whether in white, red or black ... top results for a Padautomaten at a fantastic price-performance ratio

---
advance (1.1.15):
The PETRA Germany GmbH belonged to the WMF Group (on my machine is front top "made in Germany"), but is (unfortunately !?) since about mid-2013, a 100% subsidiary of Tristar Europe BV, Tilburg, The Netherlands, which in turn a company of Smartwares BV group of companies - can only hope that quality and service have remained the same and will be.
---

Allen doomsayers and by now well 8 years, intensive daily use (the "box" is still running!):

With proper selection of coffees - for each type of coffee, the own brand ... low quality = poor coffee ;-) - and correct insertion of the pads and the milk foam unit, this compact machine is preparing in record time very best culinary delights ... whether pads or coffee powder - incredible what she does.

FIRST THINGS FIRST:
The product description shown here is now so good that from my side there is nothing more to add, except) maybe:
* The operation of the machine is totally easy
* The water / steam quantity can be regulated infinitely
* Although only about 1600 Watts brings the pump pressure about 2 bar
* The Petra is also wonderful for rapid hot water production, for example, to make a cup of tea
* You should always clean the floor in the machine on which the cartridge is inserted and pressed, with a paper towel; then running out of there no water
* The machine is ready for operation very quickly, so heats up within a short time
* Automatic required) descaling program lasts approximately 25 minutes
(By the way, when the light begins to flash for descaling, unfortunately can be made no milk foam more; the other functions are still available)
* The water tank required during filling and replacing some skill;)
* Well, the polished surface happens to be easily susceptible; but plastic is now time plastic, and this machine are subject to wear and to make (at least for us) good drinks, making them now truly :)

!!! NB .: The cassette and a few filters for coffee powder were with me the way with this and it seems to still;) Therefore, I would wait and see what is the actual scope of delivery today, unless you want to, if necessary, a 2nd cassette as a reserve have !!!

OTHERWISE

MILK FOAM:
The time and again mentioned problems with the milk foam unit:
Included is a sheet with important information for the care of this unit. To ensure a really good foam, it is important that the air duct (29) and clean the hose adapter is inserted properly into the mixer (27) - Promote the air duct upward to place. After snapping the air duct (29) drag it back a little, but without unlocking it. (If in doubt, file (for older models) the air channel with a narrow, diamond nail file gently bit (= minimally!) To and smooth the entire groove with your thumb nail ... it must just work)
And you have a wonderful, airy and yet firm milk froth - the more fat containing milk, the denser the foam.
* Tip for easy cleaning:
We have in addition to the engine always a beaker with clear water and a with water and a little detergent. Once the foaming finished, we set the lever to 2 cups and let briefly the detergent and then the water run through. Works great! Approximately every 10-14 days I brush the nozzles with a natural bristle and clean the nozzle / channels with a toothpick. Go ratzfatz.
* By the way:
Foaming milk with a whisk yields physically a completely different result, as in this case, yes, no water is supplied. If we compare the froth of Petra with a example, expanded by a professional Lavazza espresso machine not sooo big difference is, amazingly, to recognize.

ESPRESSO:
Ideas about how to taste espresso has, there are a dime a dozen ... and so great, this machine is not ;-)
Taking a good espresso (eg beetles, Esperanza, Uno, Illy, Segafredo) and placed the pad as described explicitly in the manual, there is a wonderful coffee (and I diesbzgl. Certain claims!).
For an espresso cup should 14g Espresso, so its 2 pads; You'll be amazed at the result. With 7G you do in any machine, not even in a professional Lavazza, a "tangible" Espresso, except perhaps a short.

Coffee temperature:
As with all machines (especially for Italian coffee types) it is easy also important in the professional and extremely expensive, that the cups are well preheated. The coffee comes with approximately 80 degrees from the filter of Petra Artenso bar, and that's probably warm enough. We use the way the traditional! Thick! Cappuccino / espresso cups, which also keep the heat for a certain time!
* Tip:
I make the cups (and not only), regardless of what coffee / espresso exception I make iced coffee :) in our microwave hot; doing great, and so is this part that we otherwise no longer use, but still his mind;)

Cold coffee is cold coffee here :)
The Tip to keep coffee in the freezer to keep it fresh longer, is now widely known. But if I do that, I give the required amount of coffee or the pads prior to use (no matter for which / n machine / kettle) always spend a few minutes in order to be something "acclimatization" can.

* * * CONCLUSION been said, almost 8 years of use * * *
My most recommendation
for this performance joyful, functional, easy to clean and in all parts
thoughtful Padautomaten with results of quality and wertzuschätzender
a fantastic price / performance ratio.

USEFUL ACCESSORIES
always "Google" worth;)
- Brush for the milk hose
- Chlorine filter
- Durgol Entkalker - best you look under "Durgol" to find the best price currently ;-)

NOTES
December 2014
* After repeatedly asked:
According to the operating instructions the following coffee pod types should not be used (and that I would then also for the sake of not machine):
- Pads with an outer diameter less than 7 cm
- Hard pads for espresso machines
- Pads with additives for cappuccino, etc ...

... Oh yes, our WMF Petra-Maschinchen still running :)))