Green Mountain Coffee K-cups And Keurig Brewers

Sep 16 2011

Bosch TCA6301UC Benvenuto B30 Thermoblock 15-Bar-Pump Digital Fully Automatic Espresso Machine

5 responses so far

5 Responses to “Bosch TCA6301UC Benvenuto B30 Thermoblock 15-Bar-Pump Digital Fully Automatic Espresso Machine”

1. # Avedon if onlyon 06 Mar 2010 at 12:33 am

   Bosch TCA6301UC Benvenuto B30 Thermoblock 15-Bar-Pump Digital Fully Automatic Espresso Machine
   The Bosch Benvenuto B30 is an OK espresso maker, although expensive, and is not a particularly good machine for cappucinos. I’ve owned a Saeco, a Jura and now the Bosch: the Saeco made the best coffee but only lasted two years: replaced with a Jura which drove me mad with its washing, rinsing, cleaning cycle requirements, but it made good espresso and cappucino: then I changed countries and voltages so I bought the Bosch in the USA. It too has an annoying rinsing cycle, but unlike the Jura doesn’t seem to rinse the coffee dispenser nozzles, which still drip dark coffee dregs after the rinsing cycle ends. And there doesn’t seem to be a way to remove the klunky aluminium nozzle housing to clean them, so I expect that one day they’ll clog and stay clogged. The steamer takes twenty/thirty seconds to produce steam, without a standby position for steam. (In other words, the steam wand is active as soon as the rotary switch is turned to steam symbol, which means dribbling water condensation before it finally produces steam). The rotary selector hot water position recommends the wand tip be uncovered to dispense hot water and to “foam” milk, but that the wand tip be covered (in the down) position to steam milk. I’ve tried both positions and found no difference in results. The handbook insists that the wand tip be dismantled (with a coin) every time it’s used and all parts be washed in a dishwasher, after running a thin wire through the nozzle to get rid of any encrusted milk. I don’t bother – I just run steam and water through the thing which seems to clean it OK, but wastes alot of water which is being expensively filtered by the recommended $30 filter which lasts eight weeks. The handbook warns that the Bosch can’t handle oily roasted coffee beans – which unfortunately are the type of beans I like. So I have to push the beans down the chute to the grinder or else they stay put on the gentle slope of the hopper. Having done all this, the amount of water for an espresso is pre-determined by Bosch, so if you want your coffee very short (like a Napoli barrista’s version) you’re out of luck. The machine cost $1,200 and it should be better, but it’s what I’ve got so I’ll live with it. But I wish I’d bought another Saeco instead. Even if it only lasts a couple of years, it’s worth it. The Italians know more about making great coffee than the Germans or the Swiss.
   Rating: 3 / 5

2. # Amii English Schenkon 06 Mar 2010 at 2:55 am

   Bosch TCA6301UC Benvenuto B30 Thermoblock 15-Bar-Pump Digital Fully Automatic Espresso Machine
   Best coffee I’ve ever had. Definately worth the money. It’s a big appliance though and takes up quite a bit of counter space, have to say, it’s a commitment! My only complaint is that the coffee doesnt seem to be hot enough. I’m still tweaking though. It may be me. Morning coffee is a beautiful thing now!
   Rating: 4 / 5

3. # M. Lotton 06 Mar 2010 at 4:29 am

   Bosch TCA6301UC Benvenuto B30 Thermoblock 15-Bar-Pump Digital Fully Automatic Espresso Machine
   I researched espresso makers and purchased the Benvenuto 30 over a year ago. Like with many products, I was full of glee by the simple format change. So here it is, a year and 2 months later and I am still enjoying this purchase. There was the initial getting to know how to achieve my preferred ratio of espresso:steamed milk, but once that was discovered, the Benvenuto 30 has been delivering that perfect l-ahhhhhh-tte every time, ever since. I now find that when I am in town, I drive on by Starbucks or Seattle’s best, etc. Now, some reckon that the water reservoir is not big enough. This is not a problem that interferes with my routine. Perhaps these sweet people are making more single cups of coffee than I do — which by the way, big Ben makes quite nicely as well. The only drawback that I see, is the length of time required to run the cleaning and descaling cycles… But cleaning and descaling can be done when it is convenient to your schedule. You do have to hang around during cleaning and descaling for a few prompts to empty the trays or add a tablet. —minor points – ’cause it’s nice it cleans itself.
   
   Summing up….Big Ben is worth the $$. It’s been 15 months. If we keep going like this, Big Ben will definitely pay for himself.
   Rating: 5 / 5

4. # smileson 06 Mar 2010 at 4:41 am

   Bosch TCA6301UC Benvenuto B30 Thermoblock 15-Bar-Pump Digital Fully Automatic Espresso Machine
   I had several expresso machines of different degrees of auto functions. This provides what you need: the amount of coffe you want, how strong do you want it, the type of grind you want.
   
   You have the options of using full beans or grinded coffee that can act as a secondary coffee bin ready to use if you don’t want what you have in the whole beans. It then provides manual options as you may need.
   
   It actually tells you on the LED when needs water or coffe or cleaning, and when you should change the water filter.
   
   I did not give it a 5 because of the steam, the steam produces good steam and also froth but the mechanism to change from steam to froth and to turn off was not practical for me.
   
   Another good point in its favor is that it has a very good customer service, that actually you can call! and they answer on the spot….!Overall, it is a very good auto expresso machine.
   Rating: 5 / 5

5. # T. E. B.on 06 Mar 2010 at 5:24 am

   Bosch TCA6301UC Benvenuto B30 Thermoblock 15-Bar-Pump Digital Fully Automatic Espresso Machine
   I researched the usual suspects from SEACO – BOSCH and some others that escape me a the moment. I decided on the B30 because it received a glowing review here & I found a great price and it seemed to have everything I was looking for.

   First and most importantly it makes a great cup of coffee! And I like the easy to use controls, which are much easier to set type and size of coffee/espresso, etc. compared to some other systems. Its relatively easy to fill the H2O, and the beans. It works great with even the most oily beans, such as KILLER BEANS. Some other units I’ve seen have problems with oily beans. I haven’t had any thus far after 100 cups.

   Items that need some work:

   1. The clock does not survive even a small power outage, so every time you lose power or unplug the unit the current time is lost and therefore the on-time will not function. IMO in a unit that cost $975.00 this shouldn’t be.

   2. The bean container isn’t removable. Makes it nearly impossible to change beans.

   3. The hot H2O dispenser spits water and splashes very hot water onto your hand. They even include a warning tag with the unit. It would be nice it they just fixed the problem instead of warning you.

   4. The unit doesn’t warn you that the puck container or the tray that the dirty water flows into needs emptied, again SEACO units have this feature and this unit IMO should also at this price point.

   5. Contrary to the other reviewers opinion, I think the coffee could be hotter, even at the maximum setting, once you add a little cream, its certainly not pipping hot.

   So all-in-all I am happy with the unit, however the deficiencies shown above kept me from giving the unit a 5 star rating.
   
   
   Rating: 4 / 5