<p>I don’t drink coffee but the rest of my family was thrilled when someone else gifted us with a high end one they weren’t using made by saeko. It had a bean grinder and added the steamed milk at the same time. Well, after just two short years it broke yesterday. Will be dh’s big (only) gift this year if I can quickly figure out which one to buy. Hanukah starts tonight so I’m under the gun but, particularly as a non-coffee drinker, I’m really overwhelmed. I now know that I’m unwilling to spend enough to have the steamed milk join the coffee as it’s dispensing (over $1k) but I do want one that has the ability to steam milk that’s added after the espresso/coffee is in the cup and also want one that has a bean grinder. I know it will still be rather pricey but there are so many options, many with no or poor reviews. Does anyone have this type of machine? Bed, Bath and Beyond recommended this one: </p>
<p>It does have good reviews but it’s a lot of money to spend hastily. Google was overwhelming and unhelpful so thought a quick post here might yield some good feedback. </p>
<p>There are two places I recommend you call. One is Seattle Coffee Gear, and the other is Wholelattelove. Tell them what you are looking for, and they will make recommendations. I currently have a Saeco, with the grinder, and I have had no problems with it. I think mine is the Syntia SS, but without the milk thing on the side. I ordered it at Costco, and I’m guessing I’ve had it for 3 years and have had no problems. Good luck.</p>
<p>1214mom, just got off the phone with wholelattelove and with an order placed. The CSR was incredibly helpful and patient and the new machine will be here Monday. Many, many thanks for the recommendation.</p>
<p>The CSR recommended a few by Gaggia and I ended up selecting the Platinum Swing Up Super-Automatic Espresso Machine. While on the phone, I compared prices on froogle and he offered me the best price so I went with it. It’s supposed to arrive Monday. Thanks again!</p>
<p>^^ A few months might only define the ease of use and the features. The problems of this type of espresso machine start showing when the lack of professional maintenance becomes crucial. The semi-pro machines are not exactly idiot-proof and require more maintenance than most people want to do or contract. Reading the forums will often reveal issues with leaking and failures of the cheap parts installed in most sub 1000 dollar machines. </p>
<p>A safe bet is to ask the vendors to show their warehouses with repairs and returned machines. Not for the faint of heart. There is a reason why the single capsule machines came on the market. Most people have had a more sophisticated machine that happens to be in a closet, a garage, or deeded to an unsuspecting “next in line.” </p>
<p>Be prepared to spend 50% of the cost of the machine maintaining it properly. Something the wholelattelove of the world might not tell you until you bought the equipment. </p>
<p>I don’t know about 50% to maintain it. As long as the brew group is removed and cleaned at least weekly and de calcifying is done per mfgrs instructions, it should work fine. </p>
<p>In the several (5 or more) years I’ve had my Saeco, the only repair I’ve had to do was due to me inadvertently slopping water in the bean hopper/grinder. </p>
<p>I’ve been using espresso machines since about 1997, and I’m only on my third. The first was a Starbucks machine I had to put ground espresso into each time I wanted to make a drink, and the other two were Saeco machines that grind the beans as part of the process. I drink two lattes every day, and feel like the machines have been money well spent. I might have been able to pay to fix either of my old machines, but decided to buy new instead of shipping, waiting for return, etc. </p>