starbucks coffee maker Starbucks Sirena Espresso Machine, Stainless and Black

starbucks coffee maker Starbucks Sirena Espresso Machine, Stainless and Black

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Ok - I spent hours pouring over reviews of machines before purchasing the Sirena. Because I wanted to do everything just right, I took an hour after the purchase to set it up following the extended instructions word by word. (For more experienced users, the quick setup would work and you would have your drink quick!) My first latte was amazing! I didn't even use syrup - it tasted great.

My initial concern: long time to brew espresso/confusion as to the purpose of the "self-tamper". It took a long time for my shots to pull, mostly just dripping. So, I reread thoroughly all the Amazon reviews (much better than those on the SB website) and found that:

FIRST - those with major issues probably had faulty machines or it was user-error. (no offense)
SECOND - there is some trial and error required for grind, etc.
MOST IMPORTANT - if your shots pull slowly (drip) simply POKE A LARGER HOLE IN THE RUBBER GASKET (self tamper).

Although I tried removing the self-tamper completely as some suggested - it produced zero creme. By simply using a sewing needle to open the hole a bit more, my espresso flowed smoothly out of the portafilter in seconds and it had the most beautiful creme. I AM THRILLED! I tested the heat of the straight shot and it was quite warm - but when added to frothed milk at a temp of 160 or more - it was the most delightful latte I have ever had - definitely rivals that of SB!

This machine is great for quality espresso, quality froth and good looks.

Oh - one more thing - I do agree with other reviewers that the need to drain the excess water from the steam wand before steaming is annoying, however, I have a system. Here is my method:

1. Turn on and warm up, meanwhile warm your mug with hot water
2. Once machine is ready, run 2 shots of water through to heat up the portafilter (I have the two most perfect glasses I use to hold the shot - they are tall slender juice glasses that fit perfectly under the portafilter)
3. Leave the portafilter connected while steaming/frothing milk
a. use one of the juice glasses (or another tall glass) to collect the excess water from the steam wand before steaming milk in stainless steel pitcher.
b. steam/froth milk to at least 160 degrees. I am able to steam first, then froth the top or visa versa. The frother is great!
4. Set milk aside or on warmer (the warmer isn't that warm, so don't count on it for "heat")
5. Remove hot portafilter, wipe out extra water/grounds and fill for one or two shots
6. Replace portafilter and choose your shot size (the time it took to add your espresso grounds is exactly enough to rewarm the machine)
7. Pull your shots, pour into mug and add milk immediately.

**Starbucks trains that you should add your milk to shots within 10 seconds for best results. That is why frothing first is important!

I have it down to a science now after just owning the machine for 4 days. If I learn anything new, I will update/edit my review. I think reviews are so important for others considering a product or having problems. They sure helped me and I hope I helped someone else!

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Easy ways to clean a coffee maker

With that morning cup of coffee to be essential for many of us as brushing teeth and showering! An important key to this delicious cup of coffee, ensures your coffee is clean and free of any residue of old coffee. A pot full of arrears can lead to that coffee is bitter and unappealing to the palate. Clean your coffee maker is easy, with only a few steps.

First, if you over clean your pot, you can do it the old fashioned way, which is easy to wash, wash the pot thoroughly with warm water and soapy water. This is a great way to remove any residue from the actual pot itself, but what about the inner workings of the machine? Those need to be cleaned, since the structure of coffee residue and waste materials. Simply dilute some white vinegar and run it through the machine a few times. Typically, my parents would run the vinegar through two or three times to make sure the inside of the coffee pot was squeaky clean. The amazing thing is, if your coffee maker or manufacturer in this way you clean astonished by the dirty brown water that you will see. It's amazing the difference in your morning cup of Joe, when you tried cleaning your coffee vessel.

After cleaning your pot a few times you'll see the difference in the taste of coffee. At least, that your coffee is clean ship is an important key to a quality cup of Kona, Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee and other gourmet offerings. A little time to clean the pot is worth at the end. Another tip is to make sure that your company is also always clean pot!

Best Vue Coffee Maker Keurig Vue Brewing System

best Vue Coffee Maker Keurig Vue Brewing System

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• Customers Reviews

simple, fast, and good
Kuerig K-Cups from a commercial Kuerig at work for quite a few years. When not at work I had been feeling like I was spending too much at the local coffee shop so I decided to investigate a Kuerig for home and did some on-line browsing / research. I considered both the positive and negative reviews and finally bought a Vue brewer about a month ago - I am completely happy with the product and I haven't missed the coffee shop coffee once.

Below are some 'subcategory' ratings with some comments and tips that may help your experience.

Value (4) The features, design, quality and the results (great coffee) are well within the price, even though the price is at the top end of devices in this category.

Performance Rating (5) - Again, the coffee is great. TIPs-I like a strong and bold coffee and learned that the the 8 - 10 oz brew sizes provided the optimal taste using a regular sized pod. I learned for larger size brews I will need to use a 'travel mug' sized Vue pod. Another tip - the Green Mountain (on-line) coffee vendor has suggestions for best results for each of the Vue pods. The suggestions are found in the 'Product Details' for each of the Vue cups pages. Also, I learned long ago that purified water makes a much better coffee and it is better on the machines internal parts. I am following this rule with the Vue as well and I am sure it is part of the reason why the coffee tastes so good.

Easy To Use (5)- The touch screen is bright, simple to understand, and intuitive.

Features (5) - The design is fantastic. The Vue has just enough of the right things and each of them are in the right place. Here is a summary tour clockwise starting at the 11 o'clock position; Water Loading - can be loaded in 3 ways depending on need. Each work great and the cistern has small light diodes to help confirm the water level; Coffee Vue Pack Loading - A simple lift of the lever on top and in it goes; Control Touch-Screen Panel- As I mentioned above, bright and intuitive. Coffee Loading (into the cup) - Open and very adjustable. I read where some other buyers could not get their travel mugs to fit. I can only presume their mugs were on the larger size. I did read where some of the reviews disputed the water temperature. My opinion - if a 'test' is not conducted by a respected testing organization like Consumer Reports or Underwriters Laboratories, I don't pay too much attention. An amateur tester can and will likely more often than not conduct faulty tests.

Overall Rating (4.8) - The Vue is very nice for someone who needs a simple and fast good cup of coffee.

One last tip on finding a good price on Vue cups. The retailer Bed, Bath, and Beyond has a wide selection with an average price of around $10. This retailer is a big time coupon promoter. Their usual coupons include a $5 off a $20 purchase. I stopped by today and bought an assortment of four Vue Packs with 16 pads in each. My cost was about $37 with tax, or somewhere around 50 cents per brew.

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