saeco via veneto

Author's Rating:

Pros: Cheap, easy seems like a quality machine, no mechanical problems as of yet.

Cons: It would be nice to find a non-pressurized portafilter cheap. Tea water could get hotter.

The Bottom Line: 
I would buy this espresso machine again in a heartbeat.

Author's Review
I got this machine for under 100$ including shipping and handeling. I thouroghly researched my options within my price range, I was willing to spend up to 150$. I read reviews for a few weeks and after repeatedly coming across favorable reviews I settled on this saeco. I have had it now for almost a year and I could not be more pleased. The most common complaint is the pressurized portafilter but it doesn't bother me perhaps because I drink sweetened, (soy) milk, frothy drinks.I have seen people say this style portafilter makes fake crema and bitter espresso, that it is fit only for drinks with milk added. I sometimes drink it black it is bitter, perhaps Iwill amend my portafilter to be non-pressurized or buy one, as I have seen them for sale. I found the saeco via veneto on Ebay for about 100$. This also has a feature for only heating water and dispensing it through the steam wand for tea, or whatever you need hot water for.

The frothing feature in nice. I find it froths most if I use a shallow metal container. I use a shallow saute pan, commonly used for sauces. It is about 4 inche deep this allows the wand to touch the bottom, and being a pan it allows for allot of surface area for the milk to become frothy. I find the wand works best if you hold the wand just at the surface of the milk.