Crew Review: Refurbished Saeco Vienna Plus

[@SeattleCoffeeGear]

@ibjames We're still refurbishing them and they're working well. Parts are replaced as needed, not completely replaced as a matter of course. You generally have about a 3 year shorter lifespan on any refurb, so best case scenario with these will be 5 - 7 years (vs. best case of 8 - 10 years on new models). Yes, the dial on the left is water volume for the shot. - Kat

[@SeattleCoffeeGear]

@yoshiryu69 Once you change the grind, it takes about 4 shots for it to be reflected in the shot. Steam-wise, these have thermoblocks so will tick along; they will start slow and then build up steam from there, so turning them of/on too much degrades their functionality. Hope that helps! - Kat

[@SeattleCoffeeGear]

@spends23 There is going to be a clicking noise that thermoblocks make as they get up to power, so this is normal to hear and then it will ease off a bit as the thermoblock temp has increased. - Kat

[@SeattleCoffeeGear]

@VioletaDks I generally tell folks to expect a bit shorter life out of a refurb than a new model; likely they will last the same amount of time, but if you gauge a 1 - 2 year shorter life, you'll be on the safe side. - Kat

[@SeattleCoffeeGear]

@TarStarFilmz Viennas are the bottom rung and they're generally reliable. Lots of plastic that sometimes can have issues, but overall they get the job done. They're one of our more popular machines because of the price and we don't get a ton in for repair under warranty or otherwise so that might give you some insight into how long they will last. In general, you're looking at anywhere from 5 - 10 years depending on how heavily used and well maintained - Kat

[@SeattleCoffeeGear]

@orbiuscrow34 Great to hear! Let us know if you have any questions as you're researching. - Kat

[@SeattleCoffeeGear]

@snakedoc1306 I haven't used this machine, personally, and they don't make them anymore. Gail didn't love it when she used it in the past, it's a lower end machine and didn't perform very well over time. If you search for Cafe Charisma you may find more input from other folks who used it. - Kat

[@SeattleCoffeeGear]

@Ecrivaine32 Awesome!! Yeah, the manuals on most of these machines leave much to be desired (and therefore room for videos!) so glad we could help :) - Kat

[@SeattleCoffeeGear]

@Gig103 Shots would be similar, maybe a bit better in favor of the venezia; the the grinder/non-pressurized, significantly better (near Silvia quality) - Kat

[@SeattleCoffeeGear]

@yoshiryu69 Start in the middle, then take it finer or coarser depending on your target flavor. If you're using dark roast/oily beans, however, don't make it finer than mid-way and best bet is to move it even coarser - Kat

[@SeattleCoffeeGear]

We have done hundreds of reviews! Glad you enjoyed this one :) - Kat

[@SeattleCoffeeGear]

@DetroitboyTV Yeah, it's a convenience vs. flavor decision, really - Kat

[@SeattleCoffeeGear]

Every machine is different; this particular machine doesn't have optidose for you to mess with, so it's really about dialing in the grinder, which is going to change often and since every grinder is different, it's more about you playing with yours to get the right flavor. - Kat

[@TarStarFilmz]

@SeattleCoffeeGear It has arrived, and I lover it! I just have a question about descalding. What descalding solution do you recommend. In the manual, it says to use the Saeco solution. No I have to use the Saeco solution, or would the other ones that you have on your website work just as well for descalding?

[@SeattleCoffeeGear]

@skoredreng It is loose but it's normal; it's not at risk of coming off or anything. It is a a slowly withering christmas tree ;) - Kat

[@SeattleCoffeeGear]

Prices change all the time so we don't list them here. Check out our website for current price. - Kat

[@SeattleCoffeeGear]

@TarStarFilmz No worries! Refurbs may have a little shorter lifespan but you should still get a good 5 years out of it :) - Kat

[@ibjames]

How have these held up? Are all the parts replaced or only a couple? I am thinking about buying one but am concerned about how it will hold up over time, also, is that dial on the left with the barely full and full coffee cup the amount of water?

[@SeattleCoffeeGear]

@TarStarFilmz Yay! You can use their solution, or the Dezcal or Durgol -- they all seem to be equally effective. - Kat

[@nialljamesbuckley]

I would love to see a detailed guide on how to take this machine apart -anyone know where i could find such information? thanks!

[@SeattleCoffeeGear]

@kragier Well, definitely to each their own. We are proponents of 'there's a market for every machine' and these definitely have well loved homes across the country :) - Kat

[@truemagellen]

Can you post your ideal settings? Between water, optidose, and grinder? Testing with a nice freshly degassed espresso blend that is similar to Intelligensia's Black Cat.

[@TarStarFilmz]

@SeattleCoffeeGear Thanks, I am considering buying a refurbished one, now that I looked at your website. It looks the perfect machine for me, plus I feel better that it comes with a 1 year warranty. Thanks again.

[@lisamomnmore]

I am an expresso lover; have tried many ways to get coffee at home (the European way of cooking pot on stove), pods, french press...anyway, bought this second-hand (still expensive), but it sure looks like a keeper! Thanks for the videos..they help a lot...

[@MrJohnebgood]

I honestly can't believe this review is by Seattle Coffee Gear! These two women are awesome and provide a very straight forward and honest review, Thanks!

[@TarStarFilmz]

Is this a durable machine if I buy one new? I just want to get some opinions before I buy one. I just want to make sure that it is reliable and will last at least a few years. Some reviews are good, and some are bad, so overall is it worth the money? Thanks

[@TarStarFilmz]

@SeattleCoffeeGear Thanks, I just placed my order and can't wait for it to arrive!

[@SeattleCoffeeGear]

Cool! Hope you're enjoying it -- it's a great little workhorse of a machine :D - Kat

[@SeattleCoffeeGear]

@TarStarFilmz Cool - let me know if you need any assistance when it does! :) - Kat

[@VioletaDks]

I am wondering same thing... don't mind investing even in more expensive one, just not sure which one would last longer.

[@SeattleCoffeeGear]

@klarinetta Ha!! I will let her know that, while she may not be an artist, she's got her geography down. ;) - Kat

[@swigginsye1839]

Hey, I am just getting into the coffee "art" and would this be a good starter for me?

[@SeattleCoffeeGear]

If you really want to get into latte art you will need to purchase a machine that has a traditional steam arm. A panarello cannot be adjusted for the amount of foam you would like to create. The least expensive machine that features a traditional steam arm is the EC Pro. www.seattlecoffeegear.com/capresso-ec-pro-espresso-cappuccino-machine

[@swigginsye1839]

Oh thank you so much! Great video :D

[@SeattleCoffeeGear]

@spends23 Sure -- I'll put it on the to-do list :) - Kat

[@snakedoc1306]

He Kat and Gale! I love your videos! I just sold my Ascaso duo Steel tronic, because it was a pod-only version, and I just bought the Saeco Charisma Automatic espresso machine. I searched your website and couldn't find a review on it, and was wondering if you guys knew anything about it? I also searched online and found nothing...I got if for $170 and I'm pretty excited about it. Any help would be great! thanks!

[@mikewilson6472]

OK, I bought one. Now let me tell you why I was so disappointed. First, understand how it works. The hopper delivers beans to the grinder and the grinder then drops the grind into a brew cup and then the machine compresses the ground coffee and pumps hot water into the cup which then delivers the brewed coffee to your cup. That is why this machine is an 'automatic'. However, the grinder does not grind fine enough (therefore the grind is too chunky and does not extract well ... note that my grind adjustment was inoperative upon receipt), the device that adjusts the quantity of grind going to the brew cup made no difference to the amount delivered to the brew cup, the pressure and temperature of the water to the brew cup was too low and not hot enough, and the result was a cup of warm and weak coffee. Forget espresso with this machine! After blowing through two bags of expensive coffee trying to make it work right the machine's brewing group (which groans and creaks and snaps during operation) locked up and refused to move. And as it did so in the position that drops the 'used' coffee (called a puck) into the discard box the discard box could not be removed. Nor could the entire brew group. In short, it broke. No fixing it. And for those of you who have been advised that this unit is a good replacement for the old Saeco Magic Comfort Plus ... note that the hopper is a third the size (which means you will be filling it more often), the water container is a quarter the size (ditto, often) and the dump container is one sixth the size and there is no indicator. If it overfills plan on getting out a vacuum cleaner and having to clean the track out for the dump container because it ain't going back in without a thorough cleaning. Oh, and it does not swivel so plan on dragging it around if you have it under cabinetry. Philips bought Saeco and I have to wonder if this machine is the result of Philips buying a quality company and 'cheaponing' the product to improve profits.

[@SeattleCoffeeGear]

Hello mike wilson, I'm sorry to hear you have not had a pleasant experience with your machine. It sounds like you may have received a defective machine. Did you purchase it from us? If so, we offer a 6 month warranty on our refurbished Saecos and we also have a very knowledgable customer service team that can walk you through any difficulties you may have. Please feel free to reach out when you are available: 1-866-372-4734. We look forward to getting your machine up and running! :-) - Sarah

[@DetroitboyTV]

I can't imagine a fully automatic espresso maker. I am a big fan of this machine (Saeco Via Venezia Espresso Machine) for what it brings to the table for $350 or (much) less depending on who's selling.

[@tytig94]

How much is it refurbed?

[@DetroitboyTV]

I have no problem buying refurbs. Typically the bugs or problems have been addressed and my experience has been longer life, less problems.

[@klarinetta]

Hey that "latte art" that Gail pulled out looks a bit like my country Iceland.

[@FlashOblue]

We've had a Saeco Vienna Plus for many years. We rarely use it for espresso or cappuccino because it simply makes the greatest cup of coffee ever! Is there a machine for regular coffee that is "foamed" like the Vienna Plus? Have you ever just made a plain cup of coffee with this machine? If not, you should! Our machine is on its last leg and we can't find anything to match it. Are you still refurbishing them? Do you have any refurbished ones for sale?

[@kragier]

I wouldn't want a superauto machine anyway, I still say that doing it the old fashioned way. If I could I would get the LaPavoni (or another good manual machine) except (1) bad steam wand position (2) I can't afford it! In the mean time, I want to get a tarot deck, and maybe an airscape to try my basil experiment! Maybe you could keep your socks fresh with that thing :D Gudday! I almost saw you in a reflection when browsing old videos, evil camera blocked your face!