The Saeco Gran Crema is a machine built for simplicity and durability. A pressurized style portafilter makes the Gran Crema a great starter machine, reducing the amount of control the user needs to have over the grind setting and tamp pressure. In addition, its 5oz boiler ensures lasting steam power that is dispensed through Saeco’s signature Pannarello wand to take the guesswork out of frothing and steaming. The Saeco Gran Crema is both stylish and resilient, providing café quali (more…)
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#1 by Cagney on August 5, 2009 - 3:01 pm
First, let me say – I am NOT a coffee snob. I just like what tastes good to ME, and this Saeco makes it!
OK, that out of the way – my first foray into espresso makes was the inexpensive Mr. Coffee pressure-driven espresso maker for about $60. It worked OK, but only lasted about 6 months or so – at the end, it took the poor thing AGES to make my shot!
So, I started checking reviews of all the machines in my price range, which was $300 or less.
I finally decided to go with the Saeco Gran Crema. Couldn’t be happier! It’s pretty automatic – you fill the reservoir with water, turn it on, put your grind into the appropriate filter, or use one of those single-serve pods if you want, attach it to the machine and about 25 seconds later, I have enough to make what I like – Cafe Americano with some heavy cream. I get plenty of nice thick crema and good-flavored, but not bitter, brew. It’s easy to clean up (knock out the old grounds and you’re ready to go again!) and has a decent-sized drip reservoir.
I don’t use the wand – what I do is heat up some water, fill my mug half full, add 2 teaspoons heavy cream, and then my espresso. So I can’t speak to how it does frothing milk or dispensing hot water, which I gather from the instructions it will do.
This machine sells for between $250 and $300 – I managed to score a refurbished model for about a hundred bucks – IMHO it’s WELL worth that and I would have been happy to have paid the $250 for it!
#2 by Nell on August 5, 2009 - 3:19 pm
I have had my Gran Crema since May 2005. I loved it until suddenly the flow reduced dramatically and the pump got loud. The instruction booklet said if this happened, the machine might need to be descaled. I bought some descaler and it helped for about a week, but the flow has never been good since and usually just barely drips through. And the pump noise continues. I am afraid the pump may be going out already (too soon, in my book) and I will have to replace the machine. However, after researching the various brands and models, I may reinvest in this machine again and see if the next one lasts longer. When it was working correctly, it made a great, fast espresso, and the steamer (which on my model is stainless steel) still works great. The instruction booklet also mentioned cleaning the top filter if coffee flow decreased, but did not explain how to do it. Maintenance was not covered well in the manual, IMO.
#3 by Gali on August 5, 2009 - 3:52 pm
The espresso is delicious. For some reason, starbucks espresso roast beans taste better to me when I make it at home with this machine than when I have it at Startbucks. That’s got to be just personal preference since it’s the same beans and Starbucks’ machines are way higher quality, but still, that’s saying alot.
The only negative for me is that it’s been finicky on occassion – and no espresso comes out even though the pump is working like crazy. I thought the pump needed time to prime but it turns out that’s not it. If the milk steam wand gets clogged, that does it. So to fix it, put the steam wand in a glass of water and clear it (turn on the steam), and it’s fixed.
With this knowledge, I recommend the unit.
#4 by Edna on August 5, 2009 - 6:08 pm
1.0 out of 5 stars
Christmas Disappointment
I bought this espresso maker for my girlfriend for Christmas. Anticipation was the only good part. For the money the overall quality was below average but most of all, it didn’t…
#5 by Macy on August 5, 2009 - 9:47 pm
5.0 out of 5 stars
Lattes Every Morning!
I bought this machine as a step up from a little single steam espresso machine that made one cup at a time.