Philips Saeco RI9752/48 Odea Go Full Automatic Espresso Machine

I recently upgraded to this model from a Krups steam espresso maker and it was probably one of the best decisions I've ever made. I can't believe I did upgrade sooner.

The espresso comes out perfect, just like those at places like Starbucks. My favorite part about this model is the minimum work required for cleaning. It has a bin that collects the used grounds so you don't have to empty and clean after every cup.

The steam for the milk frother comes out super fast and super hot. It takes less than 30 seconds for me to froth milk. And when you're done, just rinse the plastic nozzle and you're set for the next cup.

Now the only downside about this model: it doesn't store too much water. If you have 2 or more people using this thing every morning, there's a good chance someone will always have to refill the water in the tank after the machine pumps out a half cup of coffee and blinks its red light. Even then, for the price, it is well worth it and provides great value.

Update 4/7/2010 Still turning out great coffee/espresso with ease after 3 years of service. Must've saved me $1000 from morning trips to Starbucks annually.

But then again, I guess I wouldn't know how good it really is.

Four stars because a) I haven't had it long enough to give it a 5 and b) I'm taking off one star for the price.

I really like this machine, I was hesitant to get a super automatic because I like the process of making espresso. However, when I need multiple shots each morning for 2 drinks, this is far more practical. I was not interested in the sales associates' push for Nespresso because I can't see being tied down to one brand of pod forever, so I went with this. I've had it a few weeks, so I will update if I run into any snags, but so far so good.

Prior to this I had a Krups (great while it lasted, actually), and a DeLonghi, and a Breville Ikon that I returned. I was looking at this, a Capresso, and a Gaggia, but the store where I returned the Ikon only had this so I gave it a shot.

Pros:

Delicious espresso, nice crema, but it does take some experimenting with grinds, etc. I am still working on getting it just how I want it, but still, the worst cup out of this machine is better than good cups in others. I use it for lattes almost exclusively, but my husband has had shots and likes them a lot. It is incredibly fast shot to shot, something I was hesitant about in leaving my beloved filling and tamping behind, but now I will never look back! The frother is very powerful and fast, the best I've had on any machine.

Cons:

As another reviewer mentioned, this machine has quite a personality! It is like C3PO (or is it R2D2) in my kitchen each day, Flashing, blinking, making sounds. It always wants something: Fill water, empty grounds, release hot water. If I didn't like the coffee and ease of use so much it might be annoying but for now I find it entertaining. I feel like it's letting me know what it needs, so that's ok I guess.

I don't like how plasticky it is, it feels like a $100 Krups, but it looks nice and the coffee is what matters. Nearly everything comes apart for easy and thorough cleaning, so I always know it's clean through and through, unlike some other machines I've had.

Machine is kinda big. I have a lot of counter space (for once in my life!) and I have it angled in a corner. It looks great and blends in, but if space is an issue for you, note that the size is a bit deep. The curve of it makes it look a little smaller than it is, and it definitely looks stylish.

Other comments:

Some online reviews I saw noted it's finicky about beans. I've tried two kinds now and haven't had any trouble with the taste or grinder getting stuck.

I hope this review is helpful. The espresso machine purchase process is overwhelming, and it seems like there are shortcomings to all of them. I am really glad I took two back wound up with this one, even if the process of finding it was maddening. I was about to give up and not even own a machine at home any longer. I gave it one last whirl with this one. As I was walking out of the dept. store, a stately European couple saw me walking with the giant orange box and stopped me to tell me "What a great machine! We bought it a few months ago, you're going to love it." I grilled them about 4-5 concerns, they raved, and I felt like I was at least off to a better start with this machine than with the others that were mediocre or bad.

FYI: Many Bed, Bath and Beyonds sell these and honor the 20% mailers they send out, should you choose to buy it in person. (I would, in case anything goes wrong. I am done with getting electronics >$100 online and messing with shipping.)

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This was my first espresso machine that I have owned, but have used many manual machines. The most common use I have for it, is making espresso/cappuccino for family dinners; I do make single batches for myself on weekends. I have found it superb for single doses and a tad more complicated for multi-batch sessions. I agree that more stainless vs. plastic would have been nice, but the plastic is easy to clean, and does blend nicely into a stainless kitchen. The wand should have been either all metal or "rubber" (some heat resistant pliable stuff) as hard plastic is the worst of both worlds, but that being said I have had zero problems with it. It is very easy to clean. On the other hand, it is impossible to foam and not get foam on the handle and up into the joint between the tip and the pipe of the wand (remember to clean it too). I would be gentle with the wand.

Making Coffee

1. First off finding the sweet spot on the coffee strength meter, will take you a few batches. On my machine just about 2.5 dots makes a perfect 2 cup espresso.

2. Be careful on first startup of the day, put a mug underneath the machine, as the cleaning/priming cycle can spurt a fair amount of boiling coffee stained water. I keep a spare mug next to the machine just for startup.

3. Eventually after the entertaining light show (really? before I've had my coffee??) the machine is ready for brewing. Press the big coffee cup button, and after loud grinding, magically coffee comes forth! Depending on your dial setting you get anything from concentrated espresso through cafe-americano.

4. Now onto milk steaming (for cappuccino/latte). First off press the steam button and wait until the thermometer stops blinking. Now using your spare cup open the steam valve and let the boiling water spew out until steam only is coming. Now insert into your milk pitcher and foam until you get to 140-150 degrees (yes you need a foaming thermometer) which depending on how cold your milk is, a minute or two. Make your cappuccino as desired.

5. Cleaning: well remember that hockey puck of beans it made, well it's sitting in the container to the right, along with overflow of the steaming cycle. This machine has a bizarrely low tolerance for stuff in the right container. I have had it complain with 2 batches of espresso (sometimes due to too much water and if the grounds land standing on edge, it gets unhappy too). When making lots of batches in a row, you will be filling water and emptying the waste side frequently. Some people are more annoyed than others. I agree, slightly larger would have been useful, but I wouldn't want the machine to be larger. I also after removing the wand tip and cleaning it in the sink, then take my spare mug filled with hot water and clean the handle and end of the wand (it undoubtable has milk on the o-rings, etc.

Other lessons:

1. I found larger beans makes it unhappy, I switched to the Illy whole beans, which have smaller beans, and works perfectly.

2. Not sure why the water filter is not included: buy them, as it tastes better and more importantly reduces scale buildup.

3. Read the manual on maintenance (there is a Saeco kit that includes everything) and perform it regularly. To remove the guts (the brew group) it's behind the door on the right, press the "push" button and pull the whole thing out. Carefully follow the directions in applying the silicone lubricant as instructed. It's a little tricky getting it all back in.

Sum up: I really like it, and it cranks through repeat brewing fairly quickly (albeit with the delay of refilling/emptying) without complaint. Occasionally it becomes "de-primed" which is solved by opening the steam valve and dispensing hot water until it stops blinking red. Not sure what de-primes it, but it is infrequent. I would purchase this again.

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This is my second Saeco Espresso machine that I have bought in the last year. I first bought the Taleo Giro for $1000 from Costco, which worked beautifully for about 4 months, but then a clogged grinder prevented me from brewing any more coffee--only the hot water worked. I called Saeco on multiple occasions and even though every one was friendly, the only resolution was sending me one instruction booklet after another. Some instructions did not match my model, some where from a previous version of the same model and some were so complicated that I did not know how to follow them (it was basically taking apart the entire grinder--and that was recommended to be done every two weeks). I spend less time maintaining my car then it looks like the Saeco machine requires.

Then I bought the Saeco Odea upon reading the instruction manual and feeling assured that I did not need to disassemble the machine every other week. Again, it stopped working after 6 months. Again, I get brochures from their customer service, but no trouble shooting assistance--and this model apparently also requires complete disassembly of the grinder every other week. When asked why the original manual does not let you know that, I received an "I don't know".

I am going back to my basic Krups model that requires no maintenance--if you are looking for a hobby and love to take things apart, the Saeco might be a great fit--otherwise: Stay clear.

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This is a review by a Coffee Fanatic who has owned several machines, including the $8000 industrial version. I had the Vienna Plus for 8 months and decided to give that away to get the Odea Go.

The Vienna Plus had more water in the dredge drawer.. so much that I first thought the machine was leaking!! Found out that IS the way the machine works.. But the machine was bigger than the Odea, so it had room. I had to clean it out every 6-8 cups made.

The Vienna also allowed me to see the water level, so it was easy to refill.

Now for the ODEA:

Doesn't matter which model Odea you get, they're the same build. I was impressed by the BMW-designed mechanics, so I bought it for the sleeker look. Smaller unti fitted well on the small kitchen counter I have.

MAKES STRONGER COFFEE than other models of Saeco that I've tried/borrowed/owned/tasted. It's able to extract more flavor.

PROBLEMS:

1. The water container is smaller than the Vienna. And the tank is hidden, so you can NOT see when it's time to refill. YOU MUST refill before it's down to 2 cups left, because the light weight will make the sensor stop working. The sensor is not by water, but by weight of water!

2. The coffee lid can't be opened while the machine is ON. The other models can. This is weird.. because I used to be able to refill the Vienna while it's brewing.

3. The dredge drawer needs to be emptied for every 3-4 cups of coffee brewed!! Though it's not really full, the sensor will not let you brew coffee with water in this drawer!! So you will end up cleaning this every 4 cups max.

4. The drawer can't be seen, the spills can't be seen, because of the sleek design, everything is covered. And everything is BLACK, so you can't see whether you've cleaned it very well. Coffee grinds may be hidden in places you can't see... all gray and black plastic!!

WHEN MY NEW MACHINE WAS 5 WEEKS OLD, THE 3 RED LIGHTS FLASHED QUICKLY which means electrical problems. Turning it off and on did not help. Calling the manufacturer, diagnosed over the phone, and ended up to have to replace it with a new one. IT SIMPLY STOPPED WORKING.

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