Espresso maker for Christmas?

[ryandalling]

As of right now... it is only Nespresso pods.. however, they do have like 30 different coffee bean types... from bold to exotic... (nothing flavored though.)

On a side note... their website always makes me cringe... as when I go to order new coffee... the music is like 80s porn...

[Fresh Pants]

As of right now... it is only Nespresso pods.. however, they do have like 30 different coffee bean types... from bold to exotic... (nothing flavored though.)

On a side note... their website always makes me cringe... as when I go to order new coffee... the music is like 80s porn...

*goes to website to listen to music...

*edit - just went to the website. Music description is right on the money. 

[Nitewaif]

   Y'all made me go listen.  So true.

[Bun-bun]

I think I've settled on a Saeco Vienna. It's automatic, has a burr grinder built in, 15 bar pressure, hot water dispensing for tea, and I can get a refurb from fleabay for right at my price limit.

Update: So I ordered a refurb Saeco Vienna off ebay, and it came in yesterday. I thought about just reshipping it to my sister, but decided to open the box and make sure everything was O.K.. Thank dog I did. The unit they sent me was dirty, the water tank was broken, and the steam knob was missing. I contacted the seller, who is the refurb rep for the company, and he was accomodating, and connected me with Saeco USA in New Jersey, who told me they would UPS new parts ASAP. After hanging up, I decided to clean the unit and give it a test run, just to be sure nothing else was wrong. Come to find out that this unit is truly broken, and won't push water through the grounds. It grinds, dumps into the hopper, makes noise, then dumps the dry grounds into the dump box! The steam wand works, just not the espresso boiler.
I left a voicemail for the Saeco rep, Steve, and he called me back this A.M. and they'll be sending me a NEW espresso maker via UPS today. He told me to throw out the old one, they don't want it back, but I think I'll take it apart and see if I can figure out what's causing the problem.
Not real happy with the situation, but I am happy with Saeco customer service.

[swampduc]

Wow, good thing you checked. Let us know how it works. I'm looking to upgrade from my $100 Target special 

[DesmoDiva]

I left a voicemail for the Saeco rep, Steve, and he called me back this A.M. and they'll be sending me a NEW espresso maker via UPS today. He told me to throw out the old one, they don't want it back, but I think I'll take it apart and see if I can figure out what's causing the problem.
Not real happy with the situation, but I am happy with Saeco customer service.

Now that's customer service.   

[Bun-bun]

So the replacement Saeco Vienna plus came in today, and it's working beautifully. I checked it over and plugged it in, added water and coffee beans in the appropriate bins, and turned it on. A couple of clunks and a whirrr or two, a minute for the light to stop blinking, push a button, a few more whirrrs and clunks, and YES! a double shot of espresso with a beautiful head of crema. hit the steam button, wait til it stops blinking(maybe 45 seconds), turn the knob, wait for the water to stop dripping, and steam the milk, add to espresso, and it's cappucino on the porch.
This is one of the automatic units, which means it burr grinds the beans, loads them into the filter, tamps the grounds, heats the water, runs it thru at 15bar, pours the espresso and dumps the used grounds into a removable dump box.
The units controls are extremely simplel three pushbuttons and a dial on the front, and a second dial on the side.
The pushbuttons from left to right , turn on the machine, activate the espresso hamster to turn his wheel and provide elixer, and turn the steam water heater on. The dial in front controls the amount of water to be run through the coffee so you can get a shot of espresso all the way to an 8oz. cup of coffee. The dial on the side controls the steam wand, and allows you to select hot water for tea, or steam for milk.
The chamber for the beans holds almost a full pound of beans(More if you leave the top off and mound them up), and the chamber for the water holds 64oz., so you don't have to refill either very often, and the water chamber is removable, so it can be filled at a sink without lugging the whole unit over or filling it one cup at a time.
So far, I've had a double shot espreso, a cappacino, and my wife has had "two of the best cups of coffee she ever had" (Her words). Each has been every bitas high quality as any of Starbux offerings.
It's a big machine for a kitchen countertop, about 16" tall, and 13" wide, but if you've got the space, it's a great way to use it.
Now I have to convince myself that my sister needs one more than I do, and that if I don't pack it up and ship it quick, it'll never make it cross country by Christmas. That little voice in my head keeps telling me that we're jewish, and I'm too late for Hanukah, so what's the rush. . . keep it for a few more days. . . she'll never know.

[OwnyTony]

Yeah, im glad everything worked out for you.  Try fixing the other unit as it seems that no water is getting/running through the machine maybe due to a clog (dont know about the boiler).  Does the water in the tank go down any when you make a shot?

It may be clogged somewhere and you may have to de-calcify it.

That would be great if you get it to work and you can buy the steam wand attachment separate.

There are some vids on http://www.wholelattelove.com/videos.cfm?vtid=1  that may help you get an understanding of the machines.  I remember watching them but dont remember if any of them had any trouble shooting vids.

[Nitewaif]

Now I have to convince myself that my sister needs one more than I do, and that if I don't pack it up and ship it quick, it'll never make it cross country by Christmas. That little voice in my head keeps telling me that we're jewish, and I'm too late for Hanukah, so what's the rush. . . keep it for a few more days. . . she'll never know.

Well, you might need to hang onto it for a bit to make sure there aren't any hidden defects that haven't manifested yet.

[NuTTs]

Krups Nespresso - excellent machine, over a year's abuse in my home now and still going strong. There are Nespresso boutiques now (in EU anyway) so you don't have to order the capsules online.

I like my coffee short, sticky and strong.

[Kopfjager]

I like my coffee short, sticky and strong.

That's how I like my women. 

[NuTTs]

That's how I like my women. 

He he he he.. without the sticky part, to start off with anyway 

[Monstermash]

Here's  the one you need to get..... complete with a special guest!!!

[Bun-bun]

So after using the Saeco a couple of times to be sure my sister wouldn't have any problems, I packed it up and shipped it off.
A few days after shipping it off, my wife, who was always dead set against "those overly complicated, overly expensive coffee machines for snobby people" tells me how wonderful it was to have "a really good cup of fresh coffee anytime I wanted it"
I have to admit, I miss my morning cappucino too, so. . .
There's a big box next to the TV with my wifes name on it.

[Bun-bun]

So it's been almost a year now, and both the Saeco Vienna I sent to my sister, and the one that I gave to my wife for X-mas are still working like new. Actually, I think mine is working a little better than it did when it was new now that it's worn in. This purchase has resulted in a new addiction for me. Up until last X-mas, I would drink 2, maybe 3 cups a year, but now, I am totally unable to function before that first double espresso every morning. Especially now that it's effing freezing every morning.

Anyone else an espresso junkie?
Is there a cure? (So I can stay away from it.)