Unfortunately, the coffee spout can not be adjusted upwards, so I'm very limited in the cup selection. Nevertheless, the machine is not only suitable for espresso, but also for regular coffee: the grind can be adjusted in 5 stages, so there's not only the fine grinding fineness for espresso, but also coarser levels for coffee. We drink from wide French cups, so we can brew a normal latte. The amount of water can be adjusted and programmed as required, is obtained also different coffee strengths. The machine has a so-called memory function, so it saves the selected amounts of water. Worth mentioning is also the switch-off.
Once the machine is turned on also starts quickly the automatic rinsing process, this takes less than 1 minute, then you can scroll the coffee directly. The amount of water is enough for us out for about 4 cups, the coffee beans we need to top up weekly. In operation of this coffee machine is considerably quieter than my big and I know models in friends and acquaintances. In use, the HD8651 is good to handle and not very time and labor intensive. Apart from the coffee beans once, the machine can be operated from the front, and the water tank is removed to the front, the brewing unit is taken off to the right side, and should be rinsed regularly under running water. I put the water tank, the pulp compartment and the drip tray in the dishwasher for cleaning, which makes the material easily with. Because the milk is foamed in an external container and the nozzle is automatically rinsed, I have no particular effort here. From the outside, I wipe the body off with a microfiber cloth. There are a variety of descaling agents, but I just let myself from time to time citric acid water run through my machine and after I rinse with clear water then still by 2x. How often do you have to descale depends on the local water hardness. We have quite soft water and that's why I'm doing this so approximately every three months and once so far has taken me no coffee or tea maker foul.
I can only say that I am pleased with both the flavor and the consistency with the coffee itself. The coffee does not taste burned, which is probably due to the ceramic grinder. The 15 bar pump pressure is sufficient for a decent crema. Compared to me known large fully automatic this little machine can measure the taste was quite. Even if you do not program offers choices to the extent large Onetouch fully automatic and the milk with the nozzle must be foamed, so I am still very happy and grateful for this optimum for our space alternative to the Philips HD8651 / 01.
I am confident that we will last a lifetime with this fully automatic and can only recommend to all those who have small kitchens, but little drinking coffee does not want to give up taste, or simply looking for other reasons an alternative to the big brothers.
