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Saeco 00354 Aroma Espresso Machine, Stainless Steel | 
 enlarge | Brand: Saeco
List Price: $450.00
Buy New: $349.99
You Save: $100.01 (22%)
Rating:  19 reviews
Color: Stainless
Shipping Weight (lbs): 16
Dimensions (in): 10 x 8 x 11.8
MPN: 00354
Model: 00354
UPC: 708461000354
EAN: 0708461000354
ASIN: B00141AZOA
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
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| Features:
| • | Traditional espresso machine for making espresso, cappuccino, and lattes at home | | • | Stainless-steel boiler; powerful 15-bar pump; pod-adaptable pressurized portafilter | | • | Steam and hot-water wand with exclusive Pannarello milk-frothing device | | • | Simple control panel; removable water tank; cup-warming surface; removable drip tray | | • | Measures 8 by 10 by 11-3/4 inches; 1-year limited warranty |
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| Editorial Reviews:
Product Description
Lose yourself in the aroma and bold, invigorating taste of fresh espresso and cappuccino with this pro-quality machine. Exceptionally easy to use, a simple set of control lights show when the machine is ready to brew and steam. One-year warranty. Model 354.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 5 more reviews...
 Great Machine September 2, 2008
Carlos F. Martin (Miami Lakes, FL)
If you are a begginer or noice to espresso making this machine is a great choice. After years (9) of my wife using a $40 Krups model, I gave her this machine for her birthday after seeing Alton Brown use it on his show "Good Eats." The machine performs great, always producing a nice head of crema. My wife loves it.
No bells and whistles; just makes consistently great espresso. August 12, 2008
Helen Weber (Madison, WI USA)
I considered buying a better-looking Saeco machine then realized I would be paying $400 for the same functionality as this $150 Saeco model. This is a great little espresso maker...consistent, easy to use, easy to clean. Makes a nice double shot in about 15 seconds, comes out in a perfect thin stream just as it should. Beautiful crema. Reheats very quickly after brewing and steaming. The portafilter head is much heavier than the older comparable Saeco I owned, seems sturdier. My only complaint is the same as everyone else's, that the steamer arm doesn't bend, but once you realize not to overfill your milk container, it's no big deal.
This is a simple machine that works great day after day. Unless you need a BMW on your kitchen counter (the Sbux Sirena...) this will do the job for you, for a lot less money.
great stuff August 3, 2008
J. Sosnowski (Phoenix,AZ)
Saeco 30013 Aroma Traditional Espresso Machine: Works great! I have no complaints about any part of the machine or workings.
 Great Coffee, while it lasts July 27, 2008
Isabel M. Falcon (Chicago, IL United States)
This machine makes great coffee. Easy to use, espresso is flavorful and very creamy. It produces great espresso with any nice ground coffee. Makes a lot of foam, although the foamer dripped a little too much water for my taste, making the milk somewhat watery... but foamy. I was very happy with it anyhow for the first month and a half, using it daily. One day it started leaking, instead of dripping water through the coffee, the water was leaking by the side of the pressure chamber. I just returned it. For me the best costumer service is the one I do not need to use.
 Good & simple machine (but bad instructions) July 15, 2008
Ram (Berkeley, CA United States)
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
I just bought this machine after reading several reviews. This is my second espresso machine, and it makes exceptional coffee with perfect crema (coffee foam). For the discounted price is a good deal.
The only difficulty I had was with the instructions. First, make sure the portafilter is tightly put. The first few times with the machine, you have to push it a little hard. The handle should come facing towards you, aligned with the indicator in the top. If not water will leak and the coffee will loose flavor. From the instruction booklet, this is not so clearly explained. Some reviewers complain about water leaks, and I think this might be the reason.
Next, make sure to make a few runs with just water when you get the machine. There is some coffee residue from testing, and also dust, etc. This way you can also practice placing the portafilter. They ship a few extra parts with the machine, including a piece of wood (!). If you want you can use coffee pods with the coffee pod adapter (Lavazza sells some good pods, although pricy. Unfortunately you cant use the Nespresso capsules here...)
Other than that, enjoy! I try changing beans and blends regularly, and I can enjoy gourmet coffee at a very cheap price... Where I live, the mexican market sells brazilian and colombian coffee beans, which are pretty good at a very affordable price ($5 to $8 for a pound or two). Of course, some italian roasts are perfect (illy), but you pay for them. Anyway, you can easily save the $2 to $3 you pay for an espresso daily... For the $140 price above, you will have paid for the machine in 4 months!
My first machine was a $40 Mr. Coffee... It is ok for starters, but you can never get the flavor of the different blends (hey, for a $40 machine, don't buy a $40 bag of coffee...), and it is quite easy to burn the coffee... After getting the Saeco Aroma, I can essentially make coffee house quality espresso and capuccinos.
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