Bugatti Diva 15-Bar Pump Espresso Machines

I purchased the red model of the Bugatti Diva about two months ago. After decades of burning out cheap espresso/cappuccino machines, I decided to get a more high-end model. What impressed me after pulling a few shots, was the inner power of this espresso maker--with 15 bar pressure, contrasted to the standard 8 or 9, extraction is quick and forceful, finishing with a beautiful light brown crema. It heats up quickly and is quieter during extraction than many other machines in my experience. Everything is solid and clearly designed for years of use. The milk steam frother has equal power to the extractor and sends plenty of heat and steam into the pitcher. The water tank in the back can be more easily filled with a reusable water bottle--avoiding the method of taking it out and carrying it to the water filter at the sink. Augmenting the previous reviewer I grind my beans (at a level just above Turkish coffee grind) and tamp the grind into the other style portafilter from the pod version he uses. I too have high praise for this very solid implement which has a tight and solid feel when connected to the machine, so the reader now has positive reviews of both portafilter versions. Finally, a word about grace and beauty. Aesthetically driven product design hasn't always been part of our lives in North America. The Bugatti Diva has a stark angularity and seems to slighly thrust forth at you with its wonderful large dial, but this assertiveness actually echoes well with my kitchen, and, I suspect, will do so with most other's kitchens. This will certainly be the only time in my life that I will own a Bugatti original. That being said, I give their Diva espresso and capuccino maker the highest possible praise, adding that I recommend the red version for its dramatic presentation of what is, after all, the most important appliance in any cultured and civilized kitchen.

Solid construction. This machine is a work of art, and is very, very well made. There's no hint of any part of this thing being "cheap". It looks great, it's easy to use and makes great espresso.

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I now have two pieces of functional art on the counter tops in my kitchen. The Bugatti toaster and the Bugatti espresso maker. They bring my kitchen alive, are focal points and quite the conversation pieces. The espresso maker has true Italian styling and looks like no other machine on the market. The DVD and the printed instructions where easy to follow so now I can make a great cappuccino at home instead of having to drive to the coffee shop each day. What I am saving on my coffee shop runs for a year I spent on this machine. I prefer using the espresso pods instead of loose espresso so I just changed out the filter basket to the one that accepts pods and I was ready to make a great espresso with a nice crème and also a cappuccino with a frothy milk.

I can't say enough good things about my new, functional piece of art!

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Saeco Coffee Maker Odea Giro Automatic Espresso Machine

I had a Super Automatic espresso machine a few years ago until it went out. I figured it would cost more to get it fixed than it was worth. So, I bought this Saeco Odea Giro and I love it. My other machine was digital and had more options, but was also more expensive. I much prefer the Saeco Odea Giro because it is easier to use, quieter than my other machine and hopefully will last longer. As with most products, the more options and computers you have on it, the more of a chance something will go wrong.

The Giro was designed by BMW. This makes it less boxy looking, like most other espresso machines, and therefore much more pleasing to the eye. The controls are simple and straight forward. Turn it on and it heats up in 30 seconds. Select the amount of coffee to be ground, turn the dial for the amount of water you want and press the brew button. Of course, once you set the first two options, then you only have to press the brew button for the next cup. And that is it. The maximum amount of water it will dispense is about 9 ounces. Of course, if you press the brew button 2 times then you will get twice the amount or two cups of coffee. This amount of water works fine for me because I drink cappuccino.

I have tried different brands of coffee such as, Lavazza, Starbucks, Peets and Illy. I have found that Illy is the smoothest and no bitterness, but is the most expensive. I usually use Starbucks because it has a nice flavor and fairly mild. Coffee is subjective. Just try different brands and blends until you find the one you like the most. Just do not use a flavored or highly oily coffee bean because it could plug up the grinder.

There are four lights on the front. One is the on or ready light. Another one is to let you know when to decalcify. The third light tells you when you need to empty the used grounds, dump box. The forth light has different functions that could mean one of several things. This light will either be on steady, slowly flash or rapidly flash. This light will warn you of one of the following. The water tank is empty, bean hopper is empty, drip try is full, water tank is not pushed in all the way, service door is open, brew group is not installed correctly, coffee bean cover is not securely in place or the water circuit needs to be primed. Just read the manual to see what the light status means.

There is an optional Aqua Prima water filter you can buy. This filter is a must have if you use tap water. Otherwise, you will get a buildup of calcium and other minerals that decalcifying may not totally get rid of. Plus, your coffee will taste much better.

I can not address the froth wand because I have a separate machine I use for cappuccino, but I am sure it works just like other espresso machines.

As with most espresso machines the coffee is not quite as hot as I would prefer. So, I preheat the cup by simply putting about one third cup of water in the cup and microwave it for 40 seconds. This also helps keep the coffee hot longer.

Maintenance is easy and quick. Fill the bean container when it needs it. Empty the dump box every day or whenever it tells you. Empty the drip tray when needed. Fill the water tank when needed. Rinse the brew group at least once a week.

Here are some helpful hints. If the machine has not been used for a few hours and is cold, when you turn it on it will dispense a small amount of water out of the spout. This action primes the pump and cleans the spout of any coffee residue. Place a cup under the spout to collect that water and dump it. That way it will not go into the drip tray and you will not have to empty it as often. Also, do not let the water tank get too low or it will stop in the middle of brewing.

I highly recommend this espresso machine. You could spend a few thousand dollars on one with all the bells and whistles, but the end result is the same. They all make coffee or espresso in the same way.

UPDATE: This was the second Saeco espresso machine I have bought. The first one, which was a different model but the same brand, broke down after a little over 1 year. This Odea went out in less than 6 months. Therefore, I have to downgrade my star rating to 2 stars because of reliability. I will no longer buy this brand. I bought a Delonghi and am very happy with it thus far.

I have purchased this product back on March as a birthday gift for friends. I paid around 800.00. And a month or two later the machine started to spill coffee to the dump instead to coffee cups. These people contacted Saeco-USA to schedule the repair, but now they want to get away from repairing this machine. They ask lots of things that just does not make sense. They ask for proof of purchase, they refuse to contact Bloomingdale's store, once we fax them the proof of purchase they never receive it (faxed over 20 times). The customer service is mean, and highly uneducated. So 800.00 for 2 months worth of machine life is way too much in my opinion, better get a Delonghi coffee maker! With his machine I never had any issues.

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This is my third Saeco machine...the first one lasted 7 years it was another model and I was very pleased with it. The second one lasted one year also a different model and they wanted 300.00 to repair it...so I thought I must has just gotten a bad machine and gave Saeco another chance so i bought the Saeco Odea Giro...and it lasted 7 months and now water comes out under the machine instead of through the coffee dispenser.... I've descaled and did all maintenance that this machine required each time it required it. I kept it clean and used only filtered water. There are only two of us using it and well I expect the machine to last more than 7 months at the price. After two bad ones I think I'll look else where for a coffee machine. I've decided Saeco are now making their machines much like a Bic lighter, throw away and buy new....but unfortunately the price doesn't match this throw away buy new approach.

I'm very disappointed and really wish the machine was better. I loved it while it lasted but I can't afford this price every year.

Janet

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I have had this machine for just over two years. The espresso it makes is very good. It is very easy to use and easy to clean. It even looks good. BUT...it continually leaks watery coffee grinds all over the counter.

A Saeco service center told me that I need to clean part of the brew group better. I have been cleaning the brew group and surrounding areas until I am sick of it...it still leaks. Also, the water tank and coffee grinds door are very sensitive and causes the machine to stop working frequently until I jiggle everything. Now the motor that turns the brew group is sounding very sick and weak. I am trying to decide whether to send it in for a major overhaul or buy a different machine that does not leak. Either way, it is still cheaper and better tasting than driving to a coffee shop!

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We had a Saeco Vienna for about 6 years and were very happy with it. During cleaning, I broke a plastic finger of off the brewing unit, and we decided to get a different machine. We went for a Krups, and what a disaster, the machine was leaking all over after about a weak. We returned it to the store and got another unit, the same leaking after only a few use cycles, and we went for another replacement. This one lasted about three months before it stated to leak.

We decided to go with Saeco again and bought the Odea Giro. This machine is running now since more than two years, making 10 20 cups of coffee every day and not missing a beat.

Yes, the sensors for the water reservoir and the used coffee grounds are very sensitive, but not putting the containers in properly is a operator error and not a machine problem. The machine functions correct if it tells me that the containers are not placed correct.

The negative reports I read here point to operator mistakes rather than to machine problems! The Odea Giro is a fine espresso machine that makes a very good cup of coffee, with a nice crema on top!

Bialetti Venus, 6 Cup

I've got two Bialetti stainless. I've had this model for probably about 10 years (slightly older version, looks exactly like this except with a metal flipper on the top) . I now use it as my back up model. I make two cups of cappuccino every morning for my wife, and usually two cups in the afternoon Saturday and Sunday as well. I've had no real problems with this pot. I have to replace the washer (seal) between the top and bottom parts of the pot about every 7 or 8 months.

To use this pot effectively, I recommend the following:

1. Use a fine/espresso grind of coffee. You can use a coarser grind, but water rushes through it too fast.

2. Tamp down the coffee in the coffee holder a little bit, but don't get obsessed with it. I suppose if you want pure espresso, go heavy on the coffee and lighter on the water. We always do cappuccino.

3. For speed, pre-heat the water. We use a cordless electric kettle to get the water up to temp quicker before adding it to the pot. Usually I fill it to the point where the coffee holder just hits the water. That way I make the most coffee, without causing the water to flow out when I drop the coffee holder in. Oh, yeah, you'll now need a towel to hold the pot while screwing the pot together since you added hot water to it. I twist it down good and tight.

4. I use high heat on the stove. I get the job done quick. Just make sure the cups are ready. Usually I'm heating milk in the frother in the microwave while the espresso maker is busy making coffee. When the coffee is ready, its ready, and you need to be on top of it, otherwise it will spatter out.

5. Cleaning: When you go to use the coffee maker again, you MUST clean the sealing washer. Otherwise the leftover coffee grounds on it will prevent it sealing for the next time. I use the scrubbing side of a scrunge to get the grounds out of the washer. As you use the pot, the washer will soften up over time, and you'll have to scrub harder to get the grounds out. After a while, I'll flip the washer over and use the other side to seal against the lower half of the pot. It works for a while, but eventually you'll have to replace the washer. I recommend keeping spares on hand.

Every so often (few weeks) I scrub out the lower half of the pot with an sos pad. It gets rid of occasional coffee residue which seeps back down to the lower half and sometimes burns on to the bottom of the lower half of the pot. It can cause a burned taste in the coffee.

Occasionally I've had to pull the filter plate out and "clean" it. Just lift the seal washer to get to it. The problem I've had every once in awhile is grounds plugging the filter plate. If you hold it up to the light, you should be able to see through the holes in the filter plate. If grounds block any of them, just use a needle to poke through the blockage.

I'd guess I've made about 1500 pots of coffee with this espresso pot. I think I've got it pretty well down. Follow the directions above and I think this coffee pot will work for you for a very, very long time.

An Update Concerning Induction: I tested it with a magnet. It indicated that this is pure stainless, i.e. the magnet wouldn't stick, and is thus unsuitable for an induction top. This is the test for all cookware for use with an induction top. If the magnet won't stick, it won't work.

The one feature I especially like about this pot is its wide bottom. It's very stable and doesn't teeter on a gas burner like some others (i.e., the "Ilsa") do. The handle doesn't get burning hot like metal handles can. It has a straightforward design and is easy to disassemble and clean. I have been making stovetop espresso in pots like this for 15+ years and this is one of the most satisfactory pots I have had. A good value.

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Use med.-low heat for gas and you are ready in 11 minutes. Make sure the stainless steel filter is always facing in the right direction or the expresso maker will leak. Be aware that they are talking about expresso cups (demitasse 2.5 oz cup) and not the savage sized coffee addicts cup we Americans are use to using. Also, most civilized people add milk at a ratio of 1:1, so if you make five demitasse cups of expresso (12.5 oz.), then your coffee maker should produce around 6 oz. of pure expresso.

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The Bialetti espresso maker came on time, in its original Bialetti packaging and with all of the parts unbroken and without any dents or scratches.

I love the look and style of this espresso maker. I have only used it a few times now and the biggest disappointment has been that it doesn't seal properly. Steam comes out of the sides while the water is heating no matter how tightly you close it. Even my husband couldn't get it closed well enough. Maybe it will take some time on this...

The other small disappointment was that I thought it would make more espresso. I was hoping this could function as our coffee-maker (we like it really strong!) so it would have to make enough for two cups of coffee. It looks so large, but the looks are deceiving. While it does make just barely enough for the two of us, if we ever had guests, I would need to wait for it to cool and then make more or buy another one!

Overall it makes yummy coffee and it looks super-cool, but if I had to do it over again, I would have bought the biggest one they make.

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I got this as a present. I had used other cheaper modules of the same brand so I was very excited but the threads never matched up and it didnt seal enough to produce anything remotley like coffee let alone espresso. I was very disappointed that this one was so cheaply made that when I called the manufactures they said that becouse I had used it they wouldnt give me another one. I have had success with this manufacture in the past but beware they are hard to get a hold of and not very nice with there customer service.

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DeLonghi DCF212T Drip Coffeemaker with Convenient Front Access

When my $100 coffee maker quit, I researched coffee makers and found this model from DeLonghi I hadn't heard of before. The design of this model sets a new standard for on-the-counter coffee makers. It is incredible to be able to put the filter, coffee, AND WATER in the maker without moving the machine. The caraffe doesn't drip when pouring into the swing out arm (or into the cup later) so there's no messy drips to wipe up at any time.

The digital clock isn't the quickest to set since you have to hold a button in as it changes in minutes only, but hopefully that won't need set often.

The "aroma" button really works! There actually is a difference in the brewing aroma with it on.

Most importantly, the end product was a great cup of coffee! I'm thrilled with the coffee maker and haven't found a single negative aspect yet, including the price. I HIGHLY recommend this model. Kudos Delonghi, you really outdid yourself here. Amazon's shipping was simple and fast. The whole purchasing experience was exceptional. A+++++

I just got this coffee maker a few days ago and for the most part I like it, but, and this is a major but for me, the coffee just isn't quite hot enough. I find myself throwing my cup in the microwave to get it piping hot, not scalding but hot. It's nice looking, the front water loading is convenient, the coffee tastes good, but I wouldn't buy it again because of the temperature issue.

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I had the same leaking problem that another reviewer had. After about 1 month of daily use this unit starts leaking from the back and liquid coffee goes down to the warming plate making a mess and causing a burnt coffee smell. The company kindly sent me another unit but the same thing happened. So now they are sending me a second replacement and I chose a different model which hopefully will be more reliable. But based on the review on that unit I am not optimistic that unit is any better.

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Summary: it died after 40 days.

I did my homework before picking this one, relying a lot on other reviewers' comments. I concede that the pour-from-the-front feature was appealing, but after getting the machine, I realized that it's not such a great design. Because the water channels through this front access swing-out arm, it's very difficult to REMOVE unwanted water, not to mention grounds that somehow end up in the reservoir. When I used a flashlight to examine the reservoir, I was appalled at how scummy it was, even after only a few weeks' usage.

The digital clock is terribly clumsy. To set the clock or brew time, you must hold down a single button until it reaches the desired time. The brew time defaults to 6AM, so if you want to set it for 5AM, you must cycle through 23 hours of counting.....and if you want to change it for the weekend, it's very awkward. Hey, this is 2008! Can't you do better than this, DeLonghi? This is a stone-age digital clock!

But the bottom line was simply this: the heating element stopped working after only 40 days of use. That's simply not acceptable. In the past, a coffeemaker could be expected to last for many years of daily use. Sadly, none of the "imported" coffeemakers I've tried recently can match that performance. This model was an exceptional failure.

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I bought this coffee maker about 4 months ago and it is already in the garbage. After the first month coffee would slowly come out of the carafe around the silver strip near the bottom and get on the burner and the smell of burnt coffe would fill the house. Then this weekend as I was filling the carafe with water it cracked. Carafe's online are $20 + shipping. NOT WORTH IT! So, I went out and bought a Cuisnart Coffee on Demand 12 cup programmable coffee maker and so far it is wonderful! Flavorful and hot coffee and even better there is no carafe to worry with!!!

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