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Starbucks Barista Digital Italia (Super Automatic)

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Discussions > Espresso > Machines > Starbucks...

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Kenwood
Senior Member

Joined: 20 Feb 2004
Posts: 80
Location: Phoenix
Expertise: Pro Barista

Espresso: Barista Digital Italia
Grinder: Solis Maestro Plus
Vac Pot: French Press
Drip: Cuisinart "Coffee on Demand"

Posted Fri Feb 20, 2004, 2:35pm Subject: Starbucks Barista Digital Italia (Super Automatic)

Starbucks is having their Annual Brewing Event Sale. I've been wanting to get this machine. http://www.starbucks.com/retail/images/lg_saecoDigital.jpg Any Opinions would be very much Appreciated. Newest machine for 2004 Our most advanced machine yet. Not only does it grind, dose, tamp, pull shots, and clean up all by itself, but it also has a number of programmable features that let you set the coarseness of your coffee grind, select the amount and temperature of your espresso shots and much more. It has a digital read-out notifying you when to add water or coffee beans, empty the dump box, etc.... This savvy machine is accompanied by a DVD with instructions and drink recipes.

DrHog
Senior Member

Joined: 23 Feb 2004
Posts: 13
Location: Arizona
Expertise: I love coffee

Espresso: Starbucks Digital Italia

Posted Mon Feb 23, 2004, 10:25am Subject: Re: Starbucks Barista Digital Italia (Super Automatic)

I just got one last week.....I was going to wait a few weeks to get it dialed in before posting a review. I'll give you my first impressions, though. If you are familiar with the Italia, then I will explain what I thought were the best upgrades. At $790 vs $595, you'll have to decide if they're worth the extra cash. For me, I thought they moved the machine into the class of the Jura machines, for far less cash. With the digital, you get more control over the brew process. Being able to choose brew temp was huge for me, as I read a lot of reviews that indicated that most supers brew too cold and the espresso suffers as a result. I selected "max" for temp on mine, and while I haven't been able to get an accurate temp reading of the espresso coming out of the machine, it has seemed adequate. Your controls over grind courseness and grams coffee/shot are identical to the Italia. I haven't totally dialed in either of these features yet. When I set the courseness at the finest end of the dial, the shot seemed to stall. I need to call Starbucks on this one. Another feature I really like is the timer, which allows me to have the machine warmed up and ready to go when I stumble into the kitchen. I normally stop drinking coffee by lunch, so I set the machine to go into energy saving mode at 1 pm. If I do want a drink in the afternoon, it only takes about 2 min for the machine to get ready. Other programming features that you get to choose: Rinsing (on/off), water hardness (dictates descaling schedule), Pre brewing/infusion (on/off/long), Pre grinding (on/off). Some of the nicest differences between the Digital Italia and the Italia are cosmetic. The Digital has metal parts in many of the places where the Italia has silver-colored plastic. These include the coffee dispenser, the steam wand mount, and the steam knob. The Digital also adds a metal rail up top for the cup warmer. These upgrades significantly improve the look of the machine, but I think they are also durability upgrades as well. In particular, I thought the steam wand fitting on the Italia was weak and looked prone to breaking. On the Digital, the wand now moves on a ball joint (moves fore-aft as well as sideways, unlike the Italia). It feels much more substantial and durable. I am happy so far with the quality of the drinks that I am producing. My efforts at frothing have been marginal so far. The machine has plenty of steaming power, and it doesn't really fade during the steam process. I suspect the hole in the steam wand is too large, however (See detailed review of Solis Digital 5000, the wand is identical). I will continue to work on my technique, and look for upgrades to the wand if the results don't improve. Don't get me wrong, you can easily match the quality of the foam that you get at the average chain coffee shop, I was just looking for more. I haven't played around enough with the three different shot volumes (the manual calls them the Espresso Shot, the Long Shot, and the Coffee Americano). Basically, you get to set the water volume for all 3 options, and depending on which button you push, that's the shot type you will get. Fundamentally, I know that if you are going to pull greater than a 1 oz shot, you need to adust the coffee amount and the courseness as well. This is where I need some more education and experience with the machine. Well, have fun shopping. I haven't discovered anything to steer you away from the Digital. I like the fact that I get a 2 year warranty, and support for the machine is only 3 miles down the street at the local Starbucks. E-mail me if you have any other questions.

Kenwood
Senior Member

Posted Mon Feb 23, 2004, 10:47am Subject: Re: Starbucks Barista Digital Italia (Super Automatic)

Thanks so much for your review. I love the idea of the timer machine warm up. We have a nephew that works for Stabucks. so we can get 30% off the sale price - $550. Regarding the frothing. Check this out. I was thinking about getting this. Saeco's automatic milk frother attaches to most leading espresso machine steam wands, requiring no modification to your machine. Simply slip it onto your espresso machine's steam wand, turn the steam knob on and presto! It draws milk out of any container, perfectly froths it, then dispenses it onto your latte or cappuccino. It's simple to use and clean. We highly recommend this device if you have ever wanted the ultimate frothed milk for your coffee drinks! http://store.yahoo.com/aabreecc/autmilfrot.html Did you watch the DVD that came with it?

kevinkal
Senior Member

Joined: 1 Mar 2004
Posts: 19
Location: Gilroy, CA
Expertise: I live coffee

Espresso: Barista Digital Italia
Grinder: Melita Burr Grinder

Posted Mon Mar 1, 2004, 10:58pm Subject: Re: Starbucks Barista Digital Italia (Super Automatic)

I just purchased one of these yesterday. I'll try to detail my experience thus far: Near my home, all but one of 4 Starbuck's were sold out of this machine for the moment. I was able to find one store which had this unit out on display for demo. (Since I'm new to automatic machines.) The demo went very well, particularly since the starbuck's person who was demoing the unit had not used it before. I say it went very well because we were able to figure out how to use it fairly quickly together. The digital menu was easy to figure out and use. Setting the automatic "clock" will probably be the "hardest" part for anyone to learn. This level of envolvement with the demo helped tune me into the machine. I liked it so much that I bought one. So, last night and today's experience with the unit are as follows: The "how to" DVD was of good video and audio quality. It covered the basics nicely with clear explainations, probably enough detail for most people. When I pulled my first shot, the shot quality was initially poor, with very little crema. But after a couple of adjustments to temperature, grind, dose and "pre-brew", the shots were beautiful. This morning after sending my wife off with a nice double shot cappuccino, I found that the machine was getting "stuck" in the middle of a shot. It made a funny squeaking/pumping noise when trying to pull a shot. So, I called the starbuck's warranty phone number toll free. I was quickly talking to a knowledgeable person who wanted to "listen" to the machine. I figured that this guy was going know exactly what was wrong. Anyway, after some talking here's the items he focused on: Leave the grind setting at 12, the "as shipped" value. Too fine might cause problems(supposedly with the shot stalling) I had made the grind finer by setting this to 8. I'm not convinced that was the problem though. I suspect my stalled shot problem was related to the next item: Make sure the Brew Unit has plenty of "food grade grease" on its wearing parts and a coating around the red o-ring piston pump. This is what he said was making the squeaking/pumping noise. On this suggestion, I found it odd because the unit was brand new with only 12 shots counted in the digital shots counter. Since I dont have any of that special grease at the moment, a simple cool water rinse is all I can do at the moment. So with those two items addressed, I attempted another double shot. It worked nicely. However, when I iimmediatly attempted a 3rd and 4th shot, the unit made the squeaking/pumping noise again. It did get the shots made.. but I intend to call starbucks again and ask them if the fact that I have the temperature set to "maximum" could cause some thermal expansion issues in the pumping parts or o-ring. If anyone can provide me with some information on this I'd appreciate it. Is this a common issue with Saeco brew units? Regards, Kevin

Swedish_Chef
Senior Member

Joined: 3 Feb 2004
Posts: 81
Location: Sweden
Expertise: Professional

Espresso: Promac Club/S + Vibiemme...
Grinder: Anfim House
Vac Pot: GAT, La Caffètiere
Drip: KRUPS Thermos (rarely...
Roaster: Owen

Posted Tue Mar 2, 2004, 2:57am Subject: Re: Starbucks Barista Digital Italia (Super Automatic)

Just some thoughts: 1; -I don't think the SAECO cappuccinatore is adaptable to this machine, because the steam wand. The Cappuccinatore is made for the traditional wand that's just a metall pipe. There's no such thing at this model. Besides, it's easier to get a well frothed milk by using the original "panarello". Just practise :-) 2; -This is a SAECO Incanto with another name on the front. If you go for the SAECO Incanto SBS, wich looks the same but is all silver, there's a valve in front that you use to adjust the extraction time for the coffee, thus you can make it run slower and get a better final product than most of the super automatica machines. But with that discount you might take the SB! Good luck!

Ama la vita e vivi per amare!

Swedish_Chef
Senior Member

Posted Tue Mar 2, 2004, 3:08am Subject: Re: Starbucks Barista Digital Italia (Super Automatic)

Kevin! It sounds to me that the machine needs some ventilation! Push the button for WATER and open the nozzle, let it pour untill there's a nice, clean jet of pure water, without _any_ steam! The brew unit is suppoused to be doing fine for at least a year before greasing! IF you use only hot water for cleaning! NO washing-up liquid!! Dish washer is worse = death to the brew unit! I'd argue about the grinder settings too. 12 is outrageous!! 8 is probably too coarse too. I recomend something between 2 and 4, to get a good grind. It depends on what coffee you are using too. Very oily beans; coarser grinding!

Ama la vita e vivi per amare!

kevinkal
Senior Member

Joined: 1 Mar 2004
Posts: 19
Location: Gilroy, CA
Expertise: I live coffee

Espresso: Barista Digital Italia
Grinder: Melita Burr Grinder

Posted Tue Mar 2, 2004, 9:22am Subject: Re: Starbucks Barista Digital Italia (Super Automatic)

Thanks for your reply. I think the grind is a bit course at the 12 setting too. I moved it to 10 for the moment.. but want to get finer if I can. I'm using Starbuck's Expresso Roast beans which appear nice and oily. Here's todays(this morning's experience) update: Last night I rinsed the brew unit with cold water only, no soap at all. The food-grade grease on the "slides" is very apparent, but not too apparent around the large red O-ring. But the operational nature of that piston/o-ring would remove the majority of any grease applied anyway. I have the dose knob set to 1 click more than center. I have the brew temperature set to "maximum". I have the pre-brew option set to "on" which just gets the grind damp with short dose of water a few seconds prior to pulling the shot. After warming up, I pressed the steam button, cleared the wand of the initial water that comes out and then steamed some milk to 160 deg F. Next, I pressed single shot twice to get 2 shots. I found that the time between the shots is long enough to "save" the first shot into the steamed milk and put the shot glass back under the outlet with plenty of time to catch the second shot. Both these shots worked nicely and looked nice and dark with plenty of creama. So off my wife went again with a nice hot beverage. Then, it was time for my triple shot. After steaming my milk, I pressed the single shot button twice and got two shots into the milk just as I did above. However, I pressed the single shot one more time and during the 3rd shot, the darn squealinig/pumping noise came back... I could see the shot dispensing in sync with the squealing/puming noise... squeal = pulse of espresso comes out then drips to a halt, squeal again and another pulse of expresso comes out and drips to a halt.. then nothing... a long wait... and the unit dumps the grounds and says its ready for another shot. Hmm... What the heck is going on here? Its as if something is getting overloaded somewhere. Could it be in the pump? I'm not familiar with how this unit generates water pressure. Can anyone enlighten me on that? Anyway... With a slightly greater dose setting and a grind setting of 10, both very close to what Starbucks reccomends, I'm having this problem. It seems to get worse after making a number of shots in quick succession. I suspect this might get some internal components increasingly hotter. I am using the "maximum" temperature setting for the brew as well. Anyways, I'm typing too much here and would appreciate any feedback on why the unit squeals/pumps and seems to stall during a shot. It would seem that the unit should be able to handle just about any knob setting you throw at it. Regards, Kevin

Kenwood
Senior Member

Posted Tue Mar 2, 2004, 12:53pm Subject: Re: Starbucks Barista Digital Italia (Super Automatic)

I'll get my Barista Digital Italia delivered either Thursday or Friday. I'm really jazzed I got my nephews SB employee discount for $550.00. I'll let you guys know how my first day goes.

Swedish_Chef
Senior Member

Posted Tue Mar 2, 2004, 2:53pm Subject: Re: Starbucks Barista Digital Italia (Super Automatic)

Kevin. It sounds to me that sumfin's wrong with your machine. I had the SAECO Incanto Nero, the simpliest one in the Incanto family, for a couple of years (I still have it but's only using it when there's a party going on and I don't want people to mess with my Vibiemme Domobar! LOL!) and I never experienced anything like that! Only had some problems when the system dried out (then I would ventilate) and when I hadn't cleaned the brew unit (then I would clean it..) So I'd guess you should have someone checking your machine. It isn't anything with programing of the buttons? There's three of them, right? Are you using the same button for all three shots?

Ama la vita e vivi per amare!

cafewest_tech
Senior Member

Joined: 22 Aug 2003
Posts: 262
Location: Medford
Expertise: Professional

Posted Tue Mar 2, 2004, 5:47pm Subject: Re: Starbucks Barista Digital Italia (Super Automatic)

Your grind is getting to fine for the brew unit. Adjust back one click and try again. It takes 3 shots before the grind takes effect. These machines are not designed for fine coffee as they have an internal pressure system built in. When you get fine coffee in the brew unit, you start to create more pressure and then the pump make noises. Too fine and you get no espresso. Make adjustments and brew 20 shots to make sure that the grind is OK before you make more adjustments. Make your adjustments 1 click at a time. When you start to have problems back off.

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