Starbucks Sirena Espresso Machine, Stainless and Black Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Bottom line up front: I'm happy with the Sirena.
I'm not a coffee snob and don't really care one way or another what name comes on the outside of the machine. I like strong espresso and this machine doesn't disappoint. There are a couple of things that I like and a couple of things that I don't. Here they are:
Like:
- Easy to use
- Can grow with you, i.e. if you want to pull out the Pressurizing disc and start tamping your own shots, you can, and after some practice, will probably get a better quality of crema and espresso. Bean quality, grind, etc... dependent.
- Quick heat up time (less than 2 mins in the morning) and quick steam (less than 10 seconds.
- Good micro-foam on the steamer. My wife likes capuccinos and the good quality foam makes her very happy.
Dislike:
- The water level sensor drives me crazy. It comes on, I refill the container, and it doesn't go off. I have to mess with the container where it attaches to the machine to get it to turn off....eventually. I've read more than a few reviews about this problem. Small overall, but annoying.
- Price. I purchased this machine at the X-mas special (499 w/grinder, barista kit, 1lb coffee with a 30% employee discount ($375 paid in the end). It was an incredible deal...that made it very worth the money. Full price...I don't know. I like this machine, but I'm cheap and I'd rather pay for quality and performance than looks. This machine offers both, but without the discount it would've made my choice more difficult.
There is a great thread on coffeegeek.com about the Sirena. A guy named Wayne, a.k.a. roastaroma, has made it his mission in life to break this machine apart and extract every bit of usefullness out of it. For true coffee lovers looking for a great machine his insights might help make up your mind.
Happy Shopping.
6 month update (1 July 2008).
The steam knob stripped out about 3 weeks ago. One minute I was frothing milk, the next I was trying to get a scalding hot jet of steam to stop...awesome. I contacted SB and they gave me the number to their warranty dept. I called their warranty dept and they told me that SAECO not SB warranted the item. Okay, so I call SAECO and was not exactly pleased with the response. First, they confirmed that the unit was under warranty..good. Second, they sent me a form to fill out detailing the problems with the machine. They had me fax that form back to their warranty dept...okay so far. Third, they informed me that I was responsible for packing and shipping the machine back to them with no reimbursement. Fourth, they told me that if anything other than the previously faxed deficiencies were discovered that it would be repaired at my cost. Bottomline, if something breaks during shipment, you pay for it out of pocket along with the shipping and handling you've already spent sending a defective item back to the manufacturer.
I haven't had a lot of problems getting things serviced in the past. SAECO's warranty repair system seems a little too involved and isn't user friendly in my opinion. I contacted the Starbucks that I purchased the machine from and was able to swap out the machine...but the less than ideal experience with SAECO is important to share.
Other than that the machine is still working well and am still happy that I purchased it. Starbucks customer service made up for the problems with SAECO.


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Designed by the award-winning BMW Designworks exclusively for Starbucks, the Sirena is a 15-bar pump-driven espresso machine with dual brewing spouts, a stainless steel broiler, and a patented back pressure adapter to ensure great espresso extraction. The included steam wand with pannarello adapter lets you easily froth milk for lattes or cappuccinos. A ground coffee filter lets you make single or double shots, or use the included pod filter which accommodates E.S.E. coffee pods. Easy to read status lights show when the machine is ready to brew or steam, and the Rapid Steam boiler allows for quickly switching from brewing to frothing. The 57.5-ounce water tank removes easily for cleaning and refilling and a blue LED light indicates when the water tank is empty. Additional features include an adjustable and removable drip tray, a cup-warming surface, programmable brew settings, a temperature gauge, and an auto shut-off safety feature after 90 minutes of inactivity. What’s in the Box Sirena espresso machine; 1 portafilter;1 power cord; 1 user’s manual; 1 plastic support peg; 1 rubber gasket adapter; 1 ground coffee filter; 1 pod filter From the ManufacturerSaeco created the semi automatic Sirena espresso machine for Starbucks with the user experience and quality espresso beverages in mind. Years in the making, tested and validated, every detail and user interface was designed with care. It was engineered and manufactured in Italy for an authentic espresso experience.It’s easy to operate and provides expert espresso coffee quality--the pre-programmed buttons eliminate the guesswork and timing in pulling shots. The machine has many commercial grade features for coffeehouse quality espresso drinks at home, including:
Easy to read user-friendly buttons; when the lights stop blinking the machine is hot and ready to pull an espresso shot.
Preprogrammed buttons, back pressure adaptor, and automatic tamp all ensure excellent espresso extraction every time.
Buttons programmed to default at 1 and 2 one ounce shots.
ESE pod capable--includes pod filter basket.
Commercial grade portafilter contributes heat for optimal espresso quality.
Rapid steam boiler for quick warm up to steam milk and quickly switch to pulling shots.
Two boilers, one dedicated to rapid steam.
A steam wand with pannarello adaptor that makes frothier latte and cappuccino foam. This powerful steam wand rotates and swivels, making it easy and convenient to steam milk.
Features:
Programmable 1 or 2 one ounce espresso shots
Back pressure adaptor compensates for too course of grind, ensuring great espresso extraction
Steam wand with pannarello adaptor for easy frothing of milk for cappuccinos or lattes
Auto tamping
Rapid steamboiler quickly switches from steaming mild to pulling shots
ESE pod capable (pod filter included)
Water indicator light tells user when water tank needs to be refilled
Large, 57.5 ounce, removable water tank
Auto shut off after 90 minutes of inactivity
Commercial grade portafilter for optimal espresso shot quality
Detachable power cord
Cup warmer Technical Specifications
Power rating: 1050 watts
Voltage: 120 volts
Color: Silver
Housing Material: Die caste metal and thermoplastic
Dimensions: 13 by 15 by 12 inches (W by H by D)
Weight: 21 pounds
Power cord length: 47 inches
Control Panel: Front
Portafilter: Pressurized
Water tank capacity:57.5 ounces (removable)
Pump pressure: 15 bar pressure
Brewer boiler material: Stainless steel
Rapid steam generator material: Die cast alloy
Safety devices: Hydraulic circuit over-pressure safety valve
Warranty: Saeco USA, 1 year
Manufacturer: Saeco of Italy
Accessories: Pod filter basket

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