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Fact of the Day What Are Super Automatic Espresso Machines?

There are different types of espresso pod machines available in order to prepare the espresso types. Three varieties of machines that exist today are the semi-automatic, automatic and super-automatic espresso machines. Ground coffee is put into the filter of the machine manually in either manual espresso machines or semi-automatic espresso...

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Saeco Gran Crema

Q: I've finally come to my senses and an looking for a good expresso maker. I've been using a old Braun machine that just steams the water through the coffee. I always wondred why my home coffee tasted so inferior to a nice expresso bar's! Now after doing alittle research, I'm beginning to get a clue. Does anyone have some first hand experience with the Saeco Gran Crema? It seem they make 4-5 models that are fairly similar. And the Art Deco look of this model caught my eye.

A: Gran Crema is a very nice looking espresso maker. It has a stainless steel boiler; produces 13 bar pump of pressure, and makes good espresso. The price is $ 249 (shipping & handling included). I would recommend also the Espresso Gaggia. It costs less, but it is a more powerful espresso/cappuccino maker. It produces 16 bar pump; has a cup warming surface; boiler made of brass. You can purchase also an adapter for the pods (ESE system). Espresso makers for the pods use start from $500. With an adapter ($35) you can use with your Espresso Gaggia ($ 199) both pods and regular ground coffee. I know this is a little late for reply, but those Saeco machines that use the "Gran Crema" portafilter are now available in a Pod version. Starbucks recently started marketing their Proteo Barista with a Pod system and their literature says to contact the manufacturer (Saeco) if you have a standard Gran Crema portafilter and want the conversion piece(s) to make it take Pods. That means that every Saeco/Proteo model currently using a Gran Crema filter CAN be converted to a Pod unit. I looked at a new one and it's just a very simple insert that replaces the standard filter basket. I don't know how much they're going to charge you for it though. It shouldn't cost too much, since the whole portafilter only costs $65.00 new.

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