Super Automatic Coffee Makers
I love good coffee. I want decent coffee in the morning, that I can make on my own at home. I don’t stop at Starbucks in the morning on the way to work or anything like that. All the drip makers I’ve ever tried suck. I mean they really, really suck, and are incapable of even a marginally decent cup of coffee. Early this year I came across the Krups Mocha Brew, which is more popular in Europe. It works a little differently, and makes a much better cup. That’s what I use now. Recently I broke its glass carafe accidentally. I Google’d for a replacement and discovered the maker is no longer sold in the US. Even though I paid only about $70 for the whole thing, the replacement carafe cost me $45 shipped!
That got me thinking. Maybe it’s time to consider something really high end. Something that’ll make coffee on par with one I can find at a coffee house. My research pointed me to the super automatic coffee makers made by Saeco (Italy) and Jura (Switzerland, imported by Capresso). These babies are expensive, $1000 and up. I went to a local Sur La Table store where I found an enthusiastic salesperson willing to give me a full explanation and demo of the Jura (and Nespresso) machines. The basic idea is that you load it up with water and coffee beans, program some settings, push a button, and after a minute or so out comes your coffee. You can also forth milk perfectly if you’re making a cappuccino or latte. The different models vary in features and programmability, but the general idea is the same for all.
To make a long story short, it made an excellent coffee! I really want one of these, cost be damned. I would be in coffee heaven if I could make a great tasting coffee, crema, cappuccino, latte, or espresso easily on a whim, without having to worry about measuring, griding, pouring, and so on. So I’ve been researching prices. I decided I want a Jura-Capresso, and am thinking about several models between $1200-1800. The Jura-Capresso web site has the list (MSRP) prices for these. As I look around, all the “authorized” sellers offer these machines at list price. But a few of them are sneaky/deceptive about it.
The other day I checked the JL Hufford web site for pricing on the Jura Impressa F7. They listed it as $1699.99 and on sale for $1299.00 until 8/27/2006. The Jura-Capresso web site states the list price is $1299.00. I questioned this in the JL Hufford support forum. I have yet to see a response. I noticed today they have updated it to state it is on sale until 9/2/2006. Who wants to bet the “sale” date will be changed again no later than 9/3/2006? Amazon is just as bad (or worse). They advertise the Jura Impressa F9 with a list price of $2400 and on sale for $1798.95. The Capresso site lists it at $1799. So Amazon’s sale isn’t $600+ off as claimed, but a mere nickel. I don’t think it’s a mistake on Amazon’s part. Listings for other Jura-Capresso models are done similarly. Cooking.com is doing the same thing.
Do your research. Don’t trust Amazon and other companies to be honest about pricing. I thought it was illegal to artificially inflate a price and then advertise it as “on sale” when it isn’t really — “on sale” means pricing redcuced from normal selling price (or MSRP) for a limited time. I don’t think of it any other way. Hmm…could these be old MSRPs from when the units first came out and before Capresso did a price reduction? I don’t know. That happens. But the whole pricing thing with these e-companies is still fishy — I think they know what they’re doing and are hoping to fool people into “on sale” sales. I think Hufford’s revising their sale end date every couple days may be evidence of that.
The B&M Sur La Table I visited was straight with me on pricing — I think when I’m ready to buy I’ll get one locally from them (to support local business, and reward them for a good demo and being honest about price).
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I strayed onto this from the motorsports posts…Wow, good write up! I will admit that I have too many coffee making devices in the house and your new options sound good.
Right now, I have a vacuum pot, press, piston espresso maker, an old mechanical bean grinder and…my fiance’s senseo, which I have been using because it is so easy in the morning.
So did you end up getting a new machine yet? I’ll have to ask you for details next club meet we are both at!
Matthew…
No, I have not bought one yet. I really want to, but have some other priorities…like attending the ALMS 12 Hours of Sebring in March. Eh, maybe if I get a huge bonus this year…
I bought a Jura Impressa F7 and sometimes enjoy the cup of coffee that I get. I have sent the machine back for repair after the first month. The machine is a lemon or they are all this way. I have read other blogs that express the same concerns.
The machine makes great expresso at 2oz to 4oz. Forget about making and 8oz cup of coffee that has a consistent flavor or strength. The 8oz setting will give you anywhere from 4oz to 8oz of a varying strength of coffee. The two cup setting will also give you anywhere from 4oz to 16oz of scared water to a cup of coffee.
The service people have told me to run more cleaning tablets though it than the coffee would cost. They also suggest that I don’t use any beans that may be oily on the outside. They also suggest that I clean the grounds chute frequently.
The service is not acceptable and neither is the machine. Can anyone recommend a machine that makes a good cup of coffee?
I’m still on my Krups Mocha Brew. A Super Automatic is not in my immediate future (other priorities). If I could get past the fact I have to use their coffee I would like the Nespresso. It makes a good coffee, but you have to buy their little coffee capsules. It’s just too proprietary for me.
My husband bought me Jura E9 for my birthday. I have used it for a month and absolutely love it. I think the secret with this machine is to find the right beans and adjust the grinder. Once I did that, I was in heaven. I actually look towards the next morning, when I will have my cup or two of coffee.
The lattes and cappuccinos are another story, however. This machine appears to be incapable of making good foam. If anyone has secret for that, please share!