When I read the present, inter alia, also in the German language operating instructions, I thought ... means the start is so complicated to program the machine, almost like a computer. Many warnings are given, sometimes amaze. Children under 8 years old are not allowed on the machine! Children older than 8 years are under the supervision of an adult ... probably because of the security. Furthermore, many possible combinations and variations for each coffee preparation, described with and without milk or the "Special Products" to the different user profiles are explained. All this is to be configured across multiple whitish illuminated touch buttons and orange lit menu items. Sounds only times everything quite extensive and complicated.
But this is not so, after filling the coffee beans (270 gr.) And water tank filling (1.7 liter removable tank) are just a few Tastendrücker necessary (Setup) to the machine logs in the desired national language and a flushing operation performs. After that, in principle, be produced immediately fresh coffee, all kinds of preparations are already preset in principle. I would say, for about 15-20 minutes start the first test coffee runs through. Anyone with the condition of smartphone and tablet just something so familiar, also comes with this machine handle quickly. Select the arrow keys to select function and the small OK-hook to confirm the selection. Optional settings such as filter activation, water hardness or standby function can also be made with the same, but can be even activate a little later.
What I particularly liked, are really simple, but individually very extensive facilities for every single type of coffee, which can be accessed via the menu button, for example. It can be used individually, depending the temperature, the coffee strength, amount of water, the taste, and the quantity of milk to be completely individualized, all for preparations such as espresso, coffee cream, regular coffee, American coffee, espresso macchiato, latte macchiato, hot milk , Here I have to confess that it takes some time before you have so found and set his best coffee flavor. Since some experimentation is really required. I have for example a few times to increase the amount of water (wanted more in the cup of) which in turn conditionally reduces the coffee strength. Therefore, I had later in the "strength of flavor" program to increase, so that the coffee is not too thin.
If, for example, the partner / in the coffee again differently than you like, so this can be adjusted for up to 6 different personalized user profiles even further.
If you have everything ready "programmed", you simply now receives the appropriate coffee icon button to select the "specialty coffee".
There is also an included but separately usable water nozzle (for example, hot water for tea). If the nozzle removed, place alternatively the supplied milk carafe into this opening a matching connector. Sure, for the above preparations of eg Latte "milk-related" etc. is of course indispensable. The milk foam will be delivered directly from the milk carafe, where you can pull a small pull-out spout on the cup. Here it can also inject something. It is therefore not dispensed from the coffee outlet, as with the big machines in the company practice.
So the good coffee flavor has actually afflict nothing to prevent this machine, you have to this just in case you are not satisfied with the settings, personally "configure". Good taste is in the "GrandBaristo" therefore almost automatically guarantees (more than a "false bean" may there anything else get in the way).
Of course, the coffee spout is height-adjustable and should even a "Jumbo Cup" may be used, as well as the external drip tray for even more space can be easily removed once. The outer drip tray is namely compact and separated and not connected to the inner collection tray.
And here it is something subjective for me, awkward. Because you have for cleaning / emptying of the inner water-collecting tray, the brewing unit and the coffee grounds container (capacity max. 20 coffee compacts), depending on what is being reported, each time the entire front incl. Nozzles or milk containers, etc., by a lateral push of a button swing forward. All internal coffee and milk jugs supply hoses are automatically separated. Long time we see is tight? Legal unusual because most machines allow lateral access these things.
Similarly, I find it even with the cleaning of the milk carafe. This should be daily thoroughly cleaned (rinsed and washed) and for cleaning completely disassembled week. The items are at least dishwasher safe. Monthly there is also still a rinsing the milk system with the recommended "Saeco Milk Circuit Cleaner" to your Site The problem is the system and so similar in all machines with milk carafe. Only alternative machines with suction hose, which can be plugged directly into the milk carton in principle, have a lower cleaning costs.
The brewing unit incl. Sieve itself to be removed and rinsed after each refilling the coffee bean container. Here's to pay attention to the manual, because there is a "zeroing" in which the brewing unit is not blocked by the device and is ready for removal. Monthly is added a "greasing" of the group.
Granted this all sounds very complicated, but it's not really. Also takes, in my experience (we had two Saeco machines), it is the mechanics do not really mind if you even slept one month. Of course, it also depends on the coffee consumption, but should regularly be purified.
What I've noticed so far:
The font size of the menu items is necessary, rather small and the opening of the complete front side (service door) to empty the internal water collection tank or the coffee grounds container I feel at least "unusual". The plate on the external drip tray is also at this machine too sensitive after a few cups have been around unsightly scratches that probably no manufacturers under control (?). Fortunately, this plate is slightly matt and not glossy.
The grounds container is some how always very mixed with water, presumably because it is placed on the internal drip tray and there also something dripping water next to it. Sometimes you have no grounds compacts but real coffee sludge in the tank.
Short Summary:
A really outwardly chic, sleek and very quiet from ceramic grinder ago machine scores with continuous rather intuitive touch operation. The variety of coffee making facilities and the individual configurations are exemplary. The coffee can be tasty, hot and very individually prepared. The milk foam, we use milk with 3.5% fat, is firmly and properly.
The coffee beans hopper (separately may also be used powder) and the water tank are not huge, but enough for normal home use perfectly. The cleaning of these machines is generally carried out regularly and watching the milk carafe on, always quite intense necessary.
I would at the current price in September 2014 recommended the sending machine, possibly design fans or even absolute coffee individualists. The coffee can be sure almost adapt to any taste largely. The ceramic grinder is also very quiet at work, so who wants to leave early a little quieter in the day, is a pleasant machine here as well. But there are small imperfections, the "luxury machine" possibly could be circumvented in this (see abnormalities).
Actually, I was wondering why it in this machine class no Smartphone Control (app) are included. Bluetooth? They are there however, but only at the "Saeco HD8967 / 01 GranBaristo Avanti", which should however be mentioned only in passing ...
Knappe 4 stars - machine like it, but also has small flaws. The price is currently rather "fat" ... will probably experience has shown that yet give something.
Addendum on 09/14/2014:
Every now and then you have to press several times on the touch buttons until a reaction occurs. Especially when PowerSwitch I notice this because you have to push this any longer. Fortunately, the switch flashes rhythmically, otherwise you would see this in a lower illuminance hardly.
If the milk container is attached, it is quite scarce for some cup, depending on you have to then quite accurately positioned under the coffee and milk outlet, otherwise what drops next. A tribute to the sleek design. The Latte Macchiato is incidentally very good!
At the much-discussed maximum or Calc-marking on the water tank following info: Both markers are present but very weak legible. They also make almost no sense, since the water-Max mark is so high (top) that you can fill up the tank anyway always, he may just not overcrowded. The Calc-marking is approximately 1 cm deep ....
The coffee grounds in the mud collector sucks something one has, as mentioned above no right compacts but always mixed with water in coffee grounds. Thus, it can not be disposed of cleanly in the compost bin this.
