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Q: Just got a new (to me, anyway) Saeco Classico SS and I am very pleased with it for my level of espresso use. Couple of questions: First, there is a lot of plastic levers and springs inside the basket assembly. Is this just to keep the unit from dripping or does it actually play a part in the brewing process? I understand the small disk with the red rubber gasket is important, but the rest looks complicated and will built up some residue over time. I'd like to remove that portion and just leave the disk. Also, I am told that while the portafilter basket kit will work with pods or grounds depending on the parts used, there is a "grounds only" basket that produces superior results with grounds. Where can I get one?

A: This is the so called "pressurized portafilter". You can safely get rid of these bits and also enlarge the center hole of that disk somewhat, but then you will no longer be able to get crema from stale coffee. Which is a good thing. The "grounds only" basket is the deep straight sided one (a.ka. a double basket) which you should have already. The smaller basket, in conjunction with the thick removable rubber disk, is used for both pods and singles. For best results, use only the double basket. Here's a site you might like to visit at: http://www.geocities.com/gabro232000/Saeco/portafilter.html "Many companies' espresso machines have just a simple brew head with two holes. Saeco distributors sell the "gran crema portafilter" alone for about $80. Below please find a photo and a schematic drawing of the Gran Crema Portafilter. On the photo, the arrow points to the small disk-shaped plastic piece on the bottom. This is the piece that has two holes out of which the coffee flows and it's called the "distributor cap". There's more about the crema filter at the site, hope the link works. This is just disinformation that went with an auction and you may safely disregard it. The Gran Crema has not been sold in years and never sold for $80, AFAIK. The current Saeco portafilter is of a different design...it pops open automatically. The Gran Crema required the user to manually open it. The Classico has a metal case. Espresso machines with metal cases cost more to make, look better to some people and usually sell for more money. However, the case is purely cosmetic and does not contribute to function at all. The Classico has more or less the same internals as every other Saeco and works no better than the cheap ones. Saeco's are not normally under $80. New with warranty, they usually start at about $160. More for the ones with the Starbucks label. Apparently Saeco USA cleared out its warehouse in Maryland recently and sold a bunch of demos, discontinued models, etc. to a couple of different locals for cheap. They in turn have been liquidating their stock on eBay. Have fun while it lasts...they'll run out sooner or later. Unclear whether the ebay machines have warranties. I doubt it. Yes, the auctioned machine must be several years old, they haven't sold the Gran Crema for a while.