Saeco Xelsis

Newton123

Hi everyone.

I am new here, so hello.

I had a saeco royal for the last 5 years.

It was fine, but had been in the shop more than a few times and was destined for another visit.

Came home from a trip and the wife had brought a Saeco Xelsis. I have struggled with it for 2 weeks but can not get a decent cup of coffee out of it, I have tried a mixture of settings, coffee etc they all taste like crap. On top of that they have the worlds smallest water tank, a tiny drip tray and dreg drawer.

It got to the point where I avoided making a coffee this morning because it is so disappointing.

The problem seems to be that the milk goes in first followed by a very small shot that tastes burnt almost. It doesn't matter what settings I use. I prefer the cappuccino setting.

I am sure I am doing something wrong, just not sure what. Any suggestions?

Are these machines generally so poor?

I will happily throw it at the wall, what should I get?

I am in Sydney Australia.

Thanks

Koffee_Kosmo

Hi Newton This just general information as I am not familiar with your machine 1] Water temperature is the key, the ideal is 89 - 92 deg Celsius To hot and the coffee will taste burnt To cool and it will taste sour 2] Fresh beans are equally important 3] Grind setting Does your auto Saeco have grind adjustment? KK

beanflying

Unfortunately you won't find a lot of love here for fully automatic machines. As KK mentions above fresh beans are a must (1-3 weeks post roast is a good start) Having a quick scan through the manual and maybe try the following. Before actually making a coffee put a little hot water out of the dispenser into the drip tray. It is possible that the water in the thermoblock is at or near steam when left at idle, I suspect this may have the effect of dropping your brew temperature a touch if done soon after. This may help with that burnt taste issue. Use this water to preheat the cups too 🙂 For a cup size go around the 200ml mark is good too (no buckets 😉 ) Wind up the coffee dose to maximum (still only 10.5g) but from what I read you can adjust the coffee strength I am assuming this is actually a volume adjustment although the manual is rubbish (SBS) leave it about medium. Select a double shot or 2 cup espresso drink selection. Should hopefully give you around 40-50ml of espresso. Go into the 'special menu' and select hot milk and steam the milk manually. While this does defeat the purpose of the fully automatic machine it should yield you a more drinkable cup. Let us know how you go.

Newton123

Thank you, it does have grind adjustment, what would you recommend. Thanks again, I will play this afternoon. If I do throw it at the wall, what would you recommend as a replacement for a home machine, 2 users, basic skillet in the user.

beanflying

With the grind adjustment try and get it so the espresso shot coming out takes around 20 seconds then adjust to taste. Unfortunately this is where Auto's have limitations when it comes to trying to improve the brew. So cheating your way around them as I mentioned above and with some more playing is the best way forward. You mention you are near Sydney but by the sounds of it a fair way out? Might pay you to do a trip into town sometime and chat to Jetblack Espresso one of our sponsors here. They should have a good spread of machines on display and even fired up for a play.

Newton123

2 1/2 hours later and it still tastes rotten. Seriously burnt, bitter, horrible. I will be in Sydney (live up near Taree) in a few weeks and will call on the sponsor you mentioned. Thanks everyone for the suggestions I really appreciate the advice to a newbie thanks heaps.

Koffee_Kosmo

Newton123 wrote:

2 1/2 hours later and it still tastes rotten. Seriously burnt, bitter, horrible. I will be in Sydney (live up near Taree) in a few weeks and will call on the sponsor you mentioned. Thanks everyone for the suggestions I really appreciate the advice to a newbie thanks heaps.

As an ex Novacastrian I know Taree well I lost my wedding ring (30 years ago) while water skying in Myall Lakes nearby Good luck in your machine search Dont forget to tell Charlie at Jack Black Espresso that we recommended him KK

beanflying

Sounds like you may even have a dodgy one then with the temp turned up to high. I didn't see any settings for varying the temp in the manual either. Assuming that it came from a chain type appliance store it does make it a bit harder for service as they will know less than you about it but still worth talking to them about a fix too. 🙁

Newton123

I will certainly let Charlie know, been drooling over his website. I need to explain to the missus that the "present" sux. Oh well

Rider

Okay, my 2.2 (no carbon yet) cents worth and first suggestion on this site...... Did a couple of Sunbeams but no auto in the progression. EM6910 was very good but, if you are a coffee tragic (my hand up) it won't last, or do it for you forever. Vibiemme Domobar Junior or Super (budget dependent) teamed with Macap M4D electronic timed grinder. A stretch but bliss. Short of time, the electronic timing on the grinder is brilliant as the early morning rush out the door cup is so close to perfect. Have time, then it is perfect. The machine has the only current patented E-61 group and if you get the Super, is a freakin' beast. Steam? ;D ;D ;D ;D Chris