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35 of 37 people found the following review helpful.
More affordable, same quality
By Pamela K. Apfelbeck
I am a steam espresso machine user who was forced to shop around when the quality of the product diminished in recent years. Our biggest reason for replacing a machine is it quits frothing milk, despite vinegar or cleaning or steaming through the wand after finishing with the milk frothing. I learned since starting the latte/cappacino process that I perhaps didn't run enough steam through it when finished, but the steam machines have limited capacity before water and steam run out unless you refill. I rarely had time for that.I tried a pump espresso machine a couple years ago and didn't care for the taste--the coffee was too weak and I didn't like how it steamed milk. So recently I tried a Saeco Via Venezia which was okay--the coffee tasted bitter, though I tried a different grind and it was some better. But for the money I felt it wasn't worth it, so returned it after a week of trying.Having second thoughts about going back to the steam machine, I noticed this machine is cheaper and read that the internal components are the same as some of the Saeco models. So I tried this and it's working for us. The housing is cheaper but I don't care. It's smaller than some which works for my space. And one can tell by how it pumps espresso it is as good as the more expensive ones (including the Via Venezia I tried).A con for me is the steaming wand. I don't like it as well as the Via Venezia black plastic one because we like more foam and air in our milk. The factory wand is good enough, but I decided to buy a black plastic turbo frother (same as comes on Via Venezia) to see if it would fit the tube. It does and gets the milk exactly like we want it (more foam). Disadvantage is it hangs even lower so you can't fit a pitcher under it. I am elevating my machine (or you could rotate it and have the pitcher come up at the edge of the counter). For me it's worth it and I had to elevate my steam machine for the same reason. This steam tube doesn't articulate up and down, just side to side, but for me it's not an issue.So, I tried Ascaso Basic and don't care for it--maybe I didn't use it correctly? I tried Saeco Via Venezia and it's fine--works the same as this but has frothing wand on the left side, water tank isn't too accessible (but is bigger), and has more stainless steel. I think its portafilter is chrome plated brass (heavier, "better"). It's wider and harder to move around/takes up more space.This Saeco Poemia is narrower, lighter, plastic housing plated with stainless so looks nice but is "cheaper." The internal components are the same but the portafilter is, I guess, stainless (lighter weight). However, I do not see a difference and like what this puts out just fine. It is as good at least as the Via Venezia's output. The top lid that covers the water container easily bounces off if you touch it but goes back on quickly (instead of being hinged). And the front drip tray comes off easily IF you bump it, but again goes back easily. To me, these factors are just things to learn about using it, not disadvantages, because I like the lighter weight and size of it!IN SUMMARY: We are 4 oz./cup steam espresso users who couldn't get enough punch in our coffees with some pump machines, but don't care to resort to nonpressurized portafilters that require tamping and talent to "dial in a shot." That's over the top for us, so I got a pressurized portafilter and fill it with less than 2 scoops, tamp it lightly (very) with the included scoop/tamp, and brew. We end up with maybe 3 or 3.5 ounces per coffee cup and can steam plenty of milk for each of us. I use a 12 oz. pitcher for my cup but might need the space of the 20 oz. for my husband's larger coffee cup.The advantage to these pump machines is they have tanks of water, so no more sweating about limited steam production or time. The advantage to this Poemia is the reliable Saeco boiler and components. If you find the frothed milk isn't "frothed" enough (playing with it by raising it closer to the surface of the milk then back lower increases froth quantity), you can nab a turbo frother for Saeco/Gaggia (Saeco/Gaggia Pannarello (1230)Product No.: SA227431350) for about $10 to $20. Even if you buy that, this machine is cheaper than ones that cost a hundred+ more.NOTE: It is important to release the water from the steam wand first, then froth milk, or you get water in it that dilutes it. Just steam into an empty container for a few seconds to vent the water. Also, if you steam milk first, then brew coffee, be sure to run steam a few seconds until the steam light is out. This is called temperature surfing and lowers the boiler's temperature to brew temp so it's just right. Always run steam through the steam wand after finished steaming milk, until water runs out, to refill the boiler, because steaming empties it. (Read section 4.5 of the owner's manual about refilling the boiler.) These steps just take a few seconds, once you learn them, and keeps the boiler from being drained and damaged.
10 of 11 people found the following review helpful.
What a great little machine!
By Valentin
This is a great espresso machine on a budget. I previously got a De'Longhi BAR32 Retro and returned it after a week of struggling to get good espresso trying any kind of tamping and grounding techniques. The Poemia is so much better. The key is that the portafilter is pressurized and there is no need to tamp the coffee grounds precisely. There is a valve that automatically opens when the pressure is optimal for brewing. The espresso comes out with great crema. I was able to even make the so called 'long espresso' (running the machine until I get 5-6 ounces instead of 2-3) while still keeping great taste and crema.The user manual contains an error in the description how to prepare the machine for first use or after a prolonged period of non use. It says to lock only the portafilter without the coffee grounds basket and run the machine until it is out of water. This of course will not seal the filter and the hot water will spray out of the filter. The coffee grounds basket has to be inside the portafilter.Lets hope this thing will last, I will update the review if something happens.UPDATE 9/19/2012.I got a used Saeco (or Starbucks) non pressurized portafilter from eBay. It turned out I like it more this way. I no longer use the original pressurized filter. Either way the espresso I'm getting is still better that the one from the De'Longhi BAR32 I tried and returned.
8 of 11 people found the following review helpful.
Cute, but more of a toy than a serious machine
By Brian Henselman
We have owned numberous espresso machines including Starbucks Barista (Seaco), a couple of DeLonghi's, and a couple of Cuisinart EM-100's.This is a much smaller unit than either the Barista or the Cuisinart. It's much more like a DeLongi as it has a small water reservoir and has a faux stainless finish plastic case.It uses a lighter weight Saeco pressurized portafilter than the Starbucks Barista. Unfortunately, their is practically no crema. Our backup Philip Senseo makes better crema.Disappointed for the price, but will keep it for a vacation home unit to make cheap lattes as the foamer wand works well.
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Muddy Coffee
Metal Carafe
Watch out for your fingers!!!
