i recommend a good quality burr grinder also, like i have read in other reviews.go to the starbucks site (http://www.starbucks.com/flash/sirena/default.htm) and watch the videos on setting up & using
the first was that the machine was selling in the stores for the same amount as paid on-line but had the expresso accessory kit (344406), grinder and coffee.
next, you need to get yourself a quality burr grinder...and don't let anybody tell ya different, the proper grind is more important than the espresso machine itself!!
it came with a starbuck's burr grinder and 2# coffee beans for $299.
now i just grind the coffee, scoop it into the portafilter, attach it to the machine, and push a button to pull the shot.
the only thing i would change is that it should give you the option of using ground coffee and not just beans.
from a cold start (that is if you have the machine turned off), it will grind and brew a cup in under two minutes.
nothing last forever and it finally developed a grinding noise inside, and we opted for a new one--although this might have been repaired for a couple hundred dollars.
and even then i can't be sure when a new scoop of beans are in the grinder because you pour the new beans on top of the ones.
had to tweak the grinder a bit to get the coffee to come out with a nice crema.
i got a capresso burr grinder for the espresso and a tamper and it took 5 shots (different grinds) to get that perfect three layer shot, but it is possible.
the only complaint is, i cannot use coffee that is ground on the "espresso" setting because it is too fine and the water cannot seep through.
it tends to boost the espresso grounds even more to give a ton of crema.
it makes very good espresso from both fresh ground beans or from e.s.e.
we use safeway brand french roast which is not a very fine grind and it makes us great coffee or espresso.
it's good that it has the automatic bean grinder too.
it does take some experimentation for the first few cups to achieve your desired brew/grind settings.
it was a bit better so i started making the grind finer.
the buttons are a bit flimsy and i wish it could accept ground coffee rather than beans-only.
some of the things i like most: (i) easy to load and unload the ground coffee; (ii) works reliably; and (iii) makes a mean cup of really creamy espresso.
we've used all the filter sizes with ground espresso and pods.
neither brand was capable of processing an espresso grind.
#3 you have to be really careful to not overtamp your grounds or you'll end out with coffee everywhere - this machine is a little pickier than i expected (and pickier than the really cheap machine
leaking water reservoir, "exploding" grounds).
it is obviously no replacement for a real espresso machine loaded with freshly ground espresso, but when you are far from home and from a decent barista, this little machine really delivers a decent
as anyone trained in specialty coffee would know, water pressure, water temperature and coffee grind are very important.
that will be great for those who like to buy fresh roasted beans and grind their own.
no more fighting on where to put all those coffee grinds in the bottom of your coffee press!
i like the idea i do not have to touch grounds in the morning like with the aeropress.
it grinds fresh coffee beans, tamps automatically either one cup or two cups worth, then brews the coffee to our own taste and measure, then disposes of the used coffee grounds,in less than 30 seconds
i've also used a locally available pre-ground decaf espresso in the by-pass doser with good results.
the machine starts with whole beans of your choosing and grinds them just for the drink you are making.
no mess, no coffee grounds to worry about and the best of all, it practically takes care of itself.
i don't have the space on my countertop for a giant coffeemaker, and i don't want to mess with measuring and coffee grounds--which is especially annoying when you're doing it for one person for one
what a mess to grind beans and make a pot, only to throw most of it out!
now i can pick out k-cup (of the assortment that it came with), pop it in and have my one cup of wonderful brewed coffee - no grounds to dump and filter to clean, no pot to wash out.
i fill it with ground coffee the night before, then in the morning add water and push the button.
two scoops of drip grind make one 12 oz cup.
(1) don't use loose coffee grounds.
the unit comes with 2 brew baskets, one permanent filter for ground coffee and one pod holder.
they'll blend 50/50 caf/decaf, grind or whole.
i grind my own beans for coffee and and on my first use i put in about a spoonful and a half for one cup.
a permanent filter (some fine grounds do make it through, however) is included.
two things to be aware of: it is very important to get the grind right, since a too-fine grind will clog the gold filter right away.
specifically, i have my own grinder and didn't want to pay an extra $30-$40 for something i won't use.
* gold filter: no grounds yet - i use auto-drip grind (medium); seems to work better than other gold filters i've used in the past.
- coffee must not be too finely ground or the same problem will happen
it's simple to use thanks to the individual coffee packets(no packing or cleaning of coffee grinds) is easy to clean and makes a great espresso!
there's no fussing with grounds, and it just couldn't be quicker or easier.
for those who feel beans should be freshly grinded, this machine is not for you.
no grinds to deal with, storage for cups, heated cup shelf, water container and self contained "garbage can." very low maintenance is what i was looking for in the bathroom.
that's without considering the waste you invariably get with grinding and the cost of a good grinder.
it produces a fabulous pot of coffee and the tiny bit of extra effort w/ grinding my own beans, heating the water, & hand-washing is definitely well worth it.
used it with tea bags and regular ground coffee too and it worked great!
no coffee grounds getting out and ending up in the coffee cup.
buy your coffee freshly ground at the coarsest setting and you will love the "clarity" of the coffee (less sediment & grounds) and the flavor is incomparable.
i have a blade grinder and my beans were the last of the batch and really not all that fresh, but...the coffee still tasted better than the drip pot with commercially ground canned coffee.
with my burr grinder, french press, trusty bialetti, frother, and two keurigs i thought i was set.
the 100% arabica coffees, chococinos and milk come in capsules that you just pop in the nescafe dolce gusto machine, no measuring or grinding of beans and i don't need an extra appliance on the
the grounds can be composted and the paper filter which encloses the grounds is biodegradable.
the coffee grounds are contained in a little cup, so clean-up is simple.
3) unlike the keurig k-cups system (granted, it's a coffee-maker rather than a pseudo-espresso machine), you cannot grind your own beans to make the specific blend or purity of flavors you'd
it is important that you take note of the grind setting when you open the box before you change it.
use the rinse button often, clear the grinds, use the clean button on the frother, descale as necessary.
i love that i never have to wait for the pressure to release before removing the grounds holder again.
there is a message to fill the water tank, add beans and empty the grounds.
cleanup is simple because there is no exposed coffee grounds.
cleanup is a breeze because i do not have to fool with coffee grinds or the soggy coffee pods.
put the middle section in, fill w/ground espresso (it is finer than regular american coffee).
grind coffee between medium and fine.
i did receive the gold tone filter with my maker, i still use the paper filters since the gold filter is not fine enough for my choice of grind.
the only difference between our grind & brew model at home and this new coffee maker is the new carafe weighs substantially less, but i don't notice any decrease in its ability to keep the coffee hot.
third, i decided to try the permanent filter even though i had a fear it would leave grounds.
it has a permanent gold mesh filter, which is nice, but to clean out the coffee grounds requires more water in the sink.
does take a little extra rinsing versus my old flat-bottomed one - the plastic across the bottom impedes the water flow a bit and you have to flip and swish it some to get all the old grounds out.
i think it makes a stronger brew with paper because it holds the water on the coffee grounds longer...same with any coffee maker.
it doesn't brew the best coffee unless you use a coffee filter in it and grind your coffee to fine.
note: be sure to use just the right amount of coffee otherwise the coffee won't brew right and grinds will get everywhere!
i like that you can use either pods or a coffee filter with your own ground coffee.
when i opened the machine to see why the coffee wasn't coming out, i saw that all the water had collected at the top of the filter and essentially couldn't make it's way through the coffee grinds
i have not had any problem getting grinds in my coffee, maybe because i have the sense not to fill it up too much.
you do get a few grounds, but that's true with just about any press.
i never, *ever* had a cup of coffee without getting a mouth full of grinds - from first sip to last.
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