Crew Review: Saeco Intelia Focus

[@manwithbrains]

I just purchased this machine for 3 months now. It's flawless. Always clean it self . Great Coffey all the time. No complaints. It also looks great in my kitchen. .

[@carlinbeoland]

Dear Kat and Gail.. I plumped for the Intelia Focus in the end. I tried a couple of Super automatics and sent both back. The Delonghi was very plastiky.. I could see it getting broken real quick. We ended up with the Intelia for a couple of reasons; Firstly we couldn't justify the price of the bigger Saecos with their fingerprint readers and all, and secondly, you guys have taught us that actually more than half the fun of coffee making is in the milk frothing! Go for it Gail! So we bought a nice jug and thermometer and it's really fun. And the Focus really does a good job. It's quite quick to heat, has good capacity all round, good build quality too. Only thing we're a bit nervous of is the HUGE Calc clean button. The machine is supposed to tell us when to descale, but it hasn't yet. Is it counting the number of brews or what I wonder? Another thing we've learnt from you guys is that you MUST descale your machine, so there lies the little nervousness we are feeling. Should we?.. or shouldn't we? The machine hasn't said to do it... Oh! Anyway we're making great coffee at last and we lurve this dinky little new kid on the block ( to coin your phrase!!) Keep up the great work ladies!

[@SeattleCoffeeGear]

Hi Carl. We recommend descaling every 2-3 months. This can be more often if you use your machine a lot, or if your area has hard water. We recommend using filtered water in your machine. - Steven

[@SeattleCoffeeGear]

It really comes down to the convenience vs. taste question -- which is more important to you? The superauto will be convenient, with a serviceable shot that will be consistently the same. The semi-auto will take work from you, but with potential to get a much better shot. Which machine is right depends largely on how you prioritize these two things. - Kat

[@Mxoderberg]

Hi gals! I have a Gaggia Classic and I'm really pleased with it but I'm a bit tired of all the mess. I've checked out the intelia focus but haven't had the opportunity to taste yet. So my question is, how good is the espresso on the saeco compared to a semiautomatic? Considering that the operator of the semiautomatic can vary in skill and results.

[@SeattleCoffeeGear]

Wonderful to hear!! Always love learning about folks that are happy with their coffee gear :D - Kat

[@Mxoderberg]

Hi again! :-) This will be my fourth message to you on this machine :-) I've come up with a mod to it. If you unscrew the 3 torx bolts that hold the bean container/hopper you can lift the grind adjuster and move it clockwise back to the second finest grind setting. That way you will be able to adjust it one step finer than factory finest setting. I know it voids the warranty, but it worked. And my oh my, what a difference! Now it makes some of the best shots I've ever had :-)

[@istvanlevai8365]

Got mine in December 2012. Still works and makes awesome coffee! 👍☕

[@SeattleCoffeeGear]

I really love the moveable finger guard on the Intelia Focus. It does have more volumes, too, so that's nice. Their end product, however, is going to be very similar. - Kat

[@SeattleCoffeeGear]

Submerge the air intake hole up near the top of the panarello and you'll stop making foam and start heating the milk. Then, when you're all done, swirl the milk around in the pitcher to incorporate some of the more fluffy foam into the steamed milk. Hope that helps! :) - Kat

[@SeattleCoffeeGear]

Thank you! Glad you're enjoying them :) - Kat

[@SeattleCoffeeGear]

I don't recommend the Ena machines to people who will be steaming a lot because I don't like some aspects of the wand. The Intelia is a great option if you'll be drinking more milk-based drinks, and the coffee is fairly similar. Hope that helps! - Kat

[@SeattleCoffeeGear]

You choose one, two, three beans for the coffee dosage, which correlate to 7 - 10 grams of coffee (7 on one bean, 8 - 9 on two beans, 10 on three beans). - Kat

[@SeattleCoffeeGear]

I can't be positive, but a rough search leads me to believe these are different models by country, etc. It could be that one version indicates it's for the 220V system and the other is 110V ... not positive. We have only one available to us in the US. - Kat

[@bakeblaker01]

Hey ladies! How would you compare this unit vs. The Jura Ena 3 or 4 or 5? I have the option for this Saeco unit through some points on my visa, but a friend of mine has a jura ena 3 and I LOVE IT. Will I be just as happy with this bad boy? Thanks for the info!

[@SeattleCoffeeGear]

Hmmmmm -- I think it's less about the specific plant variety and more about the coffee variety. Much of the coffee we use is 100% Arabica, but from different regions. I find coffees from CA and SA tend to be more 'chocolatey' while coffees from Africa can tend toward the fruitier side of things. Sumatras are always gangbusters, so you could experiment with those, too. - Kat

[@budhajek6279]

Looking into this model but have to ask, why no well formed coffee pucks in the dreg drawer? It looked terrible in there. Thanks

[@rsilves]

Hi. I just bought an Intelia after a year using an XSmall and I like it. My XSmall didn't have a Panarello and I'm not used to it. I tried many different ways to steam milk but I always get a lot of cold bubbly foam and cannot heat the milk enough (the foam grows and I have to lower the jar to avoid spilling foam). With my XSmall I used to heat the milk a lot and get a very creamy foam. Any ideas if this is normal? Tips? (I know the milk in Argentina is too creamy). Thanks a lot!!! :D

[@SeattleCoffeeGear]

Thanks for the co-sign! :D - Kat

[@kwakiutlthunderbird]

Oh boy,.. Choices ,choices and choices, Can you plz give me some advice, I'm a little bit stuck here, between a quickmill 820 , rancillio silvia, or this saeco intelia, mostly because of the price, and the taste! Example, Is there a different taste if you use the same beans and grind, when you compare the quick with the saeco?

[@SeattleCoffeeGear]

I don't know what the Quick Mill 820 is, so I can't give you advice on that model. You basically need to choose between taste and convenience; the Silvia will give you the potential to get a phenomenal shot, but it will take work from you. The Saeco will give you consistently okay shots. Thinking about how much work you want to do yourself is the first step, then budget. - Kat

[@SeattleCoffeeGear]

Thanks for sharing! Others who want to MacGuyver their machine will be much appreciative :) - Kat

[@Mxoderberg]

And by the way. What kind of coffeblend can you recommend in this machine? I found 100% arabica to be too sour. Found a 60/40 blend a bit better, but could not get the reaction that you got in the video.

[@jem7772]

is the saeco intelia a better better machine than the saeco syntia focus ?

[@Mxoderberg]

Kat, the song you're humming is actually the intro on The frayed ends of sanity by Metallica. But you made me really nostalgic with "broomsticks" :-)

[@jimmyjames6318]

Love the video. Thanks for posting. I bought the Saeco Intelia Focus Deluxe Sep. 2017. It looks a little different than this one. But I'm having an issue with, what appears to be a rubber seal, that sits under the brew unit. I spoke with Saeco and they will repair it. I'll have my machine back in 4 to 6 weeks. I said WHAT! Does that come with a $500 gift card to Starbucks? Needless to say I most likely won't by another Saeco. Just thought I'd share that with you. Thanks again.

[@arkasza2007]

Hi, I have a question. Does this machine and other super-autos make a real espresso or a fake one. Is in the brew unit a pressurized filter which creates a fake crema? And if not, is it possible to have a 1oz shot in 25 sec?

[@SeattleCoffeeGear]

I would say a super-auto makes espresso that is closer to a pressurized portafilter as opposed to a nonpressurized. The only way you will get "true" espresso with with a nonpressurized. - Steven

[@mpuzzonia1]

Seattle Coffee Gear

[@alejandraplaton7484]

I cannot find the syntia machine in my country , and the only top model similar that the sellers offer is the intelia 8751, will you recommend it? thanks a lot!

[@SeattleCoffeeGear]

Hello Alejandra Platón, The Intelia is a good machine and we do recommend it! :-) Many of the Saeco's have the same internal workings, but are operated and look just a little different from each other. ~ Sarah

[@alejandraplaton7484]

thanks a lot for reply!! :D

[@joeblack16v]

Alejandra Platón i have the 8751. Its a great machine!

[@thisslyguy]

How many ounces of coffee can it make?

[@kwakiutlthunderbird]

Hi kat! Thanks for the advise, I've bought a rancillio silvia! And WOW!! What a great machine, it feels heavy, build quality feels like it will last forever, I have the silvia for 2 days now, and the little work i have do, is nothing compare with the great taste, all though i have to say, making a good cappuccino is hard, takes a little time i think ;) But it is fun!!!! Now my search for a good grinder is begun!! Rocky s, macap, demoka, etc etc, Oh boy.. Choices choices, choices :) Ps sorry for my bad english

[@SeattleCoffeeGear]

Yay!!! That's great to hear :) This is a great machine, so you'll definitely have fun with it and learn to make great coffee drinks :) - Kat

[@Frozenpotatoes8]

It absolutely is.

[@SeattleCoffeeGear]

Well, it's never going to be as good as you can possibly get on a traditional machine; all superautos tend to extract a bit under temp so there is a sour note. It's really a convenience over flavor decision. I usually say that you'll get a consistently good shot on superautos but you have the potential to get exceptional shots and also horrible shots on traditional machines, depending on your skill. If you're drinking milk drinks, it likely won't make a difference. - Kat

[@steveb1972]

Lovely machine Kat. That wiggly jobbie in the bean hopper - is that replacing the ladies' choice of spin dryer on full cycle? LOL Seriously, I'm with you on instant coffee. I just can't drink it. It always gives me an upset stomach...

[@SeattleCoffeeGear]

No worries :) - Kata

[@SeattleCoffeeGear]

Yes, definitely could be, too :) - Kat

[@SeattleCoffeeGear]

It was right out of the gate, dialing it in - Kat

[@SeattleCoffeeGear]

Ease of use, sadly ... less customer support for them, I'm guessing ;) - Kat

[@YouOweMeAwe_]

I saw the sailboat Kat. You're not crazy lol

[@SeattleCoffeeGear]

Is it? But I've never listened to Metallica! Osmosis, perhaps, growing up in a butt rock era ;) - Kat

[@SeattleCoffeeGear]

I do! ;) - Kat

[@SeattleCoffeeGear]

Hahahaha - variety is the spice of life ;) - Kat

[@macritchie3024]

Yo EEEh OH is from the wizard of Oz. Not Bedknobs and Broomsticks. Good reviews though

[@UndisclosedHost]

Pannarello steam wand! Arg! Still not sure why machine manufacturers install these by default. It's a shame, really.

[@yorksett]

Good video but for crying out loud hold the camera still! you had me dizzy by minute mark 2!

[@SeattleCoffeeGear]

+yorksett Check out some of our latest videos kzbin.infovideos

[@manwithbrains]

I make a lot of coffee. Believe me.

[@100citron]

Calc = calcaire..

[@SeattleCoffeeGear]

:D