43 of 45 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Very Happy With It, August 4, 2009
This review is from: Saeco 00385 Nina Bar Traditional Espresso Machine (Kitchen)
I almost always look at Amazon reviews before I buy anything these days. Shopping for an espresso maker with this method was extremely frustrating because the reviews for most machines are all over the map. The same machine will be loved by some, hated by others. This seems to be because people are looking for different things. The would-be barristas (why would anyone dream of working at Starbucks?) want all the bells and whistle and others just want the basics. For me, this machine does a pretty good job of covering both worlds. I have had it about a month and use it many times each day and have had no problems. I mostly use it for espresso using freshly ground beans and it works well for that. I have also used it with pods a couple of times and that seems to work well also. I think the Cappucinator attachment is pretty cool. Basically, you pour some cold milk in a cup, stick a little plastic hose from the Nina's Cappucinator attachment in to the cup, place another cup under the Cappucinator and turn it on and out comes steamed milk with froth. I get a nice froth with 2%, not so much with skim. One other reviewer notes that you need to prime the pump for making espresso after each of the steam wand and/or cappucinator. This is true but it is a simple and quick process and doesn't bother me. Overall, I'm very happy with this machine.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
2.0 out of 5 stars
Almost Good!, January 31, 2009
This review is from: Saeco 00385 Nina Bar Traditional Espresso Machine (Kitchen)
This machine is well made, simple to use and easy to clean. However, I was very disappointed to discover that the pump must be primed EVERY time you use the steam wand. What a pain!
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
its blink and blink....., October 8, 2009
This review is from: Saeco 00385 Nina Bar Traditional Espresso Machine (Kitchen)
This is my third machine so I am pretty familiar with the home espresso machines.
The main problem with this machine it's the automation, you need to warm it before it brew the coffee every time (brew water), and actually you need to wait a lot of time to brew coffee and for the steam to warm the milk.
the coffee taste very good, and the machine is absolutely powerful.
Cleaning its easy, although they have a small piece of plastic and a rubber valve inside the coffee cup, which is impossible to take out and a nightmare to clean.
the blinking its very weird, looks like the machine is not working every time you turn it on, but when you get used to it, it will brew the coffee eventually.
for summary don't spend the extra [...], buy the manual operated one.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No