- one too many pucks, before 'empty dregdrawer' message - the last puck falls out of the bin, resulting in extra cleanup - grinder runs 'dry', despite a full hopper --- fix: remove the 'safety dome' on top of the feed-hole and just remember not to stick your fingers down the grinder........ ;) - little latch above the steam wand --- fix 1: remove it - downside: machine looses some its looks, fix 2: grind off catch - at least the 'trap door' now swings freely -lots of plastic, but that is just par for the course at that price point
Detailed Commentary
After 3.5 years and over 5000 shots (yes, it has a counter) dispensed without ANY problems, I can say I have never owned a better superautomatica.... (DeLonghi, Saeco, Jura) With pre-infusion set to long and the grinder set to 0 (I know they tell you in the manual not to go lower than 2....), using Lavazza Super Crema (hard to beat, and at $15 per Kilo....even harder- I think the extra little bit or Robusta in this blend works well with the superautomatica), I got the extraction time up to 26 seconds (18 w/o counting pre-infusion) - not bad. There will always be a price for convenience......
nice crema, though it does not support a teaspoon of sugar for a second..... who came up with that, anyways? ;)
Always set your water level to extra hard and descale often..... it will expand the life expectancy of the machine - best descaler on the market: Durgol
Steam is good - takes about 10sec to produce steam, enough to 'warm up' a cup. I 'retro-fitted' the turbo frother with the Saeco Panarello w/ the tip removed - nice microfoam, not on the fast side, though. On lazy days it is still the microwave and the little Ikea-frother (it will last about 3-4 months, but at $1.99 a piece, you can replace it many times....)
