Fastandeasy Senior Member Joined: 22 May 2010 Posts: 6 Location: CA Expertise: Just starting
Posted Sat May 22, 2010, 3:02pm Subject: Forum consensus on best super-auto?
Hey guys, I'm looking to get my father a very reliable espresso machine, however, he would need a super fully automatic. What is the forums general consensus of the top 2 or 3 machines? I'm looking to spend anywhere from 800-1400.
wideasleep1 Senior Member Joined: 19 Feb 2005 Posts: 1,399 Location: San Francisco,Ca Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: VBMDoubleDomo Grinder: Mahlkoenig K30 Vario Vac Pot: nope Drip: Bodum Press Roaster: IR1 and 2,SC/TO,Behmor
Posted Sun May 23, 2010, 12:37am Subject: Re: Forum consensus on best super-auto?
Howdy Fastandeasy, welcome to the forum! Sadly, there are no superautos that most of us would consider 'reliable' much less worthwhile...save one from Quickmill: Click Here (www.chriscoffee.com) but it is much more expensive, and currently sold out. May I suggest single-serve like Keurig, or if he's willing to grind beans and fill a portafilter, he could use a Saeco Aroma-style machine with a pressurised portafilter, whereby he wouldn't need an expensive grinder, nor tamp the cake, and still get reasonably consistent shots of drinkable espresso. I would steer VERY clear on any of the current home offerings in the SuperAuto category...a waste of time and money, even when working, the quality is poor for the money, compared to a Saeco Aroma-style arrangement. G'Luck!
Weasel Senior Member Joined: 29 May 2007 Posts: 118 Location: San Jose, CA Expertise: Just starting
Posted Sun May 23, 2010, 12:51am Subject: Re: Forum consensus on best super-auto?
You might want to look through the consumer reviews section of this website. You can check Whole Latte Love also to get an idea of the brands available as well as options among the super autos.
sloras Senior Member Joined: 22 May 2010 Posts: 13 Location: Austin, TX Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: La Spaz Mini VII Grinder: Mazzer Mini Drip: Krups
Posted Sun May 23, 2010, 7:38am Subject: Re: Forum consensus on best super-auto?
I agree with Wideasleep1s posting. There are no superautomatics that deliver truly authentic espresso/cappuccinos. Reason - The #1 Principle Element of Making Espresso - Mano dell'operatore (hand of the operator) (from Home-Barista High-End Espresso Grinder reviews). No machine can duplicate the care and consistency of a good barista in preparing a shot. Period.
Thsi being said, if you're confident, your father cannot master this (for whatever reason), then Chris' Coffee certainly would know the best of this breed. I encourage you to call them and speak to them, find out when the SuperAutoatic will be available again.
Dooglas Senior Member Joined: 12 Mar 2005 Posts: 685 Location: Portland, OR Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Expobar HX, La Pavoni lever Grinder: Ascaso, Baratza Drip: Bonavita, Bodum press Roaster: GeneCafe, Behmor
Posted Sun May 23, 2010, 10:26am Subject: Re: Forum consensus on best super-auto?
"Forum consensus on best instant coffee?" I refuse to attempt to answer either of these questions as it first requires a long discussion on what you mean by "best". My two cents worth is that if a semi-auto does not fill the bill then it is time to talk about alternatives. My prefered alternative would be press but if one needs to get closer to espresso then a Nespresso machine, or something like that, works and doesn't require exhorbitant amounts of money for so-so results.
Fastandeasy Senior Member Joined: 22 May 2010 Posts: 6 Location: CA Expertise: Just starting
Posted Sun May 30, 2010, 12:39am Subject: Re: Forum consensus on best super-auto?
Hey Guys, thanks for the suggestions. My Dad want something super convenient. It's like asking a car enthusiast manual or Auto, if you aren't looking to milk 100% out but happy with 90-95% results you pay up for the convenience.
What are your opinions on The Jura s7, Bosch Benvenuto B20 Coffee, or anything else in that range? Looking for something again that's a press of a button away and offers a hot cup of espresso. Mind you, my dad doesn't drink cappuccinos or latte's,so those extra features although nice are not a must have.
wideasleep1 Senior Member Joined: 19 Feb 2005 Posts: 1,399 Location: San Francisco,Ca Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: VBMDoubleDomo Grinder: Mahlkoenig K30 Vario Vac Pot: nope Drip: Bodum Press Roaster: IR1 and 2,SC/TO,Behmor
Posted Sun May 30, 2010, 1:59am Subject: Re: Forum consensus on best super-auto?
Reliable? SuperAuto's aren't. Period. Here is an example of reliable, built like a tank: Click Here (www.1st-line.com) Click Here (www.1st-line.net) Buy Dad this, and a few boxes of E.S.E Pods (can't believe I'm actually recommending pods! LOL!) and be done with the quandry. This machine will only need an occasional boiler descale, and will outlast Dad, most likely, if properly maintained. It needs at least a half-hour to heat up, but dad can pop in the pod, pull his shot, and get better spro more consistently and reliably than a superauto. The beauty of this machine: should he EVER desire to improve his cup, the machine is ready and willing, when paired with a quality grinder. Good luck!
Weasel Senior Member Joined: 29 May 2007 Posts: 118 Location: San Jose, CA Expertise: Just starting
Posted Sun May 30, 2010, 8:33am Subject: Re: Forum consensus on best super-auto?
The Juras have done well with us ( I work for a company that sells them ), they warm up in a minute and to my taste are way better than the ese pods. I've only had ese pods ( Illy ) from a Francis Francis X6 so maybe that was a factor.
Anyways, I can't speak to the Bosch, but in the Jura line I would look at the ENA, the J6, and C9 as well. I would also consider the Nespresso system as well, depending on how many espressos your dad will go through each day. If 4 or more, I would lean to a super auto as the cost of the coffee (capsules) is significantly more than what your dad will buy.
Super autos have difficulty with dark roasted beans due to the oils, so if your dad is keen on dark roast you may need to do a little more research. I don't know of any super autos that handle oily beans well. The result isn't terrible, just not optimal.
JasonBrandtLewis Senior Member Joined: 9 Dec 2005 Posts: 6,098 Location: Berkeley, CA Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: Elektra T1 - La Valentina -... Grinder: Mahlkönig K30 Vario -... Vac Pot: Yama 5-cup Drip: CCD, Chemex Roaster: No, no, not another...
Posted Sun May 30, 2010, 2:48pm Subject: Re: Forum consensus on best super-auto?
First of all, Reg, welcome to CG, but I'm afraid you aren't hearing what we are saying.
You wrote
Fastandeasy Said:
It's like asking a car enthusiast manual or Auto (transmission), if you aren't looking to milk 100% (of the car's potential performance) out but happy with 90-95% results you pay up for the convenience.
Faulty logic. Yes, it IS impossible to realize 100 percent (in this case) quality from a super-auto, but so too is it impossible to achieve a quality of 90-95 percent.
Fastandeasy Said:
What are your opinions on The Jura s7, Bosch Benvenuto B20 Coffee, or anything else in that range? Looking for something again that's a press of a button away and offers a hot cup of espresso. Mind you, my dad doesn't drink cappuccinos or latte's,so those extra features although nice are not a must have.
Juras probably have the largest consumer base. But the reason that super-autos make palatable drinks at all -- IMHO/IMHE (E = experience) -- is precisely because they ARE milk drinks. If your father is just looking to make straight espresso, I'd skip a super-automatic all together and look at the BACCHI espresso machine.
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