Saeco Xelsis HD8946/03 (Stainless Steel)

for those stuck in a descale loop – I have had the xelsis for several years and is still working well. However, after about my first year I ran into the frustrating problem of getting stuck in descale mode at it telling me to empty the drip tray when I had just emptied it. After much pulling out my hair and research I found the answer for my machine (don't remember where) and it has… Read more ·  1

never happened again. When the drip tray is emptied there is a small compartment (on the side that is covered) that you need to be sure does not accumulate coffee residue. When I found this solution, I first cleaned out my drip tray thoroughly with soap so no coffee residue was on it. Now every few times when I empty the water, I uncover that right section and run the faucet water in it. Before I descale, I make sure that small compartment in the drip tray is clean. I assume there is a sensor right above it that cannot work properly if there is accumulated coffee residue in it. I hope this can help someone out there.

Terrible machine: I would not go near Saeco fully automatic coffee machines – This is our second Saeco and will forever be our last. It is a machine geared towards a SINGLE person who has only 1 coffee a day. It worked flawlessly for two years and since then has suffered the typical 'water priming error' that afflicts so many of Saeco's products that just happen to leave warranty. We have spent close to $500 in… Read more

repairs to simply be told its a gremlin and that it would require being sent to Saeco for further analysis.

Second machine in 4 years.

Very, very expensive.

When the machine worked it works BRILLIANTLY, even though you only got 4-5 coffee's from it before having to completely empty the machine.

Expensive Piece of Rubbish! – POSITIVES: -We use good quality coffee beans and the coffee is awesome (If you drink it straight away- see negative comments). -It automatically rinses before and after making coffees so there's less manual cleaning. -The fingerprint scanner and ability to have several coffee settings for each person is fabulous. NEGATIVES - Very high… Read more

maintenance machine! It's rare that you can make 2-3 coffees without having to empty the drip tray and/or refill the machine.

-Machine was expensive (but it would be worth every cent if the negative comments weren't such a big deal).

-The milk comes out at approx. 40-43C (just 'slightly warm') so I have to microwave my 'hot' chocolate EVERYTIME! When this 'slightly warm' milk is mixed with hot coffee, it's ok (just acceptable) if you drink it immediately. Our neighbour asks us to microwave her coffee slightly (just after we make it) every time she's here. One would expect this with a cheap coffee machine, not a $2000-$3000 coffee machine. One would expect that the coffee would be around the same temperature as a coffee shop (where the milk is 65-70C). This is on the hottest setting of the machine, yet it's still not hot enough (and we're not the kind of people that like REALLY hot coffee).

-Customer service is beyond poor!! We spoke with customer service about the issue (milk not hot enough) within a week of purchasing the machine- they looked at options (using the smallest milk carafe tubing, etc.) but in the end said 'that's how it is- Italians don't like hot coffee.' (and coming from an Italian family - Italians DO like HOT coffee.)

Don't buy one! You'll end up regretting it if you do!