karmadog Senior Member Joined: 8 Nov 2007 Posts: 23 Location: Edmonton, Alberta Expertise: Just starting
Espresso: Miss Silvia Grinder: Rocky Vac Pot: Bodum Drip: Cuisinart Roaster: Waiting until summer
Posted Thu Nov 8, 2007, 9:19pm Subject: The Starbucks Sirena Thread
Hello all. My local starbucks has a new espresso machine they are calling the Sirena. The starbucks website has a flashy website describing the machine. I believe it is made by Saeco.
The form factor is really quite nice and would look good in the kitchen. However, I don't want to purchase something based totally on how it looks ... so I have been searching for reviews of this machine and haven't come up with anything.
Has anybody purchased this machine, or seen it in action, or seen any reviews they'd be willing to share?
Joel_B Senior Member Joined: 9 Oct 2007 Posts: 1,823 Location: Pacific NW Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Astra Mega II Grinder: Mazzer SJ, Virtuoso Vac Pot: Yama 5 cup Drip: nope, french press Roaster: Behmor, WP, BBQ drum
Posted Fri Nov 9, 2007, 7:59pm Subject: Re: Has anybody purchased the new Starbucks Sirena?
So I had the chance to buy a Sirena at an employee discount (close family member is an employee). I was told it was designed AND "BUILT"by BMWandStarbucks; was supposed to look awesome, but I didn't buy it because I couldn't find out anything about it. Bought the Ascaso Dream for a great price. Later found out that the Sirena was built w/ or by Saeco, but still not sure. By what I gather from my "close family member", they're selling looks and the BMW/Starbucks nameplate. It could be a good machine, but that's not what they're selling. BMW?????? If this machine doesn't have QUATTRO, I ain't buying. ;}
Pinky Senior Member Joined: 26 May 2005 Posts: 17 Location: netherlands Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Solis Type 110 800 Class Grinder: Nivona CafeGrano Drip: never! Bodum Press
Posted Sat Nov 10, 2007, 3:03am Subject: Re: Has anybody purchased the new Starbucks Sirena?
I work there, but I won't ever buy a Saeco again. The last two years my Saeco Vienna has been in the shop more than a few times and it was never really making a good shot after the first time in reparation.
I don't know for a fact it's made by Saeco, but I did hear that there were some BMW parts. Not to say it's a "bad" machine, but no thanks, I love my new Solis :)
icarian Senior Member Joined: 11 Nov 2007 Posts: 1 Location: Inland Empire, CA Expertise: I love coffee
Posted Sun Nov 11, 2007, 8:31am Subject: Re: Has anybody purchased the new Starbucks Sirena?
Haven't purchased it (didn't want to be one of the "first"--good or not), but according to Starbucks' interactive site on the Sirena, it is still made by Saeco (one of the videos on the site said it). It will be interesting to see how this machine does/is reviewed.
Appears you insert a pressure adapter plug into the portafilter to make it pressurized.
I wonder if it will operate like a regular non-presuurized carezza porta filter if you do not add the plug/rubber disk, this may allow you to use finer coffee/tamp for a slower 25 second shot.
Prosumer Senior Member Joined: 11 Sep 2007 Posts: 61 Location: Seattle Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: Salvatore One Black Grinder: La Cimbali Jr. & Baratza... Vac Pot: Yama 5-cup Tabletop Drip: Hario V60-2, Aeropress Roaster: Behmor 1600
Posted Sun Nov 11, 2007, 12:33pm Subject: Re: Has anybody purchased the new Starbucks Sirena?
My favorite quote from the website is "for optimum espresso flavor, do not tamp." Oh, Starbucks. Also, I went into a local Starbucks that carried the Sirena for a demo. Waste of time. Employee didn't recognize the name of the machine, or even know how to plug it in. So much for training. As a former employee of Starbucks, I am appalled at the status of espresso in the stores. The Regalo espresso blend, however, is pretty good; you have to get it while it fresh though. Also, make sure the employees know that you DO NOT want them to grind it for you.
karmadog Senior Member Joined: 8 Nov 2007 Posts: 23 Location: Edmonton, Alberta Expertise: Just starting
Espresso: Miss Silvia Grinder: Rocky Vac Pot: Bodum Drip: Cuisinart Roaster: Waiting until summer
Posted Sun Nov 11, 2007, 12:51pm Subject: Re: Has anybody purchased the new Starbucks Sirena?
With regards to the "for optimum espresso flavor, do not tamp":
While I would prefer in some ways a machine like the Silvia since it is basically a manual operation, allowing the user to experiment -- I have to say, the auto tamping feature actually does hold some appeal to me.
The reason for this is I have 4 kids ... all under 6 years old. My house is a zoo, so the ability to concentrate on the finer aspects of barista-ism is likely a while away.
If the pressure adapter is removable, thats the best of both worlds I suppose. While the kids are small and I can't spend a lot of time and concentration on the finickier aspects of brewing, this might help. Once they've gotten a bit older and more able to entertain themselves, I could experiment with removing the pressure adapter (if thats even possible).
I have to agree about the staff at Starbucks though ... they know next to nothign about the brewing equipment they sell -- so its hard to find somebody knowledgeable to speak to at those places.
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