SmegBCC01BLUS Fully Automatic Coffee Machine,47 ounces Black, Extra Large

Price was high for a coffee maker but once you have a cup its amazing. Best coffee, Bean to cup its outstanding

Where do I even begin with this machine... It is an absolutely terrible espresso machine and has so many issues that hold it back from even being decent. The only thing this machine has going for it is the design and form factor.I have had this machine for under 1 year and I have been plagued with a multitude of issues. The reason we got this machine was to automate our espresso experience -- to have a bean to cup experience that required little hand holding. Previously we had a Nespresso U machine, and unfortunately that machine had a lot less headaches than this one.Issues we have had so far:1. THE BEAN HOPPER IS UNRELIABLEWhat is the point of a semi automatic espresso machine if the BEAN HOPPER doesn't even properly work? I have tried a huge range of beans from Light to Dark Roast from Oily to Non Oily Beans and no matter what kind of bean it is the hopper will NOT always work. This leads me to have to manually move the beans down the chute otherwise the grind becomes too thin and inconsistant. This is extremely frustrating as each espresso can vary from being a true espresso to being a watery tasteless mess.Additionally, when the bean hopper does not fully work, the espresso puck generated from the shot makes a pile of sludge in the Ground Catcher. Sure it isn't a problem to clean the machine if the puck is solid and holds the puck shape, however when the bean hopper chooses to not lmove the beans down the chute in a consistant way, the machine just dumps wet espresso sludge into the catcher. Now, not only does my espresso taste terrible, but I also have a much messier cleaning process to deal with.2. CONSTANT MAINTENANCEThis machine is annoying at best and infuriating at worst. There are so many times that I want to make an espresso only to be met with a slew of warnings and cleaning requests. This usually wouldn't be an issue if it only came up here and there, however it comes up so many times that it just gets annoying. It is even more aggravating when the prompt comes up and the machine is cleaned and everything is primed but the sensors don't register it--so I am left trying to figure out WHY it doesn't think its clean.If there was only one consolidated process to take care of, it would not be so annoying, however SMEG had decided to have maintenance divide up into several different sections that go off at different intervals. While I understand that the purpose of having each of these steps is to ensure that the machine produces good espresso, they ultimately become very cumbersome and aggravating to deal with. These different warnings wouldn't be so annoying to deal with if it wasn't for the fact that...3. THE SENSORS ARE TEMPRAMENTALThe Grind Catcher doesn't always properly sense when the tray is full and could ask you to clean / dump the tray after 1 shot, or after 8 shots. This wouldn't be so much of an issue if there was a bypass, but the machine ceases to function if any of the warning lights are on. There is a similar issue with the Espresso Tamper in that the sensor will send false positives and say that the Tamper needs cleaning eventhough it was just cleaned. While I understand why the sensors are there, they just make for a very annoying experience - especially if you are like me and are serving espresso to multiple guests and all of a sudden the machine decides that there is an issue that needs to be resolved before anything may continue.4. ESPRESSO STOPS MID SHOT AND DOES NOT CONTINUEThis one baffles me. If for whatever reason you do not have enough water in the beginning of an espresso shot, the machine WILL not register this so it will ALLOW you to start a shot. This is a huge problem because not only will the machine stop the shot stop half way through and prompt you for more water, but it won't continue the rest of the shot once the water is poured in and you are just left with a half / incomplete shot. While I understand that it is on the user to make sure that the water tank is filled, the design of the machine does not have any way of telling that the tank is filled without unlidding it. I am not sure why this machine was designed this way.I can not recommend this machine to anyone. While the design may be sleek and the form factor compact, the cost of the machine is far too expensive what it provides -- a mediocre if not terrible espresso experience. The fact that it makes extremely inconsistent espresso while constantly requiring attention -- defeats the purpose of the machine altogether.I would steer clear of this machine at all cost and would issue a refund if I could.

I love it now! You have to hold the coffee button down until it beeps twice to fill a regular cup.

I was trying to buy a new coffee machine, but most of them had too many bottons and coffee options, but I just wanted a good ground coffee.

Update: After using the machine for a month, I have to say it is not worth the trouble, using the problems I listed below.Well to start we bought this for the office. A beautiful and stylish machine. It makes very good coffee, in different styles. The parts come off easily for cleaning.Now the bad, is that the instructions aren't all that great, and a little confusing. Had to go to YouTube for clarification. The machine is very temperamental, sometimes it doesn't like the way you put in the beans, and other times it doesn't like the way you cleaned the grind bin. Seems we're always having to fine-tune some part of the process. For the price, one would expect a very simple and easy-to-use machine.That being said, the more we use it, the more we are becoming used to its quirks.

Nothing happens when we plug in, press button & try to turn on? No led lights or any indication it is connected to power. Outlet & cord connection checked. Machine is dead brand new. Apparently others have had the same issue receiving a defective unusable product. Waste of time. Junk. Low opinion of SMEG now. I’ll avoid their products in the future.

ONLY WORKED FOR 3 MONTHS. We followed all the directions, including using non-oily beans. We descaled the machine when it indicated descaling required. We contacted SMEG servicing and they do not trouble shoot. They ask that the customer submit proof of purchase and wait for a replacement, but they will not indicate when the replacement will arrive. DON'T WASTE YOUR MONEY ON THIS EXPENSIVE MACHINE!

The worst purchase and money thrown in the trash, it never worked properly, they turn on all the alarms and it turns off during use.. and SMEG does not have customer support