Included in the delivery side of the machine were also a small tube of grease, a cleaning brush, a test strip for water hardness and a water filter and a kilo of coffee beans. For this, a manual on paper and on CD.
By pressing a button, the device:
- Espresso (also twice)
- Caffe Crema (also twice)
- Latte Macchiato
- Cappuccino
- Milk froth (on selecting the menu)
- Hot water
First of all I was struck by the size of the machine. Later, when compared with the machines of friends and family, I noticed, however, that the Saeco but one of the smaller models.
I began to study the manual firstonce. After a short assembly and the first quite lengthy - but very simple purification steps could begin.
The Try and research began ...
The first drink was a latte with soy milk. This first attempt was very thorough in his pants. Unfortunately I did not leave the nozzle of the milk foam container into place properly. Thus did this only loud noises and steamy, but no milk foam. This worked on the second and all further attempts, however, absolutely no problem. The Latte Macchiato was wonderfully frothy despite the soymilk.
The next drink was a cappuccino with almond milk. Again, the foam was wonderfully creamy despite the almond milk and especially also fixed.
In the following days, I tried all other functions with div. Of milk by with regular cow's milk.
The coffee tastes wonderfully fresh and has a great crema (corresponding beans provided).
Even the espresso gets a great crema thanks to 15 bar pressure. The only thing that bothers me here is the length or rather soon in the spouts. Unfortunately, this is not enough down far enough to produce without splashing Espresso. There would still be a small podium for the small espresso cups.
The pure milk froth function advertises itself super for the production of milk foam for foam Löffler or else for the production of cocoa. I myself prefer this feature now for my favorite coffee.
For the use of hot water, you have to take the milk carafe, use a nozzle. This is done quickly and easily. The temperature is ideal for a tea and the amount is enough for a cup.
Except for some soy milks the milk foam was always perfect and kept for a long time its strength.
For the preparation of espressos of interchangeable bean container is used. To this end, we bought an extra barista espresso beans. The replacement of the bean container is easy. Unfortunately, however, misjudged gladly times a few beans in the feed. Thus, the container includes difficult or even falling beans through the hole. This then brings an annoying short cleaning of the empty compartment with it. But even this we get better and better towards over time.
Our previous findings:
- Freeness and bean variety can be set. However, since we use espresso beans for espresso and coffee beans for other beverages, we are completely satisfied with the factory settings.
- The individual strength of the coffee beverage we adapt on the aroma selector.
- In addition, the pre-set amounts of coffee and milk every type of beverage with the memo function can be set individually. This is an advantage especially for me. Because a normal latte for me is just not enough.
What strikes us positive
- By a small flap on the milk container, can refill this without each time withdrawing him from the machine
- The machine is on quickly and is immediately operational
- The coffee schmeck always fresh and intense
- The machine tells you always know what she wants (empty bean container, water refill, etc.)
- Refilling of the water and empty the remains of container is easy and quick
compared to other machines the Saeco is quite small and quiet
cleaning the milk nozzle on the machine facilitates the entire cleaning process
What struck us negatively:
- Relatively often blocked the coffee beans supply when changing the bean container
- Hot steam leaves the front and the control panel shod
- The list of cleaning regulations is very, very long. She classifies off between daily, weekly and monthly Reingigung. Cleaning the milk container is because our My narrowing of the biggest challenges. Unfortunately smell container and hose despite cleaning always a bit musty. But that bring these machines well with it ... because we do not have a dishwasher, I can not say anything about the cleaning in the dishwasher.
- The keys on the keypad are hard to press
- Unfortunately, the housing is only made of plastic, which, although the taste does not diminish, but the machine can seem a bit cheap
Like most coffee machines need the Saeco their time to produce a coffee beverage. But for a good coffee, I like to wait a few seconds longer.
Conclusion: except for a few Kleingikeiten we are very excited about the Saeco. The taste is right and the service is largely simple. So what you want more?