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I receive several
e-mails every day inquiring solutions to technical problems and
malfunctions in espresso machines. I am also asked about
"How to make the best espresso. Here are some of the inquiries that
I answer:
1- I have purchase an expensive espresso machine. I am not
able to make good espresso as I expected. The espresso is
watery and not strong in taste. What am I doing wrong?
2- I am interested in purchasing a new espresso machine.
What do you recommend?
3- I have read that fully automatic machines have lot
of problems and need lot of maintenance. What is your opinion? Which
machine do you recommend?
4- On your web site you recommend non-oily espresso beans.
What is a non oily espresso bean? How is it different from Satrbucks
espresso beans?
Answers to most of the coffee related questions
are in the article "About
espresso".
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What our customers are saying
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Messages are included
as received. These are a few of the hundreds I receive
every day. E-mail and name of sender has been altered
for privacy. | |
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Hello
Edward,
THANK YOU, THANK YOU. Your suggestions
worked! My machine is back to functional levels
(and quieter).You knew exactly what to do. I’m very
impressed and pleased. It is obvious that you care
enough to help by sharing your knowledge. I will be
placing an order on your website today for some cleaning
supplies and coffee. I plan to do a fresh cleaning and
use the descaler you recommended next. My passion for a
good cup of espresso is very high. I was fortunate to be
exposed to a very nice Italian fellow who grew up with a
family business in Italy of
having coffee shops. I know what a “perfect cup” of
espresso tastes like. (He would adjust the grinders when
the weather changed and talk to me about how so many
people don’t even know what a good cup of espresso
tastes like.) I would order an espresso ristretto from
him and he would present it to me with pride, as if he
was presenting a work of art (which it was). It was
always 100% perfect or he would pour it out. I’ve
learned a lot this weekend from you and your site.
Perhaps, I will get one step closer to this high
standard. That would be the ‘icing on the
cake’ as I feel very few can get that good. You, I am
sure, would be part of this select few.
Thank you again,Barry | |
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From: Joxatxxx Hill"
<bexxybxxw@gmail.com>
Subject : gaggia
coffee part
To:granita@rcn.com
There's this bolt with
a spring and a rubber/plastic bit (group valve?) that is
broken on my machine. All the Coffee geeks say you're
the man with the parts...eat,drink and be
merry,
Jon | |
Date:
Tue 20 Mar 07:47:01 EDT
2007
From: apx0cxxm@txxxabay.rr.com
Subject: Pre-Infusion
To: granita@rcn.com
| Hello Edward
(I hope that I spelled your name
correctly). |
| Your coffee
is delicious. I'm enjoying it now. Its flavor is
considerably different from my regular brew and
very |
| enjoyable.
The Gaggia is working fine again after installing
the new boiler valve assembly. Thank you for
our |
| most
interesting discussion, and for informing me about
pre-infusion. There is considerable
|
| discussion
about it on the net. Pre-infusion has been
incorporated into my regular brewing
procedure. |
| It contributes significant additional
texture, depth & complexity to
the
flavor. | | |
|
Date: Mon 3 Sep 15:46:27 EDT
2007
From: "Peter
" <pxxxxx@hotmail.com>
Subject: Re: Seaco Vienna Delux
To: granita@rcn.com
Thank you so much for
the links. We were able to use the chart on
bypassing to start the machine and the grooves on the
machine moved back into a position where we could fit
the Brew Group back into the
machine. Thank you so very much - really appreciate the
help!!
Peter | |
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Date: Tue 4 Sep 15:26:21 EDT
2007
From: "William "
<kxxxx@cableone.net>
Subject: Prebrewing
To: granita@rcn.com
I started to prebrew my old
Saeco that has a nonpresurized portafilter for
about 4 or 5 sec. then shut off for 5 sec. It makes a
fantastic shot The creama is beautiful and the flavor is
full and rich and not bitter. Thanks so much. I really
like your site and talking to you on the phone is
informative and always interesting. Thanks again,
Keith | |
Date: Wed, 12 Sep
2007 10:59:15 -0700 (PDT)
From: AJ Pixxxxan
<ajxxay@yahoo.com>
Subject: RE: Estro Profi
Portafilter
To: Edward granita@rcn.com
After
soaking and twisting the pressure regulator for a few
hours the clog in the center ports finally were cleared.
Thank you for your rapid response and solution to my
problem.
AJ | |
Date: Sat 14 Jul
22:19:53 EDT 2007
From:Shxxxo@aol.comSubject:Saeco Vienna Superautomatica Coffeemaker
To:granita@rcn.com
Hello from Sunny Cape Cod,
Ed
I just wanted to thank you for all of
your help. The o-rings which you sold me solved
the problem of leakage, and I've decided not to end it
all for lack of a good coffeemaker. Now I can
continue on with my life (lol). Anyway, now I know that machine like the back of
my hand, I think that I could replace anything without a
problem.
Again, I appreciate it. Have a
great summer & hopefully we won't be speaking again
anytime soon!.
Take care!
Rob
Sxxxn | |
Date:Sat 7 Jul 10:21:30 EDT
2007
From:Sxxxxo@aol.comSubject:Re: Saeco Coffeemaker
To:granita@rcn.com
Thanks so much for your response. I'm
assuming that I can just pry the gaskets off of the end
of the little hoses and replace them. I'm also
hoping that I can find new gaskets at my local hardware
store.
I guess maybe I should have called you when I first
had a problem, because I bet you would have recommended
the small gaskets along with the boiler gasket.
Again, I really appreciate your getting back to
me. I have to tell you that I respect what you do
for a living, because it's very difficult working on
something with so many parts.
Have a great weekend, and hopefully I'll fix this
thing within the next couple of days.
Rob
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Date: Mon
25 Jun 13:51:24 EDT
2007From: "Dudley
Rxxxor" <drxxxor@socal.rr.com>
Subject: RE:
SAECO MAGIC COMFORT PLUS
To: "Edward"
granita@rcn.com Hello Edward, The water tank arrived this
morning. I can now report that it has solved the problem. Thank you
for the very prompt service. May I call upon you again if I have any
questions are maintenance/use of this machine after I have re-read
all of those instructions on that links you gave me? Frankly, I didn't
find Saeco Customer Service too helpful. And that's too bad as I do agree
that Saeco is a great product. This is my second one, although my first
automatic.Thanks again,
Dudley
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|
First, you have a terrific and the
most informative website on care of these products - and
I've seen most everything on the web about espresso
units. Thanks. Following your website, I cleaned
everything in the grinder including the doser channel. I
stlll get this error message to refill with beans. The
machine is grinding ok. There is a "trap" door near the
pre-ground exit inside the the front door that when
pushed up releases the coffee grounds. Is there
something that causes the trap door not to open? Is
there any DIY step I can take to fix. this? Or, is this
something I need to return the unit, this time likely to
you, for repair? I just don;t have the money to replace
this yet and would think a machine like this would
operate a few years more before it is replaced. Any help
would be appreciated. Lee Makaxxson emakaxxxn@cox.net
Hampton,
VA | |
Date:
Tue 20 Mar 07:47:01
EDT 2007
From: apx0cxxm@txxxabay.rr.com
Subject: Pre-Infusion
To: granita@rcn.com
| Hello Edward (I
hope that I spelled your name correctly). |
| Your coffee is
delicious. I'm enjoying it now. Its flavor is
considerably different from my regular brew and
very |
| enjoyable. The
Gaggia is working fine again after installing the new
boiler valve assembly. Thank you for our |
| most interesting
discussion, and for informing me about pre-infusion.
There is considerable |
| discussion about it
on the net. Pre-infusion has been incorporated into my
regular brewing procedure. |
| It contributes significant additional
texture, depth & complexity to the
flavor. | |
|
From:Jean-Luc Axndxx jl.andxx@yahoo.fr
Subject:Re:
Problem with Spidem Trevi - SOLVED ;)
To:Edward
<granita@rcn.com>Ok Edward, the coffee
machine works normally now... I've decalcified the system a
few times with specific liquid mixed with water, taking again
and again water and steam from the pipe despite the red
light alert and finally the pump did not stop working
after those 10 seconds delay. I also prepared a few big bowls
of coffee with this mix...Now, the machine
works perfectly : coffee is creamy and warm but not too
much...Thank you again for your precious
indications and help...I'll not forget to
decalcify the machine often now. I'm still
surprised that there could have so much limestone in mineral
water what i always used only...
Jean-Luc. |
|
Monica -
Johannesburg
Edward,
Thank you so much for all your assistance. We have a guy
working here who installed the
heat exchanger for us and I
had my first cup of coffee from it today. It was
wonderful and is working
wonderfully. Thank you so much for
all your help. We may be asking for more assistance, if
we get stuck!
Thank you again.
|
Date: Sat 15 Jul 22:20:45
EDT 2006
From: Cliff <cxxxxxson@fxxe.net> Subject:
Re: No coffee today
To: granita@rcn.com
Edward--You
are not gonna believe this, but after weeks of making no more
than 3 successful cups in a row without a grinder overrun, I
am now up to perhaps 75 successful brews in a row over
several days. When I next encounter a fellow Saeco
machine owner with a problem, I will suggest that he exchange
a few e-mails with Edward on the problem, and it will fix
itself! I now sorta believe in miracles, but just to
cover myself after I hit the button I count a-one, a-two, etc.
just in case--a holdover habit from the old
days! |
Date: Fri 30 Mar 05:54:35
EDT 2007
From: <exxxxxxxh0xxx58@yahoo.com>
Subject: RE: Saeco Magic De Luxe
To: Edward
granita@rcn.com
Good Morning Edward,
Just wanted to let
you know that I replaced the entire grinder and *poof* problem
solved! You're wonderful for helping me! And, by the way,
thanks for the suggestion of sending some people my way.
You know just what to say to a girl to boost her ego.
Sincerely, Elizabeth |
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Re: Saeco Brew group
Hi - I luckily found your web site
using Google. I have a Saeco (Starbucks Barista)Digital Italia that is slightly over 3 years
old, and has made about 3,500 coffees, according to it's counter. Over the
weekend, after cleaning the brew unit, I noticedthat the knob that tightens the filter screen
would not tighten completely - apparently, the threads or knob are stripped or
loose. Although the machine still functions fine, I'd like to repair (or replace)
the brew unit, so that the screen can be properly
tightened. I found a number of parts &
repair kits on your web site (listed below), and noticed
that 2
different brew units were listed for my machine.
However, I'm actually leaning toward repairing the existing brew unit using
the SBSMK-14 kit, as I'm fairly mechanically inclined. Please let me know
whether you feel this would be the best approach, given this machine's age and usage
level, and would be do-able by someone who never disassembled a Saeco brew unit.
Can this repair kit be installed without disassembling the
entire brew unit?Thanks! Tim |
Date:Mon 7 May 11:27:55
EDT 2007
From:vixxxn@comcast.net|
Subject:Re: Order
Shipping Notice
To:granita@rcn.com
Hi Granita, I
received the shipment on my doorstep on Friday. Got everything
working great. Thanks for the prompt shipment and excellent
customer service. Regards, Vince |
Date: Tue 16 Jan 05:54:42
EST 2007
From: "Adxxxn Rxxn" <adrianrxxn@exxxom.net>
Subject: RE: ULKA Pump EX-5 120V
41Watts
To: granita@rcn.com
Hi Edward,
Thank
you for sending the pump. We received it yesterday, fitted it
and we are brewing coffee again! We're very happy with the
part and the service. I already alerted some other folks on
where to get parts and good advice. Thank you!
Axxxxn. |
Date: Fri, 24 Feb 2006
10:55:43 -0500
From: Hexxxrt Hxxxxr herb@herbhxxxxr.com |
Subject: saeco & dal tio
To:
granita@rcn.com
It was a pleasure talking to you. Below
are the part numbers from the exploded diagram. Please call if
there is anything unclear. I'm glad to have your service
available! cheers, Herb |
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E-mail Address: pixxxer@hvc.rr.com
First Name: Phil
Last Name:
Ixxxxr
Phone Number: (xxx)
4x7-7x47
Just to let you know ... I've
opened up the bag of coffee that I purchased... its
really good ...aromatic, bold, nice
crema...works really well in my Syncrony Compact..
everything you said it would be ...so I
ordered another pound! I also appreciate that
the cost INCLUDES the
shipping...too many companies charge exorbitant S/H rates
which add another 50% to the cost of
the coffee! THANKS!
Phil |
|
From: Ted
Sitea tsixxa@xxx.net
Subject:Re:
Saeco Aroma non-pressurized
portafilter
To:granita@rcn.com
Hi,
Edward: Thanks for the advise and your explanatory web site!
It was an eye-opener. Unfortunately it came a day too late. I
was so disappointed in the Saeco Aroma because of the way it
behaved when I used a pod - pouring out over the top of the
portafilter. The users manual never mentions that the pod
filter needs a gasket. I know I ordered the gasket from you
(it has yet to arrive), but someone at Saeco told that the
gasket only works sometimes. So, since I needed another
espresso maker for my summer home, I bought a Gaggia Baby - on
the strong advise of a friend - only to find out from you
yesterday that the Gaggia Baby is not that good in making
espresso! I should have purchased a pricer Saeco. O, well..
But I guess I'll stay away from non-pressurized portafilters
in the future. Again, thank you for all the help and patience
you have given me. I really appreciate it
Ted |
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Subject:RE: Saeco Royal Exclusive not heating
To:"Edward" granita@rcn.com
Yes! It's
working great...and no leaks! I really appreciate your help in
getting me fixed up. Life is so much with a Latte always
available! I also want to commend you for the invaluable info
on your web site, which has taught me so much about
maintenance, and getting the best tasting coffee possible out
of this machine. Thanks so much. Bill
Michel |
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