Costco Wholesale has for it's
Members:
Philips 800 Series Fully Automatic Espresso Machine w/ Milk Frother (EP0820/04) on sale for
$299.99. Shipping is $4.99.
Thanks to Community Member
Big22 for finding this deal
Note: Non-Members may purchase but are subject to a 5% surcharge. Item must be purchased online only for sale price.
Product Details:
- Adjustable 12-Step Grinder Levels
- Intuitive Touch Display
- 100% Pure Ceramic Grinder
- Adjustable Aroma Strength/Quantity
- Classic Milk Frother Attachment
- Fully Removable Brew Group/Easy Cleaning
- Up to 5,000 Cups w/o Descaling
- Automatic Descaling
- AquaClean Filter Compatibility
- Dishwasher Safe/Parts
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Top Comments
The only downside to this is that you need to buy a filter, but the filter last for a ton of cups of coffee. I think I did the math and it takes a couple years before the filter needs replacing for me. Single user.
But, in hindsight I wish I went for the pricier Breville Barista Touch for a couple of reasons:
I like really hot americanos. This machine doesn't produce it. If I don't warm my cup in the microwave beforehand the coffee gets luke warm quickly.
The first shot the machine dispenses in the morning is weak. To workaround this I have it dispense a shot using the grind bypass to warm the brew group up properly. The Breville has neither of these issues.
Maintenance: You need to rinse the group every 1-2 weeks. Not a huge inconvenience but still a pain. You also need to keep parts of it lubricated and change the water filter. The water filter takes away tank capacity.
One other thing I like is the grinder bypass. This means that if you want to use a second type of bean and grind your own, you can do so. This means I can use the machine to make decaf espresso without changing the beans out in the hopper.
The size is also a plus factor. Doesn't use a lot of counter space.
Milk frother - OK, not great. Can't produce dense foam, feels more like hot milky coffee vs a cappuccino. I don't really care about this since I only use it for black espresso/americano only.
Last, it is quite plasticky, which at $300 you'd expect. Not all the removable parts line up flush against the chassis when installed. Also, because of the number of moving parts, I'm not optimistic on the units longevity. But, after a year its still held up well. So I don't see any signs of it failing soon.
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I would not add one more stop between the $100ish maker and Breville Express. I just don't feel the $$ difference can be justified by coffee taste by makers under $500. Pls correct me if I am wrong.
But, in hindsight I wish I went for the pricier Breville Barista Touch for a couple of reasons:
I like really hot americanos. This machine doesn't produce it. If I don't warm my cup in the microwave beforehand the coffee gets luke warm quickly.
The first shot the machine dispenses in the morning is weak. To workaround this I have it dispense a shot using the grind bypass to warm the brew group up properly. The Breville has neither of these issues.
Maintenance: You need to rinse the group every 1-2 weeks. Not a huge inconvenience but still a pain. You also need to keep parts of it lubricated and change the water filter. The water filter takes away tank capacity.
One other thing I like is the grinder bypass. This means that if you want to use a second type of bean and grind your own, you can do so. This means I can use the machine to make decaf espresso without changing the beans out in the hopper.
The size is also a plus factor. Doesn't use a lot of counter space.
Milk frother - OK, not great. Can't produce dense foam, feels more like hot milky coffee vs a cappuccino. I don't really care about this since I only use it for black espresso/americano only.
Last, it is quite plasticky, which at $300 you'd expect. Not all the removable parts line up flush against the chassis when installed. Also, because of the number of moving parts, I'm not optimistic on the units longevity. But, after a year its still held up well. So I don't see any signs of it failing soon.
To clarify, we are comparing a $300 super-automatic machine with a $1,000 semi-automatic model, which may only offer marginally better performance. If you believe the Breville machine is more convenient, even with its automation features, it may be worth reevaluating your options.
Additionally, there are cost-cutting considerations with lower-priced machines; investing in a $1,000 super-automatic model could yield significantly better results.
It seems there may be some frustration surrounding this discussion. It's important to note that the Breville machine lacks a removable brew head, which can be a significant drawback. Many users have expressed regret over their decision to purchase it.
If your parents drink milk drinks, you can sometimes pick up an Amazon Warehouse 3200 for < $300. I've supposedly got a 5 year warranty on mine. But obviously not the same peace of mind as Costco
Great machine, lots of reviews everywhere, and great reliability. If the Phillips 800 has the same internals, with just fewer 'beverage options', then the 800 at or below $300 is probably a great deal. 'Beverage options' just allow a little bit more automation, and brewers can easily make the same drinks (outside of the temperature requirements, it 'is' nice to have all the ingredients at the same temperature). Anyone with both machines?
I may buy a Philips Baristina (just released) when/if it goes on sale. It only brews espresso and lungo, but I like how easy it is to clean.
(just wanted to throw this unanswerable question into the void to get it out of my mind)
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(just wanted to throw this unanswerable question into the void to get it out of my mind)
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