I am a steam espresso machine user who was forced to shop around when the quality of the product diminished in recent years. Our biggest reason for replacing a machine is it quits frothing milk, despite vinegar or cleaning or steaming through the wand after finishing with the milk frothing. I learned since starting the latte/cappacino process that I perhaps didn''t run enough steam through it when finished, but the steam machines have limited capacity before water and steam run out unless you refill. I rarely had time for that.I tried a pump espresso machine a couple years ago and didn''t care for the taste--the coffee was too weak and I didn''t like how it steamed milk. So recently I tried a Saeco Via Venezia which was okay--the coffee tasted bitter, though I tried a different grind and it was some better. But for the money I felt it wasn''t worth it, so returned it after a week of trying.
Having second thoughts about going back to the steam machine, I noticed this machine is cheaper and read that the internal components are the same as some of the Saeco models. So I tried this and it''s working for us. The housing is cheaper but I don''t care. It''s smaller than some which works for my space. And one can tell by how it pumps espresso it is as good as the more expensive ones (including the Via Venezia I tried).
A con for me is the steaming wand. I don''t like it as well as the Via Venezia black plastic one because we like more foam and air in our milk. The factory wand is good enough, but I decided to buy a black plastic turbo frother (same as comes on Via Venezia) to see if it would fit the tube. It does and gets the milk exactly like we want it (more foam). Disadvantage is it hangs even lower so you can''t fit a pitcher under it. I am elevating my machine (or you could rotate it and have the pitcher come up at the edge of the counter). For me it''s worth it and I had to elevate my steam machine for the same reason. This steam tube doesn''t articulate up and down, just side to side, but for me it''s not an issue.
So, I tried Ascaso Basic and don''t care for it--maybe I didn''t use it correctly? I tried Saeco Via Venezia and it''s fine--works the same as this but has frothing wand on the left side, water tank isn''t too accessible (but is bigger), and has more stainless steel. I think its portafilter is chrome plated brass (heavier, "better"). It''s wider and harder to move around/takes up more space.
This Saeco Poemia is narrower, lighter, plastic housing plated with stainless so looks nice but is "cheaper." The internal components are the same but the portafilter is, I guess, stainless (lighter weight). However, I do not see a difference and like what this puts out just fine. It is as good at least as the Via Venezia''s output. The top lid that covers the water container easily bounces off if you touch it but goes back on quickly (instead of being hinged). And the front drip tray comes off easily IF you bump it, but again goes back easily. To me, these factors are just things to learn about using it, not disadvantages, because I like the lighter weight and size of it!
IN SUMMARY: We are 4 oz./cup steam espresso users who couldn''t get enough punch in our coffees with some pump machines, but don''t care to resort to nonpressurized portafilters that require tamping and talent to "dial in a shot." That''s over the top for us, so I got a pressurized portafilter and fill it with less than 2 scoops, tamp it lightly (very) with the included scoop/tamp, and brew. We end up with maybe 3 or 3.5 ounces per coffee cup and can steam plenty of milk for each of us. I use a 12 oz. pitcher for my cup but might need the space of the 20 oz. for my husband''s larger coffee cup.
The advantage to these pump machines is they have tanks of water, so no more sweating about limited steam production or time. The advantage to this Poemia is the reliable Saeco boiler and components. If you find the frothed milk isn''t "frothed" enough (playing with it by raising it closer to the surface of the milk then back lower increases froth quantity), you can nab a turbo frother for Saeco/Gaggia (Saeco/Gaggia Pannarello (1230)Product No.: SA227431350) for about $10 to $20. Even if you buy that, this machine is cheaper than ones that cost a hundred+ more.
NOTE: It is important to release the water from the steam wand first, then froth milk, or you get water in it that dilutes it. Just steam into an empty container for a few seconds to vent the water. Also, if you steam milk first, then brew coffee, be sure to run steam a few seconds until the steam light is out. This is called temperature surfing and lowers the boiler''s temperature to brew temp so it''s just right. Always run steam through the steam wand after finished steaming milk, until water runs out, to refill the boiler, because steaming empties it. (Read section 4.5 of the owner''s manual about refilling the boiler.) These steps just take a few seconds, once you learn them, and keeps the boiler from being drained and damaged.
The user manual contains an error in the description how to prepare the machine for first use or after a prolonged period of non use. It says to lock only the portafilter without the coffee grounds basket and run the machine until it is out of water. This of course will not seal the filter and the hot water will spray out of the filter. The coffee grounds basket has to be inside the portafilter.
Lets hope this thing will last, I will update the review if something happens.
UPDATE 9/19/2012.
I got a used Saeco (or Starbucks) non pressurized portafilter from eBay. It turned out I like it more this way. I no longer use the original pressurized filter. Either way the espresso I''m getting is still better that the one from the De''Longhi BAR32 I tried and returned.
Buy Philips Saeco HD8327/47 Poemia Top Espresso Machine Now
We have owned numberous espresso machines including Starbucks Barista (Seaco), a couple of DeLonghi''s, and a couple of Cuisinart EM-100''s.This is a much smaller unit than either the Barista or the Cuisinart. It''s much more like a DeLongi as it has a small water reservoir and has a faux stainless finish plastic case.
It uses a lighter weight Saeco pressurized portafilter than the Starbucks Barista. Unfortunately, their is practically no crema. Our backup Philip Senseo makes better crema.
Disappointed for the price, but will keep it for a vacation home unit to make cheap lattes as the foamer wand works well.
Read Best Reviews of Philips Saeco HD8327/47 Poemia Top Espresso Machine Here
This is my first Espresso Machine. My wife and I decided to go with the Poemia after watching and reading countless reviews, this was clearly the best option for the entry level machine, considering our budget.We got home, did the first use cycle and prepared. We were able to froth our first pitcher with no issues or complications thanks to the Panarello steam wand and we pulled our first shot, which turned out to be pretty easy and good. We didn''t even add sugar to that first cappuccino as it was really good by itself. Since the Panarello does all the frothing work for you, when using the right sized pitcher, the clearance from the wand to the counter shouldn''t be a problem.
We pulled a couple of more drinks for the family and everybody seemed to enjoy it very much.
My only complain might be that the passive cup-warmer doesn''t get hot enough until after a couple of uses, but this was expected and is really not a major problem at all. As other reviewers note, the dip tray does have a loose connection from the rest of the machine, but the bright side is this makes it easy to take off and clean.
This turned out to be a great purchase and a whole lot of fun.
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After my cheaper espresso machine broke down, I decided to upgrade to a better one. I did my research and liked the reviews for the Saeco, and that it has the same internal parts as the more expensive units. So, I''ve been using it for a few days now (I will update the review if need be).The machine looks good and it was well packaged. The instructions are OK, but not intuitive plus they''re translated from another language. If you''ve used one of these before, it''s the same procedures, so don''t fret.
First, the on/off switch hides in the back of the unit, which is a totally inconvenient place. It took me a minute to find it, because I put the unit against my kitchen wall on the counter and I was looking at it to find out how it turns on after I plugged it in! Now, I have to move the unit forward and back every time I have to flip the switch. This could be a deal breaker if combined with the other flaws.
Is this machine supposed to stay on for hours? I don''t think so, because the machine preps the water to high temp & builds steam ready for use. Do you want to have a machine ready all the time? What would this do to the parts inside if it''s all the time? I don''t know. Placing the switch to the back of the unit might make someone think that "flip it and forget about it"....
Second, I found that it''s best to wait a bit more after the green light comes on before you switch to making your coffee. The temp/pressure are better thus. Also, before you steam your milk, run it for a few seconds as the first stuff that comes out is water only and this will definitely dilute your milk. So, collect this water in something and throw it out. The frothing is decent, after a little practice, but I''m still concerned (because I tested it) with water not steam being put into the milk. Maybe the machine needs an extra moment after the green light comes on for steaming so it gets really hot to vaporize the water and deliver only steam.
The coffee pod/container/base have to be cleaned after each use. There''s extra watered coffee dripping out after you''ve done getting your espresso, especially if you also use the steamer. I mean, you don''t have to, but there will be watery stuff in the base that collects it. It''s easy to pull the base off and give it a rinse.
The steam-froth part moves from side to side, not up-down, and it has a very low clearance, which makes it more difficult to use many milk containers for steaming milk. I steam very small quantity in a small cup so it''s OK for me but if you want to steam more milk for lattes you have to find another way. Because it does not swing out enough (or slightly up) it''s not convenient to slide the milk container underneath for steaming. Really bad design here.
Another miss is that the top cover over the water and tamper isn''t hinged. So, you have to remove it and place it somewhere, and when you put it back, it goes only one way as it''s not even on all sides. Cheaper coffee makers have hinged top covers. Flip it, get the tamper, close it. Easy, but not this one. Not a biggie, but at this price, I expected a better design here too.
The most important thing though is that this machine makes great espresso/cappuccino, assuming you use good water and good coffee, so this machine does well for what it''s supposed to. I can tell the difference in the taste and appearance. The temperature matters in coffee making so it must be perfect. This one has it right. I''m using the same brand (Lavazza) with this machine as with the one that just broke and I can tell the difference in the taste. The coffee looks better too as there''s a nice crema in the cup.
Overall, a good machine (thus far, after a few days using it) with design flaws.
Update: I eventually returned this unit. The design flaws got to me....from the switch, to the steamer, to getting the coffee basket properly seated.
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