Saeco Starbucks Sirena Espresso Machine

I'm very happy with my new Sirena Expresso Machine, it looks stylish and works and nice as it looks. It was very easy to set up and get working (once I primed the pump and that was easy, I just didn't read the instructions correctly). I normally Peets coffee beens with a Turkish grind, unfortunatly thats to fine of a grind for this machine but it still makes the best of it, I just need to use less beans in the filter then I used to. You can use Ground beans or the self contained pods with this machine. It holds plenty of water so you don't have to fill it with every cup of expresso you brew. Its completly programable in case you want more then one or two 1oz shots of Expresso and very easy to program to the way you like it. Very easy to clean too. You can also get clean plain Hot Water from it so now I can pack up my teapot. My coffee beans are going much further with the same if not better Caffine Kick then my old machine. When I have company over I am able to make expresso after expresso and latte after latte with only the time it takes me to refill my filter. No more waiting for the machine to depressurise before I can pull the water cap off to add more water, no more running out of water when I need steam, no more babysitting the machine! It's fully automatic and I LOVE IT!!!

I bought three of these in the aftermarket for $200 or less each and that is all I would pay for Them. Each of the machines I bought off auction websites came with the problem. The one I use the temperature gates does not work properly,, which does not affect any other part of the maker. One of the makers I bought came in with the little foot piece in the brewing basket..which stopped it from working properly ,,, so once I figured that out, it worked pretty good.. taking temps from all three, the water was at different stages of hotness, but even the lowest, seemed to be hot enough.. I would say it's a pretty good machine,, the parts are incredibly expensive,, unbelievably so,,, so when they break down,, people sell them on auction sites.. I would think it makes as good a cup coffee as most,,none of mine have the power to use those little basket things,,, prepacked packages of coffee,, since I got a bunch of those with one of the makers,, I take the coffee out and put it into the regular basket,, the coffee is great espresso,,, so if you buy one of these buy it cheap,,,,, that's it folks

Liked the look and the Starbucks endorsement; was buying my very first espresso machine. I am just learning to use this. Like: looks and the two espresso dispensers. I just made lattes for two. Dislike: so far it's really difficult to put the portafilter into the machine. The fit is awful tight - maybe all machines are like this? Also, it is really hard to remove the little metal basketfrom the portafilter. Again, I do not know if this is normal for home espresso machines. The portafilter contains a rubber piece that sits below the metal espresso basket and that is very difficult to extract for cleaning. I have to dry the rubber thing and then use a tweezers to remove it from the portafilter. Overall it is hard to use and requires skill, but I have never had an espresso machine and I am enjoying becoming better at this - mery slowly. The wand shoots out water when I do not realize it (when its heating and airing the milk - I use soy milk). This is a bit dangerous, because I have to examine the thing to be sure it is behaving, while it is spewing hot water/steam. I got water in my soy, so am figuring out what to do to get around this. The priming light does not come on, but I do prime the thing alot. Slowly I am rereading the directions and making adjustments to get better at this - VERY ENJOYABLE. Depite all the whining I LOVE this machine!

I have owned several espresso machines with cost between $300 up to nearly $1000 and they always ended up disappointing me with early failure. Then I purchased my Saeco-Starbucks machine on eBay and I was amazed the first time I used it I was more than impressed it is simple,looks very nice,easy to clean and makes perfect espresso every time and I make 3 or 4 double shots every day. I expect this machine will last a good while and at $400 retail is a good deal, I bought mine NIB here for $225 + S&H. In my humble opinion you can't miss with this one.

After much research I purchased a this machine based on the reviews of other users. I am so glad a choose this brand of coffee maker! It was easy to learn how to make a perfect latte, and it was simple to operate and maintain. No more $4.00 lattes! I will recover my initial investment in this machine in six months and I can enjoy great lattes without feeling guilty!