First day with Andreja!
I will start by saying this machine was never even on my radar. This is un-frickin'-real. It is BETTER than any review I've read, better than I could ever imagine. . . Now I just need to learn how to really use the damn thing. This is a machine that I will likely NEVER outgrow, one that is MUCH better than I will likely ever be. It is 'upgrade proof' and I no longer have envy of any others out there with different machines. This is it! If money was no object (I hit 6 out of 6 on a Saturday night), I'll keep this baby. I LOVE IT!
Also, dealing with Chris' Coffee was an absolute pleasure. It is tough for a company to live up to the hype - especially for me. I am about as nit-picky as they come, I look for shortcomings in customer service and companies as a whole - I can't find one with Chris'. Mary is great, Chris is as well. I called into their service department (more on that later) and Roger was in a manager's meeting - but Jason took the reins. They deserve each and every accolade and all the praise that they get, THERE IS NO BETTER!
So Andreja is sitting on my counter, just waiting for the first test. I fire her up, wait 30-40 minutes for her to warm up and then go to work.
The Solis is ready, but is way outta it's league. Because the Andreja is SO FORGIVING, it does okay - but I can tell Andreja will shine with a premier grinder.
The first shots out of her is a double through the spouts. I grind, dose, tamp, open the brew head up for 6-8 ounces to cool her off and lock and load. I pull a shot that is not as pretty as I'd like, but was oh so sweet in the cup (shot glasses). This is Black Cat at about 2 weeks.
Don't ask me why one is 1/2 ounce more than the other, must have been a user error.
Second is another set of shots:
These are equally as good. For it being day one and shots #1 and #2 - I'm pleased. I know once I get a new grinder and get used to the machine, it's gonna get better and better. Even with the newness and the sub-par grinder, I'm already happier than I was with the Gaggia as these shots were better than about 80% of what came through the Gaggia.
Now it's time to get NAKED!
Not stellar by any means, but good none-the-less. I then decided to do my first steaming session with Andreja. I've read great things about an HX (Heat Exchanger) when it comes to steaming and I'm worried I'm gonna mess this up. I bleed the steam wand, dip it in my 2% Organic milk and let 'er rip.
This machine could steam for DAYS without running dry. Where it took Gaggia a minute to a minute and a half (after coming up to steam temp), this baby got the milk up to temp in 20-30 seconds with no warm up. Oh this is gonna be fun. This is also when the wifey is gonna see the benefit as I will no longer mind making her Triple Decaf Vanilla Soy Latte extra hot. IT'S EASY NOW!
Although I still suck at steaming milk and pouring, this is my first Cappa. It WAS good to the last drop. . .
At this point I no longer care what the MACAP M4 stepless is gonna cost me, I'm sending BB004 back and I will buy the MACAP from 1st Line. It is my hopes that the order will help them forget about the fact that I had to slice the BB004 box open to get it out and I won't have to pay the 20% restocking fee. Jim is a great guy and I'm sure he'll take care of me, but I have to have a GREAT grinder to go with this machine. HAVE TO!
Now, not all is perfect in the world of Andreja. I wrote an email to Mary and Chris letting them know:
1) The machine and service I've recieved is UNMATCHED, and THANK YOU! Better than I could have imagined, everything they promised and MORE!
2) The drip tray cover sucks (not their fault). I know there is a new one, what would it cost me?
3) The magnetic floater ball isn't working to tell me I'm out of water, I'm concerned.
I get a prompt reply to call in the morning.
I call on Wednesday morning and while on the phone with Jason, take the machine apart. We believe the sensor is shot. I then get a follow-up email from Mary. They are sending out a new sensor AND a new drip tray cover for my trouble! Are you kidding me? They practically let me STEAL THIS MACHINE, now they are 'upgrading it'? WHOA! Did I mention I love y'all?
Also, dealing with Chris' Coffee was an absolute pleasure. It is tough for a company to live up to the hype - especially for me. I am about as nit-picky as they come, I look for shortcomings in customer service and companies as a whole - I can't find one with Chris'. Mary is great, Chris is as well. I called into their service department (more on that later) and Roger was in a manager's meeting - but Jason took the reins. They deserve each and every accolade and all the praise that they get, THERE IS NO BETTER!
So Andreja is sitting on my counter, just waiting for the first test. I fire her up, wait 30-40 minutes for her to warm up and then go to work.
The Solis is ready, but is way outta it's league. Because the Andreja is SO FORGIVING, it does okay - but I can tell Andreja will shine with a premier grinder.
The first shots out of her is a double through the spouts. I grind, dose, tamp, open the brew head up for 6-8 ounces to cool her off and lock and load. I pull a shot that is not as pretty as I'd like, but was oh so sweet in the cup (shot glasses). This is Black Cat at about 2 weeks.
Don't ask me why one is 1/2 ounce more than the other, must have been a user error.
Second is another set of shots:
These are equally as good. For it being day one and shots #1 and #2 - I'm pleased. I know once I get a new grinder and get used to the machine, it's gonna get better and better. Even with the newness and the sub-par grinder, I'm already happier than I was with the Gaggia as these shots were better than about 80% of what came through the Gaggia.
Now it's time to get NAKED!
Not stellar by any means, but good none-the-less. I then decided to do my first steaming session with Andreja. I've read great things about an HX (Heat Exchanger) when it comes to steaming and I'm worried I'm gonna mess this up. I bleed the steam wand, dip it in my 2% Organic milk and let 'er rip.
This machine could steam for DAYS without running dry. Where it took Gaggia a minute to a minute and a half (after coming up to steam temp), this baby got the milk up to temp in 20-30 seconds with no warm up. Oh this is gonna be fun. This is also when the wifey is gonna see the benefit as I will no longer mind making her Triple Decaf Vanilla Soy Latte extra hot. IT'S EASY NOW!
Although I still suck at steaming milk and pouring, this is my first Cappa. It WAS good to the last drop. . .
At this point I no longer care what the MACAP M4 stepless is gonna cost me, I'm sending BB004 back and I will buy the MACAP from 1st Line. It is my hopes that the order will help them forget about the fact that I had to slice the BB004 box open to get it out and I won't have to pay the 20% restocking fee. Jim is a great guy and I'm sure he'll take care of me, but I have to have a GREAT grinder to go with this machine. HAVE TO!
Now, not all is perfect in the world of Andreja. I wrote an email to Mary and Chris letting them know:
1) The machine and service I've recieved is UNMATCHED, and THANK YOU! Better than I could have imagined, everything they promised and MORE!
2) The drip tray cover sucks (not their fault). I know there is a new one, what would it cost me?
3) The magnetic floater ball isn't working to tell me I'm out of water, I'm concerned.
I get a prompt reply to call in the morning.
I call on Wednesday morning and while on the phone with Jason, take the machine apart. We believe the sensor is shot. I then get a follow-up email from Mary. They are sending out a new sensor AND a new drip tray cover for my trouble! Are you kidding me? They practically let me STEAL THIS MACHINE, now they are 'upgrading it'? WHOA! Did I mention I love y'all?
posted by -T at 10:09 PM
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