Saeco Focus Automatic Espresso Machine
by Saeco
List Price:
Our Price: $870.00
You Save: $630.00 (42%)
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Category: Kitchen
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Product Summary
Manufacturer: SaecoBrand: Saeco
Release Date: 2011-02-03
Model: 104342
Color: Black
Product features:
- Front access to all features allows you to add beans and water and clean the machine without ever having to pull it out from under your cabinets
- Short or long coffee with one touch, your favorite drink preferences are easily stored with the memo option
- Nine different icons are used on the LED display help to easily identify the functions of the machine
- Adjustable built-in ceramic disc grinder is quiet and features automatic shut off
- Features water filtration, and air-tight and UV protected coffee bean hopper as well as sound insulating technology
Kitchen and Housewares Reviews of Saeco Focus Automatic Espresso Machine
Customer Review: Very Compact, Well-Designed & Attractive
Summary: 5 Stars
This review applies to the steel version as well, except for the aesthetics.
The design and layout of this machine has been well-thought out by Saeco. I had a difficult time choosing between the steel and the black version, and ultimately chose the latter because I preferred the contrast of the black and chrome (and it matches my decor better).
The set-up of the machine is a bit confusing because there is a small insert paper with instructions that slightly conflicts with the full manual. Perhaps the translation from the original Italian is not entirely accurate. The insert indicated that the supplied intenza water filter must be installed - but this is optional and is not supplied with the machine. So don't waste your time looking for it. Once it is up & running, familiarizing oneself with the meaning of the icons on the LCD is important.
Thankfully, Saeco designed the machine with access to the water tank in the front. The spent grounds compartment is also in the front and the beans go in the top. This is important for a compact machine as the potential buyer probably has size restrictions. Some superautos, like the Jura Ena 3/5 have the water tank attach to the back and the Gaggia Platinum I considered has side access.
The draw of a superauto is the ability to go from bean to cup with one machine at the push of a button. In this regard, the Syntia performs very well. The bean hopper and water reservoir are small, but if you want any compact machine then this obviously is necessary to retain a small footprint.
The espresso the machine produces is quite nice. I choose the strongest setting (3 bean icon) for a dark espresso. I also prefer to produce a double (click twice) rather than a long coffee for a cappuccino so it is not watered down. The machine grinds & brews twice in quick succession when double clicking.
I would prefer a more solid feeling (seems to be part steel & part plastic at the top) however it does a surprisingly good job at foaming milk for cappuccino. The foam I've produced is slightly too stiff & aery - but I think it is more a technique issue at this point. Hopefully with practice I'll get just the right consistency between airy & dense. It is also excellent for steaming hot chocolate, Italian style. Just toss in your preferred hot chocolate mix with some added chocolate and a little milk and steam it until all is melted. Go bitter and serve it with some sugar on the side to taste.
Clean-up is a breeze. The tray pops out easily. The top comes off via a magnet and you can rinse it in the sink. The water & spent grounds reservoirs pop out from the front easily for rinsing. Wiping down the machine is not a problem.
Overall, I've been very pleased with this small machine. It is very easy for anyone to use and you can get great results without much effort.
Description of Saeco Focus Automatic Espresso Machine
Tucked inside the stylish design with clean lines, the Saeco Focus has innovative technology that guarantees pure espresso enjoyment. The Focus is made with premium stainless steel that is then finished in glossy black and chrome that is not only robust, but it also has a modern and stylish look which perfectly adapts to every kitchen d?cor. The Focus combines high-end functionality with sleek design. Front access to all features allows you to add beans and water and clean the machine without ever having to pull it out from under your cabinets. Short or long coffee with one touch, your favorite drink preferences are easily stored with the memo option ? made simple with the wide display and its self-explanatory icons. Nine different icons are used on the LED display help to easily identify the functions of the machine. The Saeco OptiDose feature allows the user to regulate the amount of ground coffee beans for each cup to make a mild, medium or strong cup of coffee. The adjustable built-in ceramic disc grinder is quiet and features automatic shut off. Also has a pre-ground bypass coffee doser for that single cup of decaf or trying out a new coffee blend. Steam milk or get hot water with a simple turn of the dial. Turn dial left to create steam to froth milk for cappuccinos or lattes. Turn the dial to the right to dispense hot water for Americanos, tea or hot chocolate. The Rapid Steam feature makes for no waiting between frothing milk and brewing espresso. The Focus also features water filtration, and air-tight and UV protected coffee bean hopper as well as sound insulating technology to provide you with fresh espresso drinks without all the noise. And to help conserve energy this machine has an Energy Safe Mode so if your machine sits idle for an hour, Energy Safe mode is automatically activated. The machine can also be programmed to enter stand-by mode and keep energy consumption at less than 1 Watt per hour.Espresso Machines
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