Sage Barista - anyone got one?

Sage Barista - anyone got one?

Author
Discussion

Moominho

Original Poster:

894 posts

142 months

Monday 11th September 2017
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There's been a few coffee machine threads recently, and people have mentioned the Sage Barista as good option for the price. I've watched a lot of the youtube videos, and I'm tempted to get one to replace my Nespresso, which has seen better days (probably needs a good clean and descale, but any excuse to buy a shiny bit of kit).

I'd be interested to how people have found them, was it easy to get used to, with the grinding and tamping, is it easy to consistently produce a good coffee?

And would people recommend the silver or black model - I remember reading somewhere on PH that the black one is better as it doesn't show scratches, but I might be imagining that.

Cheers

Lotobear

6,624 posts

130 months

Monday 11th September 2017
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I've got one, it's great and produces coffee as good as any Italian restaurant (writing this in sorrento and haven't had a better one here) very reliable too. Would not hesitate to recommend one

Moominho

Original Poster:

894 posts

142 months

Monday 11th September 2017
quotequote all
Lotobear said:
I've got one, it's great and produces coffee as good as any Italian restaurant (writing this in sorrento and haven't had a better one here) very reliable too. Would not hesitate to recommend one
Thank you, I think my man maths has just about justified it smile

Greshamst

2,098 posts

122 months

Thursday 4th March 2021
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Thread revival, but I’m looking to get one of these (once they’re back in stock in black)

Anyone had one 4+ years and can say if it’s still going strong?

AlvinSultana

878 posts

151 months

Thursday 4th March 2021
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Greshamst said:
Thread revival, but I’m looking to get one of these (once they’re back in stock in black)

Anyone had one 4+ years and can say if it’s still going strong?
I just checked my amazon order history - bought mine in August 2017.

Yes still going strong, as if new really. Couldn't fault it.


rudester

695 posts

154 months

Thursday 4th March 2021
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AlvinSultana said:
Greshamst said:
Thread revival, but I’m looking to get one of these (once they’re back in stock in black)

Anyone had one 4+ years and can say if it’s still going strong?
I just checked my amazon order history - bought mine in August 2017.

Yes still going strong, as if new really. Couldn't fault it.
I've had mine 4 years without any issues. My brother in law has also had one slightly longer. He had to replace the sealing ring between the portafilter and grouphead when it split. From memory this was about £4.

Dicky Knee

1,043 posts

133 months

Thursday 4th March 2021
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Costco have the stainless steel 875 model for £485 at the moment.

Patch1875

4,913 posts

134 months

Thursday 4th March 2021
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I’ve got a delonghi any idea of these are a decent step up in quality.

The delonghi has been great but don’t feel I get that potent cup of coffee you get from a decent shop.

Arun_D

2,302 posts

197 months

Thursday 4th March 2021
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Patch1875 said:
I’ve got a delonghi any idea of these are a decent step up in quality.

The delonghi has been great but don’t feel I get that potent cup of coffee you get from a decent shop.
What delonghi? Without doubt the machine that is subject of this thread has the capability of delivering the 'coffee shop experience', but requires the usual patience and practice that comes with a manual machine. People seem to get more than acceptable results with the built-in grinder too.

Greshamst

2,098 posts

122 months

Thursday 4th March 2021
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All good feedback, thanks guys

Dicky Knee said:
Costco have the stainless steel 875 model for £485 at the moment.
Aghhh that’s annoying, i much prefer the look of the black one

RobbieTheTruth

1,890 posts

121 months

Thursday 4th March 2021
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Patch1875 said:
I’ve got a delonghi any idea of these are a decent step up in quality.

The delonghi has been great but don’t feel I get that potent cup of coffee you get from a decent shop.
Yes, Sage Barista is a big step up in quality from a Delonghi, and there are better options at similar (slightly higher) price points.

RobbieTheTruth

1,890 posts

121 months

Thursday 4th March 2021
quotequote all
Moominho said:
There's been a few coffee machine threads recently, and people have mentioned the Sage Barista as good option for the price. I've watched a lot of the youtube videos, and I'm tempted to get one to replace my Nespresso, which has seen better days (probably needs a good clean and descale, but any excuse to buy a shiny bit of kit).

I'd be interested to how people have found them, was it easy to get used to, with the grinding and tamping, is it easy to consistently produce a good coffee?

And would people recommend the silver or black model - I remember reading somewhere on PH that the black one is better as it doesn't show scratches, but I might be imagining that.

Cheers
If you haven't already, take a look through the below thread as there is loads of input about what is achievable at differing budgets etc
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

A very short answer is yes, it's a decent machine. Big upgrade from the Nespresso and much better than the automatic Bean to Cup machines.

The grinder on it is very average, so you'd be better increasing your budget and getting separate grinder and machine.

I always say for this subject - it depends on what time of person you are and your interest level.

If you want to spend about £500 and get a big updrade on your Nespresso, do it today!!

If you the type of person to go down a rabbit hole, carry on researching etc, then you'll want an upgrade soon!

If it was me, I'd increase budget from £550 to £750 and aim to recreate the best cup of coffee you've ever tasted at home!

Greshamst

2,098 posts

122 months

Saturday 6th March 2021
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Can anyone recommend a particular distributer/tamper to use with it?

I’ve seen a lot of similar ones in videos, distributer on one side, and tamper on the reverse

easytiger123

2,601 posts

211 months

Saturday 6th March 2021
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Greshamst said:
Thread revival, but I’m looking to get one of these (once they’re back in stock in black)

Anyone had one 4+ years and can say if it’s still going strong?
Exactly 4 years. Fantastic machine, still going strong.

oddman

2,415 posts

254 months

Sunday 7th March 2021
quotequote all
RobbieTheTruth said:
If you haven't already, take a look through the below thread as there is loads of input about what is achievable at differing budgets etc
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

A very short answer is yes, it's a decent machine. Big upgrade from the Nespresso and much better than the automatic Bean to Cup machines.

The grinder on it is very average, so you'd be better increasing your budget and getting separate grinder and machine.

I always say for this subject - it depends on what time of person you are and your interest level.

If you want to spend about £500 and get a big updrade on your Nespresso, do it today!!

If you the type of person to go down a rabbit hole, carry on researching etc, then you'll want an upgrade soon!

If it was me, I'd increase budget from £550 to £750 and aim to recreate the best cup of coffee you've ever tasted at home!
The Truth indeed.

I've been the 'rabbit hole' researcher and in 18 months I've gone from thinking Jura bean to cup then this machine seemed to be the answer to my prayers. The Sage machine is limited by the quality of the grinder which is more critical to what goes into your cup than the delivery of hot water. The composition of the coffee puck influences the pressure produced by the machine. If you stick to the pressurised basket this won't be as much of an issue. Is there some way of getting a demo to see if you are impressed with the results?

I've only got as far as buying a grinder and have been so impressed with the upgrade to my filter brew, I'm not in a hurry to get an espresso machine.




Edited by oddman on Sunday 7th March 08:43

RobbieTheTruth

1,890 posts

121 months

Sunday 7th March 2021
quotequote all
oddman said:
The Truth indeed.

I've been the 'rabbit hole' researcher and in 18 months I've gone from thinking Jura bean to cup then this machine seemed to be the answer to my prayers. The Sage machine is limited by the quality of the grinder which is more critical to what goes into your cup than the delivery of hot water. The composition of the coffee puck influences the pressure produced by the machine. If you stick to the pressurised basket this won't be as much of an issue. Is there some way of getting a demo to see if you are impressed with the results?

I've only got as far as buying a grinder and have been so impressed with the upgrade to my filter brew, I'm not in a hurry to get an espresso machine.




Edited by oddman on Sunday 7th March 08:43
Yeah, but the pressurised basket essentially masks a problem. It's little hole ensures that the water goes through the puck in about 30 seconds, but you;ll never get a great shot out of a pressurised basket.

What grinder did you get?

Greshamst

2,098 posts

122 months

Tuesday 9th March 2021
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So it arrived, fresh out the box. No matter what I do the pressure gauge stays dead at 0...

Soaked and installed the water filter, filled it up, ran a few baskets, ran steam and hot water cycles etc, but the gauge didn’t move at any point.

I’ve pulled a double shot of coffee through it and it tastes ok. Seems like the pressure works, but the gauge doesn’t.

Before I start the whole rigmarole of sending it back, has anyone else experienced this, or am I missing any obvious solutions?

Semmelweiss

1,658 posts

198 months

Tuesday 9th March 2021
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What setting is your grinder on?
What beans are you using?
Are you using the double shot grind with the double shot portafilter?

Mine is extremely sensitive to beans and grind, in order to get an Espresso pressure.

Greshamst

2,098 posts

122 months

Tuesday 9th March 2021
quotequote all
Seems I was just being an idiot, I presumed there would be some amount of pressure regardless of what was in the basket. Now I know that’s not the case laugh

I tried it with the cleaning plug and there was pressure.

The beans I ordered are arriving tomorrow so will have to wait till then to fully try. I was giving it a go with non espresso ground just as a little test.

Semmelweiss

1,658 posts

198 months

Tuesday 9th March 2021
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If you use pre-ground coffee, then you need the non-pressurised basket. All pre-ground coffee is "stale" compared to the fresh grind from beans from a roaster.

Standard pre-ground coffee is not fine enough for an Espresso and suited to a French Press.