Seattle Coffee Gear Blog » superautomatic espresso machine

Field Trip: Zipwhip’s Textspresso Machine

Kat — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 18:19:01 +0000

Let us introduce you to the hardest working robot in the business: Zipwhip’s Textpresso!

This super-modified Jura Impressa XS90 shows off Zipwhip’s cloud-based texting service by allowing you to text an order to the machine and have it automatically craft it for you. Without leaving your desk/couch/hot tub, thankfully. If you needed a one-touch superautomatic espresso machine that is even more automated, then this little number will make all your dreams come true.

Watch as Gail and Allison visit with Zipwhip’s John and Kelsey, who walk us through how they modified the machine and then craft two drinks at the touch of Gail and Allison’s cell phones.

If you want to learn more detail about how they created the Textpresso, check out their blog; or if you’re interested in making your own little java robot powered by text message, it’d probably be a good idea to start by signing up for Zipwhip’s service.

Crew Review: Saeco Maintenance Kit

Kat — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 17:15:33 +0000

Keep your Saeco superautomatic squeaky clean and well cared for with Saeco’s new upgraded maintenance kit. It now includes Intenza filters, Saeco-branded liquid descaling solution, brew group lubricant and a cleaning kit that includes O-ring replacements for your brew group.

Watch as Gail walks us through all of the lovely goodies included in this kit. Joy!

Crew Review: Saeco Odea Cappuccino

Kat — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 17:00:14 +0000

Superautomatics can’t be beat when it comes to ease of use and convenience. Saeco’s recent addition to their Odea series not only brews up your shot at the touch of a button, it also provides you with an optional cappuccinatore for auto-frothing on the side.

Watch Gail take us through the features and functionality, then demonstrate how this lil dude works.

Can I use Grindz in my Superautomatic Espresso Machine?

Kat — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 17:08:54 +0000

Since this is one of the most common questions we get around superautomatic espresso machine maintenance, we asked Gail to break it down for us. Find out if these lovely wheat-based pellets can be used to clean the grinder in your superauto.

SCG’s Packing Tips: Espresso Machines under 35 lbs

Kat — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 17:15:21 +0000

Who wants to receive a call that their espresso machine sent in for repair now requires significant bodywork due to shipping damage? No one! In general, we see pretty good packing practices out there, but it pains us when we receive a machine that has a hole punched in the side because it didn’t have proper packaging.

So we asked one of our shipping gurus, Tristan, to walk us through preparing a machine for shipping. Since he packages up all of our returned repairs and we receive few reports of shipping damage, we figured he was the guy to ask.

Find out his tips and best practices for packaging a machine that weighs 35 lbs or less.

Brewin’ with Brandi: My Sinful Valentine

Kat — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 19:01:09 +0000

Everyone has a different definition of sin — that’s what gives the world all its lovely shades of gray, right? Right.

Up in these parts, we asked Brandi to revive our Valentine’s Day 2011 recipe to showcase one of our definitions of sin: Lots and lots of chocolate. This mocha incorporates a touch of strawberry and amaretto, giving it a rich, sumptuous flavor that will have you running to the nearest confessional.

Crew Review: Rancilio Egro Commercial Superautomatic – Redux!

Kat — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 16:52:46 +0000

When Gail first met this sophisticated robot about 18 months ago, they had a brief and fleeting affair, enabling her to get just a minor taste of its capabilities. We brought in a demo model a few months ago and Gail has now had the time to get up close and personal with Rancilio’s commercial superautomatic masterpiece, the Egro — so we decided it was time for a redux!

While she’s definitely bummed that it still won’t do her laundry, take the cat for a walk or read to her, she does dig it’s programming functionality, one-touch features and flexibility in formats! Watch as she walks us through all the features and specs, then demonstrates making a few different drinks.

Crew Review: Krups Espresseria Superautomatic

Kat — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 19:38:18 +0000

Krups is entering the not-so-high-stakes game of superautomatic espresso machines!

Gail shows us the ins and outs of their Espresseria model, including features, specs, temp testing and making a very pretty latte.

Crew Review: Saeco Syntia Cappuccino

Kat — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 17:00:50 +0000

Yet another gauntlet laid down, yet another petite one-touch superautomatic added to the fray. If we are honest, we will admit that we wish these really were robots and that we could pit these tiny superautomatics against each other in a brew to the death! But we are not honest; doing so would be too difficult to bear … so instead, we have to attempt to assuage our battery acid lust with viewing after viewing of robot camel jockeys.

Back in coffee world, Gail shows off Saeco’s Syntia Cappuccino — all clean lines and serious auto-frothing business. Watch her explain features, functions and craft herself a very tasty, enviable latte.

Crew Review: Saeco Exprelia One-Touch Superauto

Kat — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 19:54:01 +0000

Saeco’s newest addition to their stainless steel version of superautomatic espresso machines is the Exprelia, which is basically a simplified version of the Xelsis. With not quite as many programming options (you can program the same number of drinks, you just don’t have multiple users) and a slimmed down case, this is a great choice for folks looking for one-touch functionality combined with a traditional steam wand. At present, the only other one-touch that offers this is the Xelsis.

Watch as Gail breaks down the features and functionality as well as whips us up a drink for our tasting pleasure.