I mean is it durable and strong enough, provided I treat it well, in terms of using quality water and changing filter on time, regularly clean it and treat it with care, as I do with all my appliances ?

SAGE the Oracle BES980UK Bean to Cup Coffee Machine - Currys SAGE the Oracle BES980UK Bean to Cup Coffee Machine - Currys

You’re left to fine tune aspects, and slot in the wand, stopping it from being a control-free bean-to-cup system. That is, pouring latte art is not easy, and it never will be – in fact, it's taken me years to learn to pour latte art, and I'm still not amazing at it. The drip tray spans the width of the machine and slots home with a firm thunk and can handle a surprisingly large amount of water before the warning sign floats upwards and requests you empty it.For example, if you're just making a few flat whites each day, the Touch isn't going to add that much in terms of usable features, for you. It’s a cinch to grind directly into the portafilter after you have adjusted the grind settings via the dedicated dial.

Oracle Touch - ideal ratios and times? | Coffee Forums Oracle Touch - ideal ratios and times? | Coffee Forums

The grind is set at "18" with total brew time set at 30s - that results in 10s till first drop and 40g of liquid out - both look right. Once back in position, simply turn the knob again and the whole shebang sits solid on the worktop again. Having had my touch for well over 2 years now I agree; get a set of scales and measure by weight and then use the shot timer once you have it right. If you want more control over those elements, or to feel you are doing more of the work yourself, you might consider a cheaper model like the Barista Express. You may think I'm wrong, as quite often you'll read “boiler” used in marketing blurb, but nearly all bean to cup machines I'm familiar with, have thermoblocks which are on-demand water heaters, not traditional brew boilers.In fact, when I used the Touch for a while before reviewing it, I found it slowed me down, simply because I usually drink the same thing (flat white) and with the Oracle, I can just slap the portafilter into the grinds cradle and get that started, then pour the milk into the jug and get the milk side of things started.

Sage the Oracle Semi-Automatic Espresso Machine, Bean to Cup

There is a sensor in the tip of the wand that indicates when the desired temperature is reached so you can shut off the steam.I've been practicing for a good few years more than him, and to say he's better at me now at pouring latte art, would be an understatement! So let's say you create your own perfect personalised flattie, with a custom milk temp and texture, the next time you select that drink it'll remember the milk temp and texture level. But the end result, once you’ve tweaked the variables, is silky smooth crema, gorgeously strong coffee, and microfoam for days, all at the touch of a screen.