jkpita Senior Member Joined: 6 Dec 2008 Posts: 2 Location: illinois Expertise: Just starting
Posted Sat Dec 6, 2008, 3:44pm Subject: Starbucks Sirena- Can we use an Illy pod in this machine?
Hello,
Rank newbie here- please forgive my ignorance.
Have a Francis Francis X5 that leaks out the top- told by Illy this is an internal leak and we don't trust them with the repair. However, we have about 500 years worth of Illy espresso pods we would like to use in whatever machine we buy next.
We only use our machine a few times a week so a top-of-the line model is not a must. However, we would like it to last and produce decent espresso.
I have read a bit of the discussion on the Starbucks Sirena, which is currently on special at my local store. I'm a little confused about the portafilter, which, I think, performs automatic tamping in this machine? Which I wouldn't want because the pod is already tamped, right? BUt some of the posts suggest that this can be disabled? So then perhaps we could use our pods? Clarify and discuss.
Anyway, it looks like the pods fit the machine, but if I can't use them, can anyone recommend a machine for the Illy pods ( but not another Francis Francis, please!)
SpeedStar Senior Member Joined: 6 Dec 2008 Posts: 173 Location: Chula Vista, Ca Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Alex Duetto II, Silvia Auber... Grinder: Mazzer Mini, Baratza Vario, Drip: Aeropress, Cuisinart Roaster: Klatch, Belle!
Posted Sat Dec 6, 2008, 6:41pm Subject: Re: Starbucks Sirena- Can we use an Illy pod in this machine?
Hi, I just got the Sirena a few days ago and you can use pods with it. The PF comes with a pod filter as well as a single / double filter. Just switch out to the pod filter and remove the pressure rubber disc under the filter and you are good to go. BTW, I am very pleased with the Sirena so far.
Great Senior Member Joined: 3 Dec 2008 Posts: 12 Location: North Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Delonghi EC270
Posted Tue Dec 9, 2008, 8:06am Subject: Re: Starbucks Sirena- Can we use an Illy pod in this machine?
I noticed that illy pods are really, really tightly packed. I did not get good crema out of them either. Since I had a couple of boxes of them I decided to just try unpacking them and re-tamping the contents into my filter. And the result was really good... good crema, good taste.
Practicing making Cappuccini with a Delonghi EC270 starter machine.
Bott Senior Member Joined: 16 Apr 2007 Posts: 175 Location: USA Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Expobar Athenea Lever
Posted Tue Dec 9, 2008, 8:02pm Subject: Re: Starbucks Sirena- Can we use an Illy pod in this machine?
Great Said:
I noticed that illy pods are really, really tightly packed. I did not get good crema out of them either. Since I had a couple of boxes of them I decided to just try unpacking them and re-tamping the contents into my filter. And the result was really good... good crema, good taste.
Are you ripping open the filter material of the pod, dumping the ground coffee from the pod into the portafilter, and then tamping it? Out of desperation, I have ripped them open a few times and used the coffee in a drip machine with good results.
Great Senior Member Joined: 3 Dec 2008 Posts: 12 Location: North Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Delonghi EC270
Posted Tue Dec 9, 2008, 9:27pm Subject: Re: Starbucks Sirena- Can we use an Illy pod in this machine?
Bott Said:
Are you ripping open the filter material of the pod, dumping the ground coffee from the pod into the portafilter, and then tamping it? Out of desperation, I have ripped them open a few times and used the coffee in a drip machine with good results.
Posted Wed Dec 10, 2008, 4:48am Subject: Re: Starbucks Sirena- Can we use an Illy pod in this machine?
I'm not completely anti-pod 'cause I use them myself now and then. But I hope you opened them up simply to use up those that you had on hand. That's a really, really expensive way to make espresso with loose grounds. Pods are sold at a premium solely for the no-mess, hassle-free ease of use they offer and you're eliminating their only "advantage" by taking them apart. They are typically tightly packed and don't produce a great deal of crema for a variety of reasons. It's one of the trade offs. It's much cheaper to buy freshly roasted whole beans and grind per cup. Even if you stick with Illy you'll go from 18 shots in a package of pods for $13.50 to more than double that in an Illy can (8.8 oz) of whole beans (or--gasp--pre-ground) for another 50 cents.
E d C u s t a r d pseudo-barista
"...the extreme of banality allows us to catch a glimpse of the sublime." Umberto Eco
Great Senior Member Joined: 3 Dec 2008 Posts: 12 Location: North Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Delonghi EC270
Posted Wed Dec 10, 2008, 5:18am Subject: Re: Starbucks Sirena- Can we use an Illy pod in this machine?
I had bought two boxes of them (because my machine is "ESE compatible"... not very), so I was just using them up. I'm however saving the second box of them for long term. Because they are individually sealed, they are a good backup supply for when I run out ;)
Practicing making Cappuccini with a Delonghi EC270 starter machine.
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