Appearance / feel
===============
Visually, the Siemens is a real eye-catcher, the front and the top are made of brushed stainless steel and lift it so pleasant in contrast to the many plastic of the predecessor and the competition. The slanted diagonally tapered front (see Product Photos above) again to have are a small piece of design in the kitchen immediately reinforced the feeling.
Coffee spout and Milchschaumdüse are also shaking with stainless steel front and when adjusting the height or anything rattles. The outlet height of 15cm (milk froth) allows very high Latte Macchiato glasses.
Service
===============
The white plain text display shows pleasant and clearly the different types of coffee (2 x espresso, 2 x Cafe Crema, Espresso, Cafe Crema, Cappuccino, Latte Macchiato, milk froth, hot milk, hot water) could also in 2013 (release date of the machine) quite a bit higher dissolve.
Positive, everything is explained well in the menu, be it cleaning, refilling beans / water tank or simply flipping the spouts for coffee drinks with milk.
The control buttons are expressed slightly spongy and could be a ticking bigger (at least for men's hands). All in all definitely okay, an innovation award Siemens has thus not worthy.
Setting can be just about anything, temperature of hot water and coffee, size (small, medium, large) drinks plus fine adjustment (in ml), automatic switch-off, water hardness, etc.
The drip tray can be easily removed, the pulp container as well. The brewing unit is removed quickly with two handles and can be exempt under lukewarm water coffee remains good (best weekly) thus.
Operating
===============
I prefer mainly Cafe Crema and Espresso, here the Siemens does not disappoint and delivers in my eyes for a fully automated system with the best possible coffee. Better it is only with a professional filter holder or an Italian espresso bar.
When milk foam it looks quite good, nice and pored a good consistency. A hot track he should still be here can unfortunately not make temperature adjustment.
Here I have to say that I am very spoiled by my last portafilter machine and its Dampfschäumer, perfect results for latte macchiato (hot, loose, airy) and cappuccino (creamy).
The taste include lattes and Cppuccino with Siemens, however, the best that I've drunk from a fully automatic machine.
Positive
---------
- From power on to start the first cup takes just 30 seconds personal best! Perfect for your morning coffee when time is of essence.
- Quietest grinder which I have heard so far
- 6 profiles with individual coffee settings can be saved with its own name
- Info key with number of previously related beverages and number of cups to the next cleaning / decalcification
- 8 (!!) different settings of coffee strength possible, 3 with two grinding / Brühläufen for fewer bitters
- Correct adjustment of the grinding degree / intensity very, very good coffee and espresso. Density, hazel crema, full, intense flavor on the finish without bitterness
Negative
---------
Secured machine when sending by any films -
- Drip scratched quickly
- In the first person in the user profile, it is not possible to change the hot water temperature (with the other already)
- Milk foam injected something with high bar glasses no problem at flat Cappuccinotassen the front must then ever be wiped
Whining at a high level
--------------------------
- Buttons could be a bit to the price-quality
- Menu navigation could a tad respond pointed, sometimes illogical (scrolling with pushbutton selection with rotary control) and in the volume setting somewhat complicated (display the strength of the coffee beans pictures, what may have been in three stages of its predecessor even an improvement is at the 8 steps be not more so. For example, if a very strong coffee desired this must first be "5 Bean" translated)
- Macchiato coffee- / milk ratio at bar can not be changed, only goes via single espresso / milk froth
Tips on the edge
===============
Especially with very hard water, the use of a water filter is recommended, whether directly in the water tank or by water filter. It must be less decalcified and so many vows (depending on the quality of the output water) on a better coffee flavor.
Original cleaner / descaler are usually very expensive, I use this kit to care: SIEMENS / BOSCH CARE SET FOR Kaffeevollautomaten No .: 311 196
Keyword warranty extension, I decided for an extension to 5 years. Even if the insurance company (according to AGB) a special termination right exists after the first damage, a defect in coffee machines within 5 years (due to past experience and from the circle) unfortunately relatively likely, and the price (for insurance) already first with the Repair recouped.
Who the coffee and the milk must be cold should consider the following
Make coffee temperature to "MAX" -
- Heavy Kaffeepötte suck the temperature on outright short preheating in any case with the hot water button
- Any (!!) coffee comes only from the second (portafilter even after several) cup (s) on temperature
I have perfectly at Cafe Crema almost 80 ° in the cup!
Conclusion
===============
All in all, the Siemens 300 EQ.8 the somewhat higher price definitely worth it. Stylish exterior, quick startup, silent grinding / brewing - the process until the first cup's just fun. But the result in the cup to be proud of and taste my coffee consumption has since trebled again :-)
So far, I was also of the opinion fully automatic can not freshly roasted beans from the roaster (eg Caffe Fausto) sufficiently worthy and have mostly used a variety Lavazza. With the Siemens EQ.8 I'll probably still make an attempt with fresh roasting beans and late filing a review!
Comparison
===============
Finding the right coffee machine was not easy in the fullness of manufacturers and devices, following models I looked at. Sometimes only through reports / tests, partly offset by direct comparison with the dealer with some sample coffees.
Siemens EQ.8 600/900
----------------------
The larger sisters my Siemens EQ.8 300 have the following additions (which had me but not worth the extra cost):
600: page also stainless steel milk container, illuminated coffee spout, cup warmer, two temperature levels more in hot water
900: Graphical color menu, go early warning if coffee / water to tend additional type of coffee "cafe au lait", still more constant brewing process, water filter equal supplied
Bosch VeroSelection 300/500/700
----------------------
The Bosch Veroselection series is identical to Siemens EQ.8 series. It differs only by the appearance a little. For me personally, the red display color did not like, so I opted for the Siemens.
Miele CM6300
----------------------
From the looks very minimalist and chic, the white version could be sprung almost from the hands of Apple. Not as nice is the loud coffee grinder and some components (such as water tank), take the not quite the proverbial Miele quality.
Jura Impressa C60
----------------------
Excellent coffee, attractive appearance, affordable price. Nevertheless, for me it was due to the low coffee spout and mainly because of the permanently installed brewing no alternative. Anyone who has seen how a fully automatic machine with a fixed brewing unit is opened after 1-2 years for repair needs strong nerves ... because collects something!
Melitta Cafeo Ci
----------------------
Declared in 2012 by Stiftung Warentest test winner and the current rate almost a bargain.
Positives: cheaper price, purist appearance, accessories such as cleaners and so on up to 14 cm height-adjustable in delivery, illuminated coffee spout, over 300 positive reviews Amazon
Negatives: noisy coffee grinder, coffee switch (two beans subjects) only after 2-3 coffee active, coffee has not taken quite my taste (bitter)
Melitta Cafeao Barista
----------------------
Successor of Cafeo Ci with subjective (even) better coffee (she could with the Cafeo Ci directly compare). Chic TFT panel with large plain text display and touch screen operation. Although this is okay for the selection of coffee, you want but as the amount of coffee changed by a slider via touch it is sometimes somewhat hakelig. For the touch surface would be more responsive (to smartphone level).
You can switch between two types of beans there are also here, but only in the most expensive variant (Barista TS) automatically (Espresso / Cafe) and also directly from the first cup. Otherwise, you wait here also 2-3 cups to the selected type of bean in coffee mug lands.
