Customer Reviews

Espressione CA4865 Supremma Super-Automatic Coffee/Beverage Center

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(7)

 

 

We've used this machine at our home overseas in 220-240V version for over four years and have found it to be flawless in performance, effortless in programming and use, so uncomplicated to use that we had this in a orthodontists office where adults and children alike used the machine. Purchased the 110-120V version and am delighted with performance (seems to be some improvements over orignal model we own) Creates an excellent crema at the perfect temperature when pulling a shot(s) of espresso or an americano. Preinfusion feature insures great results. Plenty of powerful, dry steam for frothing milk. A breeze to use the cappucinador by placing line into milk jug or container, frothing milk directly into the cup. Touch screen panel gives clear and straightfoward commands. Audible bell tone advises if there is an item not in place, not enough water or dump bin needs to be cleaned. Generally I make between 18-22 coffees before needing to remove and clean the dump bin. Pleasant cobalt blue power switch and cobalt blue light that illuminates the large water tank. Grinder adjustment is very easy. customer service taught me a trick where you can "increase the grind time" thus receiving optimum results from a hard or heavily roasted coffee bean. This gave us the capability of achieving a sold coffee cake or puck after each coffee. We owned another brand here in america and it was difficult to remove the brewing group (a key was required). This one extremely easy to remove for cleaning with one turn of a clip and one knob that you unscrew. All in all we view this machine as outstanding and our thrilled that we can recommend our friends to buy it on Amazon. Although the water reservoir and bean container is larger than a unit that we used from Switzerland, I'm going to contact the maker to see if it's possible to get even a larger water reservoir and a larger bean container.

I've had the machine for 4wks and the output has been reliable- great coffee once you personalize your settings. I am going with a med/dark roast on a course grind. The espresso is great- not bitter just rich. The machine is very smart and tells you when something needs attention and, specifically, which item needs your attention. Cobalt light looks cool at night and the auto-off feature is nice. I only wish it would automatically turn on in the AM.

One complaint of mine is that some water ends up in the dump box due to the machine's auto-rinse feature. This makes emptying the dregs tray more difficult because it is full of grounds and water. The machine can make a mess around the dump box/ below the brew group. On the plus side, the brew group is easily removable. I am very skeptical of units without removable brew groups. Sounds like a terrible idea that prevents any user maintenance.

I believe when I switched to a darker roast, my grind was too fine and I was clogging the brew group. Much better taste and results from a courser grind. Super-automatics in general are very particular about types of espresso roasts. Oil content needs to be low to prevent clogging. High oil content and a fine grind equals maintenance issues.

Another problem is guests loading too much ground coffee into the bypass doser. This results in grounds spewing all over the brew group. The max amount for the brew group is one flat scoop (included scoop is about 8 or 9g). So don't put more than the max dose in (one guest put 4 heaping scoops in). Another gripe is the steam wand initially spits some H2O before you get all steam. I imagine this is common because the wand also dispenses hot water when that function is selected, so some water is in the line until purged.

Overall, the looks and function of the unit are quite nice. It is reliable and easy to maintain. I am not a superautomatic guru yet because this is my first foray into these machines. I believe this is a great entry point, value-wise. And it makes great-tasting coffee!

After almost a month and a second try, I give up.

There are some pros, though, and it would be unfair not to mention them ...

Nice design, very attractive.

The coffee is not bad at all.

And, the customer support very competent and knowledgeable.

But ...

The machine seems to have a mind of its own.

The first one didn't work at all. I called customer support, but more to accomplish a formality ... When you pay $1,000.00 for a product, the last thing you expect is to have to spend the first day trying to make it work.

But I decided to give it another try.

The second one started just fine. User friendly, great coffee, stylish (looks great on the counter)...

After a couple of weeks, the output became inconsistent (some shots not even enough to fill a tablespoon). Resetting the amount of water didn't help. Customer service suggested that I avoid using the fine grind settings ... in other words: avoid certain settings, you may mess-up the machine. Well, this is not what I was expecting from a $1,000.00 machine.

At the same time, the brewing group started spilling the ground coffee all over the brewing compartment, without apparent reason (and, therefore, no way to fix it). Cleaning became a hassle.

The bottom line is ... not worth $1,000.00. This is the reason for the single star.

Purchased this as a Christmas present for my wife who happens to love all things coffee. I figured a high-end, touch-screen coffee machine was the perfect gift, and it was, until it stopped working. Less than a full month into use this $900 coffee maker has begun to leak and won't even brew a cup as the equipment states there is an error. I gathered there was an error when water started to spew out the rear of the device, but there is no fix in sight and I already have been forced to take it into a repair shop. But at least the cool blue light on the side of the machine still works. Maybe the light was just foreshadowing how blue I'd get once I learned how much money I'd lost on such a shoty product.

Just purchased the Espressione Supremma and love it. I have used other brands, Saeco and Delonghi and this one is much better. Did have to go through set up procedures and adjust grinder to proper setting, but once I did that, the unit works like a dream. Tight dry pucks in the waste container. Holds about 20 before you have to dump out. The cobalt blue light looks awesome when the unit is on at nite in my kitchen. The touch screen is so simple to use. I was able to program the size of the 4 espresso drinks to my size cups. Also I just used the auto frother and it froths awesome. You need to remove the frother on the unit and screw this one on and then place the tube into the milk and it sucks it up and comes out hot and frothed. The computer on this unit is very smart. It will show you on the screen if the dump box is full or if a component is missing. I am loving my new purchase and plan to have it for a long, long time.

I do NOT like this thing. $1083 Disapointment.

Wattery coffe.

Clogged outlet.

VERY Messy "puck" holder.

This machine NEVER made a "PUCK"

Week flavor and I never got a good shot out of it. NOT ONE.

I tried over 100 different times and then gave up.

Had to put this 29lb piece of junk back in the box and return it to the store.

Sorry but dont buy it.

This machine is a tribute to Italian design in its appearance. It also makes the best espresso of any of the automatic machines I"ve owned. The blue illumination is simply gorgeous and the touchpad makes it easy to satisfy all my family's differing requests for quantity and strength of coffee brewed. Though other reviewers have some qualms about the inability to produce more than a 5 ounce cup at any one time it should be remembered that this machine is truly designed to extract no more than a reasonably tasty cup of coffee. If more than 5 ounces is needed then for heaven's sake make an Americano!

When I learned that this machine was designed by Solac in Spain, has many Italian components including the commercial quality brewing group from Bianchi...I was definitely interested in learning more about this machine. A friend of mine in Chicago purchased the machine and have a great report. I also now have the machine and can report the following:

1. Outstanding results...excellent shots and at the proper temperature.

2. Bean hopper is large and on top of the machine. Easy to reach and seal keeps the beans fresh.

3. East to clean. It simply takes turning a switch and unscrewing a knob to remove and thoroughly clean the brew group. Other machines we've owned were a nightmare to clean...this is not the case. Simple to take out dump bin for coffee cakes that remaing after brewing coffee and tray that this bump bin sets in.

4. The touch control screen is easy and comfortable to use. Simply select large or small coffee (you can program amount of liquid for each) then select whether you want a REGULAR strength or EXTRA strength brew.

5. Adjustable grinder very simply to adjust while machine is in operation. Also has feature Coffee Adapt Technology which after making a couple of coffees, the unit adjusts to the type of coffee bean used.

6. Large water reservoir with really cool cobalt blue light that remains on when the machine is on.

7. Easy to remove drip tray also expedites cleaning process.

With the recommendation that I received, all I had to do was buy it, plug it in and I began to immediately appreciate this fine piece of equipment. Although not an inexpensive purchase, I'm absolutely thrilled with the results and so are all of my friends/business associates that play with the machine. The 10-year-warranty on the brewing group give us all confidence, that if anything goes wrong with the "brain" of the machine, that it will be replaced free of charge. You won't go wrong...go for it.

After reading the reviews, I took a chance on this machine. I may have made a mistake. Worked flawlessly for 5 weeks, than failed. Failure was somewhat contemporaneous with a change to another brand of espresso beans, however pucks are still solid so I don't think that's the problem. Sending back for warranty repair. At least they didn't ask me to pay for the return shipping. Bringing my manual Gaggia out of storage in the interim. Good thing I didn't give it away!

Purchased in June 2010. Went through a pound of coffee and contact with customer service just to get it operating correctly. Very tempermental. Requires constant cleaning, and need to adjust grind with every coffee purchase to minimize either clogging or grounds in base of unit. After eight months, the computer board fried. Sent it in under warranty. After return, worked better, but certain functions like cups made and adjusting grind period, no longer available. After another six months, the power board fried. Estimate is another $200 for repair plus shipping. Presently sitting on counter as decoration because it looks great. Should be more robust internally considering the initial price. Limited repair facilities available. Deciding whether to spend another $260 for repair plus shipping, or cut losses by buying cappucino at local barista. With only one year warranty and DIY manuals unavailable, appears there is an exclusive stream of income through constant repair and service. What do you think?