Coffee & Espresso Makers Tips

Surprised by the quality of the coffee Philips HD 7810 Espresso Machine I was offered a free Senseo coffee maker through a "Share Senseo" promotion that Philips was having. I paid $15 s...

Philips Senseo HD7820/60 Espresso Machine Product Technical Details01HD7820 Key FeaturesTypeEspresso MachineOperation Source...

I never knew coffee could taste so good until falling in love with Douwe Egberts’ pods and the sensational Senseo Single Serve Coffee Machine. Up until now, coffee served as a reason to take a break and as a morning habit affording the added bonus of clearing those ever-present cobwebs.

Before delving into my experience and the product details, let me tell you how I fell into this happy position of Senseo ownership. Dear reader, purely by chance and the great fortune to have placed a comment upon Mobiprof’s review of an earlier version of this coffee machine, the public relations firm involved in the launch contacted me. I jumped at the chance to take part in a pre-launch event resulting in my receiving a free coffee machine. The gentleman in charge of the online product launch asked only for my honest response to the Senseo Coffee Machine and of course, I agreed.

I knew from reading “The Bitter Taste of Sensual Creamy Coffee” that the combination of coffee pods mated with the sexiest appliance intended for use outside of the bedroom would produce European style coffee. I did my research folks, finding the across the board description of rich coffee topped with foamy créma absolutely tantalizing, I waited impatiently for the arrival of my complimentary creator of heavenly brew.

The Out of Box Experience

Packaged to perfection, inside an enormous cardboard carton nestled four packages of Douwe Egberts coffee pods, one Senseo embossed white porcelain ceramic cup and a colorfully labeled box. From the red-bannered inscription, I learned that this new to America product was already a mainstay in five million European homes. Eager to join the revolution, I cut the seal to find:

• One Senseo Single Serve Coffee Machine HD7810 in Senseo Blue

• One single pod holder

• One two-pod holder

• Two packages of Douwe Egberts Coffee Pods (18 per package)

• Senseo HD7810 Coffee Machine Use and Care Manual

• Warranty Card (Two-Year Manufacturer’s Warranty from Philips)

• One coupon for $2.00 off my next purchase of Douwe Egberts Pods

• One mail-in $5.00 rebate form

• Dimensions: 18.7” H with lid lifted; 13” H x 11” D x 8.5” W

Registering the coffee machine online, by telephone or by e-mail gives the added bonus of additional coupons for more coffee pods.

Several reviewers mentioned the longer-than-usual power cord permanently attached to this unit. I see the extra length a plus, since it gives us the leeway to place the Senseo system almost anywhere we please within two feet of an outlet.

’Pretty as a Picture’ is Subjective

To get some sense of my first impression of the Senseo system, I ask you kind readers, please scroll up to the top of this review and click on the graphic. As far as appliances go, this machine with its unique sleek lines equals a work of art. I own an unusual number of coffee makers, espresso machines, French presses, percolators and drip devices. When I testify that the newest in my collection surpasses all the others in form and function, believe me, this is no exaggeration.

It dawned on me while preparing to write the review that the reason I possess so many varieties of similar appliances has more to do with a lack of satisfaction with the coffee they produce than anything else. Since testing the Senseo system to the extreme, I now know what I missed all this time.

My Equal Half’s first reactions at seeing the glaringly blue machine resting on the black granite countertop were surprise and disappointment. First glance followed by scrutiny changed nothing, he thought my new treasure ugly and the color a strange intrusion in our monochromatic kitchen. His opinion of the color remains as it was but his love of the coffee keeps him from mentioning it quite as often as he did at first. Fair is fair, as a direct result of his close-lipped stance, I choose to no longer gripe about the wealth of odd race horse portraits gracing his den walls.

Other reviewers describe the machine as “gracefully bowing” and “gorgeous, very sensual, with a curvilinear, forward-canting shape”. Agreeing with all authors’ takes including, “cute sloping plastic round body on an integral pedestal”, let me add my own view of a curved, bent cylinder leaning over a solid round base. The Senseo Blue color reminds me of the muted cobalt Homer Laughlin once offered as a FiestaWare option during the 1930s. Since first laying eyes upon the navy trimmed blue system, I learned to appreciate the fact that it stands out surrounded by our black and white décor.

Freshly Brewed Coffee in Thirty Seconds

Yes, you read that correctly; once I followed the included directions for priming the machine, it took less than thirty seconds to brew a cup of steaming, frothy European blend coffee. I admit not opening up the manual but there really was no reason to take that step. The wise folks at Philips affixed a bright red label to the point where the water reservoir meets the body of the machine. The warning for the uninitiated read: “Important – Coffee machine must be flushed with water to fill the boiler before first use. Please use the directions for use or cup tray folder before using.”

I opted for the cup tray folder and had no problem with the required process but, I did have a problem reconnecting the splashguard to the reservoir after washing all the removable components before commencing with the initial boiler flush. The splashguard snapped off the pale blue plastic container, made it through a swift hand washing and towel drying without mishap and then refused to allow me to seat it back in place. This has little to do with the engineering and design and everything to do with my own skewed attention to detail. Once I studied the box, I realized my attempts at joining the two sections would never work as long as I continued to force the splashguard on backwards.

Following the directions on the round tray folder, I filled the water reservoir and gently slid it into place. It surprised me how the machine seemed to embrace the reservoir. Instead of requiring force or some nifty trick to properly place it, the reservoir’s curve matched the body’s bend as the two parts spooned one another. I placed one filter cup over the easily removed outflow unit and a two-quart bowl below it. After closing the lid, locking the latch and inserting the polarized plug in the socket behind our now neglected espresso machine, I pushed the power button located on the front of the machine’s disk shaped base. As per the abridged instructions, I at once pushed the one-cup and two-cup buttons, located on either side of the power button.

The machine breathed water through the machine and outflow unit, paused and then continued to empty into the bowl. I turned off the machine, dumped the water and refilled the reservoir with fresh filtered water. This time, before hitting the buttons, I added one Douwe Egberts pod to the single pod holder (curved side down, signature up), latched the lid securely and placed my new Senseo cup beneath the outflow unit.

Those who have not experienced an earthquake or other such unexpected event have no clue how long ten or fifteen seconds can seem. To say the eighty-five seconds it took for the boiler to heat the water seemed much longer would be an understatement. Finally, the flashing red light remained solidly lit and I pressed the one-cup button. A gentle hiss accompanied the rapid flow of foam-topped coffee into the white cup. Inhaling deeply while performing the most necessary quick stir, I opted to take the selfish route, the inaugural cup belonged to me.

Nectar of the Pods

The word that came to mind at first sip, orgasmic, clearly says it all. My moan of delight answered my husband’s unspoken question, “How is it?” Sipping slowly, relishing every drop, then wiping a bit of froth from my lip, I recreated the effort when preparing two cups of Dark Roast without having to wait for nearly a minute and a half.

With filled boiler at the ready, I pushed the two-cup button and thirty seconds later we sounded like a bad porn flick. I moaned, he moaned, I swear the Senseo system grinned with satisfaction. It knew it had us and from that point forward there would be no pedestrian American coffee, Gevalia gourmet or Starbucks sharing shelf space with Douwe Egberts in this house.

Sara Lee®, the femme fatale who markets the pods in the United States caught us in her web. Thankfully, the cost of a four-ounce single serving comes to a mere twenty-four cents per cup. Several online merchants offer a special four-pack of Douwe Egberts coffee containing seventy-two pods for $16.99. Single packages of eighteen pods sell for $4.89 each.

Comparing Douwe Egberts rich fragrant coffee to other brands is akin to drawing a comparison between Dom Perignon and Cold Duck; there is no relation. In the case of Douwe Egberts blends, the cost for the superior product is not prohibitive. Keeping a healthy supply of pods on hand seems wise to us, thanks to the ease of use (no measuring) and the pleasure we derive from the result of our minimal efforts.

Our favorite Dark blend is simply one of four choices available at this time. We tried and enjoyed the Medium, Mild and Decaffeinated Medium blends but keep returning to the full flavored Dark Roast. After developing a taste for Cuban coffee when living in Miami and substituting the Puget Sound version of espresso for the richer version when living in the Seattle area, regular coffee fails to satisfy. A fair description of what the Senseo system brews might read: Richer than conventional gourmet coffee, almost as flavorful and aromatic as espresso; topped with perfect créma.

To those who think a four-ounce cup of coffee too dainty, use a twelve-ounce mug, brew two pods at once and enjoy. Equal Half prefers drinking coffee in a manly mug and discovered the hard way that an eight-ounce serving far surpasses the caffeine punch normally enjoyed after drinking several cups of American coffee.

The Care and Feeding of Senseo Systems

I usually find retelling the process of keeping an appliance in good working order a real bore. So many details to remember and so many steps make me want to snore while typing the words. In this situation, I will tie one hand behind my back and present the facts:

• Power off and unplug the Senseo system before cleaning.

• Wash all removable components by hand or on the top dishwasher shelf.

• Clean the outside of the machine with a damp cloth, do not immerse in water.

• Do not leave coffee pods in the machine after brewing.

• Descale the machine as needed or every three months by filling the reservoir with white vinegar, running it through the system with an empty filter cup in place and rinsing twice by running fresh water through the system.

One important point Philips highlights is to make sure the tiny hole in the pod holders are clear. A single granule of ground coffee can clog the hole and cause the machine to lock up or the lock to disengage and the lid to pop open. With my Baby Boomer eyesight, I prefer to clean the pod holders immediately after brewing. Once clean, I fill the holder with water and watch for a slow, steady drip falling from the hole. Enlarging the hole invalidates the Philips Senseo system warranty and checks the production of that wonderful créma, since the method of forcing the steaming water through the tiny hole creates the froth.

Coffee in a Nutshell

Our holiday list is complete; families, married couples and singles alike will experience our joy of ownership this year. Any coffee drinker who appreciates fresh, rich steaming coffee will cherish the Senseo system.

I consider the Senseo Single Serve system the ideal coffee machine and Douwe Egberts coffee the ultimate product of its kind. We retired both our espresso machine and thermal carafe once the Senseo stole our hearts. Knowing a fresh cup of heaven takes only thirty seconds from drip to sip makes this a product we use and enjoy throughout the day. While the target market may be the young, single professional that finds conventional coffee appliances make too much coffee for his or her needs, I see things from a different vantage point. The consumer who values time and appreciates the simple pleasure of a truly fragrant, superior cup of coffee will not hesitate to buy this product.

My heartfelt thanks go out to Mobiprof for creating the review that caused the public relations firm to discover Epinions.com is the premier consumer resource. Thank you to David of Hass MS&L for including me in the pre-launch event and to Philips for having the wisdom to bring this remarkable machine to our shores.

For more information on the sensational Senseo, check out:

The review that started it all: The Bitter Taste of Sensual Creamy Coffee

The link to: All the Senseo Launch Participants’ Reviews

Tips and tricks for the Senseo Fan: Senseotional Tips

The Ultimate Douwe Egberts Storage Solution: The Senseous Canister

A tongue in cheek guide on: How to create your own Senseo coffee pads

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