Espresso Expresso Coffee

Saeco Vienna Espresso Machine Buyers Reviews, Praise And Problems

The Saeco Vienna coffee machine is one of the most popular models on the market just now. In this article I you will learn, I hope, enough so that you can decide if it is the right machine for you, we will cover technical facts and hear what real owners have to say about it.

First the basic overview and facts:

- Full product/model name -  Saeco 4045 Vienna Plus 15-Bar-Pump SuperAutomatica Espresso Machine

- Manufacturer: Saeco International Group (saeco.com)

- Prices: Retail is $700 but your target price should be no more than $520.

Description
This model has 15 bars of pump pressure and 1250 watts of power which is a good high level of power for a home superautomatica espresso machine.

Users report that the control panel is easy to use. There is a button knob for defining the level of coffee that goes into a cup, a simple make coffee button, a button for the steam function and lights for temperature-ready, coffee-function, steam temperature, alarm and power on.

It can hold up to 12 ounces (300 grams) of whole coffee beans and there is a built in conical burr grinder that allows you to adjust the fineness level of the grinding. If you have not used fresh ground coffee before you're in for a nice flavorful surprise.

You then use the OptiDose function as it's called to control how much ground coffee is used in each cup, you can set this from 6 to 9 grams, basically the difference between mild and rocket fuel! The removable Pannarello wand froths milk for cappuccino's and lattes and works well to dispense hot water for Americanos, teas and hot chocolates.

A popular feature is the machine's removable brew group that allows you to tamp, brew, and dispense all in one cycle. For quick rinsing and chemical-free cleaning you simply remove the brew group by pressing a button.

Other beneficial features include a removable 57-ounce(1.4 litre) water tank which makes it easy to fill. A high grade stainless steel boiler, fifteen puck capacity drawer for dregs and a height adjustable spout that suits a number of cup sizes.

Technical Factsheet
- Power output: 1250 watts
- Pump or steam: Pump
- Maximum pump pressure: 15 bars
- Color: Silver or black
- Water tank capacity: 7-1/8 cups
- Built-in tamper: Yes
- Built-in water filter: Yes
- Timer: No
- Coffeemaker attached: No
- Removable water tank: Yes
- Built-in grinder: Yes
- Steam wand: Yes
- Espresso pod adapter: No
- Programmable brew amounts/cup sizes: Yes
- Automatic: Yes
- Height: 15-1/2 inches x 15 inches long x 14 inches deep
- Weight: 18 lbs

User Reviews - the good the bad and the ugly!

The following are comments from Vienna owners. I have cut snippets from longer comments in order to present key points.

The Good
- Espresso has a beautiful rich crema right out of the box, I didn't have to experiment with grind setting at all.

- The steaming wand makes perfect frothed foam.

- My priority has always been flavor and consistency and that the Vienna Plus delivers.

- Don't get mesmerized by stainless steel shine or computerized display magic and save yourself some money by getting this machine.

- The ease of use is amazing. Clean up is easy.

- The coffee brewed by the Vienna Plus is excellent. The crema is thick and rich. Frothed milk climbs vertically out of the cup

- This machine might not be the expensive, flashy, big show, high maintenance beauty queen, but it does deliver at about half the price (of an Incanto Sirius)

The Bad and Ugly
The only complaint I have is if you are using a large cup for regular coffee you have to angle putting in and removing the cup since the bottom of the drip spouts are not high enough even when adjusting the pull-down or push-up spout that is provided

The machine was very flimsy. Almost entirely made of plastic. Sent it back before first cup...we wonder why they didn't give it a chance and just went on first impression...The plastic exterior on the Vienna saeco expresso machines is often cited as a minor complaint but most then go on to say how it becomes insignificant once they start to use it.

Parting shot
...used it every single day and are very pleased. This machine is so easy to use, pretty quiet and I feel like I'm getting a coffee house product in my own kitchen

In summary
With the above in mind it's hardly surprising that the Saeco Vienna Delux expresso machine has been finding such popular support. It has a ton of features normally only found together on much more pricey expresso machines, as the users say, it makes great coffee and apart from some niggles over build material and larger cups has very few drawbacks, plus, it is priced very well at a level that is affordable for many of us. If it is in your budget range and you can't afford to step up to one of the more fancy $1000+ type machines then the Saeco Vienna De Luxe 4045 is a worthy contender for your wallets attention.

Coffee Art questions?

I have an itching to make coffee art and I have a few questions about it...
I already have the skill to do it so its one thing to check off the list
and I know you're suppose to use frothy milk but the problem is I have no money for an espresso machine and have to make it myself
So here are my questions if you don't mind TYPING OUT your answers (10 points for win)
How do you make frothy milk at home? What type of milk? Is whole milk okay?
Can you use nesquick chocolate syrup for the chocolate parts? or is there a certain brand or something?
Is it actually one part expresso and two part frothy milk?

Greatly appreciated and will mention you in my videos if you can answer ALL of the questions
Thank you very very much
This type of coffee art http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZDZs__m5iAI
What's the metal pick used to create coffee art? Is it a screw driver? It looks like a screw driver?

(You don't have to mention me)
To make frothy milk just take a wisk into a bowl or milk and wisk it until you get the desired level or frothiness. Whole milk should be fine.
Yes, I'd experiment with different brands if needed.
Um, not sure... I've never done coffee art before ^^;

How to Make Espresso Coffee Using your Coffee Expresso Machine with IMUSA