Initial start-up
First, the very slim design is striking. It measures only 205 x 460 x 360 mm! Otherwise, she is kept in a black noble acting. The silver vertical stripes make the GRAN BARISTA even slimmer (it works well in women, smile).
Only coffee lovers will really want to take advantage of the setting. It took me a few days until I found out the right amount of milk for cappuccino or the right coffee strength for us. That is to bring for the first commissioning a lot of patience and time. Unfortunately, the icons do not explain by itself. The manual accompanying was it really necessary, but also very helpful.
When first because fell immediately on that GRANBARISTO unfortunately has to be operated from the top: both the coffee beans, and the powder, as well as the water tank opens upwards. In a normal kitchen there are many wall cupboards: GARNBARISTO and wall units get along not so good: the machine must either be shuffled back and forth, or, for example, filled with a small carafe of water. Pity!
But now to the most important, the taste:
6 different coffee strengths really make a difference. In combination of the automatic adjustment of Bardruckes something wonderful comes out: if you want an espresso, gets one, who wants a latte, gets one, who wants a Cafe Crema, gets a !!! For me super awesome, because so far I could only set the water, or milk yield but not for each specialty individually the coffee strength. By pressing a button do I get that to which I have a mind! My guests also amazed every time.
The GRANBARISTO has a 0.5-liter milk container which fits well in our fridge. That's why hip, as you should actually take cold 1.5% milk. The course is cooled in a refrigerator. Even in summer it is advisable to keep the milk container in the refrigerator. The milk foam is incidentally also the Sugar Test: the sugar remains on the foam until it has dissolved!
I've added a few photos ...
Unfortunately, the sleek design also has its drawbacks: we need to constantly refill the water. Even the Tresterberhälter reports also repeatedly. The manufacturer's information that 20 servings Kaffeeprütt can be collected, I can confirm in any case. After a maximum of 8 -10 servings you have already empty. SAECO has (I think) the only vendor also housed a water collection tank inside the machine. These containers also must be emptied several times a day.
However, I have read in various testimonials that you can not even make a latte Macciato- cup under the spout. This agrees with us not: the coffee spout is both height- and width adjustable.
Cleaning:
Who owns coffee machines, knows the problem of cleaning. Because defies automatic descaling and cleaning program you have to clean the inside regularly. Manufacturers use inside like black parts, so that one can no longer perceive as the coffee residues. Sauber is still something else! Annoying I found when my predecessor, for example, only the milk container was dishwasher safe. Here the GRANBARISTO has now rectified:
When starting up and before shutting down the coffee cycle is automatically flushed as with almost all coffee machines.
Cleaning the brewing unit works very simply: remove with just one finger pull, rinse under tap water reinserting it!
Automatic flushing of the coffee spout and decalcification, both programs provide cleaning in half the time that my PRIMA DONNA needed.
But the best part: The milk container, the drip tray and coffee grounds container can easily be cleaned in the dishwasher!
Nevertheless, almost one needs its own calendar, if you want to clean the GRANBARISTO according to the manufacturer. Here you also need an additional milk container cleaner. Unfortunately, the milk hose is extremely thin and there are no cleaning brush, which could make it thus.
Conclusion:
Thumb clearly upwards. For something less than 1000 euros you get a coffee machine which can create for my taste almost ingenious coffee in all forms of preparation. The slim design fits really well in just about any kitchen, but also means that you fill the machine more often and / or empty needs.
Espresso can you really call it espresso. He's strong, but tasty. The CarfeCrema has a great flavor, the milk creations have a milk foam which passes the sugar test itself.
The cleaning has become a little easier.
Unfortunately I miss something, the time and the ability to machine at a certain time to can be set. However, rinsing and warming up is very fast with less than 10 seconds, so I do not really miss the programmed response time.
However SAECO cheating somewhat with the statement that the GRAN BARISTA can prepare 16 specialty coffees. Certain specialty coffees can be prepared twice by pressing a button, allows you the opportunity away, the GRAN BARISTA at least still produce 12 specialty coffees and hot water.
Still, thumbs up and a perfect score because the coffee really tastes great! However, I speak from a buy recommendation only for coffee lovers who like several coffees and like to experiment. For the regular coffee drinkers it a bit too much attitude frills.
