Starbucks brewing equipment sale

[radar78]

I actually have this machine and I love it. It is the first one I ever purchased about a year ago so I can not really compare the quality of coffee against other high end machines. Although expensive if you drink alot of quality coffee that you would normally purchase from places like Starbucks then it does not take long to pay for itself. Two of my friends ended up purchasing the same machine after having a few coffees from my machine.

[kev_eh]

This is a good deal for an automatic coffee maker that includes a built-in burr grinder, but if you're going to spend $650 and you're a newbie espresso snob, you wouldn't buy DeLonghi. For the same price you can get a Rancilio Silvia, which is the standard for high-end espresso machines. Also, I would not know what to expect with Starbucks customer service on product such as this. I'd rather buy from a reputable dealer who can not only provide after-sales service, but also can show you how to get the most out of the machine.

For me, even at half-off of $1300, I would stay away. My 2 cents...

Thanks for posting, though, OP.

[txenglan]

Thanks very much to all for the recent comments. It has made my day (and it's a rainy one here in Ottawa) and renewed my faith in the RFD community. It is comforting to know that we aren't here only to discuss electronics, car and furniture-related deals. I knew there were people out there who would be interested in other deals as well.

There has been some commentary here wrt this unit being supported by Starbucks or somehow made/engineered/altered/customized by them. As far as I know, this is not really the case. This unit is made and supported by Delonghi for Starbucks in the sense that you have to supposedly buy it from a Starbucks location.

So far, I am pretty happy with the 4400 although I have no experience with other intermediate to high-end models. I had been thinking about the Rancillio but I had read about a lot of finickiness in getting it customized (which is both an attraction and a repulsion to me). On the one hand, I would love to "hack" a machine, do the geeky "temperature surfing" and all that jazz, on the other hand, I don't want to have to screw around with a temperamental espresso prima donna at 6:45 AM when I am cranky and wanting my fix before rushing off to work. I do see myself eventually getting a Rancillio for the weekends

PS. I also forgot to mention that I was told (at the location where I bought the 4400) that if I ended up not being happy with the shots from this unit, they would gladly refund me or allow for an in-store exchange. The amount of time I had the unit didn't seem to matter to them but I'm assuming 30 days would be reasonable. Something to keep in mind for those on the fence, thinking of buying any of their machines. Try one out worry free.

[MacBuster]

Is not the Rancilio a semi-auto, whereas this is a super-auto?

Two totally difference machines.

I've gotten quite busy with life lately, and my semi-auto just sits there. I need a super-auto for the week.

[nikotine24]

The op txenglan posted a great deal here for super automatic espresso machines for which it is very difficult to get a good sale. These machines are extremely sophisticated and mechanically complicated, which explains their high price. $650 is a smoking deal for a machine like this.

Having said, some RFDers simply don't care about coffee or understand the market price for a machine like this. They should just keep their mouths shut.

Most coffee geeks will prefer a semi-automatic machine like a Rancilio Silvia and separate grinder, which will give superior results, but only with some learning and effort. For many people, they are better off with a super automatic machine if they are willing to invest some money.

For myself, I got a Nespresso machine for its simple operation a few months ago when there was a deal at Home Outfitters. But if I hadn't gotten that, I would be jumping on this deal.

Thanks op!

[afong56]

This is a good deal for an automatic coffee maker that includes a built-in burr grinder, but if you're going to spend $650 and you're a newbie espresso snob, you wouldn't buy DeLonghi. For the same price you can get a Rancilio Silvia, which is the standard for high-end espresso machines. Also, I would not know what to expect with Starbucks customer service on product such as this. I'd rather buy from a reputable dealer who can not only provide after-sales service, but also can show you how to get the most out of the machine.

For me, even at half-off of $1300, I would stay away. My 2 cents...

Thanks for posting, though, OP.

really? i thought the rancilio silvia was the entry to mid level for a decent machine, not even close to high-end.

not to mention, a new rancilio silvia plus a proper grinder is definitely more than $650 cdn. . .there's a guy selling a used rancilio, plus an entry level grinder for about $650, here on rfd.

as someone else said, can't compare a superauto to the machines a true coffee snob would use--but don't forget, all of those people drinking americanos, ristrettos, lattes, etc. at starbucks are consuming products of superautos. . .

[rf134a]

This is a good deal for an automatic coffee maker that includes a built-in burr grinder, but if you're going to spend $650 and you're a newbie espresso snob, you wouldn't buy DeLonghi. For the same price you can get a Rancilio Silvia, which is the standard for high-end espresso machines. Also, I would not know what to expect with Starbucks customer service on product such as this. I'd rather buy from a reputable dealer who can not only provide after-sales service, but also can show you how to get the most out of the machine.

For me, even at half-off of $1300, I would stay away. My 2 cents...

Thanks for posting, though, OP.

Silvia the the standard for entry level espresso machines. It is generally considered to be the best starter machine but there is no opinion when it comes to the high end. Why yes, $750 is considered to be the starting point for good espresso machines.

The best machines have double boilers or heat exchangers. $14,000 for a single group machine is not unheard of.

Is not the Rancilio a semi-auto, whereas this is a super-auto?

Two totally difference machines.

I've gotten quite busy with life lately, and my semi-auto just sits there. I need a super-auto for the week.

I do believe it is the super-automatic. There's also the Delonghi Rialto super-automatic that has been marked down to $950 from $2100. Or the barista could've written a random number on top of the tag...

The review for the Rialto 4500 is here: http://coffeegeek.com/reviews/consum...nghirialto4500
The review for the Magnifica 4400 is here: http://coffeegeek.com/reviews/consum...imagnifica4400

[HowEver]

A bag of beans for a $700 coffee machine? That's like buying a Lexus and getting a free set of car mats.

Except they won't throw in the car mats...

[hothummer]

I bought a Barista machine a few years ago when they were reduced from $450 to $129. This machine rocks.

I had a small piece break off and called Starbucks Cust Service thinking they would just send me a new piece. Well, they are sending me a brand new machine!!

Starbucks ROCKS!!!

P.S. Lexus does throw in free car mats.. Just ask. I got some with my 08 that I bought 6 months ago from Erin Park.

[tonyso68]

OK, with the Rancilio Silvia post, should I buy this one or not? local starbucks has only one 4400 left!!!
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help!!!

[FusionSenses]

I got a Nuova Simonelli Traditional Machines single group machine from ecm.bc.ca for $3000+ 4 years ago, but that's a commercial grade made from Italy.

[dgs]

One thing to bear in mind with Superautos - they are very convenient in terms of producing a fairly consistent product quickly and easily but they do have to be kept scrupulously clean to avoid problems down the road. The major thing to look at it with a superauto is how easy it is to clean - maybe the OP can post on that aspect for this machine.

I would not say Silvia is an entry level machine for a semi-auto in fact - to clarify it is probably the entry level for a pro-sumer unit -there are a lot of cheaper (and inferior) entry level consumer machines out there by Krups etc that will not last as long or give you as good an end result. I agree there is a certain learning curve to using Silvia however.

[honest thief]

Kudos to the OP. I'm actually looking for a killer brewing machine.

[likwidsix]

I own both the ESAM4400 and the older EAM3400 from Delonghi. They are very similar machines and the 1 button touch for espresso is very convenient. However, I personally prefer the less expensive 3400 due to the manual froth wand. The 4400 has an attachable milk container, but I find it takes more time to use and to clean. The only complaint I could think of with the machines is the coffee does not come out super hot. For a very hot espresso you need a machine built with brass or copper, which normally run in the thousands of dollars.

In summary i think these machines are great for the price.

[txenglan]

The op txenglan posted a great deal here for super automatic espresso machines for which it is very difficult to get a good sale. These machines are extremely sophisticated and mechanically complicated, which explains their high price. $650 is a smoking deal for a machine like this.

Thanks op!

Thanks for your kind words and great post btw. I'm learning new things just by reading comments in this thread.

.... The major thing to look at it with a superauto is how easy it is to clean - maybe the OP can post on that aspect for this machine.

I'll certainly provide some feedback on my experience with cleaning this unit, once I have had about another week with it. So far, I managed to get the inside of it dirty by putting grinds into the chute before the machine was turned on. I had been excited and had missed that little bit of information, which is clearly provided in the manual.

In having done a cursory examination of the mechanics of this unit, I am in complete agreement that cleaning is going to be crucial to keeping this thing from having issues down the road but on the other hand, it does look like it can take quite a bit of abuse.

The owner of the Silvia that is up for sale ---> http://www.redflagdeals.com/forums/s...d.php?t=696084 ...did quite a bit of maintenance on the inside of his unit but it sounds as if the internal complexity is very much reduced as compared to the 4400. Something to be expected from a non-super unit. To be honest, the simplicity of the Silvia is another thing that attracted me to it. Again, if the Magnifica doesn't pan out over the next week or so, I'll be first in line to buy that Silvia (if it is still available).