Yay I've gone bronze and no tanning bed in sight!!
Thanks to everyone for your ratings and comments...
Yay I've gone bronze and no tanning bed in sight!!
Thanks to everyone for your ratings and comments.
I always try to return all ratings and if I promise an E and don't get back to you feel free to give me a poke.
Sue
Member since:30.05.2009
Reviews:410
Members who trust:91
I am a complete coffee addict, I admit it. I can't function until I have had my caffine fix of the day. I drink my coffee stong,black and unweetened - because of this I like good coffee and it is one product that I will not economise on.
Over my married life ( 38 years of it) I have had all sorts of coffee machines in my quest for a good cup of coffee, not just one that smells good when you walk in the kitchen but also tastes as good as it smells. I have had caffetieres, traditional expressom makers that you heat on the hob, an all singing and dancing cappuchino and espresso maker and umpteen different filter coffee machines. But I never did find the Holy Grail of coffee machines - the tatse wasn't quite right, or they were very difficult to clean or I ended up with a jug of stewed, bitter coffee. That was until six years ago when my dear husband walked in with a little present for me ( bless him!!) - a Phillips Senseo coffee maker.
It didn't take long for me to realise that my search was over and I had found the coffee machine of my dreams. A coffee machine that looks good, is incredibly easy to use, very easy to clean and most important makes a perfect cup of coffee every time at the touch of a button. Six years on my senseo is still going strong ( and believe me it is VERY well used), my only problem was when I dropped the water reservoir on the stone floor and broke it. I was able to get a replacement from Phillips for £10 and I just about managed to get through the week it took to arrive without my Senseo coffee.
The Senseo coffee machine is made by Phillips with an input from the coffee makers, Douwe Egberts. There are four varieties of the machine - black plastic, white plastic, blue plastic and a brushed anodized aluminium finish. My machine is the black plastic one.
~*~THE MACHINE ~*~
The machine is very simple it consists of the machine itself which hold a water reservoir that fits into the back, a removable drip tray and two pod holders for one cup or two cups.. The machine ( with a 1450-watt boiler) does not take up a lot of space it is 12" tall and the base measures 10" by 8", it is stylish looking and fits well into the kitchen without looking out of place.
When you purchase the Senseo in the box you will find the machine and detachable water tank, instructions and a two year guarantee, the two pod holders and a pack of Senseo coffee pods. All you need to do to start using the machine is to fill it with water and let it heat up and empty it before starting to make your coffee for the first time.
To use the Senseo you simply fill the 750 ml detatchable water tank under the tap ( the tank holds enough water for five cups of coffee) and slot it onto the back of the machine. You use either the one or two pod holder, depending on how many cups you are making and simply add the coffee pod. Next you just close the lid, and press the large central button to start heating the water - while the water is heating the light flashes ( it takes about 30 seconds to heat up) and then you simply hit the one or two cup button and the dark creamy coffee is dispensed. No mess, no coffee grounds everywhere and no jug of coffee sitting stewing - just a wonderful cup of coffee.The machine ensures that the water is always the correct temperature and that it filters quickly and evenly through the pods guaranteeing a perfect cup of fresh coffee in one minute or less.
When the water is heated the coffee comes down a chute with two holes - the holes are close enough together that you can direct them both into one cup, but far enough apart that you can put a separate cup under each hole. So you use one bag and one cup, or two bags and two cups - it can be difficult to find the correct size of cup so that two fit comfortably on the tray. I believe thought hat there are now specialSenseo glass mugs available although I have not yet found them.
~*~THE COFFEE ~*~
Douwe Egberts - the reputable coffee producers - have worked in conjunction with Philips to produce the coffee that goes into the pods. The pods take the quesswork out of how much coffee to use, there is the perfect amount in each pod. The pods come in various blends and types , including dark roast, medium roast, decaffeinated, Sumatra blend, Kenya blend, Brazil blend - these are all single pods or classic and dark roast mug or two cup pods and also a cappuccino - which include pods and sachets. I use the dark roast pods out of preference and the coffee that comes from the machine is dark and aromatic with a lovely crema layer on the top. A sI said earlier I drink it black, if I am making it for people who drink it white I usually heat some milk in the microwave to pour into the coffee when it is made. Personally I wasn't keen on the cappuccino pods and sachet - I much prefer it black. The resulting black coffee is rather like a slightly weaker expresso.
~*~MAINTENANCE ~*~ The Senseo machine is remarkably easy to look after and clean. The only parts of the machine that needs cleaning are the coffee pod holder, the drip tray and cover. All parts of the machine are dish washer safe. I recomend that you give the pod holders a good clean weekly so that the tiny filter holes are not blocked. The rest of the machine only needs wiping over from time to time with a damp cloth .
~*~COST AND AVAILABILTY ~*~ The Senseo machine costs £ 48.89 at the moment from Argos. The pods come in bags of 18 single or 20 mug sized ( or two cup) costing £2.79 and £3.79. But the machine will take any 62mm paper pod, and there are plenty to choose from on the internet. Most supermarkets usually only stock the basic range of Senseo and Kenco pods. I have tried the Kenco pods, but prefer the taste of Senseo. I also bought eco pods off the internet which were £2.99 for two. These are plastic pods that you fill with ground coffee of your choice.
If you want a quick and easy way to get a freshly brewed cup of delicious coffee, without a lot of cleaning up afterwards, you won't be disappointed with the Phillips Senseo.
Summary: Very easy to use, sleak and stylish, quick to boil, easy to clean, fantastic coffee.
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
The Philips Senseo Mug has a 1450W powerful boiler for quickly brewing a fresh cup of ... more
coffee. It comes in a raven black colour and the 0.75L removable water tank giving 1 or 2 cup capacity. This Senseo coffee maker uses unique Douwe Egberts pods which, combined with the variable coffee strength feature, gives you a great cup of coffee at the touch of a button.
Postage & Packaging:from £4.85 Availability:refer to website
The Philips Senseo Mug has a 1450W powerful boiler for quickly brewing a fresh cup of ... more
coffee. It comes in a raven black colour and the 0.75L removable water tank giving 1 or 2 cup capacity. This Senseo coffee maker uses unique Douwe Egberts pods which, combined with the variable coffee strength feature, gives you a great cup of coffee at the touch of a button.
Postage & Packaging:£4.99 Availability:Usually dispatched within 4-5 business days......
The Philips Senseo Mug has a 1450W powerful boiler for quickly brewing a fresh cup of ... more
coffee. It comes in a raven black colour and the 0.75L removable water tank giving 1 or 2 cup capacity. This Senseo coffee maker uses unique Douwe Egberts pods which, combined with the variable coffee strength feature, gives you a great cup of coffee at the touch of a button.
Postage & Packaging:£4.99 Availability:Usually dispatched within 4-5 business days......
Advantages: Ideal for single cups of filter coffee without the mess of the usual machines Disadvantages: Initial outlay high, special filter bags required which are also expensive
May 30th, 2009
very helpful by (100%):
