thaisnob's Full Review: Philips SENSEO HD7810/6 5-Cup Coffee Maker
Unlike most of the other reviewers of this machine, I purchased mine. Paid for it with my own hard cold cash.
I was intrigued with this machine from the first moment I saw it on a tv commercial in early May. I researched it online and after reading dozens of reviews on Amazon that were virtually ALL glowing raves, I decided to throw caution to the wind and buy the machine without tasting the coffee first.
I LOVE coffee...GOOD coffee. I am familiar with and prefer "european-style" coffee. I thought this machine would be the perfect solution for my java-drinking habits: I like one cup of strong rich brew in the morning and that's it. I don't like the hassle of a lot of prep time or cleanup and I refuse to drink coffee that's been sitting (scorching) on a hot-plate.
The other coffee devices I use in my home are a Krups Mini espresso machine (I have perfected the mocha and mine are vastly superior to Starbuck's if I do say so myself), a Chemex carafe/pot for "regular" coffee (my coffeemaker of choice for 25 years), and an old-school Bialetti stovetop espresso pot.
I always buy very good quality very fresh beans (never grocery store beans, no!) and grind them myself just before brewing. Of course, bottled water only.
(It's true, in addition to being a thaisnob, I am a coffeesnob as well).
The Senseo machine is very attractive- contemporary but not too "modern". It might look out of place in a Country Style kitchen but happily I do not suffer from that affliction.
I followed the directions and flushed the machine (as described ad nauseam by numerous other reviewers) and washed all removeable parts. I then filled the tank with bottled water, loaded up a single "mild" pod, stuck a little white demitasse (included) under the spout and took her for a test drive.
The heating up time was shorter than described in other reviews, around 30 seconds usually. I was surprised by the "hum" during the brewing process, but after 2 weeks of using my machine daily I have come to enjoy this sound- it now elicits a Pavlovian response from me. The brewing time is very brief whether making 4 or 8 ounces (20 seconds) The coffee is simply beautiful, the crema makes for a wonderful and enticing presentation.
Clean-up is a snap and couldn't be simpler. Just throw the used pod away. That's it!
Now for the taste test...YUCK, pitooey! The mild roast was absolutely disgusting. It was weak and stale-tasting, reminiscent of Folgers (that had been sitting in a can in the cupboard for a few months) brewed with tap water in a dirty old Mr Coffee machine. Gross!
Next I tried a single serving of the medium roast. A little better but still a faint "stale" flavor with a bitter aftertaste. Then I tried a double serving (after switching out the pod compartment by popping in the larger holder) using 2 med. roast pods...this makes an 8 oz cup. I found it to be tolerable but still lacking in the robust richness that I crave. I also want a nice smooth finish in my coffee, not the bitterness that's left on your tongue after this stuff.
(Update: I finally obtained the dark roast, it is palatable at least...certainly not gourmet and I would classify it as "medium" myself. The Dark Roast is the only variety of Senseo/Douwe-Egberts pods I can stand to drink and then, only in a pinch. Judging by the fact that it is sold out while their Medium sits on the shelf, I assume that many people have found that the other varieties are simply too weak and flavorless for their tastes as well).
In my opinion, their pods are geared toward the Maxwell House crowd. Unfortunately coffee-drinkers with a more refined palate will have to search elsewhere for acceptable pods.
Let me very briefly address the issue of the pod "adaptors", permanent filters and make-your-own-pod instructions that all come up in Google searches (and in other reviews on epinions):
No.
Period.
I bought this machine for CONVENIENCE, so I could brew a cup of GREAT coffee in seconds with no prep and no clean-up. End of story!
Here's the bottom line...I LOVE this machine. I LOATHE the coffee (so far). BUT I am holding out hope! Podhead.com says on their site that they will soon be carrying pods "compatible" with the Senseo.
The bad news is that all of the other espresso pods being sold by podhead are VERY spendy. I'm hoping the Senseo-friendly pods will be more affordable. Then again, I might be willing to pay $$$ for some 30 second Jamaican Blue Mountain.
In conclusion I am gonna hang in there for a couple of months and see what kind of pods I can find. The convenience of this machine is a HUGE plus and I am willing to bend over backwards to make it work. Based on my experience so far, I am having doubts as to whether FRESH pods will be available locally for the long run tho.
**UPDATE** 07/20/04
Now I've had my machine for 2 months and I am truly in love with the convenience. I finally found some Dark Roast and when made in 8oz (large) servings, this variety is acceptable tho still falls short of the coffee quality & freshness I long for.
The Senseo pods are still hard to find, especially the dark roast which seems to be in high demand. My local Costco now carries the machine and pods, but dark is always sold out.
Unfortunately, Podhead.com has STILL not come out with Senseo-compatible pads even tho I did read on their site over 2 months ago that they would "Soon!" be available. I will continue to wait patiently for better quality coffee pads. When they finally DO become available, this machine will be PERFECT in my eyes!
**ANOTHER Update** 09/01/04
Because I am passionate about this MACHINE (but Senseo's coffee pods suck and I mean SUCK), I want to share the following info:
I found 2 online sources for buying gourmet coffee pods which work in the Senseo! I have purchased from both companies and sampled the coffees. I give them both enthusiastic recommendations.
www.easypods.co.uk/ (click shop then the U.S flag, all pods that are #62 are comapatible with Senseo).
This company is located in Scotland but the pods will be shipped from Italy, where they are roasted. I ordered online, paid with a credit card and one week later, my FedEx lady brought me a package which ended ALL the misgivings I had about my Senseo machine. The pods are almost identical in appearance to Senseo pods, they come packaged in sealed foil packets, 2 pods in each packet (very convenient). They smell fresh and DIVINE (unlike Senseo pods, which smell like stale Folger's). The pods work flawlessly in the Senseo and produced perfect crema. I tried two varieties:
Cafe Roma: Cost $17 for 50 pods (25 packets)
Described as a "smooth medium blend" of Arabica beans.
Delicious flavor! Very rich, strong but smooth.
Not too "dark", a nice breakfast coffee. Not over-roasted in the least. Just right for this Goldilocks.
Mocha Special: Cost $17 for 50 pods (25 packets)
Described as "a rich strong blend of Arabica and Robusta beans". Definitely a stronger, darker roast. Very hearty but not burnt-tasting. Perfect for those who like the lingering bite of dark-roasted beans or who use cream and/or sugar.
This company makes several other varieties of pods compatible with Senseo- some lighter roast, decaf, even flavored- hazelnut or vanilla. Most are the same price I quoted, some are a few bucks more, none are cheaper. If you love your machine and hate the Senseo pods, spend the dough to try this stuff. I drink an 8oz double cup, cost using these pods= 89 cents per serving (and that includes the shipping). Well worth every penny!
The cost of shipping (FedEx) for 2 boxes of coffee packets was $10.95 and my order was processed and shipped within 2 days of my internet purchase (much appreciated, I was JONESING for the stuff!). Free shipping with orders over $60.
Now for the second company (and this info is ONLY for true coffee connoisseurs, others will be put off by the cost):
www.alohaislandcoffee.com (click shop online then Kona Pods for Senseo)
This company is located in Beverly Hills and the coffee will be mailed (USPS Priority) from there, but it is grown & roasted on the Big Island of Hawaii. They sell only only two kinds of pods for Senseo- Regular or Decaf 100% Kona micro-roast (not the cheap Kona "blends" which generally contain just a small percentage of actual Kona beans). Kona coffee is limited in supply and is one of the finest, most expensive and best tasting coffees you can buy. This company gets it RIGHT.
The pods come individually packaged in a sealed foil packet; they are "double" sized and each makes either an 8oz cup or two 4oz demis. The pod itself is a bit hard, like an espresso pod and the paper filter is a wee bit smaller than Senseo pods, but it worked perfectly in the machine. The crema was not quite as thick as all the other pods, but that is unimportant--this stuff is SCRUMPTIOUS! Dark, rich, robust, full-bodied...the flavor of this coffee just blooms on your tongue, it is incredibly lush and satisfying. If you've ever been to Hawaii (or Jamaica) and tasted fresh local REAL 100% Kona (or Jamaican Blue Mountain) coffee, you know what I'm talking about. When you think back on the experience of drinking this coffee, you will be haunted by how absolutely PERFECTLY sublime it is. Simply exquisite.
The price is scary: 24 ("double") pods for $39.95. Do not misunderstand the wording on their website, it says "brews 48 cups" but that means 4oz demi's. 1 pod makes one 8oz cup, that is 2 demi's. So you are getting 24-8 oz cups of (mouth-watering) Kona coffee for $39.95+ $3.85 USPS Priority Mail shipping. I ordered online and paid with my credit card, my order was processed a few days later and I received the package in the mail 1 week after ordering.
You also have the option of ordering half Regular and half Decaf if you like. They offer a "Sampler" pack of 6 pods for $9.95 (+ $3.85 shipping) as well, but if you already know you love REAL Kona coffee, just take the plunge and go for the full order (you can also get 72 or 144 pods, there is no discount for the larger sizes tho).
The cost (including shipping) is a whopping $1.83 per 8 oz cup- but the last time I was in Hawaii, the cost of a cup of 100% Kona in restaurants was $2+ with no refill and about $3.50 for a 16oz from any of the high-end coffeehouse carryout places. This is coffee, not latte or mocha prices!
While I certainly can't afford to make this my daily grind, it IS a splendid coffee for special occasions, after-dinner or just to soothe your longing if you miss the islands.
I cannot recommend this coffee highly enough.
Now, isn't that GREAT news? I hope that other coffee-lovers will find this information useful. I, for one, am ecstatic...now I can TRULY enjoy my Senseo machine to the fullest (until the day when I can finally afford one of those super-expensive "automatic" coffee/espresso machines- at $600-1000, it's gonna be a while!). By the way, podhead.com is still dorking around and as of today still has no Senseo-compatible pods available.
If any Senseo users have found other sources for alternative gourmet-quality pods, please post that info! (Not interested in any of the European Senseo/Douwe-Egberts products). Mahalo Nui Loa!
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