Customer service
After unpacking and setting up the machine, however, came the first disappointment - when you start it remained a regular basis with a system error depend and demanded a restart. After a 45 minute, free telephone call to the really nice and helpful customer service, it was clear that he could not help us, and I had received the free Rücksendeschein e-mail before the end of the conversation. Alternatively, I was offered to be picked up the machine, what I felt as a real service. A week later she was back, and 10 minutes after unpacking the first espresso stand ready.
Equipment
Philips delivers a comprehensive package, which really only coffee beans and water are missing to get started right away. In addition to a maintenance set with grease, brush, etc. of the machine decalcifier, cleaning tablets and powders will be to clean the parts that come into contact with milk. Even a Brita water filter is that I did not use due to our soft water. This is sufficient for the first few weeks, and I have enough time, me nachzukaufen this consumables.
Furthermore, a thermos is included, which keeps refrigerated milk cold and is connected via a suction hose directly to the Cappuccinatore. This not only looks classy but is very handy if you want to prepare in the course of an afternoon cappuccino and repeatedly saves the path to the refrigerator. However, I must admit that I know the cleaning effort for this portion is too big, so I prefer to keep the second supplied suction hose in a cup of milk, which I then place in the dishwasher.
Service
After looking in the manual and understand a brief orientation in the menu system, the machine can be operated intuitively. Amount per serving coffee and grinding degree of the coffee as usual manually outside of the enclosure, all further input from the menu. All drinks must be programmed individually and depending on the variety in water quantity, quantity of milk, pre-brewing time and temperature. Macciato Espresso, Double Espresso, cappuccino and latte are issued directly at your fingertips, all other drinks on the menu, which can be reached with 2 button presses.
The cappuccinatore is used with a handle and has its outlet so that coffee and frothed milk will be filled in a single operation in the cup next to the coffee spout. Clever is the coffee spout, which is vertically adjustable not only for different levels of cups, but can be pushed horizontally towards the rear in addition, creating even higher Latte macchiato glasses can be filled easily.
Products
Compared to our old machine grinds the coffee this pleasantly quiet. With the same settings the coffee tastes much better, possibly due to the longer pre-brewing. All beverage service is really hot and are a real treat. When Latte macchiato layers separated cleanly and the foam pleasantly firm.
What I miss a little, is the issue of water vapor. On my old machine I have so heated and foamed, for the assembly or cleaning the Cappuccinatores not worth small amounts of milk.
Cleaning
The cleaning of this machine has been significantly improved compared to our old unit. She rinses the coffee spout not only at startup, but also during the transition to standby. When I see how cloudy the water both times, I prefer to think not about what I mitgetrunken earlier. Comfortable is the purge function of Cappuccinatores that starts simply by pressing a button. For subsequent cleaning can easily disassembled into 6 parts and afloat again be assembled.
Continues to be a main argument for buying a Saeco machine is the removable brew group, which offers the possibility of a thorough cleaning for me. Drip tray, coffee grounds container and other, regular parts to be cleaned are easily accessible and keep the cleaning effort in the context.
Others
The machine is classified in energy efficiency class A. With reason is certainly the separately einzuschaltende Eco mode, I think is a great solution, in which the water heater for heating the milk is not kept permanently ready for use. Thus, the preparation of the first cappuccino or latte macchiato will be extended to the heating of the water heater for the milk, what I feel, as opposed to my daughter as reasonable. The heated cup tray is turned off and the time until the automatic transition to standby mode is between 4 periods selected.
Small details like the aroma gentle closing the coffee bean container or magnetically held, flat and easy to clean cover the drip tray complete the overall very good impression of the machine.
Conclusion:
The device is now with us for 6 weeks in continuous use and produced several times a day class, various coffees and cappuccino at the touch of a button. The cost of production of the products and cleaning and maintenance of the machine is ultimately less than everything individually prepare in various devices and then rinse. I do not want to miss this device. Absolute buy recommendation!
