Starbucks Barista Reviews

★★★★☆
3.8 / 5
60% of users recommend this
  • Ease of Use

  • Durability

  • Style

  • Service & Support

  • Value For Money

Media Gallery for Starbucks Barista

item1140.jpg
item1140.jpg

Latest Reviews

★★☆☆☆
Starbucks Barista

“people said I should not be having a problem with this...”

Written on: 11/10/2009

people said I should not be having a problem with this machine and descaling it should solve the problem. Descaled 5 times and still had a rotten smell with I ran the steam, very putrid smell. We misplaced our receipt and located it 2 weeks after the warranty expired. It has found a new location on a shelf out in the garage. We are not in any position to pop for another dud that one person told me from Starbucks they had no prblems in 10 years. (read more)

Report this review
★★★★★
Starbucks Barista

“The Starbucks Barista makes great coffee. Is a little...”

Written on: 17/05/2009

The Starbucks Barista makes great coffee. Is a little slow but worth the wait! I love my Starbucks machine. (read more)

Report this review
★★★☆☆
Starbucks Barista

“It compliments the whole complete necessity of...”

Written on: 11/05/2009

It compliments the whole complete necessity of starting a day with starbuck coffee made from a Starbucks Barista coffee machine. (read more)

Report this review
★★★★☆
Starbucks Barista

“well... in response to the person whos Starbucks...”

Written on: 01/05/2009

well... in response to the person whos Starbucks Barista coffee machine is slowly dying...if it still works, there may be hope. you just need to find a repair place or something. if its really bad, your probably going to have to buy a new one. but its not all bad! because you can get an amazing new coffee machine through this link: http://www.strongvend.co.uk

whats even better is you can write a review on the new one once youve got it! (read more)

Report this review
★★★★★
Starbucks Barista

“I have had this fabulous Starbucks Barista machine for...”

Written on: 05/04/2009 by redcanoe (1 review written)

I have had this fabulous Starbucks Barista machine for over 15 years at two or three lattes a day and have had only one problem . About 5 years ago , water started to leak around the filter. This was resolved by replacing the rubber gasket. The only problem was the difficulty in getting the old gasket out. I was blessed to have a friend who had the specialized wrench to remove it.

I might add that I used it as back up in my small restaurant if my fancy commercial cappuccino machine was... (read more)

Report this review
★★★★★
Starbucks Barista

“A very good cappuccino machine! If you have the means...”

Written on: 30/11/2008 by andyinsocalif

A very good cappuccino machine! If you have the means to spend this much on a coffee pot, by all means do so. It works great, unlike those dreadful and cheap espresso/cappuccino makers at the bargain stores. I got mine four years ago and still love it! (read more)

Report this review
★★★★☆
Starbucks Barista

“Never have I experienced a home made brew that seemed...”

Written on: 09/10/2008 by patrickpeters (4 reviews written)

Never have I experienced a home made brew that seemed coming the masters brew in my favorite coffee shop. The Starbucks Barista might be quite expensive but its worth it specially when I'm to busy with homework to go out for a cup of good brew coffee. It's worth the value. (read more)

Report this review
★★★★☆
Starbucks Barista

“We have saved alot of money by making coffees at home...”

Written on: 26/07/2008 by waterfallsbyme (1 review written)

We have saved alot of money by making coffees at home with this Starbucks Barista, but a $350 dollar machine should last longer than two years. We are having electrical problems also. It pops the breaker. After you clean the water reservoir it takes along time to prime the system. (read more)

Report this review
★★☆☆☆
Starbucks Barista

“Made good cappuccino. But every time I plug it in, my...”

Written on: 15/07/2008 by aldemuvs (1 review written)

Made good cappuccino. But every time I plug it in, my outlet circuit breaks. Can't see any shorts occurring so I'm out. But to have this problem after the short period of time, it wasn't worth the money! (read more)

Report this review
★☆☆☆☆
Starbucks Barista

“Bought a Starbucks Barista. It broke but I didn't...”

Written on: 07/06/2008

Bought a Starbucks Barista. It broke but I didn't receive any service or help when out of guarantee period, making it an expensive mistake for me! (read more)

Justjenny1975's Comment

Written on: 03/09/2008

I had exactly the same problem as this reviewer.

Reply to this comment
Report this review Read 1 Comment
See next 10 reviews Showing 1 - 10 of 20 Reviews
★★★★★
Starbucks Barista

“Make it affordable to every customer. ”

Written on: 18/03/2008

Make it affordable to every customer. (read more)

Report this review
★★★★★
Starbucks Barista

“A great machine. From the first cup, the flavor has...”

Written on: 04/01/2008 by geraldbr (1 review written)

A great machine. From the first cup, the flavor has been great. Just follow the simple directions. Good quality. (read more)

Report this review
★★★★☆
Starbucks Barista

“I would recommend the Starbucks Barista over others...”

Written on: 18/12/2007

I would recommend the Starbucks Barista over others I've seen friends and family own because it simply makes better coffee drinks. (read more)

Report this review
★★★★★
Starbucks Barista

“I love my Barista! I don't use it as often as I used...”

Written on: 29/09/2007 by esuttei

I love my Barista! I don't use it as often as I used to, but it's still nice to have. You have to be careful to avoid air locks, so ensure that you "bleed" the system every time (it only takes a second). Also, don't forget to wipe the steam wand thoroughly, as milk can dry and block it. (read more)

Report this review
★★☆☆☆
Starbucks Barista

“I have been using a Starbucks Barista Athena for about...”

Written on: 15/03/2007 by MCaren (1 review written)

I have been using a Starbucks Barista Athena for about 6 years or so, regularly at a friend's and absolutely loved the coffee, and the crema it produced. The coffee was not bitter and I was so impressed.
Finally I purchased one of the newer ones as they were on sale.
Each cup has been bitter, although I did the exact same procedures and used the same coffee as in the Athena... but I am really disappointed and am going to return the machine. (read more)

Report this review
★★★★★
Starbucks Barista

“This machine has saved me over 5000.00 in coffee...”

Written on: 04/12/2006 by high5rowan (1 review written)

This machine has saved me over 5000.00 in coffee drinks and after three years it continues to crank out the lattes! (read more)

Report this review
★★★★★
Starbucks Barista

“The Starbucks Barista machine is an absolutely...”

Written on: 14/08/2004 by rwillcox

The Starbucks Barista machine is an absolutely wonderful product. I actually look forwad to getting up in the morning because I start the day with a home-made cup of Starbucks cappucino. (read more)

Report this review
★★★★★
Starbucks Barista

“I've had my starbucks barista machine for over three...”

Written on: 20/01/2003 by giorgios.

I've had my starbucks barista machine for over three years now, I loved it when I first got it and I still love it. The filling of the cold, fresh water everytime you use it and the priming every time you use it becomes second nature. It makes exellent esspresso. Cappuccino takes a bit longer because of the steaming involved but worth the effort. (read more)

Report this review
★★★☆☆
Starbucks Barista

“Having acquired a huge taste for coffee, and espresso...”

Written on: 26/03/2002 by Toby.

Having acquired a huge taste for coffee, and espresso especially, it was inevitable that I would purchase an espresso machine eventually. Despite the bewildering array of machines on offer I decided to go with the Starbucks Barista machine.

Buying it was easy (I even managed to get a 10% discount for walking away with an ex-display model) and subsequent visits to my local branch for advice on using it were met by helpful, patient staff.

The machine itself proved a joy to use. The process... (read more)

43702_Toby.'s Response to 17152_Toby.'s Review

Written on: 14/10/2002

Every starbucks can order almost any replacement part for your barista machine... at a low retail cost price (if it is less than a year you should be coverd by your warranty).

Reply to this comment

55014_David.'s Response to 17152_Toby.'s Review

Written on: 01/12/2002

I agree, Starbucks post-sales support is very much lacking. Your on your own after warranty period. Mine is now apparently junk after only 100 cups.

Reply to this comment

71077_Natalie.'s Response to 17152_Toby.'s Review

Written on: 06/02/2003

We've had ours for 8 years. Minor problems in the beginning due to operator error. I used the 800 number for service and was assisted on two different occassions, by very competent staff who talked me through the repair process. Nothing but kudos for Starbucks and their equipment.

Reply to this comment

98948_Kitt.'s Response to 17152_Toby.'s Review

Written on: 18/05/2003

I found post-sale support excellent. (1800 334 5553 ext 0) Calls about a steam wand leak resulted in step by step coaching over the phone to open the unit and re-adjust a couple of parts. Frankly, I would rather spend 30 minutes on the phone and have a fixed unit than ship it to a repair center and lose it for 4 weeks.
<br>
<br>A couple of other problems calls turned out to be legitimate "operator error" (not Blame the victim!) For example,I had thrown together a latte as I dashed out the door for a two week dive vacation. When I came back, I couldn't get any steam. A call and carefull review a of symptoms turned up that I needed to stick a paper clip up the wand to unblock the dried milk since I obviously forgot to blow it out in my hasty deprture. The rep was patient, knowledgeable and offered a number of "tips" while he was working through the problem. So I would rank their customer support as: "As good as I have encountered from ANY manufacturer."
<br>
<br>I will admit that the store personnel are fairly clueless, but that is because they don't have any opportunity to experiment with the different machines.

Reply to this comment
Report this review Read 4 Comments
★★★★☆
Starbucks Barista

“With the Starbucks barista espresso machine, you have...”

Written on: 09/01/2002 by Paul Nadin.

With the Starbucks barista espresso machine, you have to prime the pump, clean the dregs from last time, clean the steam wand etc but if you NEED good espresso and americano like I do then it just has to be done. I've waited a year to buy this espresso machine and got it when it was 20% off with a milk thermometer, shot glasses and plenty of Starbucks espresso beans thrown it. Anyone know how to get a good froth on the milk? (read more)

15462_Xmaspast.'s Response to 9012_Paul Nadin.'s Review

Written on: 10/03/2002

I got an expresso machine for Christmas and I love it.
<br>My Hotel training from my youth has come in handy for frothing milk.
<br>If you get the milk upto 140ish before tring to froth or it will be all over the place, when you are getting near 160f(you should not go over this if you can help it) you bring the nozzle of the frother near the surface to incorporate air, mine has a black cover which helps to get the right height for frothing.

Reply to this comment

58610_Vince.'s Response to 9012_Paul Nadin.'s Review

Written on: 17/12/2002

I've had my barista for several years and I have not had a single issue with the machine.
I have made literally thousand's of cups of coffee. Regarding one comment that after 100 cups it's junk this person must be extremely unlucky. The barista is a great machine and well built. Yes you need to clean the machine but such is life.
ciao peace

Reply to this comment

100709_Cups Guy.'s Response to 9012_Paul Nadin.'s Review

Written on: 23/05/2003

I've been a barista for several years and I can certainly tell you the secret of getting the thick foamy froth that you want on your Cappuccino or Latte (if you go to Starbucks). Make sure the steaming wand nozel is completely submerged as you begin to steam the milk. An earlier comment suggested waiting until the milk had reached 140 deg., but I suggest trying to froth it at 100 deg. An important thing to note is that you don't hold the steaming wand above the surface of the milk, but rather ON the surface of the milk (holding it above the surface of the milk while the milk is not yet warm is what causes it to SPLATTER!). As you do this you will see the milk (froth) begin to rise. Don't let it rise to fast or to high as you will find yourself with nothing more than warm milk bubbles just like a first grader would make with a straw. What you want to try and accomplish is what I like to call "frothing the froth". Keep the level of the froth constant and simply cause it to froth itself over and over until you reach to disired temperature or around 155-165 deg. (180 if a Seattle native ;). I hope this helped you out a bit. I know my costumers (even the native italians) have always enjoyed my cappuccinos!
<br>
<br>-Twunkson99@aol.com

Reply to this comment

Richard Scown.'s Response to 9012_Paul Nadin.'s Review

Written on: 30/05/2003

If you want perfect froth, buy the "Perfect Froth" attachment made by Krups (available from Amazon and elsewhere). It will fit over the steamer tip. Keep the steam turned low until the milk heats up, or excess frothing will occur. When the milk is warm, turn steam up to get as much froth as you want easily. I have this machine and the attachment. This IS the easiest solution!

Reply to this comment

Doubleshot's Response to 9012_Paul Nadin.'s Review

Written on: 09/11/2003

An earlier comment by someone who said they had been a barista for several years said 155 to 165 degrees for steaming milk. 165 would be the top end. Her comment about 180 if you are a Seattle native I am assuming was meant in jest. after 165 the milk actually burns. You may enjoy your latte extra hot (and I do) but anything past 170 will degrade the quality of your latte.

Reply to this comment

Thomashiney's Response to 9012_Paul Nadin.'s Review

Written on: 02/01/2004

Yep, am also a Barista...ok, an English Barista, but still- hear me out. Best way i've found for getting frothed milk that's just spot-on for both latte's and capps. is to (as someone mentioned before) submerge the wand in the milk from the outset. Keep the wand at the bottom and at full-blast slowly moving up the jug until you reach about say 130degreesC. Then take it to about 150 and leave it there. (with the last few seconds just below the surface) Should be noted that the temp. will continue to rise a little after the wand's removed, so don't over-do it! You pass 160 and the milk will start to boil and become soured. Good luck!

Reply to this comment
Report this review Read 6 Comments
overview