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This thing leaks all over the counter top. Apparently, others have had the same problem. Avoid this coffee maker.Senseo HD7810/65 1450-Watt Single-Serve Coffeemaker, Black
I would recommend this to someone who wants something quick and easy for work or maybe in the bedroom. The Sumatra and French Vanilla (Senseo brand) are both okay.
I own more coffee makers/presses/ espresso machines/ grinders than I care to admit here. This was purchased for me as a Christmas gift one year ago (I received 3 coffee makers from various people that year).
I am a coffee addict - I'll admit it. It's a 3 star for coffee quality, but a 4 star for design.
This has since gone to work with me.Pros: Brews fastPods are cheap, easy to find, not proprietary only (e.g. Tassimo)Tons of pod choicesPods are easy to store in canisters, ziploc bags, whereverSuper convenientCompact design/sleek/unobtrusiveNot too messy, not much to clean/maintainCons:Leaks (if you don't get the pod just so)Coffee quality is on par with Folger's - it's not Peets, folksDoesn't do teas well (coffee taste transfers, this is not really a fair con since it is not marketed to do so)Poor reservoir capacity - must re-fill every two cups of coffee (my cups are always with the double pod button - so every 4 pods worth)Loud (relative to any other coffee maker I own)Takes quite a while to heat up (relative to Tassimo)It boils down to - I would not drink this at home, but It sure gets me through the afternoon at work without having to pay the $2 they want for a cup of standard coffee here.
The senseo Barista Blends are horrible and overpriced. I could see putting this on my nightstand (now that would be pretty sad).
What drew me to the Senseo was the pressurized brewing system, the various third party refillable pod options available, and the many positive reviews coupled with my own curiosity. I see this as a maketing tool to get the consumer to buy more pods, hence extracting more money out of your wallet. I love coffee. A few words about the pods. For myself, I would not pay full retail for one of these, which is why I only bought one when I found it for $15. I also like to get good value for my hard-earned dollar, and I was fortunate to come across the "Share Senseo" program, ran by the parent company Sara Lee, and bought this machine for $15, the cost of shipping. Another thing about the pods- one pod makes a 4oz "serving"- who on earth only drinks half a cup of coffee.
I take a 20oz travel mug to work, in addition to the cup I drink before I leave the house. I home-roast, and have a nice collection of various coffee brewing tools- moka pots, presses, and a few espresso machines and grinders. Just my opinion.The machine will be fun to use on the weekends, since it only produces a maximum of 8 ounces at a time. Pretty cool, I thought.The machine arrived in just a few days, and came with a variety pack of pods. as a home-roaster, I am used to really fresh coffee- as I expected, the pods smelled faintly stale, right out of the package, and I won't be buying any of those in the future. Using the Senseo would mean running two 8oz plus a 4oz cycle for my travel mug alone- not very practical when my large coffee press does the job nicely.I think this machine is a good option for someone who will be using the pods, to keep in their private office- in this setting, I would also buy the large water tank- (shame on Senseo for shipping these with such a small tank, then selling the large tank for $20, again extracting more $$$). Keep in mind that for $30 you could buy a Bodum New Kenya 34-Ounce Coffee Press, Black, and a Proctor Silex K2070 1-Quart Automatic Electric Kettle, White right here on Amazon- just add some quality, fresh ground beans and you'll have a real cup of coffee.
What's not to love about this machine. Very tasty, quick fix. Sure I thought the coffee was weak when I first got it. That is until the Sumatra pods came out. The use of the machine and it's ease of cleaning and use make it one of the best. The Dutch know their coffee that is for sure.
At that price, using it just as a pretty water heater is worth it :)Now, given the price I paid for it- I'm very happy with it. They may have increased the brewing time to create a stronger brew- but this is just right for me. Sweet deal. You get the coffee maker, 8 coffee pods and a canister to store pods. I got this as a part of the Senseo promotion for only $15 shipping/handling. Many say the eco-pad maybe a good option to use your own coffee- but just as many people have said it does not work.I'm very satisfied with my tea and the Paris pod- I love how you can press a button and get great coffee in a few seconds. I'm a light coffee drinker- and the flavor was right for me- but for more serious coffee drinkers these flavors may be too light. I still have to try the rest.
I wouldn't try too many other things because people have mentioned many mishaps such as pressure buildups/explosions if the pods were too big or watery tea/coffee if they were too small. No cleanup no mess. The deal is still on and will be till December 2008- all you have to do is fill out a survey. You can also make tea with the round Tetley tea bags in these. It is the most convenient thing ever- to get coffee in less than a minute. I was first disappointed because I tried the Vienna which lacked flavor- but the dark roast was better and Paris was my favorite. The size and thickness has to be right. The unit is very stylish and dresses up your counter top too.
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