Smeg NEW BCC11BLMUS Fully Automatic Espresso Machine,3 preset buttons for Espresso Cappuccino and Coffee Adjustable Grinder for Whole Beans (Matte Black)

I love dark strong coffee. I grid my own espresso beans and use my Krupp's Kona to brew a pot every day. After a recent trip to England I had many espresso and americano's from a automatic espresso machine. When I got back, my brewed coffee didn't taste as good. I purchased my SMEG BCC11BLMUS with hesitation because of so little reviews. Seems a lot of people dislike automated espresso machines. There either cheaply made, difficult to clean or to confusing. I have to say this SMEG is nothing like those bad reviews.I have been using my SMEG BCC11BLMUS for several days now and it makes great espresso and long coffee. It was delivered well packaged and was incredibly easy to setup. Access doors and compartments are easy to remove (most are held by magnets). The waste and drip trays easily slide out from the front for quick cleaning. The brewing unit, on the left side, quickly comes out in seconds for cleaning and goes back in just as easy. The water tank, located in the back, has a handle for removal but I use a large cup to file it. I think the leaking problem people complain about with automated espresso machines comes from constantly tanking the tanks in and out. The bean hopper holds a good amount and has a grand adjustment.There are some programmable options: Water hardness level (test strip included) and brew amount for each type of coffee.Operating the machine is very easy. Just press the start button and in 15 seconds it cleans itself with hot water for a few seconds and it's ready to go. On top of the machine there are four buttons, that will change between white and orange, for the different types of brews: Ristretto, Espresso, Coffee, Hot water, Light Ristretto, Light Espresso, Long Coffee and Americano. There is also a program button that switches between white and orange. The first four coffee's are when the buttons are white the last four are when they are orange. The machine will remember your last mode and selection. It sound complicated but its really not. You just use the program button to toggle the button color for the desired coffee and press the button for it. The brewing takes less than a minute. after 30 minutes of no use the machine cleans itself with hot water again then turns itself off.So far I am loving the different coffees. The flavor is wonderful. I do keep a copy of what coffee is on which button on top of the machine but believe me its super easy to use and clean. SMEG also has an online app to help you with anything about the machine. I can honestly recommend the SMEG BCC11BLMUS automated espresso machine.

Made decent coffee, however, machine was very finicky. Two major issues:1) during a drip coffee brew, it would stop, beep and immediately go through a clean/purge cycle2) going through the startup cycle, the machine would say the spent pucks were full, after emptying and replacing it would not recognize the empty state. Several startup cycles were needed to clear the error.I liked the form factor and coffee it made, but not worth the headache of inconsistent function.

Fabulous coffee flavor.. unique to look at too.