Customer service
Install, connect and start ran without any problems, until I accidentally held a first, manual flushing coffee started, what the machine with the error message broke that the brewing unit is not inserted correctly. After futile attempts 30 minutes I gave up exhausted and turned on the phone very nice and helpful customer service, by means of which, and in my opinion, sometimes quite unconventional methods, the machine, the brewing group finally accepted and since then is performing well.
Equipment
Philips delivers a basic package in which only water and coffee beans missing to perform an initial start. To this end, I have to say, however, that the machine can be operated with a Intenza water filter that is not included and is not even mentioned in the Quick Start Guide. As cleaning aids and care products is a brush and a small tube of grease. Here you should as soon as possible to read the detailed operating instructions on the website of Philips, which is unfortunately not included, but much more detailed and helpful information for commissioning.
Service
After looking in the online manual and a brief orientation on the menu, the machine is easy to operate. The keys are a little stiff, but what I have got used quickly. If I have internalized that the amount of coffee is set to the same key as the choice of coffee beans and coffee powder and the unit automatically change after preparation of a beverage from coffee powder back on coffee beans, can really go wrong any more. The amount of water is to be programmed individually for both espresso, as well as coffee. The strength of the grind is set in the bean container with a key provided during milling. It should be noted that the device requires some runs until the change reaches.
The outlet is so high that my latte macchiato glasses fit easily underneath with just over 15 cm. Unfortunately, I can draw only 11 cm height down to thereby relatively short run but, whereby the espresso must flow in the preparation of this amount in the little cups, and doing pretty injected. Delighted is my daughter from the classic cappuccino maker that heats the milk in no time and with a little practice an ordinary milk foam creates. He has over the Cappuccinatore in other fully automated the advantage that it is quickly removed and cleaned and generally less rough edges has, where can stick milk residues.
Products
By ceramic grinder This machine grinds the coffee relatively quiet. The beverage service is really hot, and it is predicted by the customer service - as opposed to the product description on Amazon - is not possible to modify the brewing temperature. Although the machine the same water and the same coffee beans used as our Saeco Royal, the Crema falls at the Minuto slightly lower, possibly due to the fact that beverages specific settings are pre-brewing and coffee temperature can not be set separately. Nevertheless, espresso and coffee taste very delicious. The hot water comes with a temperature of about 82 ° C from the machine, resulting in my preheated cup to a temperature between 75 ° C and 79 ° C. Whether that's hot enough to brew a cup of tea, everyone must decide for themselves, to preheat the cups it was good enough. Cappuccino and latte macchiato are prepared within a very short time by the bar I aufschäume milk directly Macciato glass and let then run a coffee on it. Although the froth is not quite as solid as it passes through a Cappuccinatore, it is stable and the layers are separated cleanly.
Cleaning
The machine performs at startup and at each transition to standby from a flushing operation. When I see how cloudy the water is every time I take the high water consumption and the frequent filling of 1.8 l fairly large water tanks for the small device gladly accept. Also, the grounds container framed with 15 coffee servings relatively large, and therefore rarely have to be emptied with us. Nevertheless, he is, as well as drip tray and water tank, rinsed out every day with us, because it is an ideal breeding ground for bacteria and mold with its humid heat. Since these parts are easily accessible, the cleaning effort keeps this in check.
Continues to be a main argument for buying a Saeco machine is the removable brew group, which offers the possibility of a really thorough cleaning for me. Very helpful I find the detailed and full description of Philips website, as the brewing unit used correctly and at what points greased every 4 weeks. In the post there is manual also clearly structured and clearly shows you which parts should be cleaned as often. This facilitates maintenance and care significantly and will soon become routine.
NOTE: In contrast to the product at Amazon, the detailed user guide on the Philips website expressly states that only the Tassenabstellrost must be cleaned in the dishwasher. Grounds container, drip tray and Milchschaumdüse must be washed by hand !!!
Others
The machine is classified in energy efficiency class A. In standby mode, the default turns off after 30 minutes, it consumes less than 1 Wh. Contrary to the statement in the manual this time is fixed and can not be changed, which is why we do this immediately after use manually to standby Mode switch.
Conclusion
The device is with us now for 4 weeks in use and produces multiple daily delicious, different coffee variants. The cost to manufacture the product is minimal, and cleaning and maintenance are not complicated with a little routine, as in many other devices. For the small kitchen of Saeco fully automatic Minuto is a really affordable and highly recommended solution!
**** Supplement on 06/01/2015 ****
Due to the many negative reviews I would add that our machine still works flawlessly.
