Customer Reviews

Saeco 00385 Nina Bar Traditional Espresso Machine

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

 

 

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.

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!

I purchased a new one of these over a month ago. After using it one time, it completely stopped working. I sent it to Saeco to be repaired or replaced. Saeco has not even looked at it yet, so I'm assuming it's still going to be another week or two before it is returned. Ugggg. The machine is very cheap looking. The portafilter and water tank are very awkward to use. I had a Krups before. It was a much more solid machine.

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.

I like the taste of the coffee brewed by my new Nina Bar but I am puzzled how difficult it is to insert the portafilter (so tight I need help from a second person to hold the machine while i try to lock it in place). It is this tight even when there is no coffee in the portafilter. This cant be right. Does anyone else experience the same?

I've had this machine for 5 months using it about 5 times a week. Hasn't broken yet. The crema is nice! It doesn't take long for it to warm up; I turn it on and start filling the basket and it's always ready before I am. The tamper size is 58mm; Terry's is too small. Espresso cups must be warmed up elsewhere, this machine doesn't do that. After (hand)washing the basket, snap it into the holder using the fingertips - I used my palm initially and managed to hurt it a couple of times.

Tried cappuccino once - it tasted good but seemed too much trouble, what with cleaning, priming etc. A small whisk from Ikea + microwave work for me. When not using the steam features, I hardly ever need to prime the circuit.

One niggle - the machine doesn't actually look as nice as the pictures suggest. If you count on the espresso machine to add sophistication to your kitchen you may be disappointed - it's somewhat squat and quite plasticky.

I have a Saeco Aroma that I just love so when I saw this one on Amazon I gave this Saeco to my sister for Christmas. She told me today that it was the best present she has ever received!!! She loves this little machine!!!! It has changed her life. She never thinks about going out for coffee now.

P.S. She couldn't stop talking about the crema on top either!!!!

I was excited when it arrived, however this feeling was short lived since it stopped working 3 weeks in. I returned it thinking it was merely defective. The replacement machine I received broke down much like the first, leaking all over the place and then it just quit all together. In short, it's poorly made do yourself a favor and skip this one.

A "one" star is way too high but it's as low as I can go. I purchased this machine on the referral by the retailer who said it was such a reliable workhorse. This was not our experience. The first machine would not prime correctly. I called the manufacturer only to be put on hold for 45 minutes and then, after spending all that time waiting, a message came on and said that they were closed for the day and to call back tomorrow! I left a message on their voice mail explaining the problem. I never heard back from them and that was over 3 weeks ago. Then the frothing mechanism was extremely cumbersome and messy, resulting in spilled water and milk all over. I quickly learned the only way to get the froth was to do it manually. We returned the machine to the seller without a problem and they ordered us a new one thinking that this was just an quirk and surely we wouldn't have the same problem twice. You know what's coming... yes, while it was much better, the priming button was undependable, and of course the cumbersome frothing design was still a mess. There has to be an easier way to get a decent latte without having to wipe down all the counters and walls! This is not the stategy I would like to use to keep a clean kitchen! We have returned this user-unfriendly devise and have purchased one that is known to be reliable, user-friendly, and the reviews are pretty excellent. Plus, it is way less $$. It is the Krups XP4030. We shall see...

Saeco 00385 Nina Bar Traditional Espresso Machine
I just received this little machine today and tested it completely. It is everything they say it is. It is a great machine and I will be putting it thru it's paces every day.