenty of steam for frothing the milk.

Maybe some day . . .

What's strange is that I do absolutely no frothing of milk. It's usually 10 ounces of very strong coffee with about an ounce of half-n-half. But I'll try the frother in case anyone comes over and wants a latte/cappuccino or the like.

Congrats again on the purchase. I had a Delonghi Magnifica 3200 for a few years (bought in 2006) until the pump broke in mid-2010. I switched to drip coffee (I only have 1-2 cups in the morning anyway) since I had a starbucks drip machine anyway.

Now that I am once more gainfully employed, I'd like to get an espresso maker, but I don't have the counter space in my tiny NYC apartment. I think I'd get a semi-automatic because I want to learn the art of pulling the perfect shot.

For the FlyerTalk of coffee, check out www.coffeegeek.com. Those guys are serious.

I enjoy coffee but its like one cup every 2-3 days tops and my wife doesn't drink it at all....so we bought a K cup machine.

I know it's odd to spend $950 on a machine that is making me decaf, but it's divine. It tastes better than anything I can get at Starbucks or Caribou or even the local coffee place (who thinks a 16 ounce Americano can be made with 2 shots of espresso).

I found a decaf online that has amazing reviews -- Lavazza Dek Decaf -- that many are comparing favorably to non-decaf beans. My current favorite is Caribou's Decaf Sumatra. The advantage to the Lavazza is that it's under $12/pound and I can get it sent to me with free shipping. So I'll have that show up next week and will give it a try.

I'm resisting the temptation to make a third cup this morning.

I have an IV drip connected directly to the [horrible] coffee machine at work. Usually, it's enough, though sometimes I have to slash a vein and pour more in directly.

For the price of the machine and the fact that its decaf what is holding you back?

:)

Just a feeling of being full after 30 oz. of liquid.

Besides, the machine will be here for years. I think I'll go grab lunch and a quick workout at the gym.

:D Just how quickly did you drink the first two cups? :eek:

It was an hour of plyo for me today.....I downed a bit more than 30 oz during and mostly after (water though). :cool:

RichMSN - if you ever find yourself in Chicago, get beans from Intelligentsia or Metropolis. Or Peet's (in Evanston or Chicago). You will love all of them.

Peet's ships to all states and has retail stores in California, Colorado, Illinois, Massachusetts, Oregon and Washington.

I am on my way to get my morning fix as soon as I post this message. :)

Our beloved Gaggia superautomatic reached the end of its useful life and we are looking for a replacement.

I was wondering if I can get some recommendations on brands/models. Looking for something relatively cheap, in the $600-$700 range.

My parents have a DeLonghi Manginifica 3300 and so far are very pleased with it, but I'd like to know what else is out there. Unfortunately, have not been able to find any good reviews. I am only familiar with Gaggia and DeLonghi as brands in terms of quality and durability, does anybody know if Saeco/Jura have anything good in our price range and how reliable they are?

Check out www.coffeegeek.com.

If you aren't stuck on a super automatic, get a rancilio Silvia and rocky. I've used mine daily for nearly 6 years with no issues. Great setup for around 1k.

Edit: just clicked back a page and see I made the same recommendation 2 years ago.

When I think coffeemakers & cheap I don't normally think $600-700 :eek:

Cheers.

I know it isn't a traditional espresso machine, but I adore my nespresso

I know, it does sound wrong, but a superautomatic in that range is indeed cheap. I just can't justify spending $1500 - $2000 for a "proper" one, since our coffee drinking habits hardly merit it.

Thanks for the suggestions, I'm looking at the reviews, some very interesting options.

My Syntia is still chugging along.

That seems to be one of the most highly recommended and reliable models out there, based on my research. Found a refurb one in my price range and might take the plunge...

Double :eek: here.

I thought I was splurging spending $100 on a Keurig that delightfully meets my needs.

Just bought my wife a Bonavita for her birthday. I thought $150 was outrageous (its only control is an on/off button), but she's in heaven.

I've had one for a while now. It is not worth $150, though the appropriate temperature is always nice.

Careful when cleaning the carafe - the internal glass lining breaks easily.

Coffee made with a K-Cup is swill.

Tried 3 different machines/models and different coffees, including a self-fill cup and concur... I don't think the water temperature is right.

Mine is perfectly perfect. Before that, the $10 one from Walmart did a fine job :)

Triple :eek: here! :D
IIRC, some recommend running a brew cycle without a K-cup in there to allow the heating element to properly heat, and then once that is complete, brew your cup of coffee.

On the rare occasion that I use a Keurig, I generally don't bother.

The first one I had had no temperature setting; the one I have now does and it works great. Only maintenance I find helpful is to run vinegar through it every six months. If you have soft water, that won't be a problem.