Suncana H701A-SLVR Pod Brewer with Deluxe Triple Coating, Silver

We've had this machine for over 4 months, and are very pleased with it. The Suncana pod brewer makes a smooth-tasting cup of coffee with good "crema" -- though not quite as frothy as the $2000 machines. We've used (4 different models) Senseo brand machines in the past, including their top-line, adjustable-volume product. Eventually, the spring mechanism that secured the pod would fail. Other brand machines made very poor coffee. When our last Senseo began to show that touchy-spring behavior which heralds imminent failure, we researched our options and decided on the Suncana.The Suncana has a much better pod-pressure mechanism with positive closure (if your Senseo ever overflowed when you thought it was closed, you know what I mean). We use Wolfgang Puck pods, and occasionally one is ripped. We discovered that if any coffee grounds leak into the pod holder, it will not brew at all. The first time it happened, we were puzzled -- and alarmed, because the brewer would do nothing at all for a few minutes. Turns out, it has a safety override and waits until the pressure drops before it will let you open the pod holder compartment. Then we figured out that just a few grains of coffee were blocking the center hole of the pod holder. Once we rinsed it out, everything was fine (with a new, undamaged pod).We've since learned to check each pod for tears and to brush off any grounds before placing the pod in the brew compartment. Rather than throw away damaged pods, we've been using Melitta make-your-own pod filters, stuffing the torn pod (paper and all) into the empty filter and fitting into the brew compartment. Works great every time.We use filtered water, and rinse the pod holder parts regularly to keep it clean and prevent coffee-oil buildup. The volume meter on the display works great, and the coffee-making process is a lot quieter than the Senseos. We splurged on the silver version because the brewer is in full view on our coffee-tea bar and it blends in with the counter area. It looks great. We can fit pretty tall mugs underneath by taking out the little stainless tray.I debated between 4 and 5 stars because of the need to pay attention to the state of the pod, so to speak. But this brewer does do a terrific job of brewing coffee, holds a lot of water, and has been a worthwhile purchase. Definitely recommended.

My Senseo Supreme finally started to die after years of faithful service. With it, I was able to use a regular coffee filter to fold my own pod in the double-pod holder, and make excellent coffee. Since Senseo machines are a thing of the past, I looked high and low at reviews to find one that could produce a good crema on the coffee and allow me to make my own pods. How people have had success with this machine is a mystery to me.First, this machine has a very strong plastic smell, and it flavors the coffee. I ran vinegar through it, let it sit, and it didn't help. Every cup tasted like bandaids. Then, I tried making my own pods in this very shallow pod holder - not nearly as deep as the Senseo double pod holder. I folded one up, and to my surprise, the machine made me what looked like brown water or tea. The water had somehow gone *around* my pod.I contacted the company to ask them for advice, but did not receive a reply. Ever. So that's an "F" for customer service. Then, I figured out that the black plastic piece that the coffee comes out of is removable, and has a small mesh disk in it that is washable. The disk had ONE TINY SPECK of coffee grounds on it. This was the first of many times that I poured out a cup of coffee-water, made a new pod, and tried again. Sometimes I had to try multiple times, wasting a ton of coffee and filters. Each time, I took the machine apart, washed the parts, put them back. Sometimes there was a SPECK OF DUST on the mesh disk, sometimes in the pod holder. I bought this machine a month ago, and since then, have had about as many cups of coffee as I have poured down the sink.Maybe this machine is great at using commercial pods. Maybe mine is a dud. So, if you're interested in plastic flavored coffee - this machine might be the one for you, provided you don't make your own pods, are willing to wash the parts regularly, and don't get as much as a CAT HAIR near the mesh disk, or in the pod holder. Otherwise, I suggest searching Ebay for a Senseo Supreme.This machine is going in my garage sale pile.

This is my fourth brewer and the most expensive. I started with a Home Cafe double cup brewer that had a history of electronic failures and sure enough it lost the cicuit board after 6 months. I then bought a cheap Black and Decker and while it made great coffee it always had a tendency to leak. It has lasted 3 years but the adjustable spout broke off due to the plastic getting brittle and the leaking became more of a flood. I then bought a Hamilton Beach but it turned out to not be a true pod brewer as it does not brew under pressure but just drips through the pod which makes very poor tasting and anemic coffee. That brings me to the Suncana SunCafe brewer. It is a true brewer that uses pressure to fully extract the flavors out of the pod and it brews a great cup of coffee.Appearance - 5 stars - This unit is very pleasing to the eye and the fit and finish is very good.Functionality - 4 Stars - Easy to setup and easy to use but does not have the space to take a tall travel mug so one star off.Taste - 5 stars - I have tried several varietys of pods and it works very well with all of them and they all taste as good as or better than with my old unit.Durability/Value - 3 Stars - Several other reviewers for the SunCafe listing which is the same as the Suncana have had issues with the pod holder cracking and then leaking so I will have to wait and see but due to the price which was 3 times what I paid for the old Black and Decker it will have to last at least twice as long to be considered a good value and if it does I will up my rating.Overall 4 stars.