Estro Barista

Pros: A high quality cuppa, and a lot of ritual
Cons: A little more difficult to use than many espresso makers

If you're anything like me, you spend a lot of time thinking about, brewing, sipping, gulping, sniffing, grinding or procuring some kind of coffee beverage. Until I obtained the Starbucks Barista, I also spent a lot of money on the more expensive of...

Pros: look okay
Cons: Too much work and now is dead!!!

Very disappointed customer here. I bought this for Christmas05, just 6 month ago. Its too much work to make a cup of cappuccino cause you need to prime before and after and between. Two months ago my machine started falling apart, leaking bad time at the froth pipe, and now is DEAD!! When I try to brew the coffee no water come out, instead all water comes out from the froth pipe like crazy. I spent lots of money for this junk and only 6 months, now I have to buy another one. BETTER ONE. Bye bye barista!

Pros: Great crema, design, steam wand basically, everything is great! This machine is top notch.
Cons: I cant stop using the machine!

All I have to say is WOW. This machine is great. I just got the Barista Stainless Steel espresso maker and I must say it is the best espresso machine I've ever owner. I previously owned the Delonghi Bar32, which wasn't all that great, so I returned it and ended up getting the Barista. This machine is stylish, swanky and adds a touch of class to my kitchen. This machine provides a great shot with excellent crema. The frothing head works very well and produces excellent, consistent steam. Take my word, DONT take the cheap route when it comes to espresso machines, Some people may say that the Starbucks machine is expensive, but, its well worth it and through my travels, I've found the cheap machines just dont cut it.

Pros: looks good-stainless steel
Cons: requires patience, a lot of work, too many steps

I watched the video twice and called customer service once to try and understand how this works. I even stopped by a Starbucks nearby and the manager couldn't get one to work for a very long time. Green lights turn off in the mid of brewing, etc, etc.

I think it is too much work and will have liked a simpler model where there are no 4 steps involved. I would miss it when I no longer have it.

Pros: Very nice cup.
Cons: Need to make more than 2 small cups at once...

Just purchased the Barista at a tag sale for $20 (marked down from $45 after it didn't brew when demo'ed. Called Starbucks help & they walked me through the priming steps, still no luck. Got on their web site & started reading - must be primed.

Then just took the pump apart (20 minutes to disassemble, phillips head screwdriver & small adjustable wrench) cleaned the parts, reassembled, followed the priming instructions - VOILA - it works.

Very nice cup. Crema is wonderful, much better than the Krups now being retired.

Supplies hot water for tea - too.

Pros: Fast, simple, very easy to use, nice steam pressure, and quickly heats up!
Cons: This is bad, steam wand only has 1 steam output, take some time to steam!

I work for starbucks, and last week i just bought my barista machine!

it was on sale, nice price, it was ugly yellow, but i quite enjoy it now! It looks HOT in my kitchen! I really like the machine! It is very easy to use, pulls nice shots, and has good steam, makes me good milk!!! I dont think it can get much easier than this machine!!!

If you are thinking about buying this machine, STOP THINKING, and just go out and buy it!! I use mine basically everyday, almost 2 times a day sometimes! HAHA:) BUt i love the machine and wouldnt take it back unless it broke!!

Pros: Price, durability, ease of use
Cons: Weight - it's a beast.

After having had to repair/replace my first espresso machine three times I wanted something durable. For those with curiosity, my first machine was a Capresso Ultima. I chose the Starbucks Barrista because the machine is made by Saeco. I've now had it two years, use it every day and still love it. It's easy to use, easy to clean and works perfectly every time. I only use distilled water in mine as I have a home water softening system. Yes it's basic, but if you don't need all the bells and whistles, and get it on sale, it's a good buy for the long haul.

Pros: Looks good, very heavy machine won't move around
Cons: They should sell a tamper with it because you'll need it

The Barista looks great, I have the gray one, and it's heavy, nothing cheap looking about it. It's very easy to use. I use the pods when I'm in a hurry and when I have more time I grind my beans. The coffee may be a little better when I use beans but Starbucks pods are great when you want it quick. The instructions say not to tamp the coffee but until I got a tamper I couldn't get a good cup of coffee from it. Once I got a tamper my problems were solved - you don't have to do it so hard that it would strain the pump (I think that may be why they don't recommend them, some people probably got carried away). I have well water so I've always used distilled water and have had no build-up. It's easy to froth the milk and I think the coffee I make is as good as what I get at coffee shops. I bought this in 2002 and I have never been disappointed with my purchase. I use it every day, this is the end of 2006, so 4 years later I'm still pleased with this machine.

Pros: Pretty reasonable price. Rather nice looking (mine was green color).
Cons: Often it had slow coffee dripping problem.

I have used this machine for three years 2-3 times daily and it has performed pretty well overall. However, after about a month of acting funky (coffee coming out very slowly), yesterday it finally blew. It suddenly "popped" and started leaking water. I tried to disassemble as much much as possible and have concluded that the gasket between upper and lower halves of the water heater blew. I am not sure what was causing the very slow coffee production in the first place but the blown gasket finally did it in. I'm not sure where to take the machine for repair but I am leaning toward purchasing another machine. I don't think I will be going back to Starbucks Barista.

Pros: Solid construction, SS body, excellent steam production, water tank easy to fill and great design
Cons: Hard to pull a shot with non-pressurized filter,more technique than fault of machine.

The Starbucks Barista Espresso Machine works very well for the beginner and for experimenting with technique etc.
I enjoy trying new drinks and trying out the non-pressurized version of the portafilter available direct from Saeco. The espresso is consistent, and tasty when using the pressurized version of portafilter..hard to screw up a shot and once the froth technique is perfected, one can enjoy a 4 dollar latte for a lot less money.

Pros: Excellent espresso, easy to use video, it takes as good as in a store
Cons: Don't start pulling these at a party, you will playing barista all night!

This is just a great machine. I have had mine for about a year now and I am more happy with it every day. It pulls an absolute beautiful shot with a gorgeous heart, body and crema. I find the steaming wand very easy to use and clean up and maintaince are minimal. The milk fat solids WILL build up on the wand eventually; the best solution is just to soak it for a while in warm water, and it wipes right off.

Take a deep breath and spend the extra bucks. If you buy a cheap Krups, you will not be happy and you will just replace it in a year. Spend that money on some high grade coffee blends and toast the local Starbucks as you pass it.