Product test

Goodbye coffee capsules, welcome "Saeco Lirika Plus"

7.9.2018

Translation: machine translated

Are you still using a capsule or are you already brewing? In this review, I'll not only introduce you to a fully automatic machine with good value for money, but also show you that it's cheaper than a capsule system.

After years of consuming capsule coffee, I decided to switch to a fully automatic machine in June. To the Saeco Lirika Plus.

Automatic coffee makers

Saeco Lirica Plus

I made the decision because for years I couldn't find a single lungo variety that I was completely happy with. I was also annoyed by the capsule wear. And anyway; nothing beats freshly ground coffee. Then there's the huge selection of flavours if you opt for beans. The grind, intensity and water temperature can be adjusted. A real dream.

The fully automatic machine pays for itself quickly

The milk bill also speaks in favour of purchasing a fully automatic machine:

48 capsules of my favourite espresso variety "Buondi" cost 21.70 francs in our shop. That's 45 cents per espresso. Assuming that we consume five capsules a day in our two-person household, that costs me around 68 francs a month. One capsule contains around six grams of coffee powder. The extrapolated powder consumption therefore equates to 900 grams per month - including visitors' coffee, that's one kilogramme.

If I buy a kilo of coffee beans with a budget of 68 francs, I can choose a premium variety. Or choose a cheaper one and quickly amortise the fully automatic machine.

Saeco Lirika Plus: This is what the Philips fully automatic machine offers

The milk frother attachment (cappuccinatore) can suck in the milk directly using a tube.

By the way, the Saeco brand belongs to Philips. But that didn't influence my decision to buy. Or at least only a little. The really convincing arguments were the machine, its technology and the moderate price. As well as the hope of a nice crema.

At 21.5 x 37 x 42.9 cm, the machine is a slender machine with plenty of depth and a respectable height. The Lirika Plus weighs eight kilograms and comes with a milk frother attachment (the so-called "Capuccinatore", which sucks in the milk using a hose). This is also necessary as the steam nozzle itself is a little too small. The housing is made of metal and thermoplastic material.

The water tank can hold up to 2.5 litres. If required, the manufacturer also offers a water hardness filter, although this is not included in the scope of delivery. Saeco recommends the Intenza+ water filter in the operating instructions.

Cleaning products

Quantity discount

CHF12.10 per piece for 2 units

Saeco Brita Intenza+

The bean container can hold up to 500 grams of coffee. It also contains the rotary knob for the grind setting. This should be turned to the finest setting for an espresso using the grind adjustment spanner provided (at least in my household).

The grinder on this model is made of ceramic, by the way. And as far as I could tell from reading the coffee grounds, this ceramic does a good job.

This is what the coffee grounds of the finest grinding stage look like.

The grounds container is sufficient for around 15 cups.

Crema for you?

This model can be used to conjure up everything from hot water to espresso, cappuccino, coffee, latte macchiato, long coffee and hot air. I am particularly interested in the topic of crema.

In addition to the standby button, the Lirika Plus has six buttons for basic operation; espresso, coffee, flavour (intensity), steam, hot water and menu.

If you follow the operating instructions, you will eventually realise that there is a hidden menu with settings that do not need to be changed every day. However, it is advisable to take a look at the settings before using it for the first time.

Setting options

The desired intensity can be set in three stages using the flavour button. Up to ten grams of ground beans are used for one cup. In the normal menu, the user can influence the dispensing temperature of the coffee, set the standby time and the contrast of the display.

Pressing the steam and hot water buttons together for four seconds takes you to maintenance mode, which contains hidden settings. When used in an office, this mode can also be locked with a password. But I don't do that with my machine, just as I don't want to install a coin-operated machine (would also be possible and useful for visitors).

In maintenance mode, there are also the following menu entries:

Water hardness (four levels)
Water filter (on/off)
Descaling cycle
Credit management (when using an additional coin-operated machine)
Credit top-up
Alarm record container (on/off)
Descaling warning (on/off)
Password (pin)
Coffee counter
Factory settings

Of the crema and the pleasure

Of course, the spout can be extended depending on the cup size. This model can also easily accommodate large cups. If required, two cups can be filled at the same time. If you want to reprogramme the dispensing quantity, press and hold the espresso or coffee button to activate memo mode. Now all you have to do is press stop at the desired quantity and the fully automatic machine will save it for future use.

I'm absolutely delighted with the crema. The espresso tastes just how I like it; not too acidic or too bitter - creamy, intense and aromatic. The nutty flavour of the selected beans rounds off the taste experience perfectly.

And hey; I finally like the flavour of a lungo. The capsules are definitely a thing of the past. The switch was worth it.

Milk foam

If you want to treat yourself to a cappuccino, you'll struggle with the small steam nozzle. It's a good thing that Saeco includes the 'Capuccinatore' for this scenario. With the milk frother attachment, you can easily conjure up foam. Make sure that the milk used is cold and has a fat content of at least 3.5 per cent.

Put the attachment on the steam nozzle, the hose goes into the milk. Press the steam button to start. To stop, press the stop button (during the preparation of a product, the espresso button becomes the stop button)
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One drawback of the attachment: you should clean it after every use. I always rinse it with water after frothing. You should also clean/rinse it once a month with a special product. The manufacturer recommends the product "Saeco Milk Circuit Cleaner" for this purpose.

Cleaning agents recommended by Saeco: [[productlist:6182329,234347,403043]]

Conclusion: Once a bean, always a bean

Saeco has won me over with the Lirika Plus. The fully automatic machine is user-friendly and boasts a large water (2.5 litres) and bean container (500 grams). It also comes with a milk frother attachment that can conjure up a wonderful cappuccino. The grinder is made of ceramic and has five grinding settings. The espresso and coffee resulting from the beans has a beautiful crema and tastes neither too acidic nor too bitter. Of course, this also depends on the bean selected.

The only disadvantage compared to a capsule system is the somewhat more time-consuming cleaning. But it's not that bad. The water collection and coffee grounds container are accessible from the front. The brewing head (should be cleaned weekly) is accessible via a door on the right-hand side of the machine and can be quickly removed and replaced. The machine notifies you as soon as descaling is required. The milk frothing attachment can also be cleaned in the dishwasher if necessary.

Comparing the fully automatic machine with other models that I come across in everyday life, I haven't missed anything so far. The throughput time, the pressure and the grind make me, as a coffee lover, grin big early in the morning. Well, 08:30 is no longer early.

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Martin Jud

Senior Editor

martin.jud@digitecgalaxus.ch

I find my muse in everything. When I don’t, I draw inspiration from daydreaming. After all, if you dream, you don’t sleep through life.

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