Saeco 4038 Vienna Plus 15-Bar-Pump Super-Automatic Espresso Machine, Graphite Review

I recently purchased a Vienna Superautomatica as an inexpensive second espresso maker. The first thing I noticed is that it is Italian made like many of the great espresso machines. The body of the Vienna is "graphite" plastic, and while it does not feel first class, it somehow has a pretty sturdy feel to it. I also like that the footprint is pretty small thus taking up little counter space.

I opened the manual, which is not particularly clear, but need not be on account of very simple operation. The Vienna has three buttons--on/off, coffee, and steam. It also has a steamer control knob and a water volume knob.

I turned on the machine after filling the coffee and water tanks. The buttons feel Italian--you'll know what I mean if you've owned an Alfa Romeo. They are a bit clunky next to my old Capresso C1000, but they work well (for now).

The Vienna takes a couple of minutes to warm up--I don't mind this for reasons I'll reveal in a minute. The coffee spout is adjustable up and down to accommodate a large variety of cups and mugs. Once it's ready, the coffee light stops blinking. I push the button and it begins to grind the coffee. The noise level of the machine is louder than my Capresso, but not too bad. You might wake up the house with it in the morning, but my child stayed asleep. Once the coffee finishes the grind, the Vienna immediately begins making espresso.

My first impression was that I saw a lot more steam coming from the coffee than my Capresso. I am hopeful. The coffee also looked a bit thicker than the Capresso. After the Vienna finished I observed the cup: nice crema, plenty hot, and smells like the genuine article. I gave it a taste--wow, step aside Capresso, this espresso is richer, hotter, and a lot closer to coffee bar espresso. Next I took a sip. Ah yes, the cup holds rich chocolatey espresso. If you are sort of a coffee snob, you'll like what you taste. The coffee is much richer than the Capresso, which I attribute to hotter water and fuller extraction.

I'm sure that the Vienna will not make good enough espresso for some folks, but to me, it still tastes better than Starbucks. It was more than $100 cheaper than my Capresso and frankly makes better espresso. I cannot yet speak to the durability of the machine, but the Vienna is now my favorite inexpensive espresso maker.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Saeco 4038 Vienna Plus 15-Bar-Pump Super-Automatic Espresso Machine, Graphite

Product Description:
Equipped with 15 bars of pump pressure, this 1250-watt super-automatic espresso machine makes it easy to enjoy cafe-quality beverages from the comfort of home. The machine's user-friendly control panel offers a coffee button, a knob for adjusting the amount of coffee in the cup, and a steam-function button, as well as a temperature-ready/coffee-function light, a steam-temperature light, an alarm light, and a power "on" light. The unit holds up to 12 ounces of whole coffee beans at a time, and its built-in conical burr grinder allows for adjusting the fineness level of ground coffee--plus, using freshly ground coffee helps to ensure the most flavorful results. Use the OptiDose adjustable doser to control the amount of ground coffee used to make each cup (from 6 to 9 grams) and the removable Pannarello wand to froth milk for cappuccinos and lattes--or to dispense hot water for Americanos, tea, and instant hot chocolate. Best of all, the machine's patented removable brew group allows for tamping, brewing, and dispensing all in one cycle; for quick rinsing and chemical-free cleaning, remove the brew group with a simple push of a button. Additional highlights include a removable 57-ounce water tank for easy filling, a stainless-steel boiler, a 15-puck-capacity dreg drawer, a height-adjustable dispensing spout to accommodate various cup sizes, and a plastic drip tray for quick cleanup. Durably housed in ABS plastic with a sleek, stylish design, the espresso machine measures 14 by 15 by 15-1/2 inches.

Buy cheap Saeco 4038 Vienna Plus 15-Bar-Pump Super-Automatic Espresso Machine, Graphite now Get 16% OFF