Saeco Automatic Machines

deniro

Hi All,

as a new kid on the block, I need some advise on the Saeco Royal. We have friends that have one. It seems like a good model, nice coffee, easy to use... and yes, we are lazy! a) is this a good brand and model and b) how does it compare to the 100's of similar machines like the Delonghi and Krups range? My heart says go with what you know, but your advise would be welcome.

askthecoffeeguy

Hi Deniro, Unfortunately Saeco are not well known for their quality build these days, but that doesn't mean that its not a reliable machine. Krups are not what they used to be, and I would question the quality of extraction you get from one of these machines I haven't used a Delonghi, and I'm not a big fan of automatic machines, but if I was going to pick one I'd say that the Delonghi would probably be the most reliable performer Cheers, Pat

deniro

Thanks fro replying. I tried a Delonghi at a Store. The girl was helpful, but was shoving the delonghi down my throat (even after telling me she owned a Saeco, but if she was buying now.....) The coffee was awful. No Crema and very bitter. It maybe the coffe they use, or how she prepared it. I have to agree, the new Saeco's are very "plastic". The Roayl is an older model and seems OK. If you steer away from Automatics, bear in mind my laziness, what is a good machiine that requires as little fuss as possible?

GrindOnDemand

deniro, if you're passionate about coffee & wanting to learn more, then lose the laziness mate & get bloody serious! My sister has a bottom-end delonghi (bought without chatting with me ... grrrrr ...)  It's a semi, I can dose her pathetically small double PF high to the rim, with fine grind tamped hard, & time my own desired extraction.  I've managed to grind my bean to suitable fineness to accomodate my sis' woeful setup, & get a somewhat decent body & lasting crema.  But essentailly, the machine's aimed & priced at the domestic punter wanting a better at-home experience than their bodum, with ease - yeah, laziness. Milk-wise, totally automatic & tragic in results.  Comes out lukewarm, & aerated like a bubble-bath ... grrrr   My poison is a doppio, so the the whole milk thing is irrelevant to me when I'm over for a visit. To re-iterate, if you're serious about coffee, invest time, energy, tasting, & a bit of dosh in some decent equipment (ie machine/grinder/tamper) to get the best out of what a greatly roasted bean can offer. Like-wise with Pat, forget automatics.  If you love coffee, then your own control over the results is a HUGE part of the love ... loved your work in Cape Fear by-the-by, one of my faves.

deniro

Ok. Ok, I get it. Research time! I just kinda dug the "press the button; Presto, a neat cup of coffee!!" Atleast you have me thinking. Thanks for the input, I can't promise I'm going to get into the whole step by step process, we'll see. Thanks.

Thecoffeebarun

Hi Deniro Auto's will never (maybe never???) be as good as the real process but thats my opinion. We have about 10 Royals out there that we service and other than the odd problem they been very good. The Royals are no more, but you might pick up a RUNOUT cheapie from someone. We have the a New Primea Touch we are testig out- pretty nice but $$$$. The wife can even make a nice coffee for me and her lattes come out about 50-65 dergrees (second is always a bit hotter). but no steaming wand all done by a touch of a button. they come a long way Mark

deniro

Thanks mark. That's the kind of advice I need to hear. I don't expect it will be as good as the manual machines, but.... as much as I love my coffee, I don't have the amazing passion that you guys do. I know, if I had to do the work, it would be a fad and then sit gathering dust. I have heard the Royal is a run out which makes it more attractive because it was a $2000+ machine when new, you can pick one up without haggling for around $1500.

admin

Hi mate - great espresso depends on a number of things, but two of the important ones are whether you can get the grind fine enough, and whether you're using freshly ground beans. I'm know i'm generalising here, but the problem with autos for most purists is that they usually can't handle a really fine grind -ie they haven't got the oomph to force the water through the ground coffee, and secondly you need to be aware that with many autos, the beans in the hopper tend to get warm, which means they go stale extremely quickly. You can [sort of] get around the first by setting the grind as fine as the machine will allow, and the second by making sure you put only as many beans in the hopper as you need each morning, or each usage - this means at least you should be using relatively fresh coffee. We don't all have to be purists - understand that convenience is really important to some people - hope the above helps in your decision. -A