Classical pad machine - really new is the color

I use in the office for many years a pad machine (currently Severin, previously Senseo) and a Tassimo capsule machine; in my kitchen are a coffee machine from Krups, a Dolce Gusto and an old filter machine of privilege. So I know various methods of coffee preparation with their advantages and disadvantages. The best (most aromatic) Coffee making - what a surprise - the coffee machine from the freshly ground beans. The is however also the most expensive to buy, and in view of its immense space and the considerable amount of time for drink preparation, maintenance and cleaning is as a not for every coffee drinker and site. Especially for the office or for small budgets, I think as the Senseo pod machines for a good alternative. They cause less waste than the capsule system (although the have their merits) and produce in a short time good, always freshly brewed coffee. The maintenance is limited to occasional descaling, the space requirement is low.

From Senseo I had two older versions of the office. This' Viva Cafe' model is indeed completely new in the market, but so really new is actually just the color (which incidentally looks very nice in natura). In operation, the form and result, I can not detect any significant difference from the previous models. That is not a criticism - the old Senseos have worked just fine, and does this also.

The device makes visually a very good impression. The build quality is flawless, the color looks chic from (although the exotic-sounding 'Brombeerblau' actually just a normal dark blue is). At least at first glance, the surface is not too sensitive. Only the coffee spout and drip tray, on which stand the cups (stainless-typical) are slightly more prone to fingerprints and water spots. The machine is quite petite, so that they are still likely to find a place in a small kitchen and a small office.

The commissioning of the unit is quick: Setting up, flush, finished. The water tank is narrow but easy to fill and holds 0.9 liters. That's not overwhelming, but enough (at least if one sets up the machine near a water connection). Supplied with two pod holders are included, the normal small pads and a lower for mixed drinks or two pads. All removable parts are to be cleaned in the dishwasher.

It is operated via three buttons on the front. Optionally, you can cook with about 250 ml of a single cup with about 120 ml or two (or a major). The heating time is short, the preparation of a cup lasts only about a minute. The coffee is good hot and also has a shot (cold) milk or a pleasant drinking temperature. The quality (amount, stability) of the crema depends on the pads in use. The same applies to the taste and the intensity of the coffee. There are both Senseo and dozens of other vendors (from cheap to expensive) a lot of different varieties, so that for pretty much every taste should be something.

The coffee spout is height-adjustable in this model. This is compared with the known to me earlier Senseo versions meaningful innovation. You get cups under up to a height of just 12 cm. New (at least for me) is the fact that a small light indicates when the machine needs descaling.

Although me this whole Senseo good like, there are some minor criticisms, for which I have withdrawn an asterisk. Especially pity, I find that you can not individually set the amount of water. One has only the choice between two predetermined quantities of water. I use mostly slightly larger Henkelbecher, and for which the amount was very poor for a cup, however, the court is short of the foreseen for two cups of 250 ml, because I like to drink my coffee with lots of milk. Although you can stop the brewing process manually, but you have to stay every time in the machine and push the button at the right moment. Comfortable it when the machine would be a once chosen amount "remember" would. Somewhat annoying is the fact that after brewing always some water in the pad holder remains, so that the pad but is rather muddy and you regularly distributed drops coffee during removal; Before disposing of the organic waste it is necessary to express the pads of necessity. The grid on which are the cups, also tends to rattle. I had to repeatedly push around until I found a position in which they do not get too vibrates in operation and the grid scheppert less the machine.

Conclusion: If you like the principle of pad machines in principle, can not go wrong with this Senseo nothing. It works well, the operation is simple, the prepared coffee with her good and hot enough. In the new colors (there is a whole range), they also still looks very chic.