The Philips Senseo Single Serve Coffee System HD7810 provides one cup or two of the most mellow and aromatic coffee (espresso-like, but not ... let's call it "European coffee") I believe I've ever encountered on my own counter top and I can have a 4-oz. or 8-oz. serving at the touch of one button.
All I have to do is choose the right one ... or the left, as the case may be.
I Senseo the Desire to Supercede the Cuisinart
I am a huge fan of my Cuisinart DCC-1200 coffee maker and it will remain a fixture on my counter top until it no longer functions, but as of the arrival of the Senseo, it has to share not only space but my affections. The Cuisinart makes
coffee. The Senseo makes something a little different and a lot nicer.
This crook-necked Senseo throws a curve into coffee making like I've never experienced before. No timer, no clock, no warming plate ... expressly because it's for an
espresso-like beverage, though not so strong, yet it's a bit stronger than standard coffee ... in a very, very mellow kind of way. And, with the ease of set-up and quick-serve action, it couldn't be easier to use.
Let's not put the cappuccino before the horse though.
Sensible Senseo-ing
Upon opening the box from Philips corporation, I removed minimal packing (thankfully, no "popcorn" or large, squeaky molded styrofoam pieces, just good, old-fashioned molded cardboard) and an intact "European coffee" maker. This version also came with a "starter" of 2 packs of coffee pods (more on those to come) and one white coffee cup (6 oz.) embossed with the Senseo name.
After unwrapping the oh-so-new Senseo and wiping it down, I proceeded to clean the removable parts:
• water reservoir -- opaque and holding a maximum of 3-1/2 cups water (5 servings of European coffee) and a minimum of 1 cup to effectively brew a single serving of European coffee.
• water reservoir splash guard -- removable piece of the reservoir which keeps water from splashing from the reservoir when transporting it or reattaching it to the machine
• pod holders -- a one-pod holder for one cup or two-pod holder for 2 cups (4-oz. cups each)
• coffee outflow unit and outflow cover form one part for delivery of coffee from unit to cup(s) and come apart for cleaning
• drip tray -- plastic basin to recover any drips from the maker that errantly flow past the cup or cup tray
• cup tray - stainless steel disc to hold cup, both durable and a touch of class complete with perforations for spills/drips from this European coffee maker
Quality parts ... there's actually
stainless steel in this, which is heftier than the last three coffee makers I've owned all tolled.
And, a 2-year warranty on manufacturer's defects to boot. Oo, la-la!
A Royal Flush
Only two things kept me from trying out the Senseo without the instruction manual ... the round, red sticker sealing shut the removable water reservoir and
mobiprof's review on his Senseo.
Seems Senseo saved me from myself with this little warning: don't forget to flush, in effect. This space-age style machine requires a flushing with water to fill the boiler before the initial use. I imagine omitting this step could burn up an internal part or two, so I heeded that warning with a little fear in my under-caffeinated heart.
Flushing the Senseo is simple. Fill the reservoir to maximum, reattach it by placing the base into the proper slot and press it into place (no click, no lock, just a "lean" against the machine ... consider it a hug). Place one of the pod holders in the machine and lock down the lid -- the lid must click into place, or you'll have water, water everywhere, as I did when I decided to flush the Senseo a second time to entertain my children. They enjoyed the show, of course, but Mommy didn't enjoy the clean-up detail.
Place a bowl under the outflow unit that will hold 4 cups and press the "on" button, then press the one and two-cup buttons
simultaneously.
The result is some mechanical groaning from the Senseo as it pulls in the water and shoots it into the bowl. Cold water, because it's only a flush, not a spa treatment. This is the loudest the Senseo will ever be, so don't worry.
Prepare to be dazzled.
Reservoir Ready ... Set ... Oh! The Pods
Coffee pods for the Senseo are a requirement. Nothing else will work, especially not loose, ground coffee. The Senseo will spill the beans if the coffee is free-ranging. My unit arrived with pods-a-plenty for trying and reviewing the machine. I've tested and tasted more thoroughly than most humans should, but I am a happy consumer. A highly-caffeinated happy consumer. Philips has done well with this, and as the review title indicates, "5,000,000 Europeans can't be wrong". And they're oh-so-right in mild, medium, dark and decaffeinated roasts. Mmmmmm ...
~~Most sincere thanks to Philips for providing me with this Senseo Single-Serve coffee maker and accompanying coffee pods in trade for this review which offers my opinion based on experience, which, at this point is more than satisfactory and with few reservations.~~
Senseo pods look like little pillows of ground coffee. One pod (nestled in the one-pod holder) provides one 4-ounce cup of double-strength coffee and two pods (in the 2-pod holder) provides 8 ounces in one cup or divided between two cups.
You can not "Senseo" at all without pods, to my knowledge, and in my experience, you cannot "Senseo" without Senseo-branded pods, no ifs ands or buts.
DON'T GET SCALDED!
Melitta pods, while available in the marketplace relatively cheaply ($3 per 18 pods), are look-alikes only and do not fit the Senseo well enough to function, as my experience has shown, much to my dismay. Using alternative pod sources may cause the Senseo to open up mid-brew and spew its contents across your kitchen. Be warned ... it could happen to you.
I purchased Melitta pods as a trial, figuring if they're cheaper and just as good, so much the better for me! The first 3 cups I made using the Melitta pods worked fine. I patted myself on the back. What a frugal shopper am I! Let me congratulate myself on my bargain-hunting prowess with another cup, a reward in itself.
It was at this point the Senseo must have sensed a difference in the coffee lineage and threw up its lid in disgust.
I thought an over-packed pod might be the culprit, so I tried a different one. Still, the Senseo flipped its lid. If I had any doubt at the pressure at which the water flows from the little shower head inside the Senseo, or the temperature of that water, well, let me just say, it's been cleared. I've learned from experience ... you just don't mess with non-Senseo products!
Senseo pods, at present, can be had for about $16/72 pods at online purveyors (look around for pricing, as it may change from day to day), but Philips does provide two packages of pods at the start and will offer pods at a store near you in the very near future.
Onward to Senseo Euphoria
You're ready to make that first cup. Take a deep breath. Let it out. You're ready ...
Fill the reservoir to "maximum" and replace it properly. Press the "on/off" button to begin heating the water, which takes exactly 90 seconds, according to my timer. You can do this with the machine lid unlocked, but I err on the side of caution and lock it. The "on/off" button blinks while heating takes place and remains solidly lit. If it blinks fast, you may have omitted the water. This machine knows if it's parched, so belly that reservoir up to the bar!
Choose the one or two-pod holder and place the appropriate poddage in it before putting it in the machine and locking down the lid. This lock-down compresses the pod of coffee as a tamper would in other espresso machines. With the trays in place with one or two cups (either one cup centered under the spouts or two side by side) ready for filling, choose the number of servings you desire and press the appropriate button.
The Senseo will surge again, and you may envision those tiny, pressurized shower heads inside the Senseo pummeling the pod to knock out as much flavor as they can. This "surge of power" is more quiet but still audible as opposed to the flushing surge, and will immediately begin a flow of coffee out both sides of the outflow unit. This takes about 30 seconds for a 4-oz. serving and a little less than a minute for 8 oz.
You can have up to one full cup of coffee in 2.5 minutes. Very quick, and the coffee is divine, as you'll find a perfectly-brewed cup of European coffee offering a nice foam on top and rich, dark coffee underneath.
Pass the cream, please.
Care and Cleaning
General cleaning of the Senseo takes just seconds, consisting of wiping down the exterior with a damp cloth and rinsing the pod holders and outflow unit in hot water. The pod holders need a check to be sure that the outlet hole is clear of coffee grounds or other debris, and can be cleaned with a soft scrub-brush, a toothpick or a pin.
A clogged pod holder can cause a vacuum seal on the lid, remedied only by turning off the machine (press "on/off") and unplugging it, then pulling up the lid lever as far as it will go and waiting 24 hours to open the lid.
As with any coffee-making device, descaling becomes necessary at intervals to keep the unit from clogging with build-up from the heating of water, no matter what water source you choose.
The Senseo's needs are a little different as far as the cleaning process but still as quick and easy as the coffee-making process on "repeat" ... just add vinegar (or a citric acid descaler) instead of water and place a
used coffee pod in the pod holder inside the machine to catch any residue that might result. Choose the 2-cup button and repeat until the reservoir is empty (don't forget a 4-cup container under the outflow unit). Repeat with a second reservoir full of vinegar. To rinse, repeat the process 3 times with clear, cold water in the reservoir each time.
Celebrate with a double-shot.
Teeny-Tiny, Almost-Shouldn't-Bother-But-I-Will Negatives
The Senseo offers no cord storage, which isn't a problem if you keep it out all day every day. I do that. Why put it away when it's such a source of joy? But, for someone wanting to shorten the cord a bit for a close-by outlet, the 2.5-foot long cord has no hidey hole. You'll find a solution, I'm sure, and I believe the configuration of the Senseo prohibits cord storage in this unit. Working parts are far more important than cord storage.
Have some coffee. You'll forget all about it.
Then there's a height issue, maybe. Not for me, but for some. I'm tall, I'm used to whacking my head on light fixtures and oddly-placed cabinets. Low ceilings can be troublesome. The Senseo measures approximately 19 inches with the lid raised, so an under-cabinet coffee station may require pulling the unit out to place and replace pods. Being that the water reservoir rests on the back of the unit, you'll most likely need to pull it out to fill it and replace it, anyway, so really, is there a problem?
See? It's not a bad thing to be really tall. Have some more coffee for coming to this realization.
Looks Aren't Everything ... But Look at This!
I mentioned "crook-necked" in reference to the Senseo a few hundred words ago, and this gem of a coffee machine is that. As I look at it now, it appears to bow humbly, as if offering its wares to honor you. Boy, is it good at what it does, and I feel truly honored.
I also feel a "buzz". Is it warm in here?
Yep, it's odd in appearance, at first. It's a conversation piece, and how convenient that you can have that conversation over coffee .. the best coffee in town, bar none.
Don't bother moving into my town, Starbucks. Senseo has my sensibilities all wrapped up.
Pass me another pod, please ...
*
WARNING: This is not your mother's, grandmother's or great-grandmother's coffee, unless those dear ladies hail from a European nation. The Senseo delivers double-strength coffee, or
European coffee, as has appeared throughout this piece, and therefore, the "small" servings, as they appear to us Super-Sizing Americans, aren't really small at all. This isn't a "Big Gulp" or a "Grande". There's sipping and nuance and European flair involved here. Take your time. Learn and enjoy.
It's entirely possible to make regular coffee with this unit: one pod for a 2-cup serving.
Have at it! Enjoy!
