I bought the same one. It worked great until recently when I ran out of pods and figured I would just put some coffee in the holder loose. Don’t do this It is now clogged up. I haven’t tried to take it apart yet but will. I hope I can fix it. I really liked it. If they ever show up on woot again for that price I’ll be in for 3.
When I saw this woot listed, I thought oh geez, I bought the 2 for Tuesday Juan Valdez pod machines last year. What do I need this for? Then I went around the corner and looked at some of these tony machines at Williams-Sonoma and realized this is a serious machine for serious coffee makers. I’m in for one and will probably use illy espresso from Kitchen Kapers to see how well it does.
Hope it doesn’t become a $200.00 paperweight in my office.
While looking at the item photo, I see no objectional corporate advertising, i.e., where’s the S’Bucks logo?
[QUOTE=pbutlerj, post:122, topic:234053]
The real problem is that with most home machines you pull the shot of espresso into a shot glass. Then you steam the milk. Which can take several minutes (from the machine getting ready to the actual steaming of the milk) by then the shot of espresso is luke warm and as anyone in the business knows, the longer a shot of espresso sits the chemical reaction in the shot glass makes it bitter, quick. Which is one reason that shops throw away a lot of espresso shots, or if they don’t it is the reason your espresso drink tastes nasty bitter one day but not the next.
Lesson: In Espresso you get what you pay for. This machine may produce decent espresso, but good luck making a latte, or mocha.
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While I don’t have this machine, I do have a Saeco Aroma (same as the older Starbucks Barrista machine) which is of similar quality and design. There is a rather simple solution to the “cooling espresso shot” problem for lattes mentioned above. Pull a shot of hot water through the portafilter to heat up the espresso cup, then steam the milk, then pull the shot and use it to make the latte. The milk will hold it’s heat longer than the espresso due to the larger volume, so you still get a nice hot latte with better tasting espresso added. I’m not an expert, but I have had good results with this method.
It’s easy to make great lattes and mochas—just get everything ready and your portafilter loaded, froth your milk first, then pull your shot. Couldn’t be much simpler than that.
[QUOTE=pearsony, post:86, topic:234053]
Get a Mr Coffee model for about $30 bucks at Target or Walmart… Put your savings into a good espresso like Lavassa. You can purchase 8oz bricks online for about $4-5 per brick (not per cup)! That’s about $4-5 each month, rather than per day… I buy about 20 bricks at a time to get the best bulk rates, storing them in a freezer.
Great tasting coffee for pennies on the dollar!
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Yuk! I would listen to the Starbucks worker. It’s a good looking machine that works well, my next-door neighbor has it and I visit often with a homemade strawberry shortcake. They supply the espresso. 
[QUOTE=cole103, post:165, topic:234053]
It’s easy to make great lattes and mochas—just get everything ready and your portafilter loaded, froth your milk first, then pull your shot. Couldn’t be much simpler than that.
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Agreed!
Which Hamilton beach model do you have? I am in the market for a good espresso maker …
[QUOTE=clayvessel777, post:12, topic:234053]
Froogle!!
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Why do you people do that? The bot posts links right away… we don’t need your expert froogling skills here Sir.
To get more posts!
I’ve worked for Starbucks for several years, and in my opinion, this is the best machine we’ve sold since I’ve been around. The semi-automatic is great, since you can use pods (I’ve heard Illy is good, but I get the Starbucks ones for free!) or whatever kind of coffee you like (Espresso Roast or otherwise - Italian Roast and Christmas Blend are good). Also, the fact that it has a large double boiler makes it quick and efficient. I have a machine with a single boiler, and it takes a long time to go from pulling shots to steaming and back. This puppy just keeps putting out.
This might give you a better picture:
Get a Delonghi one… well worth it trust me… fully automatic and with a frith system built in…any other brand arent worth it
it weighs 21 lbs
Impressive deal! Wish I hadn’t just bought one from Target last week!
[QUOTE=ericvancronk, post:160, topic:234053]
I think the point the original poster was trying to make is…Starbucks private label branding of a product in the house. I dislike when car dealers add thier emblems to a car when sold and I would definately find it objectionable if Best Buy private labled the TVs they sold. Okay, hipsters…imagine the Macbook you bought having the Apple logo replaced with MACMALL or BEST BUY - I think you’d take issue.
Of course that’s just my opinion, I could be wrong.
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If that were the case - this would say “Wootbucks”…point not taken.
It’s actually a hot drink machine. A puppy is small and furry with a wet nose.
Be careful! This item looks heavy and if it is defective (like several items I have purchased from woot) YOU will need to pay the return shipping.
Scrolling over your name I can see that you have never wooted.
The manufacturer covers the warranty, not woot. They’re pretty reputable. I seriously doubt they will make you cover shipping.
Don’t buy anything Starbuck’s. They are the evil empire, the Walmart of Coffee, the Dick Cheney of Espresso, the dark side, and I’m not talking Dark Roast here. They crush and destroy the little guy, then they manipulate and exploit their growers, workers, etc, so that sniveling little Howard Schmaltz gets his new Gulfstram 5. Wow, a political Woot!!!
Specs say 21 lbs…