Saeco 4038 Vienna Plus 15-Bar-Pump Super-Automatic Espresso Machine, Graphite

Comment: The machine is wonderful except that I have to wait too long to make more coffee after using the steamer.

Comment: I have had this machine for a few weeks now, and love it!!! After years of the hassle of steam machines, this is such a treat!!! It is so easy to use, and clean that I look forward to my daily cups of espresso, instead of looking at it as a chore. I also save counter space, as I do not have to share it with a grinder, anymore. It is also very nice to have a HOT cup, finally!!! Every other machine just never seemed to get hot enough. I highly recommend this machine to all!!!:)

Comment: I received this espresso maker as a gift from my husband and it's pretty awesome. I'd asked for an espresso maker and was expecting a manual machine but my husband wouldn't hear of it. He did his research and decided on this model - primarily because an older Italian gentleman that he works with raved about it (and Italians know their espresso). I was a bit leery when I learned how much this cost, but after having it for a few months it's absolutely worth it.

When it arrived in the mail I was intimidated - but the setup was easy and within minutes (literally) we were making espresso shots and taste testing the various settings to see which one we preferred. As one reviewer noted - the machine is plastic and doesn't expensive, in fact some of the parts feel like they're going to fall off if you pull too hard, but despite that, it's a sturdy machine.

My only gripe with this product is the design of the bean loading area - it only holds about 1/4 lb of beans and sometimes the beans don't slide down to the grinder so you have to stick your hand in there and move them around so they slide into the grind area (but that only happens occasionally and shouldn't deter anyone from purchasing this model).

When you consider that a large latte at Starbucks costs around $5 (and I was drinking at least 3 or 4 of those a week) - we'll have recouped our money on this within the year! What a steal! :)

Comment: In about 3 minutes, this machine grinds the beans (no separate appliance needed for that!),
tamps down the grind (no separate tool for that!)and produces foamy hot espresso. Plus, the
steam is strong enough to foam up 2% milk! Everything cleans up in a flash...second cup, no
long wait. If you like strong coffee set the grind about four clicks from the maximum setting
and the setting for amount of coffee for each use at the max. Lovely.

Comment: I recently purchased a Vienna Superautomatica as an inexpensive second espresso maker. The first thing I noticed is that it is Italian made like many of the great espresso machines. The body of the Vienna is "graphite" plastic, and while it does not feel first class, it somehow has a pretty sturdy feel to it. I also like that the footprint is pretty small thus taking up little counter space.

I opened the manual, which is not particularly clear, but need not be on account of very simple operation. The Vienna has three buttons--on/off, coffee, and steam. It also has a steamer control knob and a water volume knob.

I turned on the machine after filling the coffee and water tanks. The buttons feel Italian--you'll know what I mean if you've owned an Alfa Romeo. They are a bit clunky next to my old Capresso C1000, but they work well (for now).

The Vienna takes a couple of minutes to warm up--I don't mind this for reasons I'll reveal in a minute. The coffee spout is adjustable up and down to accommodate a large variety of cups and mugs. Once it's ready, the coffee light stops blinking. I push the button and it begins to grind the coffee. The noise level of the machine is louder than my Capresso, but not too bad. You might wake up the house with it in the morning, but my child stayed asleep. Once the coffee finishes the grind, the Vienna immediately begins making espresso.

My first impression was that I saw a lot more steam coming from the coffee than my Capresso. I am hopeful. The coffee also looked a bit thicker than the Capresso. After the Vienna finished I observed the cup: nice crema, plenty hot, and smells like the genuine article. I gave it a taste--wow, step aside Capresso, this espresso is richer, hotter, and a lot closer to coffee bar espresso. Next I took a sip. Ah yes, the cup holds rich chocolatey espresso. If you are sort of a coffee snob, you'll like what you taste. The coffee is much richer than the Capresso, which I attribute to hotter water and fuller extraction.

I'm sure that the Vienna will not make good enough espresso for some folks, but to me, it still tastes better than Starbucks. It was more than $100 cheaper than my Capresso and frankly makes better espresso. I cannot yet speak to the durability of the machine, but the Vienna is now my favorite inexpensive espresso maker.